RUPERT Thompson, owner of Hogs Back Brewery in Tongham, has been shortlisted for a prestigious drinks industry award.

The brewer is just one of six individuals identified for the Outstanding Industry Contribution title in this year’s Publican Awards, due to be announced on Tuesday.

Rupert bought Hogs Back in 2012, 20 years after the brewery was founded. Under his direction, Hogs Back has continued to brew award-winning cask ales, including its flagship Tongham English Ale or TEA, while also innovating with new beers in cask, keg, bottle and cans.

Launches in recent years include Hogstar English Craft Lager and Montezuma’s Chocolate Lager, which are both winning listings in pubs and supermarkets.

In September 2015 Hogs Back Brewery harvested the first hops from its own hop garden on a three-and-a-half acre plot adjacent to the brewery, bringing the traditional but near-extinct Farnham White Bine hop variety back to its Surrey home.

The Hogs Back hop garden is the largest owned by a brewer in the UK and, once fully mature, will provide 25 per cent of its hop requirements.

Rupert was nominated for the Outstanding Industry Contribution by drinks experts, who describe him as “one of the most influential people in the beer industry” in a career spanning three decades.

The Hogs Back owner said: “I feel honoured to be shortlisted alongside five industry veterans whom I admire hugely and who would all be worthy winners.

“Obviously, it would be lovely to hear my name called out on Tuesday, but if not then I’m hopeful that, like Leonardo DiCaprio and the Oscars, I may have a few more nominations before taking the trophy.”