Distinguished Gentleman's Ride jumps into the record books at Hogs Back Brewery
- Guild Secretary
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Surrey based Hogs Back Brewery hosted its now traditional finish of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR) on Sunday 17th May, bringing to a close a record-breaking weekend.
1,402 riders registered for the 35-mile Surrey Hills ride, making it the largest in the UK, Europe and North America, and tying equal second globally with Hyderabad, behind leader's Buenos Aires.
The ride has raised a staggering £107,000 to date, propelling it up the global fundraising leaderboard to its current third place just behind Bournemouth & Poole and New York. With money still coming in, the final total is expected to exceed £120,000.
The customary array of dapper dressing and tweed was on display alongside classic and vintage-style motorcycles, with many riders sporting striking moustaches as a nod to Movember, the leading global charity focused on changing the face of men's health, for which the DGR raises funds.
Proudly leading the cavalcade was Ride Host Nigel Gower on the Hogs Back Brewery's custom-built Battistini Beer Engine motorbike, complete with beer barrel sidecar and pillion passengers Lisa Rixon and Boston Terrier, Darcy. The machine, commissioned in 2006, marked its return to the road last year at this event, having lovingly been coaxed back to life by Nigel.
Spectators lined the streets to see the spectacle from its Guildford High Street start, before congregating at the Brewery, where 2,500 riders and guests alike were able to enjoy the live music, led by Gavin Thomas, and a glass of freshly poured Hogs Back's Little Swine Alcohol Free Pale Ale.
Representatives from Movember came along to see the event first hand. Meanwhile local Guildford charity, the Prostate Project was offering on-the-spot PSA blood tests, to screen for prostate cancer, with Hogs Back Brewery's Executive Chairman and Patron of Prostate Project, Rupert Thompson, one of the first to be tested.
The DGR marked the finale of the Revival Weekend hosted by the Brewery, with over 950 guests enjoying a classic rock double bill on Friday's Tribute Band Night from The Fleetwood Collective and the KT Bush Band. DGR Operations Manager Europe, Middle East and Africa, Derek Knipscheer, rode over from The Netherlands to soak up the atmosphere. Saturday saw over 1,300 visitors to the Surrey Hills Artisan Market.
Managing Director Hogs Back Brewery, Miles Chesterman, said, "We are immensely proud of hosting the Revival Weekend. It is testament to all the hard work of the team and support from our partners – Farnborough International, The British Motor Show and Kingsfield Academy. For a ride of this size to have helped raise over £107,000 and counting for Movember just shows how the local community can come together for the force of good. We still have our eye on that Number One global fundraising spot next year, so watch out New York!"
2027 Revival Weekend will be celebrated at the Brewery from 14th – 16th May 2027.
Photography credit: Dave Pullinger, IG: @pullingerspics
NOTES TO EDITOR
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride – Celebrating 15 Years of Riding Dapper About | The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride unites classic and vintage styled motorcycle riders from all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men's mental health.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of TV Show Mad Men's Don Draper astride a classic motorcycle and wearing his finest suit. Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way of connecting niche motorcycle enthusiasts and communities while raising funds to support the men in our lives.
Since 2023, Movember has inspired millions of people around the world to grow moustaches, move, fundraise and take action in support of men's wellbeing. The charity funds groundbreaking health projects designed to help men liver happier, healthier and longer lives. Through community events, campaigns and partnerships, Movember encourages open conversations and early action around men's physical and mental health.
The Prostate Project www.prostate-project.org.uk
Hogs Back Brewery
• Hogs Back Brewery was founded in 1992 in Tongham, in the traditional hop growing region of Surrey.
• The brewery's range includes award-winning draught, bottled, and canned beers, showcasing its blend of brewing expertise and innovation. Notable awards include:
◦ Little Swine 0.5%: Gold medals in the European Beer Challenge 2024, SIBA National Independent Beer Awards 2024, with Bronze medals at the World Alcohol Free Awards 2024 and International Beer Challenge 2025.
◦ A over T (Aromas over Tongham) 9% ABV: CAMRA's Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2020.
◦ Hogstar lager: Gold medal in the World Beer Awards 2017.
◦ Tongham TEA: The first beer brewed by Hogs Back in 1992, Tongham TEA has won multiple awards including runner-up in CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain in 2000 and Bronze Award Winner, Class 2 (3.9% - 4.3%), International Cask Conditioned Beer Competition at the International Brewing Awards 2026
• In 2014 Hogs Back planted its own revival hop garden to become the UK's largest integrated brewer and hop grower. The garden provides approximately 50% of its annual hop requirements.
• In 2024, it won the Le May Cup for its White Bine hop and Gold and Silver awards for its Fuggles and English Cascade hops, respectively.
• Committed to sustainability, Hogs Back has introduced 120 solar panels to its roof, sells spent grain to local farmers as animal feed and has reduced its single-use plastic with glass flagons.
• In May 2025, Hogs Back entered into a collaboration with Exmoor Ales, investing in a restructure and taking a significant minority stake in the new business, Exmoor Drinks Ltd.
For more information:
Jill Adams, Director of Marketing, Hogs Back Brewery
07879 334675 / 01252 783000
Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.
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