Since 2021 farmers and brewers have been collaborating with researchers in a three-year trial to identify disease-resistant hop varieties which could ‘feed UK demand for low-impact beer’.
Brewers and hop merchants report that demand for environmentally friendly beer made from locally sourced ingredients has ‘accelerated’ since the pandemic, but the demand cannot be met due to insufficient quantities of UK-grown organic hops.
With the Innovative Farmers field lab trials now well under way Stroud Brewery has won the popularity vote at the Great Beer Debate for its Oaty Ale Organic UK Pale Ale, which it describes as ‘smooth, juicy and fresh’.
Stroud Brewery’s managing director Greg Pilley began trialling different hop varieties to see how they would perform in zero input, organic conditions. The acclaimed ale which resulted from this research uses what Innovative Farmers says are the UK’s ‘first ever organically grown harlequin hops’.
During the Great Beer Debate a panel of hop growers, brewers and maltsters invited delegates from the Oxford Farming Conference and the Oxford Real Farming Conference to join them in celebrating British beer. Points of discussion included the challenges being faced by British farmers and how soil type and on-farm decision-making can impact the finished product.
Our hop industry punches very much above its weight
Prior to speaking on the panel, hop grower Ali Capper of Stocks Farm said she wanted to ‘bring to life how important the British hop is’. “It brings so much flavour to our beer. Our hop industry punches very much above its weight. But we’ve been through three really difficult years. COVID hit us hard with the closures of pubs, and the 2022 season has been difficult for all growers.”
Rebecca Swinn, Innovative Farmers manager, added: “We are excited to be back at the Oxford conferences with our much-loved debate.
“Since we founded Innovative Farmers a decade ago we have been inspired by the passion, expertise and creativity of British farmers as momentum around farmer-led research has grown. After a very difficult few years, we are delighted to get farmers together to celebrate everything they continue to achieve.”
