John Hop and Bill Brewer Retire After 30 Years Loyal Service

John Hop first joined Harvey’s in 1988. A new low alcohol beer had been derived from our Sussex Best Bitter using a reverse osmosis filtration system that had been pioneered by Sir Henry Holder at Elgood’s Brewery in Wisbech. At a time when Whitbread’s White Label was much in demand and supplies rationed, it was a new market that showed potential.

There was consternation that Sussex Best might be devalued as a brand if an LA Version was on the bars. A new identity for the interloper was sought and John stepped into the breach.

A chance discovery that John Hop was rhyming slang for a policeman (‘Cop’) created an unlikely folk hero, steeped in the tradition of London hop pickers who visited Sussex and Kent for a ‘working holiday’.

He was swiftly joined by Bill Brewer, of Widecombe Fair tradition – an archetypal brewery cellar man of the ‘old school’ who added weight to the campaign and fronted the first low alcohol ‘Old Ale’ in the UK.

Both posed for portraits by the eminent Sussex Artist Julian Bell, both were immortalised by name in dances created by the Long Man Morris Men. They collected many awards for the company over the years – Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, as well as the coveted Low Alcohol Trophy on two separate occasions.

It is typical of their selfless service that they decided to retire together and make way for a new generation of low alcohol beers. Low Alcohol Sussex Best and Low Alcohol Old Ale have come of age at last. Now weighing in at 0.5% ABV, they gratefully acknowledge the sterling work of John and Bill. Without them, they might never have seen the light of day.

- Miles Jenner