Hogs Back Brewery, in Surrey, is reporting strong demand for cask ales among its core drinkers, as it reveals its autumn seasonal specials.
“Debate about the future of cask ale has raged for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been in the brewing industry a while!” said Hogs Back managing director Rupert Thompson.
” Whatever the long-term outlook for the category, we can report that, among our core drinkers, there is still strong demand for our cask ales.
“Our seasonal programme is an important part of what we offer these drinkers, who enjoy being the first to try a new beer in the tap. We’re very happy with our autumn line-up, which offers a wide range of tastes and eases drinkers into the darker, richer styles of the festive season.”
He added: “Like many brewers, we saw our cask sales dip during Covid, and it took a us a while to recover that business. We’re pleased that we’ve now rebuilt our on-trade presence, with pubs across Surrey, London, and the South East stocking our permanent and seasonal cask ales.”
Home Harvest Ale (4% ABV) went on sale earlier this month.It is brewed using only the three hops harvested from Hogs Back’s hop garden: Fuggles, Cascade, and Farnham White Bine, the latter a local variety that the brewer rescued from near extinction.
Also on sale now is Ratfink & RipSnorter, a new 5% ABV rich ruby ale, with spicy notes and hints of plum. It has been pouring in J D Wetherspoon pubs this month as part of its beer festival.
Later in the autumn, Hogs Back will be launching a new beer, Blackwater Plum Porter, a development of Blackwater Porter, introduced in March. The 4% ABV beer is well rounded with fruity, sweet notes.
