Hogs Back Brewery has struck a deal to brew one of Britain’s best-known traditional ales at its Tongham brewery.

The brewery has begun producing Brakspear’s flagship Original Gravity bitter and will invest in traditional “double drop” brewing vessels at its site.

The historic method involves transferring beer between vessels during fermentation and is closely associated with Brakspear.

Hogs Back will also brew Brakspear Noble Nectar, a 4 percent pale ale using rare Farnham White Bine hops grown on its hop farm next to the brewery.

The hop was once widely grown around Farnham before virtually disappearing from commercial production, but was revived by Hogs Back more than a decade ago.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “The team at Hogs Back share 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 deal also marks a return to Brakspear brewing for Hogs Back owner Rupert Thompson.

Following the closure of the original Brakspear brewery, his then business Wychwood invested £300,000 in 2004 to move six double drop fermenters to its Oxfordshire brewery.

Brakspear beers were brewed there until Wychwood closed in 2023, after which production moved to Burton-upon-Trent.

Mr 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, whilst looking to drive our businesses forward in a fast changing market.”

Original Gravity and Noble Nectar will be served in Brakspear pubs and supplied to selected independent pubs, with other Brakspear cask ales expected to follow.