HOP growers from a wide area met at Claston Farm, Dormington, last week to tour the hop yards and drying kilns and listen to talks by several experts in the industry.

A highlight of the day was an address on hedgerow hops at Claston by Dr Peter Darby, head of hop research at HRI Wye College.

Claston Farm is the home of some new varieties that have shown excellent growth and yield potential. The state-of-the-art equipment at the farm is the very latest and aroused a great deal of interest among visitors. The day began with an introduction by Martin Jolly, president of the International Hop Growers' Congress.

Peter Davies outlined the history of hop growing at Claston and gave is views on the future. Hop consultant Peter Glendinning talked on Hop Growing Redesigned? And Dr Caroline Walker, of Brewing Reserarch International, on hops and health. An address by Thomas Hawkins, chairman of Hawkbrand Hops, was entitled, the Finest Ingredients.

Aftr lunch Mark Dorbar, proprietor of the White Horse, Parsons Green, spoke on Hoppier Beers and Food, and Miss Judy Boulds on Brewput Business in the USA.