Demand for organic beer in the UK appears to be booming with it becoming ever more widely available. Organic beer is no longer just in the realm of specialist traders but some brands are now available on the supermarket shelves. A wider variety of products are still available, however, from more specialist providers.
Organic beer is made using organically grown hops, malt or barley to make lagers, bitters and ales. Perhaps it is partly our penchant for ‘different’ beers here in the UK which is helping to provide more interest in organic beer. Not many of the raw crops are actually grown in the UK, however, with much being imported to the breweries here. The positive environmental impact of growing organically is clear, however. Conventionally grown hops are sprayed up to 14 times a year with an average of 15 pesticide products; not good for the environment and probably not good for the consumers.
If you are looking for more choice of organic beer than your local supermarket can offer, check out the Why Organic web directory for a list of suppliers from breweries to shops. The Organic Beer Guide is also available which covers the history of organic beer along with details of some of the products themselves.
Organic cider is also available and can often be purchased from similar locations as organic beer and organic wine. The Why Organic directory will again be able to help.
Source: www.soilassociation.org 2009
Visit the following pages for more information on organic products:
