Hop Blessing 2026 on Ascension Day

Join us on Ascension Day - Thursday 14th May 2026 - in the Hop Garden for our annual Hop Blessing, and back by popular demand, our mini “beating the bounds” around the hop garden.

PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS FRIDAY 6TH MARCH 2026

We’re delighted that Rev. Claire Holt, of St Paul’s Church in Tongham, is back officiating at this traditional ceremony to help bring an abundant 2026 harvest. You can see the church spire from the hop garden.

Ascension Day was traditionally chosen for crop blessings as new growth would be shooting up by now. A group of young and old people, usually led by the priest, would walk around the boundaries of the parish, stopping at each boundary post to pray for the protection of the crops. 

Last year, around 100 of our friends, family, neighbours, Hogs Back Hoppers and staff joined in the Hop Blessing ceremony from the hop garden and joined us in raising a glass to an auspicious harvest. 

We'll start with the usual words of welcome and a brief blessing ceremony from Rev. Claire, followed by a mini “Beating the Bounds” – a short 10-15 minute walk around the hop garden. 

So book from Friday 6th March to reserve your place. Just £5 per person, which we will donate to our chosen charity for 2026 - details to be announced very soon - to help raise funds for those less fortunate that ourselves. 

Booking essential. 

Families and well-behaved dogs on leads welcome! Maximum 2 tickets per person.

Tongham TEA Club members will receive an email shortly to reserve their free ticket.

On arrival, please check in at the Hangar for your complimentary pint of Tongham TEA (over 18’s only. A soft drink alternative will be available), with which to toast the Hop Garden.

Please wear suitable clothing – it may be chilly, windy, rainy or sunny in the hop garden. The ground may be uneven or wet underfoot so please wear suitable shoes. We also have sheep grazing in the hop garden, fertilising as they go! Please note that for bio-security reasons, you will need to walk through a mild disinfectant solution so flip flops and similar footwear is best avoided! We regret the mini "beating of the bounds" around the hop garden is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

To claim your free pint of Tongham TEA or soft drink, please check in at the Hangar from 6.00pm - 6.30pm. 

At 6.30pm, we will make our way to the hop garden for the welcome, followed by the Blessing ceremony itself, and finishing with "beating the bounds" around the hop garden.

Food will be available to purchase - more details to follow shortly - so why not stay on in the Brewery Tap, Hangar and Beer Garden after the event. The Brewery Tap is open from 10am until 11pm. 

Let's hope the blessing will be heard and we'll be granted an auspicious 2026 harvest! 

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