Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hobsons Crop Walk hailed a success
Over 20 farmers attended the first Hobsons Crop Walk aimed to
encourage local farmers to grow Maris Otter malting barley for the
brewery based in Cleobury Mortimer. Early reports from the Grain
Merchant Robin Appel indicate they are close to achieving the total
acreage of 150 acres.
The event was held on the 7th July at Hall Farm, Leinthall Earls
by kind permission of Stuart Hutchings Farm Manager at Gatley Farms
who gave a special tour of the farm and its crop of Maris Otter
malting barley. The evening concluded at the Sun Inn at
Leintwardine with the group enjoying the end product - a pint of
Hobsons real ale.
The Hobsons Crop walk was set up by a partnership of companies
with the shared interest of establishing a supply chain of locally
grown malting barley including Hobsons Brewery, John Amos &
Co., Grain Merchant Robin Appel and Fawcetts the maltsters.
John Amos from John Amos & Co., reported that "The feedback
from farmers for growing malting barley has been exceptional.
Many farmers recognised the need to spread their risk across
different crop types and the returns from malting barley,
particularly Maris Otter, particularly Maris Otter is creating a
good deal of enthusiasm through Growers".
As users of Maris Otter malt in their award winning beers
Hobsons are keen to get closer to the local farmers who are growing
the crop on contract. Maris Otter is an old variety of winter
barley but is in high demand as brewing barleys go, its brewhouse
performance and its flavour is unrivalled.
Nick Davis of Hobsons Brewery commented "We certainly were very
enthusiastic from the Farm Walk and feel that everything is moving
in the right direction, we have close to 150 acres of malting
barley lined up for next year which is fantastic news".
Farmers who were unable to attend the event but are interested
in growing Maris Otter malting barley should contact either John
Amos & Co on 01568 610007 or Mike Farrell from Robin Appel Ltd
on 01489 897104.
