Landlords across Shopperland have seized a golden opportunity to say happy 50th birthday to News Shopper by selling our special anniversary beer.

Ten pubs and micropubs across Kent and south east London have already signed up to sell Shopper Gold, which will be delivered soon.

It will also be available at next weekend’s Bexley CAMRA beer festival.

The beer is being made by the award-winning Swanscombe brewery, Caveman, using all-English ingredients and Kent Goldings hops.

Brewing of the 1,200 pints began five decades to the day since News Shopper’s first edition hit the streets on March 31, 1965.

A summery golden ale, it will clock in at around four per cent ABV.

News Shopper editor Andrew Parkes said: “As a very, very big fan of beer it has long been my ambition to brew my own ale.

“Having the opportunity to create a special, one-off ale to mark News Shopper’s 50th anniversary is therefore a dream come true.

“Caveman Brewery has been brilliant and James invited us along to help with the brewing process – even at the start of the process the smell of the malt and hops is intoxicating, everyone should try it.

“It’s also really pleasing that so many great pubs across Shopperland have got involved and agreed to take Shopper Gold.

“Personally I can’t wait to get my hands on a pint and I really hope loads of loyal Shopper/real ale fans join me in toasting the newspaper’s continued success - cheers.”

Pick up your pint(s) of Shopper Gold at:

  • The Penny Farthing, Crayford
  • One Inn the Wood, Petts Wood
  • The Long Pond, Eltham
  • Papermakers Arms, Hawley
  • Compass, Gravesend
  • Hare and Billet, Blackheath
  • Royal Albert, New Cross
  • George and Dragon, Swansombe
  • Ivy Leaf, Dartford
  • Dartford Working Men’s Club, Dartford
  • Bexley Beer Festival, featuring more than 75 different beers and ciders, is at Old Dartfordians Sports Club in Bourne Road from Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, April 26.

And this is the pump clip you’ll need to keep an eye out for:

News Shopper: