AN ale expert is top of the hops across the pond as its vital beer ingredient proves a hit.

Stocks Farm in Suckley, on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border, has been selling HomeBrew Hops as far afield as the United States and Europe having only put them sale last October.

They have also received interest recently from South Korea.

"We are really keen to get into the American market," said Niamh Compton from Stocks Farm.

"They are getting into craft beers now and there are lots of American homebrewers. Some of the British hops they can get are not of the best quality.

"But we supply the best quality hops, not the leftover scruffy ones as some do.

"We are proud of the fact that they are some of the best in the country."

The farm has been growing hops for about 200 years. The Capper family, which runs Stocks Farm, have been there since the 1960s.

The firm's new variety, Jester, has outstripped all the farm's other varieties with almost five times the sales.

It features wild American, tropical fruit aromas of lychees, grapefruit and blackcurrant.

First Gold is also selling well.

The other six British hop varieties grown at Stocks Farm have also sold well.

Phoenix, which has aromas of chocolate and molasses, is popular, as is Bramling Cross, a recently rediscovered variety dating back to 1951.

Pilgrim has properties of spice, citrus and pears while Goldings is the oldest British Hop, dating back to 1870.

It features spicy, honey and earthy aromas.

For more information visit stocksfarm.net