161 samples, 20 varieties and 5 categories of entry! Judged by an esteemed team of brewers, hops were marked on their trueness to variety type, quality and intensity of aroma, disease and pest free and the presentation of the sample.
The judging panel comprised of Steve Curtis - IBD's Technical Manager, Alan Unwin from Wealden Hops, Dereck Prentice- Brewing Manager at Fuller Smith & Turner, Chris Daws - Sales Director at English Hops Ltd, John Bexon - Head Brewer at Greene King and Mark Slater – Head Brewer at Theakstons Brewery.
The growers representing English Hops Limited submitted a range of hop samples for the awards and enjoyed significant success.
English Hops grower Frank Tipples, not only won 'The Brewers Cup' with his Admiral (best sample of British hops grown primarily for alpha) but he was also awarded the title of overall champion.
Our other featured growers also excelled with Little Pell Farm being placed 1st and 2nd in the 'Hop Merchants Cup'.