Grain Brewery, in Alburgh, Norfolk to host beer festival

Grain Brewery, based in Alburgh, near Harleston, will launch its Fresh Hopped Beer (FHB) later this year when it hosts a new event to mark the end of the hop harvest season.

The brewery’s Taproom, which opened earlier this year, has become a go-to location for locals, visitors and beer enthusiasts thanks to its range of beers.

Grain brewery at Alburgh. Phil Halls checks the tanks (Image: Andy Darnell)

Phil Halls of Grain Brewery (Image: Grain Brewery)

Brewery owner Phil Halls said: “The grain harvest is a big thing to brewers, especially when we are surrounded by fields of the best brewing barley in the world, but it always happens when we are far too busy to celebrate it.

“So, this year we are celebrating the hop harvest, which happens in September when the hops are picked from the bines before being dried out for the following year's beer.

"It is also our only opportunity to brew a beer made with green hops, fresh from the bines, before they are dried.

“The green hops for a single brew will fill the boot of a car, and we have less than a day to get them from being picked and into the beer before they start to degrade."

Grain Brewery full of punters (Image: Grain Brewery)

Grain brewery at Alburgh. Geoff Wright fills a barrel (Image: Andy Darnell)

Grain Brewery pride themselves on brewing the freshest beer (Image: Newsquest)

The Hop Harvest Party will take place at the Taproom on Saturday, September 23, 12pm to 8pm.

Grain Brewery is known for its timely and popular brews.

Earlier this year they saw its cask beer served the traditional English way in the Belgian city of Leuven, the home of Stella Artois.

Mr Harris added: "Using the hops fresh gives a different aroma and flavour to the beer, more like freshly cut grass and flowers.

"We're looking forward to seeing what comes out of the fermenter.”

Grain Brewery has been brewing beer at South Farm in the village of Alburgh since 2006.

To find out more about Grain Brewery and their beer visit www.grainbrewery.co.uk

Grain Brewery (Image: Grain Brewery)

Grain Brewery (Image: Newsquest)