Five more medals for Hogs Back Brewery
Surrey craft brewer Hogs Back is celebrating after winning a further five medals, awarded at the recent International Beer Challenge 2016. 
Hogs Back’s ‘A over T’ (Aromas over Tongham) took two Gold medals: one in the Ale category, in which it was blind tasted against hundreds of competing beers, and one for bottle design, where its striking red, black and gold label won the judges’ vote. A 9% ABV barley wine with flavours of sultanas, orange peel and plums, A over T is a long-established favourite from Hogs Back and past winner of a number of CAMRA Gold medals.
Hogstar English Craft Lager also took a Gold design award, in recognition of the striking new logo which was introduced with the launch earlier this year of Hogstar in cans and is being rolled out to pumpclip and bottles. The 4.5% ABV lager, brewed with five hops and a blend of botanicals, was also handed a Bronze award in the Lager category. This follows a Gold Award for Hogstar at the Society of Independent Brewers’ National Keg Beer Competition in 2015 and Bronze in the previous two International Beer Challenges.
Finally, Hopping Hog IPA won a Silver award in the Ale category – the first major award for this 5.4%, full-bodied beer since its launch in 2015.
Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said, “We’re delighted with these medals from the International Beer Challenge.
“They recognise not only the talent of our brewing team in producing high quality, flavourful beers that stand out against the competition, but also the strength of our brand design. In today’s crowded beer market, impactful, appealing labels and pump clips are vital in ensuring beers appeal to consumers.
He added, “Across our range, we have won many medals over the years, from a variety of competitions. We have also recently won a number of prestigious awards for our hop garden project. We think these speak volumes about the care and attention that goes into making every pint, bottle and can of Hogs Back beer.”
The International Beer Challenge is a highly-regarded competition, established 20 years ago. Hundreds of beers were received from around 30 countries, and judged by a panel of experts including retailers, licensees, brewers, beer writers and flavour analysts. Each beer is tasted and its merits discussed by judges before an award is given.
Recent additions to Hogs Back’s collection of brewing accolades include TEA as CAMRA’s Best Bitter in London & South East in 2015. TEA was also runner up for CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain in 2000.
Caption: Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson with Hogstar English Craft Lager, Hopping Hog IPA and A over T, which all won awards at the recent International Beer Challenge
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Hogs Back Brewery was founded in 1992 in Tongham, Surrey, in the heart of the traditional Surrey hop growing area.
Its flagship brand TEA, or Traditional English Ale, is the leading independent ale in Surrey and increasing in popularity elsewhere. According to CGA Brand Index figures for the year to September 2015, TEA was the third biggest craft beer brand in volume growth terms in the on-trade, behind Brewdog Punk IPA and Goose Island IPA, and saw the biggest growth of any cask ale brand.
The Hogs Back Brewery range includes a number of award-winning draught and bottled beers. Recent launches include Hogstar English Craft Lager and Montezuma’s Chocolate Lager, both demonstrating Hogs Back’s ability to combine brewing expertise and tradition with product innovation to create distinctive, memorable beers. Hogstar won a Gold award at the Society of Independent Brewers’ National Keg Beer Competition 2015. In 2013, Hogs Back also launched a traditional cloudy cider, Hazy Hog.
In September 2015 Hogs Back Brewery harvested the first hops from its own hop garden on a 3.5 acre plot adjacent to the brewery, bringing the traditional but near-extinct Farnham White Bine hop variety back to its Surrey home. Once fully mature, the hop garden will provide 25% of the brewery’s hop requirements.
Hogs Back Brewery is growing its presence in both the on and off trade. Customers include Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Lidl, Majestic Wine, JD Wetherspoon, Mitchells & Butlers, Greene King and Spirit Pub Company.
Issued on behalf of: Hogs Back Brewery
