Simon Parker, recent Chairman of the British Hop Association and a Director of the new group said “We have worked closely with Charles Faram for many years and to be able to move this forward in such a positive way in such a difficult time for hop growers is a fantastic opportunity. Every member of the new group is delighted to be involved and we are looking forward to working with the team at Charles Faram and their brewery customers.”

The growers in the new group already produce a wide range of varieties, offering top quality hops ranging from the traditional Fuggle and Golding varieties to the low trellis varieties Sovereign, First Gold, Endeavour, Archer®, and the aphid resistant variety Boadicea. The group is also growing a large proportion of the own brand Jester®, Olicana® and Harlequin™ acreage for Charles Faram.

They are also very conscious of the environment and are looking at new practices to reduce the carbon footprint of the hops grown. This includes growing varieties that use less crop protection products, autumn planting of inter row cover crops, carbon neutral fuel in tractors and for drying in the kilns. James Hawkins, another of the grower Directors in the new group said “Growing of hops is a passion we all have in abundance, to link directly with Charles Faram and have access to their Development Programme is very exciting. We are already growing four of their new varieties commercially and look forward to seeing others come through. To have a closer relationship with brewers and meeting their requirements gives me confidence that we can keep supplying British Hops and make sure that the sixth generation of our family will continue to grow hops as I and the four before me have.”