Nomadic Beers, in Leeds, is celebrating the hop harvest by brewing two beers using freshly-picked hops from gardens across the city.
Leeds CoHoperative members bring their bounty together at the brewery. Photographs: Nomadic Beers
Working in collaboration with the Leeds Co-Hoperative community group, this annual event is now in its fifth year, and it is the fourth year that Nomadic Beers has produced the brew.
Brewery owner Katie Marriott said: “It’s great to be working with the Leeds Co-Hop group again. Our fresh hop pale beer, called GeeGee, is one of the most anticipated and popular beers we brew.
“Gardeners across Leeds have grown Cascade hops and these are used to brew GeeGee. This year’s is a bumper crop and the best we have had so far — over 33kg! Last year’s haul was around 18kg.”
Members of the Leeds Co-Hoperative harvest the hops from their gardens, before delivering them to the brewery. The hops are then used in the brew within 24 hours of picking.
This year will be the first time Nomadic Beers will produce two fresh hop beers. The Leeds Co-Hoperative community have also planted and grown a second variety, Prima Donna (First Gold).
“The second hop means we can do a second beer, and this time we have asked the hop community to vote on the style and they chose to brew a bitter. We are also running a competition to pick the name,” said Katie.
Sharon Scarmazzo, co-ordinator for the Leeds Co-Hoperative, said: “The Leeds hop harvest is turning into a bigger and better event every year, and to have two new beers this year, brewed with home-grown hops, is really exciting!”
GeeGee and the yet-to-be-named bitter will both be launched at a special event at Nomadic Beers’ brewery taproom on Saturday, 9th October.
