In the latest episode of CAMRA’s popular Pubs. Pints. People. podcast, the team explores one of the essential beer ingredients – hops.

It features interviews with industry experts, including supplier Charles Faram’s technical director Will Rogers, who talks in detail about growing hops and their significance in beer.  

The hosts also chat with Tongham-based Hogs Back lead brewer Stephen Holland and hop garden manager Matthew King. Hogs Back was one of the first brewers to grow its own hops and the pair give insight into the brewery’s gardens. 

The team visits Harvey’s head brewer Miles Jenner, to discuss how hops are used in the brewing process while Timothy Taylor head brewer Andrew Leman talks about his brewery’s approach.  

The podcast also highlights CAMRA’s campaigning against misleading dispense. Following the release of Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company’s Fresh Ale concept, which deliberately confuses customers into buying beer which isn't cask conditioned, the team talks about its concerns and the fear that more breweries may follow suit. Find out more about CAMRA’s Handpump Hijack campaign here.  

Two groundbreaking books published by CAMRA are also covered in the episode – Perry: A Drinker’s Guide by Adam Wells and Dr Christina Wade’s The Devil’s in the Draught Lines. 

Adam’s book is the world's first authoritative guide to perry, a magical yet relatively ignored drink with a vast unexplored history. The new publication is essential for those looking to start their journey into the world of perry.

The Devil in the Draught Lines celebrates 1,000 years of women in British brewing and includes interviews with key female figures working in the industry today. You can purchase both from CAMRA’s online bookshop. 

This latest episode is available on Acast, Spotify and Apple Podcast, and wherever you get your podcasts from. You can listen now by visiting: https://www1.camra.org.uk/about/podcasts