Hogs Back Brewery has celebrated its annual Hop Blessing ceremony in the hop garden of its Tongham, Surrey, home.
Raising a glass in the hope of a great hop harvest. Photograph: Jon Hawkins/Surrey Hills Photography
In days gone by, Ascension Day 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 some 130 guests from gathering in the hop garden to enjoy the ceremony, which has become a much-loved tradition 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. Hogs Back is the country’s largest integrated brewer and hop grower.
The centuries-old tradition of blessing crops had long been observed in rural communities to encourage an abundant autumn harvest. Hogs Back Brewery revived this tradition 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. This is another Hogs Back take on an ancient tradition, whereby the local priest would lead a group around the parish boundaries to instill this important information.
Guests included locals, staff, and members of the Hogs Back official beer group, Tongham TEA Club, as well as the Hogs Back Hoppers, the 80-strong team of volunteers who help King care for the hops year round.
“Hogs Back Brewery has been rooted in the community here in Tongham since 1992,” said Miles Chesterman. “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 a £5 donation to attend the event, which included a pint of the brewery’s flagship brand, Tongham TEA, went to Hogs Back’s 2026 chosen charity, Diabetes UK.
