Observing the annual hop harvest at Hukins Hops

Hukins Hops is a multi-generation hop farm that has been growing hops in Kent, England, for over 100 years. For this Good Beer Hunting assignment, I photographed the team as they worked a long shift on a hot summer day in September 2023. The hops are picked, dried, and stored before being sent out to breweries. Some of the hops were used to brew 'Green Hop' beers, usually on the same day they were harvested. Words by Fred Garratt-Stanley.