Hogs Back Brewery is an independent, family‑owned brewery and hop grower located in Tongham, Surrey, England. Established in November 1991 by Tony Stanton‑Precious and brothers Martin and John Hunt, the brewery began commercial production with its first beer brewed in August 1992. The brewery operates from a converted 18th‑century barn dating to 1788 and includes a hop garden, a traditional oast house, a taproom, and a visitor centre.
History
- 1991–1992: Founding and commencement of brewing operations.
- 2013: Miles Chesterman served as head brewer while Rupert Thompson held the position of executive chairman.
- 2014–2015: The brewery engaged in a trademark dispute with Magners (C&C Group) over the “Hog” branding used for Hogs Back’s Hazy Hog cider; legal action was initiated in February 2015.
- 2018–2019: Expansion of the hop garden to 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) and construction of a new oast house, the first built in the United Kingdom in over a century. The oast house, intended for hop drying, also functions as an event space and visitor centre during periods when it is not in use for drying.
Products
Hogs Back Brewery produces a range of ales, lagers, and ciders, many of which emphasize traditional English brewing methods and locally sourced ingredients. Notable products include:
| Brand | Type | ABV | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tongham TEA | Ale (Traditional English Ale) | 4.2 % | Available |
| Hazy Hog | Cider | 5.0 % | Available |
| Hogstar | Lager (unpasteurised, traditionally fermented) | 4.5 % | Available |
| Surrey Nirvana | Session IPA | 4.0 % | Available |
| Hog IPA | IPA | 4.5 % | Available |
| Little Swine | Alcohol‑free pale ale | 0.5 % | Available |
| Advent Ale | Limited‑edition ale | 4.4 % | Discontinued |
| Montezuma’s Chocolate Lager | Chocolate‑flavoured lager (collaboration) | 4.5 % | Discontinued |
Facilities and Activities
- Hop Garden: Grows traditional varieties such as Fuggle, Cascade, and Goldings.
- Oast House: Built adjacent to the brewhouse; serves both as a hop‑drying kiln and a public event space.
- Taproom & Brewery Shop: Open to visitors for tasting, purchasing, and guided tours.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Emphasises local sourcing, on‑site hop cultivation, and renewable energy use where feasible.
Recognition
The brewery’s products have received multiple awards in regional and national beer competitions, and its Hogstar lager has been noted for reviving traditional British lager brewing techniques.
References
Information summarized from the brewery’s official website, the Wikipedia entry “Hogs Back Brewery,” and news reports covering its legal dispute with Magners and its hop‑kiln development.