Newsletter from Charles Faram hop factors and merchants

HOP NEWS MAY 2001

Welcome to the new Charles Faram News Service. Our aim is to provide you with news and information from the hop yards of the world with information on the growing season, new varieties and other items of hop interest.

STRINGING (Tall Hops) Hop Stringing at Munsley

March-April
Stringing is done as soon as conditions allow. The hop can then grow away and establish themselves on the string. This particular shot is courtesy of Mr Mike Robinson of Munsley Herefordshire.

Training the Hops TRAINING (Tall & Hedgerow Hops)
April-May
Shortly after the tall hops are strung the hops begin to grow away. If they are not trained they can lose their way and crawl across the rows causing lots of problems. The hedgerow hops (as seen in this picture courtesy of Peter Davies of Dormington Herefordshire) do not need stringing every year and grow up a net. The net needs to be replaced every 4-5 years .

ORGANIC NEWS - May 2001

The first patch of organic hops in Herefordshire was planted in January this year. The variety is First Gold and it has been undersown with Winter Vetch to help provide extra nutrients and improve soil structure. The wirework and netting has only just been completed due to the very wet Spring. Here we see Hannah Walker (age 4)starting the training at the hop yard in the Teme Valley.

Improving our service

YEAST From 1st July DCL ALE & LAGER YEASTS are available from stock and can be delivered to you on our next day service.
MALT We also stock a wide range of MUNTONS MALT that can be collected from our warehouse at Newland, Nr Malvern, or for larger loads, delivery can be arranged to the brewery.
WWW. ? Charles Faram & Co may be 136 years old but we are leaping into the 21st century in September with the launch of our website that will be accessed on www.charlesfaram.co.uk or www.thehopstore.co.uk

Watch out for further details…….