Brewer puts Wi-Fi on tap

Kent's drinkers can now get surfing as well as getting a Spitfire ale -- Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, has decided to open Wi-Fi hot spots in 15 of its pubs.

After trialling the technology in three of its pubs, Shepherd Neame opted to put the technology in all of the establishments it owns that have accommodation as well.

The hot spots will be up and running in the course of this month with the brewery expecting to roll out the technology to over 60 "managed houses" in Kent, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. It's also planning to update its brewery -- which first set up in Faversham in 1698 -- with a Wi-Fi network to let tourists and employees surf.

Telabria, who will be providing Shepherd Neame's Wi-Fi network, launched a service earlier this year to connect rural communities to the internet by using pubs as broadband hubs.

If you fancy browsing the Web with your Bishop's Finger, the new pub hot spots can be found in The Chequers, Lamberhurst; The Conningbrook, Ashford; The Crown Inn, Chislehurst; The Dog and Bear, Lenham; The Evenhill, Littlebourne; The Crown Inn, Sarre; The Railway, Faversham; The Marine, Tankerton; The Millers Arms, Canterbury; The New Flying Horse, Wye; The Royal Hotel, Deal; The Ship and Trades, Chatham; The Sun Inn, Faversham; The White Horse, Boughton; and The Woolpack Inn, Chilham.