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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6.5/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 6
Cask at the Wellington, Birmingham. Pours black with small beige head. This one turned out to be quite a mellow stout with lots of chocolate but a bit light on the roasted malt character even though it wasn't a milk stout. I did pick up a hint of liquorice. Nice smooth creamy mouthfeel. OK.
Tried from Cask on 02 Jan 2025 at 03:05

6.8/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Bottle from Beers of Europe. Pours a clear gold, small white head, some retention. Aroma is sweet, quite floral, light citrus and pine. Taste has a sweet resinous character to it, floral, fruity, pine, honey, moderate bitter finish. Medium smooth body. Enjoyable gold.
Tried from Bottle on 02 Jan 2025 at 03:04

6.2/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 7
Tried on 31 Dec 2024 at 02:13

6.9/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 6.5
Bottle pint: Golden coloured ale with an fresh fruity & citrus taste. Like this one.
Tried from Bottle on 29 Dec 2024 at 11:48

6.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
[June 2023] Clear pale gold with a frothy white head. Slightly fruity nose, dry up front with floral bitterness, some fruity notes and a little spicy kick
Tried on 11 Oct 2024 at 12:45

7/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 7
Cask-conditioned at the Full Moon, Wells, 22 August 2024. Golden in colour and crystal clear, with a slight, white, head. Light, citrus and stone fruits, leafy hops, rich tea malts and a lingering, bitter, finish. Good.
Tried from Cask on 24 Aug 2024 at 07:16

7/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Cask at The Sultan 09/08/2024 Toasted and lightly roasted malty with notes of cereal, slightly nutty accents, cereal, grain, twiggy hops, soft cask carb mouthfeel, bitter hoppy and toasted malty finish. Nice one.
Tried from Cask on 22 Aug 2024 at 12:39

7.1/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Cask at The Sultan 09/08/2024 Another great pub here, medium sweet malty and lightly fruity aroma and taste, notes of toasted and sweet bready malts, grain, cereal, citrus kiss, soft cask carbonation, leafy grassy herbal bitter hoppy finish. Very nice.
Tried from Cask on 22 Aug 2024 at 12:35

6.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
17th July 2024 Cask at Chelmsfaasarhd Beer Fest. Pretty much a clear paleish gold beer, small bubbly white head. Airy and semi dry palate, a little thin. Reasonable fine carbonation. Thin pale malts, some grainy sweetness, nothing serious. Soft and very mild pine. A mild piney ripe lemon thing before a light and semi dry finish. A fairly lame attempt at a single hop pale ale. Some vague Pac Jade character but, ultimately, pretty wishy washy and a little bland. But, but.... gradually grows on you and tells you it's not quite as bland as you first feared whilst remaining, unremarkable.
Tried from Cask on 17 Jul 2024 at 17:07

7/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 7
Cask-conditioned at the Haunch of Venison, Salisbury 13/7/2024. Golden in colour and crystal clear, with a slight, off-white, head. Grassy hops, a herbal edge, tangerine fruit, light maltiness leading to a dryish finish. Enjoyable.
Tried from Cask on 14 Jul 2024 at 10:15