North Downs Way

How does it work?

Each brewery has dedicated an “Ale of The Trail” to become an official beer of the North Downs Way. Most ales have a link to the trail either through name, local ingredients or links to military or cultural heritage.

Many of our visitors enjoy a pint of local ale as they explore the trail and we’re making it easier for them to support local breweries as they do so.  Working with our fantastic network of country pubs, inns and farm shops we have created a map and beer passport for walkers to seek out the different ales and tick them off as they pass along the trail.

This is great news for the breweries, pubs and the walkers but also for the trail. You can download a stylish Brewery Map and Ales of the Trail Passport below.

Download the Brewery Map

Download the Ales of the Trail Passport

Who’s Involved? 

The area has a rich history of hop growing and strong links to the brewing industry stretching back centuries. Today it is home to many outstanding and award-winning local producers. Here are breweries and beers involved. Enjoy!

Hogs Back Brewery- TEA (Traditional English Ale). 4.2%

Widely available in local pubs and in supermarkets by the bottle

You can’t get more English than a country walk and a refreshing cup of TEA

Godstone Brewers- BUZZ – honeyed bitter.  4.7%

Bottles; only available from Flower Farm Shop, Godstone and selected beer festivals on draught

Made from North Downs Honey – Buzz is the Farm Dog where the beer is brewed

Titsey Brewery- Leveson Buck- session IPA.  3.7%

Highest altitude beer on the trail – brewed on site at Titsey Brewing Co. on Clarks Lane Farm, and available to drink at the Titsey taproom. Sure to put a spring in your step

Westerham Brewery- Spirit of Kent  9 Hop XXX Pale Ale.  4%

Westerham Brewery Taproom & widely available in real ale pubs along the trail. Cask & Bottle.

Named after a Mk IX Spitfire, part of the County of Kent Fighter Squadron who fought in the Battle of Britain.

Kent Brewery – Prohibition- American Pale Ale.  4.8%

Widely available in real ale pubs on tap and in cans. Brewed with US hops and drawing a historical line from The Pilgrim Fathers landing in America through to Prohibition.

Musket Brewery – Fife & Drum Golden Ale.  3.8%

Widely available throughout Kent

http://www.musketbrewery.co.uk/buy-our-beer

Perfect refreshment for a march in the English Countryside

Shepherd Neame – Bishops Finger – Strong Kentish Ale. 5.4%

Widely available in bottle and draft in Shepherd Neame pubs and in supermarkets

Takes its name from the finger-shaped signposts which pointed pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury

Breakwater Brewery – Hellfire Corner Pale, Hoppy APA  4.2%

Breakwater Taproom, Dover and real ale pubs along the trail

Hellfire corner describes the area of East Kent around Dover where the Battle of Britain was fought in WW2

Canterbury Brewers – Torpedo Amber Ale.  4.5%

The Foundry Brewpub, Canterbury

In 1794 the 1st Torpedo was commissioned at the Foundry (now brewery). (Partially) successful testing left Herne Bay with widespread damage. An explosive beer.

Goody Ales – Good Heavens, Amber Hoppy Ale.  4.1%

“The Cathedral” taproom at the brewery and real ale pubs through Kent and SE London

http://www.goodyales.co.uk/wheretobuy.html

Made with Pilgrim Hops on the outskirts of Canterbury