Stroud Brewery have held their annual Hop Picking Day, now in its 16th year, which sees folk from across Stroud converge on the brewery with home-grown hop plants.
They were joined by volunteers who assisted in preparing the hops. Everyone involved enjoys the convivial atmosphere, sharing a pint, and the satisfaction of helping to produce a unique beer that embodies Stroud’s sense of place and community.
This seasonal harbinger pale ale, called Brewers Garden, will be available in a couple of weeks in the brewery’s taproom and in pubs around Stroud for a limited period.
“It’s such an enjoyable and sociable event to be part of,” said Nick Quayle, who has been growing hops for the brewery in his garden since 2009.
“I enjoy watching the hop plant grow during the summer. After 15 years, it’s now very well established in my garden and grows up the side of my house and onto the roof!”
Left to right: Erica and Heather Swail, Paul Bingle and Russell Ashfield, and Alex Love and Heather Love
Heather and Will Swail, and their eight-year-old daughter, Erica, got involved as a lockdown project and have loved it ever since. “During that first lockdown, when the weather was glorious, we were frequently out in the garden like lots of people,” said Heather. “So we were delighted to get a free hop plant in return for our donation to the community crowdfunding appeal to save the brewery. Our plant grows over a lean-to and was taking over the washing line until I drew the line at that and insisted on a hard pruning back!”
This tradition started when one of the brewery’s loyal customers offered to grow hops after seeing the small hop garden at the old brewery. Since then, the Hop Club has grown, attracting new members, and Hop Picking Day has become a cherished tradition at Stroud Brewery.
Many of the growers commented on how their hops are smaller this year, possibly due to the lack of rain. However, a grand total of 75.75kg of green hops were still prepared and added to the Brewers Garden brew by production manager and brewer, Manuel Vrizzi.
Manuel Vrizzi gets the brew under way
Stroud Brewery managing director, Greg Pilley, said. “I always look forward to Hop Picking Day. It’s a chance for us here at Stroud Brewery to do something fun with our community, especially as we love sharing the experience of beer making.
“Coming together to harvest the hops that the members of the Hop Club have grown, and share a drink, is a good way to mark the turn of the seasons. Plus we get to create a really tasty beer.”
All growers who prepare their hops at the annual event receive nine free pints of Brewers Garden as a thank you. Volunteers helping on the day enjoy a free pint, along with a voucher to try the finished Brewers Garden at the Stroud Brewery taproom bar.
