Limited Edition ale among series of commemorations for the Coronation to be staged by Shepherd Neame

The bespoke English Ale uses the iconic crown motif incorporating the official Coronation emblem, and is part of a series of special commemorations the brewer will be undertaking for the historic occasion.

The limited edition ale will be available on draught at a selection of Shepherd Neame’s pubs throughout Kent, London and the South East across the Coronation weekend, which runs from Friday, May 5 to Bank Holiday Monday, May 8.

Crafted by the company’s Master Brewers using the best of British barley, Coronation Ale has light caramel notes and a deep golden hue. Local East Kent Goldings hops add a spiciness to the citrus and fruit aromas which is rounded out with subtle bitterness from a generous hopping of Kentish Challenger.

Shepherd Neame has a long association with the Royal family, holding Royal Warrants for its flagship Spitfire Amber Ale as well as Grants Morella Cherry Brandy.

It is not the first time Shepherd Neame has created a special beer for a royal occasion. Last year, it brewed Celebration Ale to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and in 2016 made HMQ Celebration Ale to mark the Queen’s 90^th birthday.

Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We are delighted to mark this historic occasion, the Coronation of King Charles III, with a special beer. We hope that our customers will enjoy raising a glass to toast such a special occasion!”

To complement the ale, Project Executive Chef Sang Nguyen has created three new limited edition dishes with a royal twist that will be available at selected Shepherd Neame pubs across the Coronation weekend.

His Crown of Chicken consists of a whole roasted poussin served with purple sprouting broccoli, glazed carrots, wild mushroom sauce, and crispy King Edward roast potatoes.

The new Royal Pie comprises roasted wild mushroom, spinach and butternut squash with wild mushroom sauce, and features a special hand crafted royal crest on its puff pastry lid.

Or for a lighter bite, try the Coronation Club Sandwich, comprising Coronation Chicken with lettuce, tomato and bacon between three slices of freshly baked granary or white bread, again served with King Edward roast potatoes.

Sang said: “When we began thinking of new recipes to mark the Coronation of King Charles III, our key focus was to not only celebrate this historic occasion but also use the opportunity to celebrate the fantastic British produce on our doorstep.

“We included King Edward potatoes with two of the dishes as the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 coincided with the introduction of the variety and its name is believed to originate in the commemoration of the occasion. So we have incorporated two Coronations into one!

“I came up with the idea for the twist on the sandwich as Coronation Chicken was first served in 1953 to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, blending roast chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce including mayonnaise and curry powder. It has become a British classic, so I decided to incorporate that unique flavour combination but bring it into the 21st century by including it in the popular club sandwich.

“We are really pleased with the new dishes and hope that they will cater for all tastes and prove popular with guests during the Coronation weekend.”

To further toast the new King and Queen Consort, two special cocktails have been created, a Royal Sherry Martini, based on the Coronation No.1 - created for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 – and a Royal Cherry, using Shepherd Neame's own Grants Morella Cherry Brandy.

To find out more about Shepherd Neame’s Coronation celebrations visit: https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/coronation-weekend and see below for pub events.

Shepherd Neame pubs screening the Coronation on Saturday, May 6:

Cask and Glass, 39-41 Palace St, Victoria, London, SW1 5HN

Coach & Horses, 5 Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5LD

The Exchange, 659 Southchurch Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2PW

Georges Soho, 1 D’Arblay Street, London, W1F 8DG

Hamlet Court, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7LP

White Horse & Bower, 86 Horseferry Road, Westminster, SW1P 2EE

Shepherd Neame pubs screening the Coronation on Saturday, May 6 and the Coronation Concert on Sunday, May 7:

Bloomsbury Tavern, 236 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8EG

Botany Bay Hotel, 8 Marine Drive, Kingsgate, Broadstairs CT10 3LG

Coach & Horses, 2 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1D 4TA

Duke of Wellington, 63 Eaton Terrace, Belgravia, SW1W 8TR

Freemasons Arms, 81-82 Long Acre, London, WC2E 9NG

Mabels Tavern, 9 Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9AZ

Tom Cribb, 36 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4EA

Shepherd Neame pubs holding Coronation events and celebrations:

The Crown, 49 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, London SE3 0BS: Live music from The 66 on Sunday, May 7

Bishops Finger, St. Dunstans Street, Canterbury CT2 8AF: Screening live events all weekend and a Coronation Disco on Saturday, May 6

The Bellhouse, 321 Rayleigh Rd, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS9 5PX: Live acoustic music on Friday, May 5, and a Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 6

The Exchange, 659 Southchurch Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2PW: Best of British live music in the evening

Hamlet Court, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7LP: Live music from Dave and Fi on Friday, May 5, screening the Coronation on Saturday, May 6 and a Coronation Quiz night on Sunday, May 7

Horse & Groom, 15 Leyton Cross Rd, Wilmington, DA2 7AP: Live music and a hog roast all weekend

Kings Head, Woodchurch Road, Shadoxhurst, TN26 1LQ: Live music as part of the Shadoxhurst Community Forum free event on Monday, May 8 between noon and 6pm

The Minnis Bay Bar and Brasserie, The Parade, Birchington CT7 9QP: Royal-themed quiz on Saturday, May 6

Oak on the Green, The Green, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4EJ: Live music evening on Friday, May 5 and live music from 5.30pm on Sunday, May 7

Pier Five, Dock Head Road, St Mary's Island, Chatham ME4 4ZJ: Drag Bingo Night on Saturday, May 6

Restoration, 13 Bank Street, Sevenoaks, TN13 1UW: Screening live events all weekend, live music on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7