Hop Garden Open Evening 2024

What a splendid way to spend a summer evening! 

Over 120 local Hogs Back Brewery supporters joined in the annual Hop Garden Open Evening 2024, undeterred by the Great British weather, and helping to raise money for our chosen charity, British Heart Foundation.

Hosted by Owner & MD Rupert, Deputy MD & Head Brewer Miles and Tour Guides Mel and Steve, our visitors toured the hop garden to learn all about our award-winning hops, the rich history of hop growing in Farnham and why Surrey used to be the pre-eminent hop growing county.

It won’t be a bumper harvest this year, but as long as the sun continues to shine in the next few weeks, the quality will hopefully be very good.

I'ts been a tough year for hops - February was the wettest on record and conversely May was the hottest on record, with a wet and grey July - and Matthew feared some of the nutrients had washed out of the soil and the laterals (side sprouting pairs of leaves) were late.

Our visitors were able to see burrs still on the Cascade hops, while the Fuggles hop cones were evident clustering at the top of the wires.

There are lots of male plants this year, easily identifiable as they don't carry any hop cones.

We were delighted that so many of our guests stayed on after the tours and made an evening of it in the Tap......

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