It is only when you gather a crowd of brewers, producers and writers together, that you are suddenly reminded of levels of enthusiasm for the industry in which we operate.
Such was the case on a quiet evening in March, when assembled members of the brewing fraternity came together for a hop “rub and sniff” event hosted by Tring Brewery, Ali Capper of Stocks Farm and Paul Corbett from Charles Faram & Co.
The reason for this gathering? Well following a conversation between Ali Capper and one of the brewery directors last year, the team at Tring took on the challenge of brewing each of their monthly specials using a single hop variety. Now this is nothing new. Indeed only earlier this year Marston’s headlined with their take on this process.
What was different with the Tring challenge was that the team decided to use only Great British Hop varieties rather than those from across the globe.
Speaking on behalf of the brewery Ben Marston commented, “this has been an incredible project. We knew there would be challenges with using single hop varieties, especially when you’re trying to extract often subtle aroma and flavour characteristics from hops that are typically used for bittering. However through the inclusion of certain malts types we have been able to bring out a whole range of flavours. Undoubtably the proof is in the tasting, the sales and the customer feedback, which to date has been nothing short of amazing”.
Paul Corbett, MD of Charles Faram, the British Hop Merchant was delighted by the enthusiasm shown “Sometimes we need to be reminded that the hops we grow here in England are some of the best in the world. There has been a lot of justified excitement in recent years about the new hop aromas from America and New Zealand, but we must not forget that our Great British Hops have a wide range of aromas that make great beer”
Ali Capper of Stocks Farm, Worcestershire was delighted with the evening “to see Tring to take up my challenge to use British hops has been a humbling experience but one that I’d love to encourage other Brewers to repeat. Whether it’s a single hop beer or a blend of hops, British hops make brilliant beer. I want Brewers to be proud of the British hops in their British beer”
The line up for all 12 beers and the hop varieties used is as follows:
January Percy’s Toppler – East Kent Goldings
February Odd Job – Northdown
March Mortain Thief – Phoenix
April Bob’s Pass – Challenger
May Woodland Bell – Admiral
June Card Sharp – First Gold
July Nathaniel Titlark – Fuggles
August Half Timbered – Progress
September Roald D’Ale – W.G.V
October The Sapper – Endeavour
November November – to be confirmed
December Tringle Bells – Bramling Cross
Ends