About Us

In 2009, James Sandy started brewing “Fortitude” the first of what has become an extensive range of beers all named after people or pivotal events in Kent’s history.

Today the brewery proudly produces 9 core beers all year round with many seasonal/special ales being sold to pubs and bottle outlets throughout the South East of England & East Anglia

Wantsum Brewery takes its name from the Wantsum Channel, the watercourse separating the Isle of Thanet and what was the mainland of the English county of Kent. During the time of King Henry VIII, this channel was the mooring place of the King’s Fleet. The brewery sits on what was one of the major tributaries to the Wantsum Channel.

The channel was originally guarded by two forts, Reculver and Richborough. The iconic Wantsum crest was designed by local artist Tom Miles and is an adaption of the twin turreted Reculver tower.

Wantsum Brewery was originally a 6 British barrel brewery brewing 24 firkins a week, but by 2012 it had grown to a 12 barrel brewery with production rising dramatically to 200 firkins a week. We use British barley and a variety of hops from around the world including, of course, the excellent hops from Kent.