Kent Crisps is expanding its range with the launch of Beef Brisket & Stout Flavour, a new hand-cooked variant developed with Kent brewer Shepherd Neame and promoted in partnership with The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The product, due to launch officially on 29 April, is the eighth flavour in the Kent Crisps portfolio and the company’s first new product introduction since 2021. It will be sold in 40g packs through outlets across south-east England, with the company also signalling broader distribution potential.

The launch brings together three Kent brands in a provenance-led collaboration aimed at strengthening regional positioning in the premium snacks segment. Kent Crisps said the new variant was developed using Shepherd Neame’s Iron Wharf Stout, a dark nitro stout described as being inspired by Faversham’s shipbuilding heritage. The stout’s roasted malt profile is used to support the beef brisket flavour, giving the product a more traditional savoury positioning.

The front-of-pack design also ties the product to Kent’s maritime heritage through a partnership with The Historic Dockyard Chatham, with HMS Cavalier featured as part of the branding. The company is positioning that regional identity as a commercial asset for retailers looking for premium products with a clear local story.

Laura Bounds MBE, owner of Kent Crisps, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching our new Beef Brisket & Stout Flavour crisps which represents months of hard work by the team and our partners. The launch marks one of our most significant and exciting partnerships to date. Our ethos has always been to champion the very best of Kent, from exceptional local producers to the county’s world-class visitor destinations and this launch brings all those elements together in a way that truly reflects our values – I couldn’t be prouder.”

For Shepherd Neame, the collaboration extends one of its newer beer brands into a food application while reinforcing the brewery’s emphasis on local heritage. Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said: “At Shepherd Neame, we’re passionate about creating beers that reflect both our heritage and our spirit of innovation, so collaborating with Kent Crisps on this new flavour has been a natural fit. Iron Wharf Stout was inspired by Faversham’s shipbuilding past, and it’s been exciting to see its rich, roasted character brought to life in a completely new way. This partnership is a great example of how local producers can come together to create something distinctive that celebrates the very best of Kent.”

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is also using the project to extend its presence beyond the visitor attraction sector and into branded consumer products. Richard Morsley, chief executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, said: “This partnership is a true celebration of Kentish pride. By linking The Historic Dockyard Chatham with two of the county’s most respected producers, we are showcasing the very best of what Kent has to offer. We are delighted to see Medway’s maritime legacy celebrated in this way. We look forward to seeing the Dockyard represented on shelves across the country and welcoming crisp lovers to come and see the real HMS Cavalier for themselves.”

Kent Crisps said the new line is made with Red Tractor Assured British potatoes and remains aligned with the brand’s existing product specifications, including being free from MSG and the top 14 allergens. The company said this supports suitability for a broad consumer base while maintaining the premium texture and quality associated with hand-cooked crisps.

Commercially, the launch gives Kent Crisps a new product story at a time when differentiated regional positioning remains important for independent snack brands competing for shelf space. By combining brewery credentials, heritage branding and a premium flavour profile, the business is attempting to create a product with appeal both to local consumers and to retailers seeking products with a stronger provenance narrative.

With no new product launched since 2021, the introduction also marks a notable portfolio development for the brand and could serve as a test of how far heritage-led collaborations can support wider distribution.