Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

British hop growers and brewers gathered at the offices of Charles Faram Ltd near Malvern in Worcestershire for the unveiling of the results of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling’s annual British Hop Competition. The competition dates back to 1944 and is judged by a panel of Master Brewers* who draw on their personal experience as Head Brewers to judge the quality of the hops. A total of 161 samples from the 2013 harvest were submitted to the competition. The overall champion was a sample of the hop variety Admiral, grown by Frank Tipples of Harts Heath in Kent. The award was presented by Simon Jackson, Chief Executive of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Simon said: “The enormous interest in the years hop competition, with over 30% more entries than last year, reflects the growing interest and demand for British hops. The standard of entries was very high and the judges had their work cut out to choose a winner. The wining sample of Admiral was grown in Kent and ...

British hop growers and brewers gathered at Stocks Farm in Worcestershire for the unveiling of the results of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling’s annual British Hop Competition for the 2012 crop. The competition dates back to 1944 and is judged by a panel of Master Brewers who draw on their personal experience as Head Brewers to judge the quality of the hops. A total of 122 samples from the 2012 harvest were submitted to the competition by 45 growers from across Britain. The overall champion was a sample of Fuggle hops grown by James Rickard of Rickards Farm in Canterbury, Kent. The award was presented by Mark Woodhouse, Chairman of Hall and Woodhouse and Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers. Full details of all the winners are listed below. Simon Jackson, Chief Executive of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling said “Britain is famed around the world as one of the world’s top brewing nations. The excellence of our local raw materials has been a key contribut...

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) have launched a new brewing qualification aimed at smaller independent brewers. Known as the “Brewer’s Diary”, it will allow brewery staff to learn in the workplace and give successful students formal certification from the IBD, the international professional organisation for people working in brewing and distilling. Simon Jackson, the Chief Executive of the IBD said “The last 10 years have seen a surge of new microbreweries; both in the UK and internationally. Technical knowledge is a vital element needed for their long term success. Beer drinkers may try a new beer once but they will only return if the quality is up to scratch. This new training equips microbrewers with all the skills needed to brew consistent quality beers.” SIBA Chief Executive Julian Grocock said “The vast majority of SIBA members are smaller companies that cannot release staff for long periods of off-site traini...