Named in honour of the inquisitive and extremely “fursty” ferrets of the Gribble Inn, a celebrated golden brown ale, full of character. At the heart of many a countryside village can be found an inn. A place where locals go to relax after a long day. At one such inn, rumour has it that inquisitive ferrets would sneak to the back door to cheekily sample the local brew. A sweet nutty palate, hoppy aroma and a hint of Seville oranges, give this tawny amber ale its distinctive personality. Recommended with smooth and creamy West Country Cheddar or indulgent pork pies and mustard.

Used to be known as No 1; then in 1997 it was re-named No 1 Champion Ale after winning a Tesco bottled beer competition; renamed in 2004 to Champion. Production moved from Fountain to John Smiths in Dec 2004. Also see Gordon Highland Scotch. Production moved to Bedford in late 2011 following the acquisition of the McEwan’s and Younger’s brands by Wells & Youngs from Heineken.

Bishops Finger takes its name from the finger-shaped signposts which pointed pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury and was the first strong ale to be brewed by Shepherd Neame after malt rationing was eased in the late 1950s. It is one of the UK’s oldest bottled beers, brewed since 1958. Bishops Finger holds EU Protected Geographical Indication, recognising its unique provenance. Uniquely, it is brewed to a charter which states it can only be brewed by the head brewer on a Friday and that it must be brewed using 100% natural ingredients, Kentish hops and barley, and the brewery’s own artesian mineral water.