About
Hop Back Brewery Ltd was formed in October 1991 by John Gilbert and we moved to a small industrial unit in Downton, just south of Salisbury. After refurbishment and installation, brewing on the new 20 barrel plant started in June 1992.

In 2012 Hop Back celebrated its 25th birthday, having retained John’s original philosophy and passion for beers that he would want to drink.
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Basementonline (13368) ticked
Entire Stout from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
7/10
#tank
Tried on 23 Jul 2025 at 17:46
BlackHaddock (18155) reviewed
Pacific Jade from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
5.5/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 5.5 Flavor 5.5 Texture 5 Overall 5
Hand-pulled half-pint in the Railway Tavern, Newport, Shropshire on 12th July 2025. Clean golden pour, white crown. All a bit bland and subtle, New Zealand hops not doing their thing in a watered down Blonde Ale. Pity, because I've enjoyed beers from these guys before.
Tried from Cask at Railway Tavern on 12 Jul 2025 at 15:20
MusingAnorak (13342) ticked
Sirocco from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
7/10
Tried from Draft on 14 Jun 2025 at 13:16
McCash (16382) ticked
Entire Stout from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
On cask at the Guildford Arms.
Appearance - mat black with a red chink at the bottom of the glass. Beige head.
Nose - molasses, blackberry smoke and liquorice.
Taste - blackberry and liquorice with woodsmoke edge to it.
Palate - medium bodied rich and then roasty finish.
Overall - really good stout.
Tried from Cask at Guildford Arms on 12 May 2025 at 16:49
eurosoba (19741) ticked
Citra from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
Tried from Cask at Glue Pot (Hop Back) on 03 May 2025 at 10:31
Robinvboyer (8190) reviewed
Summer Lightning from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
5.6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 5 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 5.5
Light hops, heavy on the grains. a Good malty, and grainy flavor, but really this is not even close to what i was expecting. I was expecting a much hoppier ale, very disappointing. Gimme some Bitter and twisted any day over this!
Tried on 28 Feb 2025 at 05:16
Deanso (16228) reviewed
Summer Lightning from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
6.4/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 6 Texture 7 Overall 6
Half pint on cask at the Hallcross Beer Festival.
Thin white head. Clear pale goldfen pour. Light bitterness
Tried from Cask at Hallcross on 08 Feb 2025 at 09:46
Biilz (3345) reviewed
Summer Lightning from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
5.8/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 8 Flavor 5 Texture 4 Overall 5
Аромат солодовый в целом, хотя нотки от хмеля есть, чисто европейские. Немного цитруса и меда, но очень на тоненького. Цвет золотой, пенка средняя но стойкая. Вкус чересчур горький, слишком много хмеля забивает весь вкус. Хотя нотки цитруса и корочки от них очень сильные, но мед пропал и почти вся сладость. Послевкусие горькое и хмелевое. В целом в общем не зашло.
Tried on 01 Feb 2025 at 11:28
jerseyislandbeer (6316) reviewed
Summer Lightning from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
6.6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 7 Overall 7
Old rating from 2011 - 500ml bottle, pours golden with a white head. Aromas & tastes of citrus, caramel, honey, pepper & hops. Moderate body. Light bitter finish
Tried from Bottle on 31 Jan 2025 at 23:40
jerseyislandbeer (6316) reviewed
Citra from Hop Back Brewery
1 year ago
6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
Pint from the cask at Wyndham Arms, Salisbury. Pours pale golden with a white head. Aromas & tastes of flora, elderflower, lemon, herbs & grass hops. Moderate body. Light bitter finish
Tried from Cask on 28 Jan 2025 at 12:29