Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey TW9 3AB
UK

And…

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Wakehurst Place
Ardingly
West Sussex RH17 6TN
UK

Quotes from Kew Gardens’ site regarding their mission: saving hops that might otherwise go extinct…

More than just a garden…

Greeting visitors at the Victoria Plaza entrance a global map installation celebrates the reach of RBG Kew across the world, highlighting its global conservation work. At RBG Kew there are over 200 scientists working with more than 800 partner organisations in over 100 countries. Since its beginnings 250 years ago Kew has always had an international presence, collecting and conserving plants; from the plant hunting days of Joseph Banks, Darwin and Livingstone to the modern day seed collectors from Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership which safeguards over 1.5 billion seeds from 10 % of the world’s wild flowering plant species. Two new beds surrounding the map will be filled with a global floral spectacular of colourful plants from families and genera representing the continents of the world, such as Agapanthus from South Africa, Dahlia from Mexico and Humulus (golden hops) from Europe.

Press Release

Beer in honour of garden’s work

28 June, 2004

SOMETHING unusual is brewing at Kew’s country garden in West Sussex. A special beer is being launched in honour of the conservation work at Wakehurst Place, near Ardingly.

The off-shoot of Kew Gardens teamed up with top independent brewers Young’s to create the special ale. Sales will help Kew’s conservation work as a donation per bottle is given to the Gardens which runs the international Millennium Seed Bank Project.

The beer is called Kew Brew and uses hops grown at Kew last year. Thousands of bottles the special brew have been produced and are going on sale through Waitrose supermarkets across the region.

The beer is also on sale in The Stables restaurant at Wakehurst Place where customers will be able to enjoy the tipple with their lunch.

Ken Don, Young’s head brewer, says, “We harvested the hops and dried them ready for brewing alongside commercially grown hops from Kent. The result is a pale brown, fruity and hoppy beer, packed full of flavour.”

Kew’s Director of Communications & Commercial Activities, Jill Preston, comments, “When Young’s agreed to sponsor the brewing display last year, we didn’t imagine the hops grown would end up in our own beer!”

Kew Brew joins a range of other recently launched Kew products including jams and chutneys.

“The partnership with Young’s is of great value to us, with the funds going towards maintaining horticultural excellence and our international science and conservation work including the seed bank project”, adds Preston.

Notes to Editors
Kew Brew is available in a 500ml bottle, alcohol 5% Vol.
Young’s brewery owns 208 pubs in London and the South of England.
The company has been based at the 400 year old Ram Brewery in Wandsworth since 1831.
Shire horses still make daily deliveries of beer from the Ram Brewery to local pubs.

Further Information (media enquiries only) Trevor Butler, Wakehurst Place press office 01444 894018 or
Michael Hardman, Young’s Press Office Tel 01483 542 952.