Shropshire Barley Growers Project

At Hobsons Brewery we are proud of our provenance and have developed a strong ethos towards sourcing locally grown ingredients.

In 2010 Hobsons Brewery embarked on an initiative to source locally grown Maris Otter malting barley, a variety recognised in the industry as being the best malting barley available to produce high quality beers with great taste.

A small producers group was set up with the objective to establish a sustainable supply chain of locally grown malting barley. In collaboration with local land agent John Amos & Co, grain merchant Robin Appel and Fawcetts the maltsters, a series of open days were organised to encourage local farmers to come along and learn about the opportunities to grow Maris Otter.

Over 20 farmers attended the first Hobsons Crop Walk held at Hall Farm, Leinthall Earls part of Gatley Farms, local growers were given a special tour of the farm and its crop of Maris Otter malting barley. The feedback from farmers attending the events has been extremely positive, farmers recognise the need to spread their risk across different crop types and the returns from malting barley, particularly Maris Otter is very appealing.

Following the open days the small producers group have secured six farmers/ growers to plant Maris Otter malting barley within thirty miles of the brewery in South Shropshire, to date we have contracted 350 acres enough to take all our demand for 2011.

By setting up a local supply chain of Maris Otter malting barley has enabled Hobsons to complete the loop of producing a local pint, as the hops are already grown locally some seven miles from the brewery, with 90% of our demand grown by Jeff Thompson of Little Lambswick Eardiston.

If you would like further information on the project or would like to get involved contact us at the brewery Tel: 01299 270837 or grain merchant Robin Appel Tel: 01489 896388, http://www.robin-appel.com/