East End hops a hit with drinkers

Demand for bitter made from hops grown by pensioners in Shadwell was so great the first batch sold out.

The hops for Old Hopper's Brew were planted by Tower Hamlets Community Housing five years ago and an annual festival held to commemorate the East End tradition of hop-picking in Kent. Chief executive Mike Tyrell said: "The festival is one of the best days of the year. Residents were over the moon about the beer being produced."

The beer is sold at pubs in Soho, King's Cross and Covent Garden.