Kentish hop-growing initiative expands
A Kent-based non-profit organisation where members grow hops in their gardens to make beer has expanded its reach. The post Kentish hop-growing initiative expands appeared first on The Drinks Business.
A Kent-based non-profit organisation where members grow hops in their gardens to make beer has expanded its reach.
The initiative, named Hop Along Thanet (HAT), launched in 2020 during the pandemic and was initially created to help its community during a difficult time.
But, as time passed, its membership grew and, as well as serving Northdown Brewery near Margate, the community project has also now branched out to include more outdoor spaces across the county.
According to the BBC, HAT encourages its members to grow hops in their back gardens and allotment plots and now counts one of its newest members as The University of Kent, based in Canterbury, which is soon set to grow 20 plants on its campus.
HAT founding member Chris Morrissey told reporters: "Its more than a hobby, it's an involvement with a historic Kent tradition".
Morrissey pointed out that, amid the pandemic, it was a means of both occupying people as much as a route towards helping the community. He explained: "Not only did it bring people together in a difficult period but it gave me something new and interesting to do."
Now rapidly expanding, HAT has more than 50 members now helping who have taken part in planting 150 hop bines in their gardens and allotments across Thanet and is one of a number of community hop growing groups across the county contributing towards local craft breweries keeping costs down.
The hops, which are perennial but have new roots planted in early spring with the crop normally harvested in mid September, are then taken to local brewers to use in their beer recipes.
For instance, in October each year, HAT members are encouraged to join in as part of Northdown Brewery’s Green Hop Festival to try Hopalong Green Ale, a 4.5% ABV beer is brewed using the hops harvested by the community.
Morrissey revealed that, as part of a thank you, “every member is invited to come down and have a pint or two”.
According to Morrissey: "Hops are a wonderful and beautiful thing to have growing in your garden or allotment” and he highlighted how the project was a perfect example for how communities can work together to support independent breweries while also giving residents a social outlet.
He added that it was clear that “people really enjoy coming together at harvest time”.
The initiative, named Hop Along Thanet (HAT), launched in 2020 during the pandemic and was initially created to help its community during a difficult time.
But, as time passed, its membership grew and, as well as serving Northdown Brewery near Margate, the community project has also now branched out to include more outdoor spaces across the county.
According to the BBC, HAT encourages its members to grow hops in their back gardens and allotment plots and now counts one of its newest members as The University of Kent, based in Canterbury, which is soon set to grow 20 plants on its campus.
HAT founding member Chris Morrissey told reporters: "Its more than a hobby, it's an involvement with a historic Kent tradition".
Morrissey pointed out that, amid the pandemic, it was a means of both occupying people as much as a route towards helping the community. He explained: "Not only did it bring people together in a difficult period but it gave me something new and interesting to do."
Now rapidly expanding, HAT has more than 50 members now helping who have taken part in planting 150 hop bines in their gardens and allotments across Thanet and is one of a number of community hop growing groups across the county contributing towards local craft breweries keeping costs down.
The hops, which are perennial but have new roots planted in early spring with the crop normally harvested in mid September, are then taken to local brewers to use in their beer recipes.
For instance, in October each year, HAT members are encouraged to join in as part of Northdown Brewery’s Green Hop Festival to try Hopalong Green Ale, a 4.5% ABV beer is brewed using the hops harvested by the community.
Morrissey revealed that, as part of a thank you, “every member is invited to come down and have a pint or two”.
According to Morrissey: "Hops are a wonderful and beautiful thing to have growing in your garden or allotment” and he highlighted how the project was a perfect example for how communities can work together to support independent breweries while also giving residents a social outlet.
He added that it was clear that “people really enjoy coming together at harvest time”. 
