Issue 96 August - September 2016

FREEFREEFREE please take one the Oxford Drinker

The free newsletter of the Oxford and White Horse Branches of CAMRA www.oxford.camra.org.uk www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk August - September 2016 96

2 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 Contents Welcome Branch Diary 5 Pubs closing and pubs 15 What’s going on in Oxford opening branch Prost! 16 Oxford CAMRA’s trip to Bavaria The OxfordOxford Drinker is the newsletter of the Oxford and White Horse Volunteers needed branches of CAMRA, the Campaign 17 Do you want to vote for for Real Ale. our Pub of the Year? 5000 copies are distributed free of charge to pubs across the two Tony’s Travels branches’ area, including Oxford, Abingdon, Witney, Faringdon, 18 Mr Goulding looks at the Eynsham, Kidlington, Bampton, pubs of Kidlington Wheatley and Wantage and most of Eynsham the villages in between. 6 A crawl around the pubs Brewery News

We have recently relaunched our of Eynsham 20 New beers and new website and pdf downloads are now breweries available there once again. Memory Lane 8 Angels, greyhounds and From the Stars Editorial team: meadows 22 Matt reports on another Editor: Dave Richardson successful festival [email protected]@oxfordcamra.org.uk Pub News Advertising: Tony Goulding or Matt 10 A round-up of all the White Horse Bullock latest news locally 24 White Horse branch news [email protected] [email protected]@oxfordcamra.org.uk and diary Tony: 07588 181313 Matt: 07977 517514 CAMRA’s Future 12 CAMRA’s revitalisation Festival Diary Layout/Design: Matt Bullock 27 project A selection of summer Valuable contributions have been festivals to enjoy received for this issue from Richard Save your pub Queralt, Matt Ford, Chris Bamford, 14 Abingdon visited Dick Bosley, Matt Bullock, Tony Explaining Assets of Goulding, Pete Flynn, and Michael Community Value 30 Pete’s guide to Abingdon Sibbald. pubs—part 1

Please send contributions to the editor at the above email address.

Pub news can be sent to [email protected]@oxfordcamra.org.uk

The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Oxford or White Horse Branches of CAMRA, or of CAMRA Limited. Messing about Printed by Ox Uni Print, Kidlington 31 ….on the River Thames www.oxuniprint.co.uk from Abingdon

© Copyright Oxford CAMRA 2016

the Oxford Drinker 3 August - September 2016 96

4 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 Welcome ….. as one pub THE OPENING of one new pub and anymore, and that story has likely closure of a long- been repeated time and time door opens, established village hostelry are again. Will it be missed? Could among the things you can read it be revived as a gastro-pub, or another closes about in this issue, and both whatever? Maybe we should developments are symptomatic accept that some places have of what is happening on the too many pubs, and in Eynsham pubs scene nationally. While – unlike small villages and there are arguably too many some parts of Oxford – there pubs in some places, there are other pubs within easy never seem to be enough in walking distance of the Queen’s others. Head.

Oxford City is of course the In this issue you can also read place that can’t get enough, and about how CAMRA can help yet another drinking save threatened pubs, by establishment opens on George getting them listed as Assets of Street this summer in the shape Community Value (ACVs). of Pint Shop (see Pub News). It Listing doesn’t guarantee a promises up to 24 beers, 92 pub’s future but it does offer a gins and drinking and dining stay of execution in case space for over 200 people, and someone can come up with the while many of the beers will be money, and it does ensure that craft kegs, there is likely to be a planning permission is good choice of real ale too as at necessary before conversion to the first Pint Shop, in other uses. Cambridge, listed in the Good BELOW: Peter Jones at the Beer Guide. As many drinkers feel, the battle Queens Head in Eynsham for real ale has been won but George Street’s pubs and the battle to save pubs is restaurants appeal to a mainly ongoing. Read about scenarios young crowd, so Pint Shop may for the future direction of well succeed despite all the CAMRA on pages 12-13, and competition around it. But the your views are always welcome outlook for pubs in the suburbs by using the Contacts of Oxford and in towns and information. villages is more variable, and there have already been many Enjoy the rest of the summer, closures. but spare a thought for people running pubs who give good As you will read in the Eynsham service to the community but feature (on page 6) the Queen’s find life a struggle. They can’t all Head may well close later this set up shop on George Street, year as the long-serving tenant and with every pub that closes, – over 30 years at the same a little of our traditional way of pub – calls it a day. It’s sad to life disappears along with it. hear that such a hard working person can’t make a living DAVE RICHARDSON

the Oxford Drinker 5 August - September 2016 96 Anyone for Eynsham?

Dave Richardson BEARING IN MIND the national have a broader range of beer climate, Eynsham has led a and a broader range of visits a village charmed life in recent years customers. midway between with only one pub, the Star Inn, Oxford and Witney having closed. Sadly there may We found Punch Taverns’ Jolly soon be another, as I Sportsman closed temporarily discovered when visiting seven for a revamp, with only a Doom of the eight pubs in this Bar pump visible through the attractive village (the eighth is window. But just along the the Evenlode, a carvery pub on street is the Swan Hotel, where the main A40 road). I found some decent beer in the shape of Otter’s Amber (4%) In Market Place I read about the and Purity’s ever reliable Ubu history of a village once (4.5%), with a half of each going dominated by a medieval down a treat. Hook Norton abbey, which includes this: beers are regularly available “With the mass of people and here and recent guests had availability of alcohol, the included Timothy Taylor markets could be dangerous Boltmaker and Upham places and on one occasion, Brewery’s Punter – evidence two Oxford students were killed that the pub, with four hand in a riot.” It’s more peaceful pumps, takes its beer seriously. nowadays. I turned my steps towards the Red Lion. The Swan is a 17th century building which is also a small This is a large pub sorely in hotel, and it opened a Thai need of some TLC, and I wish restaurant in February. new landlady Marion Roberts Landlords Keith O’Malley and good luck in her efforts to Alexandra Davies have been at restore it. The Red Lion is a this Enterprise Inns property for former Greene King pub now just over a year and seem to be owned by Hawthorn Leisure, making a success of it, whose agreement to source including live sports, pool, Aunt beer from GK appears to have Sally and darts. lapsed. Sharp’s Doom Bar and Timothy Taylor Landlord were It was now time to move into the on the bar but both were off, so back streets to seek out the I had to have a keg cider. White Hart, a building dating Marion hopes to get a third from 1366 which became a pub hand pump in service as she in 1750, adopting its current recognises the importance of name in 1835. It was once a real ale, and she also hopes to coaching inn and still does bed resume basic pub grub as no and breakfast, with a large food was being served in July. garden at the rear which you might not notice if you don’t go It’s a pub with great potential, through the gate. with lots of space and a large garden. But at present it’s not a It’s obviously very old with two place I wanted to linger, and deep fireplaces (one hopefully on my next visit it will functioning) and thick walls, and

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this is another pub with great close. Peter has run it for while a third hand pump usually potential for its new landlady, Courage, Watney Mann, dispenses another local or a Cynthia Caspers, a Namibian Whitbread, Morland, Greene Cornish ale. The railway who welcomed the chance to King and then Admiral, but the themed lounge bar is a treat – move from London via the returns have been diminishing. Eynsham lost its passenger Three Horseshoes in service in 1964 – but the Garsington. It’s a Greene King “We’ve always been a mementoes will go to a good house with only two real ales on traditional pub selling a bit of home. – the insipid IPA and a summer food, but Eynsham has become special, Doosra, a distinctly a retirement village and people On the way back home – malty 4.2% pale ale named don’t come out as much as they courtesy of Tony Goulding’s after a cricketing manoeuvre. used to,” he says. “Young wonderful not-for-profit taxi Let’s hope guest beers from the people don’t seem to drink service! – there was just time to GK range make an appearance much, as the health message stop off at the food oriented in future. has been hammered home to Talbot Inn, close to Swinford toll them. I love the job and I love bridge, an Arkell’s house where, We then carried on along this pub, and people say they unusually, all the ale is Newland Street, an attractive are sad to see me go. But they dispensed straight from the stone-built thoroughfare, to the just don’t come in as often as barrel rather than hand pumps. appropriately named Newlands they did, and I am taking in the A half of Moonlight went down Inn, a free house. This is same amount of money as I did well, but I couldn’t get over my another old pub that doesn’t in 2001. It is not a maintainable sadness at the loss of the serve food, but through choice trade any more.” Queen’s Head and a publican rather than circumstances. It who has given most of his was a major food pub for many So enjoy the Queen’s Head working life to the trade. Good years but now courts a “wet- while you can. Doom Bar and luck, Peter – Eynsham will be only” pub atmosphere, and was White Horse Village Idiot (very the poorer without you. very busy unlike the White Hart. tasty) are the regular beers, The regular beer is Ringwood Best Bitter while the others vary, and tonight these were Loose Cannon’s Bombshell and Thwaites’ Lancaster Bomber, the latter being my choice and very tasty too. This might well be my local if I lived in Eynsham.

We then moved on to the Queen’s Head, another very traditional pub where sadly, the rumours proved true as long- serving landlord Peter Jones expects to give up before the end of the year after serving the Eynsham community for 33 years. He leases the pub from Admiral Taverns but doesn’t expect anyone to acquire his lease, so the pub may well

the Oxford Drinker 7 August - September 2016 96 Down Memory Lane FOR THIS ISSUE’S dip into my book spot was a meadow on the far Menorca, which was fought in Oxford Pubs, we look at side of Magdalen Bridge. 1708 and delivered the island hostelries in the St Clement’s into British hands. The French area starting with the Angel and The pub we see today dates took over in 1756 after a second Greyhound. Many people know from 1880 and, like so many battle, when what is now an that it is named after Angel and pubs, has had various names. everyday food item was devised Greyhound Meadow, the public In 1920 it became the Burton for the victory banquet – a space behind it, but why is the Ale Stores and in 1970 the sauce called mayonnaise. meadow so called? That’s Oranges and Lemons, after the because of two long since nursery rhyme. By the 1980s it Two more pubs stood on St disappeared pubs, or coaching was a wine bar called Parker’s Clement’s that are now gone – inns to be precise. but in 1991 it was acquired by the Coach and Horses, now a Young’s and reverted to its guest-house of the same name; The Angel stood on the High original name. and the Duke of Edinburgh, now Street where the University Joe Perks & Co cocktail bar. Examination Schools were built A very large photograph inside after the inn was demolished in – effectively a mural – shows a At the city end of St Clement’s the 1860s. The name was first group of regulars in Oranges is the Half Moon (1823), recorded in 1510, and it was a and Lemons days, when it was another Greene King pub, once major establishment known as a gathering place for one of the smallest in Oxford accommodating up to 13,000 punks. Today it welcomes all until it acquired the premises overnight guests a year. comers, with long serving next door which blends in landlords Richard and Kathryn perfectly well. Once an Irish bar The Greyhound Inn, dating from Gibson being a popular couple. and still well-known as a live 1526, stood on the corner of I always enjoy his chalked-up music and late night venue, it is High Street and Longwall Street weather reports, ending with: a true character pub which and closed in 1845 when “For more information, step usually has guest beers Magdalen College, its owner, outside”! available. needed the land for expansion. Both the Angel and the Further along St Clement’s is Right on The Plain, the Greyhound needed somewhere the Port Mahon, a Greene King roundabout at the end of to graze horses used by guests house and an imposing stone- Magdalen Bridge, is the Cape of and stagecoaches, and that built edifice dating from 1710 Good Hope – a large pub which has changed little on the popular with students. This is outside, apart from a small another pub that has had extension. This pub has had the several identities, including the same name throughout and Hobgoblin and the less-than- commemorates the Battle of inspiring The Pub Oxford, Mahon on the Spanish island of before reverting to a name first used in 1785. It is named after a point near the southernmost tip of Africa, though no-one is quite sure why.

If you have memories you’d like to share, contact me at [email protected]. To buy a signed copy of Oxford Pubs, email me at this address or visit www.oxfordpubhistory.co.uk

DAVE RICHARDSON

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the Oxford Drinker 9 August - September 2016 96 Pub News here. It has established a very Abingdon Beckley high standard of freshly cooked BROAD FACE: Closed on and off for meals to order, and has a the last few years, the pub again comfortable bar area for drinkers closed in June although Greene with Hooky Bitter and a tasty King has submitted plans to Thwaites’ Lancaster Bomber renovate it. available on the day as the present regular beers supported CROSS KEYS: Redevelopment of by Punch Taverns. the former pub in Ock Street is now under way with flats due to Coleshill be available by the end of the year. RADNOR ARMS: It now offers a 50p discount on all real ales on GRAPES: This sports bar now production of a CAMRA sports the elegant bunch of membership card. The adjacent grapes sign that hung outside the Old Forge micro-brewery Grapes in Oxford, until the latter launched two new ales for its was rebranded as Beerd last Open Day in July: Ruby Mild year. (3.8%) and Old Forge Best (4.2%). ABINGDON ARMS: The pub has been put up for sale freehold by the Brakspear pubco, but Oxford because successive tenants have BERKSHIRE: The Abingdon Road been unable to make a success pub, latterly known as the of the business, local residents Crooked Pot until reverting to its (including CAMRA members) former name, was seeking a new anticipated the sale and ensured tenant at the time of writing, its listing as an Asset of having been passed on by Community Value. Residents of Greene King to Hawthorn Leisure. Beckley and adjacent villages are now trying to raise the capital for CASTLE TAVERN: The pub, long a community purchase, and have known as one of Oxford’s leading exciting ideas for the Abingdon gay venues, is being advertised Arms’ future as a community pub for sale for £425,000 freehold to include a shop, cafe, social with “alternative use potential”. amenities and potentially a micro- The area will change dramatically brewery. CAMRA members are on completion of the Westgate welcome to invest in this redevelopment, scheduled for OLD ANCHOR: Josh and Tasha took community venture and if you are late 2017. over the Old Anchor during June interested, contact Mike Hobbs: having moved up from London [email protected] HALF MOON & JAMES STREET TAVERN: where they managed a These two pubs are back under successful pub in Marylebone. the direct control of Greene King The Anchor was initially shut to Begbroke following the withdrawal of a allow for redecoration and minor ROYAL SUN: This Punch Taverns tenant who also ran the now alterations and is now open as a house has re-opened after a defunct Fisher micro-brewery. “pub that serves decent food”. £100,000 refurbishment with Also affected by the end of the There are four ales on tap, the bright furniture and fittings and a same tenancy is the Rock of two regulars being one from new team who already run the Gibraltar pub near Kidlington Loose Cannon and Morlands Hart at Harwell, near Didcot, which, like the James Street Original, plus two guests from the headed by Bogdan from a Tavern, continues to have a good Greene King stable. Romanian family firmly settled choice of real ale.

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JACK RUSSELL: Locals are still character pub appealing to a resisting plans to demolish the wide range of clientele – “a pub Marston pub and erect flats on that feeds you, not a restaurant the site, but there seems little with a bar”. Its pizza menu has a hope of it re-opening as a pub. dedicated following and on one day it served 540 portions. The CAMRA Pub Discount PINT SHOP: A late summer opening Scheme gives licensees the is being planned for what will be chance to promote their real ale a major addition to the Oxford offering to card carrying CAMRA pub’s scene, as the second members by offering them money property of a successful venture of a pint or half pint. based in Cambridge. The George Street venue will join existing The pubs in our area that offer a pubs and bars including Beerd, discount are listed below: Wig and Pen, and George Street Abingdon Social with over 220 places Brewery Tap available. The Cambridge Pint Kings Head & Bell Shop says it is “all about creating Nags Head on the Thames a place that embraces eating and Narrows * drinking equally. A place where Old Anchor you feel equally at home having a White Horse few beers, a light lunch or a full blown feast. A place where Oxford people from all walks of life rub Britannia, Headington shoulders with each other. Our Chequers, High Street inspiration for Pint Shop came Four Candles * from the Beer Houses of the Witney Rose and Crown 1830s; the original ‘Beer Houses’ PLOUGH: The Bridge Street pub Royal Blenheim or ‘Tom and Jerry Shops’ as they has re-opened after a really good Swan and Castle * became known, are viewed by spring clean and now looks and William Morris, Cowley * many as the birthplace of today’s feels very comfortable. Four pub. We have 10 beers on keg beers were on the bar on a recent Witney and six on cask. Most of our beer visit, including a very tasty Otter Company of Weavers * is British. All of it is from small Ale along with Hobgoblin, St Ye Olde Cross Keys * brewers. Our beer list is ever Austell Tribute and Doom Bar. changing.” Two craft kegs were also noted (a Pubs offer different discounts, sign of things to come?) and good and some discounts are available WHITE RABBIT: CAMRA has food will make a comeback. only at certain times or on certain presented the pub with a LocAle beers. Please ask at the pub to certificate (also presented to the Yarnton find out what is offered. An Chequers) in recognition of its asterisk (*) indicates that the policy of having beers brewed RED LION: The pub has re-opened discount is in Wetherspoons within a 30-mile radius always following a short period of closure vouchers that are sent to all available. Shotover (Scholar or with Kerry and Vicky behind the CAMRA members - note that Ye Prospect) is a regular supplier, bar, and the feedback indicates a Olde Cross Keys is not a and on this occasion XT3, XT7 positive future. Beers from the Wetherspoon pub but does and XPA were also on offer, plus Hawthorn Leisure list are accept the vouchers. a craft beer called Hop Trick. available with Hobgoblin, Hooky Toby Hambly (pictured on right, Bitter and Doom Bar available If you know of a pub that offers a with Chairman Pete Flynn), who recently. Good value pub food is discount on beer to CAMRA became manager in February, served lunchtimes and early members then please let us know said it was trying to be a evenings. at [email protected]

the Oxford Drinker 11 August - September 2016 96 CAMRA’s Revitalisation Project - what’s it all about? Oxford CAMRA CAMRA. Members will be may no longer continue as the invited to share their views Campaign for Real Ale and chairman Pete Flynn about the future by completing instead become a campaign for provides an overview, surveys and attending one of 50 pubs, or a campaign for all while Dave consultation meetings across drinkers. The challenges are set the UK running until October. out in a booklet, Shaping the Richardson reports They will be asked whether Future, that has been sent to all on one of 50 CAMRA should move away members. consultation meetings from promoting and protecting traditional real ale and become Michael Hardman says: “It’s not being held around the more inclusive, or shed up to us, though – it’s up to our country subsidiary issues that have members to tell us what they become attached to the want the campaign to do in the organisation over the years – future. CAMRA has sometimes such as pubs heritage, cider been criticised for failing to and foreign beer – in order to move with the times and being narrow its focus exclusively on old-fashioned and reactionary, cask-conditioned beer. and failing to embrace ARGUABLY CAMRA is one of the developments in the pub and most successful consumer The Revitalisation Project is beer industry such as craft beer. groups of all time. Starting with CAMRA’s response to a beer This is the chance for our a handful of members in the and pub industry that has members to tell us who we early 1970s when membership changed hugely since it was should represent in the future details were stored in a shoe founded in 1971. The rise of and what we should be box for the first year, it has craft keg and a resurgence of campaigning for. grown into an organisation with interest in beer in recent years, a membership of over 179,000. plus renewed threats to pubs, “Who do we represent now, and So why change? have challenged CAMRA to who should we represent in the review if it is best positioned to future to help secure the best CAMRA’s leaders felt that the represent its members in the outcome for brewing and the time had arrived for a complete future. pub industry?” he adds. “If we overhaul of the organisation to want to play a key part in driving meet today’s needs. Back in Back in the 1970s it wasn’t the beer market back into 1970 beer represented 71% of necessary to save pubs as they growth and to help create a all alcohol consumed in the UK were the hub of the local thriving pub sector, do we but by the end of 2014 this community, but the heavily continue with our narrow focus figure had fallen to 36%. Back discounted beer sold in or should we become more then we had 175 British supermarkets coupled with inclusive? When we launched breweries mostly dominated by restrictions on drink driving and the campaign the most the “Big Six”. By contrast we the smoking ban have all led to important thing was choice and now have around 1,500 pub closures. Also the majority combating poor quality beer. breweries but a curious fact is of pubs these days are owned Now our members need to tell that we now drink a lot less by pubcos so there is an us what is important to them. beer. emphasis on profit, and a poorly We need to hear from as many performing pub could be sold CAMRA members as possible One of the four founder and converted to a private to tell us what they think the members, Michael Hardman, house or some other venture. organisation should look like in has returned to lead the the future.” Revitalisation Project – a The project could mark a wholesale review into the fundamental turning point for Whatever happens CAMRA is purpose and strategy of CAMRA – so fundamental it going to look a lot different over

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the next 45 years. It’s a bold by supermarkets and other “off and, according to some, a high- sales”, coupled with changes in risk strategy. Consultation social habits and rising property Oxford Branch sessions will be held not just prices. Contacts: with members but with selected people in the pub and brewing The presentation, by CAMRA Chairman industry, and also with head of communications Tom Pete Flynn journalists and MPs. The Stainer and former national [email protected]@oxfordcamra.org.uk members’ weekend in April chairman James Lynch, Secretary 2017 looks to be a very provided a “SWOT Analysis” of Steve Lawrence interesting event, when CAMRA, identifying Strengths, 01235 525436 proposals arising from the Weaknesses, Opportunities and [email protected]@oxfordcamra.org.uk consultation will be considered. Threats.

For further information, go to Editor of the Oxford Drinker www.camra.org.uk/revitalisation Strengths included the large Dave Richardson number of volunteers, the [email protected]@oxfordcamra.org.uk Should we fight for real ale, or branch network, the brand, to protect all pubs? festivals and political influence. White Horse Branch Weaknesses included Contact: Dave Richardson reports on a bureaucracy, the falling number consultation meeting in Bicester of active members, [email protected] inconsistency in policy and poor This was just one of over 50 communication with members. Oxfordshire Trading consultation meetings being On various policy issues, Standards Service: held up and down the country, CAMRA “blows hot and cold”. but if it proves to be Graham Hill House representative, CAMRA’s focus Opportunities included the Electric Avenue will move away from real ale to review now under way, Ferry Hinksey Road representing all pub customers understanding members better, Oxford in future. and better communications. OX2 0BY Threats were an ageing Tel: 01865 815000 Pubs are still closing at a rate of membership, competition from www.oxfordshire.gov.uk 27 a week, and in a vote by other organisations, and the anti about 30 people at this meeting, -alcohol lobby. Keeping in touch with 52% felt CAMRA should Oxford Branch: represent all pub-goers, only James Lynch stressed that no Get all the latest news and 8% felt it should campaign for decisions had been taken, events, and share information real ale only, and 20% felt it adding: “Some are writing off about what’s happening in your should campaign for real ale, this consultation as a token area. Sign up to our e-mail list at: cider and perry. Maybe it should gesture, but it’s for real. It won’t www.oxford.camra.org.uk/ become CAMRAP – the be a roll-over for what CAMRA’s mailing-lists Campaign for Real Ale and National Executive wants to do, Pubs? and we can’t move forward until To receive copies of the Oxford we have information from all 53 Drinker by post, please send A5 Using hand-held click-pads consultation meetings.” sized, self addressed envelopes recording votes instantly on a with postage to cover 100g letter screen, members expressed an The next consultation meeting to: opinion on a wide range of in this region is at Milton Oxford Drinker, 25 issues with 77% feeling the Keynes on 8 September. For a Chamberlain Place, battle for real ale had been won. full list visit https:// Kidlington OX5 1SG The biggest cause of pub revitalisation.camra.org.uk/get- and we will send you as many closures was cheap booze sold involved/ issues as you send envelopes. the Oxford Drinker 13 August - September 2016 96 Helping to protect our Pubs

We explain how local IF YOU LOVE your local pub and Boys in East Oxford. As this list think it adds value to your indicates, ACVs can be sought communities – and community, you can apply for it for both open and closed pubs, also CAMRA branches to be registered as an Asset of the Hollybush and General – can give pubs Community Value (ACV) to give Eliott being closed at the time of protection against it extra protection from writing. developers (England only). developers Without ACV status developers Why nominate my local? can convert local pubs to a wide range of retail uses or even Nominating a pub and securing demolish them without applying support from the community for planning permission, demonstrates that it is important denying local people a say. to the local area. In addition:

CAMRA members, with the help • ACV status means planning of head office, can themselves permission will be required for apply for this listing – with the pub to be converted to any approval needed from the local other use or demolished. district council. The Fir Tree and Chester in the Iffley Road area • Sale of an ACV pub to a have already been listed, while developer can be delayed for up applications have been made to six months while the regarding the White Hart at community explores options to Wolvercote, the Hollybush in keep the pub open. West Oxford and the General Eliott in South Hinksey. ACVs • Property developers who want may also be sought for the Kite to avoid a contentious planning in West Oxford and Jolly Post application may be dissuaded from buying an ACV listed pub.

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How do I nominate a pub? What happens if a registered pub is up for sale? To nominate your local, all you need to do is follow these As well as protecting your local Oxford simple steps: pub from demolition or change of use without a planning Branch • Decide who you are application, ACV registration nominating on behalf of. You provides the opportunity for the can either nominate as an community to bid for the pub. Diary unincorporated group of If the owner of a registered pub 21local people, as a Parish Saturday 27 August Council, or in connection with wishes to sell to a property developer, a six-week interim West Oxfordshire a local group including Survey Trip CAMRA branches. moratorium period kicks in and Minibus trip to look at the pubs in the council will tell you. If during • this time your local community the West of the county. Minibus Go to your council website group decides it would like to will pick up from Oxford at 11.30 and look up the section on consider bidding to take the pub and Abingdon at 12 noon. To Assets of Community Value on, you can trigger a full book a seat contact Steve at or Right to Bid. Here you can moratorium period of six months [email protected] download a nomination form which will give you time to raise (or if there isn’t one available, finance, develop a business Saturday 3 September CAMRA provides a template). plan and make a bid to buy the Branch Social asset on the open market. At the Masons Arms Beer Festival • Fill in the form with as much in Headington Quarry. Meet from detail as you can on why the It’s important to stress that if 1pm. Also includes inter-branch pub should be classified as a you put your name to listing a Aunt Sally match with Aylesbury community asset. pub, you will be under Vale & Wycombe branch. absolutely no obligation to bid to • If nominating as an buy the pub in the future. Wednesday 7 September Unincorporated Group, Branch Meeting demonstrate that at least 21 ACVs were introduced as part At the Brewery Tap, Ock Street, people from the local of the 2011 Localism Act to Abingdon, from 7.30pm. Meet community support the listing empower community groups to beforehand at the Old Anchor, St of the pub. protect assets that matter to Helens Wharf, for pre-meeting them – including pubs. There chat. • are currently over 1,200 pubs Check your local council listed across England as ACVs, website to see where the Saturday 17 September and CAMRA branches across Branch Social nomination needs to be England are continuing to At the Beer & Sausage Festival at submitted. Many councils submit nominations for pubs the Cricketer’s Arms, Littleworth. have produced guidance which add significant value to Meet there from 1pm explaining how they are their local community.

accepting nominations. If you require any further Monday 3 October • Request a receipt from the assistance you can contact Branch Meeting council to acknowledge it has CAMRA’s Campaigns Officer, At the Chequers, High Street, received the form as planning Faye Grima on 01727 798449. Oxford at 7.30pm. Meet protection. To contact the right person at beforehand at the Bear, Alfred our branch, email pub- Street (6.30pm) and Wheatsheaf [email protected] (7.00pm).

the Oxford Drinker 15 August - September 2016 96 Oktoberfest ….in June Chris Bamford reports from Munich on the branch’s annual “cultural” visit abroad

WELL WE WENT in June, though The name of the brewery In the Augustiner Brewery the weather was more “forschung” means garden, the closest to our hotel Oktoberish. It rained, a lot. A lot experimental. It was set up in and where we visited on our like here. We had one sunny 1930 and founder Gottfried first and last night, there were afternoon spent in the Jakob received many patents hundreds of tables and benches Forschungs Brauerei garten in relating to the brewing industry. under a forest of trees. You Perlach, south of Munich, where don’t order beer here as it’s I have to confess I dozed in We also met a German who already poured waiting on the front of my half litre of Helles. had visited Witney. bar – the Edelstoff (real stuff!) at Or maybe it was the Dunkles. Unterhaching, his home, about 5.6% or Hell 5.2% -- litre size a mile from Perlach, is twinned and pay at checkout. Also on Matt Bullock had visited this with Witney. I was the only offer was a Weiss bier in half- brewery some years previously Witney resident on the trip and litre glasses. Food here was self but had only recently found hadn’t realised where it was! -service from a choice of giant where it was again. It had been We made friends. pretzels, sausages with so good before he had no idea sauerkraut and potatoes, to how he got back to Munich. In Munich we tried to visit as pork dishes and grilled fish. There were six biers on offer -- many Bierhalls as we could. the usual Helles (light) 4.9%, Our timing -- we usually tried to Later on our first night, in town, Dunkles (dark) 5.4%, Weissbier visit them in the evenings – and some of us found a tiny bar (wheat) 5.6%, Pils 5.6%, an the weather usually made it called Le Clou. There were five Alkoholfrei bier at 0% and a impossible to get up to 19 of us taps on the bar, with only two blonde double bock at 8.2%. eating and/or drinking at the being used, a Hell bier and a Naturally we tried five of them, same place and time. Weissbier from the Paulaner in my case just a taste of the brewery. Mike tried a third tap 8.2%, and Pils. The Hofbrauhaus was the one which was Pils and realised why place we could rely on for no-one was drinking it. We space. In the UK I drink half eventually made friends with the pints, so I can try different landlady, Alexandra, who had beers. Having a litre in front of got annoyed when Pete made me was daunting, and a bit to take over the bar while she boring. Hofbrau beer mostly was out having a cigarette. She came in litre size. We had the liked us so much later that we Helles and a special. Chris H were offered a round of needed to dance, Schnapps – possibly because embarrassingly, again! The of Chris’s dancing, or maybe Oompah band was good. the size of our bill. We joined in 16 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 Pub of the Year Volunteers Needed

We are now looking for committed volunteers to survey pubs for the Oxford City Pub of the Year (POTY) competition. A short-list will be drawn up at the September branch meeting from eligible pubs in the 2017 Good Beer Guide, which is published in September, and voting will take place over as she played the national lunchtime, the original several weeks leading up to the anthem – ours not theirs –to let Schneider Weisse having been branch meeting in December us know it was Time, and then brewed in 1872. The food is when the winner will be shuffled us out, firmly.As a Bavarian, the waitresses fierce. declared. footnote, a couple of us tried to I had Leberknodel, sauerkraut go back to that bar at other and mash and a Radler, which Volunteers, who must be times, and we were not very is a shandy. CAMRA members and in the welcome! Oxford branch, will be required Our last dinner was at the to visit each pub and vote When England played Wales Wirtshaus Ayinger Brewery according to CAMRA guidelines we were in the Ratskeller, a Restaurant, which TripAdvisor including beer quality, cellar bar under the Neues reckons is the best restaurant in ambience, and the pub’s Rathaus, the town hall, Munich – it wasn’t bad and the sympathy with CAMRA’s aims. watching (and drinking) until beer was good too. For more information and voting one of us (no names) spilled a forms, please contact branch quantity of beer over a few We did our best to try as many secretary Steve Lawrence on others and we were thrown out beers as possible. Although [email protected] (after the match, luckily). they all tasted very good to me, (01235 525436). they were much of a muchness. Lowenbrau und Fransiskaner Most breweries have the same The Town and Country Pub of beer were on offer here, and the five or six varieties of beer, the Year, covering pubs outside first chance to try some whereas in the UK we have Oxford city in our branch area, alternative beers, what we’d call such a multitude of beers to try is being chosen as before by craft beers. They were bottled, and no chance to taste them all members taking part in minibus from Giesinger Brewery, which -- but at least I can drink them in tours organised for this we also visited on the way back halves. All the breweries have purpose. Contact Steve for from Perlach. Dave tried the very good websites, some very more details. Baltic Rye Porter, while I tried informative about the beer, and the Lemon Drop which was most of them are available in Becoming POTY is a significant rather too easy to drink at 7.8%. English. accolade for a pub, and the At the brewery I also tried the branch has decided that getting Wheat Stout at an unusually Oh, and we also enjoyed some committed volunteers to vote is light 4%. culture! the fairest way of choosing the CHRIS BAMFORD winner. Current holders of the Schneider Weisse has a very award are the Lamb and Flag in traditional restaurant/bierhall Oxford and the Nag’s Head in which we tried out one Abingdon. the Oxford Drinker 17 August - September 2016 96 Tony’s Travels

Tony Goulding gets out and about in Kidlington and Oxford

A QUICK WALK around my home people would use a pub as a beer dominated by an extensive patch found the two former result, but there is a lot going on selection of Marston’s ales, with Morrells pubs alongside the here with accommodation, some surprise guests. canal to be as good as ever. caravan parking and boat The Boat at Thrupp, which until mooring. A comfortable single A short walk along Mill Street the late 1990s was a basic two- bar serves two beers which takes you to the Six Bells, room local, is now very much a were Wadworth 6X and a very another do-not-pass locals’ well-known food house. There tasty St Austell Proper Job, boozer. Our second choice in is a small bar for locals and along with popular Indian and Kidlington, this pub is very drinkers, with four beers Bangladeshi food. popular with drinkers of all ages supplied by Greene King being who make the effort to walk always available – on the night A gentle 15-minute stroll took across there. Two beers are these were Abbot, London me to the King’s Arms on The served, always in top form (the Glory, a very tasty Old Trip and, Moors, the top real ale pub in Flying Monk Brewery Elmers more surprisingly, Timothy Kidlington. This sometimes passed every test), along with Taylor Landlord. It has a great quiet local (except Sundays good value pub food and rear garden where I tried to play when landlord Gerry entertains!) various sports. Punch Taverns football with the grandchildren – is still very good value for has disposed of several pubs to it’s a good job Leicester City weekday lunch and Saturday New River Retail, including this have enough players! John and evening food. Darts and Aunt one. Jane Honey are the hosts here. Sally are played, and it has a comfortable rear function room Continuing to the three pubs The next pub is a five-minute where my wife had a special clustered together close to the walk along the canal to bridge birthday. It is very much a pub village centre, the Black Horse 223. The Jolly Boatman on the for conversation with very good is a former Morland now A4260 road towards Banbury was extended about 20 years ago, and is again very much a food house with a garden next to the canal. The comfortable bar area serves three beers again supplied by Greene King, but on this occasion they were all guest ales including Timothy Taylor Landlord, Hooky Bitter and a really tasty Titanic Iceberg.

A 10-minute walk along the canal brings you to a former Halls house now owned by Punch, formerly the Wise Alderman but now called the Highwayman. I am not a great fan of name changes and don’t think for one minute that more

18 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 sprawling, open plan Greene popular Nepalese restaurant beers here as it has a supply King house with up to five of its Gurkha Village, formerly the deal with the current Greene beers. Although it’s very popular Dog and then the Squire Basset King tenant. The hand pumps with all ages, service could at pub. Good food is the purpose were serving Thatcher’s and times be improved. Next door is here but Wychwood’s Old Rosie cider, two Greene Punch Taverns’ Black Bull, not Hobgoblin is available to King seasonal ales, XT3, for many years much of a real visitors. On the edge of Animal Manta and a very tasty ale house. Again a mixed crowd Kidlington on the Bicester road Animal Grizzly. There is a drink here and it is probably the at Gosford is the other King’s positive locals’ pub feel to the “tough” pub of the village. Arms, with no real ale – it’s a place and the notice board Chinese food is served and shame this very old building displayed something going on available for take-away. could not become a comfortable almost every night. real ale outlet on a busy road. A few yards away is the Red The Royal Blenheim now has Lion, refurbished about three There is a pub for everyone in an ever-changing cider, and on years ago as a pizza palace, Kidlington, and with a very good the day the other hand pumps but a further change is due with bus service from Oxford were dominated by White Horse a more family food scene to operating every five or 10 and Colchester breweries, the appear. A comfortable, music minutes, it is well worth an latter’s AK Pale being superb. dominated, spacious building extended or short crawl. Send Looking in at the Crown, you serving a mainly younger gang us your views and correct me will always find a good choice of drinkers, it had Doom Bar on my opinions! here with Triple F Brewery’s and a tasty Deuchars IPA when Pressed Rat and Warthog being visited. A teatime visit to Oxford and to very tasty. the Kite did not disappoint, and TONY GOULDING Down the main road is the it was good to see XT Brewery’s

the Oxford Drinker 19 August - September 2016 96 Brewery News

Christmas. Book early to ensure Fisher you enjoy the chance to attend Vale/ABC The micro-brewery, based in what is probably the cheapest Reading Beer Festival gave it Otmoor, is now defunct. Also see “pub” in the UK for a night with another win with Gravitas winning Pub News. details on www.lcbeers.co.uk. Gold in its category. Building work Follow the brewery on Facebook continues, and also a brand new for special offers and regular brewery shop is due to open this Hook Norton brewery news. summer.

Seasonal beers produced this The brand new maturation tank summer include 167, a 6.7% ale Beers coming soon include High to celebrate its 167th year of has finally arrived and is now Flyer, a 4% Red American hoppy brewing. With auburn hues and being plumbed into the brewery. beer to celebrate a bold This tank will be used strong fruity aromas, it is based pioneering English aviatrix, Amy predominantly to help keep up on the ever popular Old Hooky Johnson, the first female pilot to with demand for keg Pilsner, and was the fastest selling beer fly halfway around the world. at the Stratford-upon-Avon beer which is selling very well in city Moon is a 4.1% Pilsner style beer locations. festival. Produced in celebration named after one of the greatest of the Queen’s 90th birthday, rock drummers, Keith Moon. Sovereign is a 4% golden ale with Tap Social Strange Love is a 4.3% copper a sweet cordial nose and light ale that celebrates Peter Sellers, floral and citrus flavours, brewed A disused industrial unit in Botley one of our best loved comedy to a 90-year-old recipe in the year could be the location for a new actors. of the Queen’s birth. This light yet brewery that aims to employ ex- still reasonably strong ale uses a offenders. According to an Aylesbury Brewhouse Co has new combination of Maris Otter pale advertisement placed with SIBA, beers coming thick and fast ale malt, flaked maize (very “Tap Social Movement is a start- including Au 79, a golden 4.8% similar to cornflakes) and a large up brewery and social enterprise pale ale using the finest Maris quantity of block and liquid aiming to provide training and Otter and Munich malts. Wall sugars. employment opportunities to Walker is a “super beer” using marginalised people through the finest American hops at 3.8% brewing. We are initially moving while Kyudo, at 3.7%, is a Loose Cannon into premises in central Oxford, Japanese inspired beer blending The monthly ale in July was NZ though aim to have impact Sorachi Ace and Archer hops. The Pale which sold out in record nationwide by also placing those time, so it is hoping for more of we work with at other breweries. the same success with the next The three founding partners are a three seasonal brews, 4.4% diverse group of professionals Flanders Ale, 3.2% Red Ale and with experience across business, 4.4% Whiskey Biscuit Ale. Its law and the beer industry but the summer seasonal Bombshell has experienced brewer who was our been a strong seller once again fourth partner has been unable to and this together with the ever join us. We are therefore looking popular Gunners Gold has for a skilled brewer with a appeared on the international air passion for social justice who show scene where they were would be interested in joining our snapped up in quick order at the exciting venture at this early Royal International Air Tattoo. stage in return for a share in the business and a real chance to Monthly brewery tours are shape its direction.” proving more and more popular, and Loose Cannon is already planning three tours for

20 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016

South Pacific includes some of the coming months. promises to be a cracker the world’s most beautiful islands complete with some of the best and is littered by tiny coral atolls, The next XT open day is on local bands and Bavaria’s finest Bikini atoll being the most Saturday 1 October with family brews alongside its own award- famous. Atoll at 4.6% is packed fun, music, food and of course winning real ales and craft with hops from New Zealand to lots of beer – with free entry. beers.Tickets will be priced at create a refreshing golden pale £12.50 for CAMRA members and ale, while Cellularat4.4% is a vivid West Berkshire can be purchased online red beer made with crystal and (www.wbbrew.com) or by calling pale Maris Otter malts. There are WBB has added three new 01635202968. always more beers in the pipeline awards to its trophy cabinet. Two at ABC, available as guests and gold awards were won at the at Aylesbury’s brewpub the Hop Society of Independent Brewers Wychwood Pole. Association (SIBA) South East competition with Tamesis Extra The newest addition to the Stout and Maggs’ Magnificent Wychwood bottled beer range is XT Mild both gaining gold awards. GRATIS, a 4.2% crafted golden CEO Simon Lewis is pictured beer. Brewed with pale ale malts XT has launched a beer in 330ml picking up the Gold award for and the flavoursome Styrian cans, the new XT IPA – a 4.2% Maggs’ Magnificent Mild. Goldings hop to give a light floral hoppy pale ale. Some people may aroma, but a heady and firm associate cans with fizzy lagers or A new brew, Wheaty bitterness, it is packed full of high-strength tipple for your local McWheatface, won the Imbibe flavour and gluten-free –a no- park bench, but it regards cans Live Wheat Beer Challenge. It was grainer! as the perfect way to transport named following the brewery’s decent beer and says they are ‘#nameourbeer competition on Coming to a pub near you in totally “flavour neutral”. Twitter, inspired of course by August and September is Boaty McBoatface. Wychwood Hoptathlon at 4.4%. XT has been working on several This full-bodied golden ale is a collaboration brews, with the WBB is now gearing up for cut above the rest using Target trendy Manchester brewer OktoberWest Bierfest on 24 and First Gold hops to add a fruity Brightside Brewing Co jointly September 2016 (12.00- and citrus spice edge, finished producing North South Collide, a 11.30pm) at the brewery in with tropical flavours from a dose 4% super pale hoppy beer. Yattendon, near Newbury. It of exotic hops. Donkey is a 4.8% WitBier made with innovative Italian brewery BBBirra. The pale cloudy wheat beer has a spiced edge and hints of orange from Sardinian orange peel. Pukeko is a 4.6% Espresso Pale Ale, produced in a joint venture with a premium coffee micro-roastery in Jericho, Oxford – Jericho Coffee Traders.

The first of the very limited edition barrel-aged beers made a showing at the Haddenham Beer Festival in July. Special editions – all aged for at least three months -- of XT-Ten, Thirteen, XPA and Eight were available, and more aged beers will be released over

the Oxford Drinker 21 August - September 2016 96 Written in the Stars Matt Ford, landlord of the Seven Stars in Marsh Baldon, continues his regular column

Hello to all. Thanks to those perfect for a warm summer’s who came and sampled at our evening, not too strong and not Beer Festival on 18-19 June – I too heavy either – they go really think the consensus was that well with a Ploughman’s Lunch! the Betty Stoggs (4%) from Skinners Brewery was the It’s now time to look forward to favourite, but there was also the Baldon Feast, on Saturday huge love for Bombshell (4.1%) 20 August. Every year the and Recoil (4.2%) from Loose locals host a feast on the green Cannon, and Cavalier Golden on the third Saturday in August Ale (3.8%) from Two Cocks – it’s a fantastic event to Brewery. Old Peculier (5.6%) support and we will be doing so from Theakston was excellent with a Hog Roast. There will be with the Hog Roast! music with local resident Bruce Don’s band The Shakedown It’s a Golden Summer for ale Prophets, who also played at and as summer is supposedly our beer festival back in June. here, we now have the usual There will also be a fairground; stampede in the number of market stalls; displays; loads of Golden Ales available to us – food outlets; and of course a it’s definitely a seasonal thing! bar stocking the best beer from Two Cocks’ Cavalier and Shotover Brewery. Diamond Lil, Hoppit and Ferryman’s Gold from Loddon, Hope to see you soon. Loose Cannon’s Bombshell, Brill Gold from Vale Brewery, Matt Purity Gold – these ales are

Local Loves Beer – Interview #2

Phil – lives in Benson

Phil has been visiting the ‘Stars for 19 years since moving to the area. His tipple nowadays tends to be low in ABV as he needs to get home! It’s also something golden like Purity Gold or Two Cocks Cavalier. He likes to try something new and generally sticks to the local ales, although we may tempt him with a classic like St Austell Tribute or anything from Adnams

22 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016

the Oxford Drinker 23 August - September 2016 96 Brewery Visits 1. Adkin 2. Bellinger’s WHITE HORSE branch members can manage two brews a day. THIS IS A five-barrel plant based enjoyed a splendid Saturday His beers are often to be found in Grove, on Station Road afternoon and belated Queen’s at local festivals, occasionally at behind Bellinger’s Garage. It 90th birthday bash courtesy of pubs in the Vale, and by was founded in 2011 by the late the good citizens of Adkin Way order—in both cask and bottled Mike Bellinger and is now run in Wantage and its most famous form—from the brewery. Shaun by Matthew Rosum. The son, Shaun Cunningham, owner gave us an entertaining tour brewery has recently launched of Adkin Brewery. around the brewery. We all a rebranding and a new website fitted in … just; as the with online shop, where a Shaun has been running a half- photograph illustrates, brewery discount of 10% is available by gallon nano-brewery from a space is tight, but perfectly entering the code CAMRA at building close to his house for manageable. checkout. Bottles and gift the past ten years. The current packs can also be purchased plant was installed in 2013, and For our visit, Shaun provided a from the garage shop and you with careful planning, Shaun lovely 4% pale ale, Alfred’s can normally find one of its Citra, comprising malt from beers at the nearby Volunteer Warminster and flavoured with pub, where you’ll also receive a citra hops. We were all CAMRA discount. encouraged to “pour our own” from one of Shaun’s beer engines, and with practice—and yes we did—we soon became experts. Shaun also opened a few bottles of his far-from- standard 4% stout, a weaker cousin of his award-winning 5% JP Stout, for lovers of the dark stuff. Delicious food was kindly provided by the local community, and we were made to feel most welcome. On the night of our visit Matthew supplied us with Bellinger’s Original at 4.1%. Other brews from Bellinger’s include the brand new V (for victory) at 4.2% (made without cask finings) and Summer Ale at 3.7%.

24 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 King & Queen White Horse CAMRA Country Pub of the Year 2016 White Horse Branch Diary Tuesday 13 September Branch Meeting Eagle, Eagle Lane, Watchfield SN6 8TF.

Saturday 24 September Oxford Social Crawl A visit to the pubs of Oxford. Meet at The St Aldates Tavern at 2pm.

Mark and Sally Goff took over The pub was built in the early the closed and boarded up pub 1800s to service the canal and at Longcot, near Faringdon, four brickworks in the time of William years ago and have achieved a IV and Queen Adelaide, hence remarkable turnaround. Having King and Queen. Three real been voted Oxfordshire ales and two draught ciders are Restaurant Awards’ “best always on offer. Loose Cannon traditional pub” in 2014, and Gunner’s Gold (3.5%) and gained Booking.com’s Ramsbury Deer Stalker (4%) Excellence Award and are the regulars and the third TripAdvisor’s Certificate of engine has a guest, with Excellence, the King and Queen Wychwood Goddess (4.1%) has now been voted White being the offering on 7 June. Horse CAMRA’s Country Pub of Many other breweries have the Year 2016. This is a new appeared including XT, award introduced by the White Prescott, Oakham and Skinners Horse branch to promote pubs to name a few across the countryside of the Vale of the White Horse. www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk

the Oxford Drinker 25 August - September 2016 96

26 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 Beer Festival Diary Compiled by Richard Queralt Further details can be found on our website www.oxford.camra.org.uk

Friday 26 - Monday 29 Friday 9 - Saturday 10 01865 872738 August September www.cricketers-arms.co.uk Summer Beer Festival Ardley with Fewcott Beer Kings Head & Bell, East St Helens & Cider Festival Saturday 24 September Street, Abingdon The Village Hall, Ardleywith Choko Beer Festival 01235 525362 Fewcott Laurence Hall & Gardens, Church www.kingsheadandbell-abingdon.com 25 beers & ciders Road, Cholsey, nr Wallingford www.ardleywithfewcottvillagehall.com www.chokobeerfestival.org.uk Saturday 27 August Chinnor Beer Festival Saturday 24 September White’s Field, Mill Lane, Chinnor, Stonesfield nr Thame Septembeerfest www.chinnorbeerfest.org.uk Stonesfield Village Hall, Field Close, Stonesfield, nr Woodstock Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 www.stonesfield.info August Brill Festival Friday 30 September - Brill Sports & Social Club, Church Saturday 1 October Street, Brill, nr Thame Ascot Racecourse Beer www.brillbeerfestival.co.uk Festival Ascot Racecourse, Ascot Friday 2 - Sunday 4 www.ascotbeerfest.org.uk September Headington Beer Festival Friday 30 September - Mason’s Arms, Quarry School Sunday 2 October Place, Headington, Oxford Bletchington Beer Festival 01865 764579 Bletchington Sports and Social www.themasonsarmshq.co.uk Friday 9 - Saturday 10 Club, Oxford Road, Bletchingdon, 01869 351866 Friday 2 - Sunday 4 September www.bletchingtonsportsandsocialclub. September Moreton-in-Marsh Beer com Bunkfest Festival Wallingford’s music, dance & Moreton-in-Marsh Cricket Club, Saturday 1 October beer festival Batsford Road, Moreton-in-Marsh Tree Hotel Oktoberfest Kinecroft, Wallingford www.northcotswoldcamra.org.uk Church Way, Iffley, Oxford 30 beers & ciders 01865 775974 www.bunkfest.co.uk Saturday 10 September www.iffley.treehotel.co.uk The Finstock Ale Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 Beer & folk festival Thursday 13 - Saturday 15 September Finstock Playing Field, off Church October Perch Beer & Cider Rise, Finstock, nr Charlbury Oxford Beer & Cider www.thefinstockale.wordpress.com Festival Festival

The Perch Inn, Binsey Lane, Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford Friday 16 - Sunday 18 Binsey, Oxford 140 beers and 60 ciders and 01865 728891 September perries, plus 40 extra beers for www.the-perch.co.uk Cricketers Arms Autumn Saturday morning session Beer & Sausage Festival www.oxfordcamra.org.uk Littleworth, nr Wheatley

the Oxford Drinker 27 August - September 2016 96

28 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016

the Oxford Drinker 29 August - September 2016 96 Pete’s Pubs Branch chairman I crossed the Drayton Road and I spent some time chatting with made my way to the Midget Josh, who told me that he plans Pete Flynn’s (formerly the Magic Midget, a to continue with a Saturday Greene King (GK) pub situated BBQ during the summer and Amble in Abingdon off Preston Road, named after also the popular Thursday quiz – Part 1 an MG car built in the 1930s. nights. I wished them every The choice of beers was success in their new venture Morlands Original and Betty and made my way through the IT TAKES ME about 35 minutes to Stoggs and I opted for the latter, winding alleyways in this walk from my home in north a malty bitter from Skinners historic part of the town to my Abingdon to the Loose Cannon Brewery, Truro, and, former next pub, the Brewery Tap. Brewery situated within the Champion Beer of Great Britain. Caldecott Industrial Estate just This is a very popular venue off the Drayton Road. It’s a My next stop, alongside the and formerly the office/house of pleasant walk when the weather river, was The Old Anchor Inn, the head brewer of Morlands, is good as it was today. St Helen’s Wharf. This GK pub prior to the closure of the plant has recently re-opened and is back in the 1990s. The current My journey was twofold; firstly run by Josh and Tasha who pub, situated in Ock Street, to order some beer for my have had experience of running emerged in December 1993. midweek BBQ, and secondly to pubs in London. The Old review some of the pubs in Anchor Inn on its present site The beer in this particular pub is central Abingdon. I always enjoy can be dated to precisely 30 always in excellent condition a trip to Loose Cannon as the August 1884 when its licence and the choice today included beer is drawn straight from the was first granted. Five real ales five real ales and one cider. I tap and I get to chat to the very were available and three of opted for the Shipyard Brewing charming Merit, who is front of these were from the GK stable, Co, American IPA (5%). One of house at the brewery shop and but I chose a guest beer: Loose my favourite varieties is the IPA an excellent ambassador for Cannon’s Abingdon Bridge. As (India Pale Ale) and this, hoppy, Loose Cannon. I opted for a you might have guessed, I am a full citrus flavoured liquid did not mini polypin of Bombshell, a fan of our local brewery and I disappoint. summer beer full of crisp citrus enjoyed the malty and slightly flavours, and bid her farewell for sweet tang of this bitter which My last stop today was further the time being. was in excellent condition. along Ock Street, situated on the corner with Spring Road where another GK pub can be found, the White Horse. This is another popular pub with a pleasant garden offering no fewer than nine real ales – such a choice! I selected Roosters YPA, a pale, aromatic, summer ale that offers up delicate peachy fruit and berry flavours.

Abingdon offers the discerning beer drinker many good real ale pubs and I aim to continue my travels in the next edition of the Oxford Drinker as there are ABOVE: Josh behind the other pubs worthy of mention. bar of the Old Anchor PETE FLYNN

30 the Oxford Drinker 96 August - September 2016 Ten men – and three women – in a boat Dave Richardson (4.1%) – a fine selection of ales regarded as a classic. With from Oxfordshire and space for up to about 20 people enjoys a Thames neighbouring counties indicative both on top and below, it’s the cruise on the of what you might find on the ideal size for a party bar at Oxford CAMRA’s Town atmosphere. Nag’s Head’s own and Country Pub of the Year. Mr Whitehead’s Heart of I had never cruised this stretch boat Hampshire cider (6%) was also of the river before and it was a available, plus lots of bottles revelation, deeply rural in The words ‘booze cruise’ came nicely chilled on this hot nature despite flowing close to inevitably to mind as I surveyed summer’s day. the villages of Clifton Hampden the fare on board the and Benson. You get a Esperance, a classic river boat This being the beer range and completely different view to owned by the Nag’s Head in this being a CAMRA group, we when passing these villages by Abingdon which is available for got stuck in pretty soon after road, including some palatial private charter. Seven polypins casting off towards Wallingford, homes on the riverside and had been set up with 18 pints fortified by a late breakfast plenty of wildlife including each, meaning there were 126 served in the pub’s garden. The herons, swans, ducks and pints available for 13 people or Rebellion beers quickly became geese. nearly 10 pints each – not favourites and were the first to including the two crew, of run out, with both the Blonde Although a toilet is on board a course. and the Armada being very comfort stop was made at the much to my taste. Shillingford Bridge Hotel, and It was only 10am but the sun thank goodness the bar hadn’t was over the yardarm The Nag’s Head makes the opened yet as we were well somewhere in the world, if not most of its riverside location merry by now. After passing in deepest Oxfordshire. Loose with an extensive patio, so through four locks we reached Cannon’s Abingdon Bridge when the opportunity came up Wallingford about 1.20pm for a (4.1%) and Bombshell (4.2%) to offer boat charter it was a lunch stop and what did we do? were joined by Rebellion’s natural progression. The – we went to a pub, of course! Blonde (4.3%) and copper ale Esperance is a 45-year-old Star This was the town’s only Good Armada (4.2%), plus North Craft boat built by William Bates Beer Guide-listed pub, Greene Cotswold’s Windrush Ale (3.6%) and Son on the Thames, made King’s Dolphin, with five ales on and White Horse’s Village idiot entirely from wood and now including St Austell Tribute.

The mood inevitably became more and more merry as we returned to Abingdon, and a ‘first’ for most but not all of us was to be at the Nag’s Head without having a drink. Do check out the Esperance – and thanks to landlord Dusty Salwathura and crewman Pawel for their fine hospitality.

the Oxford Drinker 31