ISSUE 51 June - July 2008

the Oxford Drinker Return of the X - Exeter Hall revival After a shaky start, the of all her , especially Exeter Hall on Cowley Road her cask ales. At present now seems on track to they serve IPA return to its place in the and a guest ale, currently community as a great music Old Speckled Hen. venue for ‘the people’. However, they are open to, and welcome, suggestions for guest ales and have the option to provide a third ale if demand exists.

Their newest member of staff recently graduated with a Music The Sweeney Pubs venue Management degree and reopened in March with a will be able to provide in- continued commitment to house sound engineering providing good support. and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Current regular events are the Pub Quiz (Sundays), Manager Pippa Dods has inside this issue: open mic sessions headington crawl won a Gold Award in (Tuesdays) and poker night Beautiful Beer from the (Wednesdays). cryptic crossword British Beer & Pub breweriana - part 1 Association. Pippa is proud Continued over page kidlington ramblings beer festival reports the free newsletter of the european beer festival Oxford City Branch of CAMRA festival and branch diaries www.oxfordcamra.org.uk festival logo design competition issue 51 Photos here are from a from lunch time onwards recent open mic night daily. which, as you can see, attracted talented local Pippa and her team are artists of all ages. determined to bring the Exeter Hall back to its The kitchen will re-open former glory, not just in later in June with plans to terms of being a strong serve the usual pub grub competitor on the music scene in Oxford, but also to provide its customers with a comfortable place to enjoy a pint whether it be at lunchtime, after work or on a night out and booked, free of charge,

for private parties. They are open to all forms Promoters, bands and and genres of music, and those with suggestions and welcome bands from feedback should contact across the board. Pippa via email

([email protected]) The small private lounge or phone (01865 776431). bar can also be closed off

page 2 the Oxford Drinker june 2008 beer festival diary Thurs 5 - Sat 7 June Wed 2 - Sat 5 July Wed 16 - Sun 20 July Southampton Beer Ealing Beer Festival Greenwich Beer & Jazz Festival Walpole Park, Ealing Festival Guildhall, West Marlands 07971 547738 Charles Lawn, Old Royal Road, Southampton Naval College, Greenwich, www.shantscamra.org.uk Fri 4 - Sun 6 July London SE10 Hereford Beer Festival 140 beers + ciders & perries Sat 14 June Hereford Rowing Club, www.greenwichbeerandjazz.co Candleford Fayre and Greyfriars Avenue, m Beer Festival Hereford Fringford Village Hall, 100+ beers, 50+ ciders & Fri 18 - Sat 19 July Fringford, nr Bicester perries Merton Beer Festival 12 noon-9pm 01432 275497 Merton Village Hall, Merton, www.herefordcamra.org.uk Nr Bicester Tues 17 - Sat 21 June 40 beers + ciders & perries Far from the Madding Sat July 5 Friday 6-11pm Crowd Summer Beer Haddenham Village Real Saturday 12 noon-11pm Festival Ale Festival Friars Entry, Oxford Youth & Community Tues 5 - Sat 9 August www.maddingcrowd.co.uk Centre, Woodaways, 31 st Great British Beer Haddenham Festival Fri 27 - Sun 29 June 60+ beers, ciders & perries Earl's Court, London General Elliot Beer www.haddenham-beer- 450 real ales + ciders, Festival festival.co.uk perries & international beers Manor Road, South www.camra.org.uk Hinksey, Oxford Fri 11 - Sat 12 July 01865 739639 Woodcote Festival of Thurs 14 - Sat 16 August Ales 9th Worcester Beer, Cider Sat 28 June (With Woodcote Steam & Perry Festival Burford School Rally) Worcester Racecourse Association’s 4 th Tidmore Lane, Woodcote, www.worcesterbeerfest.org.uk Biennial Beer Festival off A4074 Wallingford to Warwick Hall & Gardens Reading Road Fri 22 - Mon 25 August Church Lane, Burford www.woodcoterally.org.uk/ Chester Arms Beer Festival festivalofale.html 19 Chester Street, Oxford 12 noon-10pm see page 9

Sat 28 June Sat 12 July Chipping Norton Rugby Charlbury Beer Festival Further details and Club Beer Festival Charlbury Cricket Club updates are available Greystones, Burford Road NOTE NEW VENUE (A361) The Pavilion, Burford Road on our FESTIVALS Charlbury 12 noon–10.30pm webpage at 20 beers, ciders & perries 12 noon-11pm www.cnrufc.co.uk 36 beers + ciders & perries www.oxfordcamra.org.uk www.charlburybeerfestival.org the Oxford Drinker page 3 issue 51 Breweriana - part 1 Richard Queralt The word breweriana is a rarity value plays a big part in Labologists Society. This ‘made up’ term for all the the prices people are prepared British-based organisation relics, objects and equipment to pay. This Hall’s Oxford calls itself the International connected to brewing and Brewery label dates from the Society of Label Collectors distilling, and the breweries 1920s. and Brewery Research and and distilleries themselves. publishes a magazine six The brewery closed in 1925 times a year which it sends Just about everything is and no more of these labels out to its members. This deemed collectable, from the would have been produced. includes news, articles and smallest scraps of paper, This doesn’t always mean an notice of up-coming label such as beer bottle labels, up item will be hard to find. It could auctions. to hefty wooden pub signs be that a large number of and ornate brewery-branded unused labels were left over Another popular item of mirrors. and ended up in the hands of breweriana is the beer mat. collectors. The fact that beer mats, like bottle labels, are not much more than throwaways and practically worthless doesn’t deter the collector and again, the scarcity factor plays its part.

The Glenny Brewery opened in Witney in 1983. Although still brewing, it became Wychwood Brewery in 1989 meaning the beer mat below was probably produced in limited numbers only.

As with stamp collectors, some breweriana fans are prepared to pay high prices Some decades-old labels are for tiny pieces of paper. In this still available unused in almost case in the form of beer bottle mint condition but most have labels. While fees are unlikely passed through the hands of to reach the heights of those various collectors and come paid for a rare stamp, there with the stamp hinges used to are plenty of instances of mount them in albums and/or these labels selling for well the collector’s name stamped over the £100 mark. The on the back. Others have been The British Beermat example above, from soaked off of the bottles they Collectors Society was Cirencester Brewery in were stuck to. If done well formed in 1960 and is still Gloucestershire, which closed these can be found in good going strong. These in 1937, recently went for condition but there are lots of collectors are known as £220 on eBay, the online tatty examples. ‘Tegestologists’ from the auction site. Latin word ‘teges’ which The best scources for beer apparently means small rug, Like any collector’s item, bottle labels are eBay and the with mat being another term page 4 the Oxford Drinker decemberjune 20082007 for a rug. As with the what they look like. As with last year it left just the Jude the Labologists, a newsletter is most other organisations they Obscure, Walton Street, with produced and meetings are also produce a regular its cartoon-style double- held around the country. newsletter. Apparently, as in header, giving some idea of Watney’s of London was the the card games themselves, how unusual these things are. first brewer to issue beer mats the picture cards and aces are in Britain. They were a cheap worth more than the number form of advertising and, cards, which probably means placed on bars and tables, this seven of diamonds from they couldn’t be missed by the Banbury brewers Hunt beer drinker. This was in 1920 Edmunds (closed 1967) must but the mats, made of wood rank as second rate. pulp, were first used in Dresden in Germany 1892. Previous to this a pottery or porcelain version known as a ‘coaster’ was used and this term is still in use in some countries, such as Australia and the USA.

These big, heavy wooden objects are hard to come by so most collectors make do with photographs rather than the real thing, and the Inn Sign Society exists for these people.

Towards the other end of the Even fictional brewers seem to scale, in terms of size, pub get in on the act. signs are not only rarely to be found on sale but each item is There was a time when no usually unique. There may be pub would have been without hundreds of pubs named, for at least one set of playing example, the Red Lion, but cards for the use of its each sign is usually painted as customers. As with beer mats, a one off. the brewers soon cottoned on to the advertising opportunity. Even more unusual is the ‘double-header’, which has a The British Brewery different picture on each side. Playing Card Society - yes there’s one of these too - aims Up until it was pulled down in to buy up playing cards, either 2001, the Bell, Headington, Lots more of this sort of thing in full or part packs, or single was one of only four Oxford in Part 2. cards and redistribute them as pubs sporting this type of sign. single cards to its membership The Fox, Barton, below, via its sales list. It also suffered the same fate in 2004. publishes catalogues to And when the Old School pub illustrate what’s available and in Gloucester Green closed the Oxford Drinker page 5 issue 51 Reading festival Neil Hoggarth In recent years, the Reading the loud bands on Friday has an occupancy limit for Beer and Cider Festival has and Saturday nights) and safety reasons, agreed in become firmly established the "quiet tent", this year advance with the Fire and as the region's largest and there were two equally- Rescue service. Once the most successful CAMRA sized massive marquees site is operating at beer festival. The 2008 with the beers more evenly maximum occupancy they event, held as usual over distributed between them. can only admit new the May Day bank holiday There was also a larger customers as people weekend, continued the "garden" area outside for leave ("one-in-one-out"). spectacular trend. customers to enjoy the This is the root cause of sunshine, and for the food the queuing which has This year the local council traders to have their stalls. become a unfortunate had been persuaded to feature of the event in allow even more of King's The expansion of the site recent years. Meadow to be turned over meant that the organisers to the festival site. In place were able to increase the The site reached capacity of the arrangement that has capacity of the festival, at 4.30pm on Friday been used in recent years though perhaps not by afternoon, and was with a "big tent" (featuring quite as much as they had operating at capacity the majority of the beer, and originally hoped. The site within one and a half hours of opening on the The Cricketer’s Arms Littleworth (Wheatley)

HOME HOOKY MADE & FOOD WEEKLY NOW GUEST BEING ALE SERVED

“The little pub with the BIG welcome” Visit our website for our 2008 Events Calendar

www.cricketers-arms.co.uk 01865 872738 page 6 the Oxford Drinker june 2008

Saturday morning! At times people queued for several Railway Tavern, Station Road, hours to be admitted. Some have asked why Wheatley there cannot be some sort of priority entry system for LEASE FOR SALE CAMRA members. The organisers have said that Situated in the popular pretty village of Wheatley, they intend to look into 5 miles east of Oxford, this CAMRA Good Beer offering some advanced Guide pub serves real ale and home-cooked food. tickets, as well as group There is a function room, beer garden and large booking facilities for visiting car park. They host Aunt Sally games and have a parties from CAMRA number of different pub teams. branches. However, they very much want to avoid turning the festival into an Contact Pete or Tracey on 01865 874810 for "all ticket" event - after all, more details. the main reason for putting all the hard work into conceivable style. Brewdog May is when CAMRA running a festival like brewery of Aberdeen traditionally campaigns to Reading is to campaign to showed off, sending both promote mild ales, and that the general public! the strongest beer on the style was well represented list (Paradox Speyside, with 45 different milds 10% ABV) and the lowest available to try, and a "Mild strength (Edge, a 2.7% Trail" promotion which had ABV mild). The Edge was customers collecting stamps gorgeous, with an for each half-pint of mild incredible amount of flavour that they sampled, then for a low-gravity beer. I earning a free half pint didn't get to sample the when they had collected six A record 14,727 people Paradox Speyside myself (I stamps. attended the festival over was working behind the bar the four days and they much of the time, and Congratulations are in order drank 55,400 pints of real needed to keep some for West Berkshire Brewery, ale, 10,600 pints of cider semblance of a clear head), who won the "Beer of the and perry, as well as but I'm told that it was Festival" award for their substantial amounts of similarly well-brewed. It strong bitter Dr Hexter's bottled foreign beers and certainly seemed popular, Healer. The awards, judged English wine. There were although I'm not sure that during the Thursday some 450 different real everyone that ordered it did afternoon trade session in a ales on sale, of every so for the flavour! blind tasting by independent judges, were open to all real ale breweries based within 30 miles of Reading.

the Oxford Drinker page 97 issue 51 Letter to the editor... A response to Rob Walters’ Drinker - the Chester daughter Tracy. Punch article, "Death of the Oxford Arms . Taverns were unable to Pub", which appeared in find long-term tenants to issue 50. The Chester is a splendid take the Marlborough over, establishment in Chester and the tenancy passed on I agree with a lot of what Street, just off the Iffley to pub management Rob wrote in this timely Road, and it is run by John company called Cavalier. article. The loss of Dunkley and his family. suburban and rural pubs They succeeded Pat (the While I am sure that Rob appears to be accelerating "droll landlady" of Rob's did not intend to upset at an alarming rate, and I comments) at the anybody, I think that think it is going to be a Marlborough, and felt that we owe an apology to major issue for the Rob's comments on the John, Tracy and the rest of Campaign in the next few Marlborough were not the family. It is unfortunate years - real cask beer properly researched. I that their intention to run needs "real pubs", and Rob therefore thought that it was both pubs was thwarted by is correct in pointing out only fair to have a chat to events. I didn't have the that the key issue is that John and give him an pleasure of being a regular drinkers are not using their opportunity to set the record at the Marlborough when "traditional local" anything straight. they were running it, but I like as much as they used admire the way that they to. It really is getting to be John informs me that he run the Chester Arms: a "use it or loose it" time and his and family took over popular, family-friendly pub, folks! the tenancy of the with a lively Marlborough from Pat in programme of events, good I would like to take issue, March 2002, and put a lot of conversation and banter, however, with one of Rob's investment and hard work and good beer. examples - his description into improving the pub. of the decline of the During 2004 they also took Meanwhile, under the Marlborough House , on on the Chester Arms and, several managers that the corner of Marlborough intending to run both pubs Cavalier put in, the Road and Western Road, for the foreseeable Marlborough has not fared due to lack of stability. Rob future, employed some so well. It stopped trading is correct that the pub did people to manage day-to- last year and is currently well for years under the day affairs at the Chester. boarded up. The only bit of stewardship of Pat and Unfortunately the good news is that the Brian (in the late 90s it management arrangement recent planning application frequently used to feature in at the Chester did to turn the site into six flats the Good Beer Guide), but not work out very well, and has been rejected. his characterisation of the John was forced to move licensees who followed as from the Marlborough to the The locals are asking if there is "a succession of people, Chester to sort things out in anything they can do to get none of whom stayed long December 2004. The their pub back, but it is difficult to find potential publicans, for enough to establish a family retained a presence all the reasons outlined in presence" did not go down at the Marlborough until Rob's original article. Anybody well in one of the pubs May 2005, with the pub in out there want to have a go? where I deliver the Oxford the capable hands of page 8 the Oxford Drinker apriljune 20082007

the Oxford Drinker page 9 issue 5145 Kidlington ramblings Tony Goulding The area of Kidlington, for Along the road in Mill Street years was the only the purpose of this guide, is The Six Bells , another Morlands of Abingdon pub includes Thrupp and Water former Halls now a Punch in the village and is now Eaton. Thirty years ago Taverns pub. This is owned by Greene King. there were eleven pubs in another old and extended The usual IPA and the area and since then one cottage style single room sometimes Abbot has closed whilst the building. Serving good or Ruddles in good population has increased condition Adnams condition are the beers by thirty per cent. Broadside and Youngs available. Probably the Bitter and excellent food best of the main road pubs The Britannia , a 200 year- (Sunday recommended), during the daytime it old former Morrells local in this pub doubles as a family becomes the meeting place Church Street, was closed friendly house or a mature for the younger and converted to a private drinkers club. Sit in the generation in the evening house with the valuable car small front garden and with food served all day. park the basis of half a watch the world go by .This dozen new houses. This part of Kidlington is The Black Bull another pub was lost to Kidlington ‘England My England’. former Halls now ten years ago. Enterprise pub used to On the main Bicester Road dispense good real ale. In Around the corner from the at Water Eaton stands the recent weeks this house Brit are the two best pubs in other Kings Arms , once a seems to have lost its way the village: yes, Kidlington main road travellers pub with changes of landlord is the largest village in and now a Harvester with the hand pumps now Britain! restaurant. A pleasant out of use. Now the haunt rambling building, sadly of builder boys in the The Kings Arms , a regular with no real ale. The only afternoon and youngsters good beer guide entry is pub in Garden City, The in the evening this pub can another 200 year old ‘locals Dogwood has suffered a bit be busy. local’ situated on the old of an identity crisis. back road known as The Originally The Dog, then The third of these pubs (if Moors. Once owned by renamed The Squire you can call it a pub), The Halls and now part of the Basset, this former Halls Red Lion , yet again a Punch empire, this cosy house has not faired well former Halls house, is now two bar pub dispenses over the years. On the last a Greene King dump. It Greene King IPA; Wells visit the only beer Fullers now attracts the people this Bombardier and a guest London Pride was average type of pub deserves. ale; up to five a week. With with a guest ale some times Needless to say no real roasts less than a fiver available. Now it’s just ale. lunchtimes (not Sunday); another food pub. two beer festivals a year; To the north of the village an outdoor covered heated Along the Banbury Road in we have the first of three patio and very good but the centre of the village pubs on the Oxford Canal: sometimes part -time there are three pubs close The Wise Alderman . Once landlord; the Kings is the by. The Black Horse part again a former Halls pub, tops. of which dates back 250 now Punch Taverns, this page 10 the Oxford Drinker june 2008 old spacious house with a landlord. Now mainly a secluded high walled huge garden and canal popular food house, garden. Again Greene King side mooring is named Greene King IPA and a IPA and Abbot beers with after a long serving local choice of Abbot Ruddles or very good food are served councillor. Hook Norton a Morland beer are served by a very welcoming and Bitter, a rare beer for in good condition. With a flamboyant landlord. Kidlington, was a large car park and a pretty popular serving until a garden and conservatory To round off please be couple of years ago, with this pub is worth a try aware the pubs away from nowadays Greene King also. the main road close in the IPA and Ruddles available. afternoons Monday to This pub is worth a visit The last and still one of the Thursday. To find out more although it now appears a best, The Boat at Thrupp, about the history of these little worn out - a good another old former Morrells pubs contact The refurb would do it a world house sits in an ideal Kidlington Historical of good. position on the canal with Society. Also if you ample moorings. This pub have any further news or Further north now in the was tastefully refurbished information about these or countryside, The Jolly and extended by Morrells any other pubs in the area Boatman , once a Morrells in 1995, being acquired by please contact or join your house, used to be one of Greene King in later years. local CAMRA branch. my favourite drinking pubs The layout of the pub is in Kidlington run by a formed of four different certain Mr Trafford - a fine rooms and a large

the Oxford Drinker page 11 issue 51 what's on Matt Bullock Meetings are now held on a Monday 14 July Wednesday 6 August rota basis Monday - Tuesday - 7.30pm GBBF trip Wednesday throughout the AGM Meet 10am at Gloucester year. Meetings and events are Kings Arms, Holywell Street, Green relaxed and friendly. Members Oxford. and non-members are Want to know all the welcome at all events. Friday 18 July latest news and Wednesday 4 June Social events? 7.30pm Merton Beer Festival events? Bus at 18:10 from St Giles to Share information Branch Meeting get there. Taxi back from the Brewery Tap, Ock Street, Friday evening session or about what’s Abingdon camping facilities are available. Open all day Saturday with happening in your Saturday 12 July village fete. area? Social Charlbury Beer Festival Tuesday 5 August Sign up to our Being held at Charlbury 7.30pm Cricket Club, very close to the Branch Meeting eee-e---mailingmailing list. station. Travel by train, times Chester Arms, Chester Street tbc. (off Iffley Road), Oxford. Details on the website at: £50 is all it costs for a half page advert to connect with more than

2000 drinkers £30 for quarter page £80 for a full page

advertising in the Oxford Drinker couldn't be simpler give us a call: 01865 439664 or e-mail: [email protected] page 12 the Oxford Drinker issue 51 Cryptic Crossword No. 3 Matt Bullock ANSWERS ON PAGE 21 Across 8 Slip backwards into Czech brew (4) 9 Author Colin admired exterior of Oxford pub (6) 10 Smooth, dark Celtic beer should suit choirmaster (5,5,5) 11 Beer next to an East-Anglian highway (9) 13 I hear young sheep followed river to Newcastle brewery (5) 16 Royal couple visit Wheatley (3,4,3,5) 18 Herts brewer hidden in neat ring tone (5) 19 Dark Wantage brew fit for only God, eh? (5,4) 22 Big terrible Todd drinks Fernandes beer (3,6,6) 25 Did Meg predict the demise of this Moorhouse brew? (6) 26 Meet the brewer of This and That (4)

Down 1 Reflective breweriana (6) 2 Thamesside pub of the same LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION name (4) 3 A Southport pint ideal for sinking? This year Oxford City CAMRA (9) 4 Danger led gorgon to Bungay brew will be holding its 11th Beer Festival . (5,6,4) 5 Sam’s family brew in Boston (5) Again we welcome submissions for 6 Eleven push through alien to leave (4) this year's beer festival logo. 7 Sparkler ate gruel to control beer flow (8) The design needs to be one colour, use limited 12 Relatives closely follow shading (if any) and be quite 'compact' as it is commercial for Wantage brewer (5) 14 Junior member of Bedford printed in black on our glasses, as well as used brewing partnership (5) for the programme and T-shirts. 15 Hide reptile in North Oxfordshire village (9) 17 JR’s seeking Ulverston brewery Forward entries to Sam (editor@) (8) by 7th July at the very latest 20 Initially 2000 locals ensure every- one supports Manchester, maybe? (4,2) See previous logo designs on the Beer Festival 21 Add yeast to sports field (5) section of the website. 23 Gem from the spa (4) 24 A bit of a squeeze, we hear, in Chadlington pub (4) the Oxford Drinker page 13 issue 51

page 14 the Oxford Drinker june 2008 Headington crawl Alistair Pitman I arrived at our first pub of thirties. The pub has half- for four hours and was just the evening - The White height wood panelling, and ready. Abbot was the only Hart - a bit late and the prints and painting of ale but was a good pint. other five surveyors were oxford scenes. The pub was packed when already half way through we left at twenty past eight. their first pints. We haven’t Next it was back to the done a city survey for about Black Boy . I have been a The third pub was the six months, so everyone member of Oxford branch Royal Standard on the was enjoying the return to for about three years, and High Street, with the surveying. The beers were have surveyed about a cheapest beer of the night: Everards’ Sunchaser and hundred and fifty pubs. The Green King IPA at £2.40 Tiger, Brains’ Reverend biggest change in a pub and Morland Original at James and Titanic’s English during this time has been £2.60. But despite the Glory. The Sunchaser and the Black Boy in cheap beer, the pub, which the Tiger were available Headington. is neat and comfortable, cold or extra cold. I had a was fairly quiet for a Friday pint of the cold Sunchaser, night. which was at just the right temperature. A very cold Sunchaser on a hot day would certainly be a very refreshing first pint: the temperature of the ale affects the flavour a lot and a colder more refreshing ale will have less flavour. Then a disappointment at the Britannia - no ale! It’s usually a fine pub, but not tonight. We strolled in, stared at the bar, asked the bar staff and strolled out. It used to be a quiet, run Normally they have a good down back street pub with range at a decent price. constant rumours of closure. Now it is a popular, The pub is still very fresh chic candle-lit pub with looking after a recent excellent food. There are refurbishment. The main three rooms: a dining room, drinking area is divided into the large central room with two rooms, with a single bar the bar, and a side room stretching into both rooms with leather sofas and and a third room without a chairs. There was no ale on bar. It is a fashionable when we arrived, but we Next was the Butchers boozer with the average were informed that the Arms , which is well hidden drinker age in the mid- Abbot had been breathing among the back streets. the Oxford Drinker page 15 issue 4851 The Butchers was quiet and a and the only beer on was recent pub London Pride. But it was a of the year. very good pint of Pride. It was at There was a time when the full steam pub featured the full range when we of Fullers ales and would arrived. draw people in from all over Oxford but trade dropped The pub is off, particularly with a free introduction of near-total house with resident-only parking, but its own now it is a good locals pub excellent (see below). brewery, the Old As there was no ale at the Bog. Named because the Hooky, Brakspear Gold and Britannia we had enough small brewery is in what one or two others (but time to walk to the Masons was the outside toilets. unfortunately I was a bit Arms in Headington Which were ‘vacant’ and merry and forgot to write Quarry. The Masons is, in easy to re-plumb. The down all the beer in my my view, easily the best beers that night were West notebook). traditional boozer in Oxford Berks Good ol’ boy, Old inn and around oxford The Aviator in Carterton The landlord at the Seven when visited were has had a fresh lick of paint Stars in Marsh Baldon is Wadworth 6X and and some new furniture, trying to buy the pub from Shepherd Neame Spitfire both indoors and out. Still Greene King. Negotiations both in fine form. Kelvin is no sign of any real drinks have been ongoing for 6 pleased to be in a pub though... months and the landlord is where he can sell real ale - keen to expand, but not he attempted to introduce On last visit, the food at until they own the pub. it at the Crown and Thistle Witney’s newest gastro-pub but there was no market. – The Hollybush in Corn A change of landlord He plans to regularly Street - were ok, but half followed by a redecoration change the beer selection. price wine between 5 and have been rather frequent 9pm was a bonus. At the occurrences at the Red Things appeared to have time of the visit, their lone Lion , Islip, a Punch gone a bit quiet at the real ale “Olde Trip” was very Taverns pub over the last Butcher’s Arms in nice but £3.20 a pint. The few years. In charge now Headington recently (see Plough, or “lough” since the are Kelvin and Caroline above) with a reduction in P has gone missing, had Radford who were the beers available. their beer Loddon previously at the Crown Ferryman’s gold at £2.80. and Thistle, Wood Farm in Continued on page 18 Oxford. The beers on page 16 the Oxford Drinker octoberapriljune 20082007

Rose and Crown P.H.

North Parade Avenue Oxford

(Second left off Banbury Road after leaving St Giles)

Oxford City CAMRA Pub of the Year 2001 Listed in the Good Pub Guide 2006 www.rose-n-crown.co.uk the Oxford Drinker page 17 issue 51 more inn and around oxford Since the crawl visit, people but unfortunately they don’t The long-empty former were seen moving furniture appear to be selling any! Coach and Horses pub at out and the pub apparently From reports is sounds like St Clements has survived was in the process of they’re trying to take the an appeal by developers to closing down. We have ‘dirtiest pub glasses in allow them to demolish it. since heard that a Oxford’ award previously Councillors felt that the temporary manager is now held by the now-closed proposed development was in post there. Wharf house. not in keeping with the character of the area and would not benefit residents.

Stuart and Angie Bull at The Cricketer's Arms , Littleworth have increased their selection of local ales and have adopted a "SixSixes" beer portfolio initiative - all ales having to Since it became clear that travel less than thirty six Punch Taverns had chosen miles from brewery to pub. The Chequers Inn , in not to renew their lease of They have Hooky Bitter on Headington Quarry, is open the Gloucester Arms , a permanent basis and a again and doing well. After rather than the initial weekly guest ale from a full renovation and rumour that St John’s either Hook Norton, West refurbishment, including College had made the Berkshire, Vale or a replacing lead stolen from decision not to offer it, not Rebellion ale from the the roof, they now have much more has been Marlow Brewery. They three decent real ales for heard. Estate agents Savills hope to extend this offering sale - Abbot, Morland and have the task of finding by including more local London Pride. They are suitable new tenants. brewers in their portfolio planning to re-establish soon. The pub's food links with the local Morris reputation is also Men and restart traditional increasing with booking pub games. becoming increasingly advisable at weekends.

The Holly Bush in Osney Island are continuing to sell real ale at only £2.60 per pint. They ask “what is happening to this country and why are the Government so intent on The cask ale sign is being penalising small displayed at the Crown businesses such as ours?” and Thistle in Headington with 27% of the price of a page 18 the Oxford Drinker june 2008 pint you buy going directly company already own a to the Government? They, pub in Temple Cowley - useful as our other pubs, need the William Morris - which customers’ support now has some decent beers but camra more than ever before. is difficult to get to public The pub continues to offer transport and you wouldn’t contacts a friendly environment, a catch me walking home Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe wide range of drinks and from there late at night! David Roe 01296 484 551 snacks and healthy home The company will be [email protected] cooked food. Current real investing heavily in their ale offerings are Ale new acquisitions and is set North Oxfordshire Fresco and Tanners Jack. to re-open later in the Mark Bates No Greene King! summer. Let’s hope the contact@northoxfordshire one in town becomes a camra.org.uk Fancy a punt? John mecca for real ale drinkers www.northoxfordshirecamra. Bellinger, landlord of The rather than louts. org.uk

Bell Inn at Adderbury, is Vale of the White Horse taking up the challenge set According to an article in Neil Crook by his customers, to raise The Oxford Mail: [email protected] funds for Katharine House www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk Hospice, also in “Wetherspoons is seeking Adderbury, by punting the a name with local South Oxfordshire Thames from St John’s connections for the new Hugh Steele Lock in Lechlade to Henley pub and has come up with www.soxoncamra.org.uk

- more than 80 miles. three possible options: Oxford City Sponsorship is via the Four Candles - a reference Neil Hoggarth website: to the Two Ronnies sketch; 01865 794438 www.justgiving.com/ TE Lawrence; or Bishop [email protected] puntingchallenge Trellick.” www.oxfordcamra.org.uk

JD Wetherspoon have To have your say, send Oxford Drinker Editor made its second purchase your pick to please send any material to [email protected] of a parcel of pubs, [email protected] including the Slug and CAMRA Lettuce on George Street, 230 Hatfield Road Oxford, which is currently St Albans, Hertfordshire closed following the AL1 4LW administration of Laurel 01727 867201 earlier in the year. The [email protected] www.camra.org.uk

Oxford Trading Standards 01865 815000

the Oxford Drinker page 19 issue 51 Festival round-up Matt Bullock The Kings Arms in familiar venue for North held a festival. This is a Kidlington held a beer Oxfordshire CAMRA’s Greene King pub, and the festival in late March. As festival but a new time of beer menu featured a full usual, a range of around a the year. The new date range of this company’s dozen beers was available meant scorching hot beers, but in addition there in the covered courtyard - a sunshine on the Saturday, were several excellent venue which is slightly a far cry from the freezing beers from outside the GK smaller this time due to the temperatures of last year. stable. On Friday night the creation of a covered This year’s festival had a early frontrunner was Bear smoking area outside the North West theme, and with Town Kodiak Gold (4.0%), pub. A weekend away in the exception of a couple of a straw-coloured citrus ale, Plymouth meant that I strong beers - Brakspear followed closely by Loddon attended on the Thursday Triple and good old Hughes Rin Tin Tin, which was night just after the festival Dark Ruby Mild - the much maltier. had opened. Within an outstanding beers were all hour or so, the venue was from this region. Wapping’s pretty busy, and by all Liverpool Lou (4.0%) and accounts the festival was a Stout (5.0%) were both top great success. My first beer notch, as were both of the of the night after an hour’s beers from Southport, the pleasant walk from hoppy Carousel (4.0%) and Summertown was Butts the fruity and hoppy Barbus Barbus, a fruity and Natterjack (4.3%). Also in bitter golden ale that ranks the same style were Beers were coming and as one of my current Millstone True Grit (5.0%) going so quickly it was favourites, and this proved and Pig & Whistle (4.3%) - difficult to plan ahead, so I the ideal refreshment after by now you’ve probably missed the excellent a bit of physical exertion! sussed that if it’s golden Ossett Quicksilver (5.0%) So good was it, that I’m and hoppy, it scores highly which is a current Greene sure I had another before with me! Another of the King guest, and probably the night was out. The genre was George Wright the best they’ve had, and I quality of this pint set the Pipe Dream (4.3%) from gave the West Berks Wale standard for the session, Rainford on Merseyside, & Anes a miss in favour of with a range of beers being and their mild, Roman White Horse Saracen IPA. in excellent condition - Black, was pretty good too. I returned on Saturday to sadly my lack of notes and In all there were 80 beers at join in the Cup Final post a memory like a sieve will the festival, plus a good mortem over a pint of Butts prevent me from naming selection of ciders and LeButts Lager, several many of them, but suffice perries (all these sold out helpings of the excellent to say it was a good by Saturday afternoon), and Black Cat mild from festival, and you should I’m sure it will rate as one of Moorhouse’s, and some pay a visit to the next. the most successful ever. Suffolk County from Nethergate, on which I Fast forward to May, and to A week later, the Old finished an enjoyable Banbury TA Centre, a Bookbinders in Jericho weekend. page 20 the Oxford Drinker june 2008 Crossword credits.... Answers The Oxford Drinker is the newsletter of Oxford CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale. Across The next publication will be in August 2008. 8 Pils Over 2000 copies of each one are 9 Dexter distributed free of charge 10 Irish Cream Stout to pubs and other drinking establishments 11 Broadside across the city and its surrounding area. 13 Wylam editor: 16 The King and Queen Sam French 18 Tring [email protected] 19 Honey Gold 22 Old Bridge Bitter valuable contributions have been 25 Mystic received for this issue from: 26 Teme Matt Bullock, Dermot Dobson, Tony Goulding, Neil Hoggarth, Alistair Pitman, Richard Queralt et al. Down photos courtesy of: 1 Mirror Neil, Matt and Sam 2 Isis 3 Quicksand advertising 4 Green Dragon Gold is available at excellent rates from: 5 Adams Graham Baker 01865 439 664 6 Exit [email protected] 7 Regulate 12 Adkin contributions and bribes accepted by the editor at: 14 Young 31 Rivermead Road 15 Adderbury Rose Hill Oxford 17 Hartleys OX4 4UE 20 Lees MM or call 07905 212318 21 Pitch 23 Bath please share this magazine with other interested people 24 Tite and dispose of your Drinker carefully

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The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the branch or CAMRA limited. © Oxford CAMRA 2008 the Oxford Drinker page 21 issue 51 European Beer Festival Alistair Pitman Thanks in part to the work Copenhagen on the 12th considered by the DBE to of CAMRA, you can now September 2008 for the be an appropriate venue for enjoy a pint of real ale at European Beer Festival. the festival. However, most locals but if you want Carlsberg will have no more variety of ale then Danish beer enthusiasts influence over the planning you have to be prepared to have been considering the of the festival. travel. For a few unusual idea of a giant European beers travel into Oxford to beer festival in 2008 to The goal of the festival is to pubs such as the Far from celebrate the tenth have up to 140 international the Madding Crowd or the anniversary of the Danish breweries at the festival and Turf; 20 or 30 beers head Beer Enthusiasts for some more than 2000 different to a local pub beer festival; time. Work on the project beers. Drinking foreign beer for a choice of 100 to 200 began in autumn 2006. in a Carlsberg brewery isn’t beers go to a city’s annual The original brewery at everyone’s cup of tea, but if CAMRA beer festival, such the Carlsberg site will be you want to sample a huge as the Oxford beer festival. the venue for the festival. range of beer styles from CAMRA’s Great British Since Carlsberg will be across Europe and have a Beer Festival has 400 to closing down most of its short break in September 500 beers but for a choice production line at the then its ideal, with cheap of 2000 beers head to original brewery it was budget flights and hostel accommodation.

Dick and Lin welcome you to the WHITE HART ST ANDREWS ROAD OLD HEADINGTON TEL 01865 761737 EVERARDS REAL ALES PLUS CHANGING GUEST LARGE WALLED GARDEN HOME COOKED FOOD AVAILABLE 12-2, 5-7 MON-FRI 12-3 SUN NO FOOD SAT

FIND US OPPOSITE THE CHURCH MON-THURS 12-2.30 4-11 FRI AND SAT 12-11 SUN 12-10.30 page 22 the Oxford Drinker june 2008

the Oxford Drinker page 23 issue 51

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