England’s historic victory against Denmark was a bittersweet result for Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery, who now have to honour their pre-tournament pledge to give away pints of their Euros beer Three Hogs if Southgate’s squad reached the final.
Three Hogs was brewed as a draught beer for the Euros in 2016 and the World Cup in 2018, and this year was this year made available in bottles as well to meet demand. To fulfil their promise, Hogs Back are offering a free pint to anyone visiting the brewery near Farnham this Saturday to buy beers for England’s clash against Italy on Sunday.
Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: “No brewer ever likes to give away their beer, but we can’t think of a better reason! In all honesty, we thought our beer was safe when we made the offer, but we are delighted to find that we underestimated the England side’s skill, determination and, yesterday at least, luck. Every free pint will be served across our bar with a broad smile – and firmly crossed fingers!
“We’re also wondering if our free pint promise has been something of a talisman: we first offered it if England reached the Euros 2016 final, when the squad came home early, and then again for the World Cup in 2018, when they reached the semi-finals. To see the progression continue has been wonderful, particularly after the last terrible 15 months for pubs and beer.
“We’ve shown every England game in our Brewery Tap, with the level of excitement building to the fever pitch we’re expecting for Sunday’s sold-out session. Let’s hope that the celebrations continue as football fans in our bar, and across the country, see Harry Kane and his team lift the trophy.”
To claim their free pint of Three Hogs – or another draught beer – customers need to spend at least £10 in the Hogs Back Brewery Shop and can enjoy their pint in the Brewery Tap between midday and 10.00 pm on Saturday.
A 4% ABV golden ale, Three Hogs is brewed with a selection of English malts and hops including Fuggles grown on the Hogs Back hop garden next to the brewery, as well as Cascade and Centennial. The pump clip and bottle label describe the ale as “a beer of two halves: refreshingly hoppy up front, followed by a balancing bitterness and a hint of sweetness to finish”.
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Notes to editors
- Hogs Back Brewery was founded in 1992 in Tongham, in the heart of the traditional Surrey hop growing area.
- Its flagship brand TEA, or Traditional English Ale, is one of the leading regional ales in the South East. The first beer brewed by Hogs Back in 1992, TEA has won multiple awards including runner-up in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain in 2000.
- Other awards include CAMRA’s Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2020 for its A over T (Aromas over Tongham) 9% ABV bottle conditioned barley wine and a Bronze medal in the International Cider Challenge 2019 for its traditional cloudy cider, Hazy Hog.
- The Hogs Back Brewery range includes a number of award-winning draught, bottled and canned beers, demonstrating its ability to combine brewing expertise and tradition with product innovation to create distinctive, memorable beers.
- Hogs Back planted a hop garden adjacent to its brewery in 2014, growing three hop varieties: Fuggles – used in its flagship TEA; Cascade – used in Hogstar lager; and Farnham White Bine.
- Hogs Back relocated its hop garden in 2019 and completed its first commercial harvest of this site in September 2020.
- While pubs were closed during lockdown, Hogs Back sold its beers through supermarkets and direct to customers, offering Drive Through and Click & Collect options at the brewery, or delivering direct to homes. Details on all options can be viewed on the website.
Press release from Hogs Back Brewery
Issued by: ShielPorter Communications
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