Another Three Breweries for North Oxfordshire

Issue 69 – Summer 2017 FREE – Please take one

Magazine of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA

Another Three Breweries For we went to press as they were North Oxfordshire waiting for an electrician to wire the brewery up before the work Following on from the recent this issue. Also, expect to find a of brewing could begin. The news in Beer on Tap 67 of two cask at the Candleford beer fes- brewery is housed in an out- new breweries opening in the tival on Sat 17 June. The beer building behind the pub and is North Oxfordshire Branch (Little range currently includes IPA only small. Brewer Nick is hop- Ox and Church HanBrewery) (Initial Pirate Ale, 5.2% abv, an ing to start small with one beer it seems we are about to gain IPA style strong bitter), Cannon at a time building up to about another three. Fire (4.7%, Spitfire-style bitter), three core beers. Pirate Brewery has opened at Buccaneer (4.3%, a dark copper/ Continued on page 3 the White Lion pub in Fewcott, red best bitter), Sea Legs (3.3%, a with the brewery being installed low gravity mild) and Red Beard in a large log cabin behind the (5.0%, a vibrant red ale). Lee is pub. Named after the large chil- already working on new brews dren’s pirate play ship in the pub as we go to press. See Brewery garden, the beers all have ‘Pirate’ News for more details. or sea-themed names. Expected to open by the time With a weekly brewing capac- this edition of Beer on Tap hits ity of one-and-a-half casks, beer the streets is the new Bicester is mainly for in-house consump- Brewery based at the Angel in tion, but local beer festivals are Bicester. Things were held up as Logo on the wall at the new Bicester Brewery supplied. Two casks were emp- tied at the Banbury Beer & Red Lion, Horley Wins Pub Of Cider festival including a special brew mild, see article in The Year Again for 2017

Lee Dean working at the Pirate microbrewery The North Oxfordshire CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year Award was presented to Dave & Natasha at the White Lion, Fewcott Morris by Branch Chair Lynne Baldwin at a ceremony at the pub on 30 April. Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://northoxon.camra.org.uk/ • DELIGHTFUL PUB/RESTAURANT • TRADITIONAL CASK ALES • FINE WINES • FRESHLY COOKED FOOD • REFINED RESTAURANT • RELAXED BAR • OPEN FIRE • TERRACE DINNING • BEAUTIFUL GARDEN WITH DUCK POND • AUNT SALLY • LARGE CAR PARK Main Street, South Newington, nr Banbury OX15 4JE T: 01295 721166 • www.duckonthepond.com

2 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Another Three New Breweries For North Oxon Continued from page 1 refining and experiment- Beer Week, which was a Finally, OxBrew is expect- ing with beer styles and Red IPA. ed to open sometime in June. recipes. They are already The addition of these They are based at Enstone air- members of the Oxford three new breweries field and it is a collaboration Brewers Alliance and adds to the burgeon- between Stepfather; Simon Aaron brewed a collabo- ing North Oxfordshire and Stepson; Aaron. Simon is rative beer called Oxford brewing scene, which from Kent and has been brew- Red with Hook Norton is beginning to look ing since the 1990s, while Aaron for the recent Oxford increasingly vibrant. is from Oxford and has spent the last few years researching, Pub Planning Loophole Closure ed that in deciding to require Branch AGM owners to apply for planning Following a successful campaign permission if they want to Announced by CAMRA to close a loophole close a pub, the Government in planning law, the Government has put the opinions of those The CAMRA North Oxford- has announced that it will sup- who recognise the value that shire Branch AGM will be held port measures to prevent devel- pubs provide to them and on 17 July in the White Horse, opers denying local communities their communities above the Duns Tew at 8pm. a say in the future of their pubs. commercial interests of a few We are likely to need a new The Government’s decision organisations and individu- Secretary – which is a vital post should bring a halt to develop- als. The decision to respond as the Branch is not allowed to ers exploiting loopholes and will positively to CAMRA’s cam- continue without one – and also give communities the right to paign is further evidence of a Pubs Database Co-ordinator. have a say in the future of their Government’s support for We are also in definite need of pubs. The decision will not pre- the pub sector and follows on a Social Secretary, a Press & vent the development of pubs, from the decision earlier this Publicity Officer and a Public but will require developers to month to provide most English Affairs Officer. If you’re inter- apply for planning permission pubs with a £1,000 discount in ested in any of these roles, please to convert or demolish a pub, contact Lynne Baldwin to learn the business rates they pay. more about them. allowing for members of the “We will work with the Please come along to the AGM local community to express their Government to ensure these and support the Branch. The opinions as part of that process. measures are implemented as Committee needs input from as CAMRA Chief Executive Tim soon as possible to allow pubs many members as possible. Page said: “Politicians are chosen across England to start ben- Hope to see lots of you in Duns to represent the views of those efiting from the protection of Tew on the 17th for the meeting, who elect them. We are delight- the planning system.” then a drink and a chat after all the business has been done. CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List Email addresses are followed by northoxon.camra.org.uk/ Branch Diary CHAIRMAN Lynne Baldwin TREASURER All meetings start 8pm, other events chairman@ lynne@ Simon Whitehead treasurer@ start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn VICE-CHAIRMAN simon@ Baldwin (07790) 118341. Geraint Jones vicec@ MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY JUNE geraint@ Paul Forrest membership@ BRANCH SECRETARY paul@ 14: Committee meeting, White PUBS PROTECTION OFFICER Horse, Banbury Dave Lee secretary@ dave@ Brian Wray pubs@ JULY BEER ON TAP EDITOR BEER FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR 17: Branch AGM, White Horse, Steve Lympany bot@ Tim Wilkins bbf@ Duns Tew Tel: 07811 667507 LOCALE COORDINATOR AUGUST BEER ON TAP ADVERTISING John Bellinger locale@ john@ EDITOR 19: Steam & Ale Beer Festival, Oliver Sladen WEBMASTERS Martin Batts and Winchcombe (mini bus trip) botads@ Geraint Jones webmaster@ BRANCH CONTACT See Diary page online for latest info Martin Batts Trading Standards: Oxfordshire County at northoxon.camra.org.uk/ contact@ Council, Electric Ave, Ferry Hinksey Road, Tel: 07854 116408 Oxford OX2 0BY

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 Give us a call to book a table on 01295 730750 and come and enjoy our Traditional Comfort Pub Grub, with a good selection of Hooky Ales, Ciders and other beverages to choose from. https://www.facebook.com/Butchers2015 Family friendly – Food served swings adjacent to pub Thurs–Fri 6.30–9pm car park Sat 12.30–3pm & 6.30-9pm Dog friendly Sun 12.30-3pm Earlybird discounts on meals Cyclist and Walker between 6.30 and 8pm friendly! Sunday roasts Hook Norton ales Opening hours Large grassed garden Closed Mondays with excellent views Tues 6.30-10.30pm Hidden gem Weds to Fri 6.30-11pm Recently refurbished Sat 12.30-3.30pm & 6.30-11pm interior Sun 12.30-3.30pm & 7-11pm Ales from the cask (open all day Sat/Sun for beer festivals including three Hook & major sporting events, please check) Norton ales and one Quiz last Wednesday of each guest ale. month Tel: Shutford Road 01295 730 750 BALSCOTE Oxon OX15 6JQ

4 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Branch News three guest ales will feature on the bar, along with a real cider, with two further real ciders on sale in the garden. Barbecue food will also be served in the garden. Fund raising in support of Bowel Cancer Awareness took place the weekend before Easter, with a coffee and cake morning on the Friday and a raffle on Sunday evening. £280 was raised for this worthy cause. Hare & Hounds, Lower Wardington Fund raising proceeds apace at this community orientated Emily Rigby – new general manager at the Woodstock Arms, Woodstock establishment. After raising £12,697 for the Katharine House Woodstock Arms, Acts include Ash Mandrake, Hospice in 2016, they are well Woodstock Freeway Jam, Bull Frogs mid- into this year’s charity the Emily Rigby has now taken over week through to Big Baloosh British Heart Foundation. the helm as general manager of (noon, Fri), Spank the Monkey Following themed Burns, the popular Woodstock Arms in (2pm Sat) and local favourites Valentine’s, St Patrick’s & St the centre of town. Leatherat (4pm Sat). Full details George’s nights, the Easter raffle This Greene King pub has on their website and Facebook was followed by the ever popu- a selection of four ales on pages or better still pop in and lar charity bike ride around local offer and will have a draught pick up one of their Festival pubs on Saturday, 30th April. cider during the summer peri- Fringe leaflets. Killingworth Castle, od. As well as GK ales and one White Lion, Fewcott Wootton from their guest list they have Shotover’s Prospect regularly on As you will have read on the It is hoped that the Killi will be the bar. front page, the new Pirate putting another handpump on Brasenose Arms, Brewery is up and running at the bar in the very near future. the White Lion and their beers With ale sales soaring and Cropredy are found regularly on the bar. summer coming; the plan is to With the Red Lion in the village The pub is holding an official install a dedicated handpump closed on most weekday lunch- brewery launch weekend event for real cider. times, the five real ales are flying on Sat 29th and Sun 30th July. Fox Inn, Westcote Barton out here. On my last visit these The brewery will be open for included Black Sheep Bitter, you to view and you can also The great news is that The Fox Hooky Gold, Timothy Taylor meet the brewer and enjoy live will be holding a beer festival Landlord and the ubiquitous entertainment. over the weekend of 21st–23rd Doom Bar. Several of the Pirate beers July. About a dozen beers will be They have also finalised (between three and six) will be on tap and a couple of ciders. their acts for the week of served from a marquee in the The new burger menu is going the Cropredy Festival. Their garden, (weather permitting), so well and it is hoped to have ‘fringe festival’ in the pub gar- you can enjoy the Pirate Ales, a barbecue on Friday nights, den extends from Monday, while the children enjoy playing weather permitting, to make use 7th to Sunday, 13th August. on the pirate ship. In addition, of the excellent beer garden. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 6 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Live music continues about Once again, the festival will Lancaster Bomber, Chiltern three times a month and the feature six real ciders, includ- Black and Mad Goose Purity, Aunt Sally team are now in ing Kent Cider Co’s Toffee all on the bar on a recent visit, action, but more players are Apple Cider and Springfield though these were guest beers so always welcome. The new poker Sledgehammer (aged in either they will change regularly. The season starts in September all rum or whisky casks, and weigh- bottle shop sells numerous dif- the details on music, barbe- ing in at around 7.8–8.2% abv), ferent craft ales from local brew- cues and poker are on the pub’s along with CAMRA Champion eries, including Mad Squirrel, Facebook site ‘foxinnmiddle- Cider (2013) Wobbly Munk (7%). Tring Brewery, Leighton barton’. The festival features, a barbe- Buzzard, Windsor & Eton. If Woodstock Social Club, cue, music, and entertainment ‘Mother’s Ruin’ is your bag, there all weekend. Special festival is an enormous range of 30+ Woodstock glasses will be available, and a gins including their very own This popular members club on token system for payment. With Guildhall Island Gin. Oxford Road in the centre of all proceeds and unused ticket Kings Arms, Woodstock Woodstock is open to CAMRA donations to the house charity members who can simply show which is chosen by customers. This revamped large Fuller’s their membership cards (non- The Angel, Bicester hotel in central Woodstock has members can be signed in by no less than four managers shar- friendly members at the bar). The pub has re-opened and ing the day-to-day activity of This is a friendly club that’s although ‘unique’ is an overused the 16-room venue. Sebastian, run by Greg and his team and term these days, it’s certainly Mathieu, Kate & Simon are now it hosts regular events – but applicable to the Angel’s ambi- in place along with a new menu more importantly it has three tious plans. and chef to help cater for those well kept real ales sourced from They include a brewery (see who come to stay, eat or just around the country. The regular main article on page 3), a craft drink in the multi-roomed inn. ale is Doom Bar with an offering bottle shop, a garden with mar- Fullers’ Oliver’s Island has from Gloucestershire’s Prescot quee for year round bars and now been replaced on the bar Brewery normally sitting along- beer festivals and local inde- by the higher strength ESB. side one other guest. pendent food traders are being London Pride remains a sta- During the summer a quiz is invited to take over the Angel’s ple and one other guest from held on the first Friday of each kitchens to provide an ever- the Fuller’s guest list is always month and live music continues changing menu. Currently, on offer. If you fancy something to be held every Saturday night. bar snacks are available in different from the ale then the Horse & Groom, Caulcott the form of a cheese board, popular half price champagne meat board and intriguingly, a nights continue to flourish on a A note for your diary. The ever- Mediterranean board (olives, Wednesday evening. popular Bastille Day beer festival tzatziki, falafel, humous (other Cinnamon Stick (formerly will take place over the weekend spellings are available) and pitta the Carpenters Arms), of Fri 14 July to Sun 16th July – bread). but don’t forget preview evening During the closure, exten- Middle Barton on Thurs 13th if you want to try sive building work took place The ‘Carps’ re-opened as the some beers early. resulting in an open plan layout. Cinnamon Stick in April, having Once again, the theme is Instead of the former front and been taken over in December ‘Best of the Guests’, with Jerome back bars, there is now just one by Khalid. This is now a Middle selecting the 18 most popu- continuous bar which certainly Eastern restaurant with its main lar guest beers served dur- makes the inte- ing the last 12 months. Already rior appear airy, confirmed at the time of writ- lighter and more ing are favourites such as Vale’s spacious. Gravitas, Tring’s Side Pocket An impressive For A Toad and Titanic’s Plum range of five ales Porter. In addition to this there are on offer – will be something special from Animal Octopus, White Horse Brewery to go Animal Orca, alongside their summer seasonal ale, Pferdestarke Pils (a German- The Cinnamon Stick style beer, using Chinook and – new name for what Hersbrucker hops to give a very was the Carpenters light bier). Arms, Middle Barton

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 The Lion is full of character. From the welcoming flagged bar with roaring fire through to the relaxed dining rooms and beer garden, the emphasis of quality regional food and drink combined with traditional pub values is offered to all who visit us. Daily deliveries directly to the kitchen from the finest local free-range and artisan producers demands a regularly changing menu gov- erned by the season. We open at 10.30am daily for morning ground coffees and food is served all day, everyday from noon Beer Sale Fridays – all ales are £2.50! Wendlebury Road, Wendlebury Bicester OX25 2PW Tel 01869 388228 http://thelionwendlebury.co.uk Find us on [email protected] Facebook

www.roseandcrown.charlbury.com Email: [email protected] Market Street Charlbury Oxon OX7 3PL Tel: 01608 810103 OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am Sat: 11am–1am BREW MONDAYS – All real ales FORTHCOMING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS £2.50, all day, every Monday See www.myspace.com/theroseandcrownpub as there are sometimes gigs at short notice • Usually EIGHT quality real ales, along Sunday 11th June with two traditional ciders and a KENT DUCHAINE traditional perry www.kentduchaine.com • Wide selection of regularly-changing craft Saturday 17th June JIM CRAWFORD beers on draught and in bottles/cans www.jimcrawford.co.uk • Pleasant courtyard drinking area Saturday 5th August AGS CONNOLLY • We serve on average 40 different guest http://agsconnolly.com beers per month, produced mostly by Sunday 27th August VINYL SOLUTION microbreweries from all four Vinyl Night at the Rose & Crown corners of the UK Saturday 2nd September DAVE SHARP North Oxon CAMRA Pub of the www.davesharp.com Year finalist 2017

Celebrating 30 continuous years in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

8 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 focus on Lebanese cuisine, a Gastropub in its new incarna- Indeed, Chris is rightly proud though local specialities from tion, the ale drinker is catered to claim that he has improved Jordan and Syria also feature. for in the comfortable bar his takings on this annual It is hoped that they will stock area by way of three perma- special day in the Adderbury two real ales with Wychwood nent fixtures (Timothy Taylor’s calendar for each of the three and Hook Norton likely to be the Landlord, Old Speckled Hen and years he and Sandra have been choice, though they are still get- Golden Hen) supplemented by the resident tenants. No less ting things sorted in the cellar. two guest ales, one of session surprising, as the annual footfall It’s open Mon–Fri 6pm–close, strength and the other a strong- in the village as a whole on the Sat 12–close and Sun 12–6. er offering. day seems to be declining. The George, Bell Inn, Adderbury J T Davies, Banbury Barford St Michael Chris Shallis, landlord of the A complete refit has changed The opening of the George has Bell, looks particularly happy in the tapas restaurant just off been delayed, but it is hoped the photo as he pulls the last few the Market Square back into a that it will open in the summer. pints of the beer he brewed in proper pub. It has been purchased by a the Hooky microbrewery which The new management team local gentleman and will have he named ‘LDS’ – Laugh, Dance of Tony Shepherd and Chloe several letting rooms, garden and Sing! These three words are Denovellis has moved from games will be played in the large part of the chorus of the folk London to take over the run- garden and quality pub-style bar song collected in Adderbury by ning of this Banbury institution food will be supplemented by Janet Blunt called ‘The Happy and they are committed to an authentic Italian pizza oven Man’: serving good quality real ale at from which Italian thin crust He can laugh, dance and sing sensible prices. pizzas will be available. and smoke without fear, They will have three regular Hooky at a quaffable 3.5% Be as happy as a king ales – Breakspear Bitter, Oxford will be the regular ale and this ’till he hails a New Year. Gold and Ringwood Razorback will be joined by three regularly Chris and a couple of his cus- – and a guest ale which will changing guest beers. tomers brewed the beer in cel- change monthly according to the There will be live music ebration of the Adderbury Day season and customer requests nights, with Aunt Sally played in of Dance held on Saturday, 22nd (the first of these guests was the garden and a snug room will April this year with an associat- Wainwright Rat Race, a golden be available for parties. ed pump clip which included the ale for the warmer weather). A Jacobs Plough, Bicester baldricks of each of the three vil- real cider will be available at all (formerly ‘The Plough’) lage teams taking part. times and at a very reasonable Based on one of the previous price too – £2.20 for Old Rosie At the time of writing, ‘Jacobs when I visited. Plough’ (yes pedants, it’s written Hooky Crafty Ales, Chris and The focus is currently very without an apostrophe) is the his staff shifted eight firkins of latest addition to the House of it on the day and another four much on the beer as the kitchen Jacob group’s existing four ven- either side of the day itself. is undergoing a refit. When they ues in Oxford, Wolvercote and have food on offer they plan Woodstock. to match it with the beers they Various well thought out have available. improvements have been made The Angel, Burford to the entrance and interior layout lately but fortunately, fea- This lovely old rambling Hook tures like the open fire have Norton house in Witney Street been retained. The outside seat- will be holding a beer festival ing area has also been upgraded. on the weekend of 18th–20th A warm welcome is assured August. They plan to have 11 and I was astounded to find that, beers on tap from local and on only my second visit since national brewers, with the Hook opening, my ale of preference Norton Dray making an appear- was remembered! Perhaps unu- ance on Sat 19th. sually these days, it’s also a dog The kitchen is to be refur- friendly establishment with a jar bished so no food will be avail- of doggy treats behind the bar. able during June, but the bar will Breakfasts, ‘bar nibbles’ and be open as usual. Normal service full à la carte meals are availa- Chris Shallis, the ‘happy man’ behind the bar in the kitchen will be resumed as ble and despite it being more of at the Bell Inn, Adderbury soon as possible. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 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

10 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Siege of Orleans, Carterton The cider festival will be going ahead again this year, probably in August. It is best to check the Facebook site for full details. June 24th sees the beginning of their summer party and there are plans to hold tastings and educational talks with beer, wine and cocktails all likely to feature. The popular open mic nights continue on Tuesdays and irreg- ular live music nights are taking place mainly on Bank Holidays and special occasions. The Crown, Woodstock (left) opposite the Punchbowl on the crossroads as you enter the town Norman Knight, The Crown, Woodstock White Horse, Duns Tew Whichford Just over the border in Warwick- This popular dining pub in the Michael has now moved into shire is the Norman Knight – a centre of Woodstock continues the kitchen where he is prepar- pub that’s well worth a visit, to go from strength to strength ing a new summer menu, which especially over the August Bank offering quality food and a should be available as Beer on Holiday when they will be run- decent selection of ales. Tap hits the streets. ning their beer festival, which Greene King IPA and Hooky The Village Nights (at which a will be offering at least 30 beers Bitter are served as its staple single course is offered at a spe- and live music. offerings and one other hand- cial price), on the first Thursday The pub is the Warwickshire pump serves another ale sourced of the month, continue to be Branch Pub of the Year and has from the GK guest list. popular with booking advised. six ales on (three from Stratford Management of the pub is now Summer beers will also fea- upon Avon brewery). Regular split between new arrivals David ture strongly on the bar and music and other events are being Molina and Paul May. David is there will also be a new summer held over the coming months – hoping to introduce Spanish- wine list. Summer drinks can be Mon 5th June: Sons of the Delta; themed cuisine nights during the enjoyed on their south-facing Mon 19th June: Mark Harrison; summer. sun trap terrace garden. Fri 23rd June: Barney Newman; The pub was a rare outlet They are open daily for break- Mon 26th June: quiz and pizza in our area for the Two Cocks fast, lunch and supper night; Mon 31st July: quiz night; Brewery (Newbury, Berkshire) Fri 28th July: Dave Owens. but these have disappeared from Black Prince, Woodstock the bar for the time being at least This attractive riverside pub Wine Rack, which is a shame. continues to serve a selection Yarnton Nurseries Bell Inn, Lower Heyford of excellently kept ales (four The Wine Rack continues to always on the bar). enlarge its selection of local ales The Bell’s beer festival is going Permanent ales this summer with Little Ox and White Horse ahead this year with a slight will be St. Austell Tribute and both now available. A selection change of date. This time the fes- Loddon Hullabaloo, with guests of beers from London brewers tival is being held over the Bank from Little Ox, West Berks, was also available with Brew by Holiday weekend of 25th–28th North Cotswold and Vale. Numbers and Redchurch both August. The Aunt Sally season is on sale. With six real ales plus two on now in full swing and visitors The local beers are likely to the bar along with several ciders are welcome to come down increase in number and it is and two on the bar, this really is to watch the fun on the regu- hoped that craft beers from the perfect little festival, and one lar club evenings (Mondays, other London brewers will be on not to miss. Wednesdays and Thursdays). sale too. The Sunday lunch deal with The annual Mock Mayor cer- two courses for £9.95 – a starter emony will once again hit town Worth’s Garage, Enstone and a roast (beef or pork) with on Sat 5th August when the pub The bottled beer selection at this all the trimmings – is proving will host live music and offer a garage on the A44 is superb with very popular. hog roast. several shelves of great beers. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 12 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 New beers are arriving all the time with Little Ox beers (Odd Bod, Wipeout and Filthy Rich) all available, as well as three from Maule (Lucky IPA, Smashing Pale Ale and Wakatu Pilsner), Hook Norton Playing Hooky, Purity Lawless (4.5%), Bespoke’s Money For Old Rope (4.8%) and Going Off Half-Cocked (4.6%), Burkes’ Shin Kickers (4.5%), Blockley Blonde (4.5%) and Cotswold Haus Lager (4%). Local brewers Loose Cannon and XT are both still selling well. In addition they also have two gluten free beers from Glebe Farm – New owners Rebecca & Tim Catling (left) with Pippa Norris behind the bar at The Duke at Clifton Night Mission and Wellington to drive through the pub’s arch- Rebecca & Tim are new to Bomber. way. There’s room for 10 tents the trade (a teacher and builder Duke of Cumberland’s and five caravans or campervans respectively) and have lived next Head, Clifton with electric hook-up, water and door to the pub for many years, waste disposal points. Pitches where they also run a smallhold- It’s taken a little longer than orig- start from £15 per unit in low ing. Despite such busy lifestyles, inally planned, but the Duke of season, and the views from the they are still very hands-on with Cumberland’s Head has just reo- site are beautiful. There’s also a running the pub, ably assisted by pened – and owners Rebecca & ‘Shepherd’s Hut’, a comfortable Pippa behind the bar. Tim Catling have certainly hit two-berth option for glampers, Inside, the pub has retained its the ground running with the who will get the luxury of a log rambling nature, to a very high return of the old local trade, an burner, toilet, fridge and hob. quality finish that is sympathetic Aunt Sally team and several clubs You will need to be a Caravan to a pub of this age and charac- booking regular meets. Club member (which can be ter. The main bar area is surpris- The exterior of this lovely old signed up for on arrival if you ingly bright and airy despite the thatched, ironstone pub has been choose). small cottage-style windows and tidied up and repainted while Those who prefer indoor stays the overall ambience is warming the patio and garden at the rear can book one of five rooms and welcoming. make an idyllic, relaxing place to above the pub – a family apart- Pub open: 11–11 Tues–Sun enjoy an alfresco pint. ment along with four king size & 5–11 Mon (maybe all day in Unusually for our Branch the rooms, all en suite. summer). Food served: 12–2 & pub has a brand new campsite They had five real ales – Hook 6–9 Tues–Sat, 12–5 Sun. No in the field at the back, which Norton’s Hooky, Gold and Mane food Mon but a fish & chip van has a new toilet/shower block, Tail, plus Tring Side Pocket for a comes in the evening (which can washing up place and – unsual- Toad and Turpin’s Golden Citrus be eaten in the pub). ly – good wifi throughout. Note – on our visit. I sampled two More information is at www. that high campervans don’t need which were in great condition. thecliftonduke.co.uk/ or you can email: bookings@thecliftonduke. It’s great co.uk to see the Duke of Cumberland’s TELL THE Head back open again. ADVERTISER It is likely to retain YOU SAW THEIR the name, although web ADVERT IN and publicity branding may BEER ON TAP abbreviate Advertising revenue helps to keep the name to Beer on Tap free for everyone – The Duke At so please tell advertisers where you Clifton spotted their advert

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 Terms and Conditions: All prices and offers are subject to change. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

14 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Book Review: The Beer & Food Companion This handsome volume by McMillan’s recipe for roasted Stephen Beaumont (it first pumpkin grits cooked in milk appeared in 2015) is in a sense stout, has an almost homely ring rather an odd choice for review to it. here since it is what is usually In the back of the book, the termed, perhaps a little patron- 20-odd pages where Beaumont isingly, a ‘coffee table book’ – charts his recommendations for weighty, copiously illustrated in pairing more familiar foodstuffs colour, nicely printed and, at £25, with different styles of beer may hardly an impulse purchase; not, send you rushing to the pho- in short, the sort of guide-book to-copier in order to arm your- a real ale drinker might carry in self with something handier his or her anorak pocket. for the shelf next to the cooker. Nevertheless, Beer on Tap The final two pages, in which readers should find it worth dip- the author lists his 100 ‘great ping into. Beaumont, who has a beer and food destinations’ number of earlier publications my youth, might have been con- from around the world, seem a about beer (and food) to his sidered the stuff of fairy tales, bit skimpy, the chances of the credit, includes much plain fact get a chapter to themselves and reader bumping into any one of among the pretty pictures in this Beaumont manages to make the them on holiday are rather slim. present work. Starting out, he combination sound almost con- 17 of the venues are in the UK, explains, with the aim of educat- ventional. the only one on our local patch ing the reader in the wide vari- Beaumont no doubt saw his being the Feathered Nest at ety of ways in which beer and mission in life as being to undo Nether Westcote, just down the food can be paired up, he rang- that confusion (his book, he road from Kingham. es far and wide – geographical- tells us, was also 30 years in the Stephen Beaumont’s commit- ly and in terms of subject mat- making) and the way the book ment to improving our under- ter. The book starts with a three is constructed should help. Each standing of how good food and page ‘Short History of Beer and chapter is self-contained, has good beer can best be combined Food’ which, like all the best the crucial facts tabulated, and to tickle the palate is entire- meals (we are told) leaves the is illustrated with photographs ly commendable. Whether all customer hungry for more. of the products of all this scien- the hard work he and his contributors have put into it is best There follow short, education- tific and gastronomic endeavour. served by this rather elaborate – al and richly illustrated chapters Experts from around the world contribute their thoughts on and pricey – publication is per- on the history of brewing and haps less clear. the processes involved in mak- how beer and food is best paired Chris Sladen ing the various types of beer. in their own countries. What the author calls the ‘explo- The global coverage of the sion of beer styles’ in recent book is exemplified by the series The Epic 20,000 years has been, he argues, due of short chapters contributed at least in part, to the tremen- by professional cooks, brewers Pub Crawl dous growth of craft brewing and licensees from around the A team of charity pub-crawlers worldwide over the past 30 or so world, each of whom describes has just visited its 20,000th pub years which, he thinks, ‘instead how he or she discovered the on an crawl that started in 1984. of informing’ may just have con- joys of pairing food with beer, The ‘Black Country Tairsters’ fused the reader. before contributing a favourite (dialect for ‘tasters’) started a ‘Cooking with beer really is recipe. Some of these may well tour of pubs on a map of Banks’s … easy’, Beaumont writes, and strike the reader as distinctly houses before expanding to cover patiently explains how different unconventional: New Zealand the 12 Midlands counties and a types of ale will blend with or chef Martin Bosley, for instance, 7-year tour of Wales. perhaps accentuate the flavours assures us that although ‘prunes Tairsters co-founder Peter Hill of different foodstuffs. Brown might not be the first ingredi- has supped 46,632 pints on the ale, for example, adds ‘caramelly ent that comes to mind when crawl so far and says that £24,000 flavours’ to stew, while the malty chocolate brownies are men- has been raised since the start. character of lager can contribute tioned’, combining them with a The 20,000th pub visited was a touch of sweetness to balance ‘rich malty ale will quickly make the Knot & Plough in Stafford the spiciness of chilli. Beer and you a convert’. From Dallas, where they were treated to free chocolate – a pairing which, in Texas, by comparison, David drinks for once. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 MILTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD & BRUERN CIRCULAR By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks A wonderfully peaceful and level walk in unspoilt rural West Oxfordshire Distance: Just over 5 miles. following the course of a line of track to walk all the way up to a Allow: Around 2 hours. telegraph poles. Go through a small road and then turn left. Map: Explorer OL45. wooden gate then cross a low Walk along the small road, stone bridge and take another turn right on a waymarked foot- Parking: The car park adjacent to The Hare is privately owned, gate at the far side of the field to path just past the last cottage on so I recommend you park some- walk up a slight incline. Keep to the right then head diagonally where along High Street unless the main track where it has horse left across the field ahead, aim- you phone first to arrange. chestnut trees on each side where ing to the left of a row of dark soon you will see a waymarked evergreen trees on the far side With your back to the pub’s front post ahead. Ignore the track going of the field. Near the far corner door, turn left and walk along diagonally left as on our research go through a gate in the left-side High Street. Soon after passing walk there was no defined path hedge then keep along the right- I I I I the archway of a long-closed inn I I across the field, so I recommend I hand edge of the field and turn I I I I turn right up a waymarked bri- I Ileft in the corner to find the gap you keep straight on along the I I I I I dleway opposite a house called I I I I To Foscot I To Lyneham I I Roseneath (marked Fifield 1.5 & Bledington I I & Bledington I I I I I I miles). After leaving the houses I I I I I F I I a I I of the village walk along a track I I r m Bruern I I I I I T Abbey I I r I I a I I c I I I k I Foxholes I I I I I Nature I I I I Reserve I R I I I I (BBOWT) V I I E I I R I I I E I I V I I E I I I N I I I L I O I I I D I I I E I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Oxfordshire Way I I I I To I I I I I Lyneham I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Heath I I I D’Arcy Dalton Way I Farm I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Grange Lyneham Road Farm Bruern Grange Farmhouse by START: gravel drive Grange Farm The Cottages Hare Rec. Ground To Shipton- under- Wychwood To Milton-under- Fifield To Burford Wychwood

16 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 in the hedge on the right. Cross reserve, called Foxholes, is known both sides. Walk right to the end a wooden bridge over a ditch, as the best bluebell wood in West of the green lane and take a track go through the gate, then walk Oxfordshire in season, so you in the far left corner to enter a ahead keeping a ditch with a might wish to explore it in spring field where you go slightly to your stream on your right. Keep along – but bear in mind that there are right to keep a hedge on your the course of the ditch, ignore a no signposts in the reserve so it’s right. At the far side of this field, left-hand fork in the path, then easy to get lost.] Eventually the keep straight on along a green very soon turn right on a stony green lane emerges into a field lane between a fence and a hedge track, cross a low concrete bridge corner, where you walk in the to eventually reach Lyneham and turn immediately left, now same general direction, keep- Road where you turn right. keeping the ditch with a stream ing the woods on your left. Pass Although this is undoubted- on your left. another track into the nature ly a dull section, Lyneham Road At the far end of the field, go reserve, keep straight on into the is very peaceful and has green through a metal kissing gate and far corner of the field then fol- verges to walk on if you encoun- keep ahead in the same general low a path through a hollybush ter any cars. Keep straight on direction as the well-defined path into a wooded area and take the along this road until you reach meanders through bushes. Soon right fork where the track splits, the first houses of Milton-under- you will reach a waymarked post aiming towards a wooden stile Wychwood then look out for a – and this is where it is easy to ahead. Cross the stile then keep waymarked stile on your left just get lost, so follow these instruc- on in the same general direction, after a house called Heath House. tions carefully to keep you on keeping a wire and barbed wire Cross the stile, walk along a foot- the right track. On reaching the fence on your right. Cross a stile path between ivy-clad fences and waymarked post, turn around to over a wooden rail fence and keep keep on over a bridge across a face the way you have just come, straight on, still keeping the wire stream before eventually reaching and you’ll see a very distinct fork fence on your right. a gravel road where you need to in the track ahead of you. Take At the end of the next field go go through a waymarked gate on the left fork and you will then be over two stiles to cross a wide dirt your right. on the correct track – which is track so you keep on into a field Walk along a green lane lined the D’Arcy Dalton Way, heading on the other side of the track. In with a fence and a hedge, then north-east. I know this sounds the next field, walk ahead keep- where the fence goes around to confusing and a little convoluted, ing a fence and a wood on your the left, turn right to go through a but I believe this is the simplest right. Cross the stile on the far wooden kissing gate into the vil- way to avoid going wrong. side of the field and turn right lage recreation ground. You now Ignore any tracks off either along the Oxfordshire Way, again need to walk across the recrea- side and keep to the main track ignoring all tracks on either side tion ground, passing the tennis at all times (this stretch can often as it meanders through woodland. courts, then aiming to the right be muddy). Soon after walking Eventually you leave the woods of the Co-op store you can see through an old open gate you’ll through two wooden gateposts on the far side. Once you reach reach a wide dirt track – ignore where you walk ahead in the same the metal railings on the far side the left turn here and keep walk- general direction along a green of the recreation ground, turn ing straight ahead. Where the lane keeping a hedge to your right and exit though the gate dirt track turns to the right right. Here you will see the build- in the corner. Head in the direc- ignore both tracks on your right ings of Bruern Abbey (originally a tion shown by the signpost on the – one marked private, the other Norman Cistercian abbey, now a junction towards “Library” and which leads into a field (which is private school) on your left. “Fifield” and you will soon see the continuation of the D’Arcy At the end of the green lane, The Hare on your left. Dalton Way) – and keep straight walk through a gap at the end of Pubs on the walk route on to walk along a wide green a stone wall, cross the road and lane that’s lined with trees on go through a gate on the other The Hare at Milton, 3 High Street, both sides (signage was very poor side to enter a field. Walk slightly Milton-under-Wychwood, OX7 here with odd bits of sign hidden diagonally left, aiming to the left 6LA. Tel: 01993 835763. Open: in a hedge). You’ll know you’re of a line of reeds which mark a Mon–Thur 12–3 & 5.30–11 (food 12–2.30 & 6–9), Fri 12–3 & 5–11 on the correct route when you boggy patch where a spring rises. (food 12–2.30 & 6–9.30pm, Sat soon see a point where a track in Just past the reeds you’ll see an 11–11 (food 12–2.30 & 6–9.30 the green lane turns left into the Oxfordshire Way waymark on a plus light meals and sandwich- woods over a cattle grid (ignore post, which you follow to walk es throughout the afternoon), that track and keep walking past the corner of a ranch fence Sun 11–10.30 (food noon–9pm). straight ahead). then through a wooden gate at the Three real ales which vary (on our Ignore all tracks on either side far side of the field. Keep straight research trip Otter Bitter, Flying (including those to the BBONT ahead to cross the next field then Monk Pioneer and Butcombe Rare nature reserve on your left) and go through another wooden gate Breed). Cosy, inviting foody pub continue along the main green on the far side to walk along a with a pleasant rear garden. Expect lane at all times. [This nature green lane with woodland on to pay around £4 per pint of ale. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 9 High Street, Bodicote Banbury OX15 4BZ http://www.ploughbodicote.co.uk/ Tel: 01295 258909 Open: 12–3pm & 5–11pm daily Lunch 12–2pm • Dinner 7–9pm (No food Sun evening & Mon) Traditional village pub with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Good food is served using the finest locally sourced ingredients, famed for its generous portions! Private parties can also be catered for with a choice of delicious buffets. The Plough features in the Camra Good Beer Guide so you can be sure of a well kept pint of real ale here too. Wifi • Dogs welcome • Family friendly • Lovely, secluded, courtyard patio garden Home-made, reasonably priced, food, from an extensive varied European menu catering for all tastes which can be eaten in the bar, the garden or the restaurant area. Selection of fine Wadsworths ales always on tap Four handpumps • Real fire • Newspapers

18 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Round-Up Of Local Brewery News Little Ox Brewery Wine in Woodstock, Drunk This new brewery in our Branch Dry in Kidlington, and Foodies is doing well with the Brewery’s in Deddington. With a unique pale and zesty Wipeout the first recycled paper label wrapped to sell out at the Wantage Beer around the bottle, their Festival in March. beers are easily recognisable. Head brewer Ian has decid- “Sustainability is very important ed to hold off brewing its Filthy to us, and we designed these Rich porter until the autumn labels so we could clean and The pirate ship in the garden of the White Lion due to lower seasonal appeal in reuse the bottles more easily, as from which the brewery takes its name the label is not glued to the bot- the summer months. However, a to find a cask at the Candleford new beer is taking its place and tle”, says Luciana. The practice of bottle reuse is part of their beer festival (Sat 17th June). may become The first beers to appear on an all-year reg- agenda, so the company is looking for suitable 500ml bottles the bar were: ular. Goldilox, produced in the UK that with- • IPA (Initial Pirate Ale, 5.2% at 3.9% has stand reuse. abv) an IPA-style stronger appeared in Two Church HanBrewery cask bitter with big citrusy and many local pubs. beers featured at Oxford Beer hoppy flavours, brewed with The brewery & Cider Festival – Bluenette Chinook, Columbus and has now set up (honey & oatmeal porter, 5.5%) Centennial hops a small shop on and Red Beetter (English bitter • Cannon Fire (4.7%) a Spitfire- the premises sell- with beetroot, 5.0%) which were style bitter with a mellow ing Wipeout, Oddbod and Filthy well received. Since then, along toffee taste, gently malty with Rich. The shop will sell mainly with beer in bottle, its beers hints of spicy fruits and a lin- bottles (including Goldilox), but appear in cask and keg around gering hoppiness from Target will also do merchandise and the region, including regular and EKG hops. Slightly hop- polypins to order. appearances on the bar at the pier than a standard bitter, Church HanBrewery Rose & Crown in Charlbury giving a traditional aromatic, along with the Chester Arms spicy and earthy English bitter As reported in the last edition, and The Library in Oxford. • Buccaneer (4.3%), a copper/ this nano handcraft brewery is Most recently its beers red colour, toasty premium located in West Oxfordshire. It appeared at the Egham Beer best bitter using EKG and was founded in the quaint little Festival, Witney Beer Festival Fuggles hops village of Church Hanborough and the Oxford Beer Week. • Sea Legs (3.3%) a low grav- in November 2015 but it is now More information about the ity, mildly hopped, dark beer, operating in New Yatt, another brewery and their product range with sweet caramel, fruity and charming village just one mile is available in their website: chocolate flavours. Cascade away from the original location. www.churchhanbrewery.com. and Fuggles hops give a slight- The brewery produces ten ly spicy and floral flavour. delicious real ales that are 100% Pirate The beers quickly ran out pure, unpasteurised, unfiltered The new micro-brewery set sail when launched on the Friday and unclarified. “We are true in the first quarter of 2017. The with the IPA selling out early believers in purity, and we have pub features a large children’s Saturday afternoon, followed taken the conscious decision pirate play ship in the pub gar- by the Cannon Fire, which was to produce beers without isin- den, and holds a pirate cider fes- sunk by the Sunday lunchtime, glass or gelatine. We have been tival in the summer. Therefore, to make way for the Buccaneer, inspired by the growing num- when Head Brewer Lee Dean which just about made it to ber of people who prefer cloudy started brewing it was inevitable Monday evening. The last of and pure beer, like we do”, says that the new brewery should be the first four, Sea Legs, had the Christian Gyuricza, the compa- named ‘Pirate’. advantage of a midweek launch, ny founder and master brewer. Beer is mainly for in-house but lasted 48 hours before it too Its beers are available in many consumption, but local beer ran-aground. shops in West Oxfordshire festivals are supplied and the Lee is experimenting with and Oxford, such as Eynsham Banbury Beer and Cider festival lots of brews at the moment, so Cellars, The Grog Shop in in May had two casks, includ- in addition to core beers, you Oxford, Hampers Food and ing a special brew mild. Expect may find other brews like Black Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 Lower Heyford

21 Market Square, Lower Heyford, Oxon OX25 5NY 01869 347176

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

The Pear Tree Inn The Hook Norton Brewery Tap Scotland End, Hook Norton OX15 5NU Tel: 01608 737482 www.thepeartreehooky.com [email protected] • An unspoilt traditional village pub • Traditional pub games including darts, • A range of Six Cask Ales dominoes & Aunt Sally • Always a fun selection of “Cocked Ales” • Open log fire • Discount for CAMRA Members • Three en suite letting rooms • Ale-2-Go • Large beer garden • Traditional ‘Pub Food’ • Walkers & dog friendly • No fruit machines, pool tables or jukebox • Quiz night every Sunday • Large award-winning beer garden • Banbury Guardian Pub of the Year 2015 Open Friday & Saturday 12.00–12.00 • Sunday–Thursday 12.00–11.00 Food served every lunchtime 12.00–3.00 Tuesday–Saturday evening 6.00–8.00 & Saturday evening 6.00–9.00 PAY US A VISIT – YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED

20 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Pearl (stout) and Doubloon (a subtle splatter- from this famous Rothschild best bitter), Red Beard (strong ing of pineapple. estate. This is only available bitter), and Jolly Rodger, still in In July the pop- from the Waddesdon shop. experimentation at the time of ular Haymaker For those heading to the GBBF writing. (5.0%), a strong this year, XT will have one of the See Branch News this issue for pale ale of dis- brewery bars, so make sure you details of the brewery’s launch tinctive taste, is pop by and say “Hello”. weekend on 29th–30th July. on sale. Plenty Loddon OxBrew of Goldings hops during the More than 100 people packed OxBrew – another very new brewing give it a into the brewhouse for the local brewery (see front page certain something extra. For July most recent Beer Club social to article) is based on Enstone and August Harvest Hop (3.9% enjoy unlimited beer and live airfield and is a business run ABV) makes an appearance – Six Nations rugby. The next one by Aaron Baldwin and Simon light and fruity, with a cosmo- takes place on August 5, so why Scamp, a step-father and son politan hop burst, ideal summer not join them? All details are on duo. Recipes have been trialled refreshment. their website. on their nano-brewery ready for Hook Norton gets a plug in The Bottle & Glass in Binfield being commercially brewed in Lonely Planet’s Global Beer Heath has re-opened! It’s been a June. Hopefully we will see their Tour, researched and compiled long time coming, but the pub brews in local pubs very soon. by the publisher’s network of is looking beautiful and offers Aaron, born and raised in beer-loving travel writers and a fantastic menu – as well as Oxford, has been researching, journalists to help thirsty trav- Loddon beers on the bar. It’s experimenting and refining a ellers discover the world’s most fantastic that this pub was saved range of beer styles in recent authentic and delicious bever- for the community, and it was years and Simon, originally from ages. packed to the rafters over the Kent, has been brewing on and opening weekend. off on a small scale since the 90s Turpin The brewery shop is open and brings a wealth of knowl- Changes are afoot at Turpin’s as 9am–5pm Mon–Fri and 9am– edge and experience. new larger equipment is being 3pm Sat. All their beers can be Aaron says: “We’re excited to put in to allow brewer John taken away in 3.6, 9, 18, 36 and now be able to turn our long- Romer to expand production 72 pint containers. Some Co-op standing passion into a business. and make larger quantities of his stores across the region now We have been overwhelmed beers including the very popu- stock Loddon beers including with the support and genu- lar Golden Citrus, which has the one in Chippy. ine interest that Oxford’s local twice won Beer of the Festival at West Berkshire brewers have shown us and look Oxford Beer Festival. forward to working with and John is working on this now, Oktoberwest is as part of the Oxford Brewers and has exciting plans to pro- back again this Alliance. This is an exciting time vide a visitors area to allow year with tick- for local Oxford beer and we’re you to sit down and sample the ets on sale in keen to be a part of it.” brews after having a look round. June for the To find out more about Watch this space for more festival on Sat the brewery see www.face- news. 23rd September. book.com/oxbrew or @ XT The brewery’s OXBREWofficial. For further latest season- information call 07789241084 or XT have completed the refur- al offering is email [email protected] bishment of their brewery shop Oh Beehave and tasting room. It will now (4.4%). Hook Norton have longer opening hours and Brewers Happy Birthday to Old Hooky a wider range of beers and other Gold hops and (4.6%), which celebrates 40 years drinks for you to try and buy. locally sourced since it was first brewed. This XT are also a founding member honey collide to fruity and full bodied beer is a of the Oxford Brewers Alliance, create a light, golden ale with a consistent, quality cornerstone which is a group of 14 local unique spiced fruit aroma and of the brewery’s core range. breweries. a subtle sweetness. A percent- May & June sees Mane Tail The National Trust Waddes- age of all sales will be donated (3.7% abv) on selected bars – don estate commissioned XT to Give Bees a Chance. crisp and refreshing lychees and to brew another batch of the Work at the brewery is also a minty green tea taste with a Quince Ale – made with quince progressing, with the Kemtile Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 flooring complete and the Britain by brewing a West Berks on Untappd majority of internal structures one-off cask beer from now in. The enormous malt silo a unique type of hop. in! Name still to be is standing proudly at the front The hops will never be decided. of the building and the brewing available again so this West Berks is now equipment has started to arrive, really is a rare beer! a verified Untappd along with the malting equip- Available from the venue! Keep up to ment and packaging line. brewery on draught date with new beer, On June 15th the brewery and take out, or ask events, etc., on the will be celebrating Beer Day your local pub to get it Untappd app. Forthcoming Beer Festivals In Our Branch 20th Annual Charlbury Charlbury Beer Festival – Beer Festival set for Saturday 24th June Saturday 24th June, 12 noon Championships. to 10pm Charlbury Cricket For previous years’ events, the Club provides a glo- festival – which the organisers rious setting, barely describe as being the biggest two minutes from independent one-day beer Charlbury Station festival – has attracted around and with excel- 3,000 visitors, and raised lent all-day (includ- money for community projects, ing late night) bus both in the Charlbury area and and train services to and from Norton Brewery, Banbury Plant overseas. The vision for its 20th Charlbury to Oxford, Chipping and Skip Hire and generosity year is to raise the £20,000 we Norton, Reading, Witney, of many brewers from all parts need to take us over £200,000 Worcester and London, so you of the UK who donate the beer of funds made available for don’t even need to drive if you free of charge. good causes. want to have a drink! Its principal supported charity The festival tries to appeal to For further details, please visit is Bloodwise (formerly known everyone, ranging from local the festival website at: http:// as Leukaemia & Lymphoma mums and dads whose kids charlburybeerfestival.org/ or Research) which receives come to enjoy the children’s email nick.millea@btinternet. around half of what is raised. entertainment, to serious beer, com The money goes directly to sup- cider and wine lovers from as port long term research work at 2017 Hook Norton the John Radcliffe Hospital in far away as London and the Festival of Fine Ales Midlands, and even overseas. Oxford. The day will incorporate Saturday 15th July, from 12 The other half of monies 50 real ales, a range of ciders noon raised is divided among the and perries, wine and Pimm’s; Tickets are available on the day many worthy causes serving the a great selection of food; live at the Beer Festival – just turn village and the local area that music throughout, including up and enjoy! provide much needed services John Bramwell of I am Kloot Hook Norton Festival of Fine to vulnerable and needy sec- fame; the Culture Club tent; Ales has, since its inception 23 tions of our society. Last year we children’s entertainment; plus years ago, raised in excess of donated £25,500. high-octane sport with the £295,500 for national and local The entry pack for the festi- 7th World Aunt Sally Singles charities with the help of Hook val, comprising a polycarbonate glass, two tokens for beer, a beer list and a pencil, is £10. A token gets you half a pint. If you are a cider drinker, (the cider bar is cash only) just get a glass when you come in (£6). Last year’s festival saw 120+ real ales on sale. To keep up to date with beer-related news join the (low volume) mailing list. Hook Norton Festival of Fine Ales – set for Saturday 15th July this year www.hookybeerfest.co.uk 22 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 WEDDINGS PARTIES • FESTIVALS Fully staffed and licenced

THE COMPLETE Mobile: 07779 875120 BAR HIRE PACKAGE www.facebook.com/pbh/

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 Banbury Beer & Cider Festival Success As It Returns To Its Normal May Date The 2017 Banbury Beer & out. The loos are straight for- Cider Festival was back to its ward and Laughtons Loos pro- usual slot at the beginning of vided an excellent service with May. The crowds turned out no problems whatsoever. This and the weather was, generally, year we had the Pasty company good. Held at the Army Reserve back again and a hog roast on Centre the festival always runs the Saturday, both were great smoothly with great beer and and kept drinkers topped up for cider, food to sustain, music the day ahead. to entertain, seating and loos; However. the main event things run with military pre- was the beer and cider and the cession. This is hopefully how choice of beers available at the things look from the visitor’s festival was second to none with perspective, though the reality Bar Manager Andrew Davison can be somewhat different. sourcing beer from far and Top beer ticker Brian Jones with local MP It was great to be back again wide, with about a third of the Victoria Prentis in May after missing last year, beers coming from Yorkshire, Friday with the very popu- and after set-up on the Bank the themed area for this year’s lar Hook Norton 812 Flying Holiday Monday, stillage went festival. Among the beer pur- Fortress first to go, and their 168 up first so the beer was racked chasing trails and tribulations not far behind it. Thornbridge and left to settle. The Army per- was a brewery that had applied Cocoa Wonderland had people sonnel were brilliant, as usual, for but not received its Alcohol talking as it was matched with and managed to cope with our Wholesaler Registration Scheme the spiced fruit chocolate from ever-changing demands; electri- number, as now required to sell the chocolate seller in the hall cal power is a constant issue and beer due to new legislation in and wow what a pairing that we managed only one overload April 2017. Thankfully author- was! However, the beer of festi- this year. isation to put the beer on at val, as voted by customers, was The marquee has to be erect- BBCF 2017 came from HMRC Tapstone Voodoo Juice – a fruity ed and the new supplier set it up on the morning the festival 4.8% concoction of seven heavy for us this year, which was good, opened. hitting hops, followed by a triple and the outside seating was laid Beers started to sell out from dry hopping with the dankest Left: Andrew Davison and most resinous hops known pours a beer at the to man! It was spectacular! Banbury Beer & Cider Cider fans were treated to Festival one of the best selections of Below: The cider bar and real cider and perry ever seen staff at the Banbury Beer at the festival. Diana Jones (pic- & Cider Festival tured with Josh and Stu on

24 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Banbury Beer & Cider Festival Success As It Cider Of The Festival 2016 Award the cider bar) chose a fantas- Returns To Its Normal May Date tic range of 20 ciders from traditional dry and sweet styles; fruit ciders including rhubarb, cherry and blackcurrant; three from Yorkshire, continu- ing our theme, and an intrigu- ing salted caramel cider from producer Dudda’s Tun in Kent. First to sell out was Seacider Medium (4.6%), which was also voted cider of the festival. Four real perries were also on offer including the ever popular Broadoak from Somerset. Festival goers were enter- Diana Jones, Festival Cider Manager, presents Brian Moore, cider producer and owner of Kent tained on Thursday night by Cider Co, with the Champion Cider Award 2016 for their Toffee Apple cider which was voted for Bushfield Smith with their great by cider drinkers at the Banbury Winter Beer & Cider Festival in November 2016. They are stand- original material and cleverly ing in front of an old cider press. arranged covers. Pete Watkins Kent Cider Co produces a range of ciders including the dry Russet (very popular at the recent May Banbury Beer and Cider Festival), Gala and Granny Smith as well as elderflower, rhubarb closed the festival on Saturday and spiced ciders. The apples are all sourced from local Kent orchards. www.kentcider.co.uk night and went over and above the call of duty to entertain the crowd right up until time was John Henry Ale: A True Taste called. His mix of pop, rock, blues, folk, new wave, country Of 1865 improve with age; a beer to and the rest was hugely popu- be sipped and enjoyed with lar with the dancing lasting until There is still a chance to taste friends. John Henry ale is avail- well after he’d finished. Oxford Brookes University’s able to buy in limited edition The feedback from visitors limited edition John Henry ale. 750ml bottles in a hessian gift was excellent and the quality of Named after the modern found- bag (£6.95) and 500ml bottles the beer, and organisation, was er of the institution, the ale (£2.95) at the Colonnade store complemented. The festival will was brewed to mark the 150th on the Headington Campus. be back in May 2018 the week- Anniversary of Oxford Brookes For more info, or if you’re end after the Bank Holiday, get which it celebrated in 2015. interested in having the John it in the diary now! Brewed and bottled at the Henry ale at a local beer festival, Champion Beer & Cider Shotover Brewery in Horspath please contact Maggie Maguire Awards at the Festival by former owner and Oxford on [email protected]. Brookes alumnus Ed Murray • GOLD: Tapstone Brewery who used the National Brewing (Chard, Somerset) Voodoo Juice (4.8% Unfined). Voodoo Library (housed at Brookes), Juice is a vibrant riot of hop to re-create an historic recipe alchemy. Bursting with stone- of how a premium beer might fruit aroma and deep orange have tasted in 1865, when the flavour. Oxford School of Art opened. • SILVER: Thornbridge Brewery It is an Export India Pale Ale (Bakewell, Derbys) Cocoa at 7.1% abv using huge amounts Wonderland (6.8% mocha por- of hops and malt by modern ter) standards. Strong beers were • BRONZE: Binghams Brewery, very common in Victorian (Twyford, Berks) Macchiato times to ensure they kept well Stout (5% vanilla and coffee infused stout) without refrigeration and to survive the journey on its way • GOLD CIDER/PERRY: to far-flung parts of the Empire. Seacider (Ditchling, Sussex ) Medium Cider (4.6% medium, It is a big beer, hoppy, aro- Gala apple) matic and complex and will Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 26 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 A Woodstock Wobble By Bus By Oliver Sladen Isn’t it always the way; you wait along with pool and darts. dining but still welcomes drink- for one new bus service to arrive, Greg and his team offer Sharp’s ers. Hooky might be your choice then two turn up at once … Doom Bar as the staple offer- here but it also offers Greene In the last six months Wood- ing along with a Prescott Ales King IPA and maybe a surprise stock has seen the launch of (Hill Climb or Chequered Flag) guest from the GK list. the extended 500 Oxford Bus and another guest ale usually Finally, go back across the A44 Co’s Park and Ride route and featuring breweries not often to the Punchbowl (6). Yet anoth- Stagecoach’s rival No. 7 service, found in our neck o’ the woods. er makeover pub which makes a both providing extra links to From there, cross the road to very comfortable final stop. This Kidlington and Oxford. visit the Kings Arms Hotel (3), Arkells outlet is one of only a Along with the existing 233 now run by Fullers, a popular couple in our Branch. service for Burford, Witney and haunt for after work drinks and The bus stops home are in Hanborough and the S3 for diners. Here you can sample sight of the Punchbowl. So with Chipping Norton and Charlbury, the three ales from the capital. the additional bus services cur- this means that arranging an London Pride is always on offer, rently on offer and the many evening stroll around the hostel- ESB takes second slot and the ales waiting to be sampled, why ries of Woodstock is now much guest pump offers a seasonal not plan a trip to Woodstock? easier. The No. 7 buses run into offering from Fullers or Gales. I should point out that three the late evening so a link to get Just up the road from here other venues serve real ale in you back towards Bicester via the is stop No. 4; the Woodstock Woodstock but I did not include new Parkway station (or Banbury Arms which had an extensive them on this crawl from north via Oxford) is now possible. makeover by Greene King in to south. The Bear Hotel (A) The real ales choice in Wood- 2015. Its open plan interior is has one real ale on the bar. The stock has increased greatly since welcoming and relaxing or you Star (B) offers Youngs & Charles my first visits in the early 1990s; can try the patio area at the Wells ales just up the road from then mainly Greene King, Hook rear. Shotover’s Prospect is a the Woodstock Arms. Last but Norton and Morland Ales were nice option here. Three GK ales not least the King’s Head (C) is on offer. Now a canny wobbler are also on offer. tucked away on Park Lane but will find over a dozen different Head back to the A44 (Oxford worth seeking out for the two breweries’ wares from at least Road) turn right and you should nationally available ales on offer. seven different counties. spy the Crown on the corner For details of the 500 service Our wobble starts at the C16th (5), a pub that also had a make- see the Park & Ride website at: GBG-listed, Black Prince (1). over some years back after a www.parkandride.oxfordbus. Buses from the north drop you year or so being out of action. co.uk/timetables-fares/500 five minutes up the hill on the As part of the same pub team For S3, 233 and 7 services A44. Travelling from the south, running the Duke of Cambridge refer to the Stagecoach website stay on the bus through town and in Oxford it has an emphasis on www.stagecoach.co.uk ask for Vermont Drive. Along 1 with good value food and the riverside garden, the Prince has To Chipping Norton & Charlbury four handpumps all year round. Currently Loddon’s Hullaballoo and St Austell’s Tribute are the Brook Hill mainstays with guests from Upper A44 breweries such as Vale, West Brook Hill Berkshire, North Cotswold or WOODSTOCK Little Ox also featuring. Oxford St Leaving the pub, head south Harrisons Ln Browns Lane 2 back across the river and up the hill into Woodstock. Our next 3 stop is Woodstock Social Club Park St B Market St 4 (2). This friendly members club A44 A allows non members to be signed High St in (CAMRA members can show Blenheim their membership cards). The Palace 5 6 To Rectory Oxford spacious venue hosts a range rear entrance Lane of events all week. A large TV Park Lane screen relays sporting events C Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 Do You Dare To Go Over The Border? The Red Lion, journey. The pub is run by the Long Compton Stratford upon Avon Brewery and three of their ales are on The spacious offer along with three national garden has a guests. small children’s Although a great place to go area with swings at any time of year, the picnic and climb- tables in the garden to the front ing equipment, of the pub make a pleasant spot but also a large to while away a lunchtime or secluded patio evening. The garden is also sited area where a pint within view of the swings on the can be supped large village green across the We’ve run a couple of articles whilst the offspring are enter- road for those with children. about pubs outside the North tained. The pub is split inside Regular events are held with Oxon Branch and here Oliver with a games room adjacent to music nights, quizzes and occa- Sladen doesn’t go too far! the entrance area and a restau- sional beer festivals. The next Our North Oxon Branch area rant with many tables catering ale festival is around the August is fortunate to have numer- for the food that many travel Bank Holiday (30 ales plus ous excellent hostelries, so why some distance to try. Food por- music, etc). The good news would you want to leave? Well, tions are generous and booking for drivers is that the Norman we do border four counties in advance seems sensible. Knight also has two-pint take- (Gloucs to the west, Bucks and The pub has a regular quiz out containers and bottles of Northants to the east and Warks night on the last Sunday of the SUA’s Mosaic to take away to to the north). Our local radio month (check www.redlion- sample after your return jour- and local papers do perhaps longcompton.co.uk for details). ney. Further info is available at encourage us to always head If you travel two miles east www.thenormanknight.co.uk. south to Oxford but it makes a from the Red Lion the route So an excuse for a walk from lot of sense to occasionally look takes you up over the ridge with Chippy or Hooky? A country for refreshment just over the excellent views back across the drive from Banbury or Bicester borders that surround us. valley towards the Rollrights or just a stop-off on the way This article focuses on two and Hook Norton. This is excel- back from the shops/theatres in pubs that are out of our natu- lent walking country and many Stratford or the bright lights of ral comfort zone but are only a footpaths take in both Long Birmingham. Take time out and strong armed dart throw from Compton and Whichford (OS enjoy the late evening sun in the Nortons (Hook or Chipping) Explorer 191 for those that wish our first two ‘Over The Border’ or a scenic drive from Banbury, to don walking boots). Our contenders. Burford or Bicester. next cross border offering is the If you happen on a great pub Both the Red Lion in Long superb Norman Knight inn. either just over the border or Compton and the Norman This pub is the current at the other end of the coun- Knight in Whichford make Warwickshire CAMRA pub try, please tell us about it, send good destinations at this time of the year and hosts a range words and photos to the Editor of year in particular. As the eve- of up to six ales and one cider, for inclusion in Beer on Tap. nings draw out, they both have most of which good external areas to watch the you’re unlikely shadows lengthening or the sun to find three slowly setting whilst supping an miles south in ale or three. our Branch, Our first stop is the Red Lion; so a trip ‘up a large grade II listed eighteenth north’ is well century (1748) roadside pub worth the four miles north of Chipping Norton on the A3400. It has an ‘See; I said it was excellent family friendly garden worth getting in which to relax and sample the passports one of the three well kept ales out’ – The real ale (normally Wickwar’s Cotswold selection at the Way, Hooky and one guest). Norman Knight 28 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 The Red Lion, Horley Beer Festival 2017 The annual St. George’s Day beer festival at our Branch Pub of the Year was on 20th–23rd April. Dave & Natatsha choose previous CAMRA national champion beers in various categories, supplemented by other interesting ales. Five were on hand pump and four on stillage, and they are listed below in order of which sold out first. The beer voted best of the festival was Titanic’s Plum Porter uses New Zealand Nelson Sauvin (4.9%), a dark, fruity beer which hops to give a zesty, modern Beer Festival DIARY crosses taste categories to appeal character. My impression of this JUNE to a wide range of drinkers. beer was that it was possibly 3: Chadlington Beer Festival, Village Jennings’ Bitter (3.5%) was next trying too hard to attract Hall, 12–11. 20 real ales & cider. to go – favoured by traditional- wine lovers of the famous Live music 17: Candleford Beer & Cider ists as an excellent standard. Marlborough region of New Festival, Fringford Cricket Ground, Thornbridge’s Jaipur (5.9%) Zealand that makes some quite 12–11. 40 real ales & cider. Live and Bingham’s Vanilla Stout (5%) magnificent Sauvignon Blanc music proved very popular. The stout (that’s enough about wine how- 24: Charlbury Beer Festival, Cricket ever!). It may put the average Club (opp. railway station). 50 real was favoured by dark ale enthu- ales & cider siasts that found the plum porter CAMRA punter off and could JULY a tad too fruity. Its subtle vanil- perhaps do with a rebrand. I per- 8: Buckingham Beer Cider & Music la flavour coupled with a silky, sonally loved it. Festival, Buckingham Rugby Club, smooth finish and made none- GWB’s The Bees Knees (4.2%) 12–11. 40+ real ales & cider dark ale drinkers think again! is a subtle Mexican orange 14–16: Bastille Day Beer Festival, Horse & Groom, Caulcott. 20 real Tiny Rebel’s Hank (4%) is a blossom honey and Goldings- ales & cider. Entertainment West Coast-style golden ale, hopped bitter. Although called 15: Hook Norton Festival of Fine packed with tropical, citrus aro- a honey bitter it has a subtle Ales. Field off Clay Bank (road to mas and was well received. grapefruit taste produced by Firs Garage). 120+ real ales + cider Dunham Massey’s Dark (3.8%) American and Slovakian hops. 21–23: Fox, Westcot Barton Beer Festival. Approx. 12 beers + cider. is a traditional, smooth and A 6-pint/12-halfpint beer card Entertainment easy to drink mild. Produced for £21 (£20 for CAMRA mem- 29–30: White Lion, Fewcott, Pirate in the landlord’s home city bers) made the beer value for Brewery Launch & Meet the (Manchester) the brewery’s beers money. On Sunday the remain- Brewer. Up to 6 Pirate brews, guest beers & cider. Barbecue & music feature regularly at this festival. ing beers were sold at £2.50 per AUGUST Manchester Brewing Co’s Cut pint. Natasha made available 5: Black Prince, Woodstock. Mock Like a Buffalo (4.5%) is a citrus, Betts’ pork pies for the festival Mayor ceremony hoppy US-style pale ale from a which, unsurprisingly, sold well. 8–12: CAMRA Great British Beer brewery less than a year old. Thanks to our POTY hosts Festival, London Olympia As the name suggests, the Beer who delivered a fine range of 18–20: Angel, Burford Beer Festival. ales over a successful four days. 11 ales. Hooky dray on 19th. Studio’s Tasman Sauvin (3.9%) 25–28: Bell, Lower Heyford Beer Festival. 8 beers & 8 ciders. The Branch Still Needs Clustermasters Entertainment 26–28: Norman Knight, Whichford The Branch still needs assistance deliver Beer on Tap to a maxi- Beer Festival. 30 ales & live music getting Beer on Tap out to the mum of ten pubs four times a SEPTEMBER pubs around the area. year then top up as required. 1–2: Ardley & Fewcott Beer & If members would like to help Passing on news for publication Cider Festival, Ardley Village Hall, out with the delivery of Beer on in the magazine and acting as 12–11. 34 real ales & cider. Live Tap in Hook Norton, Enstone a go between for CAMRA and music 8–10: Finstock Beer Festival. Village and the area around Bicester the pubs. Hall. 22 ales & 6 ciders then please get in touch with It’s also a great reason to OCTOBER the editor or any member of the go into pubs and drink their 26–28: Oxford Beer Festival, Town committee. beer! Clustermasters must be Hall, St Aldate’s. 120+ beers & Most Clustermasters only CAMRA members and over 18! cider Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 Local Branch Planning Application News n Bicester, Unit C1 Pioneer Avenue, Banbury has been Duke of Wellington not too Square – permission sought demolished. This site has long ago. for change of use from shop been earmarked as a future Pubs for sale to pub! (CDC 17/00791/F) self-build housing site by n We’ve spotted two pubs for sale Wootton, Killingworth Castle Cherwell DC. This bit of in our area: The Fox, Leafield – outline permission sought Banbury is now turning into (£295,000) and the Masons to build two semi-detached something of a pub desert fol- Arms, Swerford £450,000 cottages on part of the garden lowing on from the loss of the (WODC 17/00851/OUT) BrianWray n Adderbury, Coach & Horses – permission granted to re-roof Craft Beer Revolution Comes (CDC 16/02485/LB) n Adderbury, Red Lion – per- To Botley mission granted for replace- ment windows and some Many local drinkers have internal alterations (CDC envied those in larger 17/00049/LB n cities in the UK and US Barford St Michael, George – who can enjoy sampling permission granted for use of quality, adventurous upper floors as hotel accom- beers at source in the modation (CDC 16/02238/LB) n new-wave craft brewery Bicester, Star – permission taps that have sprung up refused to change layout of in the last decade – so it’s great (meat and veggie) outside the flats on upper levels of this news that since 2016 we now door and regular live music. former pub with permission have one in our area. As you’d expect with a brewery to become a convenience The Tap Social, based on in an industrial unit, the interior store (CDC 16/02465/F) this has since been modified an industrial estate behind is cavernous with plenty of seat- and resubmitted as CDC Macdonald’s on Botley Road, ing at a wonderfully eclectic mix 17/00888/F is very accessible with regu- of tables and chairs and there is n Burdrop, Pheasant Pluckers lar buses from Oxford Station also a mezzanine floor. (Bishop Blaize) – permission for visits when the brewery tap If you visit their website at granted for a storage shed is open on Friday and Saturday www.tapsocialmovement.com/ (CDC 17/00020/F) evenings (4–midnight) to enjoy you’ll see that founders Paul n Clifton, Duke of Cumberland’s a great range of craft beer. With Humpherson and sisters Amy & Head – permission granted to 10 on draught and many bottles Tess Taylor also run a commu- make an opening in the rear and cans in the fridge (but don’t nity programme to help those wall of the fireplace to link expect real ale) there’s plenty of who have been through the crim- two rooms (CDC 16/02509/ choice. There is also street food inal justice system get back to LB) work – so drinking n Milton, The Hare – permis- their beer supports a sion finally granted for two social cause. houses on the half of the We had a great plot retained by developers night here recently (WODC 16/04251/FUL) and we strongly rec- n Wendlebury, Lion – permis- ommend that any- sion refused to add an exter- one wanting to find nal coursed stone hearth and out what all the fuss chimney (CDC 16/02582/LB) is about the new Other news craft beer movement n The Admiral Holland pub should visit soon. which stood on Woodgreen Keith Rigley

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2017 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 Henry Ling, Dorchester, Dorset 30 Beer on Tap – Summer 2017 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31