UK: A new, environmentally friendly hop variety has been introduced to the trade at a tasting in London. Bodicea, a dwarf hop variety has been developed in Wye, Kent, and is the world’s first aphid-resistant hop. This means the number of pesticides needed to help it grow is significantly smaller, Quantum Business Media posted on 16th June 2004.

Last week a tutored tasting of beers produced using the Bodicea hop took place at the White Horse pub in Parsons Green. The hop was described as giving a “subtle, light aroma and smooth, clean bitterness on the finish.”

Sussex hop grower John Cyster, who has grown eight acres of the Bodicea hop, admitted that while the crop is immature, he was keen to give the brewing industry plenty of warning about its potential.

He said: “It is such an exciting hop that we felt we should introduce its brewing potential in good time. I hope that after the next harvest several brewers will decide to test Bodicea themselves on a small trial brew.”

The National Hop Association and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have sponsored the development of this hop.

18 June, 2004