Issue 110 February - March 2019

FREE please take one the Oxford Drinker

The free newsletter of the Oxford and White Horse Branches of CAMRA www.oxford.camra.org.uk www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk February - March 2019 110 110 February - March 2019

FRONT COVER PICTURE : Christian 8). These three local breweries Gyuricza of Church Hanbrewery at are certainly ones to watch. their Teardrop bar in Oxford’s Covered Welcome

Market ….. to an increasingly In addition to their own and “local” scene for pubs others’ local beer, they can now and breweries serve local gin (TOAD), local cider, local wine and even local AS OXFORD CAMRA prepared for its champagne – I had no idea the Awards Night in February, it’s latter was produced near time to take stock and celebrate Eynsham. There’s a real success – while recognising interest in “localism” nowadays, that times remain hard for many with people wanting to support pubs, especially outside the local businesses while keeping The Oxford Drinker is the newsletter of the Oxford and White Horse city. down their food and drink branches of CAMRA, the Campaign “miles” from producer to palate. for Real Ale. First of all congratulations to our

5000 copies are distributed free of City Pub of the Year, the Gin has become a phenomenal charge to pubs across the two Masons Arms in Headington success story, with a 41% branches’ area, including Oxford, Quarry; and our Town and increase in sales last year Abingdon, Witney, Faringdon, Village Pub of the Year, the (according to the Wine and Eynsham, Kidlington, Bampton, Brewery Tap in Abingdon. Both Spirit Trade Association) Wheatley and Wantage and most of have won the award several meaning there are now more the villages in between. times before and are rightly distilleries in England than in PDF downloads of past issues are recognised for their consistently Scotland! Some of the new available at the Oxford CAMRA good beer quality, ambience artisan distilleries also produce website, www.oxford.camra.org.uk . and support for CAMRA’s aims. malt whisky, but that takes at

Editorial team: least 10 years to be ready. We are also presenting awards Editor: Dave Richardson to the three breweries who Gin is at the heart of many [email protected] came out top in a “blind” tasting establishments including the Advertising: Pete Flynn and Tony by experts at our beer festival recently opened Old Chemist Goulding last November. Little Ox came bar-restaurant in Abingdon. [email protected] first for Yabba Dabba Doo, with Perhaps it’s time to consider a Tony: 07588 181313 runners-up Tap Social and gin bar at our beer festival, Pete: 07582 168082 White Horse. The festival was a while rum is being tipped (or Layout/Design: Matt Bullock great success, with £650 being should that be tippled?) as the

Valuable contributions have been raised for our chosen charity next big thing. received for this issue from Richard Helen and Douglas House (see Queralt, Paul Silcock, Dick Bosley, picture on page 31) But big business marches on, Dennis Brown, Tony Goulding, Pete with Japanese brewing giant Flynn, and Graham Shelton. Early in the year we saw the full Asahi’s take-over of Fuller’s Please send contributions to the opening of two new pubs in alarming CAMRA. Expect more editor at the above email address. central Oxford – the Plough at acquisitions of breweries,

Pub news can be sent to 38 on Cornmarket Street, and following Fuller’s take-over of [email protected]@oxford.camra.org.uk “nano-pub” Teardrop, in the Dark Star. Fuller’s pubs – which

The views expressed in this Covered Market (see Pub charge the highest prices in publication are those of the individual News). Both are very innovative central Oxford for cask ale, contributors and not necessarily developments, and I was according to our recent survey – those of Oxford or White Horse particularly struck by the range are not included in the Asahi Branches of CAMRA, or of CAMRA of other local drinks sold by deal. Limited. Teardrop, owned by Church Hanbrewery. Printed by OxUniPrint As ever, your news, views and www.oxuniprint.co.uk contributions to the Oxford It’s the same at the Oxbrew Drinker are welcome – just drop © Copyright Oxford CAMRA 2019 micro-pub in Witney, operated me a line. by Oxbrew brewery, which is merging operations (but not DAVE RICHARDSON brands) with Little Ox ( see page [email protected]

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By the time we got to Woodstock.... Dave Richardson SO SANG Joni Mitchell in 1970 century. It was previously discovers the pubs of describing one of the greatest known as the Wheatsheaf and rock festivals of all time, but the the Black Horse and serves a this attractive tourist Woodstock near Oxford is wide range of guest ales – mecca better known for Blenheim possibly as many as 300 a year, Palace and the hordes of but who’s counting? St Austell’s visitors it attracts year-round. Tribute is the regular beer, and I Are they able to sample great was told there would be “riots in English ales as well? I went to the car park” if this was ever find out. taken off.

Black Prince This being early January, the Arguably the best real ale pub three other hand pumps on this in this small town – and its only occasion were offering Good Beer Guide entry for 2019 Skinner’s Christmas Fairy (also – stands apart from the others from Cornwall), Vale’s on the main A44 road to the Christmas Star and Hanlons’ north of the town centre. But Citramas, the latter proving that don’t miss it, and if arriving by zesty, citrus-tinged beers are bus from either direction there’s popular even in the depths of a stop nearby. winter, So one local beer and three from the West Country, Prettily set beside the River and I chose the Vale seasonal ABOVE : The Black Prince and the Glyme and with a car park and special which was suitably bridge over the River Glyme garden for summer days, the malty and tasty and very RIGHT: The Star Inn overlooks the Black Prince is a classic free quaffable at 3.6%. market place house dating from the 16th 4 the Oxford Drinker 110 February - March 2019

The Black Prince is an proved here. The pub was very good it tasted. Regular atmospheric pub with a huge taken on by the Jacob’s group beers also available were IPA ancient fireplace to warm us in 2016, which has a great and Old Speckled Hen, but a and also a log burning stove, reputation for good food and guest ale often being served is with a knight’s suit of armour operates several other pubs Timothy Taylor’s Landlord keeping watch. Good value food around Oxford including Jacob’s which apparently sells very fast. is served at prices somewhat Inn at Wolvercote. Rich clearly knows his stuff and lower than in the town centre – was very welcoming. a place to return to, and an Manager Rich Gibbs – a easy stop along the A44. Woodstock man with 25 years’ Star experience in the business – We then went across the road King’s Head said that Jacob’s specialises in to a Charles Wells This pub – easy to miss as it’s turning around pubs needing an establishment, and the largest on Park Lane rather than the injection of cash and ideas. and possibly liveliest pub in main drag – was closed for Woodstock. The front bar is refurbishment but should have It’s another ancient, very cosy with a lovely log fire re-opened by now. Owned by atmospheric building (get used and the pub goes back a long Heineken brand Star Inns, it to this description in way, partly laid out as a had been selling up to three real Woodstock) and very invitingly restaurant and with a patio ales and had a reputation for laid out for dinner at one end – I outside with covered smoking food, having been a “spud pub” may return for a meal one day. area. Built in 1634, it also has some 30-odd years ago. It has an enclosed garden and four letting rooms. real fire, making it attractive at King’s Arms any time of year. Five real ales are served and all On the corner of Market Street are regarded as regulars, with and the A44, this imposing old The end nearest to the entrance little variation. All the ales were hotel was acquired by Fuller’s is a “proper” bar with a good “in-house” too, but you need to recently which is keen to extend pub atmosphere, and here we understand the various its accommodation business. It found three real ales including a acquisitions made by Charles has 15 letting rooms and sells curiosity – a house-branded Wells to appreciate that. All are three cask ales from the Fuller’s beer in a Greene King pub not produced at the Eagle brewery range, London Pride being a supplied by Greene King. This in Bedford, traditional home of regular and a second from the is House of Jacob (4.2%), by Charles Wells beers seasonal lines which today was North Cotswold brewery, and Bombardier, Bombardier Gold Snow Globe, a spiced winter ale at 5.5%. I chose an old favourite, Hophead by Dark Star of Sussex, which was acquired by Fuller’s last year but kept on as an independent producer.

It tasted as good as ever, but we didn’t linger. Despite being an old building the bar has a contemporary feel, with more of a café atmosphere by day.

Woodstock Arms I was pleasantly surprised by this Greene King pub, as the brewing giant allows some of its tenants more leeway in what they serve nowadays and so it

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and Eagle IPA. Also available forgettable. How many brands were served which we didn’t were Young’s Bitter (Young’s taste the same after a change find anywhere else in brewing interests having of ownership and location is a Woodstock – Hook Norton’s merged with Charles Wells in conversation for many a long Hooky, the seasonal Old Mulled 2006), and Courage Director’s, night….. Hen from GK, and own-badged a brand acquired in 2007. The Crown Ale which we were told whole lot are now owned by Crown was a variation on White Marston’s while Charles Wells Another hotel and another old Horse’s Village Idiot. The is building another brewery, but building, the Crown is trying to Crown Ale being off, I chose a we won’t go into that! encourage real ale but finding it half of the Old Mulled Hen challenging to attract serious which went down nicely on a I chose the Director’s for old ale drinkers. It is certainly worth cold afternoon. times’ sake, but it was looking in as three real ales The hotel has a very modern feel and its main business is clearly food and accommodation. Owner Duke Hotels also has the Anchor in North Oxford among its other interests, and we wish it well in its real ale activities.

Punchbowl Inn Our final stop, on the main A44 and convenient for the bus back to Oxford, was by far the most disappointing. It’s yet another lovely old stone building which is also a hotel, run by Arkell’s brewery, laid out mainly for food but totally lacking in customers apart from ourselves. It may have been a midweek evening in January, but everywhere else we visited had a good few customers.

Two hand pumps are supplied with one “empty” and another badged for 3B, but this proved to be off. I declined another drink while Tony Goulding had a cider, but we were soon on the bus home reflecting that the Black Prince and the Cotswold Arms were the stand-out pubs for us. We couldn’t recommend the Punchbowl after this experience.

TOP : Rich Gibbs at the Woodstock Arms BOTTOM: The Crown

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Little Ox and Oxbrew get it together

Dave Richardson SETTING UP A small brewery is a will also be set up in Freeland discovers that two pipe dream for many people, open on a monthly basis, with a and some never do because it launch event pencilled in for into one do go is such very hard work. Ian Saturday 6 April. Hemingway realised his dream in 2016 by setting up Little Ox, The trio – joined by an as yet un not knowing that a short -named fourth person, an distance away, Aaron Baldwin experienced local brewer – first and his stepfather Simon met at evenings hosted by the Scamp were doing the same Oxford Brewers Alliance. The with Oxbrew. Now they are alliance, which is organising the joining forces, keeping their third Oxford Beer Week from 5- separate brands but sharing the 12 May, fosters a great spirit of Little Ox premises at Freeland, co-operation between what are just off the A4095 Woodstock to ostensibly rivals, with Little Ox Witney road. and Oxbrew taking this a stage further by now sharing Oxbrew has moved out of its premises. original premises in Enstone, and another plus is that While Oxbrew at least had two PICTURED : From left to right, Freeland is much closer to its people to run it, Ian Hemingway Simon Scamp, Ian Hemmingway own small pub in Witney which at Little Ox was a true one-man and Aaron Baldwin opened last August. A tap room band. He makes great beer,

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though, winning the top award breweries are falling by the a 4.5% porter; Oddbod, a 4% at a blind tasting by experts at wayside – such as LAM, which premium bitter; and Goldilox, a the Oxford Beer and Cider briefly brewed canned craft beer 3.9% golden ale. Yabba Dabba Festival 2018 for Yabba Dabba in Kennington. But now Little Ox Doo is likely to become more Doo, a 4.8% IPA. and Oxbrew can approach the regular following its festival win, market from a position of while specials include a red ale, But he admits: “If you’re greater strength. Oxblood. It also makes a wearing every hat – making it, pilsner, Oxford Lager. selling it and collecting the “People sometimes don’t stick empties – it’s very hard. I was at at it for long enough,” says Ian. Oxbrew has a greater focus on my wits’ end and not making a “The learning curve is steep and keg as well as cask ales, living. But as we are both you make lots of mistakes, and including Amber, Red, Freudian newcomers, I share the same you do it because you like beer Sip, Citrafella and J Street issues facing us as Oxbrew, and not to make a lot of Porter. Now the two brands including access to market.” money.” have produced their first collaboration brew, a vanilla Co-operation started with Little Simon agrees, with Oxbrew stout called Dark and Seedy, Ox bottling Oxbrew beers, and having the additional challenge with an IPA to follow. The stout, now they have moved in of running a small pub five days at 6%, is served on nitro gas. together they have a 56-barrel a week. “Difficulties getting to Putting 30% nitrogen in the Co2 plant (there are 288 pints in a market were one reason we set carbonation is mainly a brewer’s barrel) which can up the pub, but now we have a mouthfeel thing, giving a tight- produce cask, keg and bottled direct route and a tap room here bubbled creamy head and a beer, and four people with is coming,” he says. great visual in the glass, settling clearly defined roles to run the like Guinness. whole show. The Oxbrew micro- A recent success for Oxbrew pub in Witney now showcases was being selected to brew a “Joining forces will bring many both brands, and some other beer exclusively for the county’s advantages logistically and friends’ products. eight community-owned pubs, environmentally, whilst also Community Endeavour. Little giving the breweries better Both brands grew out of the Ox has also had success buying power for ingredients enthusiastic efforts of amateurs. getting its beer into pubs, with and creating a hotbed of Ian started home brewing at the the Gardiner Arms in Tackley, collaboration, knowledge age of 14 but went on to the White Horse in Stonesfield sharing and most importantly become a medical research and the White Hart in Banbury fantastic beers,” adds Simon. scientist, taking redundancy to now taking its beers on a “We truly believe we are taking work as a kitchen and bathroom regular basis. At the Gardiner our first steps towards a kind of fitter before deciding to give Arms’ suggestion, all its beers ‘Oxfordshire Breweries Co-op’ brewing a try. Aaron ran a paint are now produced gluten-free. following a well-established spraying business in Enstone But with those pubs that do path from America where local where its brewhouse was first have freedom of choice being breweries view each other as established, while Simon was a inundated with calls from allies, not competitors. signwriter. breweries both near and far, small breweries have to go to “Dark and Seedy gives a Both were making more beer market in various ways glimpse of what’s to come. than they could sell, but now including tap rooms, festivals, There are exciting times ahead, they can work on selling as well farmers’ markets and shop and we would like to thank all as the nitty-gritty. They are both sales. our supporters especially the keenly aware that the market is Oxford Brewers Alliance and highly competitive, and that The Little Ox core range Oxford CAMRA, who have after many years of growing includes Wipeout, a 4.2% helped us all along the way.” numbers some fairly new American Pale Ale; Filthy Rich,

the Oxford Drinker 9 February - March 2019 110 Pete’s Pubs

Branch chairman WANTAGE IS A historic market Competition. This easy drinking Pete Flynn goes town about 15 miles south-west bitter is amber in colour with of Oxford and eight miles from crisp malts and a touch of fruity a-wandering in my home town of Abingdon; a sweetness; a real winner. Wantage comfortable 50-minute journey on the S8 bus to Market Square A wooden board entitled “The is the easiest way to arrive. Mutton”, lovingly crafted by one of the pub’s regulars, lists all the In the 19th century, Lord beers on sale and is a sight to Wantage became a notable behold with mostly local beers local and national benefactor. from the likes of Barn Owl, He was very involved in Loddon and Indigenous. The founding the British Red Cross pub boasts a band of regulars Society and in 1877 he paid for by the name of The Muttoneers a marble statue of King Alfred who are prescient, discerning, by Count Gleichen to be hipster types including erected in Market Place, where scientists, artists, musicians and it still stands today celebrating craftsmen. Their mission is to the birth of the legendary king at seek out infinity and beyond in Wantage Palace in the 9th terms of beer types and styles. century. Oliver is very passionate about The light rain did not dampen beer quality and casks are my enthusiasm as I headed tapped three days before straight for the Shoulder of serving, allowing the beer to Mutton, a free house owned by breathe, whilst the lines are Guy Ripley for the last three cleaned after every beer years – he used to run The change and then always once a Plough at Witney. Apparently week. He also employs a beer Guy is a good musician, great management system detailing cook and has an entertainment the date the beer was tapped background, therefore engaging and spiled for reference him in conversation would make purposes. for an enlightening evening in my opinion. Interestingly, a beautiful juicy IPA from Vibrant Forest at 6.8% I introduced myself to manager had first been served at the Oliver Curley and settled down beginning of December but still for a pint of Animal Spaniel tasted fresh in January, which is a collaboration brew evidence that beers with a between XT and Friends of The higher alcohol content tend to Shed. I love the beers from XT stay fresh for longer. An ever that head-brewer Russ Taylor changing list of 10 ales is produces and I was interested usually on sale, and on the odd to learn that Friends of The occasion a tub can sell out Shed won the XT Homebrew within four hours which

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happened with Hoptrick from pity I couldn’t praise the beer further two pumps engaged Shotover brewery. The which looks a tired offering from when times are busier. The pub Shoulder is very much a the Arkell’s range namely: BBB, does offer an “open mic” night brewers’ pub and when I’ve Wiltshire Gold, and Moonlight, with regular quiz nights, and a visited before there are normally in addition to Courage Directors festival is planned for 4 May a few of them enjoying a pint or which is part of the Marston’s with a BBQ and seven live two after a hard day’s graft. stable. bands.

Directly opposite is the Kings Although this fine building has a So, this town and birthplace of a Arms, which is CAMRA White 400-year history it’s been King Alfred does offer a Horse branch’s most improved gentrified over the years, to the selection of GREAT beers but pub of 2018. It’s a worthy point that the only part of the only from the Shoulder and winner as it was a failing building which can boast any King’s Arms during a midweek Greene King outlet prior to historical interest is the lunchtime. It would be remiss of being acquired by Oak Taverns cobblestone flooring. The hotel me not to mention the splendid before re-opening in July last offers rooms at £80 per night multi-CAMRA award winning year. I enjoyed chatting to the and sells thousands of coffees Royal Oak on Newbury Street, ubiquitous manager Stuart each week with a free slice of which opens later in the day Fanson, who proudly boasts cake, which ensures that and where landlord Paul Hexter that even on his 40th birthday mornings are rammed full but and his wife have been serving he was no happier than when not to drink the beer great beer for 30 years. he was cleaning beer lines, unfortunately. running the pub and tending the My next trip to Wantage will be garden whilst halting a water My last stop was the King the annual White Horse leak. Who said it’s an easy job Alfred’s Head which has been CAMRA Beer Festival (15-16 running a pub! part of a small pub chain for the March) which you will find last six years, DGM Leisure, advertised in this magazine, From a range of six cask ales I based in the Midlands. The and I hope to see some of you selected White Horse Session cask range is limited to Doom there. IPA which is a golden, citrusy Bar and St Austell Tribute with a brew packed with flavoursome hops including Chinook, Cascade and Citra. The pub has its own brewery aptly entitled Wantage Brewery and is likely to commence brewing this year. Customers are mostly locals, and Stuart sources a huge range of local beer with a bottle shop recently added to complement the cask. A comprehensive gin menu is on offer which has enabled him to offer locals a gin club with regular guest speakers.

My next stop the Bear Hotel, is a traditional venue owned by Arkell’s priding itself on a restaurant voted best in Wantage for the last six years. It ABOVE : The Mutton beer board certainly looks very large yet RIGHT : Stuart Fanson at the cosy and comfortable, but it’s a Kings Arms

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Rye Pale Ale at 4.2% called Have A Great Day, available in cask and 500ml bottle from February. The rye increases the complexity of flavour, so expect a subtle spice that is complemented by the dry peppery finish. The newest keg special, also for February, is the 5.3% unfiltered Kellerbier “#NoFilter”, available in keg and in 440ml can. The apricot and lemony flavours pair exquisitely with white fish or a lovely Thai chicken broth. It will also be releasing the hotly anticipated Snake Oil Double IPA at 7.5%, Brewery News available in keg and in 440ml can. Tap Social Handles is a 4.2% blonde ale back for a record third Wychwood Ever the innovator, the Botley appearance, and as popular as brewhouse was due to hold a the Two Ronnies sketch that The brewery has launched its “Dine Naked Oxford” event on 5 spawned it. It has a biscuity first ever taproom following a February in association with a malt backbone and juicy floral refurbishment, which officially local nudist group. A four- hop flavours from Olicana hops. opened its doors on 13 course gourmet dinner was December and has already promised for £25 and the Beam me up Scotty! is a 4.0% welcomed hundreds of guests brewery was to be closed to the hoppy copper ale. Captain Kirk who have been able to explore general public. The idea of of Star Trek may never have the many different beers nude dining on a grim industrial said it, but it is still one of the available as well as the estate in the depths of winter is most iconic lines in TV history. brewery’s rich history. Situated certainly interesting, and we This copper coloured ale is within the heart of the brewery, hope the heating was in full packed full of punchy, aromatic it offers the freshest selection of working order! American hops, giving flavours beers including Oxford Gold, of stone fruits and citrus. It’s Brakspear Bitter and of course Vale beer, Jim, but not as we know it. Hobgoblin IPA – voted the World’s Best IPA at the World Brewery tours have resumed Beer Awards 2018. after a break, and are on the West Berkshire Brewery first Saturday of every month. It Created in a contemporary has launched a free members’ On 12 February it is hosting a style, the taproom features club called Pickled Swans beer and food matching event, modern seating areas as well offering a range of benefits – for with five dishes designed by as remaining traditional to the details contact head chef Shaun Cheyney brewery roots. An additional bar [email protected] or paired with specifically chosen has been installed to allow the visit the website. beers. The ever-popular number of brewery tours to brewery quiz nights are on 20 increase, as well as provide an First special brew for the New February and 20 March, with event space. Beer and brewing Year was 80/-, a 4.4% dark the £5 entry fee including a pint has been at the heart of the malty beer and its own take on of beer. The film Pretty Woman renovation as is fitting for a a classic Scottish eighty shilling is being shown in the taproom brewery tap. There will be with big robust malt flavours on 19 February. regular “meet the brewer” supported by caramel, toast and nights, music evenings, quiz a soft hop bitterness. Fork WBB’s first cask seasonal is a nights and food and beer

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pairing sessions. For full list of citrus flavours, melting away to events see the Wychwood the more classic XT model of website. malty mellowness for a moreish mouthfeel. “We’re so excited to have launched the taproom and The annual teen series undergone our refurbishment,” concludes this year with the said Hobgoblin brand manager, coda: XT-19, a Red Rye IPA at Alex Harrison. “We believe the 4.2% packed with five malts and taproom will be a great rye grains but a very “hop extension to the brewery and for forward” beer. XT-19 will be customers to explore and taste available through the year with Calling our beers fresh from the barrels, a rotation of the teen family as well as some experimental classics such as XT-13 and XT- all ex- brews.” 15. Morland It is open on Thursday and The Animals haven’t been Friday 2pm-10pm, Saturday sleeping either, and two new Staff 12pm-10pm and Sunday 12pm- creatures are released for the 6pm at Wychwood Brewery, cooler months. Emu is a Eagle Industrial Estate, The Southern Amber at 4.6% using Crofts, Witney, OX28 4DP. some international and English malts, Maris Otter, Special B XT and wheat for a chewy base, and New World hops Green XT has been making its Bullet, Dr Rudi, Waimea and Millennial Beer M, marked up as Pacific Gem. Yak is a Breakfast a 6.6% IPA. The 1,000th mash IPA with a nice blend of classic from XT carries the moniker M, Maris Otter, Oats, Vienna and melding only malts and hops Melanoidan and some that begin with that letter American greenery: Amarillo, including Marris Otter, Munich Azzacca and Mosaic. The and Melanoidan malts, and recipe is rounded off with Motueka, Minstrel and lactose to give that breakfast mountains of Mosaic hops. It twist. To mark Chinese New uses the most hops in any XT Year – this year is the year of or Animal beer ever to create a the Pig – Animal Oink, which A book is in preparation on the massive missile of tropical and was the first ever Animal beer to history of Morland’s brewery in be brewed way back in 2013, Abingdon, and all ex-employees will make a return. who would like to be involved are invited to contact the author In Oxford City centre XT has Bob Frampton. been involved in a project to bring a 17th century pub back to An event was held at the life, supplying beer to the Brewery Tap pub in Abingdon Plough on Cornmarket, which on 2 February, this being a serves beers from cask, craft surviving part of Morland’s keg and from special tanks which closed in 1999 after behind the bar (see Pub News takeover by Greene King, with on page 16). production being moved to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

Contact Bob Frampton on [email protected] 07821 302193.

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A Christmas Beer Crawl in the Capital

Pete Flynn leads a Perusing the beer menu was an area. Bedspring light fittings, a education in diversity, with an bar made of sleepers and branch foray to Imperial Stout aged in oak ladder benches became the “hipster” East London barrels infused with Vanilla and brewery and pizzeria backdrop. Guatemalan Coffee offered at I ALWAYS ENJOY a trip to London £18 a pint! Atom Neutron Star The beer menu is mostly the as the city has so much to offer was the name of this beast and typically cold and carbonated a beer drinker in the range of boasts a 12.6% ABV. This key keg variety, although some pubs and brewery tap rooms. I wasn’t for me and I would cask beer was available. I try to organise an annual trip happily leave this to a beer settled for the tasty and and a spirited, vibrant group of connoisseur, favouring a cask refreshing Crate Golden, a 10 was available on this conditioned seasonal session delightful bright and zesty ale occasion. Our starting point was pale ale from Cloudwater which was surprisingly easy and Hackney Wick and a technical Brewery retailing at £5.40 per ultimately sessionable at 3.8%. fault on London Overground, pint. This particular tap room which meant we had to board a has been operational since Adjacent to CRATE , in Queens bus at Stratford resulting in a 25 February 2018 and is run by Yard, is Howling Hops, a -minute delay, was not enough Cave Direct, a company with its former glass factory which is to dampen our enthusiasm. roots in Belgian beer possibly the only tank bar in the Quite the opposite as we were importation since 1979. UK. This is where the brewery now parched and ready to dispenses its beer directly from sample what our first Just around the corner, and on the storage tanks, so one would establishment had to offer. the banks of the River Lea in expect the beer to taste very what was originally a print fresh. Tanks are cool. Everyone The Beer Merchants Tap was factory, CRATE has been knows that. Keg washing sucks, a wonderful place to start and evolving ever since it opened in brewers know that! The 10 ticks all the boxes on the craft July 2012. It’s not just the beer tanks pouring beer directly keep beer bar checklist – exposed that’s developed and grown but it simple, and it works well. brickwork, dangly industrial the seasonal food menus, event lights, cable trays, rough spaces duty manager Ben The brewers originally started it planking and a tap wall. It even Copeland told me. It was set up as a hobby then commenced boasts six fridges offering a by Kiwi brother and sister Tom selling beer to the iconic comprehensive menu of bottled and Jess Seaton, and their Southampton Arms, one of beers ranging from Sour, Welsh business partner Neil CAMRA’S favourite pubs, in Belgian, Lager and Wheat to Hinchley, who invited the local Kentish Town. Expansion the more traditional Pale and community to help build the continued when an opportunity Hoppy. It has a TV room and an brewery and tap room. The arose to re-open the Cock area for pool, as well as plenty result was an up-cycle mecca Tavern in Hackney, and it of seating in what was once a reflecting the eclectic hipster wasn’t until 2014 that they factory. creativity of the Hackney Wick moved again to their current

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The CAMRA Pub Discount Scheme gives licensees the chance to promote their real ale offering to card carrying CAMRA members by offering them money of a pint or half pint.

The pubs in our area that offer a discount are listed below: Abingdon area Boundary House (G) Bowyer Arms, Radley (G) Brewery Tap Broad Face College Oak (G) Kings Head & Bell premises as demand continued Zephyr, from a local brewery, Nags Head on the Thames to flourish for their range of and decided it was time to move Narrows (W) interesting beers. The brewery on as the venue was incredibly White Horse (G) offers six core beers with single crowded, noisy and batch beers brewed on a uncomfortable. Oxford area regular basis. The beer will last Black Horse, Kidlington (G) for two to three weeks in the Our next stop was the Forest Britannia, Headington tanks as the liquid is kept Road Brew Co Tap room in Castle Tavern slightly carbonated, and when Netils Lane E8, just off Mare Chequers, High Street full each tank can hold 1,000 Street in Hackney and under a Duke of Monmouth (G) pints. I particularly liked this railway arch. This is a real gem Fir Tree, Iffley ROad outlet and the décor is a cross of a place with good quality craft Four Candles (W) between a German beer hall beer, the two main brews Work Jude the Obscure (G) and an American tap room. and Posh proving very popular Mason’s Arms, Headington with the locals. Continuing in a Queen’s Head, Horspath Reflecting on the day so far, we southerly direction our next stop Red Lion, Kidlington all agreed that we had been was Redchurch Brewery Tap Rose and Crown spoilt for choice as we Room which is yet another St Aldates Tavern attempted to use Google Maps micro-brewery providing a Swan and Castle (W) to navigate, rather confusingly, range of seven core beers Turf Tavern (G) to our next venue, a 35-minute which is well worth a visit. Wig & Pen (G) walk away. There was a lot of William Morris, Cowley (W) cheerful banter as I led the With Bethnal Green tube almost charge, finding it difficult to in sight our last stop was Witney area obtain a signal as a result of the Mother Kelly’s, a “go-to” stop Company of Weavers (W) high-rise buildings. Anyway, for the denizens of the locality; Golden Eagle, Carterton (G) that was my excuse! yet another hostelry under a Olde Cross Keys (G) railway arch. The evening had Rose Revived, Newbridge (G) About 40 minutes later, as we barely begun yet the place was Pubs offer different discounts, skirted Victoria Park heading in rammed with an excellent and some discounts are available the direction of Bethnal Green, selection of over 20 keg lines to only at certain times, on certain we arrived at the People’s Park choose from. days or on certain beers. Please Tavern , a large open-plan pub ask at the pub to find out what is and formerly a Firkin brewpub It had been a fantastic offered. Pubs marked (W) from 1986-1998 with brewing re experience, and if you know indicates that the discount is in -starting in 2013. The brewery is where to drink London offers a Wetherspoons vouchers that are a sister to Brighton’s North wonderful array of beer styles. sent to all CAMRA members; Laine brewery and is visible Our gang is destined to return pubs marked (G) are Greene King through a screen from the bar. I another day. managed pubs where CAMRA has settled for half a Truman’s negotiated a 10% discount.

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and with tanks at the rear of the bar and a small brewing plant planned. The two-floor property has been totally revamped with a contemporary feel, while emphasising its historical features. The restaurant will be on the upper floor.

Pub News Somerset It is hoped to re-open the Marston Road pub by March, Perch Cumnor according to Dodo Pub This popular thatched pub on Company which is negotiating a the banks of the Thames to the Bear and Ragged Staff lease from a private tenant. north of the city is due to re- One year after a major revamp, Dodo runs the Rusty Bicycle open towards the end of this historic pub with a modern (which has just celebrated its February after an extension to extension has been awarded an 10th anniversary) and Rickety the dining room is completed, AA rosette for its cooking. It is Press elsewhere in the city, and looking out over the extensive run by Peach Pub Company is expected to introduce a garden. which also runs the Fishes in similar model with all-day

North Hinksey. opening and casual dining Plough at 38 appropriate to the time of day. Oxford’s “newest oldest” pub Oxford Re-opening of the pub after had a “soft” opening just before several years of closure and Christmas and expected to be Castle dereliction will mark a major fully open, including dining, by The tenants who re-opened the achievement for the Save Our pub on behalf of Hook Norton – early February. In a prime Somerset campaigning group, location on the corner of who also run Ye Olde Reindeer working to save the last Cornmarket Street and St in Banbury – have decided not remaining pub in the area. It to continue, but the pub carries Michael’s Street, it became a had been destined to become pub in 1656 or 1665 but was on as normal while new tenants an Islamic community centre. occupied by tailor Austin Reed are sought. from 1936 to 2016 since when it Teardrop has stood derelict. Now it is a James Street Tavern Church Hanbrewery opened pub again, run by Chris Mulhall One of East Oxford’s top real what it describes as a “nano- ale pubs is now being run by whose interests include the pub” in the Covered Market in 1855 bar in Oxford Castle. the same tenants as the Old time for pre-Christmas trade,

Bookbinders in Jericho, on but closed for the first three XT is the main supplier of behalf of Greene King. weeks of January as it beers, available in cask and keg continued to install all the Lamb & Flag equipment required. St John’s College are seeking new management for this The fully opened Teardrop has regular Good Beer Guide entry up to seven ales served directly that the College took back from from the cask, and up to seven Scottish & Newcastle in 1999. keg beers pumped up from the cellar. It sells not only its own Magdalen Arms beers but beers from other The Iffley Road pub is small breweries in the county, celebrating having again been such as Little Ox and Oxbrew. listed among the UK’s 50 top The local theme continues with gastro-pubs in a competition other drinks sold from the bar organised by the Morning and bottle shop, including local Advertiser . champagne (from Eynsham)

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and gin. It will also sell cocktails briefly in December after the village, is expected to re-open from Brazil, where brewery and tenants had departed, but has in March after a four-year bar owners Luciana and now been taken over by Pippa closure after £500,000 was Christian Gyuricza come from. and Paul Hitchcock who run invested in bringing it up to Fuller’s Butchers Arms in scratch. Its original name, the The Church Hanbrewery micro- Headington, which they have Extraordinary Hare, will be brewery, near Witney, has succeeded in getting into the brought back. The pub was established a reputation for Good Beer Guide for 2019. subject to an unsuccessful unusual cask and keg ales campaign to re-open under which are available to take West Hendred community ownership, but now away in 750ml containers as its future is secure. well as the bottled range. Hare Teardrop occupies one-third of Long closed, boarded up and Witney the former Hayman Fisheries derelict, this country pub on the stall, close to the Market Street A417 road to the east of Carpenters exits, with another fishmonger Wantage is one of the latest This pub was reported closed in and artisan bakery due to Oxfordshire pubs to spring back late January. occupy the other units. Opening into life. Heineken-owned Star hours are 10am-5.30pm on Pubs & Bars has decided to Eagle Tavern weekdays and 10am-4pm on invest in it and has recruited Landlord Ian Payne, who runs Sundays. experienced tenants Kate the Hook Norton tenancy with Hayden and Paul Warriner, who his wife Annette, has Stanton St John run the Snow Goose in announced his intention to quit. Farnborough, Hampshire. But he is expected to stay on in Talkhouse Witney, possibly in the licenced The Fuller’s pub was closed The Hare, the only pub in the trade.

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Tony’s Travels

Tony Goulding THIS PUB SURVEY trip took the arrived here very recently and describes a branch branch out to Otmoor and this is their first pub. Already villages to the east of the city, their passion to work with the beer scoring trip to starting at the Red Lion in Islip, locals is showing rewards with the east of Oxford a former Halls house owned by up to three beers being served, Punch and very well run as part and all in good order were the of the successful Jacob’s group regular Brakspear Bitter, Vale of local pubs. With Sharp’s Brill Gold and Doom Bar. In the Doom Bar, a tasty Timothy New Year food should be being Taylor Landlord and Black served, with the bar open from Sheep Bitter on tap, there is 4pm on weekdays and from something for everyone with midday at weekends. Darts, good food served in a bright Aunt Sally, quiz and folk nights and airy two-bar ambience. are all on the menu, plus coffee and cake at lunchtime. The Nut Tree in Murcot was not visited as everything about this Another village free house, this super pub/restaurant is very time owned by the community, well-known, but on my last visit is the Abingdon Arms in the normal Vale beer and two Beckley, not to be missed for guests were being served. This the views from the garden over village free house is a top-class Otmoor. Up to four cask beers, food venue but drinkers are mostly local, are served with always welcome with Sunday Ringwood’s Razorback and lunch being very popular. Loddon’s Hullabaloo available today. Good quality food and a ABOVE : The Talk House on the Next came another village great welcome are to be found main road in Stanton St John locals’ free house, the Crown in here in this current Good Beer RIGHT: The picturesque Nut Tree Charlton-on-Otmoor, which will Guide pub. at Murcott not disappoint. The Baker family

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The Star in Stanton St John Down at the bottom of Wheatley A short journey to a very well- was not visited but is known to is the Kings Arms , a former known village local, the serve good food in comfortable Halls house but acquired by GK Cricketer’s Arms at Littleworth, surroundings with a couple of well before it became a will never disappoint. Beers Greene King beers on the bar. It household name in the local were XT3 and Hooky Gold with seems a shame that another area. This old two-bar pub pre- two more about to come on, village free house (owned by St dates 1600 and looks out on local beers being the norm John’s College) should be both sides of the busy road here. Very tasty pub food is serving GK beers. The Star had junction. It serves three real served, check the website. for many years been a ales, and today these were GK Apart from the comfortable quiet Wadworth house and only in the IPA, Hobgoblin Gold and feel here, it has four mini-beer last few years had changed Charles Wells Bombardier. festivals a year. hands. Food is served with roasts on Sundays. Last pub of the day was The other pub in Stanton St probably the most improved of John, the Talk House (formerly Few CAMRA people have the last year, the Queen’s the George ) has been a Fuller’s visited the Bat and Ball in Head in Horspath. Again there house for some years. A big Cuddesdon. This former Halls was a great community feel surprise here was the change of house is now in the hands of about the place, a busy sports tenants with Pippa and Paul Marston’s and is very popular and games house with tasty Hitchcock from the Butchers for food and rooms. The super food as well. Beers available Arms in Headington being collection of cricket memorabilia were Hook Norton’s Flagship, asked by Fuller’s to come and that adorned the walls seems to brewed to commemorate the run this very old and interesting be much reduced these days, a Battle of Trafalgar victory, pub. Two beers are being great shame. Somewhat Fuller’s London Pride, XT13 served, London Pride being a strangely it had no Marston’s and Doom Bar. It is sad to see regular. Good food and letting beers, but a tasty North so much Burton-brewed Doom rooms are part of the future Cotswold Winter Solstice, Bar in so many pubs, when at here. Jumping Jack Flash from the least half of them could be same brewery, and Doom Bar. serving better tasting alternative Just down the road in Forest Hill brews. you will see the former Kings Arms, an old Halls pub closed 25 years ago still displaying its hanging sign. Better news is that the White Horse almost opposite is alive and had two beers, Doom Bar and Shotover Trinity. The White Horse is well known for serving very good Thai food for the past 12 years in a friendly atmosphere.

What a bleak picture Wheatley now presents having lost five pubs over the years, with only two still open. The centre of village life is the busy former Morrells pub, the King and Queen . It caters for all comers from the village and serves up to three beers from the GK list. A couple of cosy rooms and a sun trap garden make for a good social occasion.

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Gardeners’ World HERE’S A QUESTION that’s been alcohol, I mean the actual, in favourite food. Because it’s bothering me for a while, ever there, essential essence of better for us. Well, from time to since I heard it in a Half Man alcohol. The bit of the booze time. I might not be a doctor Half Biscuit song. How do snow that makes it booze. That stuff (actually I’m definitely not a ploughers get to work? I mean, I that without it there’d be no doctor) but I do believe there’s a know it’s daft and largely need for the percentage symbol certain benefit to the soul in a inconsequential to anyone but on the label. Alcohol. The bit little indulgence from time to the aforementioned snow that gets you pissed. It must time. But I digress, again. ploughers themselves, but do have some sort of flavour they keep a smaller snow because otherwise why do all The fact is that non-alcoholic plough at home to drive to the non-alcoholic beers taste just beer just doesn’t taste as good depot and pick up the big snow that bit, well, strange? as real beer, just as low sugar plough? Does their car have a Gummi Bears do not taste as salt spreader attached to the It’s like umami, that extra good as real Gummi Bears. But front to clear the roads? something that brings a depth, a non-alcoholic beer has a little dimension, to the flavour. more purpose. It’s something to Or do they just really care, and Because beer and non-alcoholic drink in the pub when you’re spend their nights sleeping in beer start out the same after all. giving your liver a rest. Sure, the snow plough cab at the first It’s only in the later stages of you’ll know you’re not drinking mention of snow on the weather brewing that the alcohol is the good stuff, but it’s not forecast? Unless anyone boiled off, leaving behind just poison. And it definitely beats reading this actually drives a beer. Maybe they should re- drinking four pints of sugary snow plough, and can be market it as Just Beer? I mean, Pepsi if you’re going to be good bothered to come down to the that way we know we don’t want for January. Or any other time pub and tell me, I shall probably Just Beer, we want real beer. you feel the need to reset your never know. The stuff with the booze left in. system a bit.

Much like the other question Yeah, I’m probably not going to It still gets you out to the pub, that’s been bothering me ever get a call from the Guinness where you can enjoy the real since I tried a bottle of Kaliber marketing department any time mental health benefits of back in the 1980s. When I was soon. But alcohol, apparently socialising. And going to the so inexperienced at the drinking pretty flavourless and odourless pub for a non-alcoholic drink game that I bought a four-pack in its purest form, just brings once in a while increases your of Kaliber from the local off- that extra depth to a pint, or chances of being able to keep licence and felt really grown up shot, or glass of wine. So why going to the pub for a long time as the bloke behind the counter would we ever bother with this to come. So yes, this is actually didn’t ask me how old I was Dry January, favouring non- an article, by a landlord, that is (probably fifteen). What does alcoholic beer? For the same just about being positive about alcohol taste like? reason we bother with every not only non-alcoholic drinks, other reduced fat, low sugar, but a Dry January. I don’t mean beer, or wine or non-additived (It’s a word, I PAUL SILCOCK gin, vodka or whisky types of looked it up) versions of our

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The Kings Arms in Wallingford Street, Wantage has been voted the most improved pub within the White Horse CAMRA branch area. The pub, which was purchased by Oak Taverns, has been completely refurbished.

Oak Taverns managing director, Simon Collinson, said: “We have taken inspiration from the surroundings of a traditional pub but with a modern twist. The polished wooden flooring and panelling, and moody lighting, evoke feelings of relaxation, perfect for welcoming locals, visitors, gin and real ale lovers. THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL brewers will be present to talk to , the ninth, customers about their beers. At takes place at the Beacon, “Six real ale hand pumps show 6pm the Festival will host this Portway, Wantage on 15-16 the commitment and huge focus year’s CAMRA White Horse March and has been renamed on real ale. Tank beer is coming branch awards in the presence the Wantage Beer and Cider soon, installed by local brewery of the Mayor of Wantage, to Festival, to also celebrate XT based in Long Crendon, include Pub of the Year, Cider exceptional ciders. serving brewery fresh lager Pub of the Year, Country Pub of straight from the tank. More the Year and Club of Year. It will feature 28 ales along with than 40 gins line the bar and six ciders and two perries more will follow, including On Saturday 16 March in the selected by branch members, Gin’erGin, a limited edition gin, afternoon it will be showing live many from breweries local to created by Oak Taverns in Six Nations Rugby on a big the Vale and Oxfordshire. Beer commemoration of Prince Harry screen for all rugby and beer styles will include India Pale and Meghan’s wedding.” Ales, Mild, Porter, spiced and fans. sour beers, with a range of strengths from 3.5% to over 5%. The festival is open on Friday Those attending will have the 15 March from 11am-11pm, opportunity to vote for the beer with admission for £2 before and cider of the festival. The 5pm and £3 thereafter. On new Wantage Brewery based at Saturday 16 March it is again the King’s Arms will produce its open from 11am-11pm and first brew especially for the admission is £2. There is free festival. entry for all CAMRA members on production of their Ian Winfield, White Horse CAMRA A souvenir pint glass will be membership card. Those that chairman (right) is seen presenting available for visitors to are under 21 or look under 21 Stuart Fanson, Kings Arms purchase, kindly sponsored by will require ID. manager, with his certificate. Ian the Royal Oak, the Shoulder of said: “It is great to see a pub which Mutton and the King’s Arms, For further information and an has been totally turned around and three fine real ale up-to-date beer list please view is now serving six fine ales. establishments in the town. www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk , Wantage is becoming a real ale mecca with three extraordinary real see the White Horse CAMRA ale pubs within the town. White On Friday 15 March in the Facebook page or Twitter Horse CAMRA branch is very lucky afternoon, many of the local @WHBeerFest to have these pubs within its area.”

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Branch secretary Steve Lawrence Score that beer! presents his annual review of beer scoring

REGULAR READERS OF Oxford The breakdown of scores was Many thanks to all the members Drinker will be aware that as shown in the table below. who have recorded beer scores CAMRA branches are during the year, and please encouraged to use beer scores NBSS suggests that keep doing it. As you might using the National Beer Scoring experienced drinkers will give a expect local members were System (NBSS – with scores score of 5 very rarely. At the individually more active but entered by members via the other end of the table, local even so 43% (39%) of the WhatPub website, members seem aware of which scores were put in by local whatpub.com). pubs to avoid for a decent drink. members (17% of the people If a pub does give you a pint who scored) and 57% (61%) by Scores significantly inform the that is “off” for any reason but is other branch members (83% of selection process for pubs to be happy to replace this, it seems the people who scored). This included in the Good Beer fairer to score the replacement actually means that outside Guide (GBG) and for Pub of the pint. Scorers who encounter “no branch members are having Year competitions. Oxford real ale” where they might more input into which pubs we branch members look at a expect some are asked to consider for GBG. summary of top beer scores at comment on the reason, e.g. the monthly branch meeting, but cellar flooded, so that we can We can’t visit all the pubs in our many of you who put in beer see whether this is just branch area, so we rely on scores might wonder what the temporary or we need to alter members’ scores to continually underlying numbers are like. the pub description. monitor the beer quality of pubs This is the second annual number of that number of that score Beer score and review of branch beer scores, score by OXF by other branch pithy description with last year’s numbers in branch members members brackets. 5 perfect 5 2 In the 12 months from 1 4.5 excellent 18 33 November 2017 to 31 October 2018 there were 1,983 (1,498) 4 very good 119 234 beer scores recorded for Oxford branch pubs. 32 (27) local 3.5 good 308 322 branch members, out of 990 3 quite good 274 302 current members at the year end, put in 855 (580) scores for 2.5 ordinary 78 126 104 (85) different pubs, and 153 (129) members from other 2 mediocre 41 71 branches put in 1,128 (918) 1.5 poor 9 19 scores for 131 (127) pubs. The branch has 270 open pubs, 216 1 unpleasant 2 7 of them serving real ale. As you can see we are getting more 0.5 undrinkable 1 3 scores from more pubs but we 0 no real ale 0 9 really need more branch members scoring. Total 855 1,128

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and become aware of any gem we are missing. There are a significant number of pubs with no beer score recorded in the Letter year, with 112 pubs in the branch area that have real ale to the and no score by a branch member! Editor

Here is a reminder of how you Dear Sir, may not excite tickers or can score beers. hipsters, but it is made with the

I am unsure why there haven’t finest quality ingredients, in a Go to CAMRA’s online pub been many Good Beer Guide brewery with SALSA food safety guide, whatpub.com either on entries recently from Chipping accreditation, and is our biggest a computer or smartphone. Norton, and only one in the selling cask beer by volume.

2018 GBG [re Oxford Drinker The Red Lion does run a Login using your membership Issue 108 ]. However as a second cask ale periodically, number and password. You regular drinker in Chippy, I can but this is dependent on should be able to tell your confirm there are some demand, and would be a Hooky device to remember this for the excellently served cask ales, beer. future. not just in HNB pubs, but other

pubs too; so the lack of GBG It would be lovely to see a wider Then search for your pub by entries is likely due more to beer range in the town, but on a name. Use the main part of the CAMRA and the voting system recent fag packet tot-up, I made name i.e. without “The” or “Inn”, than the beer quality in the it 16 different cask beers and the town. As you go you will town. available, and the majority in be prompted with names from good form! There was also a the database. We have pubs which decent range of keg beers from

consistently score full marks in smaller brewers. Clicking on the pub will bring up their Cask Marque its entry with the “Submit Beer assessments, yet seldom or James Clarke Scores” on the right, or on the never make the GBG. We have Managing Director “Submit Beer Scores” tab pubs which may be in the GBG Hook Norton Brewery underneath the photo if you one year, and not the next, using a phone. when their beer quality has not

changed. I appreciate the GBG Editor Dave Richardson replies: Fill in the date, your score is a finite size, and there are I made it 18 different cask ales (remember you are scoring the limits for each branch, but there available on this occasion -- quality of the beer, not whether are some excellent pubs out similar to your 16 -- which isn't you like that beer or beer style), there with not a hope of getting at all bad, an average of about brewery (this will autofill), and into the GBG, despite them 2.5 per pub. I suppose we are beer – a drop down box will serving excellent cask ale. And so used to weird and wonderful appear with that brewery’s it is quality above quantity which beers appearing from every beers. If it isn’t there you can is the most important factor. direction that we're sometimes write in. And submit. impatient for more, but it does

The Red Lion is one of our two compare well with the 82 beers As you can see it’s very easy, pubs in the town, and is very found in 29 pubs in our recent so please remember to record much a locals’ pub, and we Oxford city centre survey (2.82). your scores when you visit a provide a beer choice to suit. It It does seem odd to me that pub. is a shame the presence of there isn't a single entry for

Hooky as the cask ale is Chippy in GBG 2019, but that of Your scores do matter! considered “inevitable”! This course is up to North STEVE LAWRENCE may well be a beer that has Oxfordshire branch which been around a long time, it may clearly felt otherwise. be very traditional in style, it the Oxford Drinker 25 February - March 2019 110

Virtual Pint Anyone?

Graham Shelton , There is something inherently Community Endeavour at the unsatisfying about the concept Red Lion in Northmoor, and who led the of a pint, as distinct from the even occasionally elsewhere, community buy-out of enjoyment of the real thing, and and we worry about the the Red Lion at I am grateful to my very good statistics, unrelentingly friend Laurence Symonds for reported, that show High Northmoor, continues spotting this. Like so many Streets are falling to bits, and his regular column things in a warm and alcohol- pubs are continuing to close at fuelled evening, it seemed like an alarming rate. such a good idea at the time. Amazingly, and in the cold light The importance of Laurence’s of day, it still does! insight, however, is that these trends are slowing, particularly Being neither snowflakes nor for pubs, and that’s for a very millennials, Laurence and I good reason: you can’t have a have scant interest in living our proper relationship with an lives glued to a mobile phone or artificial intelligence-driven asking Alexa about the weather algorithm. The pub experience, instead of looking out of the in all its warmth and conviviality, window. We still like going into cannot be recreated without a shops and talking to a real and decent pint, a decent pub and knowledgeable person before decent people to go in it. buying things, and we would rather go for a walk than inhale Similarly for shops, my someone else’s exudations at a prediction is that the trend “spinning” class. towards destruction of the High Street is close to its nadir. We do like a nice pint of Online shopping is part of life,

26 the Oxford Drinker 110 February - March 2019 Festival Diary

Compiled by Richard Queralt but it will never completely Further details can be found on our website www.oxford.camra.org.uk replace the helpful person who wants you to be a satisfied Friday 15 - Saturday 16 Entry by ticket only customer, who wants you to March www.winchesterbeerfestival.org hurry back because you enjoy Coventry Beer Festival .uk the experience, and who fixes Coventry Rugby Ground, Butts things if they go wrong. A new Park Arena, Butts Road, Saturday 13 April balance of shops, green space, Coventry London Cider & Perry accommodation, entertainment 75+ beers, ciders & perries Festival and transport will encourage the www.coventry.camra.org.uk Matchstick Piehouse, Edward regrowth of community. Street, New Cross, Londoon 30+ ciders & perries Talking of which, we should not Friday 15 - Saturday 16 March www.sel.camra.org.uk ignore the ever-growing number of community-owned pubs. Wantage Beer Festival Saturday 13 April These have a vital role to play The Beacon, Portway, Wantage Newbury Racecourse Beer in shaping the future both of 28 beers plus 7 ciders & perries Festival town and country, and we are www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk Racecourse Road, Newbury fortunate at the Red Lion to be 60 beers ciders & perries blazing the trail with our friends Friday 15 - Saturday 16 www.newburyracecourse.co.uk at the Oxfordshire Community- March

Owned Pubs Network. Winslow Beer Festival Friday 19 - Saturday 20 Winslow Public Hall, Elmfields, Symbolic of this is the Winslow, Bucks April production of our own beer, www.winslowlions.org.uk Reading Craft Beer & Music Community Endeavour, Festival courtesy of Oxbrew. It’s been Saturday 16 March South Street Arts Centre, South going down a treat at the Red Kings Head & Bell Spring St, Reading Lion, so please pop in to try Beer Festival www.crafttheoryfestival.co.uk some. It is exclusively available East St. Helens St, Abingdon at Oxfordshire’s community- 01235 525362 Friday 19 - Monday 22 April owned pubs. It’s a scrumptious www.kingsheadandbell- The Brewery Tap Spring Beer winter brew just now but watch abingdon.com & Cider Festival this space to hear updates on Ock Street, Abingdon the spring and summer brews in Thursday 21 - Saturday 23 01235 521655 development. And do look out March www.thebrewerytap.net for the three new shepherd’s Bristol Beer Festival huts coming soon to the garden Brunel’s Old Station, Temple Friday 26 - Saturday 27 of the Red Lion for those times Meads Station, Bristol April when you want to stay over. 140 beers plus cider & perry Plum Pudding Beer Festival Entry by ticket only - see High Street, Milton, nr Abingdon So, let’s look forward with a bit website www.theplumpuddingmilton.co. more positivity than the www.camrabristol.org.uk uk newspapers would like you to have. If we support our pubs, Friday 22 - Saturday 23 Thursday 2 - Sunday 5 May they will repay us with warmth, March Reading Beer & Cider Festival fellowship, wellbeing and Winchester Real Ale and Christchurch Meadows, George humanity unavailable in the Cider Festival Street, Caversham virtual world. That’s a pretty Winchester Guildhall, The 500+ beers plus cider & perry healthy rate of interest, I’d say. Broadway, Winchester www.readingbeerfestival.org.uk

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30 the Oxford Drinker 110 February - March 2019 Festival Charity

Helen and Douglas House community fundraising manager Lucy Walker gets ready to enjoy a beer to celebrate the £650 raised for Branch the charity at the Oxford Beer and Cider Festival in November with committee members, from left, Oxford CAMRA's Dave Richardson (Oxford Drinker editor), Steve Lawrence (secretary and festival Diary staffing manager) and Tony Goulding (pubs officer). She said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to the festival and its customers Wednesday 6 March for raising money for Helen and Douglas House. We need to raise Branch AGM and Meeting £3 million a year to care for local terminally ill children and cannot do 7.30pm this without the help of wonderful events like this raising money for At St Aldates Tavern, St Aldates, us." Oxford. The AGM will start promptly at 7.30 and a branch Oxford Branch Keeping in touch with Oxford meeting will follow on afterwards. Contacts: Branch: Saturday 23 March Chairman Get all the latest news and Beer Festival Helpers Trip Pete Flynn events, and share information All day [email protected] about what’s happening in your Day trip by coach to area. To join send an e-mail with Southampton, free to those who Secretary ‘subscribe’ as the subject to helped at our recent beer festival. Steve Lawrence [email protected]@oxford. Some spare seats available for 01235 525436 camra.org.uk guests, contact Steve Lawrence. [email protected] To receive copies of the Oxford Editor of the Oxford Drinker Drinker by post, please send A5 Monday 1 April Dave Richardson sized, self addressed envelopes Branch Meeting [email protected] with postage to cover 100g letter 7.30pm to: Branch meeting at the Oxford White Horse Branch Contact ::: Oxford Drinker, 25 Chamberlain Blue, Marston Street, Oxford. [email protected] Place, Kidlington OX5 1SG Meet up beforehand for a chat at and we will send you as many the Fire Tree, Iffley Road, from issues as you send envelopes. 6.30pm.

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