The Faversham Hop Festival returns this weekend (3rd and 4th September) for the first time in three years, with principal sponsor Shepherd Neame leading the celebrations.
Farmer Antony Rudgard-Redsell, Shepherd Neame senior brewer and quality manager Stewart Tricker, shift brewer Scott Wilkins, and technical brewer Danielle Whelan select the hops for green hop ale Oast Dodger. Photograph Shepherd Neame
Festival-goers will be able to enjoy Shepherd Neame’s limited edition green hop ale Oast Dodger (4.5% ABV), brewed to coincide with the event.
Beer is usually brewed with dried hops, but green hop ales are made using fresh green hops which go from bine to beer in a matter of hours.
Shepherd Neame senior brewer and quality manager, Stewart Tricker, technical brewer, Danielle Whelan, and shift brewer, Scott Wilkins, travelled the short distance from the Faversham brewery to Parsonage Farm, Boughton-under-Blean, last week to select and help pick the first hops of the year with farmer Antony Rudgard-Redsell.
Stewart said: “We are blessed here at Shepherd Neame to have so many wonderful hops growing right on our doorstep, in the heart of England’s hop county. This year’s Oast Dodger has been generously hopped with Fuggles, a truly local hop, originally grown in Brenchley, near Tunbridge Wells. Fuggles gives delicate minty, grassy, and floral aromas, which are especially prominent when used as a green hop in brewing.
“Beer really doesn’t come any fresher than this. The end result is a fragrant golden ale that boasts a truly unique flavour and aroma. I’m sure it will go down a storm at this year’s Hop Festival.”
Live music will once again be an integral part of this year’s festival, and the Shepherd Neame Brewery Stage, in Court Street, will feature a varied range of acts over both days.
For more information and tickets, click here.
