Hogs Back Brewery unveils Juliet: A limited-edition collaborative brew celebrating bold women everywhere this International Women’s Day
- Guild Secretary
- 28 minutes ago
- 4 min read
“It is an honour that I dream not of…My bounty is as boundless as the sea.” — Juliet, Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II)
Hogs Back Brewery is proud to announce the launch of Juliet, a new limited-edition collab cask ale brewed alongside Mondo Brewing to mark International Women’s Day 2026. Available throughout February and March, Juliet invites beer lovers across the UK to raise a glass to the boldness, creativity and quiet power of women everywhere.
A Brew for Boldness
Juliet is inspired by the strength and spirit embodied in Shakespeare’s Juliet — a character defined not only by love, but by courage, conviction and the willingness to defy expectations. Brewed in her honour, Juliet is more than a beer: it is a toast to trailblazers, quiet heroes and everyday legends whose passion and self-direction continue to shape the world around us.
Tasting Profile: Bright, Crisp, Unapologetically Confident
Juliet is a 3.8% pale ale brewed with a blend of British-grown barley, oats and wheat, giving it a silky-smooth mouthfeel and a sturdy malt base. Generously hopped with home-grown Cascade in the copper and finished with a vibrant dry-hop of Hallertau Blanc and Citra, Juliet bursts with aromas of sun-ripened mango, hints of pineapple, and subtle notes of green grapes and gooseberries. Refreshing, approachable and full of character, Juliet is designed to be enjoyed by everybody.
A Story in Every Pint
Created with the belief that every pint should tell a story, Juliet invites conversation, connection and celebration. Whether shared in a bustling pub or during a quiet moment among friends, Juliet embodies a moment to honour progress and champion the women who inspire it. The beer will feature at JD Wetherspoon’s Spring Festival nationally, and will roll out across Stonegate’s Publican Partnerships, Nicholson's Pub Collection, and Fuller’s, as well as being available via the independent wholesaler Dayla and wider free-trade placements. Juliet Pale Ale will also be showcased at the Hogs Back Brewery’s Tap and Brewery Shop in Surrey.
Championing Women in Beer
Juliet has been brewed as part of the International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day [IWCBD] 2026, the campaign from Women on Tap CIC, which supports initiatives that empower women and advance inclusion across the beer industry. IWCBD aims to strengthen the female community within beer and spotlight the importance of representation in brewing and hospitality.
To mark IWCBD, the women of Hogs Back Brewery spent a day in the brewhouse alongside their all-male, brew team colleagues, learning more about beer and getting involved in the brewing of Juliet Pale Ale. In addition, Hogs Back Brewery will make a donation to two charities, which support women’s causes.
Availability
Juliet Pale Ale will be available to pubs, partners and consumers throughout February and March, ensuring access around International Women’s Day on 8 March.
Notes to Editors:
International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD)
International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) is a campaign by Women On Tap CIC. It was originally founded in 2014 by Sophie de Ronde—Head Brewer & Brewing Technologist at Burnt Mill Brewery—for women in the beer industry and those brewing at home. In 2024, the campaign was taken on by Women On Tap CIC.
IWCBD is a worldwide annual event that takes place on and around 8th March every year to mark International Women’s Day. Brewery teams and home brewers are encouraged to come together with their communities and local groups to celebrate women in the beer industry, and to create and release collaboration beers inspired by a central theme, raising funds for women’s causes.
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.
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.
Hazy Hog: Bronze medal in the International Cider Challenge 2019.
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.
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 2024, it won the Le May Cup for its White Bine hop and received 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 aims to reduce its single-use plastic, having introduced refillable glass Snorters and Snifters flagons. It has removed over 20,000 PETs bottles from its business and earning Plastic Free Champion status from Surfers Against Sewage.
In 2024, Hogs Back stepped in to help craft brewer Mondo, investing to secure the future of its brands and the brewery and taproom in Battersea.
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 40% stake in the new business, Exmoor Drinks Ltd.
Contact:
Jill Adams, Director of Marketing, Hogs Back Brewery
07879 334675
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.