Wild hops

[MikeMarcus]

Does anyone know a place day-trippable from London where I can pick some tasty wild hops to wet hop my first lager?

There are loads near Radley in Oxforshire and growing alongside the Thames but they are very garlicky. I'm looking for bright, fruity aroma. Goldings-like hops would be nice.

[scuppeteer]

Most of the small rural roads in Kent. Look for, not so tidy, well established hedgerows. South of Maidstone is good, from Paddock Wood to Headcorn. As well as plenty around Canterbury.

[MikeMarcus]

fantastic, just the information I was looking for. If I get the train down there, what's the best station to get off at? Paddock wood, Marden, Staplehurst or Headcorn?

Have you brewed with hops from around there before?

[masterosouffle]

Not sure about wild ones (though there are loads round here) but jump on the train to faversham tomorrow and get down to the hop festival, bines stuffed full of fresh green EKG are a tender each, plus loads of beer and bands...

[MikeMarcus]

Damn! I have plans tomorrow. Is it on Tuesday too?

Edit: No Mike. It's Sunday tomorrow not Monday. I'm so going there!

[MikeMarcus]

Their website is down. Does it cost? If so how much?

[jimp2003]

THIS google map has a couple of listings for hops growing in the London area and further afield...

[masterosouffle]

Their website is down. Does it cost? If so how much?

Doesn't cost anything apart from your beer and hop money, it's literally in the town centre, prob 15 yards from the station and you'll be into it!

Www.favershamhopfestival.org

Enjoy, beer for a walk in to town today, but now home with a brew on, a SMASH with EKG, finished off with a few big handfuls of homegrown ones at flame out! Tomorrow though off to the Olympics otherwise I'd have suggested meeting for a beer.

[MikeMarcus]

So I should bring a couple of hundred quid then

[MikeMarcus]

I have to say. The festival was a little crap. I was expecting at least a few growers to be present. I could only find one and he was more interested in selling hops for decoration than brewing. I did pick up half a bine of challenger to wet hop my 100% Brett amber though so all was not lost.

[scuppeteer]

Sorry for not replying Mike, been a busy weekend. I think Hop festival is artistic licence for a piss up and farmers market. I too was disappointed about the obvious lack of growers, but never mind a few good beers were had and talked to some interesting people.
Anyway i would suggest if you want another jolly out, Marden would be the best as it's the most rural. Wander out of the village in any direction and you will find hops growing. I haven't brewed with any from there myself but have got some around my village which is only 5 or 6 miles away.
Or go to Waitrose in Balham (yes I know) they have one growing up the gate to the yard, at least they did last year. And the houses behind have loads in their garden which look wild to me.

[MikeMarcus]

Thanks for the info. I will certainly use it.

[alfie09]

anyone know of any wild hops in north wales ha

[jimp2003]

anyone know of any wild hops in north wales ha

There is supposedly some near Llannor just north of Pwllheli and some at the top edge of Darland Wood which is just off the A483 just south of Ruabon (see link to map I posted above..)

[alfie09]

cheers. just been scared of. went there with the little un for a walk. past a few PRIVATE PROPERTY signs i thought to my self ahhh no one seems to live around here, i was wrong it lead to a big farm were i was told to go away. i did explain what i was looking for and that. they said if i want to do that i need permission of a game keeper or something. i was shown were he lives and was told he has a big gun. next time i will go and ask him i think