this is a good site with the relevant answers you seek.
http://www.hops2brew.co.uk/

Is his garden big enough to grow the barley?

When I lived in Kent my neighour had a hop as a climber it was everywhere!! they certainly grow and the pubs hang the hops over the bar. Afraid In dont know how you make into beer though.

i have no idea Heron, who knows with him, i wouldnt be surprised if he had a source!
i have told him they can grow to a substantial size but he is a real ale bod.

I don't remember there being so many good 'real' ales as we have today. Hope he gets it right.

if not i dont suppose he'll say. he always goes 'quiet' when things go wrong. but if it goes right he sure lets evry one know :o)

dont drink ale myself so i wouldnt kow a good one from a bad one.

I dont know the variety but I have hops growing wild in my back hedge. I have made splendid beer using them and the smell in the kitchen when you dry them slowly in the oven is almost as intoxicating as the beer itself. Tell him to get going, once established hops are difficult to remove so plenty of excuses to make lots of beer.

thanks for that janpled.