Editing Hawkhurst (section)

=== Hop growing ===
In the 14th century, [[Edward III]], wanting to break the Flemish (Dutch) monopoly on [[weaving]], encouraged Flemish weavers to come to England. Many chose to settle in the Weald, because it had all the elements needed for weaving&nbsp;– oak to make mills, streams to drive them, and [[fuller's earth]] to treat the cloth.

The Kentish domination of the hop industry was stimulated by that same influx of Flemish weavers, who brought with them a taste for beer, and beer making skills. Several wealthy Kentish farmers invested in this new opportunity and approach. Although not the centre of the industry, Hawkhurst Brewery and Malthouse was built in 1850, on the edge of [[Hawkhurst Moor]] (now a house).

Hop growing also gave the area its distinctive skyline of hop gardens and [[oast house]]s, which were used to dry the hops. Nowadays, most hops are imported. However, at its peak {{convert|35000|acre|km2}} of hop gardens existed in England, almost all of them in Kent, including much around Hawkhurst. Eventually mechanisation and cheap imports ended the industry, but the oast houses remain.