ISSUE 55 March - April 2009

the Oxford Drinker A win for the Bookies! The Old Bookbinders in charge three years ago. real and the aims of Jericho has been crowned CAMRA. Oxford City CAMRA’s Back in December, the of the Year 2008. This branch voted on a shortlist At a social event just quirky back street pub is of six in order to find before Christmas, as he owned by , but an overall winner. All voters presented Matty and licensees Matty Marren and had to visit the six pubs and Maureen with a certificate Maureen Whelan have have their voting form and congratulated them gained a reputation for the stamped, and once this was and their staff on their quality and range of their completed, they ranked the success, branch chairman since they took six pubs in their order of Matt Bullock said, “This is preference. well deserved, and it’s great to see a pub owned Members were by one of the big not just judging winning - quality: the proving that this should not fact that the pubs be a barrier to providing had been choice and quality for shortlisted meant customers”. that beer quality was expected to Matty was delighted with be excellent. To the award, commenting, choose between “It’s a tough time for the them, members pub trade but we will were asked to continue to do what we do consider the best - offer a friendly service they welcome for customers, received, the good pub food, and an welcome from the excellent choice of real staff, the ”. ambience and Continued over atmosphere of the pub, and its inside this issue: commitment to reports Oxford Branch LocAle the free newsletter of the National Cask Ale Week Oxford City Branch of CAMRA festival and branch diaries www.oxfordcamra.org.uk CAMRA Champion Winter Beer issue 55 The Masons Arms at Headington was the runner- up in the contest, followed by the Harcourt Arms in Jericho. Other shortlisted pubs were the Turf , the Rose & Crown, and the Kings Arms.

After the event, Matty and Maureen said: “We would like to take Want to know all this opportunity to the latest news thank all of those and events? CAMRA members who felt we had done enough, not only be Share information nominated for, but to about what’s be awarded the title of happening in your Oxford CAMRA pub of area? the year 2008. While we have worked hard to achieve the accolade Sign up to our it, the Bookbinders e-mailing list. would not have won if it was not for our Details on the excellent staff and patronage by such a website at: great bunch of punters. www.oxfordcamra.org. Thanks very much .” uk/mailing-lists.php

page 2 the Oxford Drinker march 2009 Merton beer festival Neil Hoggarth The postponement of the I think it is fair to say that this Oxford Beer Festival Helper's year's Winter event took place trip (originally scheduled for against the odds. The snow Saturday 7th February) had one and ice in the days leading up notable benefit; it freed up the to the event no doubt made Saturday afternoon of Merton deliveries difficult, and made Winter Beer Festival. John some people reluctant or Mackie and myself braved the hesitant to travel out to the icy conditions to make our event. The bus that John and I biannual pilgrimage to the originally intended to catch Otmoor village. A number of didn't appear to be running, and familiar faces from North Oxon we ended up catching a bus to branch also made it. Bicester and then hiring a taxi to get to Merton. The beer was in excellent condition, as always. There I complemented the organisers were sixteen different ales on on the tidy job of covering over offer, all from smallish the floor that someone had independent brewers, covering done (thinking that it was to a wide range of styles from protect it from people traipsing milds ( "Rock Mild", snow and salt in from outside), 3.8%, was very good), through only to be told that the wooden bitters (special mention to the parquet flooring had been In the face of this sort of "Pitstop", 3.8%, from wrecked by a flood from a adversity I think it is a great newcomers Silverstone), burst pipe earlier in the week. tribute to the organising golden hoppy beers (such as Beer Festival setup on committee and the volunteers one-off brew "Perle Bear", 4.2% Wednesday apparently took that the event happened as from Oakham), several porters place without the benefit of scheduled, was of the high (Sheffield at 4.4% and electricity. quality that we have come to Hopshackle "Historic Porter" at expect of Merton, and everyone 4.8%), and Hoskins "Old If I hadn't got into conversation was still smiling! To cap it all, Navigation" wine at 7% with Fin and Loz about the floor many of the people involved (that will warm you up on a covering I would never have still had the energy to get face- chilly day!). realised anything out of the painted and join in the Morris ordinary had been overcome. dancing ...

Mark your diaries - this year's Merton Summer Beer Festival will be on 17th and 18th of July. Should be a bit warmer and easier to travel to! the Oxford Drinker page 3 issue 55 Abingdon news Helene Augar & Dave Cogdell The Old Anchor winter beer fest took place over the last weekend in November. There were a varied selection of ales on tap, both from hand pumps on the and in the back room, where temporary stillage had been erected. The festival was well attended including several branch members. Everyone must have enjoyed it as they were running short by the Sunday session. York Breweries Centurion’s Ghost was our beer of the festival, whilst Black Rat just pipped Biddendons Dry in the inside – so we live in hope that system to keep the beer at the stakes. There are further it reopen in the near future. ideal temperature. At least one festivals planned for this year. of these pumps will dispense a On a much brighter note the real cider. The event was The Broad Face is, at the time White Horse installed four programmed as part of a of writing, being looked after by more lines in December and branch social on the Saturday the of the Spread are now dispensing seven and many returned for a Eagle on a temporary basis, different ales from them. Three second helping on the Sunday following the sudden departure of these are guests - not GK - afternoon, when Fleximuscle a of the previous landlord. The and all beers are in excellent local band with a excellent pub is available on a new condition. The landlord is brass section, provided the Greene King 15 year lease and hoping to add a real cider on entertainment. Dates for your there appears to be some the eighth line in the near diaries are the 3 rd to 6 th April interest. future. Some of the notable when the Stocks will hold a ales through December and Jazz and Ale Festival. See The Grapes has once again January were Thwaites Good advert in this issue. ceased trading, but it is Elf, a seasonal product, plus available on a 15 or 20-year Old Peculiar, Morrissey Fox The Nags Head , owned by the lease, again from Greene King. and Mordue’s the Mullet. Spirit Group, is now being run by Rob & Kim who recently At the beginning of February More good news - The Stocks achieved Cask Mask The Saxton Arms , on Saxton Bar in The Crown & Thistle accreditation – welcome and Road, a basic but popular held a Winter Beer Fest at the congratulations. They hope to boozer, was closed with the end of January. There were an return this once extremely now familiar Greene King astonishing 32 ales and 9 popular pub to its former glory, ‘Business Opportunity’ sign on offer. Around two serving good food and ale. outside. Thankfully, before we thirds of the ales were sourced Being one of only two pubs on went to press, it had reopened. locally, again showing the Thames in Abingdon, the Let us know how you find it! commitment to LocAle - a other being the Anchor, and Camra initiative to source ales having a large river frontage The Kings Head & Bell is still within a set number of miles and beer garden, we wish shut, with last year’s planning from the pub. The festival them well. On offer at our last notice still on display. coincided with new beer pumps visit was Black Sheep However, there is a skip coming on line, enabling them and Brains SA, both in good parked outside and there are to serve out of 8 hand pumps, condition. reports of tradesmen working via a new temperature control page 4 decembermarch 20072009 Royal Blenheim Laurence Lustgarten Amidst all the gloom about which supplies its own beers, preparing a range of dishes pubs closing, it is pleasure to plus some from other that are very well priced. Like report a great revival and breweries who feature theirs in the previous managers, they improvement in an old one. return. One Everards brew is are sports lovers and the TV is always on as well. The result is generally tuned to one of the The Royal Blenheim on St no less than 10 - count ‘em - Sky channels, but the sound is Ebbes, right in the centre of real ales on at any one time, down and it never interferes Oxford, has been under new with usually three or four new with conversation. management since October of ones every fortnight or so. last year. Ian and Sara Liddle On visiting, people come in had run the Three Elms, a The real gem in my opinion is from the nearby Council CAMRA GBG pub near Whitehorse’s Village Idiot, a offices, there are groups of Hereford, and came to Oxford brilliant hoppy beer, but students, and I even saw a to run a declining pub that was everyone will find something to couple with two very young newly taken over by Everards. their taste: There is usually a children enjoying themselves or porter on as well. early one Friday evening. The arrangement is a creative Monday night, on the other one which is done in other Ian is an amiable, sociable hand, is very quiet: why not go places as well: Everards leases man who knows his beer. Sara and sample the range? the pub to a local brewer, in does the cooking herself, this case Whitehorse , making her trademark chilli and Rose and Crown festival Matt Bullock Having featuring for more than Anchor Liberty Ale from San and Oxford, and were able to twenty years in the Good Beer Francisco complemented the enjoy yet another Black Guide and been named North choice of real ales. Despite an Country beer, Olde Swan Oxfordshire Pub of the Year on impressively speedy return Dark Swan mild from three occasions, it may from Hull on the Saturday Netherton, as well as beers surprise you to learn that until a evening, I arrived too late to try from Harviestoun, Wold Top, few weeks ago, the Rose and the Blackwater Voodoo (4.5%), Enville and Lancaster to name Crown in Charlbury had never the first beer to sell out, but just four. By mid-afternoon, as before hosted a beer festival. was able to quench my the sunshine waned and snow Some of the regular customers considerable thirst with a flurries began, some of the - and I can now almost count refreshing Ramsbury Bitter, the beers were beginning to sell myself amongst them - hoppier Holden’s Black out, and although the chance consider it to be a beer festival Country Bitter, and the of being snowed in was every day here, with seven excellent Leeds Resolution tempting, I reluctantly dragged beers always available, but the (4.6%), a golden ale. Some myself off home in order that I real event, held at the end of Oakham Bishop’s Farewell might be capable of going to January, will hopefully be the (4.6%), Kelham Island Bête work the following day. first of many. Noir (5.5%) and a couple of pints (I think) of Sarah Hughes Hopefully some of the beers 22 beers were advertised, Dark Ruby Mild rounded off the that I enjoyed, and more some being sold from the evening and ensured a good especially those that I missed, seven handpumps on the bar, night’s sleep. will have received lots of “beer and the others from a stillage in of the festival” votes and what is normally the pool room. I returned on the cold but return to the pub in the near Three ciders, a perry, a range sunny Sunday lunchtime to future. I’m sure it won’t be of bottled and draught Belgian meet up with friends who’d long either before another beers, and even some draught made the trek from Abingdon Rose & Crown beer festival. page 5 issue 55 The King’s Arms The Moors, Kidlington St Patrick’s (Paddy’s) Beer Festival Tues 17 - Sat 21 March open 11 - 2.30 and 5 - 11 each day

10 beers and 2 ciders Food available

Listed in the 2009 CAMRA For more information ring Gerry on: (01865) 373004

The Cricketer’s Arms Littleworth (Wheatley)

HOME HOOKY MADE BITTER & FOOD WEEKLY NOW GUEST BEING ALE SERVED

“The little pub with the BIG welcome” Visit the website for our Events Calendar

www.cricketers-arms.co.uk 01865 872738 page 6 the Oxford Drinker march 2009 National Cask Ale Week 5 - 13th April 2009 The World’s largest real Mr Benner added, Publicans who want to get ale festival kicks off on “CAMRA members involved should call Cask 5th April beginning a have always been Marque on 01206 752212 week of festivities to ambassadors for real or visit www.caskaleweek.co.uk to celebrate the wonderful ale, but in National order a special pub kit world of cask ale. Cask Ale Week we will containing all you need to National Cask Ale Week be calling on all promote the event. Kits brings together the Britain’s cask ale costs £35 (plus VAT) for major players in the ale drinkers to go out and Cask Marque members or market in a partnership recruit other people to £40 (plus VAT) for others. involving CAMRA, Cask the wonderful world of Participating pubs can take Marque, pub chains and . After just one part in the full activities and major real ale brewers. or two sips of fine real will be listed on the official website. A limited number

ale, most people are of optional A4 posters and Mike Benner, CAMRA’s amazed at the flavour beer mats are available Chief Executive said, and never look back”. through your local CAMRA “Despite the doom and branch free of charge. gloom in the pubs and CAMRA is expecting at beer market this is an least 5,000 pubs across For more details go to exciting time for real ale the land to get involved www.caskaleweek.co.uk with more brewers and in activities during the more beers than ever week including pub before. National Cask quizzes, meet the Ale Week is a brewer sessions, pub celebration of our trails, womens’ ale national drink; real ale nights and tasting and hundreds of events sessions. will be held in pubs across the country.”

A key aim of National Cask Ale Week is to For further details of the encourage people who festivals shown on page 8, have never tried real ale to give it a go in local and others, and updates pubs. CAMRA research shows that a staggering on events, please visit our 65% of adults have never even tried our website at national drink, yet of those that do, 40% are www.oxfordcamra.org.uk converted. the Oxford Drinker page 97 issue 55 beer festival diary Tues 17 - Sat 21 March Thurs 9 - Mon 13 April St Patrick’s Festival Hop Pole Inn Easter Bank See advert page 6. Holiday Beer Festival useful Aylesbury Tues 17 - Sat 21 March camra Spring Beer Festival Fri 10 - Mon 13 April Far from the Madding Woodman Beer Festival contacts Crowd, Oxford North Leigh, nr Witney Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe David Roe Fri 20 - Sun 22 March Fri 24 - Sun 26 April 01296 484 551 Bell Inn Beer Festival St George's Beer Festival [email protected] Banbury Bucknell, Nr Bicester North Oxfordshire Thurs 2 - Sun 5 April Thurs 30 April - Sun 3 May Alan Mitchell Old Bookbinders Beer Reading CAMRA Beer & contact@northoxfordshire Festival camra.org.uk Cider Festival www.northoxfordshirecamra. See advert page 19. King’s Meadow, Reading org.uk

Fri 3 - Mon 6 April Thurs 7 - Sat 9 May White Horse Branch Stocks Spring Time Beer, Banbury Beer Festival Neil Crook Jazz and Blues Festival TA Centre, Banbury [email protected]. See advert page 20. uk www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk what's on South Oxfordshire Hugh Steele Meetings and events are 2008 Oxford Beer Festival. www.soxoncamra.org.uk relaxed and friendly. Any spare places will be Members and non- available to others for £5. Oxford Branch members are welcome at Email Tony Perry for details. Tony Perry all events. [email protected] [email protected] www.oxfordcamra.org.uk

Wednesday 4 March Friday 20 March, 7pm Branch social Oxford Drinker Editor 7.30pm please send any material to Branch Meeting King’s Arms Paddy’s [email protected] Royal Blenheim, St Ebbes Festival, Kidlington Street, Oxford OX1 1PT CAMRA Saturday 21 March, 7pm 230 Hatfield Road Saturday 14 March, 10am Branch social St Albans, Hertfordshire Oxford Beer Festival Far from the Madding AL1 4LW 01727 867201 Helpers Trip Crowd Spring Festival [email protected] Coach outing to www.camra.org.uk Peterborough, via Oakham Monday 6 April Brewery. Meet outside 7.30pm Oxford Trading Standards Oxford Rail Station in time Branch Meeting 01865 815000 to leave at 10am. Free trip The Sports Centre Bar, for those who helped at the Oxford Brookes University page 8 the Oxford Drinker march 2009

the Oxford Drinker page 9 issue 55 Oxford Branch LocAle

CAMRA LocAle is the • Consumers who enjoy Pubs wishing to benefit new accreditation greater beer choice from participation in the scheme to promote and diversity CAMRA LocAle scheme pubs that sell locally- must agree to brewed real ale, • Local brewers who endeavour to ensure reducing the number of gain from increased that at least one locally- 'beer miles' and sales brewed real ale is on supporting local sale at all times. Only breweries • The local economy real ale can be because more money promoted as a CAMRA CAMRA LocAle is a new is spent and retained LocAle. initiative that promotes locally pubs stocking locally Joining the CAMRA brewed real ale. The • The environment due LocAle initiative is scheme builds on a to fewer ‘beer miles' Free and accreditation growing consumer resulting in less road is easy, so, simply demand for quality local congestion and contact the branch for produce and an pollution details. increased awareness of 'green' issues. • Tourism due to an Look out for pubs increased sense of displaying the CAMRA The CAMRA LocAle local identity and pride LocAle pump clips, scheme was created in - let's celebrate what window stickers and 2007 by CAMRA's makes our locality posters. Nottingham branch different. which wanted to help Oxford CAMRA has support the tradition of Oxford CAMRA area recently joined the scheme within pubs qualifying for so in future issues we will be highlighting those pubs accreditation in the Nottinghamshire, which have been following the demise of scheme are those accredited by the scheme local brewer Hardys and serving beer from a and the breweries located Handsons. brewery within 30 in our area. miles of the premises. Everyone benefits from local pubs stocking locally-brewed real ale…

• Public houses as stocking local real ales can increase pub visits page 10 the Oxford Drinker march 2009 inn and around oxford Some call The Grapes the purchased by Marstons only proper pub in George from the new Morrells Street, if not the city centre. company when it disposed It had a sensitive of its remaining pubs (ie the refurbishment a few years ones it hadn't already ago and is both smart and closed...). The Fox and cosy. Since August it has Hounds on Abingdon Road been run by Chuck Berry, was another. The plan for someone who in the past the Brewery Gate is a full has been a publican for refurbishment following The change of name and Courage, Gibbs Mew and which the pub will sell image seems to have had Isle of Man Breweries, but beers from the Wychwood/ the desired effect of who more recently was Marstons stable from three drawing new custom. On living in Spain until hand pumps - the pub visiting at around 8pm on a someone he knew who currently has four Saturday evening early in worked for Greene King pumps but rarely seems to February there was a good persuaded him to return sell real ale. crowd in, all chatting away and take on this and having a good time. pub. Chuck is quite definitely keeping the A former Morrells local, The Grapes' reputation for well Fox in Stanton Harcourt is kept ale and, it being a now being run by Punch busy town centre pub, he is - what will its able to keep five future be? handpumps going. These dispense GK IPA, Morland The Sadlers at New Yatt, Original, Old Speckled The former Eagle Tavern close to North Leigh, has Hen, Abbot Ale and a guest (corner of Magdalen Road reopened with up to three which was Greene King's and Hurst Street), owned beers being served. Being 3% seasonal Abstinence. by Swindon brewery Arkells off the beaten track and not since 2000, was a true easy to find this pub needs Maroon (formerly the back street local. Not your support. Chequers) on Hollybush anymore! It reopened in Row appears to have late January, after a In the Northway Estate, closed. £50,000 face lift, under a Headington, behind the new name: the Rusty huge John Radcliffe Bicycle . It’s now in the Hospital, The Cavalier on hands of new , Copse Lane has reopened. Alex Arkell (youngest son Always an estate pub used of the Brewery’s chairman) mainly by sports and and Chris Manners. There fans, real ale for many are three handpumps and years was never a popular Arkell’s 3B and Moonlight drink here. Will there be were on sale on visiting in any change? The Brewery Gate was February. The 3B tasted one of several pubs was in good condition. During a leisurely drive out the Oxford Drinker page 1311 issue 5545 into the countryside, two Lech, Thames Tickler and to reopen but are looking at new micro breweries were Crownin Glory. altering the layout etc. visited. The Pit Stop sited They intend to get a real at the rear of Bellingers Car On visiting the Ampleforth , ale enthusiast behind the sales in Grove has been Risinghurst, one Saturday bar and maintain a mix of successfully brewing up to evening in December, the Vale and guest ales. Beer five beers on a one barrel pub was nicely decorated festivals will remain a plant in what is a for Christmas, doing a good feature. All takes time so comfortable tin shed. More trade, and the Brakspear be patient and watch this news soon about the beer was in excellent form. space. range and the pubs to drink There were several other it in. Just over the county real ales available. The Nut Tree in Murcott, border in Lechlade on near Bicester, is one of Thames, at The Crown Inn, The Chester Arms on only nine pubs in Britain, is to be found The Chester Street, as hoped, is and the only one in Halfpenny Brewery . The largely unchanged since Oxfordshire, to be awarded brewhouse was originally Matt and Abby took over, a Michelin star in this an old stone store shed and beer is still good. year’s list published in now refurbished to a high January. standard producing all it News from Vale Brewery on can sell to local and far the General Elliott , South The local CAMRA branch away outlets. Four beers all Hinksey, which was found needs your news about named after local folklore closed in January, is that pubs and breweries. Come are available including Old they are definitely planning to a meeting or email us :-)

page 1012 the Oxford Drinker march 2009 Around the county David Hill Back in January, five of us full of cricket memorabilia squeezed into Tony Perry's and also had an old boxed not very big car for one of game called "Test Match" our regular car trips. We which interested Tony, who were expecting a second got it out of the box and car but the person who tried to work out how to play actually organised the it. There are great views event (mentioning no from the beer garden in names) had forgotten about The pubs are Wadworth's summer. it. Star and Fuller's Talkhouse , which are both We arrived at the pub we food oriented with the latter had arranged to go to first, being the more up market. the White Horse at Forest However, I preferred the Hill near Wheatley, only to former, it having a proper find it shut. This has pub atmosphere rather than happened to us before being more a restaurant when visiting country pubs with a bar. The beer, on a Monday so I think we Wadworth's Henry's IPA Final stop was Garsington decided to avoid this day in and 6X, was also better but the first pub we looked future and then we moved kept than the Pride at, The Plough Inn , had on. in the Talkhouse. another case of the "Monday nights" and was We then squeezed back shut so we proceeded down into the car and headed the hill a bit to the Red back over the A40 and Lion . made our way to the village of Cuddesdon and the Bat and Ball . This was to We now made our way to provide the best beer of the the nearby village of evening with the offerings Stanton St John where the of the house ale LBW, two pubs were a bit of an Marston's Pedigree and the improvement on the one at Wychwood seasonal Forest Hill in that they were January's Ale. This pub is This is quite a lively village open. So we went in both pub and it and sampled the beers. provided a somewhat cold, but OK, pint of Courage Best.

Better luck finding open pubs on our next trip we hope!

the Oxford Drinker page 13 issue 55 CAMRA credits.... As well as helping with current The Oxford Drinker is the newsletter of Oxford campaigns that include the CAMRA, The . promotion of localism, the The next publication will be in May 2009. reduction of beer and saving 3000 copies of each one are breweries and pubs that are distributed free of charge to pubs and under threat from closure, other drinking establishments across membership of CAMRA also the city and its surrounding area. gives you:

£20 worth of free JD editor: Wetherspoon real ale Sam French vouchers - this offer runs for [email protected] 12 months is for all members, new and old. valuable contributions have been received for this issue from: A monthly copy of CAMRA’s Helene Augar, Matt Bullock, Dave Cogdell, Tony Goulding, colour newspaper ‘What’s David Hill, Neil Hoggarth, Lawrence Lustgarten et al. Brewing’.

Free or reduced entry to photos courtesy of: over 150 CAMRA beer Dave, Matt, Neil and Sam festivals advertising is available Discounts on CAMRA books at excellent rates from: Sam French 07905 212318 Discounted Membership of [email protected] the CAMRA Beer Club

The opportunity to become contributions and bribes accepted by the editor at: an active member of the 31 Rivermead Road organisation Rose Hill, Oxford OX4 4UE Complimentary Clubs or call 07905 212318

How do I join? please share this magazine with other interested people You can join by completing the and dispose of your Drinker carefully membership form opposite. Alternatively, please call CAMRA HQ on 01727 867201 Don't miss a single copy of the Oxford Drinker. or visit www.camra.org.uk/ Why not subscribe to the Oxford Drinker? To do this, joinus , in particular for send some A5 size stamped addressed envelopes to: concessionary rates or non- Oxford Drinker, 31 Rivermead Road, direct debit membership. Rose Hill, Oxford OX4 4UE We will send you as many issues as you send envelopes * For non Direct Debit prices, Young Member and concessionary rates please please send any pub news for inclusion to: visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus [email protected]

The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the branch or CAMRA limited. © Oxford CAMRA 2009 page 14 the Oxford Drinker march 2009

the Oxford Drinker page 15 issue 55 CAMRA Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009 Oakham’s Attila from We’ve already found Cambridgeshire was success with this beer at crowned the Supreme another event in 2009, so to Champion Winter Beer of win this award as well is Britain 2009 by a panel of fantastic for us. Each batch judges at the CAMRA takes around 5-6 months, National Winter Ales and this award shows it’s Festival in . time well-spent.’

The 7.5% ABV Also in the Overall Porters is described by the brewer Awards , medal went Gold: Elland Brewery, 1872 as having ‘fruity notes and to Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter an elderflower aroma, with Porter, whilst the Bronze Silver: Fullers, London the taste of ripe red berries medal went to Sarah Porter & Townes, Pynot and citrus fruit and a long Hughes’s Dark Ruby. Porter bitter fruity finish.’ A panel of CAMRA experts Winter beer styles taken from CAMRA’s ‘Dictionary of Beer’: Graham Donning, Festival and leading beer writers Porter- A dark, slightly Organiser, praised the judged the competition at sweetish but hoppy ale made winning beer for its the New Century Hall, with roasted barley; the accomplishment: Manchester. successor of ‘entire’ and ‘This is a spectacular beer predecessor of stout. Porter with a great following, and Oakham’s Attila will now be originated in London around 1730, and by the end of the a deserved winner. There entered into the final of the th are few barley wines 18 century was probably the most popular beer in . remaining in this country, competition, taking place in and Attila is a wonderful August at the GBBF. Stout - One of the classic types example for anyone who is of ale, a successor in fashion yet to try this rare beer Full results by category to ‘porter’. Usually a very dark, style.’ Old Ales & Strong Milds heavy, well-hopped bitter ale, Gold: Sarah Hughes, Dark with a dry palate, thick creamy, Oakham’s success came Ruby and a good grainy taste. after ‘Attila’ won a gold Silver: Bryncelyn, Buddy - Now virtually medal in the Barley Wine Marvellous synonymous with ‘winter ale’. category at the Dudley Bronze: Orkney, Dark Most ‘old ales’ are produced Winter Ales Festival back in Island & Theakston, Old and sold for a limited time in November. Winning meant Peculiar the year, usually between that the beer’s place in the November and the end of final was guaranteed. February. Usually a rich, dark, Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, high-gravity draught ale of considerable body. John Bryan, Head Brewer Milk Stout of Oakham Brewery, was Silver: Beowulf, Dragon Barley Wine- A strong, rich delighted at the result: Smoke Stout and sweetish ale, usually over ‘It’s a great start to what Bronze: Spire, Sgt Pepper 1060 OG, dark in colour, with might turn out to be an Stout high condition and a high hop otherwise gloomy year. rate. page 16 the Oxford Drinker octobermarchapril 20072009

Rose and Crown P.H.

North Parade Avenue Oxford

(Second left off Banbury Road after leaving St Giles)

Oxford City CAMRA Pub of the Year 2001 Listed in the Good Pub Guide 2006 www.rose-n-crown.co.uk the Oxford Drinker page 17 issue 55 CAMRA Members’ Weekend & National AGM CAMRA members' requirements of an AGM, weekend, including the including presentation of National Annual General accounts Meeting, is where our • Meet up with CAMRA members discuss our members from around the future policy and country, National Executive direction. The weekend and HQ staff members also offers the • Discuss ideas to forward opportunity to members to campaign through to socialise with friends, workshops, policy discussion groups and visit recommended pubs seminars and go on organised • trips. Enjoy a few beers at the Members' bar. A member designed by architect only beer festival put on in The AGM is open to all Henry Currey and built in conjunction with the AGM 1875. CAMRA members and • Visit pubs in Eastbourne will be held at Conference sessions and Eastbourne's Winter and the surrounding areas • workshops will take place Garden from Friday 17th Visit local breweries on in the Congress Theatre, to mid-afternoon organised trips with the members bar for Sunday 19th April. If you the Weekend and AGM, have never been along Trips are still in the being held in the adjoining planning stage but are Floral Hall. It is hoped to to a Members' Weekend proposed to include trips to and AGM before, why have beers from all 19 several of the local Sussex breweries not make this your first breweries in the area available on the Members one. including Harvey’s Brewery Bar, plus a few from the in Lewes, Dark Star surrounding counties of The aim of the weekend Brewery in Ansty, 1648 and Surrey. Brewery at East Hoathly, • Review what has been Whites Brewery at Bexhill, For details or to register for happening at branch, and Beachy Head Brewery regional and national level the event go to: at East Dean. Pub crawls www.camra.org.uk and over the past year are also planned around • follow the link from the Have your say, review Eastbourne (town centre Members’ Weekend campaigning themes and and Old Town), and in pages. form policy Lewes and Hastings. • Hear guest speakers on Several pubs in Eastbourne issues related to beer, are planning to put on mini brewing and key beer festivals that weekend. campaigns • The Winter Garden is a Official Sponsor of the 2009 Meet the formal Grade II listed building, Members’ Weekend page 18 the Oxford Drinker march 2009

Thursday 2 nd April at 5pm to Sunday 5 th April Corner of Victor & Canal Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6BT. Tel: 01865 553549. www.oldbookbinders.co.uk

Dan and Carole welcome you to the WHITE HART ST ANDREWS ROAD OLD HEADINGTON TEL 01865 761737 Wide selection of real ales Traditional home made food Award winning pies! Fantastic walled garden Open all day every day Food served 12 - 3pm, 5 - 8pm Mon - Sat; Sunday roast 12 - 5pm the Oxford Drinker page 2319 issue 55

FRIDAY 3rd APRIL - MONDAY 6th APRIL 2009 22+ Mainly locally sourced ales and many ciders to choose from! All ales £2.50 a pint Live JAZZ music on the Friday evening from 9.30pm, Live Big Boys And Flexamuscle on the Saturday evening and Live Swingtime Band on the Sunday afternoon from 2:30pm with a BBQ on the Sunday afternoon. We now have 8 hand pumps installed in the stocks bar, With a great choice of REAL ALE + CIDER starting at £2.60. Many would say the best in town but come judge for yourself. Crown And Thistle Hotel 18 Bridge Street Abingdon OX14 3HS 01235 522556 Ask for Kane the Oxford Drinker is published by Joshua Horgan, Oxford