Monday 26 April 2021

Production of hops in England 1944 - 1945

Just for a change, nothing about AK today. Instead I'm back to WW II.

My recently arrived 1946 Brewers' Almanack might have disappointed me in terms of the details of wartime brewing restrictions. It did deliver in other ways. Such as this breakdown of the size and output of England's different hop-producing regions.

Hop growing was concentrated in a few locations, mostly in the Southeast. Only eight counties produced any hops at all. And three of those only grew tiny amounts.

No shock that Kent had by far the largest acreage, just over 50% of the total, and produced the most hops, almost 60% of the total. Within Kent, the Weald was number one, followed by Mid-Kent and East Kent.

Sussex, one county West of Kent was also a major player, coming third after Kent and Hereford. Harveys to this day buys all its hops from Sussex growers.

Hereford is a funny one. It had the second biggest output and was way ahead of number three, Worcester. Yet I can't recall it ever popping up in brewing records. While Worcester does appear with great regularity. I'm guessing that hops from the two counties were lumped together under the name Worcester.

Surrey may have grown relatively few hops, but they were top quality. Considered the equal if the best East Kents.

Brewers would have been happy with the 1945 harvest, which was 11% greater than in 1944. With no hops being imported, the 1945 crop would have to keep them going through 1946.

Production of hops in England 1944 - 1945
Counties, etc. Acreage Returned in June Estimated Average Yield per acre Estimated Total Production
  1944 1945 Average of Ten Years 1935-1944 1944 1945 1944 1945
  acres acres cwt. cwt. cwt. cwt. cwt.
Kent—              
East 2,075 2,087 16.9 14.8 15.4 30,700 32,100
Mid 3,280 3,423 15.5 14.3 15.9 46,800 54,400
Weald 5,594 5,650 14.4 13.3 14.7 74,500 83,100
Total Kent 10,949 11,160 15.2 13.9 15.1 152,000 169,600
Hants 600 636 13.8 13.6 15.4 8,100 9,800
Surrey 106 112 12.6 10.1 12.5 1,100 1,400
Sussex  1,845 1,900 14.6 13.8 12.7 25,500 24,200
Hereford 4,148 4,224 12 10.8 12.5 44,700 52,900
Worcester 1,902 1,925 12 11.5 12.7 21,900 24,400
Berkshire and Salop 53 52 12.8 11.8 10.9 600 600
Total 19,603 20,009 14.1 13 14.1 253,900 282,900
Source:
1946 Brewers' Almanack, page 92.

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