Hogs Back Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.)

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		02 Dec 2025	Now tiring
Hogan Sampling		02 Dec 2025	Now its third night on and still pulling a punch and presenting a good head and lacing. A dry bitter first hit on this bitter from near Farnham, Surrey, and named after the village of Tongham. An unmistakable maltiness rising before its hoppy sweetness wins over from its Fuggles hops. A definite fruitiness paddling out. As moreish as Sunday so again stuck to it but for a mere Goacher's 1066 Old Ale.
Philip Pirrip		01 Dec 2025	As yesterday - unchanged
Philip Pirrip		30 Nov 2025	New on today. Fresh but good
Hogan Sampling		30 Nov 2025	Fresh on today and presenting a very good head and lacing and hanging on like a limpet to the sides of the glass. This Surrey bitter, west of Guildford, near Farnham and named after the village of Tongham, had a dry bitter first hit. A sweet malty note climbing from its English malted barley. A hoppy sweetness winning over aided by its Surrey-grown bittering hop, Fuggles. A malty fruitiness joining the paddle out. Very moreish and so stuck to it on this visit. Hogs Back Brewery launched in 1992 and took over the brewing of Exmoor Ales' core range from May 2025. Also a great fan of Exmoor Ales which delivered their polypins to me during the 2020 lockdown.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Dec 2023

The Furze Wren, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 May 2025	Disappointing with slight haze and rapid loss of head and lacing
Philip Pirrip		16 Dec 2024	Basic bitter
Philip Pirrip		13 May 2024	TEA as it should be
Philip Pirrip		28 Nov 2022	A nice drop
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Sep 2022	Ran out
Philip Pirrip		05 Sep 2022

White Lion, Warlingham, Surrey

Ales on the Green, Warlingham, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		12 Apr 2025	Came with good head and lacing on this bitter from Tongham, west of Guildford. A sweetish first hit. A bitter and caramel-infused flavouring in the mouthfeel. A dry and sweetish bitterness lingering.

The Partridge, Bromley, Greater London

Claret & Ale (formerly Claret Free House), Addiscombe, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		05 Feb 2025	A tasty drop
Philip Pirrip		15 Jan 2025	Best example of TEA I have had in a long while
Philip Pirrip		26 Jul 2024	Tasty foil to the Tally Ho!
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Jun 2024	In a cask on counter top
Philip Pirrip		19 Jan 2024	Bitterness came through more than the sweetness of old in this brew
Philip Pirrip		08 Sep 2023	Served as it should be
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Jun 2023	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Jul 2022

The George, Croydon, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		08 Nov 2024	TEA as it should be

The Plume of Feathers, Greenwich, Greater London

The Brockley Barge, Brockley, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Jul 2024	Usual old JDW trick, clip showing but run out
Philip Pirrip		06 Apr 2022	Fobbed enormously on pouring. Also a very cloying mouthfeel, but tasty enough
Philip Pirrip		14 Feb 2019	On true form
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 May 2015

The Five Bells, Eastry, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		06 Jun 2024	A fine pint of TEA

The New Inn, Minster (Thanet), Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		07 Apr 2024	Very quaffable
Jack William	Not Tried	18 Feb 2024

Bricklayers Arms, Beckenham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Jan 2024	Spot on TEA. Best I have had for a long time

The Anchor Inn, Wingham, Kent

The Doric Arch, Euston, Central London

The Kingfisher, Chertsey, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		27 Dec 2022

Crispin, Wokingham, Berkshire

Stepping Stones, Westhumble, Surrey

Royal Oak, Wrecclesham, Surrey

The Nell Gwynne, Covent Garden, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	21 Sep 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	14 Mar 2019
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	03 Jul 2014
HSB		17 Apr 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Feb 2014
HSB		13 Feb 2014

Bridge Arms (formerly The White Horse Inn), Bridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		14 Sep 2019

The Bull, Newmarket, Suffolk

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		06 Sep 2019

The Blind Busker, Hove, East Sussex

The Sutton Arms, Sutton, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		28 Jun 2019	This malty brew is not one of my favourites.

The Park Tavern, Eltham, Greater London

Queens Head, Rainham, Kent

The Hawley Arms, Camden Town, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		24 Jan 2019

The Shortlands Tavern, Bromley, Greater London

Imperial Arms, Chislehurst, Greater London

The Wellington, Covent Garden, Central London

The Rockingham Arms, Elephant & Castle, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		24 Sep 2018	I couldn't be bothered to check out what else was on offer so opted for this.

The Watch House, Lewisham, Greater London

The Admiral's Arm, Queenborough, Kent

Parrot, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		03 Jul 2018	This stuff is just lovely
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Nov 2017

The Hole in the Wall, Waterloo, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		22 May 2018
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	04 Jan 2017
ChrisE	Not Tried	07 Dec 2015
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	01 Nov 2013
Flying.geordie		21 May 2010
Dubbel	Not Tried	08 Nov 2008

The Jack Phillips, Godalming, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	18 May 2018
Philip Pirrip		29 Jul 2013	Annoying that this was £2.60 pp when basic guests were £2.29 but the premium price was not highlighted at point of sale, it is not even a premium ale

The Star, Godalming, Surrey

The Lord Clyde, Borough, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	09 Dec 2017
ChrisE	Not Tried	16 Nov 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Sep 2016
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	15 Sep 2016
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	07 Sep 2015
HSB		21 May 2015	Not had this for ages. Pleasantly surprised, better balanced than I remember it.
Philip Pirrip		31 May 2014	Bitter but seemed overly malty and less sweet than I recall

The Greyfriar, Reading, Berkshire

Bull's Head Hotel, Chislehurst, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		05 Sep 2017

The Herbert Wells, Woking, Surrey

Village Inn, Park Gate, Hampshire

Jolly Woodman, Beckenham, Greater London

The Masons Arms, Teddington, Greater London

Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth, Dorset

The Phoenix, City, Central London

The Black Friar, Blackfriars, Central London

Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		03 Dec 2016

Alex, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

The Grape & Grain, Crystal Palace, Greater London

Five Bells, Wickham, Berkshire

The Tailor's Chalk, Sidcup, Greater London

The New Cross Turnpike, Welling, Greater London

Old London Apprentice, Newbury, Berkshire

Wetherspoons, Victoria, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	01 Jul 2016
Philip Pirrip		24 May 2015

The Brave (formerly The Engle Field; Lord Clyde), Canonbury, Greater London

The Goose, Walthamstow, Greater London

The Pheasant at Buckland, Buckland, Surrey

Leman Bar (formerly The Dispensary), Aldgate, Central London

The Hare & Billet, Blackheath, Greater London

King William IV, Mickleham, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		19 Aug 2015	Old school, malt led best bitter. Should have tried it before the Ranmore.
Wittenden	Not Tried	24 Jul 2012

The Ivy House, Alton, Hampshire

The Lost Hour, Greenwich, Greater London

The Gate Clock, Greenwich, Greater London

The Mucky Duck, Winchester, Hampshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		30 May 2015	More crisp and less sweet than I remember it – pretty good in fact.

The Bishop, East Dulwich, Greater London

The Robin Hood, Icklesham, East Sussex

Crate Brewery, Hackney, Greater London

The Red Lion, Isleworth, Greater London

The Humphrey Bean, Tonbridge, Kent

The Phoenix Tavern, Faversham, Kent

White Hart, Aldgate, Central London

The Griffin Inn, Fletching, East Sussex

The George, Aldwych, Central London

The Sovereign of the Seas, Petts Wood, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11	Not Tried	18 Nov 2014
oz11		09 Jan 2014
oz11	Not Tried	20 Nov 2012
oz11	Not Tried	16 Aug 2012
oz11		24 Jul 2012
oz11	Not Tried	21 Dec 2011
oz11	Not Tried	01 Dec 2011
oz11	Not Tried	29 Nov 2011

Culpeper, Aldgate, Central London

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match 2014, Marden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		20 Sep 2014	Dependable deep brown best bitter.

Pharos Beer Festival 2014, Dover, Kent

Blythe Hill Tavern, Forest Hill, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		18 Aug 2014	Did not enjoy this one. Overly malty

St Christopher's Inn, Southwark, Central London

The Old Dairy, Crouch Hill, Greater London

The Alpaca (formerly The New Rose), Islington, Central London

Champion of the Thames, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		23 Jan 2014	Too malty

The Old Nun's Head, Nunhead Green, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		18 Nov 2013	Brown, thin, malty, over-chilled and lacking in condition. Not great.

Paxton's Head, Knightsbridge, Central London

The Grafton, Kentish Town, Greater London

The Chaser Inn, Shipbourne, Kent

The Pullman, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	11 Jul 2013
ChrisE		24 Dec 2012
ChrisE	Not Tried	20 Sep 2010
ChrisE	Not Tried	07 Sep 2010

The Good Intent, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		04 Jul 2013	For a gravity ale on a humid evening this was in excellent nick

The Onslow Arms, West Clandon, Surrey

The Bell, Walthamstow, Greater London

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser	Not Tried	11 Nov 2012
Pedro		22 Oct 2011
Pedro		12 Aug 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Aug 2011
Angie	Not Tried	22 Jan 2011
Ian	Not Tried	21 Jan 2011
Alenomore	Not Tried	17 Apr 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	16 Mar 2010
Pedro		14 Mar 2010
Pedro		06 Sep 2009	Drank a lot of these whilst enjoying the acoustic duo !
Pedro		04 Sep 2009
Pedro		03 Sep 2009
Pedro		02 Sep 2009	tried outside on patio

The Star Inn, Ringwood, Hampshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Eddie		24 Oct 2012	Good honest best bitter

The Anchor, Walberswick, Suffolk

Kings Head, Bristol, Avon

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		23 Jul 2012	A great mix of bitterness and pronounced sweetness

The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Jul 2012	First sweetish brew for a while so took time for the old tastebuds to acclimatise

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		17 Jun 2012
Alenomore		12 Oct 2011	Good, but again, not cool enough.
Matt		31 Aug 2010	Good flavour but served too warm.
Matt		13 Aug 2010	slightly hazy and a tad to warm but still very drinkable and in good condition
Pedro		27 May 2010
Ian		22 Apr 2010	Very drinkable brown standard bitter. Mind you, it's no Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter that is just 5 mins up the road at The Pilot. Just waiting for 25 mins til the pub opens.
Pedro		07 Apr 2010

The Barley Mow, Shepperton, Surrey

The Harrow, Compton, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		08 Feb 2012	A good honest best bitter.

The Lazy Lion (formerly The Red Lion), Milford on Sea, Hampshire

The Rum Puncheon, Gravesend, Kent

The Swan, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro	Not Tried	24 Jul 2011
ChrisE	Not Tried	19 Jul 2011
Pedro		09 Jul 2011

Opera House, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		26 Feb 2011

The Bricklayer's Arms, Putney, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Collis		16 Oct 2010

Hooden Smokehouse & Cellar (formerly Hooden on the Hill), Willesborough, Kent

Smallhythe Place Beer and Music Festival 2010, Smallhythe, Kent

The Spotted Cow, Lower Bourne, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		20 Mar 2010	I've been a fan of TEA for years, in bottle and less often on draught,and this was as it should be:mid brown with a dry depth of hops.Refreshing.

Old House, Ightham Common, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		03 Oct 2009

The Roebuck, Hampton Hill, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
James T		07 Sep 2009	A good all round fairly regular pint of TEA. Crystal clear, nice thick head, fruity, and a tart dry aftertaste.

Crabble Corn Mill Beer Festival 2009, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		22 May 2009	A nice enough pint but not as assertive or hoppy as I remember

Simple Simon's, Canterbury, Kent

The White Swan, Reading Street, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		16 Feb 2008	Nice clean refreshing pint. Very good session bitter.

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Coastguard, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Kent

The George, Bethersden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		22 Apr 2006	Copper, thin off white head. Soft hop/malt aroma, some lemon/ginger flavour in mouth. Really quite attractive with a ginger spiced hop finish. I've certainly had worse bitters. Touch of toffee sweetness on then end.

The Yew Tree Inn, Barfrestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Aug 2005
Andrew	Not Tried	20 Aug 2005	This came on after the Stout was taken off
Brian		13 Aug 2005	Nice enough, good body and smooth finish