Issue 55 – Winter 2013 FREE – Please take one

Magazine of North Branch of CAMRA

A Is For Life … Not Just Christmas

The festive season is usually considered a busy time for the pub trade, as Christmas works parties are held, students return home from university and the public in general seem happier to spend their hard-earned cash in the convivial atmosphere of their local. However, the run-up to Christ- mas (when some are saving up for the impending festive spend) and especially the lull which fol- lows New Year are times when local licensees would be more than pleased if drinkers brought custom to their . – but it is still of great concern to save our community pubs for a It’s good to see that the rates that many communities in our number of years now (see posters at which pubs are closing has Branch (and beyond) will lose a above), and it’s worth pondering slowed down a little – from the valuable social asset, and some over some statistics collected in alarming peak of 52 per week in will be left entirely publess. a recent survey to consider just 2009 to a worrying 26 per week CAMRA has run a campaign how valuable an asset a local pub is in people’s lives, and why they Beer On Tap Is Runner-Up need to be saved from closure. • 75% had celebrated a friend’s or We’ve received the good news family birthday in a pub that Beer on Tap is runner-up • 48% had celebrated a life at a in our local CAMRA Region’s wake Magazine of the Year this year. • 48% had had a date The top two from our Region • 42% had celebrated a wedding will be put forward for con- anniversary sideration for the National • 36% had ‘wet a baby’s head Magazine of the Year Award. • and 20% had met their current Beer on Tap has won the partner in a pub national award twice previously, CAMRA chief executive, Mike so it’s good to know that we are still on the right track in the Benner, says: “With more local eyes of the Central Southern Regional CAMRA committee. facilities like community halls Beer on Tap will always rely on income from advertisers (as it is closing around Britain, the run on a not-for-profit basis) and the army of members who col- British pub is, for many, the only lect news, take photos, etc., and do the all-important regular dis- facility the community can use. tribution around the Branch area. A big thank you to all of them. Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://www.northoxoncamra.org.uk 2 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 The Importance Of Pubs In Our Lives Continued from page 1 to rural areas of the UK. It is choose to watch major sports The new research does throw also worth mentioning that 85% events and tournaments, such open the question: where would of beer consumed in Britain is as the forthcoming World Cup. we be celebrating special occa- brewed here, which helps with It is possible to watch it at home sions or meeting our future the national trade balance. with a bottle-conditioned beer, loved ones without the local We see regular entries in Beer but nothing beats a fresh real pub?” on Tap Branch News relating ale from a handpump or straight Pubs are where people social- to pubs donating large sums to from the barrel in the company ise and make connections (as local and national charities. In of your local friends and family. one of the campaign posters on any year, around £100m is raised the front page states, they are for charity by British pubs. Branch Diary places where social networking Unlike shops and other outlets All meetings start 8pm, other events has happened for 1,000 years). selling alcohol for consumption start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn Many offer regular events and at home, pubs offer a super- Baldwin (07790) 118341. activities such as live music, vised, safe drinking environment DECEMBER quizzes, etc., and are also venues and the pub trade takes respon- Sat 21st: Christmas Crawl of where clubs and societies meet sible drinking seriously, spend- . Start noon, White – all of which add culture and ing millions on schemes such Horse, Banbury purpose to the local community. as Drinkaware, Best Bar None, JANUARY A lot of pubs are now filling Pubwatch and Challenge 21. Mon 13th: Banbury Beer Festival the gap where local community Hopefully, this article shows Planning Meeting, White services have closed, like post just how important the role of Horse, Banbury, 8.15pm offices or shops, and many offer the Great British pub is in our Tues 14th: Committee Meeting, free wifi or even a dedicated lives – and why we need to The Bull, Charlbury (tbc) computer terminal for access to consider it a matter of urgency Mon 20th: GBG pub selection the internet. that pubs are still being lost at meeting Such is the importance of the too high a rate. CAMRA North FEBRUARY pub to the lives of people in the Oxfordshire Branch will con- Mon 3rd: Banbury Beer Festival local community that it is almost tinue to oppose pub closures Planning Meeting, White incidental that they are also the and to help local communities Horse, Banbury, 8.15pm best place to consume the ‘Great campaign to keep their pubs Sat 8th: Minibus tour of POTY British drink’, real ale. According open, but we can all do our bit pubs (see website for details) to trade industry figures, 13 mil- to help by frequenting our local MARCH lion tourists visit British pubs a little more often – even using Mon 3rd: Banbury Beer Festival each year, all of whom want to your pub one additional evening Planning Meeting, White experience the character and tra- per week will help. Horse, Banbury, 8.15pm Mon 17th: Committee Meeting, dition of the genuine British pub, … Which leaves us with the Red Lion, which is unique to our country. last thought of where you might A staggering one billion meals are sold in pubs each year, and CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List many offer the only opportunity to buy a wholesome hot meal Email addresses are followed by northoxoncamra.org.uk away from home. This is espe- CHAIRMAN John Bellinger TREASURERS Nick Faulkner & cially important for older local Tel: 07427 677854 chairman@ Simon Whitehead treasurer@ pub-goers in the community VICE-CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY who don’t have their own trans- Paul Forrest vicec@ Helen Jones membership@ BRANCH SECRETARY PUBS OFFICER port – and many pubs offer pen- sioners a generous discount. Lynne Baldwin-Kramer Brian Wray pubs@ Tel: 07790 118341 secretary@ BEER FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR Pubs are very important to the BEER ON TAP EDITOR Tim Wilkins economy (local and national) as Steve Lympany bot@ YOUNG MEMBERS SECRETARY they inject an average of £80,000 Tel: 07811 667507 Jim Hopcraft young@ into their local economy and BEER ON TAP ADVERTISING WEBMASTERS Martin Batts and pay £66,500 in beer tax every EDITOR Oliver Sladen Geraint Jones webmaster@ year. Around a million people botads@ are employed in the pub and BRANCH CONTACT Trading Standards: Oxfordshire drinks trade nationally, bringing Martin Batts contact@ County Council, Electric Ave, Ferry much-needed local employment Tel: 07854 116408 Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0BY

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton OX7 5NP 01608 644717 • www.chequers-pub.com

Regular quiz night, live music and other happenings 6 Top quality ales Fine wine Delicious food Our restaurant and barn can be booked for meetings and parties 5% discount on everything for CAMRA members with card Sunday–Wednesday

A Traditional English pub next door to the theatre

4 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Branch News New faces at the Rock of Gibraltar for the guest group. Ken came (from left): Jan Hadland, Jo Oliver up with the trencher, a cob loaf and Gilly Edginton cut in half, hollowed out and filled with a meaty filling which teas from 3–6pm. Beer Eileen served in Viking dress. drinkers are not forgot- Now Ken has extended the ten with up to five real idea with a delicious choice of ales served in excellent fillings to suit all tastes served condition (no keg bitter up on a slate with seasonal veg- is served here). Dogs and etables. It’s a truly unique dining snowy boots are always experience, ideal as a comfort welcome. food for cold winter evenings, Their festive menu especially when complemented is offered throughout with Ken’s excellently kept, December with two gravity-fed Hooky ales. courses for £18.95 and Rose & Crown, Charlbury Rock of Gibraltar, three courses for £22.95, with Wharf special menus for Christmas Bouyant real ale sales have Day and New Year’s Day. meant that this four-times for- The pub is now run by the mer Branch Pub of the Year has Fisher Brewery Co. from Noke, Red Lion, installed an eighth handpump just north of Oxford, which also Not many pubs in our Branch on its bar. Great news for cus- owns the James Street Tavern can boast a history dating back tomers who now have an even and Half Moon in Oxford itself. to the reign of Henry VIII but greater choice of ales over the Run by a group from the brew- landlords Laura & Gary have festive season, and something ery, the pub sells three real ales documented evidence that the which will help to give better with at least one (or occasionally Red Lion was an ale house way distribution of beers between two) Fisher beers available with back in 1514. the top and bottom bars for the the other pumps serving guest They are planning a series of pub’s annual winter beer festival beers. The pub is generally open events to celebrate this quin- which will take place over the noon–11pm (10.30 Sun), though centenary so keep a lookout for last weekend in January. they are flexible with timings. these in the New Year, either in Another development is that Food is described as traditional this magazine or by visiting their and is served from 12–2.30 & website. Once again they will 6–9:30pm. be open on Christmas Day at Its canal-side garden is a lunchtime as well as evening. suntrap in summer, with a few moorings available for those Butcher’s Arms, Balscote wishing to park their narrow Avid CAMRA supporters Eileen boats for a while. The pub also & Ken Thompson are always has a pool table and is building looking for new ways to attract a reputation for live music, with custom and now they have taken performances every week. an ancient idea and brought Pickled Ploughman, it right up to date for the 21st century. It’s a full trencher menu (from the Old French, ‘tranchier’ This lovely old pub on the – to cut). Aynho road out of the village They got the idea from their continues to serve great food all Viking re-enactment weekend day, every day with morning cof- in the summer when they were Tommy Longfellow in the Rose & Crown, fees from 10am and afternoon asked to provide a Viking feast Charlbury which now sports eight handpumps Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 6 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 one handpump is now dedicated Tues–Thurs; 12–2.30 & 5–11 to ales from the Wye Valley Fri; 12–12 Sat and 12–10 Sun, Brewery, with HPA, Butty with Jacqui’s food available from Bach, and Dorothy Goodbody’s 12–2 & 6–9 Tues–Sat and 12–3 Golden Ale being regular offer- Sun. ings, most of which turn over Live music features regularly extremely quickly. at the Gardiner and a full line- up can be found on Facebook The Bell, Adderbury (see www.facebook.com/ Landlord Hugo has re-branded thegatackley. The pub also has a the food option here where the traditional skittle alley available kitchen and restaurant is now to hire with or without food. an independent operation under The Unicorn, the management of John, former chef at the Pickled Ploughman. Yet another make-over for this Glenn behind the bar at The Bull, The menu for lunch and even- Charles Wells owned establish- ing meals has reasonably priced ment led to it being closed for had a dominoes team and an dishes to suit all tastes and the 10 days in early November. Aunt Sally team in summer and restaurant area has had a taste- It is due to open under ‘new they hope to have a darts team ful re-decoration. Hooky, Lion management with a new look soon. Sunday night is quiz night and Old Hooky are generally incorporating an extensive new which starts at 8.30. available on handpump. menu’ – so we look forward Open 12.00–11.00 Mon–Sat reporting on its progress in the & 12–10.30 Sun. Food served Gardiner Arms, Tackley next edition. 12–2.30 every day & 6–9 Mon– Tony & Jacqui Bass are now Crown & Tuns, Sat. A Cask Marque pub, the resident at the Gardiner Arms, cask ales are usually GK IPA, the pub which Tony’s grandpar- Deddington Abbott Ale and a guest ale from ents once ran. Selling two ales This characterful old pub, also GK’s list. from the Greene King portfolio known as the ‘pie place’, always Duke of Cumberland’s and one guest (which is usually has a good range of Hooky ales, Head, Clifton an XT beer) they have trans- and this included Hooky Gold formed this into a proper locals’ out of season on a recent visit Proud of their Good Beer Guide pub with good beer, food and (as it’s a spring seasonal ale), so 2014 status, the pub reports atmosphere. presumably a few casks were good autumn trading, particu- They are selling great quanti- surplus after a bottling run. larly for their five-bedroom B&B ties of the XT beer and making Unfortunately the lovely Lette accommodation. They have also best use of the Greene King will not be in evidence front of recently recruited Hilary Gasper, guest beer list. Closed Mon, house so much in future as she’s previously Bar Manager at The the pub is open 12–2 & 6–11 going part-time, but we’re sure Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, to that licensees Kathy & Anton its staff. Hayter appreciate the work she Its three handpumps carry has put in as they continue with Doom Bar and two guests from running not only this establish- local breweries – usually Hooky, ment but also the Coach & Ramsbury or Vale. Further Horses, Banbury. details, including bookings for their Christmas menu, from The Bull, Launton Julie or Lee on 01869 338534 or New licensees here are Glenn & [email protected] Debbie Forster, who intend to Red Lion, Deddington put the tradition back into their Greene King pub. Chris & Michelle continue to Glenn, who has a background provide Deddington with two in catering with the RAF, told excellently kept cask ales (Vale Beer on Tap that food offered VPA and Adnams Lighthouse is traditional English and is all on my last visit, but St Austell homemade by their chef. Their Tribute is seen frequently) in Christmas Menu is now avail- the only ‘free of tie’ pub in the able and a Christmas Eve Party town. It also has a good com- Familiar face now at a different pub. Tony Bass is planned for the locals! munity feel to it. at the Gardiner Arms, Tackley This summer the pub has The pub boasts two Aunt Sally Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 Great Tew Oxfordshire

Email: [email protected] Tel. 01608 683653 Food is served daily in the bar 12–2.30pm utu Dog friendly utu The restaurant is open in the evenings Situated in the village of Great The Falkland6.30–9 pm ArmsTew, The Falkland Arms is the quin­tessential 16th century Eng- utu lish country pub. Featuring up to Open all day seven real ales, traditional cider, utu country wines, and a large selec- tion of whiskies served in a friendly Accommodation atmosphere, it also has a beer garden available overlooking the Great Tew estate. Website: www.falklandarms.co.uk The White Horse at Banbury Cross Up to 10 Real Ales

Home Cooked Food with local produce

50–52 North Bar Street, Banbury OX16 0TH

Tel: 01295 277484

8 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 teams as well as acting as local Bridge) and it will be managed 2014 Michelin BIB Gourmand, HQ of Deddington Town FC, by Tom Burgum and Rachel which is very impressive when and the pub has also been dis- Bellamy. Hopefully we will have you consider it only reopened covered by US servicemen from more on this exciting develop- around a year ago! The category nearby RAF Croughton who ment next edition. they won their award in was provide an interesting foil to the three courses of amazing food local clientele. Hundred Acres, for £28 or under. Karaoke and screened football Following on from last edition, matches are regular entertain- the Hundred Acres has re- The Easington, Banbury ment and at this time of the year opened as a pub! Doom Bar and Anna and her team at this large local students, home during Greene King IPA were on sale pub on the outskirts of town are University holidays, meet up when recently visited and the promoting cask ale every day for their drinking game – ‘The landlord said there will always of the week, but on Mondays Twelve Drinks of Christmas’! be at least one real ale available. they offer a Cask Club Night They have a Thai food menu where all cask ales are just £2.49 White Hart, Bicester but also an English element a pint. Hobgoblin, Woodforde’s Following a major refurb this including takeaway fish and Wherry and Elwood’s Black has now re-opened and looks chips. It is really good to see this Cat have been seen recently on set to become one of Bicester’s pub back on its feet and serving hand pumps as their three regu- most popular pubs again. It real ale. lar guests, along with the per- had three real ales – White Lampet Arms, manent Brakspears Bitter and Hart Bitter (brewed for the pub Old Hooky. by Tetley’s), Black Sheep and The new owners, Des & Phyllis It is reassuring to hear that Doom Bar, and a real cider, Old , have turned the pub the guest ales change so fre- Rosie – all on handpump on a into a really friendly community quently due to the high turnover recent visit. free house. that two visits will rarely see The landlord is looking to They currently sell four real the same ones on offer. Also hold a beer festival at some ales which change regularly, but of interest is the 20p off a pint point next year. have included , offer for card carrying members Vale and Shepherd Neame. of CAMRA. It’s worth joining Oxfordshire Yeoman, Open 12–2.30 & 5–11 Mon–Fri, just for that! Freeland 12–11 Sat, and 12–5 Sun. Food Highway Inn, Burford The sale of this pub is reported is served at all sessions with a to have gone through, though roast on Sunday. They are now A new family has taken over this at the time of publication it taking bookings for Christmas lovely rambling inn on Burford’s remains closed. The new owner parties. High Street, with Daniel & is rumoured to be Trevor With darts, Aunt Sally, domi- Michelle Arnell and Daniel’s Johnson, landlord of The Talbot noes, Monday quiz nights, and mother Jane at the helm. at Eynsham (near the Toll live music on Saturday evenings David was previously a food they really have put the pub at the heart of the community. They also have letting rooms and a function room for up to 30. For more information call 01295 780070. The Harrow, Enstone After several months of closure, where nothing seemed to hap- pen, this pub finally re-opened as a public house as we were about to go to press. It now serves three cask ales and will probably feature Thai and English food. More next issue. Killingworth Castle, Wootton The Oxfordshire Yeoman, Freeland is Congratulations to the team at Jane serving at the bar at the Highway Inn, hopefully to reopen soon with new owners the Killy Castle after they won a Burford Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 10 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 and beverages manager at the Hilton, Melbourne. The plan is to have two real ales with Hooky as a regular along with a rotating guest from a local micro. They hope the regular summer beer festival will be continued. Traditional food with an inter- esting twist is available in the bar and the well appointed res- taurant. Well behaved dogs are permitted in the bar and some rooms are pet friendly too. The Centurion, Bicester Planning permission for demoli- tion and to build a care home has been submitted. Mick Howe & Amber Wheatley behind the bar at The Sun, Hook Norton Black Prince, Woodstock Cracker Ale (4.7%) and Hardy nights and a monthly comedy Congratulations to Darren and & Hansons Rocking Rudolph club. It is also the meeting place his new bride, Zusana who were (4.2%) amongst others. for a dance group, a literary married at the Bay Tree, Burford The Wild Lime, Banbury society and even a ukulele club! in early September. The photo See the pub website at www. shows Darren, with Zuzana and Formerly The Grand Union, thesuninn-hooknorton.co.uk/ the ring bearer Mr Biscuit! They the newly-renamed Wild Lime for latest details. would like to thank all their is one of around 25 outlets The pub also recently com- friends and local customers for closed by owners Bramwell Pub pleted a refurbishment to its six helping make their wedding Company and will be put up for en-suite letting rooms. weekend so special. sale. Stonegate pubco (former Fox Inn, Westcot Barton Darren is already looking managed pubs arm of M&B) is to the festive season and has negotiating to take over around Following on from last edition, announced that along with his half of the Bramwell sites, it is Brian & Kaye had left the pub core range – Tribute (4.2%) not know if the Wild Lime is before issue 54 was off the press- and Trelawny (3.8%), both from one of these. es, with another pair of manag- St Austell Brewery – he will Sun Inn, Hook Norton ers coming and going before also have guest ales making an this edition. However Cheryl & appearance in December includ- It’s good to see that The Sun Denis have now taken the reigns ing Vale Brass Monkey (4.0%), now has six handpumps again and have made a good impact Dorothy Goodbody’s Christmas – after dropping to five some with the quality of their ales. years ago – with Hooky, Cheryl is manager for now Old Hooky and Lion as with an option of taking the regulars along with the lease if it suits her, and was pre- seasonal Hook Norton viously at the Banbury Cross, beer and two guests. Banbury. Currently the pub sells Licensees Mick Howe Hooky and London Pride as reg- & Amber Wheatley had ulars with two changing guest seen such an increase in ales which have included Doom ale sales that the pump Bar and Brakspear’s Bitter. It has been restored, reflect- also has Old Rosie real cider. ing the national trend for Open 12–3 & 5–11 Mon– increased real ale sales. Thurs and 12–12 Fri–Sun. Food This popular pub is right is described as “nice home at the heart of the commu- cooked food” and is available nity, with a large function Tues–Thurs 12–2.30 and 6–8.30, room/skittle alley, and it Fri & Sat 12–2.30 and 6–9, Sun hosts regular live music sees roasts available 12–4. The pub quiz is back on Wed Darren and Zuzana from the Black evenings and live music is get- Prince, Woodstock with Mr Biscuit ting established. They are look- Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 Church St, Stratton The Red Lion Audley, Bicester, PUB & RESTAURANT OX27 9AG , Oxfordshire Tel: 01869 www.redlionstrattonaudley.co.uk 277225 A warm and inviting thatched country pub and restaurant. The open log fires and traditional pub fayre create a homely atmosphere for casual or formal dining in the main dining area or in one of two private rooms seating up to 16 or 45 (more if buffet style). We have an enclosed traditional courtyard garden with facilities for barbeques in the summer and dining outdoors which can be booked for private functions with the use of a marquee. Most of our food is locally produced and everything on our menu is cooked freshly to order so we are able to accommodate any special requests for variations. Our Specials board is updated on a daily basis. Our range of drinks includes traditional cask ales – Ruddles, Deuchars and Spitfire – along with other beers and a wide range of wines (see our wine list online for more details). The Red Lion has regular Live Entertainment events – check the special events section of our website for further details. Opening times: 12 noon until late every day. Food times: Noon–2.30pm and 6.00pm–9pm Mon–Sat, Noon–4pm Sunday. Proprietor: Frank O’Neill

Lower Heyford

21 Market Square, , Oxon OX25 5NY 01869 347176

• Varied guest ales from all over the UK • Five minutes walk from canal • Large beer garden Open: • Listed in the Good Beer Guide Mon–Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–11pm; • Families and dogs welcome Friday & Sat 12–11pm; • Lunch and full menu available Sun 12–10.30pm • Food served Mon–Sun 12–3pm & 6–10pm

12 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 ing for any pub teams or groups who want a home whether it be darts, Aunt Sally or a ukulele group! We wish her well in an attempt to bring some stability to this once-thriving pub. Hand & Shears, Church Hanborough It is always good to hear of a pub that serves food seven days a week, including evenings. Having had problems finding a pub open for food on a Sunday (or even a Monday evening), it was great to discover that the Hand & Shears offers ‘the full service’. This a lovely rural pub set Guy (right) with son Jordan and staff at The Plough, Finstock opposite the iconic church and steeple in Church Hanborough The Plough, Finstock since 1999, ceased running the on the edge of the North Oxon Following on from the report establishment in 2005 (the last Branch. Landlord Chris, with his in last issue, business seems time it featured in the Good Beer wife and son, Lynn and Mark, to be booming here since Guy Guide) and leased it to several have been running the pub for took over. On a couple of recent tenants (some more success- several years now after many visits all tables were booked for ful than others). We have now changes through the previous diners and yet it still manages sold the freehold to Faith and ten years. to retain a true pub atmosphere. Stamatis. We wish them lots of Their success has been based Beers sampled recently have luck in their new venture and on providing a clean and attrac- been Hooky Bitter, Flagship and hope the village support them as tive environment for eating and Ramsbury Deer Hunter, along enthusiastically as they did us.” drinking, excellent medium with the standard Broadside, We hope to get more from the priced food and snacks, and up and all were in excellent form. Stags Head next time. to three Charles Wells beers, The Plough’s occasional The Bell, with Eagle, Bombardier and theme food nights (Greek and Long Hanborough occasionally Youngs Special all French so far) have proved pop- on the bar, and always in good ular to the point that booking is Planning permission has been condition. They do a special necessary, and they are looking granted by West Oxfordshire offer on fish & chips and often forward to a busy trading period District Council to convert this have special themed evenings. before and during the festive pub to residential use. Long Open: Mon–Sat 12–3 and season. Hanborough loses its second pub in a year! 6–11 (food 12–2 & 6–9) and Stags Head, Sun 12–4 & 6–11 (food 12–3 & The Bell, Hook Norton 6–8). Shortly after the last edition came out we Council has received this very granted planning permission for nice email, which change of use to this character- I have reproduced ful old pub. Another Bell falls as it was sent: silent! “As a follow up The Dovecote, to your Branch Minster Lovell News in the autumn edition of This restaurant (formerly the Beer on Tap. My New Inn), reopened in mid- wife Julia and I, September, and is now known who have owned as The Dovecote. as an English the Stag’s Head restaurant, with a hint of Indian, Italian, Spanish and Chinese! The Hand & Shears, It is part of the Arzoo Church Hanborough group, which has Indian res- Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 14 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Staff at The with terrific views across the Dovecote, , where various events Minster Lovell prepare for the will be held during the year; for shift ahead on example, a car club has asked to the preview hold a car show there next year. night before The staff are very welcoming, they officially the food is fantastic and the beer reopened the is good, making the Dovecote following well worth a visit. evening Pear Tree, Hook Norton And finally! Local members knew it was coming, but the taurants in Bicester, Oxford, for steaks, etc. and a carvery exact location has now been , Moreton-in-Marsh on Sundays, and it also has a revealed! Chairman John and Watlington – each of them bar menu with sandwiches, Bellinger is to take over at this owned by a brother or sister in chips, salads, etc. All produce is pub which serves as the Hook the family – though Abdul Malik locally sourced, as are their cask Norton Brewery tap on 9th chose to break with tradition ales; which were Wychwood December. and open an English restaurant. Hobgoblin and Brakspear We of course wish John and The à la carte menu has lamb, Oxford Gold on a recent visit. Trisha well, and will no doubt pork, chicken, salmon and veg- The building is situated on feature more in the next edition etarian dishes, as well as a grill the edge of a large paddock, of Beer on Tap. Dad’s Army Down The Pub

Captain Mainwaring: “Sergeant : “Blimey, Wilson, get the men lined up, watch out for the at attention, outside this pub … moths when he opens his wallet!” of the others. Just be quiet and I have an important announce- I’ll get you a shandy.” ment to make.” Capt M: “That’s quite enough, : “Excuse me Walker. As you all know, we’ve Private Godfrey: “Captain chaps, would you mind lining up made a fortune on royalties and Mainwaring, I’m afraid that I as has some- I can afford to buy my troops shall only manage a half pint. thing to tell you.” a drink or two. Move quietly You see, my sisters don’t like me into the bar chaps and, Sergeant pulling the chain in the middle of Capt M: “For goodness sake, the night and my bladder …” Wilson, it’s an order not a polite Wilson, get the beers in.” request! Now listen here, men, I Sgt W: “Now Godfrey, Captain Capt M: “Alright, Godfrey, we want to take this opportunity to Mainwaring has kindly offered to don’t want details of your celebrate a great victory.” buy us all a drink, so I wondered waterworks thank you. Just Corporal Jones: “Permission to what you might like?” get Godfrey a half pint please Wilson.” speak, Sir. Am I correct in surmis- Capt M: “Not like that Wilson! ing that you are telling us that we Just count the number of men Sgt W: “Very good sir. Fifteen and have won the war?” and get them a pint each!” a half pints of Spitfire please landlord and (quietly) a pint of Capt M: “Heavens above man, Sgt W: “Yes sir, but the trouble is that was years ago. No, I’m that it isn’t like during the war shandy.” talking about our victory in the when there was just Bitter or Mild. Capt M: “Well chaps, this is small television ratings. Do you realise There are six different beers on reward for all your hard work. men that we still have a weekly sale in this pub.” Just order another pint at the bar prime spot on television thirty Capt M: “There’s one thing I as soon as you’re ready.” six years after the last series was can always rely on with you Sgt W: “Well, Sir, I must say that recorded? I think that deserves Wilson … lack of initiative. this modern beer is wonderful drinks all round, what do you Look, man, they’ve got a beer stuff. A great deal better than say?” called Spitfire … I can see it from some of that cloudy muck they Private Frazer: “Well, Captain, it here … sounds just the ticket used to serve sometimes at The sounds good to me, but I’m sorry to me.” Red Lion in Walmington-on- to say that I left my wee purse at : “Dad … I mean S e a .” home.” Sergeant Wilson … I’m not sure Capt M: “ Well, there you have it Capt M: “Typical behaviour, that Mum would allow me to Wilson. That’s one of the things Frazer, if you don’t mind my drink beer.” we were fighting for, decent saying so. However, you’re lucky Sgt W: “Don’t be pathetic Frank, British beer, and now everyone tonight as the drinks are on me.” you’ll show yourself up in front can reap the benefit!

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 The Duck on the Pond A charming traditional freehouse Open seven days a week All day Saturday and Sunday

Serving a variety of hand pulled ales and fine wines We offer an extensive menu of traditional English and cosmopolitan cuisine from our a la carte menu and daily specials board Roasts also available Sundays Vegetarian menu

These can be enjoyed in our restaurant, bar area or alfresco on our delightful patio overlooking the pond Bookings taken Parties catered for Families welcome Large beer garden and car park

Telephone: 01295 721166 Main Street, , Nr Banbury, OX15 4JE Only 10 mins from Banbury / Chipping Norton. Situated on the A361 www.duckonthepond.com

16 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Going For A Burton: BBF Helpers’ Trip 2013 Our coach picked up members the list of seven Burton Bridge so next stop was the highly rec- from various locations around beers. A very nice pint of Golden ommended Seven Stars; a mod- North Oxon with a 9am pick up Sovereign for me, followed by an ern looking pub on the outskirts at Banbury to collect the main excellent porter. which had a rake of handpumps, body of ‘trippers’. After a brief After that, we moved on to the where I tried a 3B’s Stokers Slake stop at Tamworth services to best pub of the day, the Coopers Mild followed by the special, collect one more we arrived at Tavern, with its scrubbed tables, a beer for the food fest called the National Brewery Centre red tiled floors, and three rooms Food & Drink Festival Ale; not Burton at 10.30, giving us 15 including a smashing little bar the snappiest name, but a very minutes before our tour was with eight ales to keep us occu- pleasant 3.6% beer. With all our booked to start. pied. The pub is part of the stamps we headed to the shop Here we met up with the last Joules chain, not one I’d come to redeem the sheet for a special two members of the group who’d across before; a fantastic pub festival glass – closed! Oh well it made their way by train and after selling great beer. The Joules had been fun! we’d been introduced to our beers were very good, but we Next we went to The Bull guide, Ollie, we were off. wanted to get to the Alfred Arms where I decided against what The tour was well laid out and beer festival so pushed on to was a fairly ordinary beer selec- very informative, but perhaps the Devonshire Arms, another tion so went solo again to the a little fast for those of us who Burton Bridge pub which had a Wetherspoon’s pub called the wanted to check out more of modern feel after the Coopers. Laurence Sheriff, which won the the displays. The tour weaved We found ourselves in the front award for slowest service but its way through the brewing his- bar which had its seating around was well worth the wait for a tory of Burton and took about the walls and many years’ worth pint of Rutland Beast from the 1¾ hours. One of the highlights of pumpclips on the ceiling. Grainstore Brewery. After that it was the motor pool where they The 4.5% Damson Porter was a was back on the coach for home. keep and restore old brewery great beer, but with time run- Another excellent festival help- vehicles (including a selection of ning out before the coach was ers trip. Make sure you get the vans and one of only six bottle due to leave I headed back to the chance to join next year’s. All you cars that were made, three of Coopers while the rest went off have to do is volunteer to work a which are lost!). The re-creation to find the beer festival where I set number of hours at Banbury of a pub from bits of now-closed enjoyed a couple more halves, Beer Festival 2014. Simples! pubs was excellent and the this time including the amazing Steve Lympany humour and knowledge of Ollie Titanic Cappuccino all helped make the trip a Stout which was stout must-do if you’re in Burton. with coffee and then A little nugget of informa- more coffee. Gorgeous! tion I left with was that horse After counting every- brasses were invented as an ‘aide one back on the coach memoire’ for draymen (as they we set off to Rugby were generally illiterate) to know for a break on the way which pubs they were delivering home. A small group to and in what order. headed off to find The last part of the tour Geraint’s wife, Helen, was the old railway line with who’d had to work so its engine and carriage. Next missed the trip, but stop was the bar with our four caught the first avail- tokens for a refreshing drink able train to Rugby to The Coopers Tavern, Burton-on-Trent (thirsty work a tour!) where six meet us. We met at the handpumps greeted us – four Squirrel where we had were Worthington’s beer and a couple of excellent two guests. No surprise that pints – my favourite Worthington’s White Shield was was Dowbridge Bonum top dog here, an excellent beer Mild (3.5% but packed more often found in bottles. with flavour). The pub We then decided to move on was on the Rugby food to the Burton Bridge Inn for and drink festival ale lunch after a short stroll where trail so we needed six we ordered food and a beer from stamps to get a glass,

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 [email protected] www.thefoxatsouldern.co.uk Dating back to 1803 The Fox is nestled in the picturesque village of and offers: • Traditional style home cooked food. • Three Real Ales (two of which constantly rotate), sourced from around the country. • Four en-suite bedrooms.

18 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Round-Up Of Local Beer Festivals Finstock Ale, Beer and Starting at number one at The Folk Festival Bell, Lower Heyford The first Finstock beer festival was held over the weekend of This is one festival 13/14 September. It started on where I know next Friday night with a folk evening year I will be back. I in the village hall, but Saturday may even try a burger! was the main event, follow- Red Lion, ing the lines of Charlbury and Chadlington beer festivals to Wendlebury raise money for a cause – in On 19 October, I wan- this case for the redevelop- dered across the fields ment and of the village hall to Wendlebury to visit as it requires refurbishment the Red Lion’s beer and an extension. Also, more The Bell, Lower Heyford and cider festival. importantly, the organisers just Another cracking weekend of This was the first festival for wanted to do it. beer-related fun. Six real ales Joe, Sally and the team since 22 real ales were ordered but in the festival bar and a couple they took the reins just over a one was in poor condition and more on the bar gave plenty of year ago. I wasn’t sure what to was returned to the brewery choice. In addition there were expect, but on arrival it was and there was a selection of six five real ciders and perrys. good to see a hive of activity; ciders. Food was also available They were nicely arranged a band was just arriving and all day with a barbecue and so that number one was weak- plenty of thirsty-looking punters paella stand. Local bands enter- est and number six was Sarah were gathered in a marquee at tained throughout the day along Hughes Dark Ruby Mild! the rear of the pub. with Charlbury Morris. Starting at number one, Citra Feeling thirsty I bought some All the ales were local – the Ville, a very pale hoppy 3.9% tokens from the bar (£12 for 4 closest was from Wychwood, bitter, we made our way to the pints) with a free burger from the furthest Oxfordshire Ales sun-kissed garden and joined the BBQ thrown in (bonus!) and – and the newest was Pleasant the families outside where there headed for the marquee. There Pheasant from Forge Brewery. was also a barbecue. It was soon were eight beers available from First to sell out was Hook back to the bar for number two, all over Britain and three ciders. Norton Flagship and beer of as the afternoon wiled gently by. I kicked off with Jarl from the festival was Loose Cannon Elland KSA was my second Fyne Ales in Scotland (3.8%) Bombshell. favourite (a 4.9% lager style which is light in colour with a A very enjoyable first festival beer) with top position going citrus aroma. My wife, Helen, which we hope will be repeated to Sarah Hughes and it was so soon turned up on the bus after each year. Well done folks. The good I went back for another! It finishing work, and made a festival raised £3,951 towards all goes hazy at this point! bee-line for the honey-infused the redevelopment fund. Back on the Sunday it was a Pooh Beer from Church End in relief to find out Warwickshire. that the Sarah We parked ourselves at a table Hughes had with our beers, as a pirate and a gone along with Salopian Lemon tiger passed by – the face paint- Dream, which ing was going well, with the was a shame as adults as well as the kids! Then I’d really come for we settled back to enjoy some another go at that, of the day’s music. First band of so it was more of the day was a local folk group. the Citra Ville and After that, a lone Scot with his some from the guitar belted out some classics. main bar. We made our way along the bar between us, trying Salopian Bar staff at the first Shropshire Gold, Hambleton Finstock Ale, Beer Nightmare, Great Orme Welsh and Folk Festival Black, Fuzzy Duck Cunning Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 Lower Heyford Road Caulcott OX25 4ND Tel/fax: 01869 343257 This charming, thatched 16th century freehouse, in a peaceful, rural setting, offers four real ales (over 200 different ales annually) with White Horse Bitter ever present. An interesting and wide ranging menu is available lunchtime and evenings (not Sunday evenings and Mondays), served in the restaurant, bar or garden. Choose from the daily specials board or the speciality sausage menu offering 12 varieties of O’Hagan’s sausages. Small parties catered for; booking recommended No children under 10 years old Voted Pub of the Year 2010 by North Oxfordshire CAMRA www.horseandgroomcaulcott.co.uk Opening times: Mon-Sat: 12–3, 6–11; Sun: 12–3, 7–10.30 Jerome Prigent

20 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Stunt, Kelburn Dark Moor and this overtly floral IPA with a Pale (4.8% with three US hop Downton Pumpkin Ale (yes, pint of my favourite, Hooky’s varieties Cascade, Willamette it tasted of pumpkins), then ‘Flagship’, which had been spe- and Summit, giving it a pleas- headed off home. cially commissioned for the fes- ant citrus aroma and a robust We didn’t try any of the tival, thereby giving one of the bitterness) and Okell’s Olaf ciders, although Mr Whitehead’s local seasonals some justifiable (3.9% where four hop varie- Strawberry cider was clearly national exposure. ties smoothed the roasted malt popular from the number of Ember Inns had a different flavours and finish). Decisions, pink pints being consumed!. approach. During the first week decisions. So in the end I had to Over the day, nearly all ales you picked up your pocket sized pay for one of them! All beers had been drunk, and all of the festival card with tasting notes sampled at the Easington were cider, swiftly followed by all the (Wetherspoon’s was A4-sized) served in excellent condition bottled cider in the pub too! which doubled as the card to be fully justifying the pub’s inclu- With the event being such a stamped by bar staff each week sion in Good Beer Guide 2014. success, they’re hoping to hold after trying one of the three ales Overall, Ember supported another festival next summer. on offer. Across the five weeks beers from smaller, lesser known Watch this space. there were 15 different beers micros but Wetherspoons Wetherspoon’s v Ember to try – in Week 1 these were expanded our knowledge of the Elgood Black Dog Mild (3.6%), burgeoning American micro- Inns’ Festivals Revolution EP, a blonde beer brewery industry. Both, in their The Wetherspoon Beer Festival, at 3.9% and Liberation Rouge a own way, brightened the gloom 16th–31st October, was on at ruby ale made with a blend of as the temperatures and leaves around the same time as Ember three New World hops and five fell at this oft depressing back Inns had theirs (14th October to malts. There were three different end of the year. 17th November). How did these beers to try in subsequent weeks, two giants compare? each week included a dark ale Stonesfield Beer Festival Wetherspoons featured some style, and if you got four stamps, The first Stonesfield Septem- ales brewed by American brew- you were entitled to a free pint beerfest took place in late ers in British breweries, such as from Week 5’s selection. September, and it proved to be Shaun O’Sullivan brewing 21st This meant I visited the a very impressive debut on the Amendment’s American Bitter Easington more regularly than local festival scene. Beers and Red (4.4%) at the Wychwood normal and I was particularly ciders were set up in the village brewery. 10 of the 50 ales on impressed by Week 3’s dark hall, and even though the weath- offer across the period were ale, Great Yorkshire Brewery’s er stayed dry there was plenty American, and using CAMRA Yasigi (5%), named after a new of external covered space imme- membership tokens, some of UK hop. Described as a black diately outside the hall with a these beers at over 5% were lager, I thought the strong dark large ‘Marquee Stage’ for bigger available at well below £2 per maltiness more like a porter. bands, and a Champagne tent. pint. Three ‘thirds’ were also For my free pint, I was torn The full programme of live allowed under this promotion. between Long Man’s American music was varied and entertain- Over the festival period I sampled several US ales, includ- ing Harpoon IPA (5.9%) which provided welcome refreshment in one of its Reading outlets. In the more local Fleur De Lis, my preferred Wetherspoon’s outlet in Banbury, I sampled Cambridge Brewing’s Sgt Pepper (4.2%) – yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s flavoured with peppercorns! Fat Head’s Sunshine Daydream (5%) was more to my taste, then with true American understate- ment there was Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA (6.3%), the tasting notes for which included ‘the subtle flavour of jasmine’; subtle it most certainly was not! Thank goodness that I could temper Doing a brisk trade at the first Stonesfield Septembeerfest Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 3 REAL ALES Two large superior 10 REAL CIDERS en-suite Homemade rooms lunches Large flower- Mon–Sat 12-2 filled garden

OPENING HOURS Roaring log Mon-Thurs fires 11-3 & 6-12 Fri 11-3 & 5-12 Family and Sat/Sun 11-12 dog friendly

SAME FAMILY RUN PUB FOR 40 YEARS OX15 4LZ www.bloxhampub.co.uk 01295 720383

22 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 ing, and featured local young hall, yet even with all the avail- and it featured a selection of and family bands alongside able space it still became very national ales and local ciders, all more established acts like The busy in the later evenings. of which were award winners. Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Such was the fast trade that There was a choice for every Band and The Village Idiots. more than half a dozen ales had taste and strength, from Hooky This offered a range of different sold out by the time we arrived Bitter at 3.5% to a special ale to styles from rock, blues, jazz, at 2pm on Friday. Annoyingly, celebrate Eileen, the landlady’s, folk, gospel, hip-hop and all one was Turpin’s Golden Citrus birthday ‘Eileen’s Head Bangor’ points in between. (4.2%) – so we couldn’t sample at 4.6% and all straight from the The selection of 23 real ales the stronger offering from our cask. was well chosen to suit the Branch’s newest brewery. Their The pub’s ‘trencher’ menu was tastes and preferences of all Pale Gold (3.6%) was still on made to compliment the origins who attended. Stand-out beers sale, however, though this was of the beers, with the Oxford- for me were Amarillo from more of a summer quencher shire Feathered Hog (chicken Brightside Brewing Co (5%) which was a little thin and lack- and bacon), The Yorkshireman, and the exquisite XT Fresh ing in character (though pre- (pigeon and black pudding) and Hop One (4.2%), their green sumably still in development). The Taffy (handformed faggots). hop seasonal ale – both great Similarly, Whale Ale’s Pale Friday was very busy as they examples of golden, spritzy Whale (3.6%) – from a brew- also had their first shoot dinner beers with a huge hop presence. ery just north of our Branch’s with the Black Powder Guns. Darker and traditional amber boundary at Upper Brailes – had Music kicked off at 9pm with beer fans were well catered for also run out, so we had to settle The Hingmy’s, now a trio which as well, and I found the quality for their Ruby Moby (4.0%). went down really well, in fact at and conditioning of the ales to The luxury of having so one stage the whole pub joined be excellent. Animal Brewing many ales on sale means that in. This worried landlord Ken, Co’s Eek (7.2%) topped the abv Oxford City Branch have space as he could only afford to pay scale, while top notch session for multiple ‘locale’ offerings, the band, not the whole pub! beers were also on offer with including Loose Cannon from Saturday saw the Linda Saltaire’s Saltaire Pride (3.9%) Abingdon who had five beers Watkins Band and Bluestone by and XT’s Slate Yer Thirst (3.8%) represented. A brewery attract- the Kite Brewery, Wales’ newest – the latter brewed specially for ing a lot of interest was the micro, really hit the right note the festival. newish Siren Craft Brewery at 4.0%. Sunday was a more It was a most enjoyable day from Finchampstead, Berks, relaxed affair with the lovely and evening out, and all of whose beer range includes some voice of Katie Wickham in the us have made a point of say- oddities. Siren’s Sound Wave evening. Again the pub was well ing we’ll definitely be there proved very interesting with a supported and by close only two for the next one, though it is multi-layered citric, mango and ales were left. not known if this will be an confectionary nose and flavour As in previous years, this is a annual or bi-annual event at the – which certainly split opinion. great way to brighten up those moment. Look out for Siren beers as they dark November nights. Oxford Beer are really pushing the bounda- Festival ries of craft beer, with vintage Beer Festival DIARY ales, New World styles and even DECEMBER This year’s fes- an insect beer! tival, their 16th, 6–7: Launton Sports & Social Highlights for me were Hop 10–14: Far from the Madding took place in Kettle’s Tricerahops (4.1%), Crowd, Oxford Winter festival mid-October and it Hopcraft’s Prince of Bengal january proved to be another (5.2%) – both of which exuded 24–26: Rose & Crown, Charlbury great success, with a lovely dry and full, bitter Winter Beer Festival. 20 real 140 real ales and over 50 tradi- taste – and Tynebank’s beguil- ales and at least four ciders and tional ciders/perrys running out ing Rauchbier, a beer made with perrys. Food. Music Sat night before close of play. smoked malt which conjured FEBRUARY The Town Hall is a very state- up great memories of sampling 19–22: CAMRA National Winter ly venue and offers many rooms the beers of Bamberg, the world Ales Festival. The Roundhouse, and hallways in which beer fans capital of smoked beers. Derby. Over 250 ales plus cider can spread out. The main hall and perry MAY is where the ales are dispensed Butchers Arms, Balscote from a long island bar, while Instead of its usual annual 8–10: Banbury over 80 real cider and perry was served Oktoberfest, the pub called its ales with cider and perry. Entertainment and food from a room across the upper festival Eileenafest this year, Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 CHIPPING NORTON & SALFORD CIRCULAR By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks A peaceful rural stroll which finishes up at our Branch Pub of the Year 2013 Distance: Approx 51/4 miles (or through a gate or kissing gate back on yourself to walk up the just under 4 miles with shortcut). (signed Over Norton). slope ahead, keeping the trees on Allow: Approx 2.5–3 hours. Follow the track round to the your left. Continue in the same Map: Explorer 191. left and down a slope, then take general direction always keeping Parking: Large but busy car park a kissing gate to the right of the the trees (and later a fence) to off New Street (see map). If full, main gates to Spring Hill. Keep your left. There are many springs park by the school/leisure centre along this dirt track, ignoring all in the field, so cross further up (see bottom right of the map). paths going off to the right, to the slope when necessary but This walk is surprisingly quiet and soon go through a short tunnel always aim for a metal kissing rural despite being close to town, under a farm track. Keep ahead gate at the far end of the field. though it can be muddy in odd on the dirt track and go through Go through the kissing gate and places after periods of rain. a metal kissing gate to enter a walk ahead through some trees, Leave the main car park, turn sloping field, where you need cross a bridge, then walk up a right on reaching the A44 and to walk straight ahead, keeping slope to take a wooden kissing cross at one of the traffic islands. a fence and trees on your right. gate to reach a dirt track where Turn round the corner of Sains- Eventually you will walk up a you turn left to pass a small cot- bury’s and walk along keeping slope and take a wooden kissing tage and continue down a hill. the shops and houses on your gate next to a metal gate to find a At the bottom of the hill, go left. Go past The Chequers road, where you turn right. Cross through a kissing gate and walk and The Theatre then take the the road and walk along to find straight on up the slope ahead, next left (Church Lane). Keep a kissing gate next to a five-bar aiming for a metal kissing gate in along the road then, where the gate on your left, just after the front of the first house in Over road bends to the left, take a 30 mph sign. Go through the Norton. Take the gate and walk waymarked path on your right kissing gate then almost double- up a path which soon becomes Over Norton Salford

Black Horse To Shakespear e’s Way Banbury (A361) Elms eld Farm To To Oxford Stow and Optional Moreton shortcut A44 (see text) A44

Cemetery

The Black Horse, Salford Town usually serves Hook Norton Hall beers (often Hooky Bitter and Old Hooky), but on A44 CHIPPING one recent visit the choice was Butcombe Bitter, START NORTON Sharp’s Doom Bar and Bath To Burford (A361) Ales’ SPA To Churchill School & Leisure Centre

24 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 a tarmac road. On reaching a next field, walk diagonally left to green triangle with a stone bus go around a large bramble patch shelter, keep straight ahead to then keep on down the slope pass a memorial water pump. to cross a stream on a wooden When you reach the road, turn bridge at the bottom of the hill. left and walk along past Choice After crossing the bridge, walk Hill Road then, where the road up the slope ahead to reach a bends to the left, keep straight recreation ground where you on almost into Cleeves Corner need to aim for the far right cor- but take a restricted byway sign- ner (to join the main A44) then posted to Salford. This track is immediately take the narrow easy to follow for the next mile On the Shakespear’s Way heading to Chippy lane on your left (signposted to or so, but make sure to take a the Almshouses and St. Mary’s left fork after around 400m rath- the right of a public telephone. Church). When you reach the er than the right fork to a farm. On reaching a sharp left-hand entrance to The Mount, turn Ignore a track on your left turn, take a waymarked path right to follow a gravel track and some metal gates on your straight ahead to go between a and enter the churchyard. Walk right then, where the track cottage and a stone barn (signed past the church on the tarmac bends to the left to go through to Chipping Norton, and now track and walk up the slope a gate, bear right (don’t take the called Shakespeare’s Way). Walk ahead into Church Street. Soon gate) and walk down the slope through a farmyard and take a you will reach Spring Street towards Salford in the distance, gate on the far side and keep where The Chequers – North keeping the hedge on your left. straight on along a dirt track Oxon CAMRA’s Branch Pub of If you want to take the short- which heads up the slope ahead, the Year 2013 – will be directly cut, after around 600m, keep going through another metal ahead. To return to the car park, an eye out for a wooden kissing gate. The track is well-defined, turn right here and walk around gate in the hedge to your left, but very open to the elements. the corner of Sainsbury’s, cross go through the kissing gate and On reaching a hedgerow, go the road and turn left into the keep straight ahead across the through a gap then walk ahead car park. field to reach the far boundary, in the same general direction, Pubs on the walk route then follow directions from *. keeping the hedge on your right • The Chequers, Goddards Lane To continue the full route, * Here, the shortcut rejoins (marked “A” on map below). you soon find that the way the main walk, so if you took Eight handpumps serving most ahead becomes more of a sunk- the shortcut, turn left at the far of the Fuller’s range plus season- en farm track as you walk down end of the field and walk along, als and a couple of guest ales. See www.chequers-pub.com the slope, and here you have a keeping the hedge on your right. , Salford village. choice of either following the Take a kissing gate in the far • Black Horse sunken track or following the corner of the field and keep Other pubs in Chipping Norton: field edge before dropping down ahead to walk up through the B: Blue Boar, Goddards Lane to the sunken track later (choose middle of a field on a well- C: Crown & Cushion Hotel, High whichever is least muddy). In defined path. At the far end of Street wet conditions this track may that field, go through a way- D: Bitter & Twisted, High Street have large puddles, but there are marked gap in the hedge ahead E: The Fox Hotel, Market Place often tracks through the trees (which is the highest point of F: Red Lion, Cattle Market alongside. Walk ahead along the the walk), go through a kissing G: King’s Arms, West Street track, go over a bridge and keep gate on the far side of the hedge All Chippy pubs serve real ale. straight on to reach Salford vil- and walk down the slope, keep- Chipping Norton lage via a green lane between ing a fence on your right. houses. The lane soon becomes At the far side of the field, go a tarmac road where you keep across a narrow tarmac road straight on, past a playground with a kissing gate each side A B C (on your left) and walk down the to keep on in the same general D slope into the main village. direction, where you will soon At the village hall, walk round find some benches at the top the bend on the right to find the end of the cemetery. After the Town pub down the road on your left. first bench follow the tarmac Hall To continue the walk, go back to track down the hill, aiming for E F the village hall but keep straight the far left corner where you on instead of walking round cross another tarmac track G the bend to take the road to through two kissing gates. In the Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 Roundup Of Local Brewery News A new feature where we try to IPA, packed with full flavour three real ciders and has a selec- get all the news from our two American hops. tion of suits of armour dotted brewers and other local brewers They brew their one-off around including a knight on a into one place experimental specials as Animal horse in the front garden! Brewing Company and have a couple of new beers: Roar! (a Whale Ale Co. Motueka IPA) a pale hoppy ale Congratulations to brewers made with a mix of zesty New Tom & Ed Coyte, owners of this Zealand hops and Moo! (a milk brewery based in Upper Brailes, stout) a very traditional stout not Warwickshire, who recently had seen out in recent years. their beers served at No. 10 as From early 2014 they will have part of a select group chosen their own cider – made at Long from many thousands who Crendon Manor – a real cider received start-up funding from which they will be distributing to the government. their regular pub customers. They attended the reception in With the increase in their Downing Street and met Prime popularity they have taken on Minister David Cameron, who more staff to cover the Saturday even poured his own pint. brewery shop. The brewery yard has grown and they now have Turpin Brewery more capacity to cover guest John Romer has a new beer, beers for breweries around the Autumn Ale (3.4%), which is country. They now also own their described as a light session bit- own pub –the Prince of Wales in ter and is only available at the The largest brewery in the North Hinckley – which has eight hand George & Dragon, . Oxon Branch is still planning pumps at the moment selling a This follows on from the success to build a pilot brew plant in wide range of beers from around the success of his Golden Citrus the fullness of time, but in the the country and a couple of XT being the first beer to sell out at immediate future their guest ale as permanents. They hope to their beer festival. for December will be the amaz- grow the range of beers to make Turpin’s has supplied beers ing Twelve Days, a 5.5% dark a local real ale Mecca. to The Anchor in Birmingham, brew worth waiting 11 months the Lampet Arms at Tadmarton, for and it’s nearly that time! Patriot Brewery Tadmarton Golf Club and the January will see the awesome The Patriot Brewery, based at the aforementioned George & Double Stout hit the bar. Norman Knight, Whichford, is Dragon. looking to restart brewing after The next offering is going to XT Brewery a short break with brewer Tim be a Christmas beer which will XT have continued their amaz- busy helping out in the kitchen be a dark one, as is the trend ing success making consistently after assistant Matt was sidelined with winter beers. excellent beer, and they’ve added after breaking his to their core range recently with back. several special beers including They plan to brew a Lest We Forget – which the Christmas beer, called Royal British Legion asked them Bah Hum Pug, which to brew for the Poppy Appeal. will be available in the They were amazed at the uptake pub, as well as select and brewed it several times local pubs in the area. more than they ever expected. The name of the beer A Christmas beer is also being is after Tim & Jane’s brewed (appropriately named two pugs – Winston Twenty Five) and this will be and Clementine. ready for December. It is a cool The Norman Knight fermented ale in the German sells six real ales and Alt Bier tradition. They will also have XPA on sale – a 5.9% Tim & Jane behind the bar at the ‘real IPA’, a proper hoppy pale Norman Knight, Whichford 26 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 28 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Beer Writers’ Workshop Aids Budding BoT Reporters John Bellinger, who had the followed by supper at the Gate original idea and organised the Hangs High as guests of Hook North Oxon Branch held a workshop, was very pleased Norton MD and Head Brewer Beer Writers’ Workshop in the with how the day went. He said: James Clarke, Great Great boardroom of the Hook Norton “I’ve had some really positive Grandson of brewery founder Brewery one Saturday in early feedback from all who attended. John Harris. November to help its members Our two guests, who earn their Beer on Tap is funded by write interesting and hopefully living writing about beer and advertisers and other branch well-crafted news stories for pubs, added a real professional- activities, is sent to all mem- Beer on Tap. ism to the day and the knowledge bers and is also available in all Fifteen members, including gained by those who attended pubs throughout the North some from the Oxford branch, will help to further enhance the Oxfordshire Branch area. The spent a fascinating day hear- quality of our Branch magazine.” latest copy of Beer on Tap also ing from guest speakers Tom The day was rounded off by appears on the Branch website at Stainer, editor of two CAMRA a tutored tasting in the Hook www.northoxoncamra.org.uk/ publications – What’s Brewing Norton Brewery Visitor Centre, beerontap. and Beer magazine – and Tim Hampson, freelance journalist and Chairman of the British Guild of Beer Writers. After discussing what was news, where to find it and how to write it, they went out in groups to search for interesting newswor- thy stories in local pubs, before return- ing to write them up under the critical eye of the experts. Branch Chairman

The group of CAMRA members who attended the recent writers’ workshop Beer on Tap in Saint-Tropez New Member Of BoT Team Bob Warner recently took a trip to the South of The Beer on Tap team would France and naturally took like to welcome Oliver Sladen some reading with him. who has taken on the role of Here we see him in Saint Advertising Editor. Oliver will Tropez with his Beer on be the first point of contact for those wishing to advertise or Tap, the only reminder change their advert and he will of beer in a part of the hold the waiting list. Continent where serious Without our advertisers there beer drinkers go thirsty. would be no Beer on Tap, as He reports that his advertising makes it all viable. trip was mostly dry, but Half page adverts cost £300 for things got worse when he the year and £550 for a full page. had to leave his appendix To advertise, email advertising@ behind! northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 Changing Habits Of Cask Ale Drinkers Beer author Pete Brown writes • 66% of men and 33% of regular reports on the state of women have tried cask ale, Cask Ale in Britain – called with 58% of both saying they The Cask Report – which takes tried it before the age of 25. the results of extensive market • The most popular cask ale research, and then processes style is bitter, with 88% of it to offer some fascinating pub-goers having knowledge insights into the views and hab- of the style (and 75% having its of pub-goers and people in tried it). Of those who have the pub trade regarding cask ale. tried cask ale, the statistics Here are some of the 2013 of those who have heard of a report’s findings. particular ale style (and those • Golden ale is the fastest grow- who have actually tried it) are – Stout: 90% (68%); Mild: 75% ing style of cask beer, with its (56%); IPA: 72% (56%); Golden market share doubling since • 63% of cask ale pub licensees Ale: 50% (32%). 2008. 6,000 more pubs stocked report that cask ale is attract- • The willingness for cask ale it for the first time last year. ing younger drinkers into their drinkers to try new beers • Almost 20% of cask ale drink- pubs, with 61% saying that it drops as they get older – with ers only tried real ale for the has started to attract female 24% of 18- to 24-year-olds first time within the last four customers. likely to a choose a beer they years. • 20% of cask ale drinkers are have never seen before, while • Over 10,000 pubs had a beer under-35s, compared to 21% just 10% of those aged 55 or festival in 2012, which equates of under-35s who drink all over will try a beer for the first to around one-third of all cask beers. time. ale pubs (or around 17% of all British pubs). • There is a disparity between Area CBOB Nominations Open drinkers and publicans over the turnover of guest cask The nomination process The system will work out ales. 33% of drinkers would for the Champion Beer which Branch and CBOB like a guest ale on the bar for of Britain (CBOB) Area area you are in, and give you at least a month, while less Competitions is now a list of the eligible beers. than 10% of publicans choose open. Winners of each Members without inter- area competition will then net access can ask a Branch to have their guest beers be put forward as finalists Committee member to enter on that long. Also, 50% of into the CBOB national a proxy vote, giving the publicans believe a guest ale competitions held at the Great membership number and name should change after a week or British Beer Festival and the of the person they are entering less, compared to just 20% of National Winter Ales Festival. nominations for. drinkers. As with last year an online A PDF of the eligible beer list • Real ale pubs offer an average voting system www.cbobvoting. by logging onto the Brewery of 3.8 “brands”. org.uk is being used nationally, Information System at www. • 77% of cask ale pubs are famil- and North Oxon Branch mem- camrabreweryinfo.org.uk and iar with the term “craft beer”, bers are encouraged to add their choosing the CBOB eligible while just 37% of pub-goers nominations by using the link beers option (and 47% of cask ale drinkers) and, when prompted, enter your Each member can vote for up have heard of it. membership number and pass- to five entries in each category. The general demographic of word. Unless you have changed Area competitions will take cask ale drinking is also continu- your password, it will be your place at CAMRA beer festivals ing to change over recent years. postcode (without any spaces). or pubs/clubs across the area.

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2012 Disclaimer: The views expressed in articles are those of individual contributors, and are not necessarily the views of the North Oxfordshire Branch, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. North Oxon CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to the accuracy of advertisements; readers must rely on their own enquiries. It should also be noted that acceptance of an advertisement in this publication should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by North Oxon CAMRA. Edited by Stephen Lympany • Designed & Produced by Keith Rigley, Charlbury, Oxon • Printed by Information Press, Eynsham, Oxon 30 Beer on Tap – Winter 2013 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31