Press release

My friend Kiki wrote the following, and sent it to the press:

Local microbrewery makes a dash for the green hop.

A new trend is emerging amongst microbrewers, and its one with which Ramsgate brewery, GADDS’, is leading the way.

Owner, Eddie Gadd, explains, “I was intrigued to discover what kind of beer green hops would make. So this year, as soon as the hops were harvested, I was at the farm with a very large sack, to collect the East Kent Goldings before they were taken on to the drying bins, so that we could use them immediately, while they were still fresh and green.”

The brewery was able to do this because it is uniquely situated near the hop farm, Brook Farm in Shatterling. Eddie likens it to the race for Beaujolais Nouveau, a wine made with the first output from each harvest, which started as a celebration of the end of the harvest and to thank wine growers and workers, but then caught the imagination of wine drinkers around the world.

Eddie is delighted with the product of his experiment, which has captured the essence of the East Kent harvest, and fits in with the brewery’s ‘fresh, local and tasty’ ethos. “The beer is a celebration of the harvest, golden in colour, with a citrus, honey and blackcurrant aroma and a fresh, vibrant flavour of biscuity malt and spicy hops,” he says.

Called 'Green Hop Ale', it is the official ale for the Broadstairs Food Festival, which will take place on 1-3 October. During that period, it will be available in the town’s restaurants and bars, at the food fair in Victoria Gardens and at the Bottleneck. However for those who can’t wait to taste this amber nectar, it is available from Friday 17 September in pubs throughout East Kent, as well as direct from the brewery, though stocks are limited.

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For further information, please contact Lois Gadd on 01843 868453.

www.ramsgatebrewery.co.uk

www.gaddsbeershop.blogspot.com

Note to Editors

1. Traditionally, hops are picked and dried, then pressed into large sausage shaped sacks known as ‘pockets’. This allows them to be stored safely for use throughout the year. By using the hops fresh, and un-dried, the brewer is looking to create a beer with a uniquely fresh, crisp character showing off the world renowned East Kent Golding variety of hops at its best.

2. GADDS’ Ramsgate Brewery is at 1 Hornet Close, Pyson’s Road Industrial Estate, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2YD.

3. The Brewery Shop is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

4. GADDS’ is an award-winning brewery:

Taste of Kent Awards

Best Kent Brewery, 2007

Best Kentish Beer, 2008

Best Kentish Beer, 2009

Great Taste Awards, Double Gold, 2009 & 2010

17 September 2010

Press releases scare me. No idea why.