Soil Association to hold ‘Land of Hops and Glory’ organic brewing event
22 June 2012
The Soil Association will be holding an organic brewing industry trade event, ‘Land of Hops and Glory’, at Laverstoke Park on Tuesday 3 of July. [1][2]
The event is designed for those interested in networking and learning about the organic brewing industry with activities to suit all. [3] On the day exhibitions, taste testing, farm walks and a BBQ will all be provided to those attending. [4] There will also be talks held by industry experts including Roger Protz and Greg Pilley. [5]
The event is open to growers, brewers, suppliers or contractors to brewers, beer wholesalers, beer retailers and trade organisations. Media specialists in food and drink are also welcome to attend.
Attendees will explore how the industry is increasing the social and environmental capital of the Great British brew. They will also learn how brewers effectively communicate their achievements to the consumer and what the organic movement can do to help. The event will also be marked by the opening of the first bottle of commemorative organic bitter. [6]
Soil Association's Trade Relations Manager Lee Holdstock said: “The emergence of artisan and local brewers highlights UK consumer increasing interested in where beer comes from and how it is made. Ever greater awareness of social and environmental issues means these consumers want quality beer they can trust and beer that literally doesn't cost the Earth. The UK brewing landscape is changing, so this is a particularly timely event for the organic sector”
Managing Director of Warminster Maltings Ltd, Chris Garratt said: “As a main supplier of premium organic malt to the Craft brewing industry, I'm delighted to have this opportunity to highlight the quality of the organic malting barley growers we work closely with and also the premium quality malting barley they produce for us year on year. Our sales of Organic malt continue to increase in all markets, especially Europe and North America and this event will provide an ideal opportunity for brewers to understand the potential markets for organic beer.”
Ends
For press enquiries contact the Soil Association press office:
Clio Turton, press office manager - 0117 914 2448 / 07795 562 556
Josh Stride, press & e-communications officer – 0117 314 5170 / 07717 802 183
press@soilassociation.org
For further information please contact:
Lee Holdstock, Soil Association Trade Relations Manager – 0117 314 5193/ 07717 802182/ lholdstock@soilassociation.org
Chris Garratt, Managing Director Warminster Maltings – 01985 212014 www.warminster-malt.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
[1] For information about the event, please visit: http://www.soilassociation.org/news/newsstory/articleid/3458/land-of-hops-and-glory-a-soil-association-trade-event-for-organic-growers-and-brewers
[2] The event will take place between 1pm and 9pm at Laverstoke Park, Overton (Nr Basingstoke), Hampshire RG25 3DR UK
Public Transport - For those coming by train, the nearest train stations are Overton and Basingstoke. We have arranged a free shuttle bus to and from Basingstoke, departing Basingstoke train station at 12:15 and departing the event at 20:45 (limited seats available on a first come basis).
By Car - Laverstoke Park is located 2 miles south of Overton on the B3051, or 2 miles north of A303- B3051 junction (Overton turn-off) on B3051. Ample on-site parking, please see map
[3] Soil Association certified organic breweries number more than 30 and collectively reported certified products sales of £ 10.5m last year. The Soil Association certify around 70% of all UK organic food and drink products on sale.
[4] Tickets for the afternoon event and evening BBQ cost £45/£35* (*concessionary rates for Soil Association licensees and Producer members – quote license/member number when purchasing). Please register for this event and purchase tickets here.
[5] Confirmed speakers include Roger Protz, Dominic Lane (Being Astronauts), Greg Pilley (Stroud Brewery) and Robin Appel (Warminster Maltings- Robin Appel Ltd), with contributions from Laverstoke Park Farm, The Space Creative and The Soil Association.
[6] Land of Hops & Glory is a 3.7% Organic bottle conditioned bitter, crafted especially for this event by The Little Valley Brewery using only organic hops and organic barley from two of the event supporters.
About the Little Valley Brewery
Little Valley Brewery sits high on the Pennine moorland of Cragg Vale near to Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. They brew an inspired range of beers, naturally refreshing and full of good taste. All of their beers are brewed with 100% organic agricultural ingredients. They carefully select only the best, tastiest organic hops and malts, all brewed with soft Yorkshire water sourced from high in the Pennines. All you get to taste are fine hand crafted beers that are naturally brewed to the highest standards. To find out more visit http://www.littlevalleybrewery.co.uk/about-us
About the Soil Association
The Soil Association was founded in 1946 by farmers, scientists, doctors and nutritionists to promote the connection between the health of the soil, food, people and the environment. Today the Soil Association is the UK's leading membership charity campaigning for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use. To find out more visit www.soilassociation.org
