While casually reading a blog one lunch time last week I came across a Post that named some of the ingredients in my favourite alcoholic beverage. I now know why it is so expensive – there is more contained in my one pint than I ever thought possible. Or, in fact, ever wanted.
There is one way that I can show my displeasure at this new discovery and that is to drink something else. The problem is, of course, what on the market can be guaranteed to be worthy of drinking and what would be better employed cleaning the family silver?
As luck would have it Transition Town Farnham are spearheading a Farnham Community Beer project under the banner of the Farnham Hoppers in order to, in their words, ‘…reconnect people with our town’s hop growing and brewing heritage... The Farnham Hoppers have already distributed their first Prima Donna Hop starter kits for all those joining their scheme. Prima Donna is a dwarf variety and therefore suitable for growing in gardens. Once the hop flowers are ready for picking all those in the scheme will pool their harvest in order to make a batch of community beer. For those who missed the May distribution of rhizomes I have been told that there may be a second in December. I am keeping my eye on the Hoppers’ blog and hoping that I can join the scheme.
Farnham is famous for its history of hop growing and beer brewing – you only need to walk around the area to see buildings used formerly as hop kilns such as The Packhouse shown in the picture above. It should be safe to say that the soil in this area is suitable for growing these plants – even in my back garden there should be a chance of success. Otherwise I am going to get really thirsty.
Cheers!
Eleanor Thomas aka KnitNell is a resident of Farnham. For more of her musings and illustrations do pop over to her regular blog at www.knitnell.com
