Hogs Back Brewery's Hop Blessing defies the weather

Hogs Back Brewery celebrated its annual Hop Blessing ceremony from its Tongham home, in the heart of the traditional hop growing region of Surrey, last week.

In days of yore, Ascension Day, which fell on 14th May this year, was the customary date to offer up a prayer for a bountiful harvest.

A spectacular thunder and lightning display with heavy rain just minutes before the ceremony did not deter around 130 guests from gathering in the hop garden to enjoy the ceremony, which has become a much-loved staple in the Hogs Back calendar.

Rev. Claire Holt made the two-minute journey from her parish church in Tongham, St Paul's, the spire of which can be seen from the hop garden, to officiate the ceremony. The opening words of welcome were delivered by Managing Director Miles Chesterman, with Estate Manager Matthew King on hand to talk about the importance of the hop garden to the Brewery's operation, as the country's largest integrated brewer and hop grower.

The centuries-old tradition of blessing of crops had long been observed in rural communities to encourage an abundant autumn harvest. The Hogs Back Brewery revived this tradition back in 2014, when it first planted its hop garden and has celebrated a blessing every year since.

Despite lowering cloud, the rain kept off and the blessing was followed in the early evening sunshine by a mini "Beating the Bounds" around the hop garden – another Hogs Back take on an ancient tradition, whereby the local priest would lead a group around the parish boundaries to instil this important information.

Guests included locals, staff and members of the Hogs Back official beer group, Tongham TEA Club. Estate Manager, Matthew King, with many of his Hogs Back Hoppers, the 80-strong team of volunteers who help care for the hops year-round, also enjoyed the ceremony.

Managing Director Miles Chesterman said: "Hogs Back Brewery has been rooted in the community here in Tongham since 1992. Traditional ceremonies like the hop blessing and Beating the Bounds really resonate with the locals and we're delighted that Claire continues to play such a central role in upholding them and bringing the community together."

Rev. Holt added: "For the local vicar to bless the hops around the Tongham and Farnham area would have been commonplace in this once rural community. Conducting the annual hop blessing since the garden was first built has been a real pleasure and to see the ceremony still thriving is testament to Tongham's strong community spirit."

Proceeds from the £5 donation, which included a pint of the Brewery's flagship brand, Tongham TEA, went to the Brewery's 2026 chosen charity, Diabetes UK.

Photography Credit: Jon Hawkins of Surrey Hills Photography

Notes to Editors

About Hogs Back Brewery

• Hogs Back Brewery was founded in 1992 in Tongham, in the traditional hop growing region of Surrey. Its flagship brand, Tongham TEA (Traditional English Ale), is a leading regional ale in the south-east.

• In 2014 Hogs Back planted its own revival hop garden, and since then has been successfully harvesting its Fuggles, English Cascade, and Farnham White Bine hops, which provide approximately 50% of its annual hop requirements. It is the largest integrated hop grower and brewer in the UK.

• In January 2025, Miles Chesterman became Managing Director, with owner Rupert Thompson now serving as Executive Chairman.

• 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.

Website: www.hogsback.co.uk

Contact: Jill Adams, Director of Marketing, Hogs Back Brewery | Email: jill@hogsback.co.uk | Tel: 07879 334675

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