Larkins Brewery is based in Chiddingstone near Edenbridge in Kent and produces award winning traditional Kentish real ales. Founded in 1986 by Marjorie and Ted Dockerty, alongside their son the late Bob Dockerty, a commercial hop grower and keen home brewer at the time.
The product range comprises four standard and two seasonal beers, made using only hops grown on Larkins Farm. Larkins deliver to around 40-50 local pubs and restaurants, as well as supplying private customers for parties, weddings and local events.
The brewery has always been a small close knit family team which comprises Bob’s nephew Head Brewer Harry Dockerty, his wife Becky Dockerty as Accounts and Office Manager, Drayman Martin Ayres, Hop Man and trainee brewer Robbie Neate and Karah Templeton as director.
Hops, they are in our blood…….
Hanging proudly in the office is the Order of Knights of the Hops (founded by John the Fearless in 1400’s) presented to Bob and Karah’s grandfather Robert Turner Langridge in 1976, for at 100 years old he was the oldest hop grower in Europe.
Going even further back, Bob and Karah’s Great Grandfather Stephen Langridge was also a hop farmer and is pictured here with his wife Fanny as 'Darby and Joan’ by Walter Dendy Sadler at their home at Salmans Farm, Penshurst. A signed etching hangs in the Larkins office.
Hop tokens circa 1860 (used to pay hop pickers and used as currency on farms instead of cash) bearing the initials S.L for Stephen Langridge are some of the family treasures found at Larkins today.