October marks the annual release of Stroud Brewery’s 4.2% ABV pale ale, Brewers Garden, and it’s a real community effort!
The community get involved with hop picking at Stroud Brewery
The hops used are grown by members of the local community in their own gardens and allotments.
Every mid-September, the team of local growers gather at the brewery to hand-pick their hops for the brewing of Brewers Garden. Two to three weeks later, local pubs, including the Stroud Brewery Taproom, welcome the beer on their taps.
Stroud Brewery has been making Brewers Garden each year since 2008. Every September, the Hop Club gathers in the brewery’s Balcony Bar to tackle and pick the mountain of hops they have spent the year growing in their gardens and allotments.
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.
The brew under way, with the locally-grown hops being added
The day often includes catching up with other members over a beer, coffee, and food, while listening to performances from local musicians.
“I always look forward to Hop Picking Day,” said brewery managing director Greg Pilley. “It’s a chance for us here at Stroud Brewery to do something fun with our community.
“We love sharing the process of beer making. Coming together to harvest the hops that the members of the Hop Club have grown over a beer and a bite to eat is a good way to mark the turn of the seasons. Plus, we get to create a really tasty beer.”
Brewers Garden will be available in several pubs across the Stroud district over the next week. Meanwhile, Hop Club is open to new members. The brewery can provide those interested with a free hop plant in springtime ready for next year’s harvest.
It’s Beer Today’s 20th anniversary this month!
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