Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery has recognised for its commitment to sustainability after being shortlisted in the national Sustainable Business Award given by the Society of Independent Brewers’ (SIBA).
Sustainability has always been at the heart of Hogs Back’s business ethos, and it has introduced numerous initiatives with the aim of becoming a more sustainable brewer. Most evident of these is its Hop Garden, planted 10 years ago adjacent to the brewery and reviving hop farming in the Farnham area. Hops travel just yards from the field to the brewhouse, creating a minimal carbon footprint.
In shortlisting Hogs Back as one of five national finalists, SIBA also recognised the brewer’s impressive steps to reduce its CO2 emissions. This includes installing 120 solar panels on the roof of the brewery in 2023, as well as initiatives to replace plastics with reusable glass and stainless steel containers, and remove plastic from its packaging.
Hogs Back managing director Rupert Thompson said: “Making the finals of a national award is an endorsement of all the work we’ve done to make Hogs Back a more sustainable brewer. The overall winner, malt supplier Muntons, trades right across the UK, and our congratulations go to them as well as our fellow finalists. Beer is a wonderful drink, but the brewing process has traditionally generated a heavy carbon footprint, which we’ve sought to mitigate with all our initiatives.
“Becoming more eco-friendly hasn’t always been easy, but it’s the right thing to do and we will continue to look for new ways to reduce our environmental impact. It has been a team effort involving everyone at the brewery and the many local residents who support us by helping with our Hop Harvest, coming to our events and buying our beers.
“I’d particularly like to thank Matthew King, our estate manager, who has managed our Hop Garden for most of the decade since we planted it. To say it has presented some challenges would be something of an understatement, but he has overcome them all with determination and optimism, and the support of our magnificent volunteer Hogs Back Hoppers.”
Hogs Back Brewery: sustainability initiatives
- Investing in the launch of One Planet Brewing, the first UK microbrewery to brew with 100% solar power generated on site. Since last September, this has saved more than 2 tonnes of CO2 emissions
- Recycling spent grain, a waste product of the brewing process, and sending it to local farms as animal feed
- Introducing reusable glass and stainless steel containers, which has so far removed 20,000 single-use plastic bottles
- Serving beers at its annual Hop Festival in reusable plastic glasses, and food with compostable plates and cutlery.
- Creating 100% recyclable, FSC-certified gift packs and pump clips for seasonal beers
- Sourcing food and drink for its Tap from local suppliers, within a 30-mile radius of the brewery where possible
- Changing the brewery cleaning process to save 130,000 litres of water
- Engaging the local community in the brewery and the hop garden, with free events such as its annual Hop Blessing and Hop Garden Open evenings, as well as raising money for local charities including The Prostate Project and Dementia 1st.
CAPTION TO ACCOMPANYING IMAGE: Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson (left) and hop garden manager Matthew King toast the brewery’s shortlisting in the SIBA Sustainable Business Award, accompanied by brewery dog Basil.
