Hogs Back releases two low alcohol beers

The brewer has released Little Swine Low Alcohol 2.8% ABV beer on draught and bottle, and a new Little Swine 0.5% ABV bottled beer.

Meanwhile, updated PoS on the company’s core tipple Tongham TEA pump clips will invite customers to “Support your local, go TEA total” by enjoying a pint of their favourite ale, repeating the successful January campaign from previous years.

For those wanting to consume lower amounts of alcohol, Little Swine 2.8% ABV is available on draught and 330ml and 500ml bottles while Little Swine 0.5% ABV is launching in 330ml and will be available in 500ml bottles from the end of January, with PoS support. Both variants are gluten-free.

January will be a challenge

Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: “We know this month is going to be a challenge for pubs with worries about the high cost of living combining with the usual new year’s resolutions to cut back.

“We’re helping them appeal both to customers wanting to beat the January blues with a flavourful pint of Tongham TEA, and to the increasing number of consumers with a thirst for beers with full taste but lower strength, which peaks this month.”

Little Swine 0.5% ABV is said to be a full-bodied, flavourful pale ale, brewed with four speciality malts and three hop varieties including aromatic Cascade from Hogs Back’s hop garden and dry hopped with Mosaic for a robust citrus finish. The brewer said the result is a crisp, smooth, well-balanced beer.

Sustainable brewing

Thompson added: “The distinct branding for both the new 0.5% beer and existing 2.8% create a Little Swine family that is clearly part of the Hogs Back portfolio. This means drinkers will trust the beers to deliver great taste while also being produced in keeping with our ethos of brewing sustainably and using local ingredients. Little Swine is brewed with our own home-grown hops and so has a lower carbon footprint – from field to firkin in a furlong, as we like to say.

“We’re encouraging pubs to broaden their low and no range during January and stock a local brand to help customers show their support for local brewers.”

Hogs Back Brewery uses a stopped fermentation brewing method to produce its low alcohol beers, which it said is in contrast to the less gentle reverse osmosis or vacuum distillation processes used by some larger global brewers.