This September saw the launch of the inaugural Norfolk Hop Festival at the brewery’s Salle Moor Hall Farm site, bringing together the local community, beer lovers, brewers and anyone interested in traditional, sustainable farming to celebrate the picking and use of hops.
 
“Harvesting in late summer, we brew with freshly picked green hops, which offer a different flavour profile,” explained Simon Barker, owner and head brewer. “We then freeze the rest of the crop, and believe that we are in the unique position of being able to produce green-hopped beer throughout the year.”
 
“We’re proud of the quality of our beers, and having access to our own hop supply not only allows us to have greater control over quality, but also reduces environmental impact.”
 
Throughout the festival, a variety of vegan dishes were provided for hungry hop-pickers, in keeping with the fact that most of All Day Brewing’s beers are unfined and suitable for vegans, as well as retaining all the flavour of the hop oils.
 
Many pickers returned throughout September, citing the food, the beer, the camaraderie and even the relaxing effects of handling hops as their motivation to turn up again – and more have already said they look forward to the next hop festival in 2017.
 
The event’s close was marked with celebratory, limited-edition bottles of Norfolk Green Hop Beer of the People offered to each of the hop-pickers.
 

• Tasting sessions are available in the brewery tap room on Saturdays 12–4 pm and Sundays 12 noon – 2 pm.