Shepherd Neame secures double major golf partnership for 2026 championships

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has been appointed the official beer supplier of golf's original championship, The Open, for a fourth consecutive year.

The 154th Open will take place at Royal Birkdale in Southport from Sunday (July 12) to Sunday, July 19, with The R&A expecting up to 300,000 spectators across Championship week.

Golf fans will be able to enjoy a selection of Shepherd Neame brands, including official beer of the championship Singha, the premium Thai lager which the Faversham-based brewery has produced for the UK market since 2022. Iron Wharf Stout, Whitstable Bay Pale Ale and Orchard View cider will also be available throughout the event.

In a further boost to its partnership with elite golf, Shepherd Neame has also been named the official beer supplier of the AIG Women's Open for the first time. The landmark 50th staging of the Championship will be held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire from July 29 to August 2.

Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: "We are proud to continue our partnership with such a high-profile event as The Open, and also begin a new relationship with the AIG Women's Open. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of our award-winning brands with new audiences around the globe."

Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer of The R&A said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Shepherd Neame at The 154th Open but also to see our relationship grow to include the AIG Women's Open as we celebrate 50 years of the Championship."

Founded in 1698, Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer and continues to produce a diverse portfolio of beers and ciders from its historic brewery in Faversham, Kent.

About Shepherd Neame

Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes the Bear Island and Whitstable Bay collections. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and 286 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.

Shepherd Neame is not responsible for the content on third party websites.

About The Open

The 154th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale from 12-19 July 2026.

The Open is golf's original championship. Played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, it is the sport's most international major championship with qualifying events on every continent. For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans.

Staged by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of over £150 million to its host region, while the Championship's commercial success supports the development of the game, worldwide.

About the AIG Women's Open

First established in 1976 and now owned by The R&A, the AIG Women's Open is one of five major championships in women's golf.

Each year 144 players compete for the championship trophy with the low amateur, who plays 72 holes, awarded the Smyth Salver.

The AIG Women's Open will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes from 29 July – 2 August 2026. Future venues will include Royal St George's in 2027.

The Championship is the showpiece for The R&A's commitment to growing women and girls' golf via the Women in Golf Charter. The AIG Women's Open aims to champion the changing face of women's golf; to inspire, engage and provoke in order to challenge perceptions that will shape the future of the sport.

The AIG Women's Open is proudly supported by AIG and Patrons HSBC, Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Electric, Nikon, Rolex, Suntory and Toyo Tires.

For more information:

Kathryn Tye, Director of Marketing and Communications, Shepherd Neame Ltd, The Faversham Brewery, 17 Court Street, Faversham, Kent ME13 7AX. Email: ktye@shepherd-neame.co.uk, tel: 01795 542259. Website: www.shepherdneame.co.uk

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