Kent’s Balfour Winery launches beer range

Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst, deep in Kent’s hop country, has launched two new beers this week: Jake’s Lager and Jake’s IPA.

They form part of the Jake’s Drinks range alongside Jake’s Kentish Cider, Jake’s Orchard Cider and Jake’s Tree Apple Juice. The beers have been created by the Estate’s Balfour winemaking team, father and son Owen and Fergus Elias.

Although recent emphasis has been on winemaking, Owen Elias has 20 years experience making beer, and has combined his knowledge with the expertise of Cellarhead, a local Kent brewery to craft a pair of “traditional beers with a modern, English twist”.

Balfour Winery’s co-founders Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn commented on the additions to the range: “Our family-run estate lies in 400 acres of pristine Kent countryside, so it is important for us to make the very best of the local produce. The Jake’s Drinks cider range, named after our son, shows what can be achieved from our own apple orchards. Now we have two very special beers, crafted by our award-winning Balfour Winery team and some brilliant local brewers, to add to our portfolio.”

Both are available in 330ML cans and 30L kegs.