Little Swine and Hogstar
Little Swine joins Hogstar in the new ‘Field to Firkin’ design range. Credit: HOGS BACK BREWERY.

UK retailer Tesco is to start selling Hogs Back Brewery’s Little Swine low-alcohol beer (2.8% ABV) next month.

It will be available in around 200 stores.

Initially launched in kegs in February, Little Swine beer is a dry-hopped, aromatic pale ale.

It is brewed with a mixture of aroma hops. These include the citrussy Cascade, grown in the Hogs Back hop garden, and American Mosaic hops boasting complementary tropical notes. The beer is then dry-hopped for additional aroma and flavour.

Tesco is claimed to be the first major retailer to stock Little Swine in bottles.

The pump clip design features a smaller bottle label with the Hogs Back hog to reflect the beer’s name.

Hogs Back Brewery said the neck label communicates its ‘Field to Firkin in a Furlong’ positioning. It is based on the 200 yards distance from the hop garden to the brewhouse.

Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: “We’re delighted to have secured this significant listing for Little Swine with Tesco, which takes our small beer to a big audience.

“This beer is for drinkers who love the taste of beer but want to moderate the amount of alcohol units they drink, perhaps so they can enjoy a beer at lunchtime or a few in the evening and still keep a clear head for the afternoon or next day ahead.

“Consumers loved Little Swine on draught and we’re sure the bottled version will be just as popular.”

Tesco buying manager for ale and stout Hugo Murray has also commented: “Low-alcohol beers are a new direction for the Surrey brewery and Little Swine is very on trend, a small beer packed with hops, juicy and crisp. Best enjoyed cold, it’s the perfect drink for summer.”

Furthermore, Hogs Back also unveiled a new design for their Hogstar lager. It will be unveiled on bottles and cans later this year.