Issue 66 – Autumn 2016 FREE – Please take one

Magazine of North Branch of CAMRA

Local Pubs Reverse The Trend years. They have breathed new Of Recent Closures life into the place which now sells ‘artisan pizzas’ and a wide After many editions of Beer on er of pub closures to everyone range of other meals to eat along- Tap reporting pub closures, it’s passing through the village. First, side a pint or two of Top Hat good to report on pubs which a local community group tried (an ale branded for the pub) and have recently reopened or plan to to buy it from Fuller’s, before it an ever-changing beer from the reopen in the near future. was bought by Mark & Sandra Marston’s stable. As the Joiner’s First of our local pubs to open Page who have leased the near- has four handpumps serving real its doors again after a period by Joiner’s Arms for a number of ale, it might be that the range of of closure was the White Swan beer will increase, in Wigginton which reclaimed and we believe that its place in the local communi- Mark & Sandra ty, serving the village itself and intend to run both a wide area of the rural popula- pubs for the foresee- tion. Good beer and food is again able future, so the being appreciated here in this future looks bright lovely part of our Branch. for . Since then, the Salford Inn Continuing the in Salford village (formerly the trend, two other pubs Black Horse) and the Milton could soon reopen Hare in Milton-under-Wych- – one in the near wood (formerly the Quart Pot) Continued on page 16 followed the trend after both Mark & Sandra Page at pubs underwent major refurbs the Red Lion, Bloxham with new management bring- ing a welcoming and enthusiastic Bingham’s Vanilla Stout Is CAMRA’s rebranding to establishments we thought may be lost forever. Both Champion Beer of Britain pubs now offer top quality food, yet welcome real ale drinkers Each year, CAMRA announces the with a selection of beers on sale. winners of various categories of ales, More recently, the V Lounge in judged in blind tastings at the Great – as reported in the last British Beer Festival. This year it had Beer on Tap – reopened after the a slightly different format as only the Jolly Weavers pub was taken over category winners were announced in the by next door neighbours Voujon festival itself, and the overall champion to offer a comfortable and trendy beers (Gold, Silver and Bronze) were venue for drinkers, including real announced at an awards dinner in the ale, and a wide variety of meals. evening. This year Bingham’s Brewery, The latest reopening is that of based in Twyford, near Reading, was the Red Lion in Bloxham. This awarded Supreme Champion Beer of pub on the main road through Britain for its sumptuous, dark and Bloxham had been a sad and smooth Vanilla Stout. See page 11 for If you’re lucky, this award-winning prominently-positioned remind- the full list of category winners. ale could be coming to a bar near you Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://northoxon.camra.org.uk/ North Oxon CAMRA Branch AGM Report The North Oxfordshire Branch Locale Co-ordinator and Martin Freeland and Long Hanborough, AGM was held on 11th July at Batts is our Cider Officer. , villages to The Fox, Chipping Norton. We have vacancies for Social the south of includ- The Committee now consists Secretary and Public Affairs ing , , and of Chairman, Lynne Baldwin; Officer, if anyone is interested in Chesterton, Enstone and villag- Vice-Chairman, Geraint Jones; either of these roles please con- es near to Woodstock. If you are Secretary, Dave Lee; Treasurer, tact Lynne for a chat. able to help out, please could you Simon Whitehead; Membership We are also desperately in need contact Lynne Baldwin. Don’t Secretary, Paul Forrest; Beer on of members to help out with worry if you can only do one or Tap Editor, Steve Lympany; Pubs delivering Beer on Tap to pubs in two pubs, every little helps! Officer, Brian Wray; Branch Contact, Martin Batts; Press CAMRA’s ACV Test Case Success and Publicity, Tim Wilkins; Social Media/Socials Contact In a recent series of test cases, application at the review stage, a Russ Broom; Advertising, Oliver CAMRA has asserted the eligi- tribunal hearing has now found Sladen; Website, Geraint Jones bility of its branches to nomi- in favour of the branch. and Martin Batts. nate pubs in their area as Assets The judge did, however, accept Helen Jones stood down as of Community Value (ACV). that there needs to be suffi- Social Secretary. The Branch The owners of three pubs in cient evidence that a branch would like to thank her for the London questioned whether a was acting with authority from great socials she has organised local CAMRA branch was eligi- CAMRA, so a ‘Statement of over the past few years. ble to nominate them for ACV Authority’ has been created to Tim Wilkins will continue status, and after an unsuccess- demonstrate the full support for to be Banbury Beer and Cider ful attempt to overturn the ACV the branches. Festival Co-ordinator, Brian NOVEMBER Wray will be Good Beer Guide Branch Diary Tue 1: Committee meeting. Bell, Co-ordinator (assisted by Lynne All meetings start 8pm, other events start Baldwin), John Bellinger is as shown. Socials contact: Lynn Baldwin Fri–Sat 18–19: Banbury Winter (07790) 118341. Beer & Cider Festival SEPTEMBER DECEMBER Musical Chairs Sat 3: Christmas Social Crawl round The Mon 26: Banbury Beer Festival plan- . Meet noon at Pickled For North Oxon ning meeting. Reinedeer, Banbury Ploughman OCTOBER JANUARY Pear Tree Inn Chairman Tues 11: Branch meeting. Roebuck, Tue 17: Branch Meeting. Elephant Drayton to dicuss Pub of the Year The Hook Norton Brewery Tap After serving two years as & Castle, Bloxham. Good Beer and Good Beer Guide selection Guide selection Scotland End, Hook Norton Chairman of CAMRA North Sat 15: Branch Social to Oxford Beer OX15 5NU Oxon Branch, Geraint Jones has Festival. Meet 11am at St Aldate’s See Diary page online for latest info at www.northoxon.camra.org.uk/ Tel: 01608 737482 stepped down from the role. Tavern www.thepeartreehooky.com Geraint has put in a huge [email protected] amount of time and effort CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List to keep the Branch running Email addresses are followed by northoxon.camra.org.uk/ • An unspoilt traditional village pub • Traditional pub games including darts, throughout his tenure, and has CHAIRMAN TREASURER A range of Six Cask Ales dominoes & Aunt Sally Lynne Baldwin • done a sterling job. During this chairman@ lynne@ Simon Whitehead treasurer@ • Always a fun selection of “Cocked Ales” • Open log fire time he has also kept the Branch VICE-CHAIRMAN simon@ • Discount for CAMRA Members • Three en suite letting rooms website running along with Geraint Jones vicec@ MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY • Ale-2-Go • Large beer garden Martin Batts, and represented geraint@ Paul Forrest membership@ • Traditional ‘Pub Food’ • Walkers & dog friendly the Branch at Regional Events. BRANCH SECRETARY paul@ • No fruit machines, pool tables or jukebox • Quiz night every Sunday Geraint will continue to help Dave Lee secretary@ PUBS PROTECTION OFFICER dave@ Brian Wray pubs@ • Large award-winning beer garden • Banbury Guardian Pub of the Year 2015 run the website and is now Vice BEER ON TAP EDITOR Chairman of the Branch. BEER FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR Geraint stood down at the Steve Lympany bot@ Tim Wilkins bbf@ Open Tel: 07811 667507 LOCALE COORDINATOR AGM in July and was thanked Friday & Saturday 12.00–12.00 • Sunday–Thursday 12.00–11.00 BEER ON TAP ADVERTISING John Bellinger locale@ john@ for all his hard work on behalf of EDITOR Oliver Sladen WEBMASTERS Food served every lunchtime 12.00–3.00 the Branch. Martin Batts and Tuesday–Saturday evening 6.00–8.00 & Saturday evening 6.00–9.00 botads@ Geraint Jones webmaster@ The new Branch Chairman is BRANCH CONTACT Lynne Baldwin, previously Vice Martin Batts contact@ Trading Standards: Oxfordshire County PAY US A VISIT – YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED Council, Electric Ave, Ferry Hinksey Road, Chair and Public Affairs Officer. Tel: 07854 116408 Oxford OX2 0BY 2 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 Branch News val over the Bank holiday was a great success with 20 ciders available. The Lion at Wendlebury Both this outlet and its sister pub, the Pickled Ploughman in Adderbury, are advertisers in this magazine and both are well worthy of a visit. Try the PP on Fridays when all real ales are £3 per pint. At The Lion you will find four real ale handpumps including a house beer from Marston’s and The Hare & Hounds, Lower – another great year of fund raising for charity Hobgoblin Gold recently. You might want to consider a visit Hare & Hounds, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and with a partner or in a group to Lower Wardington three Hooky beers were avail- enjoy its spacious ambience, well able midweek recently, all bene- Carol & Jamie report that their kept ales and interesting chang- fiting from Georgiana’s excellent ing menu. magnificent year’s fund raising cellarmanship. continued apace at this commu- Joshua, previously a POTY Coach and Horses, nity orientated pub with their winner in the Newbury area, Adderbury Music and Beer Festival across will be leaving in September the weekend, 23rd/24th July. Like so many other villages, Lower to take up another outlet in Adderbury celebrated the A total of 16 bands took to the Abingdon; so those wishing to Queen’s 90th Birthday on 4th stage across the two day event, join his Bicester regulars on June in a wonderful day of Heyford giving their time and energy for an opening night coach trip to nothing. this new outlet should visit the events and activities bringing The most popular beers Plough at the earliest conveni- the whole community together were Harvest Hop & Procross- ence to glean details. enjoying themselves. 21 Market Square, tination, both from the Hooky The Adderbury newsletter, Lower Heyford, pilot plant. Blessed with fine Siege of Orleans, Contact, reported the follow- weather, the crowds came out, Carterton ing in thanking so many peo- ple for making the day so spe- Oxon helping to raise over £3,600 The Siege has now launched its towards this year’s nominated own loyalty card, ‘Ale 4 One, cial: “… one couple though need OX25 5NY charity, the Katharine House One 4 Ale’, in which you have very special thanks and that is Hospice. Landlady Carol Wixey to try one beer from each of the Tony Watts and his wife Shanie 01869 347176 said: “All the bands and help- handpumps in order to get the (the landlord and landlady of ers worked really hard on such a fifth free. the Coach & Horses) who have sunny weekend, all for free.” After all that there is the worked tirelessly from the word go, and their finale to this was • Varied guest ales from all over the UK The Plough, Bicester option of Hangover Sundays where Bloody Marys are avail- providing two marvellous tea • Five minutes walk from canal Try this fantastic outlet with able, if you can’t face a pint of parties for 100 children and 100 • Large beer garden its eight handpumps where hair of the dog! seniors – what a feat!’ a warm CAMRA welcome Halloween sees the comedy Open: • Families and dogs welcome Sports & Social is guaranteed. The way that special with an all female com- Club Mon–Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–11pm; • Lunch and full menu available Joshua & Georgiana have trans- edy troupe taking the floor and Friday & Sat 12–11pm; formed this previously GK out- a live DJ to follow. There is still This club on Bicester Road has Sun 12–10.30pm • Food served Mon–Sun 12–3pm & 6–10pm let is a revelation. Apart from live music the last weekend always been a members only their house beer, Barbus Barbus, of the month. The cider festi- club (although guests were wel- 4 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 come), but there is now a sign canal trade, having been closed outside saying that it is open to for several months. We wish the general public. them well with both Fairport We understand that the club and for the future. was leased out to a company Fox Hotel, which was now running it on a full licence rather than just a Chipping Norton membership one. Three real ales The Fox’s live music events were available and I can confirm will carry on into the autumn, that the Betty Stoggs was on with gigs every Sunday from very good form! 5.30–7pm, with great live music Fox Inn, Westcot Barton from rock to pop, folk, jazz and everything in between! This is now an irregular outlet Dates and events can be seen for Clouded Minds beers from on the pub’s website at www. Lower Brailes, with their Luppol foxchippingnorton.co.uk/events. (4.2%) having bar time in recent There is also a Happy Hour months. every day from 5–7pm when A change of chef has seen the you can get your evening off to a food and dining side of the busi- great start and enjoy £3 per pint ness grow and a new menu is Scott at the bar of the Burford House Hotel (excluding premium beers). planned. The smaller prices for smaller portions, on some dish- Sunday lunch is served noon– The Unicorn, Great es, has also been popular with 4pm. Dogs are welcome in the Rollright families. garden and the bar. Poker nights started again in See www.burford-house.co.uk As mentioned in our front page September and the quiz night is or 019930823151 article this issue, The Unicorn hasn’t served a customer for still Wednesday at 9 (pay £2 and Red Lion, win the pot). Open mic night is many years, but despite the the last Sunday of the month. It was a baptism of fire for the owners’ best attempts West new tenants, Stephen & Tara, at Oxon District Council have, to Black Prince, Woodstock this year’s Cropredy Festival. their great credit, refused to This riverside pub on the A44 in The three-day Fairport allow change of use. Old Woodstock with its lovely Convention Festival generates a The pub has been abandoned garden area serves a good range significant income for the two and allowed to fall into a state of real ales. Its permanent beers pubs in the village so cellars of near dereliction by the owner, are St Austell Tribute & Loddon must be well stocked to cope Hullabaloo, with changing guest with an influx of 20,000 visitors. ales making an appearance Our photo below shows the Red from Vale Brewery, Aylesbury Lion cellar stocked and ready to Brewhouse Co, Wantsum go prior to the August festival. Brewery, Dark Star Brewing Co. Stephen & Tara moved down and North Cotswold Brewery. the road from The Bell at Great Burford House Hotel Bourton early in July and have already put their mark on the The Burford House Hotel on the new venture which soon attract- village’s picturesque High Street ed back its mixed clientele of has recently changed hands. regulars, walkers and passing Older members may remember it as the Corner House Hotel. Manager Scott is keen to encourage non-resident trade. The hotel has received a make- over and a bar installed. Draught Hooky Bitter is on tap along with a selection of bottled real ale. It is open for morning coffee, Let’s hope the neglected state of The Unicorn, lunch, and afternoon tea 10am– Great Rollright, isn’t so bad that there is still 11am daily. Evening meals Getting the cellar stocked up at the Red Lion, time to save it for future generations of the are served Thurs, Fri and Sat. Cropredy ready for the Festival local community 6 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 but the council have agreed to form on recent visits. October, but normal service will the compulsory purchase of the They now own the Red Lion, resume on the third. building having already spent a and lease the nearby Joiner’s Marlborough Arms, considerable amount of money Arms. That lease has four years to make it safe. Repairs are esti- to run and is extendible, and Banbury mated to be in the hundreds of both have said that they intend The former Marlborough Arms thousands of pounds and the to keep running both pubs – in Banbury (which closed owner appears to have no inter- which is excellent news. around 2007) has been sold. est in the building unless they The Red offers ‘artisan’ piz- This site has outline planning can get a change of use to build zas along with a good choice of permission for conversion to six homes. other dishes, which sounds like flats, plus three more on the car We will wait to see what hap- a good move as I can imagine park. pens, but we hope that maybe sitting in the pub’s large garden Another outline planning per- the Branch will have one of its with a pint and pizza some day mission application, this time pubs back after many years with- soon. for 12 flats on the site, was • DELIGHTFUL PUB/RESTAURANT out. withdrawn earlier this year (as • TRADITIONAL CASK ALES White Horse, it would have been refused). • FINE WINES Duke of Cumberland’s Head, Clifton This lovely old pub with a ram- Rather than by the former own- • FRESHLY COOKED FOOD bling layout and suntrap rear ers, this application was in the • REFINED RESTAURANT As mentioned in our front page patio continues to sell some name of Attleys, who we believe • RELAXED BAR article this issue, Tim & Rebecca interesting beers with St Peter’s are a local roofing company. • OPEN FIRE Catling have bought the Duke Ruby and Otter Amber both • TERRACE DINNING Nurseries after being neighbours and on recently, and in the coming Garden and Shopping • BEAUTIFUL GARDEN WITH DUCK POND ‘regulars’ for over 13 years. They months we can expect Okell’s • AUNT SALLY have always loved the Duke, and Bitter, Hogs Back HBB and cot- Village, Yarnton • LARGE CAR PARK were gutted, like the other villag- leigh Tawny to grace the bar. Although not quite in our ers, when it closed last year, and Main Street, , nr Banbury OX15 4JE A Christmas menu is being branch (it is just off the A44 dual almost immediately set to work prepared and bookings are now carriageway between Oxford T: 01295 721166 • www.duckonthepond.com to try and buy it. being taken. The village nights and Woodstock), a branch of With village support and after continue on the first Thursday Wine Rack has opened in this a year of paperwork and nego- of October with a main course busy garden centre and it sells tiations they have now bought costing £8. beer! Lots of beer. the pub, and expect that it will We at Beer on Tap would like There is a selection of general take approximately six months to offer our best wishes to land- beers found in most supermar- to renovate. Improvements will lord Michael Regan who is soon kets, but they also sell a large include a new snug dining area, to wed his fiancée Camilla at range of Brewdog, including new flooring, larger en-suite the church in Duns Tew. With Sink the Bismarck a 42% beer luxury bedrooms and a new this in mind the pub will be which was on sale for over £50. entrance to name a few. closed on the first and second of On my last visit it had been sold, In the long term they plan to build a camp site and shepherds huts (surrounded by sheep!) in the large field at the back. This is, of course, subject to all the usual pitfalls – but it is great to get a once-regular Good Beer Guide pub back after it looked like we might lose it for ever! Red Lion, Bloxham The excellent news here is that Mark & Sandra Page are now behind the pumps at the recently reopened Red Lion, Bloxham (as mentioned in our front page article). They are only selling two beers currently with Thwaites Lancaster Bomber and their house beer called Top Hat, and the beer has been in good An excellent range of drink-at-home beer awaits you at Yarnton Nurseries’ Wine Rack shop 8 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 but I am assured by the manag- room. The new location doesn’t er that if anyone wants one he’ll have the charm of the old THETHE source it for them. However, store, but makes up for it with their range of world beers is a much greater range of beers. beyond comparison in the local American and Belgian as well as FOXFOX area with American brew- local beers are all available. ers Brooklyn, Sierra Nevada, The Unicorn, leafield Gigantic, Stone and Flying Dog alongside Norwegian, German This large Charles Wells house and a large range of Belgian is prominently situated in the • Traditional good quality home-cooked pub grub beers. village market square where Worth a diversion if you’re in you can usually find Eagle IPA • Traditional home-cooked the area, or perhaps it’s time to and Bombadier or Directors on Sunday roast. think about doing gardening … the bar, along with a guest beer • Good selection of fine quality (Long Blonde from Long Man Wetherspoons (Banbury Brewery on a recent visit). It is ales from local microbreweries. & Bicester) Beautiful picturesque village a welcoming pub with scrubbed • All three Wetherspoons in the tables and a fishbone block Large pub garden The Moreton Beer Cellar in Moreton-in-Marsh – • Branch (The Exchange and Fleur floor. Friday is fish & chip night another outlet for fine beers The Green De Lis in Banbury and the Penny and Mondays is steak night. Black in Bicester) are now selling Beer Cellar, ing range of Belgian beers with Leafield, OX29 9NP the new Wetherspoons gift card: some of the beers you’d expect, Tel: 01993 878647 Available in value from £5 up to Moreton-in-Marsh but also a lot that are unusual in www.foxleafield.co.uk £500 they can be used for beer, Another new bottle shop out- the area. soft drinks, food or to stay in side of the Branch area, but The local Shakespeare brewery Opening hours their hotels. if you’re in the Moreton area beers from Stratford as well as Bar: Mon–Thurs Noon it’s worth a detour, is the Beer Hooky beers are well represent- Midnight • Fri & Sat Noon–1am SH Jones, Banbury Cellar which specialises in ed. The shop is only open Fri & Food: Mon–Sat 12–3/6-9 • Sun 12–3 SH Jones have closed their town Belgian and local beers. It’s in Sat 9am–4:30pm and Sunday centre store and moved out to a small arcade of shops, next 11–4:30pm. They open Bank the Tramway industrial park to the Yellow Brick Café. It is Holiday Mondays but they are where they have much more only small, but sells an interest- then closed the following Friday. CAMRA Champion Beers Of Britain

Glory a 7.2% barley wine from Silver: Tiny Rebel Hank 2016 the Tring brewery. A rich sweet Joint Bronze: Hawkshead The Champion Beers of Britain complex beer; which is danger- Bitter and Salopian Shropshire (CBoB) were announced at the ously drinkable. Gold Great British Beer Festival at The silver and bronze winners Best Bitter Olympia. This year the win- were both from the Champion ners of each category went for- Winter Beer of Britain competi- Gold: Surrey Hills, Shere Drop ward to the final, main category tion held in Derby every January. Silver: Salopian, Darwin’s of Champion Beer of Britain and So to try the future winners Origin this year gold was awarded to it’s clear the place to be is the Joint Bronze: Colchester Binghams Vanilla Stout, a dark Banbury Winter Beer and Cider Colchester No.1 and Tiny stout infused with vanilla pods. Festival held at the TA Centre, Rebel Cwtch Binghams are from Reading Oxford Road, Banbury on 18th Strong Bitter and have featured at a previous and 19th November. Gold: Heavy Industry 77 Banbury Beer and Cider Festival. Winners by category Silver: Hawkshead NZPA Silver went to Old Dairy Snow Bronze: Adnams Ghost Ship Top a 6.0% dark winter brew Mild which has fruitcake and mar- Gold: Williams Brothers Golden Williams Black malade flavours with spicy Gold: Golden Triangle Mosaic notes. Old Dairy are based in Silver: Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde City : Acorn Darkness Tenterden, Kent and their beers Bronze Silver: Grey Trees Independent have also been at the Banbury Bitter Craft Brewery Diggers Gold Beer Festival; as has Death or Gold: Timothy Taylor Boltmaker Bronze: Marble Lagonda IPA 10 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 A Grand Day Out At CAMRA’s GBBF August 9th began with 5 bod- traditional cask ales. raters, who’d been sharing, had ies crammed cosily into a VW At 3pm the American cask bar tried 80 different beers in just Beetle headed for Bicester. Loz opened and instantly attract- one afternoon. Eighty! I was had to go to work (bad luck), ed a large crowd. It was here staggered. Is a “rater” any differ- leaving Fin and Craig, well that I found my most memora- ent to a “ticker” I asked myself? prepared for an afternoon at ble beer of the day, Gose Gose As far as I can make out, a the Great British Beer Festival Gadget from Stone in Colorado. rating includes a considered (GBBF) with drinking hats This carried a monster chilli description and a number, and already donned, along with kick which I absolutely loved, so the online social media aspect Helen and I, hatless, waiting to I sought to share its awesome- makes it far more collaborative board the London train. ness with all my friends – but than a personal record. There’s Once at Marylebone we nar- to my surprise, almost without more to it than a simple tick list. rowly missed a bus to Olympia exception, everyone who tried I can’t quite get my head around and elected to share a taxi. The it pulled a face like they’d swal- a single minded pursuit of only roads were surprisingly quiet lowed a wasp and retched like a untried beers though, espe- and we were deposited at the cat about to be sick. There’s no cially in what might have been venue around 11am. We joined accounting for taste. little more than thimble-full the queue, watched over by the I headed to the other end of quantities, it’s like a grown up shire horses of the Harvey’s the hall at this point to listen to Pokemon hunt – “Gotta catch dray, and quickly spotted some the Champion Beer of Britain ‘em all”! Regardless, I must say friends. Helen and I met a group announcement. In a change to I found the raters to be very from Hinckley & Bosworth previous years, the organisers sociable, knowledgeable about CAMRA (our old branch), who decided to announce only the any style of beer you can men- were chuffed to have been invit- finalists in each category during tion, and with an incredible rec- ed to take part in judging the the afternoon, the winners being ollection of beers and pubs/bars semi-final round of this year’s announced at an awards dinner they’d enjoyed in the past. Also Champion Beer of Britain con- that evening. This was clearly a it’s not every day you meet an test. Fin and Craig, active mem- disappointing surprise to many, Olympic medallist. Thanks for bers of the website RateBeer, and I’m unconvinced there was letting me perch on the end of introduced us to a group of any need to change the format, the table guys. I don’t think I’m other raters. A dedicated bunch, but the somewhat militant boo- quite ready to create a RateBeer most having sampled thou- ing and heckling directed at account just yet though. sands (up to 40,000+) of differ- Abi and Nick on stage was a bit So, of all the country’s beer ent beers, they make an annual much. They dealt with it admi- festivals, is GBBF “the daddy”? pilgrimage to GBBF where a fine rably, but perhaps plans could I must confess to having a soft selection of new and interesting have been communicated a lit- spot for the Nottingham festi- beers are sure to be found. tle more clearly over the tannoy val, the beer count is similarly A ‘100% bag search’ on the system on the day. epic and the venue’s fantastic. way in was well intentioned, but The Hinckley folks came to However, GBBF this year defi- the layout could have been a lit- find us soon afterwards, looking nitely opened my eyes to the tle better thought out. Getting pleased. Having enjoyed their effort that goes into sourcing to and from the checking points judging (a blind tasting) they and showcasing such a variety of was a bit of a scrum, and I’d were on a mission to unearth unusual beers from around the wager that some never reached what they’d been sampling and world as well as within Britain. the few volunteers checking were convinced that out of the I’ll reserve judgement on my bags, leaving 100% an aspira- hundreds of beers available favourite until Nottingham on tional target. at GBBF they had identified a 13th October – where I expect An advantage of arriving vanilla stout which had particu- Glen will put me straight on early is being able to bag a seat. larly impressed. I had to smile ticking vs rating … Maybe see I found myself parked near when the results came through some of you there too? the American and Nordic bar, later, the supreme champi- Thanks to all we enjoyed our which seemed as good a place on beer of Britain award going time with at GBBF and to those as any to make a start. In fact I to Bingham’s Vanilla Stout. who helped to get us there and enjoyed the selection of beers Congratulations to Bingham’s, back – in no particular order here so much, with many styles and well done to the guys from James, John R, Fin, Loz, Craig, rarely seen in the pubs and bars H&B branch. Russ, David, Norman, Bob, Pete, of Britain, that during the after- It was soon time to pack up Stuart, Lara, Andrew, John H, noon I drank surprisingly few and head home. Some of the the raters. 12 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 Berwerkz: Something To Sing About In Singapore consortium engaged the ser- beers ‘on tap’ that you would nor- vices of various experts to build mally have to travel two conti- In the last issue, our Editor wrote briefly on and run a ‘micro’ brewery: in nents to find: American Steam the beer scene in Singapore. Here, David particular, a Californian man- Beer; German Lager; Czech Woodhead (from Birmingham, but a regular ager, Devin, a Chilean manager, Pilsner; Belgian Wheat Beer; at the Peyton Arms), writes on the Singapore Daniel, and a Canadian brew- and English IPA. I have to admit micro he knows well: Brewerkz er, Scott. The fact that the site, that the need to chill the prod- When I first came to Singapore, on the opposite, unvisited bank ucts, because of the climate rath- in 1992, one can or bottle of to the newly-built Clarke Quay, er than just for the beer-style, Kim the Brewster. She has been Assistant Tiger when hot and bothered did had led to the early closure of meant that I had to adjust to the Brewer (fem. Brewster) at Brewerkz in the trick without it ever occur- previous ventures, did not deter slight haze as well as the actual, Singapore since the last century ended. ring to me to open another; them. Added to this, the two cooler temperature of the IPA. The quayside site where Brewerkz occupies all the ground floor on the right side of the building gin and tonic, a drink I seldom products – Mexican/American Having said this, at 6.0%, it had restaurant in the city. One day touch at home, suddenly seemed food and ‘beers of the world’ much more to do with tradition- she joined her husband in help- ale to his growing portfolio. The more back-breaking work for preferable when faced with the – were not the first choice of al Burton IPAs than any mod- ing out and, when Tang went purchase of a hop-back (not Brew Master Scott Robertson prospect of drinking more than Singaporeans or, it seemed, like- ern British product. As I am, for back to work, she decided to stay from unreliable Britain) and and the slightly-built but ‘tough one measure of alcohol. There ly to be. choice, a low-gravity/high-taste on, as an assistant to Scott, to the arrival of the ingredients cookie’, his Assistant Brewer, were other drinks, calling them- However, when I discovered it, beer-drinker, I eventually opted learn the art of brewing. Seven when they did, meant that the Kim. There must be very few selves ‘Guinness,’ ‘Tetley,’ etc., a year later, by a series of ‘offers- for the 4.5% ‘Golden’ lager for my years later she is a fully qualified first experimental brew coin- brewsters in the world who help but one mouthful of any of them you-can’t-refuse’ (such as a two- session-beer during that visit. (by experience) brewster, capa- cided with another of my almost to produce 12,000 pints a week, when tasted abroad had taught course lunch and three pints of Apparently, from the very ble of being left for weeks on her annual visits to Singapore. Here and who, for one month in the me to drink the local ‘brew’, beer for $17) it was more than beginning, a college lecturer – own to supply Brewerkz with the I was, in South-East Asia, drink- year, may have to produce this however sweet, bland and gassy. keeping its head above water and customer – called Tang, 7,000 litres per week of varied ing a dry-hopped, secondary- quantity almost unaided. Then, in 1997, when Clarke – without my beer-golloping becoming fascinated by the brew- beers that are now required. fermented, distinctive bitter So, I sing the praises of Quay was up but scarcely run- help. I did my best to increase ing process, gave up a holiday One of the beers Kim has to served from a barrel by means Singapore acumen for build- ning with amazing entrepre- profits for the month I was in to help in the brewery. His wife, keep on line in Scott’s holiday of a hand-pump – which, apart ing it, for Daniel and Devin for neurial enterprise a Singapore Singapore, finding a range of Kim, was running their bar/ absences is Hopback Ale. This from the lower temperature, I dreaming it and running it, but brew came about, I am proud to would happily have supped in more – if the former will excuse say, because of Scott’s first visit any of my favourite British pubs. me – for the supreme skills of to my house on his way back, via Since then Hopback Ale has Scott for re-creating, with his Europe, from his parents’ brew- been a success for a company own signature, the beers of the pub home in Saskatchewan. I that thrives on success. world. Finally, I sing the praises live half-way between what was Brewerkz has seats for about of Kim for being the only Asian the most famous Pale Ale town 500 inside and out, and brews or Asean lady capable of brew- in the world, Burton-upon- 70,000 gallons of beer a year. It ing so many styles of beer, but Trent, and what is the home owns a wine-bar on site – and particularly for mastering the of one of the best beers in the a Mexican restaurant further complications of brewing a dry- world, Batham’s of Brierley Hill. along the quay. As might be sup- hopped, secondary-fermented Visits to the latter and to the posed, it is keen to expand and ‘real ale’ of the peculiarly British The Lion is full of character. From the welcom- may open another brew-pub type with such consistency. ing flagged bar with roaring fire through to Bass Museum (now ‘blandised’ the relaxed dining rooms and beer garden, by Coors) determined Scott to nearer to the Singapore harbour. I raise a glass to you all ! the emphasis of quality regional food and add a British-style dry-hopped All this is bound to create David Woodhead drink combined with traditional pub values is offered to all who visit us. Daily deliveries directly to the kitchen from the finest local free-range and artisan producers demands a regularly changing menu gov- erned by the season. We open at 10.30am daily for morning ground coffees and food is served all day, everyday from noon Beer Sale Fridays – all ales are £2.50! Wendlebury Road, Wendlebury Bicester OX25 2PW Tel 01869 388228 http://thelionwendlebury.co.uk Find us on Facebook [email protected] The brewpub’s beer list shows the range of beer on sale, including the ‘Brew Master’s Reserve’ selection

14 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 or meal times – which is why planned date is mentioned for local villagers attended a packed the reopening, as extensive reno- Local Pubs Reverse The Trend Of Recent Closures meeting at the village hall to get vations are planned. Continued from page 1 It’s great to see local Branch years, the local community has the first opportunity to buy the The North Arms is named pubs reopen after being closed the right to bid for it at a fair pub if it is declared to be unvia- after Lord North (the British future with another a little fur- for quite some time – the ble and is put on the market. Prime Minister through ther away. Red Lion, Bloxham (top) and market value. However, for what- ever reason, the owners decided Another item of good news is most of the American War of The Duke of Cumberland’s The Hare in Milton-under- that the North Arms in Independence), so it seems fit- Head in Clifton (on the B4031 Wychwood to reopen it as a pub (with a new name – the Pheasant Plucker), – a beautiful, thatched, iron- ting that the pub is being saved from Deddington to Aynho) was stone 17th century inn – is to by an institution across ‘the also a very prominent reminder and a banner on the front fence site to sell it on to a now advertises Sunday lunches reopen after new owners tried to pond’. The pub was registered as of the spate of recent closures, third party to restore change its use to residential back an Asset of Community Value but we have recently received from 3rd July. According to the it to its former glory, Banbury Guardian, the own- in 2013. A local group ran a very (ACV) in 2014, and this could the excellent news that Tim & or perhaps it will do vocal campaign on Facebook well have been a factor in allow- Rebecca Catling hope to have ers have a 1am licence for Friday the work itself and and Saturday nights, and “they which now reports that the pub’s ing additional time for a buyer to it open for business again by then lease it or sell it saviour is from a very unusual be found who would reopen the Christmas, or early next year. are looking forward to hosting to recoup the money any party or celebration of up source. The Farleigh Dickinson site as a pub – which shows the They describe themselves as spent. University (which owns Wroxton importance of local people get- neighbours and regulars for to 50 guests for fine dining or As the owner was 100 or more for something more College, the UK campus of an ting ACV status for any commu- over 13 years at The Duke who refused permission casual”. Whether the owners established US university) has nity pub that’s under threat. – like the rest of the villagers – for change of use, this intend to open daily (or certain- bought the pub and they wish to Let’s hope this trend of pubs were “gutted” when it closed in could well mean that ly more than Saturday/Sunday) secure it as an asset for the local reopening continues – as it’s 2015, so they bought the pub in the building must be is not clear as their website gives community as a village pub/ always good to bring readers July. Six months of renovation a licensed premises no mention of opening hours restaurant. So far, no specific some good news in the locality. and improvement are current- again to bring back a ly under way, and longer term valuable communi- plans include a campsite in a ty asset. Parish Clerk field at the back with ‘shepherds of what was originally The Sue Glasson says: “The build- A Novel Way To Meet Your Constituents huts’ – so keep an eye on news Unicorn in Great Rollright, ing is an eyesore to our high MP for Cherwell, Victoria The banner on Victoria Prentice’s in Beer on Tap for progress and which closed in 1989 and was street and it’s gone on for too Prentice, is only 17 months webpage at http://victoriaprentis.com/ the date of the official reopening left vacant. Since then, the many years. I think the village into her tenure as one of contact/pubtour/ when Tim & Rebecca will wel- owner has had repeated appli- would like to see a flourishing our Branch’s MPs but she come old and new friends back cations for change of use to a pub.” There is also a Facebook has hit upon a novel way try would unite behind new to enjoy excellent food and a family home turned down. The campaign (called the Rollright to not only meet her con- Prime Minister, Theresa May, range of beers. 18th Century pub is Grade II Unicorn Campaign), which stituents but also to support that was rammed not only with and that the government would West Oxfordshire District listed and the council have now clearly shows support for the bemused workers on their Council are at last doing some- agreed to serve a compulsory great British institution that we deliver on their other manifesto reopening of the pub, and a web- care so much about – the pub. homeward journey after a hard commitments while she would thing about the dilapidated state purchase order on the proper- site at www.rollright- ty after a demand Victoria, a member of the All week’s toil, but also many local be overseeing issues locally, unicorn.co.uk which has photos Party Parliamentary Beer Group, residents who had taken this particularly the future of the to the owner for of the building’s current state. is touring the pubs in her con- opportunity to meet their MP Horton General Hospital and work done by There are already interested par- at first hand. Most were try- the council went ties who would like to buy it to stituency on Friday evenings on HS2. unpaid. A footpath restore and reopen it as a pub – a monthly basis. The advance ing to seek re-assurance in the Despite the fact that she has runs through the perhaps also as a shop and post publicity material includes beer wake of the EU referendum. only visited pubs in ‘safe’ rural site, so the coun- office which the village has been mats and a flyer on which she Despite being a supporter areas so far, Victoria engages cil spent £35,854 deprived of for years (other than states that: “The traditional local of the Remain campaign both well on a personal level with her on the building to its part-time mobile post office) pub is a key feature in our rural she and her local agent, also constituents of whatever politi- prevent it being a – so hopefully we will have some communities and we must do in attendance, were fired with cal persuasion, so we would rec- danger to the pub- more good news to report in the our utmost to support them. optimism for the future saying ommend all to go along to one lic from falling near future. These vital local businesses pro- that: “it was now time to work of her Pub Tour evenings to tiles and masonry, Another pub with a long, pro- vide food, drink and an inviting together to heal the divides that help maintain focus on the local and it now hopes tracted series of rejected change place for communities to gather had emerged during the cam- case for CAMRA and meet an to purchase the of use applications is the Bishop and socialise.” paign and to make a success MP who has the pub trade and Blaize in Burdrop, with Cherwell Since November 2014 she has of the decision to leave”, add- brewing industry very much The Duke of Cumberland’s District Council turning down already visited 24 pubs in our ing that she was proud that her at heart. The next pub that Head, Clifton (top) has been numerous requests for it to be Branch area and we caught up party had delivered on its man- she will be visiting is Wykham bought and we expect it to reopen by Christmas. Let’s changed to residential use. It is with her in a crowded Hare & ifesto pledge to give the people Arms, Gower on 27th hope The Unicorn, Great currently designated as an Asset Hounds, Lower Wardington on their say. September 2016 between 6:30 Rollright will reopen in the of Community Value (with four July 1st. Just afer 6pm the pub She hoped that the coun- and 8:00pm. future after the Council has of its five years to run), and that issued a compulsory means that if the pub ever comes When visiting an advertised pub, please mention that you saw the advert in Beer on Tap purchase order on it on the market in the next four

16 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 Round-Up Of Local Beer Festivals Horse & Groom, Caulcott Beer Festival In glorious weather the crowds turned out for Jerome’s annual celebration of British ale on the French national day! This year’s Bastille Day was slightly marred by events in 9 High Street, Nice and as a small tribute the Banbury OX15 4BZ tricolour was flown at half mast. http://www.ploughbodicote.co.uk/ However the terrorists failed Tel: 01295 258909 to dampen the spirits of the The Horse & Groom Beer Festival. A great day out with wonderful weather crowds who turned out to sup- Open: 12–3pm & 5–11pm daily port Jerome & Stacey. and Vale Gravitas. As it was so at one end of the pub, so we Lunch 12–2pm • Dinner 7–9pm sunny we headed to the rear grabbed a seat at the other end (No food Sun evening & Mon) I popped in quickly on the Saturday and tried a handful of patio to try to find some shade and got stuck into the beers! Traditional village pub with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Good food is served using the finest locally beers including the ever excel- and were lucky enough to get Guestie had organised a festi- sourced ingredients, famed for its generous portions! Private parties can also be catered for with a choice of lent Turpin Golden Citrus as seating in the smokers’ shelter, val of eight beers including delicious buffets. well as XT13 and a gorgeous which also meant I was right regulars Hooky and Exmoor The Plough features in the Camra Good Beer Guide so you can be sure of a well kept pint of real ale here too. Stout from Church End Brewery next to the bar! Fox, but we went straight for Wifi • Dogs welcome • Family friendly • Lovely, secluded, courtyard patio garden called Coffin Stout at 4.6% a With 18 beers to choose from the Gales Seafarers a pleas- rich black creamy stout. I was spoilt for choice, trying St. ant session ale from the Fuller’s Home-made, reasonably priced, food, from an extensive varied European menu Austell Trelawny and Church catering for all tastes which can be eaten in the bar, the garden or the restaurant area. I was back next day with my range. The pub was fairly quiet driver and went straight for the End Goat’s Milk and then at the time, with just a few Selection of fine Wadsworths ales always on tap another perennial favourite, Pot Castle Rock Pale, a classic and people in, but the atmosphere Four handpumps • Real fire • Newspapers Belly Beijing Black which was as in perfect condition, by now was still good as we moved onto amazing as I’d remembered. the Charles Wells Poppy Ale three beers had already been With time running out I followed by the St. Austell cleared out with the ever popu- moved on to some stronger Liquid Sunshine. The latter was lar Butty Bach first to go, fol- beers with St Austell Proper Job the beer of the day with its lowed by Woodforde’s Wherry and Tring Pale Four followed great taste and perfect balance by the strongest at the festival making it the ideal beer on a Beer Festival DIARY Black Sheep Riggwelter a pow- warm day. SEPTEMBER erful 5.9% strong ale with rich By now Switzerland had 24: Stonesfield Septembeerfest fruit and roasted flavours, a scraped past Albania and we Stonesfield Village Hall belter of a beer! had moved onto a Purple Moose 30–1 Oct: Ascot Racecourse Beer Another cracking beer festival Elderflower Ale, a very nicely Festival. See http://ascotbeerfest. from Jerome and the team and a balanced elderflower flavoured org.uk/ date for the diary in 2017. ale, not too elderflowery! And 30–2 Oct: Bletchington Sports & by the time the football had Social Club Beer Festival, Oxford Fox Inn, Westcott Barton moved onto the Welsh game Road. Beer Festival OCTOBER against Slovakia we had moved A sunny Saturday 13–15: Oxford Beer Festival, Oxford Town Hall 140 real ales brought the much and over 60 cider and perry awaited mini beer NOVEMBER festival at the 18–19: Banbury Beer and Cider Fox. The Euro Winter Festival finals had just got JANUARY underway and 27–29: Rose & Crown, Charlbury as we entered Winter Beer Festival. 20+ real Albania were los- ales, plus ciders & perry. Food all ing to Switzerland, sessions on the big screen FEBRUARY 22–25: National Winter Ales The bar at the Fox, Festival. St Andrews Hall, Westcote Barton mini Norwich beer festival

18 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 onto Mr Squirrel from the Red Squirrel brewery a brown beer with an intriguing flavour a bit of a marmite beer! The final two beers we had were the Brain’s Give us a call to book a table on 01295 730750 and come and enjoy our Traditional Comfort Pub Grub, Reverend James Gold, a nice with a good selection of Hooky Ales, Ciders and other beverages to choose from. golden ale and The Fox a brown https://www.facebook.com/Butchers2015 beer with plenty of flavour. Family friendly – Food served As the Welsh hadn’t quite fin- swings adjacent to pub Thurs–Fri 6.30–9pm ished we decided on one for the car park Sat 12.30–3pm & 6.30-9pm pavement and headed back to Dog friendly Sun 12.30-3pm the St. Austell Liquid Sunshine Earlybird discounts on meals before the short stagger home to Cyclist and Walker between 6.30 and 8pm watch and Russia. We’d friendly! Sunday roasts have been better off staying in Hook Norton ales the pub and knowing how it all Opening hours Large grassed garden finished that was definitely the Closed Mondays Part of the group of North Oxon Branch trainspotters and ale drinkers with excellent views place to have been! Tues 6.30-10.30pm Hidden gem Thanks to Guestie for a great Ale Weekend at the G&WR, an absolute delight if you like a Weds to Fri 6.30-11pm little festival and I look forward and the best so far. There were medium perry with a really deep Recently refurbished Sat 12.30-3.30pm & 6.30-11pm to the next! two real ale bars, a small one at flavour of pears. interior Toddington, and a more exten- Like most top-line beer festi- Sun 12.30-3.30pm & 7-11pm G&WR Summer Steam & Ales from the cask (open all day Sat/Sun for beer festivals sive one at Winchcombe, offer- vals, it was over far too quickly, including three Hook & major sporting events, please check) Ale Festival 2016 ing a choice of over 30 ales and and some of us were even stand- Norton ales and one Quiz last Wednesday of each Real ale and craft beer are now ciders. Full marks go to Martin ing at the end, though, perhaps, guest ale. the drink of choice for many all and his team for coming up with tottering might be more appo- month over the world, and their popu- such a fascinating and ecclec- site. What really impressed me Tel: Road larity has led to a coupling with tic portfolio, with local brew- about this event was not just other recreational pursuits, like eries like Prescott and North the clever format of having the 01295 730 750 Oxon OX15 6JQ music, dancing, re-enactment, Cotswold alongside beers from beers arrayed over two different role-playing festivals … and live far-flung places like North stations, thus compelling you steam events. Which is why a Wales and Shropshire. to savour the delights of steam group of ten or so members of 30 beers might not sound a lot travel as well as ale, but the bold North Oxfordshire CAMRA compared with many festivals and inspred choice of beers and branch, augmented by a couple in the UK, but each was care- ciders. All too often, small beer (including me) from the Isle of fully chosen to cover a compre- festival organisers plump for Wight, were standing on a cold, hensive range of styles like dark, low-strength pale beers, with an draughty railway platform at bitter, IPA, golden, amber and occasional dark or strong ale to Toddington on the Gloucester stout. Likewise, the six ciders satisfy those of us whose prefer- & Worcester Railway at 11am covered most popular genres. ences lie in that direction. Here, on 20th August casting warm Shropshire was well represent- however, there was a plethora 3 REAL ALES Two large words over a variety of local and ed, with beers like the 4.3% of quality strong and dark beers superior regional ales. 3 Tuns XXX, golden, well bal- of uncompromising flavour, and 10 REAL CIDERS The G&WR is an impressive anced with a delicate hop fin- that is exactly how a good beer en-suite steam preservation line which ish, and Ludlow Stairway, 5%, festival should be organised. rooms sits happily in twelve and a half honey in colour and overtones, The beers and ciders were Homemade miles of spectacular Cotswold and refreshingly citrus on the complemented by well-priced, lunches Large flower- countryside between Laverton tongue. From farther away came good quality snacks, and no one Mon–Sat 12-2 filled garden and Cheltenham Racecourse. It the magnificent, award win- left feeling hungry or ripped off. has a base of well-maintained ning Elland 1872 Porter, dark I have only one minor criticism; Roaring log rolling stock hauled by some and dangerous at 6.5%. If black’s at each station, the toilets were OPENING HOURS magnificent motive power, not your bag, there were plen- on the opposite platform, which Mon-Thurs fires 11-3 & 6-12 which, unfortunately, their ty of pale beers like the delight- meant some delicate planning Family and somewhat chaotic website pro- ful 4.7% White Knight from and a lot of legwork through- Fri 11-3 & 5-12 vides little clue to. Nonetheless, Gloucestershire brewer Goff, out the day! But we can handle Sat/Sun 11-12 dog friendly a visit is a fine day out, and, and the impressive Built to Fall, that. So, my advice to all you with the added joy of a beer fes- a splendid 5.6% American IPA good readers is to head towards tival, it’s irrestible. from Marble of Manchester. the G&WR next August – don’t SAME FAMILY RUN PUB FOR 40 YEARS As far as I know, this was the Among the ciders, my favour- miss it for the world! OX15 4LZ www.bloxhampub.co.uk 01295 720383 third Summer Steam and Real ite was Pearson’s 6.3% Perry, Brian Jacobs 20 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 HAILEY & NORTH LEIGH CIRCULAR through a crooked kissing gate the right of a gate and keep on in to enter the next field then head By Keith Rigley and a metal gate and proceed the same general direction along diagonally left, aiming to the left again in a slightly diagonally right a narrow track between a barbed of an old stable and the buildings direction, aiming for a gate near wire fence and a hedge (note the of Poffley End village where you the far right corner of the field triangulation point in the hedge may need to unhook an electric (rather than aiming for the gate on your right). At the end of this strip fence to walk into a narrow in the direction of the church). narrow track go through a wood- lane up to a gate and stile. Cross Beer on Tap Pub Walks Go through the gate near the en kissing gate then keep straight the stile to find a road where you corner of the field, keep straight ahead (you should see a trod- need to turn left to walk into the An delightful, easy stroll through a tranquil corner of our Branch area ahead then go through a second den path across the field ahead) village of Poffley End. Distance: Just over 5 miles. tarmac road where you need to track veers off to the left just gate which has a waymark on it. and aim for a wooden kissing Keep on along the road into the After going through the second gate at the far side of the field. Go Allow: Around 2.5 hours. turn left. Ignore the first turn to before some trees and a ranch village until (opposite the ‘village gate you need to aim diagonally through the gate and keep on in car park’) you find a waymarked Map: Explorer 180. the right (to New Yatt) and keep fence. If you look in the hedge along the road past the farming on your right (opposite the dirt right up the slope ahead, aim- the same general direction aim- dirt track between two dry stone Parking: The Lamb & Flag has a ing towards the houses on the ing for a metal kissing gate on the walls, signed to Delly End. Walk small car park, plus some off-road campus of Abingdon & Witney track) you should see waymarks parking, otherwise park in a lay-by College. This is a quiet, narrow pointing forward and back along edge of North Leigh village. At far side of the field to join a road along the track to the end, cross a just down from the pub. road and cars can often drive the main track (where is says the top of the slope at the far side where you turn left. Cross the strange stone slab stile and gate, of the field, go through a wood- road to walk along a wider verge then keep on in the same gener- Bus: The X9 bus operated by fast but there are generous grass ‘Wychwood Way’ – from the Pulhams Coaches between Witney verges both sides. After the road way you came – and ‘Footpath: en kissing gate to take a green and walk past the entrance to al direction, keeping a dry stone & Chipping Norton (Mon–Sat) bends to the left, take the road New Yatt’ ahead). You need to lane between two houses then go New Yatt Business Centre. wall on your left. At the far end stops in Hailey near the pub. on the right at an irregular cross- take the muddy track on the left, through the left-hand gate ahead After crossing Farm Lane, turn of that field, cross another stone to reach a road where you need right after a house called Cross- stile and keep straight on, keeping With your back to the pub, turn roads (the road is signed with a even though it isn’t waymarked to turn left. ways into New Yatt Lane (which a hedgerow on your right, before left to walk in the direction of cul-de-sac sign). Soon you will (you’ll soon know that you’re on As soon as you turn left you is signposted to Poffley End and crossing a low stile into the next Witney along the B4022. Just pass a strange wooden house with the right track when you see a will see The Woodman pub on Ramsden). Keep on along this field. Aim for a wooden stile on where the long lay-by on the left sculptures in the garden such as blue Thames Water sign on your the opposite side of the road. road, where you will go past the the far side of the next field (or go side of the road ends, turn left Milton Keynes-type cows and legs right after a few yards). You might want to stop here, in currently closed Saddler’s Arms through the gate if it’s open) and up a green lane which is signed sticking up in the air, then where Eventually the track reaches which case leave the pub and pub. As shown by The Bull, walk in the same direction along “Community Woodland” and keep the track forks just beyond the a tarmac road, where you need continue on in the same direc- Charlbury, a pub can be turned the field edge, keeping the hedge- along ignoring any gates or foot- house take the right-hand track, to bear right for a few yards and tion as you were. around dramatically by new own- row to your left. paths each side for quite a long which is the rougher of the two. then turn left on a waymarked Walk straight past the two ers, so it would be good to see In the far corner of that field, time (including the path to the left This is a very peaceful, part- path on your left (signposted turns on your left and go straight the Saddlers Arms Community cross another stile to join the for the Community Woodland). metalled track that meanders Church ½ mile). Go through the on where the road narrows and Group succeed in their bid to buy track you walked along at the This track can be very muddy in through lovely countryside. small gate to the right of a large there’s a priority to oncoming the pub to save it being converted start of the walk. Turn left to places, especially where it narrows Ignore a waymarked path on the five-bar gate, then go slightly traffic sign and you will find the to a house, thereby stripping the retrace your steps back to the when it goes between a hedge and left (signed Wilcote) and keep diagonally right on a well defined Mason’s Arms pub on your left, community of a valuable asset. B4022 then turn right to walk a fence after crossing a farm track. along the main track until you track across the field ahead. opposite a triangular plot of land After walking past the speed back to the Lamb & Flag. Eventually the track reaches a reach a place where a muddy On the far side of the field, go with the ruined windmill on it. limit derestriction sign, just after Pubs on the walk route To Shakenoak Ramsden To Farm To continue the walk turn right two drives on the left-hand side of Ramsden opposite the Mason’s Arms (in the road you will see a waymarked Lamb & Flag, Hailey, Oxon OX29 the direction of Witney). Turn footpath. Cross the stile and walk 9UB. Tel: 01993 702849. Closed Field Mon. Open: Check for possible new Gigley Farm right opposite the Windmill on along a track between a hedge Farm To lunchtime opening hours. Tues- Wilcote/ Gospel hall and walk in direc- and an electric fence as it pass- Thurs 5–11pm, Fri 4–11.30pm, Sat East End tion signed by a waymark to New es through a series of paddocks. End 2–11.30pm, Sun 12–9pm. Selection Farm Yatt ¾ mile along a tarmac road Eventually, after crossing one field of ales, good value food and nice garden with kids play area. Common Leys Farm/ called Heath Farm Lane. After edge, you will reach the end of the College Campus Masons The Woodman, New Yatt Road, Arms going round a left-hand 90° bend, track in the far corner of the next ignore the first turn on your field, where you will see a way- North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6TT. New Yatt North Tel: 01993 881790. Website: www. Farm right, walk through some stone mark pointing into the next field thewoodmaninn-norlye.com. Open Leigh gateposts towards a house ahead away from the horse paddocks. Mon–Fri 2–11pm, Sat Noon–1am, To START: Charlbury The Lamb Business then turn right before the house Keep on in the same general Sun Noon–11pm. Four chang- & Flag Centre and follow the road where, just direction, keeping the hedgerow ing ales, usually Marston ales New Yatt to the right of some gates to a on your right, cross a farm track and Marston/Wychwood guests. Popular, friendly local with good To Thames Water facility you’ll find and keep straight on beyond the The Long a dirt track with an old wooden track following a waymarked post. value food and nice garden. Woodman Hanborough sign saying ‘Footpath’. Soon you will be walking with Mason’s Arms, Park Road, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6RZ. Tel: 01993 Walk along that dirt track, go a copse on your right, and when 882005. Open (flexible): Mon–Fri Hailey through a gate, ignore a kiss- you reach the far corner of that 4pm–midnight, Sat Noon–mid- Swanhall ing gate on the right and keep field, walk through a gap in the night, Sun Noon–11pm. Old-style Farm To To To To To Witney on along the dirt track to the far hedge and keep on in the same pub in many ways, with many pub ShotteswellWitney Banbury Witney end where you walk round to general direction. Cross a stile game teams and a skittle alley.

22 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23

University Farm Roundup Of Local Brewery News CATS Brewery ly new brew in 18 months and The winning beers were: It was with great was inspired by the looming US • Twelve Days 5.5% – Strong, sadness that we Presidential elections. Brewed Dark & Rich (Silver) learned of the clo- with centennial, sterling, azac- • Flagship 5.5% - Strong, Zesty & sure of the brew- ca and wai-iti hops, P.O.T.U.S. Full (Silver) ery shortly after is tropical, fruity and complete- • Hooky Gold 4.1% - Pale, Gold the last edition went to print. ly delicious. At 4.7% it packs a & Zesty (Bronze) punch, as well as offering per- • Hooky 3.5% - Golden & Well Loddon Brewery fect late summer refreshment. Balanced (Bronze) Some interesting developments The brewery is now headline • Red Rye 4.7% - Rich, Red & as the brewery is now a pick-up sponsors of the new Reading Sweet (Bronze) point for the Cook Curry Club. Rivermead Ale and Cider Beers available It’s a brilliant new way to pick up Festival (September 23-24), in the next few your Friday night curry and beer. which is very exciting. months include: • September A good West Berks Brewery and October, excuse to West Berks have added a whop- Copper Head toast the ping five new awards to their a 3.9% rich Queen on ever expanding trophy cabinet. warming ale her 90th birthday In July they picked up two • October sees … cheers gold awards at the Society the return of Ma’am! of Independent Brewers Flagship, a 5.3% Association (SIBA) South East strong India competition for Tamesis Extra pale ale style Stout and Maggs’ Magnificent beer Its Queen’s 90th Birthday beer Mild and they have also won • November has Four Score & Ten was a huge three bronze awards in the Playing Hooky success, with all stock selling International Beer Challenge from the Crafty out in two weeks. 2016. Triumphant beers Ales range, It is now offering its beer for were; Tamesis Extra Stout, a 4.7% fruity takeaway in two litre (3.5 pint) Renegade Brewery Craft Lager refreshing beer. re-usable bottles. With each pint and Renegade • Then to the festive season costing between £2–£2.25, these Brewery West with Greedy Goose back for new bottles represent excellent Coast Pale November and December and value. They are available from Ale. Keep for one month only the amaz- the shop which is open 9am– your eyes ing Twelve Days is back, so 5pm, Mon–Fri and 9am–3pm peeled for make a note on the wall plan- Sat. If you can’t make it to the Tamesis ner, or in the filofax, and make brewery to pick up your Loddon available in sure you don’t miss out! beers then don’t worry as the cask soon! new online store is now live! In September the brew- Hook Norton What’s In A Name? ery is releasing P.O.T.U.S., an Congratulations to Hook Drinkers who dislike the way American Pale Ale. This 4.7% Norton who picked up two sil- owners rename pubs with odd hop-fest is its first complete- ver and three bronze medals at names will be dismayed to hear Will it be Hillary the International Beer Challenge of a Wrexham pub owner who … or will she be 2016 in London. has renamed his pub ‘Pubby Trumped? More than 630 beers from 30 McPubface’, inspired by the social countries entered the competi- media campaign for naming the tion, which was judged by UK new British Antarctic Survey ves- beer experts including retailers, sel ‘Boaty McBoatface’ (before importers, publicans, brewers, the volte-face by the Survey writers and flavour analysts, as authorities to name it ‘RRS Sir well as highly experienced judg- David Attenborough’). es from continental Europe to As the pub has had a recent give a comprehensive spread of refurb, the owner believed that a tasting experience. new look needed a new name. 24 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 Marking 50 Years of Magnificent Malt It may have passed by without “Even in the years of disap- most beer drinkers being aware, pointing harvests, Maris Otter but 2015 saw the 50th birthday manages to hold on to its cham- of perhaps the most famous of pion qualities. all barley varieties – Maris Otter. “Maris Otter hardly features Acknowledged by many as in the world of large brewers, the best barley to use to pro- but it certainly punches above duce brewing malt, it has been its weight in the craft sector,” bringing satisfaction to the taste says Rivett. “There may still be buds of beer lovers since 1965. some way to go before this fan- This specialist variety has been food, drink and natural ingre- tastic variety becomes a house- an ingredient in 10 of the most dients has heralded a renais- hold name in the way grape vari- recent 16 CAMRA Champion sance in the fortunes of Maris eties such as Merlot, Shiraz and Beers of Britain. Otter. It is still a specialist vari- Chardonnay are, but awareness Yet despite its enviable reputa- ety, making up a relatively small is growing.” tion as a champion malting bar- proportion of all the barley Rivett says more brewers are ley strain, it has had a difficult grown in Britain – just 2.6% in talking about ingredients in their history since its introduction 2014 and 3.4% in 2015. Of bar- marketing and publicity mate- and almost disappeared from the ley that is malted and used for rials, and those who use Maris market in the 1990s. brewing, Maris Otter is a high- Otter are proud to talk about It was originally developed er proportion, but still less than it, whereas other malting bar- in 1965 by the Plant Breeding 10%. Around a quarter of all leys are very rarely named. “Last Institute (PBI), which is part of Maris Otter malted here will be year’s 50th anniversary celebra- the University of Cambridge’s exported to America as demand tions put it in the spotlight. They School of Agriculture, using a from US craft brewers is high. created huge interest among cross of Pioneer and Proctor Tom Rivett of H Banham said: drinkers as well as brewers. barleys. The ‘Maris’ part of “Despite the rain, lack of sun- “We work with some of the name is from the PBI’s trial site shine and challenging growing best growers in the country to in Maris Lane in Trumpington, conditions, most of the Otter maintain the purity of the breed Cambs. where, incidentally, the grains have reached optimum and produce excellent quality famous potato variety Maris size and are, as always, perfect crops. This year’s harvest is a Piper was also first grown. for malting and craft brewing. testament to their work, as well Maris Otter is a two-row win- Looking at the state of the other as to the variety itself. Malt from ter variety and soon after its crops, this is some achievement, the overall 2016 crop will be introduction it quickly became a and another proof – if proof used to create around 450 mil- dominant variety due to its low were needed – of Maris Otter’s lion pints of Maris Otter beer, a nitrogen and superior malting trustworthy resilience. miniscule proportion of which characteristics. However, over “What it lacks in yields, Otter I look forward to sampling in the years its popularity declined more than makes up for in qual- the months to come. Champion as newer strains appeared on the ity and reliability. That is the prospect!” market and because it was con- main reason it has survived an Keith Rigley sidered to give a lower yield than unprecedented 51 years. Most other varieties, to the point that varieties last just four or five in the 1990s it very nearly died years before being superseded out altogether. It was eventu- by new strains. Maris Otter, an ally rescued and revived by two ingredient in hundreds of award- grain merchants H Banham and winning ales as well as many Robin Appel – who now joint- Champion Beers of Britain, has ly own the rights. The revival literally weathered the storms involved starting afresh with just for half a century. the purest, most true-to-type “It behaves well in the malt- Maris Otter seeds being picked ing process … and is sought after out and used for propagation, by an ever-increasing number of and onward breeding. craft brewers. They swear by it The huge expansion of the – for its consistent performance craft beer market, alongside the in the mash tun and the depth of massive growth of interest in flavour it delivers to the beer. 26 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 www.roseandcrown.charlbury.com Email: [email protected] Local Pub Planning News In Our Branch Market Street n The Swan, Ascott-under- n The George, Barford St to build a two storey cottage Charlbury Wychwood: Permission Michael: Internal alterations, on the site … which is a very Oxon OX7 3PL granted for a new front porch mainly adding en-suite facilities similar proposal to one that (WODC 16/02257/FUL) to upper bedrooms so that they was withdrawn in 2009 (CDC Tel: 01608 810103 n Bar With No Name, Banbury: can be used as letting rooms 16/01525/F) n OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am Granted permission for sub- and associated change of use. Blue Boar, Chipping Norton: Sat: 11am–1am division into three retail units (CDC 16/01650/F, 16/01652/ Alterations and renovations BREW MONDAYS – All real ales (CDC 16/00582/F) LB) following Young’s purchase of FORTHCOMING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS n n the pub (WODC 16/02494/ £2.50, all day, every Monday See www.myspace.com/theroseandcrownpub Bonitos, Banbury: Change of Star Inn, Bicester: Star Inn: as there are sometimes gigs at short notice use to one retail unit and two Another application for exten- FUL, 16/02495/LBC) • Usually EIGHT quality real ales, along with two n Duke of Cumberland’s Head, traditional ciders and a traditional perry Sat 17th Sept offices was approved so that is sion and alterations for six flats SOUL ON THE WOLD DJ night likely to be marked as a perma- plus One Stop store was with- Clifton: Alterations and • Hoegaarden Belgian White Beer and Shipyard Sat 1st Oct DAVE SHARP nent loss shortly. drawn, but already has similar single-storey extension (CDC American Pale Ale craft beers on draught with www.davesharp.org n 16/01474/F, 16/015475/LB) White Lion, Banbury - an permission (CDC 16/01146/F) n changing craft beer range in bottles/cans Sat 15th Oct application to build a mews n Pheasant Plucker (formerly the The Unicorn, Deddington: THE PRANKSTERS Single storey side extension • Good selection of English fruit wines Sat 29th Oct dwelling to the rear was Bishop Blaize), Burdrop: They • Pleasant courtyard drinking area KRIS DOLLIMORE refused (CDC 16/01068/F) have applied for permission (CDC 16/01493/F, 16/01494/ www.krisdollimore.com • We serve on average 40 different guest LB) Sat 12th Nov GILES HEDLEY n White Horse, Duns Tew: beers per month, produced mostly by www.gileshedley.com Permission was granted for microbreweries from all four corners Sat 26th Nov DELTA LADIES Cider As It Used To Be www.deltaladies.com replacement signage and satel- of the UK lite dish. See website for other gigs Nearly 30 years CAMRA pub- same with Inch’s in Devon. n North Oxon CAMRA Pub of the Regular VINYL NIGHTS – see window posters for details lished its first edition of the In the first Guide, it seemed Carpenter’s Arms, Fulbrook: Year 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2009 Good Cider Guide in October that every other pub in East Granted permission to build 1987. Compiled, almost single- Anglia was selling James White two houses on part of the Celebrating 27 continuous years handed, by cider enthusiast Suffolk Cider, which is no long- car park and site (WODC in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 16/01983/FUL) David Kitton, it was the first er made. And in Herefordshire, n time that CAMRA had seri- Westons was still producing and Oxfordshire Inn, Heathfield: ously promoted real cider and seen in many pubs throughout Application to redevelop perry to the outside world, and the country. But by far the larg- the function hall into eight around 80 producers listed back est number of outlets with cider dwellings was refused (CDC then (although a lot more were (including a lot of off-licenses) 16/01109/F) n Mill House Hotel, Kingham: not included, it’s nothing like were stocking Bulmers, so some Granted permission to build the hundreds of producers that things never change! Bulmers five houses on land adjacent to around today, and only about a had even owned a small number the hotel (WODC 16/01522/ third of them are still going). of their own cider houses, which FUL) One of the biggest changes were sold off. n Black Boy, Milton: Granted has been in Wales which was But the list of producers who permission for erection of a traditionally a big cider and are no more is a long one. A lot single-story storage unit (CDC perry area, but when the Guide were also farmers, and cider had 16/01064/F). Also requested came out there were no known been made for generations, and permission for various altera- producers at all. Now there are when they retired or died there tions, rebuilding and increas- several dozen makers. was often no-one to take over. ing extensions and using upper Similarly Dorset, another old But luckily, as well as the hun- floor space as bedrooms (CDC cider area, has taken off again dreds of new producers, some 16/01360/F) recently. In the first guide there of the family businesses are still n Milton Hare, Milton-under- were only two cidermakers (nei- there, so you can still say hello to Wychwood: The developers ther are still producing). makers like Roger Wilkins and who own the land to the side Some producers were bought Derek Hartland, both cidermak- of the pub are trying yet again up and closed down by the big ers in the old tradition, while to build two houses there companies, such as Symonds in welcoming all of the new ones (WODC16/02682/FUL) after Herefordshire. They had been as well. withdrawing the last applica- Terms and Conditions: All prices and offers are subject to change. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. making cider since 1727, but And I hope that they don’t tion this meant little to Bulmers, mind me saying this, but thank n Wroxton House Hotel, who bought them and closed goodness that a lot of the newer Wroxton: Two storey exten- them down, while still mak- producers are just as eccentric as sion for eight additional rooms ing a keg cider called Symonds the old ones! (CDC 16/01640/F, 16/01641/ Scrumpy Jack. Bulmers did the Mick Lewis LB) 28 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 Get Involved With Cask Ale Week Cask Ale Week should be ale October provide a great oppor- drinkers’ favourite 11-day week tunity. By creating a new activ- and it’s almost upon us again ity, or putting an existing event … the celebration of Britain’s under the Cask Ale Week ban- national drink runs from 22nd ner, you can mark the occasion September to 2nd October. with lovers of real ale, introduce The more support Cask Ale new people to its delights – and Week finds in drinkers, the help create lifelong fans. Not more support this celebration of to mention ensuring that an 11 real ale will find from breweries day week actually is something and pubs. With higher partici- worth celebrating … pation, real ale can find its way The Week is organised by into the hands and mouths of Cask Marque. Pubs and brew- more fresh faces, gaining fans in Whether on a small or large eries don’t have to be Cask the process. scale, any event will provide Marque members to take part. All CAMRA branches and positive exposure for real ale All we ask is that the activ- members can get involved, just and for pubs. A photo is a great ity you’re promoting under the as any pubs and breweries are way of spreading the message banner revolves around cask ale welcome to join in. Beer indus- across social media, and is sim- served in excellent condition; try expert Paul Nunny says” ple and cheap to organise. A that you use the Cask Ale Week “Any cask-centred event can run great picture is also the centre- logo and follow @caskaleweek under the Cask Ale Week ban- piece for most news story, and on Twitter – and that you to fill ner. For CAMRA members, this your pub’s events could put a in the ‘Add an Event’ form on means that Branch events can local spin on the nationwide the www.caskaleweek.co.uk/ be run during Cask Ale Week to event that is Cask Ale Week. add-event website. attract new members. Equally, “Many pubs and brewer- Email info@cask-marque. CAMRA branches often hold a ies will be raising a glass to ale co.uk with your details, or lot of sway, and could persuade with CAMRA members during phone on 01206 752212. their local pubs or breweries to the Week,” says Paul. join in the fun.” “Why not get a great Making licensees and brewers photo to mark the aware that you are interested in occasion.” taking part may help push them Young people are to start planning events. You beginning to turn to may even be able to help them ale as well, with more with the event itself. and more fashionable “Beer festivals always draw craft brewers enter- crowds, but there are many ing the scene. “We other activities that can be must ensure that cask organised. Brewery tours, ale benefits from this tutored tastings and quizzes for surge of interest. The example. ‘Introduce a friend’ Week is the perfect offers are also a great way to opportunity to sing bring more people into a pub. ale’s praises, and of It might take a bit of coax- course to try plenty ing, but the promised support for yourself. of Branches and Branch mem- “Whether you act bers should make for a persua- individually or collec- sive argument in favour of doing tively, the dates 22nd something!” September to 2nd

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2016 Disclaimer: The views expressed in articles are those of individual contributors, and are not necessarily the views of the North Oxfordshire Branch, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. North Oxon CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to the accuracy of advertisements; readers must rely on their own enquiries. It should also be noted that acceptance of an advertisement in this publication should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by North Oxon CAMRA. Edited by Stephen Lympany • Designed & Produced by Keith Rigley, Charlbury, Oxon • Printed by Henry Ling, Dorchester, Dorset 30 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2016 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31