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Brakspear’s cask ales, which were made at its brewery in Henley-on-Thames until 2002, have now switched to being produced in Tongham, where Hogs Back brewery has installed traditional ‘double-drop’ fermenters to make the Tom Davies-led business’s beers.
Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: “We’re delighted that Brakspear Original Gravity and Brakspear Noble Nectar are on the bar in Brakspear pubs in time for Cask Ale Week, giving customers the opportunity to toast Britain’s national beer style properly.”
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The strategic partnership between Brakspear and brewer Hogs Back has been claimed to signal “a major commitment to the future of cask ale”. Restoring the double drop brewing method, which is synonymous with Brakspear, puts Original Gravity and other Brakspear beers at the forefront of the cask ale market in terms of quality, flavour and heritage, Hogs Back stated.
Once widely used in British brewing, double dropping involves transferring the beer 12 hours into the fermentation process from one brewing vessel to another, and Hogs Back uses gravity rather than mechanical means. This helps to remove sediment and oxygenates the beer to get a clean, vigorous fermentation. While it is more labour-intensive, the method is valued for the intensity of character it brings to the beer.
Heart of all pubs
Brakspear CEO Tom Davies said: “Cask ale, served consistently and to the highest quality, is at the heart of all our pubs, from town centre locals to destination food businesses.
“The team at Hogs Back shares our passion for cask, and this strategic partnership, along with the return of the iconic double-drop brewing method, will give our pub teams and customers confidence that our cask ales are brewed, cellared and served in premium condition.
“The scale of the investment demonstrates our commitment to restoring the standing of cask ale as Britain’s signature beer style, while building on the strong reputation of Brakspear and giving customers the opportunity to enjoy our flagship beer brewed in a way that is even closer to its historic roots. We’re grateful to Marstons and Carlsberg for being good custodians of our brand and now supporting us in this change.”
Original Gravity 3.4% ABV cask bitter and Noble Nectar 4% ABV hop-forward pale ale will be on the bar in Brakspear pubs, as well as available to selected independent pubs and groups through Hogs Back’s sales operation. Other regular and seasonal Brakspear cask ales will follow.
Same values
The move to Tongham represents the second time Hogs Back Brewery owner Rupert Thompson has taken on the stewardship of Brakspear’s ales and brewing traditions. In 2004, following the closure of the Brakspear brewery, Thompson’s business Wychwood invested £300,000 in moving six double-drop fermenters to the Wychwood Brewery site in Oxfordshire.
Since the closure of the Wychwood Brewery in 2023, Brakspear beers have been brewed in Burton-upon-Trent by Carlsberg Britvic.
Thompson said: “My experience of brewing Brakspear cask ales is obviously very important, but what’s essential here is that Brakspear and Hogs Back share the same values, in terms of respecting the traditions of British beer and pub culture while looking to drive our businesses forward in a fast-changing market.
“We’re now brewing for Brakspear using the double-drop method for the same reason we revived the near-extinct Farnham White Bine hop a decade ago; because these initiatives deliver high quality, great flavours, and offer a real point of difference for today’s discerning beer drinkers.”
- Is your pub doing anything for Cask Ale Week 2026? Do you want to give your opinion on Cask Ale Week 2026 and the positive benefits it gives to your site? If so, email gary.lloyd@wrbm.com with the details and include a picture or two.
