Made it along to the Canterbury Food & Drink Fair on Saturday afternoon with my dad. Don't ask me what else was on at the fair because we didn't stray very far from the beer tent.
The board listed about 20 green hop beers but unfortunately, the Friday crowd had already polished off a good number of them, including all four offerings from Canterbury Brewers, which is a shame because their Saison was undoubtedly the star of the show last year and I was looking forward to seeing what they would provide this year.
Between the two of us, we sampled half a dozen or so different beers, starting off with the Gadds Green Hop Ale, which was outstanding as ever - a massive whack in the nose of pungently resinous hops balanced beautifully by a blend of pale malts. A beer full of body and character but easy-going enough to drink all day. Truly excellent.
It was always going to be a hard act to follow but all the others we tried were still very good. Best of the rest, though, was the Larkins Green Hop Best - a well-rounded amber-brown bitter with a vinously floral aroma. Another I could happily sup in large quantities.
The Old Dairy Green Hop 2 was also pretty good. Interesting use of Munich malt to balance the bitterness of the hops.
My dad later called in at the Canterbury brewery tap where he sampled the Belgian and rated it almost as good as the Gadds. I'll have to get along there and try it myself. They also have a red rye beer that sounds very tempting.
http://kentgreenhopbeer.com/2013/09/20/kent-green-hop-beer-list-2013/