Celebrating 177 years of beer and brewing at Hook Norton Brewery

Celebrating 177 years of beer and brewing at Hook Norton Brewery

Celebrating 177 years of independent brewing, Hook Norton Brewery proudly unveils its latest anniversary release: 177 Strong Ale. A bold, robust beer crafted to honour the brewery’s rich heritage and remarkable brewing tradition.As the name suggests, 177 Strong Ale is a powerful, full-bodied ale 7.7%, brewed with a trio of all-English hops. Expect the delicate smoothness of Goldings, the subtle spice of Challenger, and the floral character of Fuggles, combining to create a complex yet beautifully balanced strong ale worthy of its celebratory status.

This year’s anniversary ale pays tribute to the brewery’s extraordinary 1899 Grist Mill – a rare and remarkable piece of Victorian engineering still in daily use. Unusually located on the fourth floor of the brewery tower, the mill continues to play a vital role in the brewing process today.

The mill features:
A Malt Dressing machine made by Nalder & Nalder of Wantage (the distinctive wooden-covered components)

A Milling machine manufactured by Buxton & Thornley of Burton-on-Trent (recognisable by its red-painted elements)
The Malt Dressing machine prepares the grain by removing dust and grading it by size before milling. The mill’s twin roller sets then crush the smaller and larger grains separately, ensuring an even grind and maximum extract from the mash.

There can be few machines anywhere in the UK still operating daily that were first installed in 1899 – making it not just a brewing tool, but a living part of British brewing heritage.

Hook Norton first began brewing special anniversary ales in its 167th year. Since then, a new commemorative ale has been released annually, each increasing in strength by one percent to mark the passing years – creating a unique and much-anticipated collector’s series for beer enthusiasts.

177 Strong Ale continues this proud tradition: bold in character, steeped in history, and brewed with the craftsmanship that has defined Hook Norton for nearly two centuries.

177 Strong Ale is available in 500ml bottles exclusively from the Brewery Shop and online here.