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Spitfire Fact File: Everything You Wanted to Know
Spitfire Kentish Ale by Shepherd Neame is a seriously good beer, with a small but dedicated following among real ale drinkers. But how many calories are there in a pint of Spitfire? How strong is it? Is Spitfire gluten-free? Or vegan? What beer is similar to Spitfire? Let’s find out.
There are 196 calories in a pint of Spitfire (568ml). It is 4.2% abv when poured from a cask, and 4.5% abv when poured from a bottle. Spitfire is not gluten-free as it contains barley. Bottled Spitfire is vegan-friendly, but cask Spitfire is not due to the use of isinglass.
In this article, I will take a closer look at each of the questions raised above. I will also talk about beers that are similar to Spitfire, in case you fancy a change from your usual beer.
How Many Calories Are There in a Pint of Spitfire?
The Shepherd Neame website is fantastic, answering all of my nutrition-related questions. There are different calorie values for bottled and cask beer, so I will provide the calories for a pint using the cask calories per 100ml (34.5) and use the other calories per 100ml (37) for the bottled version.
- There are 196 calories in a pint of Spitfire (568ml)
- There are 185 calories in a 500ml bottle of Spitfire
How Much Alcohol is There in a Pint of Spitfire?
A pint of Spitfire is 4.2% abv. However, if you are drinking from the bottle, then the alcohol content is slightly higher. A bottle of Spitfire contains 4.5% abv. This stronger alcohol content helps to keep the beer “fresh” for longer.
Is Spitfire Gluten-Free?
Barley is one of the main ingredients in Spitfire, so sadly there is no way that it can be gluten-free.
Is Spitfire Vegan?
As with the calories and the alcohol content, the answer to whether Spitfire is vegan or not depends on what form you are drinking. Bottle or cask. The cask version of Spitfire uses isinglass to clarify the beer (remove sediment and yeast and prevent the beer from being cloudy).
Isinglass comes from fish swim bladders, so is an animal product and not vegan. Check out my article on whether beer is vegan or not to learn more.
The bottled version of Spitfire does not use isinglass though, so can be considered vegan-friendly.
What Beer is Similar to Spitfire?
Spitfire Kentish Ale by Shepherd Neame is an English pale ale (specifically a bitter). This is a very common form of Ale in England, and there are some excellent alternatives out there. Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale by Greene King, Hobgoblin Ruby Ale, St Austell’s Tribute, Doom Bar, Badger Bitter, London Pride from Fuller’s.
All of these beers are well rounded and are very refreshing. Bombardier is another ale that is similar to Spitfire. Shepherd Neame also offer a Spitfire Gold, which is a golden ale. They also sell Spitfire Lager, but this is obviously very different from Spitfire ale.
Spitfire Ale by Shepherd Neame is a fantastic beer, with a great history. First brewed to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain it is now celebrating its 30th birthday (2020). I personally really enjoy this beer, whether it is bottled or poured from a cask. A superb beer.
About the Author Matt Smith
Matt Smith is the owner of Beer N Biceps. He has a degree in Sports Science, 10 years of experience working in the fitness industry, and has written for hundreds of fitness websites. He is a lover of good quality beer and believes that drinking in moderation can form part of a healthy lifestyle.
