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Journal Home > Archive > Issue Contents > Brew. Hist., 114, pp. 5-21

The Organic Hop Harvest at HE Hall & Sons Ltd, Marden, Kent: a photographic essay

by Ian P Peaty
Organically grown Wye target hops awaiting picking. They have been trained up strings, attached to horizontal wires strung between posts, and looped hooks at ground level.
Organically grown Wye target hops awaiting picking. They have been trained up strings, attached to horizontal wires strung between posts, and looped hooks at ground level.
Organic hops being picked. Tractor and trailer (one of two operating) with picking deck on left. The hops have been cut at ground level so that the bines fall into the trailer.
Organic hops being picked. Tractor and trailer (one of two operating) with picking deck on left. The hops have been cut at ground level so that the bines fall into the trailer.
The ‘Kiwi Gang’ cut the tops of the organic Wye target hops from the top wire, the base of each bine has been cut at ground level, so that the full bine drops into the following trailer.
The ‘Kiwi Gang’ cut the tops of the organic Wye target hops from the top wire, the base of each bine has been cut at ground level, so that the full bine drops into the following trailer.
‘This is how we do it’.
‘This is how we do it’.
‘A tight squeeze’ as the tractor runs back to the oast with its full trailer load of hops.
‘A tight squeeze’ as the tractor runs back to the oast with its full trailer load of hops.
Little Mill Farm of HE Hall and Sons Ltd. Built in 1896 with the two square hop drying kilns at the rear.
Little Mill Farm of HE Hall and Sons Ltd. Built in 1896 with the two square hop drying kilns at the rear.
The hop bines are being hooked onto the continuous conveyer on their journey into the stripping machine behind.
The hop bines are being hooked onto the continuous conveyer on their journey into the stripping machine behind.
The bines are gathered up from the floor and fixed on hooks so that they then enter the ‘stripping’ machine.
The bines are gathered up from the floor and fixed on hooks so that they then enter the ‘stripping’ machine.
‘A dusty job’, working on the conveyor system where each bine is stripped.
‘A dusty job’, working on the conveyor system where each bine is stripped.
The ‘riddling’ machine is grading and clearing out all debris.
The hops being ‘scuppered’ into the Weeks & Son of Maidstone, hop press.
The hops being ‘scuppered’ into the Weeks & Son of Maidstone, hop press.
More ‘scuppering’ – note the circular plate (with a few hops on top) which, when screwed down, compresses the hops into the pocket slung below floor level.
More ‘scuppering’ – note the circular plate (with a few hops on top) which, when screwed down, compresses the hops into the pocket slung below floor level.
The Weeks & Son hop press with the ram head down, compressing the last load of hops into the pocket, slung below floor level.
The Weeks & Son hop press with the ram head down, compressing the last load of hops into the pocket, slung below floor level.
The only full-time employee for hops operates the hop press which is slung below the floor, a pocket held by a broad strap. The circular ram pushes the hops down, if overdone the sack will split.
The only full-time employee for hops operates the hop press which is slung below the floor, a pocket held by a broad strap. The circular ram pushes the hops down, if overdone the sack will split.
Sewing up the pocket of hops. The pocket is slung below the floor, resting on a broad strap, which will soon be released so that the pocket can be stored on the ground floor.
Sewing up the pocket of hops. The pocket is slung below the floor, resting on a broad strap, which will soon be released so that the pocket can be stored on the ground floor.
The hand operated wheel on the top floor which previously pulled up the hop pockets and lowered dried ones down. Now replaced by an electric motor and rope to the lucam. Dates from when built in 1896.
The hand operated wheel on the top floor which previously pulled up the hop pockets and lowered dried ones down. Now replaced by an electric motor and rope to the lucam. Dates from when built in 1896.
‘Score board’ – details previous harvests, giving interesting comparisons.
‘Score board’ – details previous harvests, giving interesting comparisons.
Copyright © 2004 the Brewery History Society