Issue 47 – Winter 2011 FREE – Please take one

Newsletter of North Branch of CAMRA

CAMRA Calls For Planning This makes it incredibly easy any changes of the use of pubs Changes for viable and valued pubs to will require planning permis- be lost, without local authori- sion – ensuring there is local The current system of planning ties or local people even having consultation and an option to controls has prompted CAMRA a say over a pub’s future, which save the pub before it is lost. to call for better protection for CAMRA believes is a major • That Local Development community pubs. At present weakness in the system. Orders (which can currently change of use is simple to obtain CAMRA has called for the fol- be used just to extend devel- to convert pubs into shops, pro- lowing safeguards: opment rights) should also be fessional/financial services, res- • That the Government should allowed to restrict develop- taurants and cafes with little or create a separate, new ‘use ment rights to support the no local consultation. class’ category for pubs, so that retention of key community amenities like pubs. White Lion, Fewcott is Branch • That the Government should liberalise current planning Pub of the Year for 2011 laws, so that former pubs (now shops, services or res- taurants) can be turned back into pubs without planning permission – as currently a pub can be turned into some- thing else without planning permission, but permission is required to turn it back. • That the Government extends protection for pubs threat- ened with demolition. CAMRA Campaigns Manager Emily Ryans said: “I hope this will be the first step in changing planning law to extend protec- tion for essential community pubs. Too many viable pubs are lost every week due to the On July 14th the Branch Pub from a POTY contender, but weakness of current planning of the Year (POTY) Award was also for their unstinting support law. There are a few exam- presented to Paul & Carol King, of darker beers – at least one of ples of pubs which have been mine hosts at the White Lion which is always available. saved by local intervention and in Fewcott. Chairman Lynne As part of her presentation continue to flourish – but this Baldwin was delighted to hand speech Lynne explained how should be the norm, rather than over the winning certificate to the Pub of the Year competi- the exception.” them (see photo above) for not tion works: Each member of CAMRA’s research found only the excellent quality of the Branch is asked to submit that of pubs permanently lost, their beer, which you’d expect Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://www.northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk www.myspace.com/theroseandcrownpub Email: [email protected] Market Street Charlbury Oxon OX7 3PL Tel: 01608 810103 OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am Sat: 11am–1am • Up to seven quality real ales two FORTHCOMING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS traditional ciders and a traditional perry See www.myspace.com/theroseandcrownpub • Hoegaarden Belgian White Beer, Leffe as there are sometimes gigs at short notice Blonde plus one other Belgian Ale on Saturday September 24 draught SONNY BLACK www.sonnyblack.co.uk Saturday October 8 • Selection of quality Belgian bottled beers ROBIN AULD • Good selection of English fruit wines www.myspace.com/robinauld Saturday October 22 • Pleasant courtyard drinking area KRIS DOLLIMORE • We serve on average 40 different guest www.krisdollimore.com beers per month, produced mostly by Saturday November 5 KRISSY MATTHEWS microbreweries from all four www.krissymatthews.com corners of the UK Saturday November 19 North Oxon CAMRA CLARE FREE www.clarefree.co.uk Pub of the Year 2009 Previous Pub of the Year Awards in 2002, 2003 and 2006

Great Tew Oxfordshire

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

2 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Planning Changes Required to Save Pubs Continued from page 1 fied with existing regulations be in place before a pub can be 21% are demolished, 45% are with regard to the protection demolished; and 67% would sup- converted to shop/cafe/restau- of pubs from change of use or port a change in regulations to rant/financial services use, and demolition; 65% would sup- ensure the conversion of a pub 34% are converted to another port a change in regulations to to any other use would require use (mainly residential). require planning permission to planning permission. Also, 69% of people asked believe that a well-run com- munity pub is as important to Branch Pub of the Year 2011 local life as a post office, local Continued from page 1 can be done through the web- shop or community centre; 81% pub marks when they visit any site or sent directly to the Pubs agree that local authorities and pub, and these are collated in a Officer or contact a committee local people should be consulted spreadsheet by the Pubs Officer. member for more information. before a developer is given per- The pubs with the top six marks Congratulations to Paul & Carol mission to demolish a valued go into the final, and a score for this their second Pub of the asset such as a pub, community sheet is sent to each Branch Year accolade and proof that the centre or other service; and that member asking them to visit the White Lion Fewcott is definitely 43% would be willing to take top six pubs and put them in a pub worth visiting. action to help save a local pub order of preference. threatened with closure. The pub with the Even local authority plan- most votes from ning officers (of whom 50% of this wins. authorities responded) believe So if you think that change is required to save you know a pub our community pubs. In a sur- which you feel vey conducted in 2008, 66% should be in the were unsatisfied or very unsatis- running for the Branch Pub of the Year then make sure Planning Begins you send in your for Beer pub marks. This Festival 2012 Congratulations to Paul & Carol on their second The first meeting for Banbury POTY award Beer Festival 2012 will be on Monday 19th September 2011 at 8pm in the Bell Inn, Banbury. CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List Please come along if you would Email addresses are followed by northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk like to help out with the beer fes- CHAIRMAN Lynne Baldwin- BEER ON TAP EDITOR tival in any way. Kramer Tel: 07790 118341 Steve Lympany bot@ Last year we struggled with chairman@ Tel: 07811 667507 volunteers to staff the festival VICE-CHAIRMAN PRESS & PUBLICITY CONTACT and we really need more of our John Harle vicec@ Position vacant press@ PUBS OFFICER members to get involved to help BRANCH SECRETARY Dick Palmer out. You don’t have to com- Caz Jewell secretary@ & Brian Wray pubs@ mit yourself to working huge PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER TREASURER Nick Faulkner amounts of time, every little treasurer@ John Bellinger public@ helps! MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY YOUNG MEMBERS If we don’t get enough people COORDINATOR Yvonne Hallows to organise and staff the beer membership@ Position vacant WEBMASTER festival there may not be one! If BRANCH CONTACT Chris Darke you would like to do something webmaster@ Chris Darke contact@ to help but can’t come along Tel: 07852 251300 Trading Standards: Oxfordshire to the meeting, please contact SOCIAL SECRETARY Yvonne Hallows to register your County Council, Electric Ave, Ferry interest. Position vacant Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0BY Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 Church St, Stratton The Red Lion Audley, , PUB & RESTAURANT OX27 9AG , Oxfordshire Tel: 01869 www.redlionstrattonaudley.co.uk 277225 A warm and inviting thatched country pub and restaurant. The open log fires and traditional pub fayre create a homely atmosphere for casual or formal dining in the main dining area or in one of two private rooms seating up to 16 or 45 (more if buffet style). We have an enclosed traditional courtyard garden with facilities for barbeques in the summer and dining outdoors which can be booked for private functions with the use of a marquee. Most of our food is locally produced and everything on our menu is cooked freshly to order so we are able to accommodate any special requests for variations. Our Specials board is updated on a daily basis. Our range of drinks includes traditional cask ales – Ruddles, Deuchars and Spitfire – along with other beers and a wide range of wines (see our wine list online for more details). The Red Lion has regular Live Entertainment events – check the special events section of our website for further details. Opening times: 12 noon until late every day. Food times: Noon–2.30pm and 6.00pm–9pm Mon–Sat, Noon–4pm Sunday. Proprietor: Frank O’Neill THE BELL High Street, Adderbury • Unspoilt traditional village pub, in one Oxon OX17 3LS of Oxfordshire’s prettiest villages • A good range of award winning, well 01295 810338 kept, cask ales www.thebelladderbury.com • ‘Proper’ home made pub food Email: [email protected] • Secluded, walled, garden • Two letting rooms at reasonable rates Under the new • Walkers and dogs welcome management of • Regular music nights David & Lynne • Quiz every Sunday night

Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 12–2:30 & 5–11 Friday–Saturday 12–2:30 & 5–Late Sunday 12–3 & 7–11

4 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Branch News Carpenters Arms, Clifton road on the night of 9th 01869 340338 for details of the Middle Barton July. The condolences of all at next one. North Oxfordshire CAMRA go The Bank Holiday beer festi- The Carps has rebranded its out to his family and friends. val, which was a roaring success, restaurant as ‘Steak Cavern’ a will appear in the next edition of ‘unique dining experience’ and Lamb Inn, Burford Beer on Tap. introduced a new menu. Still Congratulations to the Lamb based on their Black Rock Grill, Inn, Burford who were runners Pear Tree, but now with more traditional up in the Best Hotel Restaurant The Pear Tree in Hook Norton pub favourites, some Indian and category in the Cotswold Life has recently had a refurbishment Italian classics have been added. Food & Drink Awards 2011. and now also has a new ten- Now every week day, except 380 guests including Matthew ant, Laura Riley. This is Laura’s Friday and Saturday, has a Fort, Prue Leith and Adam first pub, but she comes from a theme with Mondays being their Henson joined Cotswold family involved in the pub trade English night, Tuesday is steak Life magazine for the ninth from Long Itchendon. night, Wednesday is Italian and annual Cotswold Life Food & As the brewery tap for Indian on Thursday. Sunday is Drink Awards at Cheltenham Hooky Brewery, Laura is keen roasts! All are for a minimum Racecourse. The Lamb came to offer lunches for those tak- of two people and are £11.99 in behind winners Cotswolds ing a tour at the brewery, but per person which includes a 88 Hotel, Painswick – a great they will need to be booked in glass of house wine each. Also achievement for this historic advance if in a group (these are any midweek night (Monday to Inn. served 12–3pm), evening meals Thursday) is Black Rock Grill are hoped to be served from and dessert night which gives a Ye Olde Reindeer Inn, September. steak and a dessert for £14.99 Banbury Darts teams are being sought each. Sad news has reached us at Beer for the winter months and Aunt Barley Mow, on Tap of the passing of the Sally teams for the summer. Also Upper Heyford well-known pub cat ‘Cromwell’. on the cards is live entertain- The ever-present feline passed ment, which it is hoped will be a Mike & Sonia at the Barley Mow away on July 11th and it is regular feature. now stock a guest ale from the almost as if he knew that land- Fuller’s list. They have about lord Tony Puddifoot is planning four to choose from each month, his retirement in September. including Butcombe and Castle Rock to name a couple, and they Fox Inn, Westcott Barton are selling well. As reported in the last edition Originally introduced for the the Fox’s website is now up and summer they are being retained running and can be accessed at for as long as they are selling. www.the-fox.net. So to ensure they keep them Here you can keep up with through the year best get along the current ales on at this excel- and try the ales at this excellent lent local pub. Having taken local pub. over six months ago Tony has Duke of Cumberland’s already moved to having three Head, Clifton beers on during the week and four at weekends – all for only It was with great sadness that three pounds a pint. The Crop we learned of the death of land- Swap is back on a monthly basis lord Robert Huntingdon, who and if you are interested in tak- was only 32. He died in a car ing your spare produce along to Welcome to Laura Riley, new tenant at the accident on the to swap then contact The Fox on Pear Tree, Hook Norton Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 Scotland End Hook Norton hook norton nr Banbury Tel: 01608 737482 / 07814 262536 Email: [email protected] Oxon OX15 5NU The newly refurbished brewery tap, the Pear Tree, grants every wish you want from your local pub. We have six very well kept Hook Norton real ales, traditional homemade pub grub, fantastically large beer garden and regular events throughout the year! New landlady Laura welcomes you to the perfectly located flagship pub where you will receive a warm and friendly welcome from herself and her team seven days a week, 364¼ days a year, open all day from noon til late! A perfect rest spot for walkers and cyclists to refuel themselves on our fantastic menu. Serving food Mon–Sat 12–3pm and Tues–Sat 6pm–9pm; Sunday 12–8pm for Sunday roasts and additional condensed menu. We also cater for coach trips, brewery tours and breakfast occasions on a pre-booked basis and also have a buffet menu for private functions and off-site catering. We have letting rooms available – two family rooms and a double room, all with en-suite. They all have been recently redecorated and we have good competitive rates on all rooms. With us being the only pub in the village with a children’s play area, families are more than welcome to join us. Alfresco dining is available with plenty of room for well behaved dogs. Free wifi access, open log fire and plenty of friendly company – there’s nothing more you need from any pub! We hold a popular quiz night ever Sunday, Aunt Sally during summer months and darts evenings starting in October every Wednesday. Look out for events during October, November and December including coffee and cake lunch deals to celebrate national baking week, Halloween party and Xmas Fayre December 21st.

Lower Heyford

21 Market Square, , Oxon OX25 5NY 01869 347176

• Varied guest ales from all over the UK • Five minutes walk from canal • Large beer garden Open: • Listed in the Good Beer Guide 2009 Mon–Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–11pm; • Families and dogs welcome Friday & Sat 12pm–11pm; • Lunch and full menu available Sun 12–10.30pm • Food served Mon–Sun 12–3pm & 5pm–10pm

6 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 There will be six Hook Norton ales always available. There is a self-contained studio flat and two additional rooms available all year round with full English breakfast or continental if pre- ferred. Laura offers a warm wel- come to one and all. Bell Inn, Adderbury We welcome David Frear & Lynne James to this flagship Hooky pub where they have been busy during the summer decorating and renewing some of the furnishings, using some of David’s previous experience in the antiques trade. David left the village four years ago to become tenants, with Lynne, at The Crown (Greene Malcolm and Diane Guy, new behind the bar at the Cock Inn, Combe King) in Stotfold, Herts. They intend to keep The Bell at the had Greene King IPA, Olde Trip Mill Arts Centre heart of village life, opening and Woodforde’s Wherry (all Mon–Thurs 12–2.30 & 5–11; Fri The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury on song) at the time of my visit, is planning two small beer fes- & Sat 12–2.30 & 5–late; and Sun while Diane was serving good 12–3 & 7–11. tivals on successive weekends traditional English pub food. in October to coincide with They will be serving qual- They already have all the mak- ity home-cooked food which Banbury Canal Day (Oct 2) and ings of a successful village pub, Banbury Folk Festival (Oct 8–9). is available Mon–Sat 12–2 & with ladies’ and gents’ darts 7–9; Sun 12–2.30 (no food Sun Bar manager Hilary Gasper teams, an Aunt Sally team, a crib is planning to focus on Hook evening just yet, though it is team, and a folk music night planned for the future). They are Norton beers on Canal Day. For every Tuesday. They also run a the Folk Festival a wider range of also maintaining the range and prescription service and have quality of the Hooky beers with breweries will feature. Since the links with the local primary Arts Centre is a venue for the four on at any time and a guest school and the church. from the Hooky range. Folk Festival and sits alongside The atmosphere of this pub is the canal, it will be at the centre As a keen golfer, David hopes at once attractive outside, with to add regular golfing days to of the action for both events. its setting opposite the expan- Its bar generally has at least the social life of The Bell as well sive village green with plenty as maintaining the darts, Aunt two Hook Norton beers in fine of outside seating, with a warm condition, plus a guest (London Sally, folk evenings and being welcome inside at the bar where the spiritual home of the three Pride on my last visit), served you will find areas to drink that by welcoming staff. Reasonably- Morris teams in the village. They are not dominated by food (even also have a new email address priced snacks are served at at meal times). lunchtime. and can be contacted at www. Bell Inn, thebelladderbury.com. Coach and Horses, Cock Inn, Combe Frank & Freya have reported Adderbury another successful This lovely village pub is now in weekend with drinkers flock- A warm welcome awaits every- the capable hands of Malcolm ing to the pub for real food on one at the Coach and Horses, & Diane Guy. They arrived in real plates and their excellent from new landlords Pat & Linda January this year, holding the real ales in real glasses, with the Wilkins, recently arrived from tenancy for the previous land- Old Hooky proving particularly Bedford where they ran a pub lord. On 1st July they took over popular. for eight years. the tenancy having decided that They will be holding more This is a Wadworth pub and this was the place for them after of their popular food and ale they serve their Henry’s IPA and a previous life in Darlington. matching nights in the new year 6X as well as a guest. They are Diane prepares the food while – for details, contact the Bell open noon–14.30 & 18.00–mid- Malcolm looks after the bar. He directly. night Mon–Thurs; all day Fri, Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 [email protected] www.thefoxatsouldern.co.uk Dating back to 1803 The Fox is nestled in the picturesque village of and offers: • Traditional style home cooked food. • Three Real Ales (two of which constantly rotate), sourced from around the country. • Four en-suite bedrooms.

Proud to be a member of CAMRA and CASK MARQUE

2011 invites all to An Inn for All Seasons The Saye & Sele Arms Broughton, nr Banbury

A truly warm welcome awaits all who cross the threshold of this delightful Cotswold inn from proprietors Danny & Liz McGeehan www.sayeandselearms.co.uk mail@ www.sayeandselearms.co.uk Tel: 01295 263348

8 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Sat & Sun. Bar meals are avail- able. On Sunday evening a fun quiz is held from 8pm and live music twice a month. They have also recently unveiled a brand new smoker’s shelter and heater. Whitmore Arms, Work on the Whitmore progresses and it will be in excellent condition when it is finished with the outbuildings to the rear – including the old malthouse – having had a major refurb. It is anticipated the building works will be complet- ed around the end of November and then an internal refit will Ketan and staff at the newly-refurbished Plough Inn, start. It has been said that it would have been much less planned menu with a variety Wetherspoons costly to build from new. of starters and mains from all The local J. D.Wetherspoon The current anticipated re- around the world, such as burg- pubs – the Fleur de Lis and opening is mid- to late-February ers, ostrich, zebra, wild boar, Exchange in Banbury, and the but this may slip, but it will be impala and llama. Penny Black in Bicester – will well worth waiting for. They sell Adnam’s Broadside all be participating in the annual Plough Inn, Arncott and St Austell’s Tribute but are Wetherspoon Beer Festival from hoping to add another soon if Oct 5th–23rd with about 50 real The Plough re-opened on 8th the demand is there. For those ales available over the period August, with landlord Ketan and of an exotic nature there are also rotating on the handpumps in chef Josh the team behind the cocktails available here too. each of the pubs concerned. pub’s success. There are bar snacks all day Both have worked together in with some starters being avail- the pub trade for some years, able. Their opening hours are Branch Diary having run pubs and bars all Mon–Wed 11–11; Thurs–Sat All meetings start 8pm, other events over the world including Japan, 11–12; and Sun 12–10.30 with start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn Baldwin (07790) 118341 or Chris Darks, Australia and Bali; they really food served weekdays 11.30– Branch Contact. For meeting info are bringing a taste of the world 3.00 & 5.00–10.00pm; all day contact Lynne Baldwin to Arncott. There is a very well weekends. SEPTEMBER Solution to Crossword 45 12th: Committee meeting. The Give Us A Sun Inn, Hook Norton, tbc 19th: Beer Festival Meeting. Tweet! The Bell, Banbury OCTOBER North Oxfordshire 10th: Branch Meeting, The CAMRA has acquired Chequers, a Twitter account – 15th: Beer Festival Helpers Trip and tweets can be to Bristol made or followed at 29th: Birmingham Beer @NorthOxonCAMRA. Festival, tbc For those who don’t NOVEMBER use Twitter, don’t for- 19th: Social to Wantage, after- get that we have a full- noon, tbc featured website online DECEMBER at www. northoxfordshirecamra. 9th: Christmas Social, org.uk The Fox, Souldern, tbc This edition is slightly later than normal, but we hope to get back on schedule for the Winter Check Branch website for Edition – so please send all new Branch News, etc., to the Editor as soon as possible late events & changes

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 The Duck on the Pond A charming traditional freehouse Open seven days a week All day Saturday and Sunday

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

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

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

10 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Reviews of Local Summer Beer Festivals Candleford Beer Festival, The fourth annual Candleford Beer Festival, held on 12th June on Fringford’s cricket green next to the Butcher’s Arms, proved to be another great success. A large crowd of festival-goers sampled a wide range of 30 real ales and 10 ciders and perries. Music, stalls, games and very welcome food were provided by village groups and local businesses ensuring this fund-raising festi- val had something for everyone. To recognise their loyal sup- Festival-goers packed into the grounds of Chadlington Village Hall for the Beer Festival port a sponsors’ tasting was held Chadlington Beer ing entertained festival-goers the evening before where they Festival throughout the day and a cricket voted Rebellion’s Twelfth Man match in the adjoining field was 4.2% (a copper hoppy brew) as The weather may not have been a relaxing diversion from beery the Sponsors’ Favourite Beer. the sun-blessed scorcher prom- proceedings. Notably, this was the first to run ised by the Met Office on 4th It was good to see that Mike out at the festival. June, but the eighth Chad festi- Willis, for 21 years the landlord Festival judges selected Cairn- val was certainly a hot favourite of the village’s Tite Inn, has been gorm’s Black Gold 4.4%, a rich of ale fans and families who remembered with a Memorial dark stout, as Champion Beer flocked to this popular event. Trophy in his name donated by with runners up being Farmers’ With around 20 real ales (a the Cotswold Brewing Company Pucks Folly 4.2% and Church couple not available at the last to be awarded to the brewer of End’s Goat’s Milk 3.9%. minute) the range was varied the ‘Best Beer of the Festival’. Other beers that proved popu- and covered most styles. A late This is a cracking village lar were Castle Rock’s Harvest addition was Morris by Patriot festival with a great family-fun Pale 3.8% and Millstone’s Tiger Brewery (from Whichford) – a atmosphere. The event is a Rut 4.0%, while cider and perry wonderful session ale recently fund-raiser for the local primary favourites were Original Cider added to the brewery’s portfo- school – see their website at Co.’s Moonshine 7.4% and lio – a wonderful quaffing ale to www.chadlingtonbeerfestival. Gwynt Y Ddraig’s Two Trees quench the thirst after a warm com for future festivals. 4.5%. walk over from Charlbury, which Keith Rigley Andrew Davison proved to be an excellent intro- duction to the festival. Other early choices were Black Hole Bitter (3.8%) and Skinner’s Keel Over (4.2%) both of which were in fine fettle. Fruit-infused ales like Saltaire Blackberry Cascade (4.8%) and B&T Fruit Bat (4.5%, flavoured with raspberries) added a sum- mery edge to the day’s sampling and were surprisingly easy to quaff. My personal favourite, however, was Oakleaf Hole Hearted (4.7%), a citric and bit- ter, full-flavoured beer with a huge Cascade hop bite. A varied programme of music, singing and Morris danc- The great selection of beers at the Candleford Beer Festival Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 CHIPPING NORTON, Oxfordshire A Traditional 16th Century Inn situated in Chipping Norton’s historic marketplace Hook Norton award-winning real ales wru Six individually Traditional styled en-suite Old Rosie cider rooms on handpump wru wru Special 2-night Open log fire Friday–Sunday in winter Weekend deals wru (phone for details) Attractive outdoor wru covered & heated Large car park drinking area (off Albion Street) Traditional home-cooked meals (lunchtimes only) – in the bar or separate dining room Bookings taken • Parties catered for • Home-cooked Sunday Roasts, 12–2.30pm Small conference room available for meetings or reception parties – please phone for details Market Square, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 5DD • Tel: 01608 642658 Open 10am–11pm Mon–Sat, 12–4pm Sun

The Rock Canal-side garden and moorings 15 minutes from Jct 9 M40 (A34), of 300 yards from B4027/4095 jct Gibraltar Historic pub 1880 Enslow Bridge Faith & Stamatis welcome you OX5 3AY Open from 11.00am all day (except Tel: 01869 331373 Tuesday, from 4.00pm) Lunchtime bar food 12.00–3.00pm Evening à la carte restaurant 6.30–9.00pm (closed Tuesday) Sunday – home-cooked Sunday roast 12.00–3.00pm A selection of real ales

Open fireplace Small private functions Business lunches

12 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Shakespear Beer and Sadler’s Mud City Stout (6.6%), Cider Festival Bird’s Black Widow Stout (4.5%), and Bushy’s Ruby Mild Organised by Shakespeare (3.5%) went down rather well CAMRA Branch, this was their as a good ‘session’ beer. What a fifth and it took place on 24th– good job we can now get beers 25th June at Stratford-upon- Avon Race Course. Camping in one-third pint measures! facilities are always available for Morris dancing plus blues and tents, caravans and camper vans jazz were scheduled for Saturday at very reasonable rates plus plus the appearance of the Hook plenty of car/coach parking. Norton Dray and there was to Thankfully this year I went be a free bus service from the on Friday afternoon when there rail station to the venue. I left was plenty of elbow room, as my happily clutching a carry-out of experience of previous years is Mud City Stout for later con- that the bar (being on the small sumption. side) can get ‘snug’ at busy times. Jan Day This year’s theme was Celtic & Red Lion, Stratton Audley Prime Minister David Cameron gets the World Middle beers – so with Beer Festival Aunt Sally Championships under way at the 55 ales, 13 ciders, four perrys Charlbury Beer Festival plus Plum Jerkum from the The first weekend of July saw the Fleece Inn, Bretforton there was Red Lion’s charity beer festival. Charlbury Beer Festival plenty of choice. I’m not sure It had eight fabulous summer what Plum Jerkum was but at ales all kindly donated by local The morning of July 9th started 6.5% (and having driven there) I businesses. reasonably on the weather front, thought I’d better not try it. A very enjoyable day with a and, although there were a few Three listed beers were sub- hog roast in the afternoon and downpours during the day, it did stituted by others and two or a tent all set out for music and nothing to dampen down this three were not ready, but that live bands in the evening. Local hugely popular festival. still left plenty of others avail- ales came from Oxfordshire The gates opened at 11.30 able. All the beers I tried were Ales with their excellent for sponsors to have a VIP in excellent condition and the Marshmellow and Festival Ale, head start on sampling the bar staff were, as always, very other ales came from Titanic and beers. This year they held friendly and helpful. Springhead breweries as well as ‘The Worlds First Aunt Sally I tried Davenport IPA (4%) Salopian Shropshire Gold and Singles Championship’. This was which was very fruity and good, Lemon Dream, my favourites opened by Prime Minister David Purple Moose Darkside of the were the Lemon Dream and Cameron, who attended with Moose (4.6%) a malty dark Marshmellow. Three ciders were his son. He enjoyed a couple of ale with a fruity but bitter finish, also available for lovers of the halves before leaving. Caledonian Nectar (4.3%) with a fermented apple. 32 players entered the com- lot of flavours including honey, All the real ales were sold out petition and this was won by by the end of the Trevor Dyer from the Churchill festival and a big Arms at Paxford, beating local thank you to Frank player George Williams to claim and Lesley for a great the prize of £100 and a replica of weekend and for rais- the Finings trophy. ing a fantastic £1,500 Throughout the day music for for Helen House hos- all tastes was on stage, featuring pice, which on top local artists. Food was available of the £15,424 raised from chips to curries and burg- last year must make ers. And when you needed a the Red Lion one of comfort break, the eco-friendly the top charity pubs toilets were functional and inter- in our Branch. esting in how they worked. Matt Harper The beers were in excellent condition and as usual the staff were enthusiastic and a pleas- Frank hard at work at the ure to meet again. Some of the bar of the Red Lion, Stratton ales on offer were Bridestone’s Audley Beer Festival Pennine Gold (4.3%), Great Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 Lower Heyford Road Caulcott OX25 4ND Tel/fax: 01869 343257

This charming, thatched 16th century freehouse, in a peaceful, rural setting, offers four real ales (over 200 different ales annually) with locally brewed Hook Norton Best Bitter ever present. An interesting and wide ranging menu is available lunchtime and evenings (not Sunday evenings and Mondays), served in the restaurant, bar or garden. Choose from the daily specials board or the speciality sausage menu offering 12 varieties of O’Hagan’s sausages. Small parties catered for; booking recommended No children under 10 years old Voted Pub of the Year 2010 by North Oxfordshire CAMRA www.horseandgroomcaulcott.co.uk Opening times: Mon-Sat: 12–3, 6–11; Sun: 12–3, 7–10.30 Jerome Prigent

The Bell Inn at Great Bourton • An unspoilt traditional Village Pub • Up to four Hook Norton cask conditioned ales • Traditional fresh home-made food • Traditional pub games – darts, dominoes, cribbage, Aunt Sally, shove halfpenny • Open log fire • Walker and dog friendly • Quiz nights Manor Road, Great Bourton • Regular event nights (eg, St George’s Day, nr Banbury, Oxon OX17 1QP see website for details) Tel: 01295 750504 • Traditional Sunday lunch cooked to order • Small to medium size parties catered for www.bourtons.net • Terraced garden Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Thurs 12-2.30 & 6-11pm; Fri & Sat 12-3 & 6-12 pm; Sun 12-3 & 7-11pm. Closed: Tues lunchtime. Food served 12-2 & 6.30-8.30 all week. Restaurant closed Sunday night.

14 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 times, but these were served quickly. A selection of what was on offer from around 120 ales: Arbor Ales Artisan 4.8%, Greenodd Brunette 4.5%, Brough’s Bitter 4.3%, Severn Vale Dance 5% – but my ale of the festival was Worcestershire Way from Bewdley, at 3.6% an easy-going ale with bags of fla- vour. On offer to soak up the ales were two pig roasts along with Pit Stop Catering’s burgers, hot dogs, etc., and a fish and chip Some of the many visitors at the ever-popular Charlbury Beer Festival van. Newsome Sleck Dust (3.8%), the number of campervans and Well done again to all involved, Great Oakley Gobble (4.5%), tents taking advantage of it. see you next year. Hunter’s Crack Shot (3.8%), and The festival opened to a Beermonster for me my favourite was Big damp start with the entrance Dun Cow, Horton Lamp Summerhill Stout (4.4%). a bit too much of a risk for Beer Festival It was a very enjoyable day the Harringtons coach from meeting up with members of Coventry that brought some 30 Fond memories of visits to coun- Oxford CAMRA and friends or 40 passengers for the day. try pubs in Kent and Sussex gave from far and wide. Thanks to the The day brightened up and the Adrian the idea of the theme for organisers for another great day crowds gathered to enjoy the his first festival since taking over and well done for raising over selection of ales in the large from Martin & Gwyneth. And so £20,000 for local and interna- marquee. They were entertained it was that Yvonne & I were pre- tional charities. by some excellent local talent sented with an array of unusual Cheers, see you next year. including Jasmine Faulkner beers (for our area) as the festival Beermonster (lovely voice) the daughter of opened on the Friday over the our Branch Treasurer. weekend of 15th–17th July. Hook Norton Later on, when the weather Despite the threatening rain Beer Festival had improved, the Hook Norton clouds, the garden quickly filled up, not only with people but also For the third year running the Brewery Dray visited with Roger with aromas of cooking of imagi- festival was held on July 16th in Hughes at the reins. His arrival native dishes on the barbeque. the Rural Fayre field just up the was met with great interest from My whole barbequed mackerel road from the Pear Tree. The the public and the horses were was a revelation as was Yvonne’s layout was tweaked again this fussed and admired. quesadillas (tortilla packed with year and it was an improvement. The ales were in good form and the staffing was well done black bean paste, cheese, soured There was camping available cream and salsa) – yum! Enough for £5 to cover the costs of facili- with queues of maybe one or two in front of you at peak of that, what about the beers? ties and this seemed popular by We started with Harvey’s Sussex Best (4%) and Westerham Brewing Co’s Grasshopper Bitter (3.8%) both packed with a prominent hoppiness – the lat- ter being the darker of the two. I followed this with Hepworth’s Pullman (4.2%), an excellent bit- ter with a crisp bite, brewed by Andy Hepworth, former head brewer of the late lamented King & Barnes Brewery (the addition of Admiral hops reminded me of the approach of October and Hooky’s IPA Flagship in which the hops are also used). Adrian deserves credit for The bar at the Hook Norton Beer Festival two brave decisions – firstly, the Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 16 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 number of stronger beers like Dark Star Original (5%, 1996 Champion Beer of Britain), Gadds Ramsgate Brewery’s Dog Bolter (5.6%, a traditional sweet dark porter) and Westerham’s Audit Ale (6.2%); and also the beer bats of three glasses of one third of a pint of each ale which enabled us to sample all of the beers at the festival. My favourite (and also voted beer of the festival) was WJ King’s IPA at 5.2%, receiving twice as many votes as any other. When Adrian returns the cask to Horsham with the beer of the festival cer- The beer tent, music tent and patio at the Fox, Souldern Beer Festival tificate, he intends to buy anoth- I’d last tried this beer and it was were finished and only three er for sale in the pub. Keep us as good as I remember! For my Cumbrian. I popped along at posted on your excellent website final drink I plumped for an Saturday lunchtime, and the when this is on sale please! old favourite – Potbelly Beijing two Yorkshire beers I tried We look forward with relish to Black, gorgeous! (Saltaire’s South Island Pale and the next festival at the Dun Cow. The live music had just started Copper Dragon’s Conqueror) Monty as I tore myself away with Laurie were in excellent condition, Horse & Groom, Caulcott, Fray and the Swing Band getting but Cumbrian brewery Kirby Bastille Day Beer Festival the place moving and people Lonsdale’s Monumental was were starting to arrive en-masse. truly … monumental. Over the weekend of the 15th– Next year I hope to spend more Sunday I was back and this 17th July Jerome held his second time at this special little pub and time tried most of the Cumbrian annual Bastille Day beer festival. its special big beer festival. beers. The Monumental was With 21 old favourites, a Steve Lympany still monumental and easily my strong Cornish contingent, a Fox Inn, Souldern favourite of the festival – a pale good local representation and floral hop flavoured beer – but all main styles on show (with Beer Festival also worthy of mention was the strengths up to 5.5%) it was The weather was generally good Blackbeck Belle, a dark mild with always going to be a good one. for Catherine’s annual beer subtle chocolate flavours and the Unfortunately I couldn’t spend festival, and the downpour on Barngate’s Cracker Ale, a malty as long as I did last year, but Thursday did little to dampen beer with caramel flavours. managed to pop along for a few spirits as the drinkers finished All the beers I tried were halves in between tasks. the first cask, Coniston Bluebird excellent and the festival was, The Dark Star Hophead was in XB. A great start for Cumbria as usual, a great occasion with fine form – with plenty of lovely in the competition against music on Sunday afternoon floral hops on the nose and pal- Yorkshire, but it wasn’t to last. provided by, among others, ate; it has been a few years since In the end, six Yorkshire beers the Musical Box – a local rock school from . A total of £860 was raised for the local church roof appeal which was easily the most Catherine has raised for charity. A truly monu- mental achievement from a totally monumental beer festival with genuinely Monumental beer, one not to miss next year! Steve Lympany Hare & Hounds, Lower Beer Festival This took place on the last weekend in July and was a mod- The drapeau tricolore outside the Horse & Groom is a sure sign of it being beer festival weekend est event – modesty, of course, Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 Pub & Restaurant The Fox & Hounds Ardley, Oxfordshire A good old traditional family run pub with two open fires and a warm and friendly welcome from the staff

Opening times: 12pm to 3pm & 5pm to 10:30pm (Monday to Thursday); 12pm to 11pm (Friday and Saturday); Our food is home cooked and we serve good portions 12pm to 10pm (Sunday). Closed and are always happy to accommodate any special October to March Sunday evenings requirements. Food Served: 12pm to 3pm & 5pm We offer a range of drinks and have recently changed so to 9pm that our traditional cask ales are rotating weekly. Directions: Come off at junction 10 of the M40 and take a left following the We now have a function room that can cater for parties signs to (B430), we and weddings, etc. Please get in contact with us to discuss are less than a mile away on the left. your requirements. Proprietor: Clive Shellard

18 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Hertfordshire term alluding to the uselessness of something), while Jack o’ Legs (4.2%) is named after a Robin Hood clone from Stevenage. Good sausages from the bar- becue and some fine live music helped foster the sense of well- being. I look forward to next year’s event, and hope it retains its modesty. Local Beer Festival DIARY Enjoying the sunshine at the festival in the garden of the Hare & Hounds, Lower Wardington SEPTEMBER being a virtue. Their eight ales terms of ‘Locale’ criteria. 16–18: Littleworth Beer and reduced the agony of choosing The pick for me were Sausage Festival what not to have (with the usual Ferryman’s Gold from Loddon 20–24: Far From the Madding Hook Norton at the bar for Brewery in south Oxfordshire Crowd, Oxford Autumn Beer those for whom eight was not (a 4.4% beer with citrus tones), Festival enough). and Skinner’s Ginger Tosser 23–24: North Cotswold CAMRA Most were medium strength (3.8% and infused with Cornish Beer Festival, Moreton-in-Marsh (only two above 4%), well-suited honey). The latter is a good 24: Vale Brewery Open Day, Brill. Brewery visits, tutored tastings, to drinking under a warm sun drink, but has a rubbish name; several unique beers (free tasters in the pub garden while gaz- Tring Brewery puts greater or £2 per pint) ing towards Northamptonshire. care into naming its 3.6% Side 30–31: Ascot Racecourse Beer Most had lowish beer miles in Pocket For A Toad (being a Festival. 200 real ales plus cider and perry OCTOBER Good Beer Guide 2012 Now Out 2: Mill Arts Centre, Banbury. The 2012 edition of tion, with plans for Small festival featuring Hook CAMRA’s best-selling an eBook edition well Norton ales 5–23: J.D. Wetherspoon Good Beer Guide (the advanced for release Autumn Beer Festival (see 2010 edition sold over in 2011. The CAMRA Branch News) 30,00 copies) hit the marketing team have 8: Mill Arts Centre, Banbury. streets on September also begun work on a Larger festival, to coincide 15th. GBG eNewsletter for with local folk festival The brewery section CAMRA members as 12–15: Concrete Pint Beer of this year’s Good well as a Good Beer Festival, Milton Keynes. See Beer Guide is bigger Guide twitter feed (@ Milton Keynes and North than ever. The Guide greatpubs) – both these Bucks CAMRA site at http:// has had 20 extra pages projects are aimed at mkcamra.org.uk/cms/ 27–29: 14th Oxford Beer added to allow for raising awareness of the Festival, Town Hall, Oxford. 100 new real ale brewers to be Guide and further promoting 160 beers, 40+ ciders/per- included and now lists 900 brew- the featured pubs. rys. Food at all sessions. eries of every shape and size. CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide Volunteers required – free Simon Hall, CAMRA’s Head is available from the CAMRA beer and food, see www. of Publications said: “Fitting shop (visit www.camra.org. oxfordcamra.org.uk for staff- the ever-growing list of British uk/shop or call 01727 867201) ing forms and info brewers into the Guide is a great for the special online member DECEMBER problem to have as it means the price of £10.00 plus P&P. Mail 13–17: Far From The Madding real ale industry continues to go order price £11.00 plus P&P Crowd, Oxford Winter Beer from strength to strength.” (full post and packaging costs Festival The Guide features 4,500 of can be found on the web page). JANUARY the best real ale pubs in the UK The Branch is hoping to have a 18–21: National Winter Ales and pulling these listings togeth- launch party, though at the time Festival, Manchester. Over er is a mammoth task. of writing this had not been 300 real ales plus cider/perry. The Good Beer Guide is also finalised – details will be pub- See http://www.alefestival.org. joining the technical revolu- lished on the Branch website. uk/winterales/ Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 20 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 BLADON AND By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks A ramble around Bladon Heath dropping in at Winston Churchill’s grave Distance: 5.2 miles then follow the field boundary ary round to the right and then Allow: 2.5 hours plus pub stop straight ahead then right to keep keeping the hedge on your left Map: Landranger 164 the wood on your left. Where until you reach a crossroads of Parking: The White House, the wood ends, keep straight on tracks by a large tree. Go roughly Bladon has a large car park. Call across the next field, aiming for straight on, passing just to the before to confirm it’s OK. the middle of three trees ahead. right of the large tree and head Go through the gap in the up an incline on the gravel track. This is a gentle stroll on mainly hedge ahead and walk straight After almost 500m at the top level ground. Important: take a on, keeping the hedge on your of the incline, take a waymarked map as there are few waymarks. right. At the end of the hedge, path to the left and aim to the Start from the White House, walk through a gap and continue right of the house ahead. Bladon and cross the road on along in the same general direc- On reaching the house, enter the pelican crossing then turn tion. At the far end of the field, the field on the right through the right. After passing the old vil- cross a stile and bridge then turn large gap (note that the ‘Bull in lage pump and war memorial, left, following the field bound- field’ sign is not correct – I can’t take a fork in the path up a hill, go up to A44 To the church and turn Woodstock To right at the lych-gate. Bicester Continue along this road and then keep START B4095 straight on at the stag- gered crossroad (by an old shop, now a stu- White A44 Ri House ve dio) into Manor Road. r G ly Follow the bend in m Bladon the road to the right e then turn left and To Long carry on until you Hanborough reach a stile straight Withy ahead on the next Clump bend to enter a field. Follow the right field boundary, keeping the hedge on your right. Begbroke Where the hedge ends and the track bends to the right, turn Burleigh Lodge House left aiming for the Rising Sun A44 gap between the two To Oxford woods ahead. Ring Cross a stile and Road bridge on your right and walk straight I III III on to reach a road III III III and turn left. Walk III Farmhouse III III past Burleigh Lodge III III III then, just before the III III III next telegraph pole IIII IIII IIII turn left, cross a stile IIII Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 see the point of a warning sign you reach the large wood ahead, pub does very good value food when there’s no gate!). Follow any go through the gate and follow of generous portions. The pub is visible tracks along this field but the well-defined track through open all day – see below for food generally keep the house garden mainly broadleaf woodland. times, which are virtually all day and then the wood on your left The only deviation on the at weekends. and soon you will see a promi- track through the woods is a fork Pubs on the walk nent dead tree and views beyond which you reach in a very short to Yarnton. Walk down the slope time – take the right fork here The Rising Sun, Begbroke – Open and bear round to the left where and keep along the track where it all day every day. Food: noon–9pm the wood ends and follow a becomes narrower. At the far end every day. The White House, Bladon – Open hedge to find a waymarked stile of the wood go through the bro- all day every day. Food: Mon–Fri and bridge on the left. ken gate to enter a pasture and noon–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat noon– Cross stile and proceed virtu- walk on in the same direction, 5pm & 6–9pm; Sun noon–7pm. ally straight on, aiming for the keeping the trees on your right. point where the telegraph wires Soon you will reach the first cross the far field boundary. houses on the outskirts of Cider in North Cross a stile here and turn left Bladon. Go through a gate, walk along a wide green lane. Very past a block of lock-up garages Oxfordshire soon you need to turn right at then turn right after the last a waymark then walk straight garage and walk along a lane into At the CAMRA North Oxon ahead keeping the hedge on your a field through a gap to the right AGM, held at The Roebuck, right. At the far end of the field, of a metal gate. Go straight on Drayton (see report page 30), cross another stile and turn left along the green lane, keeping Tracie Darke volunteered to be along the cycle track by the A44, Withy Clump on your left then our Branch Cider Representative. to see the Rising Sun ahead. On stay on the track after the end This coincides with our our research trip, St. Austell of the woods, until you reach Branch’s first cider producer Tribute and Hooky Bitter were the hedge at the far side of the coming to the fore. Kevin Isaac on sale in good condition in this field. Go past the hedge and of Middle Barton wanted to landmark rambling 17th Century turn immediately left to keep the make use of the apples which inn. Food is served all day. hedge on your left to eventually grew in his garden, so he invest- Just past the Rising Sun, turn reach a tarmac road where you ed in all the equipment required left into Spring Hill Lane (signed walk on in the same direction. to turn his apples to cider and ‘To St. Michael’s Church’). If Just past some allotments you got to work! The result, which you want to visit the church, will see the churchyard on your was tried at The Fox, Westcote turn right into St Michael’s Lane left. Go through the gate in the Barton Beer Festival over the then return to walk along Spring churchyard and follow the path August Bank Holiday weekend, Hill Lane again. Soon you will to the church to find the graves was a 7% blended dry cider see a waymarked path on your of Winston Churchill and many called Golden Bough, made right – keep to the right of the of his family. To continue the from a blend of Bramley (70%), drive up to the house and then walk, retrace your steps back to Blenheim Orange, Wyken pass the house, go through a gate the gate you used to enter the Pippen, Gravenstein and Spartan and enter a field beyond, keep- churchyard and turn left. Follow apples. It has a dry initial taste ing straight on with the hedge to the slope down to the A4095 followed by a lovely fruity apple your right. Stay on this path until where you will see the White flavour. It sold out within 24 House opposite hours to great acclaim from all and the pelican who tried it. crossing just to Kevin is starting small – just your left. 200 litres from his last harvest – The pub sells but is keeping his options open beers from the depending on how things go. Greene King We still need nominations for stable, with IPA the Branch’s Cider Pub of the (at £2.49 per Year, and these can come from pint) and Old anyone in the trade or even a Speckled Hen customer. on my visit. The If you would like to nominate a pub as Cider Pub of the Year, The graves of the email Tracie on cider@ Churchill family in northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk Bladon churchyard by October 1st. 22 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Beer on Tap Spotted In Vegas and Portugal Below is Alan Mitchell, the clus- Souldern and our Pub of the to drink at the conference was termaster for Ardley, Fritwell, Year in Fewcott who recently bottled Newcastle Brown Ale visited Las Vegas for a confer- straight from the freezer – so ence and took a Beer on Tap or no doubt he’s glad to be back in two with him. the White Lion, where the beer He doesn’t say if he left any should be at a more appropriate in the bars of Vegas, but he temperature. did get to go to the top of the Stratosphere Tower where this photo was taken. The Vegas strip is in the background. He also found time to visit the Sin City Brewery Bar in the Miracle Mile to sample their Stout and Oktoberfest, and even found ice cold Draught Bass in one restau- rant, but the only thing he found Beer on Tap hits new heights In this photo we see Darren Tuzzio in an Above we see Gary Butler, better aircraft at about 32,000ft on his way to the known as “Nosh”, in the marina Algarve. Once there he had to drink wine and at Villamoura, Portugal. a well known Spanish lager, which we won’t He lives in Wokingham, but mention in these hallowed pages. works in the area and here we Darren is looking forward to his in-flight see him reading the Branch meal while reading the Branch News and look- News about the new landlords in ing forward to returning to The Easington, the Fox, Westcote Barton where Banbury and a pint of his (and Madonna’s) he can be found regularly enjoy- favourite tipple, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. ing Tony’s excellent ales. Old Geezer and Jack The Lad Having a Beer You sit there fiddling around with this new one from St Austell with it all the time and we can’t Brewery. You should give it a try. have a proper conversation. What about a half? We can top it • Well, you see, I’m getting impor- up if you like it. tant messages and things. • Go on then. But I’m only trying • Oh yeah. My batty old aunt it so you don’t call me a miser- was like that before she died … able old git. always getting messages ‘from (Jack returns with the beer) • What do you look like, you the other side’, so she said! • Well, I reckon it’s the essence, just youngsters? Beer in one hand • I can even get a description of you try that and see what you and that thing in the other, and this pub on the internet. Do you think. your thumb going ten to the want to know what it says? • Well, here goes, but I shall tell dozen! • Don’t be barmy. What’s the you exactly what I think of it. • You old’uns never let up do you? point of that when we’re sitting • You know me, I wouldn’t recom- Let me tell you I can do everything in it?! We can see what it looks mend any rubbish. Us converts to with this phone, mate. Make calls, like with our own eyes. real ale only want the best. get me emails, send messages, get • Alright granddad, point taken, I’ll • Blimey, I‘ll have to hand it to the internet, and even take your put it down. Now, let me get you you, Jack, that’s really tasty. photo if you like! another beer. What would you You can make it a pint. I can’t • Don’t you dare! No-one wants a like? believe that a lager drinker, like picture of me these days. I call • You know me, Jack, I always you used to be, can be so good that bloomin’ thing your ‘life have the cooking bitter, you at chosing a proper real ale. support machine’. You young know … the cheapest. • Well, there you are granddad, ’uns can’t seem to live without • Fair enough, if that’s what you geezers like you are never too old one of those glued to your hand. want, but you’re missing a trick to learn something new!

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 were in great condition. It’s like Beer and Camping (Part 3) a museum inside with enough things to keep you occupied Following on from Fin’s excel- Beeston Bump, a large hill, and for hours! The Lobster also lent articles, I have penned about 10 minutes into West sold excellent local ales with my thoughts on our stay near Runton where there are regular Woodforde’s and Wolf both Sheringham, Norfolk. buses and trains to Cromer and available and in great condition. The site we used was not Sheringham. The Two Lifeboats Hotel is right my first choice (that was fully Sheringham is a lovely seaside on the seafront and sells three booked) I used campinguk town with a pleasant seafront, ales with Adnam’s and Greene website and found the Beeston high street and the Poppy Line King beers on show while I was Regis campsite. The site was steam railway. It has several good there and the Adnams Bitter was expensive (£22) for the facilities pubs, the pick of them being the superb. The Crown also has a offered, but it has amazing views Windham Arms which is con- great seafront position and is a over the cliffs into the North Sea veniently positioned on the walk nice interior, but their London where, with binoculars, you can in from Beeston Regis. It has just Pride was not at its best and the watch ships, gas rigs, drilling won the Norfolk Pub of the Year three other beers didn’t encour- ships and a huge wind farm. The award, and rightly so – it sells age me to stay for another. site had no shop, clubhouse and six real ales, all from Norfolk, Cromer is a short bus ride only a basic mobile washroom with Woodforde’s Wherry being from West Runton and worth (which was cleanish), but was in a regular and while I was there it a visit for its pier alone. The serious need of refurbishment. was joined by beers from Wolf, town has a tired look about it There was a public footpath Winters, Humpty Dumpty and and is not as pretty as Holt or across the cliff top at the bot- Blackfriars. Food was excellent Sheringham, but it has great tom of the field, so security was with a Greek selection from chef views from the promenade and a worry, and dog walkers obvi- Spyros complimenting the tradi- a great pub to visit in the Red ously used the path regularly. tional pub favourites. Lion, on the seafront, behind On the plus side, it is only a The Robin Hood on High the church. It is a magnificent 30 minute walk from central Street was also worth a visit as Victorian building with sumptu- Sheringham over, or round, their five Greene King beers ous dark wood panelling and six

Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton OX7 5NP 01608 644717 • www.chequers-pub.com

Regular quiz night, live music and other happenings

6 Top quality ales Fine wine Delicious food

Our restaurant and barn can be booked for meetings and parties

A Traditional English pub next door to the theatre

24 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 great Norfolk ales which include Woodfordes and several guest ales. Bees Wobble was outstand- ing on my visit and judging by the pump clips they regularly have other Norfolk micro beers on sale. West Runton has the aptly named Village Inn which had four ales on our first visit and two on the next; the Grain Oak was fantastic, but the Wolf Granny Wouldn’t Like It was past its best and the food was average. Holt is a 20-minute train ride Beeston Regis campsite on the north Norfolk coast from Sheringham on the Poppy Line heritage railway and it was (though that’s as good a reason racecourse has a real ale bar a great experience even at more as any to go), but for the lovely (Paddock Bar) run by Blackfriars than £10 each. The train drops scenery, great towns and there Brewery. It’s hidden away under you about 1.5 miles from town was plenty to do. There are the grandstand and they’re not which is an easy walk in or there plenty of campsites to choose allowed to advertise. Get in early is a bus every half hour or so. from along the coast and a dif- as their own beers sell out fast. Holt is a gem of a place with ferent one may provide better By the third race, when I found classy delicatessens, coffee shops value for money (and probably it, theirs had all gone – but the and a few pubs too. We only better facilities). Brentwood Blonde was lovely! tried the King’s Head on High As a footnote, Yarmouth Steve Lympany Street which had five real ales and a real cider. The Woodforde’s Wherry was in fine form as we Hook Norton Beer Success sat in the patio garden soaking Congratulations to Hook Norton brewer is one of the best! up the sun. Also on the bar were Brewery for their success in In addition to their core Greene King and Adnam’s beers. the prestigious British Bottlers range, in September, October The Railway Tavern looked a nice Awards. Following its success and November you can sample place, and through the window in February in the Brewing Copper Ale (a 4.8% dark red ale I spied Woodforde’s and Greene Industry International Awards, with a slightly spicy aftertaste), King beers as we waited for the Hooky Bitter was awarded Gold and Flagship (5.3%, originally bus back to the station. in the Ales up to 3.9% category. brewed to celebrate the 200th In conclusion north Norfolk is While in the Packaging Class, anniversary of the battle of a great place to visit, not just for Flagship won a Diploma. Trafalgar). Then, in December, its wonderful selection of beers Proof indeed that our local it’s the awesome Twelve Days! BEER ON TAP QUICK PUZZLES Brewery Mixups Linking Words Some simple anagrams for you What single word can be used after the word in the left column to solve. All the anagrams are of and also be used before the word in the right column? See the UK real ale brewery names. first example to get you started. 1. ie he throws (5,5) 2. Sung yo! (6) Beer ______GLASS Washer 3. Man’s ad (6) 1. Brew ______Wine 4. Liar eats (8) 2. Bar ______Meat 5. A soil pan (8) 6. My toothy trail (7,6) 3. Lager ______Shelf 7. Tiny ‘e’ growth (11) 4. Pool ______Service 8. A ham OK! (6) 5. Ginger ______Garden 9. Tax me, sob (3,5) 10. Took on horn (4,6) 6. Whisky ______conditioned

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 Up to Five Real Ales Christmas Bookings Now Being Taken Homemade Food served Christmas Menu every day available now

Sunday Roast 12.00–3.00pm

Regular Live Music The

Quiz Nights Wednesday Large Suntrap Garden Foxat Westcote Inn Barton Contact us on 01869 340338

Find us online at www.the-fox.co.uk

26 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 OBITUARY: Duncan Jack (1946–2011) where a large congregation was swelled by numerous local If ever there was an appropriate CAMRA members. time for Duncan to pass away, He was also competitive in early on Sunday August 14th that a long distance walk was as the last of the festival goers always more attractive if there were filing away from the arena was a certificate or medallion in Cropredy would have been it. to be earned at the end of it, a And so it was, after being diag- round of golf more worthy of nosed with cancer, that Duncan entry if it was a tournament died supported by his daughter with a trophy for the winners, Estelle and his ex-wife Carol, and he is one of only a handful after a short stay in Katharine of people who have currently House Hospice. completed the Hooky Ale trail For those of us who had the by visiting, drinking in and get- privilege to count Duncan ting his trail leaflet stamped in among our friends after his all 45 pubs in the Hook Norton retirement from the Fire Service In many ways Duncan was an Brewery estate. Somewhere (his was one of the first crews enigma (some might consider his daughter, Estelle, will come to attend the fire at Windsor him downright perverse) … a across the bottle green tee-shirt Castle), it is to his eclectic taste lad who left home in Hexham to that proves he’s done it! in music that we should be grate- seek his future down south and Whether as a drinking buddy, ful. Ten years ago he started his never returned; a Geordie who beer festival goer or regular in annual pilgrimage to the Fairport supported Wolverhampton so many pubs, we will all have Festival at Cropredy and through Wanderers Football Club; and an our treasured memories of those visits he developed his English patriot who supported Duncan and whenever, in the love of all things associated with the Scottish Rugby Union team future, we raise our glasses to Banburyshire, which eventually even when they were play- absent friends, Duncan will, I led him to move house from ing England – but he did have am sure, be there in the fore- Maidenhead to Banbury. Scottish blood in his veins as front of our hearts and minds. From here he set about estab- we all learned as his coffin was Cheers, Duncan … we’ll all lishing a new life for himself preceded by the lone piper in miss you, mate. through his abiding interests in Chacombe church at his funeral Monty long distance walking, his golf at the Cherwell Edge Golf Club and, of course, CAMRA. Making Brewery at Lower Heyford new friends was not difficult for The currently the gregarious Duncan, for his derelict site by Lower Heyford wharf which companionship and conversation is awaiting planning is wonderfully well summed up permission to be by John Bellinger, ex-landlord of used for the new the Bell Inn in Adderbury, who brewery site for XT wrote the following Facebook Brewery. comment upon hearing of Duncan’s death: “Duncan was one of those people you will never forget! He had a knack of An article appeared in Banbury ning department in bringing a bar to life with his Guardian to suggest that the House to make a decision. banter, that always provoked Beer on Tap ‘Birth of a Micro’ conversation … which always series authors are setting up soon Advertise in Beer on Tap had an element of humour … I in Lower Heyford (but see p.29 liked that … I'll miss him!” for latest details). We understand Beer on Tap is funded entirely Duncan held strong opinions from both parties that the aim by advertising and is produced on most subjects, two of his is still to locate XT Brewery in on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis. If you favourites from recent years Lower Heyford once (or if) plan- know of any potential advertis- being the smoking ban in pubs, ning permission is granted. ers, please show them the advert which he considered further Planning permission has on page 28. contributed to the demise of this been submitted by Oxfordshire This really is the best place to great British institution, and the Narrowboats on behalf of XT reach a targeted pub-going audi- controversy over MPs’ expenses. Brewery. It’s now up to the plan- ence at a cost-effective rate. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 Advertise Your Local Pub or Brewery To More Than 10,000 Drinkers* Each Issue

Beer on Tap is the quarterly newsletter of the North Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), and we produce and distribute between 8,000 and 8,500 copies every four months. The A5 newsletter is funded entirely by advertising revenue on a not-for-profit basis. Through our network of local volunteers, every pub in our Branch area receives a batch of copies (dispensed from branded point-of- sale holders, if requested), and we also supply Tourist Information Centres, railway and bus stations, local campsites, real ale festivals and large employer sites. This represents by far the widest, targeted local circulation of any publication relating to real ale, pubs and brewing—at the most cost-effective rate to the advertiser. Compared to paid advertising in local newspapers, Beer on Tap gives a unique opportunity for pubs and breweries to reach a far more relevant audience of regular pub-goers and, with a shelf-life of two months or more, the exposure is far longer than daily or weekly publications. Beer on Tap is a professionally designed and printed full colour newsletter of 32 pages. Each spread will have a maximum of 50% advertising. If you would like to advertise in Beer on Tap, please contact the Editor, Steve Lympany, on [email protected]

Beer on Tap is published four times a year—Spring Edition (usually in pubs in March), Summer Edition (usually June), Autumn (usually September) and Winter (early December). Depending on the season, either 8,000 or 8,500 copies are printed and distributed to all relevant local outlets. ADVERTISING IS USUALLY ONLY TAKEN ON A FOUR-ISSUE BASIS FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER TO JUNE (Autumn to Summer editions) although in exceptional circumstances advertisers on our established waiting list may be offered a deal for one, two or three issues if space unexpectedly becomes available.

* Note: The figure we give of ‘more than 10,000 drinkers’ is not the findings of a scientific marketing study— it is based on the fact that partners, friends and workmates of the person who picks up the publication are often regular readers, and also by our observation that many readers put their copy back in the dispenser after reading it from cover to cover. We distribute virtually every copy of each issue to relevant outlets.

28 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 The X Factor (Birth of a Micro part VII) Over the past months I’ve been sharing with you the ups and downs of starting our new micro brewery in North Oxon. There’s now a slight twist to that story; whilst various processes and formalities are still being worked out at Lower Heyford we’ve been working on an alternative site, taking on the lease of a farm building on the Notley Estate near Thame. Brewing vessels are now being fabricated in Burton-on-Trent to our designs and we’re preparing the brewery building ready for their installation. This should Gareth (left) and Russ outside their new premises on the Notley Estate, near Thame take a couple of months and we seem a bit different when you cattle are looking forward to hope to be brewing by the end of first see them, but we hope they sampling our spent grains and October this year. We have also will answer those questions. we will compost all the used ordered lots of lovely casks and We will have capacity to brew hops. The casks are, of course, are having them painted in our about 5,000 pints per batch. The refilled so we’ll generate very lit- brewery colours of purple and recipes will be based on our tle packaging waste. Brewing is orange. Next time you see casks numerous trial brews and we an excellent example of how to outside a pub, note the brewery- hope to bring you a wide range reduce waste and recycle. specific colour banding that they to include refreshing session ales There’s still a lot to be done all have painted on them. and some rather more adventur- before we can mash-in for the So what are we calling the new ous styles. There will be a small, first time. We hope you will fol- brewery? We have decided to informal shop attached to the low our progress as we dig drains go for a slightly different name brewery for sales of mini casks, (yes, more glamour), untangle and approach bottles and growlers. We also red tape and turn our old farm than most and will hope to run a few open days and building into a working brew- call the brewery: mini beer festivals on the site. ery later this year. Follow our The XT Brewing Being based on a farm we will progress on Facebook, look for: Company. endeavour to make the brew- XTBrewing. Happy Drinking! What’s with the funny XT ing process as environmentally Russ and Gareth name? Well, in today’s directory friendly as possible. The local [email protected] of brewers there is an obvious empty space between W and Y. Traditionally, X was the stand- Top Pubs (so far) and Scorers ard method of naming beers; The Branch runs an ongoing • Black Prince, brewers simply added more Xs scoring system of pubs and their Woodstock 1 4.2 as the beer got stronger, and T beers. This helps us to choose • White Lion, signified the best ale kept back the best pubs for inclusion in Fewcott 2 4.2 for the boss’s own table. There is the Good Beer Guide and also • Peyton Arms, a strong link to tradition but it to choose the shortlist for our 6 4.09 also has a modern ring to it. Pub of the Year award. Note that And the top five people who A man and a woman walk into rankings can be inaccurate until submitted scores were: a pub … how do they choose multiple scores are received No. of Average which beers to drink? How do The top five scoring pubs in Name scores score you squish all the relevant infor- the period May to July were: Geoff Clifford 24 3.54 mation onto one little pump No. of Average Paul Montague 20 3.69 clip? What do I, and most other scores score Jim Sargeant 17 2.97 beer drinkers, want to learn • Mill Arts Centre, Steve Lympany 16 3.69 about each beer to help make Banbury 1 4.5 Chris Darke 15 3.06 that all-important decision about • Rose & Crown, which one to try? Our labels will Charlbury 10 4.36 All members can send in scores. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 Pubs Update are the Buck & Bell, Banbury; still closed, as is The Crown, the Quart Pot, Milton-under- Finstock which is now intrigu- Wychwood; the Red Horse, ingly sporting a ‘Sold’ sign. Since the last edition a few Shipton-under-Wychwood; and This is only a small selec- things have happened on the the Olde Pioneer in Bicester. tion of our Region’s pubs under Branch’s pub closure front. Most In Chipping Norton, The Bell threat. The time is now to use notable – and permanent – is and Off the Beaten Track are your local or lose it! the demolition of The Albion, Chipping Norton. Once a Hook Norton House, a terrace of seven three-storey houses is being built where the pub once stood. The Bell, Hook Norton had an application for change of use to housing submitted to the council which CAMRA was opposing with a group of concerned locals. However, the application has since been withdrawn. The Marlborough Arms, Banbury, closed now for many years, has had an application to Above and below: Now you see it … now you don’t. The Albion Tavern in Chipping Norton turn it into nine flats approved. Another community local gone. Pub closures continue their steady drip with the White Lion, closing very quickly last month and the pubco putting the pub on the market. As reported in the last edition, the Flowing Well, Banbury is now shut with per- mission to convert to flats. Also still shut is The Swan, Ascott- under-Wychwood. Still closed in the Branch

North Oxon AGM Report Brian Wray/Dick Palmer; Branch Contact, Chris Darke; Public The Branch AGM was held a Secretary so we urgently need Affairs Officer, John Bellinger. on 25th July in The Roebuck, a volunteer to come forward or The following positions Drayton. Three committee mem- the Branch will have to fold. are vacant: Secretary, Social bers stood down: Paul Montague We have a new committee Secretary, Press & Publcity who was Branch Vice-Chair and member to welcome – John Officer. If anyone wishes to joint social secretary; Simon Harle is now Vice-Chairman. volunteer for any of these posi- Rayner, the young members Thank you for volunteering. tions please contact the Branch representative; and John Devlin, The Committee now consists Chairman, Lynne Baldwin. joint social secretary. Thanks to of: Chairman, Lynne Baldwin; It was also noted at the meet- them for their hard work. Vice-Chairman, John Harle; ing that this will be Lynne’s last Caz Jewell, Branch Secretary Secretary (temporarily), Caz year as Chairman so we need has also indicated that she will Jewell; Treasurer, Nick Faulkner; someone to take on the role oth- be leaving the committee in Membership Secretary, Yvonne erwise the North Oxon Branch the next couple of months. The Hallows; Beer on Tap Editor, of CAMRA will cease to exist. Branch cannot function without Steve Lympany; Pubs Officers, Please give it some thought.

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2011 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.

30 Beer on Tap – Winter 2011 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31 Autumn 2011 Brewer’s Selection for September, October and November www.hooky.co.uk

Edited by Stephen Lympany • Designed & Produced by Keith Rigley, Charlbury, Oxon • Printed by Information Press, Eynsham, Oxon