Chequers, Churchill Champions for 2014

Issue 57 – Summer 2014 FREE – Please take one

Magazine of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA

Chequers, Churchill Champions For 2014 This year’s winner of the Branch Pub of the Year, The Chequers at Churchill, received their award at a presentation held at the pub. Two of the people responsible for the excellent beer quality and choice over the last year – Frank Wildman, General/Bar Manager and barman Jamie Foote (both of whom has since moved on) returned to the pub to receive the award from Branch Chairman John Bellinger. John told those present that he had been impressed by the profes- sional way the pub presented CAMRA North Oxon Chairman John Bellinger (left) presents the 2014 Branch Pub of the Year Award their cask ale and the knowledge to Jamie Foote & Frank Wildman (right) who were responsible for running the bar for the last year and passion shown by Frank and his team. Although there are new In addition to its six hand- around the world. These include faces behind the bar these days, pumped real ales there is a US beers (Brooklyn, Blue Moon, it is expected that its top quality good selection of ‘craft ales’ Goose Island and Sierra Nevada), and choice will continue. on draught and in bottle from Coopers (from Oz) and UK products such as Camden Brewery’s Banbury Festival Success Again Wit (a wheat beer flavoured with bergamot) and Ink (a black, smoky stout), and Freedom Pioneer. Doom Bar and Hooky Bitter are regular real ales, with the other four changing (though a Bath Ales and a Stroud beer often appears). Food features large at The Chequers, where you can choose to eat in the bar in the dedicated restaurant area or in the large upstairs space. Overall there is ample space for customers to eat without drinkers feeling margin- alised. For more information, see www.thechequerschurchill.com/ Banbury Beer Festival 2014 was another great success – see page 17 for more details Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://www.northoxoncamra.org.uk Lower Heyford

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

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

www.roseandcrown.charlbury.com Email: [email protected] Market Street Charlbury Oxon OX7 3PL Tel: 01608 810103 OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am Sat: 11am–1am • Up to seven quality real ales, two FORTHCOMING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS traditional ciders and a traditional perry See www.myspace.com/theroseandcrownpub as there are sometimes gigs at short notice • Hoegaarden Belgian White Beer, Leffe Sat 14th Jun KING ROLLO Blonde plus a changing rare quality www.king-rollo.co.uk foreign craft beer on draught Sat 28th Jun TURPIN–HUBBARD DUO www.rogerhubbard.co.uk & • Good selection of English fruit wines louisturpin.com/music_index.html • Pleasant courtyard drinking area Sat 12th Jul THE DELTA LADIES www.deltaladies.com/blog • We serve on average 40 different guest Sat 9th Aug BABAJACK beers per month, produced mostly by www.babajack.com Sat 23rd Aug POPLAR JAKE microbreweries from all four www.poplarjake.com corners of the UK Sat 14th Sept WILL KILLEEN http://willkilleen.weebly.com North Oxon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2009

Celebrating 26 continuous years in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

2 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Chequers, Churchill Champs For 2014 Continued from page 1 At the bar at the Chequers, Runners-up in the Branch Churchill. From Pub of the Year 2014 were the left to right: Killingworth Castle in Wootton, CAMRA North near Woodstock – see Branch Oxon Chairman News this edition. This year is John Bellinger, the first time the Branch has new Assistant awarded a Runners-up certifi- Bar Manager cate and the KC were worthy Christopher candidates having given the win- Husband, ners a close run for their money. former barman Jamie Foote It was no surprise that their and former sister pub, the Ebrington Arms General/Bar near Chipping Campden, were Manager Frank also awarded the runners up Wildman prize by the North Cotswolds Branch. Claire Alexander, who with of real ales usually includes along with its newest beer YPA. husband Jim own both pubs beers specially brewed for The pub also has a range of said, “We’re really proud of the the Killingworth Castle and guest ales which change on a awards because they show con- the Ebrington Arms by North regular basis. sistency in what we do!” Cotswold Brewery – called For more information, see Its large and varied selection Yubberton Yubby and Yawnie, www.thekillingworthcastle.com/ Branch Diary North Oxon Branch AGM Jul 14: Branch AGM, Chequers This year’s Branch Annual Secretary as well as recruit more Churchill. See article on this General Meeting is to be held ‘Clustermasters’ – the main con- page for more information. at the Chequers at Churchill, tact between Branch and each Date tba: Banbury Beer Festival our Branch Pub of the Year, on cluster of pubs – who deliver Helpers’ Trip to present the Monday 14th July at 8pm. Beer on Tap, spreading the word ‘Beer of the Festival’ award Although for the best part around the north of the county. to the Bespoke Brewery, of the year readers and Branch If you would like to play Mitcheldean, Gloucs (see members hear very little with an active part in YOUR local Banbury Beer Festival article regard to the way Branch CAMRA Branch, contact Lynne on page 17 this issue) See Diary page online for latest info activities are managed, awards, Baldwin for more details on at www.northoxoncamra.org.uk/ socials, the Banbury Beer 07790 118341. Festival and even this publication you are reading would not be possible if we did not have CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List a Branch Committee. This is Email addresses are followed by northoxoncamra.org.uk because CAMRA rules dictate CHAIRMAN John Bellinger TREASURERS Nick Faulkner & that we would not be a function- Tel: 07427 677854 chairman@ Simon Whitehead treasurer@ ing Branch to represent local VICE-CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY member (and non-member’s) Paul Forrest vicec@ Helen Jones membership@ interests with regard to cask ale BRANCH SECRETARY PUBS OFFICER and pubs without a Committee Lynne Baldwin Brian Wray pubs@ Tel: 07790 118341 secretary@ BEER FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR in place. BEER ON TAP EDITOR There are a number of vital Tim Wilkins Steve Lympany bot@ YOUNG MEMBERS SECRETARY roles that will become vacant Tel: 07811 667507 Jim Hopcraft young@ at this year’s AGM and it is BEER ON TAP ADVERTISING WEBMASTERS Martin Batts and imperative to ensure they are EDITOR Oliver Sladen Geraint Jones webmaster@ filled to guarantee the continued botads@ success that has been enjoyed BRANCH CONTACT Trading Standards: Oxfordshire over many years. We are looking Martin Batts contact@ County Council, Electric Ave, Ferry to fill the role of Chairman and Tel: 07854 116408 Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0BY

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 The Pear Tree Inn The Hook Norton Brewery Tap Scotland End, Hook Norton OX15 5NU Tel: 01608 737482 Email: [email protected] • An unspoilt traditional village pub • No fruit machines, pool tables or jukebox • A range of Six Cask Ales • Open log fire • Always a fun selection of “Cocked Ales” • Three en suite letting rooms • Discount for CAMRA Members • Large beer garden • Ale-2-Go • Walkers & dog friendly • Traditional ‘Pub Food’ • Quiz night every Sunday • Traditional pub games including darts, dominoes • *Steak night every Saturday from 7.00 & Aunt Sally • Traditional Sunday lunch – £8.50 Open Friday & Saturday 12.00 – 12.00 • Sunday – Thursday 12.00 – 11.00 Food served Tuesday–Saturday* 12.00–7.00 Sunday & Monday 12.00–2.30 PAY US A VISIT – YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED

The Green, Swalcliffe, Banbury OX15 5EL • Tel: 01295788660 [email protected] • www.the-stags-head.co.uk

Opening times FAITH–STAMATIS–JOHN–TIM We would like to welcome everyone Mon to Fri: utu 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.00pm-11.00pm Local and Regional Ales, Lagers. Cider Saturday: Home cooked fresh food • Local produce 11.00am-11.00pm Traditional English Food, Greek Dishes, Wine Sunday: Bookings now been taken 12.00-7.00pm Open all day Bank holidays Tuesdays: Bar only Regular Greek nights 5.00pm-11.00pm Walkers welcome • Dog friendly

4 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Branch News Killingworth Castle, Wootton, nr Woodstock Congratulations go to the team at the Killi as once again they are winning awards (they will need a bigger trophy cabinet soon!). Branch Chairman John Bellinger awarded the Pub of the Year Runner-up certificate to Claire & Jim Alexander in April; just after they’d won the same award for the sister pub the Ebrington Arms, a pub in North Cotswold Branch over the border in Gloucestershire. Claire said: “It’s an honour to be appreciated by the real ale community in Oxfordshire so CAMRA North Oxon Branch Chairman John Bellinger awards the POTY 2014 Runner-Up certificate quickly and it’s great we can put to Claire & Jim Alexander, who now have a brace of similar awards for their two pubs the learnings from our first pub into another lovely community thing not often seen in pubs Gallagher from Ireland and local that have been really supportive”. these days – a bar billiards table. farmer John Farmer, aged 78, The pub now sells three of its A full menu of locally sourced who completed the ride on his own brewed beers, Yubbie Bitter, and home cooked food is avail- electric bike. Yawnie and YPA (Yubbie Pale able with pies being a speciality Further fund raising events Ale) as well as a guest ale. They of the chef. Walkers and dogs planned include the Beer & also have the beer flights, where are most welcome. Music Festival across the week- you can get three third-of-a- Hare & Hounds, end, July 18th–20th. 10 bands pint tasters of their beers for Wardington are included in the line up for the price of a pint, and CAMRA the Saturday and Sunday. members still get their discount Fund raising continues apace New Inn, on production of their member- at this community orientated Middleton Cheney ship card. pub. Already they have raised over £5,000 for this year’s cho- A lot of villages are marking the Royal Oak, Burford sen charity, Katharine House centenary of the outbreak of A change of landlord sees Steve Hospice. The largest chunk of the 1914–18 war and just over Musto take over this Wadworth’s this being raised over the first the border in South Northants, house in the west of the Branch. May Bank holiday weekend Middleton Cheney are put- Steve has come to Burford when 24 intrepid cyclists set out ting on ‘Year of Remembrance’ from Dubai where he was work- on their annual 12 mile cycle events. Three North Oxon ing. He currently sells Henry’s ride around the locality calling CAMRA members, Phil IPA, 6X and the Wadworth’s in, of course, at any hostelries Thomas, Dave Andrews & Paul seasonal ale; recently this was St that they passed for much need- Montague have been asked to George and all in good form. ed liquid refreshment. organise a beer festival as one Open from Sun–Thurs 12:00– At the Three Conies, Thorpe such event. 00:30 and Fri & Sat 12:00–01:30. Mandeville, Richard, the land- It will be held on the week- The bar has a welcoming real log lord, matched their drinks bill end of Saturday 21st & Sunday fire for those cosy winter nights with an equivalent donation – a 22nd June in the barn at the (and perhaps even summer magnificent £75! In all the day rear of the New Inn, who are nights if the weather is anything raised over £3,000. Notable kindly donating the venue. 10 like recent summers) and some- among the cyclists was Anthony local ales, a cider and perry are Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 Church St, Stratton The Red Lion Audley, Bicester, PUB & RESTAURANT OX27 9AG Stratton Audley, Oxfordshire Tel: 01869 www.redlionstrattonaudley.co.uk 277225 A warm and inviting thatched country pub and restaurant. The open log fires and traditional pub fayre create a homely atmosphere for casual or formal dining in the main dining area or in one of two private rooms seating up to 16 or 45 (more if buffet style). We have an enclosed traditional courtyard garden with facilities for barbeques in the summer and dining outdoors which can be booked for private functions with the use of a marquee. Most of our food is locally produced and everything on our menu is cooked freshly to order so we are able to accommodate any special requests for variations. Our Specials board is updated on a daily basis. Our range of drinks includes traditional cask ales – Ruddles, Deuchars and Spitfire – along with other beers and a wide range of wines (see our wine list online for more details). The Red Lion has regular Live Entertainment events – check the special events section of our website for further details. Opening times: 12 noon until late every day. Food times: Noon–2.30pm and 6.00pm–9pm Mon–Sat, Noon–4pm Sunday. Proprietor: Frank O’Neill

6 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 planned. Offers of help in any way for example; sponsoring a cask, staffing etc, would be greatly appreciated. Contact Phil for details: philipsgthomas@ btconnect.com or 01295 712800. Bell Inn, Adderbury We say farewell to Hugo & Noi after just over two years as tenants at this establishment and welcome Chris & Sandra Shallis, local Adderbury residents, from June 23rd as the new tenants of our 2008 Pub Of The Year. Sandra & Chris are new to the trade but pitched their successful business plan towards restor- ing this Hooky pub back to its Former Banbury Mayor Nicholas Turner and wife Lesley behind the bar at Drayton Leisure Golf former glory at the heart of the Center – one good reason to take up golfing lessons. They hope to sell their own cider next year community. Their initial task will be to attract former cus- tled Hooky ale is always avail- Catering business with InVenue tomers back. We wish them well able, though. Catering, with bases in and look forward to reporting They have dominoes and a Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. how well their first weeks have skittle alley and in April the Head Chef Paul has been at gone in our next Beer on Tap. Centre hosted its annual Song the Fox for nearly a year now Let’s see if they can put in and Ale Festival, which serves and has recently re-launched the a challenge on our retiring as a fundraiser for the Banbury menu, with the usual offerings Chairman’s efforts to be POTY Folk Festival in October. Four of good pub food ranging from 2015. ales were on offer over those lighter meals and sandwiches at three days. lunch-time through to an attrac- Drayton Leisure Golf The Centre is always open to tive evening menu. Centre the public 10am–9pm Mon–Fri Les is keen to continue to be This establishment just off the and until 11pm Sat & Sun, even a valuable community hub; the B4100 Warmington road from during functions and events. Aunt Sally team were limber- Banbury, owned by ex-Banbury Everyone is made welcome. ing up when I arrived. The real Mayor Nicholas Turner and his ales on offer will be one pump Pickled Ploughman, reserved for something from the wife Lesley, is a great choice for Adderbury real cider drinkers. Timothy Taylor’s estate (Golden They have been serving cider The promotion of £1 a pint Best, on a recent visit), Hooky, for the last four years, and with off real ales on Fridays is to be plus something from the Hooky their own small orchard of 40 continued here, making it a seasonal range, or guest list, trees, Nicholas and Lesley plan ‘must stop’ for all local real ale currently Hooky Gold. to start small-scale production devotees. The pub is open: 12–3pm & of their own cider from next The regular ales are Ringwood 5–11pm weekdays, 12–11pm year. Best Bitter (3.8% abv) and Sat and 12–4pm Sun. Food is On a recent visit they had Hooky along with two ever served all sessions, 6:30–9:30pm their maximum of four ciders changing guest ales – and at in the evenings. on: Weston’s Old Rosie and £2.40 they are a real bargain. Les & Paul were away during Family Reserve, plus Oak a recent visit, leaving the pub Cask Dry Still and Farmhouse Fox Inn, Souldern in the very capable hands of Medium Dry both from the The Branch wishes a warm Josh. Plans are well in hand for Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co. welcome to Les Helyer and the annual beer festival, over Real ale is not always on offer, Paul Rasterio, who recently took the weekend of the 29th–31st but up to two from Hooky are over the reins at this historic August. available during functions or coaching inn in a picturesque Coach and Horses, when demand justifies it and village close to junction 10 of during the summer months, the M40. Adderbury with one served straight from Les & Paul have many years Plans are afoot here for a grand the cask. A good range of bot- experience in the Events bi-centenary celebration on Sat Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 The Duck on the Pond A charming traditional freehouse Open seven days a week All day Saturday and Sunday

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

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

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

8 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 6th September involving a beer festival, raffle for Katharine House Hospice, family fun day on the green opposite, classic car rally – and with it being Adderbury, the ever present morris dancing! They are also to be nomi- nated in three categories in the Wadworth estate awards this year, namely Tenant of the Year, Community Pub of the Year, and ‘Perfect Pint’ so get down and check out their chances. They certainly get our vote by being amongst the pubs in our Branch to hand out the most Beer on Taps! A real family affair – Stamatis and Faith with their sons at the Stag’s Head, Swalcliffe Pear Tree, Hook Norton to Katherine House Hospice in Monday night dominoes. After a successful St George’s Adderbury. On Friday Craig serves a fish Day beer festival (see beer fes- & chips meal and all drinks are tival reports this issue), John is Stag’s Head, Swalcliffe £2.99 per pint from 5–8pm. now looking forward to handing Stamatis and his family are set- Visit the King’s Head Facebook over the Chairmanship of the tling into life in this pleasant page for details of live music Branch. corner of North Oxfordshire once a month. As an advocate of the discount with their Easter beer festival scheme it is no surprise that going great guns. With five White House, Bladon the Pear Tree has joined the real ales – White Horse Bitter, Kevin McEneaney is now in list of other Branch pubs offer- Whale Ale’s Ruby, North charge at the White House in ing a discount to card carrying Cotswold Shagweaver, Holden’s Bladon and has already installed CAMRA members. As well as a Mild and Wadworth’s Hop & a new handpump, making three discount on cask ale they offer Glory – and one cider (Jack Rat) in total, with Greene King IPA 10% off accommodation, which there was plenty of choice for and Old Speckled Hen as regu- is ideal for those doing a brew- everyone. lar beers and a rotating guest on ery tour or who just want to Good news for local CAMRA the third pump. enjoy the six ales on offer before members is that card-carrying He has dropped the price slipping off to bed without the members can now get 30p off a of the beer and the guest beer worry of driving home. pint at all times. pump will change weekly to Horse & Groom, Caulcott King’s Head, Fritwell Jerome will be running his suc- Craig & Jess celebrated one cessful Bastille Day beer festival year at the King’s Head at the as usual over the weekend of the end of May and the real ales 11th–13th July with things kick- go from strength to strength. ing off at 6 pm on the Thursday Craig started with just one night for a sneak preview (for real ale on hand pump, but those in the know only, with since switching to dispensing the festival starting at 6pm on straight from the barrel using an Friday). automatic stillage demand has He is expecting to be serving increased and he now has three at least 18 ales with four ciders, real ales on offer, plus one real and there will be live music cider –Weston’s Wyld Wood throughout with a barbeque to on a recent visit (with six more provide sustenance. As in previ- ciders already lined up). ous years there will be a best In addition to two of the of the best theme, so expect offerings from XT (4 and 6). Cornish ales to feature along This busy pub can boast two with local beers. All proceeds Aunt Sally teams in the local Welcome to Kevin McEneaney – new at the from beer festival glasses will go Bicester league, a pool team and White House in Bladon Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 Beer Festival Equipment Hire of Barrel stillage, cooling, taps, bars, etc. Barrel (9gl) Stillages/Racking, traditional wooden 2 x 9gl, 12 x 9gl Tel: Taps, Chiller Saddles & Insulation Jackets Chillers Remote • Handpumps 07770 Bar units – 2 metre long and flooring 938300 Photos and a very competitive price list are Based available on the website near Web: www.beerfestivalequipment.co.uk Bicester Email: [email protected]

10 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 ‘keep it fresh, as he’d love the ale pletely free in the village. The Golding – well known from lovers out there to start guessing Brasenose will have their line-up their time at the Chequers, what beers will be on next’! finalised by the time you read Churchill until 2012 – who have They are planning a beer and this and it will be published at already made their mark in their cider festival in August. Kevin www.brasenosearms.com. short time at the pub. was until recently landlord of At the Red Lion, the line-up This lovely old stone pub has the Black Horse in Kidlington, so far is: Wed 6th: warm-up always had great character, but just over the border in Oxford 8–10pm with the Swamp Band. the previously dark, cramped City Branch, and has already Thurs 7th: Noon–2pm tba; interior has been transformed positioned the pub back towards 2–4pm the ever popular Pete into a bright, airy and welcom- the heart of the community, Watkins; 4–6pm Montanas; ing pub and restaurant – and bringing back darts, Aunt Sally, 6–8pm Sidekicks. Friday 8th: sympathetic landscaping has a Tuesday sports quiz and live Noon–2pm Dylan Band; given it a lovely, sheltered out- music events. Food comprises a 2–4pm tba; 4–6pm Clarksville doors patio area at the rear. I, home made burger menu. Mountain Band; 6–8pm Spank personally, have never seen such Quart Pot, the Monkey. Sat 9th: Noon– a complete transformation of 2pm Steamroller; 2–4pm Big a local pub before – you really Milton-under-Wychwood Baloosh; 4–6pm Duckworths. need to visit it to see how much News came through just after Even up the road at The Bell, it’s changed. the last edition came out that a Great Bourton there is the usual Once a Hook Norton house it planning application had gone BBQ and music on the Wed is now a free house and Vale Red in to build eight flats on part of evening that is so popular with Kite and Hooky Bitter were on in the car park of the Quart Pot, locals, early arrivers and road- fine form on my last visit there. with a new car park for the pub. ies/staff from the festival site. Due to its compact and bijoux It makes us think there is some Chandlers Arms, Epwell proportions you are well advised hope for this one-time Good to book if you want to eat there, Beer Guide regular, so we will be It’s good to see a couple of old which can be done by calling watching out for this one. faces back on the pub scene at 01295 780153. For photos, see Black Prince, Woodstock the newly refurbished Chandlers www.chandlersarms.com Arms, with Peter & Assumpta Coach & Horses, Banbury The new Black Prince summer menu is up and running, The Coach and Horses closed with lots of new seasonal in March with the sad news that dishes already selling well. The Landlord, Anton, has throat ‘Food from a Fiver’ offer is cancer and that he and Kathy still running and two Charity were concentrating on their summer events have now popular pie pub in Deddington, been confirmed – Sat 27th the Crown & Tuns. July is The Duck Race, in aid We are sure the Coach & of the Woodstock Exhibition Horses will reopen soon. It goes Foundation and Sat 2nd August It’s good to see Peter & Assumpta (below) back without saying that all at North is the Mock Mayor Day, with in our Branch again at the newly transformed Oxon CAMRA wish Anton all the large donation going to a Chandlers Arms, Epwell (above) the very best for his treatment. local worthy cause. See the pub’s website at www. theblackprincewoodstock.com for more information on these events nearer the time. Cropredy Festival Local pubs are gearing up for their busiest time of the year, over the weekend of this hugely popular annual music festival which takes place over the weekend of 7–9th August. Both the Red Lion and the Brasenose Arms are finalising their music for their alternative music festivals they host com- Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 Lower Heyford Road Caulcott OX25 4ND Tel/fax: 01869 343257 This charming, thatched 16th century freehouse, in a peaceful, rural setting, offers four real ales (over 200 different ales annually) with White Horse Bitter ever present. An interesting and wide ranging menu is available lunchtime and evenings (not Sunday evenings and Mondays), served in the restaurant, bar or garden. Choose from the daily specials board or the speciality sausage menu offering 12 varieties of O’Hagan’s sausages. Small parties catered for; booking recommended No children under 10 years old Voted Pub of the Year 2010 by North Oxfordshire CAMRA www.horseandgroomcaulcott.co.uk Opening times: Mon-Sat: 12–3, 6–11; Sun: 12–3, 7–10.30 Jerome Prigent

12 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 The Star, Bicester A Hook Norton pub, it sells up menu just before Beer on Tap It looks like this Greene King to six real ciders alongside their came out, though there will be pub on the outskirts of Bicester Hooky beers. They previously the ever popular Sunday roast is to become a supermarket. won the award in 2011. for £9.95 with a choice of meats. Once we know for sure we will Fox Inn, Westcot Barton An older persons menu is also of course report it here. offered from Tuesday to Friday Cheryl & Dennis signed their with two courses for £6.50. The Bell, Hook Norton tenancy agreement on 2nd May, Live music still features here Residential use has now been bringing some much needed with Courtin’ A Storm on June applied for after it was reported stability to this excellent vil- 28th, Escapade on July 26th and that is was to become an estate lage pub, which continues to music over August Bank Holiday agents. We’ll see what happens. sell Hooky Bitter and Fuller’s weekend. Elephant & Castle, London Pride with two guest Carpenters Arms, beers and Old Rosie cider. Middle Barton Bloxham A refurb of the patio area at The pub received the Branch the front of the pub to make a Abdul left the Carps in April Cider Pub of the Year 2013 larger drinking and smoking after it is rumoured that Punch awarded on 30th April when a area is planned and the restau- put up his rent. Could it be that group of local Branch members rant will be redecorated to make they wanted him out? joined locals and brewery reps it more welcoming and cosy. Since then, a large skip has to see CAMRA Regional Cider Large screens are now at both been seen outside and the signs Rep Richard Bourton present ends of the pub to show all are not good. However a local the award to Simon “Smudge” England World Cup matches. rumour has it that someone is in Finch, landlord of the Ellie. The Music & Beer Festival is talks to buy the pub and with a going ahead as plan to reopen it. We will keep usual on August an eye on this one and report Bank Holiday back in due course. weekend with 12 North Arms, Wroxton ales and some This beautiful Cotswold pub cider as well. is now up for sale and as it The pub has also has been assigned ‘Asset of launched its new Community Value’ status, the Richard Bourton (left) community has until mid-Sep- presents Simon Finch with tember to put a bid together. We the Cider POTY award at wish them luck in trying to save the Elephant & Castle, this gem of a pub. Keep an eye Bloxham on Beer on Tap for progress. Old Geezer and Jack The Lad

Old Geezer (sat at the bar in smoking and none of the danger. his local): Where do you think Old Geezer: If they’re so bloomin’ you’re going then, young Jack? I safe why aren’t you smoking thought you’d given up smoking. them here in the bar? Jack the Lad: Your know what? You Jack the Lad: You know the can be a nosy old devil……I could answer to that, old Fred the give you one more thing to just be off to the Gents for all you landlord won’t let us use them moan about! Just keep drinking know, couldn’t I? As it happens, in here … but some pubs allow the beer, Charlie, and enjoy as you well know, I have given up them…and you should see the yourself while you can. smoking, but now I use these new look on the faces of some of the Old Geezer: You’re like all the E-cigs. You ought to try one! customers when they see me youngsters these days….drinkin’ Old Geezer: It’s a waste of time puffing away! That’s all part of fizzy lager and pretending to and money if you ask me. I give the fun! smoke. What are you, man or up the fags twenty year ago. Old Geezer: Spoil me beer it teacake?! Why would anyone bother with would … the sight of all that Jack the Lad: Ha Ha! You old those pretend things. Like a kid smoke again. It used to be codgers are all the same. you are, sucking away on one of terrible in here before the Measuring manliness by pints of those sweet cigarettes we used smoking ban, and now some evil your beloved bitter! Never mind, to buy when we were little’uns. sod has invented something else let me get you another one in Jack the Lad: No mate, these E-cigs to annoy us. before I go and play at smoking. are cool. You get all the fun of Jack the Lad: Just think … it would It might keep you quiet!

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 14 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Learning About Loddon At The R&C There was a ‘Meet the Brewer’ night at the beginning of April at the Rose & Crown, the first such even held here – and it attracted a decent crowd of people who thoroughly enjoyed the talk by founder and co-director of Loddon Brewery, Chris Hearn. Armed with various samples of hops, barley, invert sugar, etc., he kept everyone’s attention with details of what’s involved in the trade these days, and I’m sure most people there learnt quite a lot of new stuff. Of particular interest was on the subject of Maris Otter (the undoubted favourite malting Chris Hearn addresses the interested ale drinkers at the Meet the Brewer night barley for brewers) being in such that night – Hoppit, Ferryman’s Let’s hope the Rose & Crown short supply recently – mainly Gold, Gorgeous George and puts on another similar event in because of their comparatively Forbury Lion, with abvs of 3.5% the near future. low yields compared to Halcyon to 5.5%. and other more common barley Keith Rigley varieties grown these days – that he has to pay up front and wait for up to a year to take charge of Hook Norton Beer Festival his allotted share of the crop. The 2014 Hook Norton Festival eral food concessions including Loddon is unusual in mak- of Fine Ales will take place on the popular hog-roast. Please ing specific reference to invert Saturday 19th July. This will be visit the website for more infor- sugar in the brewing of some the 21st Hooky beer festival and mation (www.hookybeerfest. of its beers (such a low grav- over the last 20 years, the total co.uk/) See you there!” ity Hoppit), and it is used to raised for charity has topped add fullness while holding back £220,000. excess astringency that hops can This is due to the generous often give to a beer. donations from brewers all over It was good to be able to hear the country there were 120 beers about the process of brewing a at last year’s festival and there particular beer and then be able will be Weston’s and Gwatkin’s to try them, as the pub had four cider for those who prefer their excellent Loddon beers on sale beverage to taste apply and sev- An Award For The Branch’s Top Pub Scorer North Oxon Branch awards pub and drink the real ale on a voucher worth five pints of offer, cider does not count. The real ale or cider to the Branch quality of the real ale is then member who scores most scored from 0 to 5, where 5 is pubs on the quality of their the greatest pint ever drunk and real ale. The presentation is is rarely, if ever, awarded. Zero is made annually at the Banbury where no real ale is served and Beer Festival and, like last 1 where the ale is undrinkable year, the award went to Alan and is returned. A mark of 3.5 is Mitchell (pictured in green) considered to be the minimum who consistently scored the for the pub to be considered for pubs he’s visited over the last 12 the driving she does!! the Good Beer Guide. Scores are months … though his wife prob- If you want to challenge Alan then sent to the Pubs Officer or ably deserves the award for all you need to visit a North Oxon entered in the Branch website. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 3 REAL ALES Two large superior 10 REAL CIDERS en-suite Homemade rooms lunches Large flower- Mon–Sat 12-2 filled garden

OPENING HOURS Roaring log Mon-Thurs fires 11-3 & 6-12 Fri 11-3 & 5-12 Family and Sat/Sun 11-12 dog friendly

SAME FAMILY RUN PUB FOR 40 YEARS OX15 4LZ www.bloxhampub.co.uk 01295 720383

16 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Beer Fans Flock To Our Local Main Event The main aim of Banbury Beer Festival 2014 was for people to have a good time and try some great real ales, and we seem to have hit that target with over 1,300 people coming through the doors, selling over 85% of the beer and recruiting 25 new members to CAMRA. Festival Organiser Tim Wilkins said: “My festival highlight would be the great local band Leatherat who played Thursday evening, we had heard good reports and they didn’t disappoint us. The Saturday was quieter, but deep hop bitterness. The tradi- dancing went on most of the more beers ran out throughout tional Beer Festival helper’s trip evening with even local dignitar- the day, though there was plenty will visit the brewery later in the ies joining in. A great achieve- left for the last partiers to drink year and all are welcome on a ment was the quality of the beer, as they listened to the excellent first come first served basis. and thanks to the bar managers Pete Watkins run through his We do need to thank our and the brewers every single beer set. Cider however didn’t quite sponsors, especially Hook was in good condition and on make it to the end, running out Norton who brought along sale for the opening of the festi- just before the finish, proving their dray to provide a special val on Thursday afternoon.’ that real cider is one of the “in” journey around town for two Friday was a quiet day without drinks of the moment. of our volunteers, Louise and any entertainment, but with the The range of local beers was Glynn. Speaking of volunteers hall packed to capacity it was complimented by about 30 from it was good to see some new anything but quiet! The beers the Kent & Sussex area with faces among the experienced old started to run out Friday even- others from the likes of North stagers, we hope that they all ing with local brewery Hook Yorkshire, Derbyshire and enjoyed themselves and had a Norton’s new beer, Chinook Leicestershire. The clear win- chance to sample the beers too. Gold, selling out first, quickly ner of the Beer of the Festival Planning starts for BBF15 followed by Turpin’s Big Golden this year was Money for Old in September so if you want Citrus from another local brew- Rope brewed by the Bespoke to join in and help organise ery in the Hook Norton area, Brewery from Mitcheldean, North Oxon CAMRA’s biggest and Cats Brewery’s Mog from Gloucestershire – a great dark event please keep an eye out for Shenington. All three new beers stout with classic rich, dry fla- dates in Beer on Tap and on the were very well received. vours of malt and grain with a Branch website.

Banbury Mayor Nicholas Turner (left), Festival Organiser Tim Wilkins (centre) and Hook Norton MD James Clarke Local band Leatherat – a popular set at the Beer Festival

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 18 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Recent Local Branch Beer Festivals Jenner behind the bar at the Butcher’s Arms, Balscote Red Lion, Horley ready to pour Paul’s next pint. The ever popular Butcher’s Arms beer festival went well, was Morris danc- being well attended each day by ing featuring sides visitors and the locals alike. from Adderbury There was also a great selec- and Letchworth, an tion of live music to compliment English quiz, Aunt the six beers and cider with Sally and Darts Punter from the Upham Brewery matches, an Easter egg hunt for children, a ladies’ night, a gen- tlemen’s night and a busking night for local amateur entertainers. Red Lion, Horley Throughout the week there Easter Beer Festival was a ‘Three Lions’ promotion where customers col- With 12 real ales and one lected stamps on their Three real cider available from the Lions card and when they’d Thursday before Easter, the filled it exchanged it for a free weekend got off to a flying start. pint! On St Georges Day itself, The Black Rat cider being very Ken Thompson at the beer festival bar at the Wednesday 23rd, customers Butcher’s Arms, Balscote popular, it was a clear winner were able to enjoy the most tra- with the cider drinkers – so ditional of English dishes, fish being the festival-goers’ favourite much so it ran out on Saturday. & chips, cooked the Pear Tree ale. Music was provided by local The theme for this festival was way in their own Hook Norton bands including the amazing to offer British ales including Brewery Lion beer batter! Pete Watkins. some past and present cham- Publican John Bellinger, who pions, including the Dunham is also Chairman of North Oxon Chadlington Beer Festival Massey Porter. Branch of CAMRA said: “It’s The weather was warm and dry Once again come Sunday really important to show how for the 11th Chad festival, and it many of the beers where almost proud we are to be English and was packed to the gunnels with sold out making this a very suc- this event enabled us to do that. drinkers and their families for cess event for Dave and Natasha Having one of the only remain- yet another fantastic event. who deserved their Easter ing family run breweries left in Quite a few Charlbury drinkers Monday off to re-cooperate. the country just a short walk walked across the fields on the Paul Forrest away from us also helped us Oxfordshire Way to get there, by Hook Norton’s Festival to celebrate our patron saint’s which time a little rehydration of St George day. The Pear Tree is an icon of was in order. Thankfully a few Englishness and our Festival of spritzy, golden hoppy beers were April was CAMRA’s Community St George reflected that!” there, such as the surprisingly Pubs Month, a key campaign which aims to encourage pubs to organise events that appeal to the community and to increase the number of people using pubs regularly! Hook Norton’s Pear Tree Inn held an event to mark the patron saint of England’s day by holding a week-long Festival of St George from Sunday 20th to Saturday 26th April. The festival celebrated Englishness and English traditions. During the week there Morris Men dance at the Pear Tree, Hook Norton as part of the pub’s English traditions week

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 20 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 A brisk trade at the where you get a good selection 11th Chadlington Beer of quality ales with a full pro- Festival gramme of music and entertainment. From the warm welcome Along with many at the token tent through to the others I love this impromptu sing-song on the small, chilled-out public transport bus on the way festival. Last year home this really was a grand day it raised over out. If you haven’t been, put it in £7,000 for the your diary for next year. local school and we’ve heard that Beer Festival DIARY a similar amount JUNE full tasting Signal Light (3.4%) was raised again this year. 13–14: Stratford-upon-Avon Beer from Settle Brewery, Fuzzy Beer of the Festival award Festival at the Racecourse Duck’s Golden Cascade (3.8) was given to Golden Citrus 20–22: Black’s Head Bletchingdon and Turpin’s Golden Citrus (4.2), from Turpin Brewery in Hook 21–22: New Inn, Middleton Cheney. but among the 25 ales and three Norton. 10 ales plus cider/perry beer 28: Charlbury Beer Festival, cricket ciders there was enough variety It’s very hard to beat this club, opp. rail station. 50 ales, 10 to suit all tastes. established friendly festival cider/perry, food & entertainment JULY 5: Candleford Beer Festival, Beer on Tap On Its Travels Fringford Cricket Club. 30 real The photo below ales plus cider. 12–11. Food, shows Sue, a Rose & music and Morris sides 11–13: Bastille Day Beer Fest, Crown, Charlbury Horse & Groom, Caulcott. 18 regular surrouned by ales, 4 ciders Fenerbahçe fans visit- 18–19: Warwick Lions Beer ing the new Bosphorus Festival, Warwick Racecourse. 40 Brewing Company (or ales, 30 ciders 18–20: Cotswold Beer Festival, BBC for short), in the Postlip Tithe Barn, Winchcombe northern suburbs of 18–20: Hare & Hounds, Warding- Istanbul, Turkey. Sue is ton Beer and Music Festival also reading the popular 19: Hook Norton Beer Festival. 120 ‘The Chap’ magazine, ales, cider, food and entertain- which is spooky as this ment 25–27: Angel, Burford 1st Beer impressive brewpub was Festival Regular contributor, Bob Warner recommended by Keith Rigley, 26: Brackley Round Table Charity (photo above), has recently who knows everyone as ‘chap’. Beer Festival returned from a trip to Jordan, Remember to take a copy of AUGUST where he naturally took some Beer on Tap and get your photo 12–16: GBBF Olympia, London. light reading matter. Here he is taken with it when you’re away Lots of beer, cider, food and seen with his copy of Beer on and send entertainment Tap at the port of Aqaba. it in on 22–25: Fox Inn, Westcot Barton Beer and Music Festival. 12 ales He also got to go to the lost your plus cider. city of Petra, which is clearly return. 22–25: Trigger Pond, Bucknell, no longer lost and with music where in the 40 29–31: Fox Inn, Souldern degree heat he man- SEPTEMBER aged to find half a 6: Coach & Horses, Adderbury. litre of lager which Family fun day on the green set him back an eye 12–14: Bell, Lower Heyford. 8 ales watering £7! He’ll be plus cider/perry. Barbecue 12–13: Finstock at the playing glad to be back in his fields. 7pm start Fri, noon Sat. 20 favourite watering ales & 4 ciders holes in and around 27: Stonesfield Septembeer Festival, Burford where beer Village Hall has still some way to OCTOBER go before hitting the 16–18: Oxford Beer Fest town hall seven pound mark! Oxford 140 Real ales, cider/perry Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton OX7 5NP 01608 644717 • www.chequers-pub.com

Regular quiz night, live music and other happenings 6 Top quality ales Fine wine Delicious food Our restaurant and barn can be booked for meetings and parties 5% discount on everything for CAMRA members with card Sunday–Wednesday

A Traditional English pub next door to the theatre

22 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 EPWELL AND SHENINGTON CIRCULAR By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks A very rewarding pastoral ramble in one of our Branch’s most beautiful areas Distance: Approx 5.3 miles. Continue along the road to leave ond field cross a bridge and stile Allow: Approx 3–3.5 hours. the village then, after crossing a then aim to the left of some barns Map: Explorer 191. bridge over a stream take a way- ahead. On reaching a tarmac Parking: The Chandler’s Arms, marked path on the left beside a road, turn left and at a the junc- Epwell has a small car park. Call metal gate. Keep to the left (don’t tion ahead, keep straight on to them to ask if it’s OK to use. enter the farmyard) to take a path take a dirt track off the road. A walk of two halves – the first half to the left of an odd tree trunk and At the far end of the first field is in open, quite bleak farmland; walk ahead to pass a car graveyard go through into the next field and the second has plenty of ups and then a fence alongside a barn. head diagonally right, aiming for downs in hilly ironstone country. At a T-junction of paths, turn a gate in the hedge. Go through right (don’t cross the bridge on the gate and walk just diagonally Leave the pub car park and walk the left) and walk along the field left to aim for the protruding down the slope into the village edge, keeping the hedge on your corner of the field on the far after passing the pub’s front door. left. At the far corner of the sec- side. Walk around the corner to To Upper Tysoe To Upton/ Edge Hill Shenington 2

Shenlow Alkerton Hill

The Bell

Rough Hill Rough Hill Farm

Yarn Hill LINE OF PYLONS Farm Epwell Old Barn Hill To Lower Brailes

LINE OF PYLONS Epwell Grounds Yarn Farm Rectory Hill Farm Pubs on the walk route 1 Chandler’s Arms, Epwell 2 The Bell, Shenington Unusually, this Long map has a line of Hill pylons marked on it. This To To is because it is important to Shutford The Sibfords 1 Epwell use pylons in a couple of places in the route instructions START

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 proceed with the hedge on your The beautifully right towards farm buildings and understated pylons ahead. church of St. Anne, Where the track bends round Epwell is 13th to the left at far corner, stay on Century with later additions. the track then walk to the right of the barns ahead and keep straight the fence ahead into the fold of a valley (you may keeping parallel with the line of pylons. Go through a gate at need to cross the far side of the field and keep a stile or ahead to cross a horse gallop, and two if fences walk downhill passing to the left cross your of the pylon at the bottom of the path) to the hill to find a gate and bridge. very far end Cross the bridge, turn hard left of the field in (don’t follow a second waymark a long, narrow corner where you After the second gate, go which points diagonally left) and will find a stile. diagonally right and go through walk up a slope to go through a Cross the stile and walk up the a large gate, then keep ahead gap in the hedge then go left to hill ahead, aiming for a telegraph (keeping the hedge on your left). walk round a corner by a tree pole on the crest of the hill. At the far corner, go through and go uphill, keeping the hedge When you reach the crest, aim a gate, over a bridge, through on your left. At the far end of for a gap between two groups a copse of trees, over another the field keep straight on where of trees on the far right corner bridge, then cross a stile and go a green lane starts and carry on of the field and, further beyond, diagonally right, aiming for a stile up a long hill between hedges to heading for the gap between the on the far side of the field. After eventually reach the first houses two hills ahead. Walk down a crossing the stile, turn left on the of Shenington. Where the lane slope at the far corner, cross a metalled road, walk over a cattle (called Mill Lane) joins a tarmac stile and bridge then walk diago- grid, then keep along the road to road in the village, turn right, nally right uphill aiming to pass the end and turn right to walk then turn left at the village green just to the left of a telegraph pole through the houses of Epwell. to find The Bell set back from on the next crest and on reach- Go uphill, following the road the road. To continue the walk, ing the crest keep straight on, as it bends round to the left and, retrace your steps to walk past aiming just to the left of some when you reach the church, Mill Lane (or if you don’t want barns ahead. Cross a stile in the turn right into Church Lane. At to visit The Bell, simply turn left far field corner and turn left on the end of the grass bank and where Mill Lane joins the road). the tarmac road. After around churchyard wall turn left up a Keep along the road, and where 20m, turn right on a waymarked waymarked dirt track. Walk up it goes down a slope and bends to path, go through a gate then go the hill along the track, then the right at the edge of the village, straight on up the slope (towards where it opens up into a field, take a waymarked path on the left telegraph wires), keeping the take a well-defined path to go (signed D’Arcy Dalton Way and hedge on your right. Walk along diagonally right, leading to the Epwell 1½). Walk down the slope the field edge until you find a car park at the Chandler’s Arms. into the field ahead, keeping the well-defined path which forks off Pubs on the walk route hedge on your left. At the bottom slightly to the left (to cut off the • The Bell, Shenington. See online of the valley, cross a bridge and field corner) and keep along that at www.thebellshenington.co.uk/ head uphill, aiming for a gate in path as it goes through two small • Chandler’s Arms, Epwell. See the field corner. When you reach metal gates. www.chandlersarms.com the field corner, keep walking uphill into the next field and follow the field edge keeping the A Scam Warning To Landlords hedge on your left. Once again it has come to our advertising purported to be in At the end of the next field, attention that there are people our name please feel free to con- go through the gap and follow attempting to scam hardworking tact any of the Committee, (Beer a track (first round to the right, landlords by claiming to be from on Tap Editor Steve or advertis- then round to the left) to walk CAMRA publications to con ing Editor Oliver are best), to down to the bottom of the val- money out of them for advertis- verify anyone who you have sus- ley to cross a bridge, then keep ing which doesn’t exist. picions about. straight on up the slope to follow Beer on Tap only approaches If you do wish to advertise the course of a fence (with new landlords rarely about advertis- then please feel free to contact trees on the other side), keeping ing and we will never do a hard the editors for prices and to be the fence on your right. Follow sell. If someone attempts to sell put on the waiting list. 24 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 Roundup Of Local Brewery News CATS Brewery Tom Corfield adding hops to the boil of a batch After years of working together of Tabby at Hooky brewery, Chris Duxbury and Tom Corfield left in December to set up a 20 barrel in the local area. micro brewery on the Sugarswell ‘Mog’ was intro- Industrial Park at Shenington – a duced at the end brave venture for two young men of April appealing with family commitments in the to the popular cut-throat world of brewing and golden ale market. marketing beer. Even braver per- An American pale haps is the naming of their brew- ale using mainly ery, CATS (Chris and Tom’s – get pale ale malt and it?) and any unsavoury connota- Chinook hops it tions such products might elicit! definitely hits the In the first six months of pro- spot for the drier, hoppy con- Banbury; Dun Cow, Hornton duction two excellent beers have noisseurs at 3.8%. Both beers and Blue Boar, Chipping Norton been brewed, both named along were enthusiastically received who all report that their custom- a feline theme. First was ‘Tabby’, at festivals around the country ers can’t get enough of it, a 4.1% abv, amber bitter using and they were among the first We hear there are plans for a pale, crystal and caramalt and to be sold out at Banbury Beer wheat beer by end of summer, Cascade and Willamette hops Festival. likely to be called ‘Clouder’. to produce a sweet, caramel- Chris and Tom are working infused, fruity beer that has been hard on marketing their beers, Turpin Brewery exceptionally well received as mostly to local free trade out- Where Turpin’s beers appear they it has found a previously unful- lets, including the Red Lion, continue to fly out of the taps – filled niche among the free trade Cropredy; Three Pigeons, with the crisp, hoppy ale Golden

26 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Citrus being one of the first to Branch run out at Banbury Beer Festival Chairman John and recently awarded ‘Beer of Bellinger the Festival’ at Chadlington Beer (left) Festival. With similar success at presents the North Oxon pubs it shows that certificates local drinkers are keen to show for the support for new local brewers. Champion This summer sees the return Beer of of Elderflower Power (3.8%, Britain South which was last year’s ‘Beer of East Area the Festival’ to James at Hook Clarke of Norton Beer Hook Norton Brewery Festival) to a bar near you. Other Turpin beers able in June, then the awesome it’s now in its 12th variation! to look out for Haymaker for July & August, XT have launched their new are Strawberry with Flagship coming out in beer club. Offering four beery Blonde (3.6%) – which, like last September. social evenings a year for you year, needs to Branch Chairman John and two friends at the brewery wait for wild Bellinger, recently presented plus special offers and discounts strawberries James Clarke of Hook Norton in the shop. See the web site for to add to the Brewery with two certificates more details. brew – and a from the Champion Beer of The next XT brewery open day couple of new Britain London and South East is Saturday 12th July from 10:30 ones, Spring area 2013/14. The first was with free entry – a range of XT Zest (with for Hooky’s Mild which won a beers plus some one-off special added lemons) bronze in the Mild category and beers, all at only £2 a pint. and a hoppy regular Bitter. the second was for Twelve Days The Animal Owner/brewer John Romer (which also won a bronze) in the range (which is now actively looking for Old Ales and Strong Milds cat- are experi- new outlets for his beers. egory. Congratulations to James mental beers Currently you can sometimes and his team at the brewery. often brewed find his beers at the George & XT in its internal Dragon, Shutford; the Lampet nanobrew- Arms, Tadmarton; the Norman XT launched is annual special ery) saw the Knight, Whichford; The Tite, for 2014, called XT-14, which very hoppy Chadlington and the Rose & is a Saison-style beer which Doodle Doo Crown, Charlbury, amongst oth- commemorates the start of the IPA 4.6% ers. For up to date info of which Great War. It’s made with wheat available in pubs have Turpin beer, follow malt and a special semi-wild May giving a “Turpin Brewery” on Twitter. Belgian yeast (which gives it a big hop aroma If any pub owners would like very unusual fruity and naturally from lashings to feature beers from Turpin haze), combined with generous of aromatic Brewery, they can contact John additions of hops from around New Zealand direct on 01608 737033 or email the Commonwealth. It has split hops, while [email protected] opinions, with some loving it, June saw while others weren’t quite ready the new amber Hoot at 4.6%, Hook Norton for its more unusual appearance which uses a rare Belgian cof- The brewery has been trialling and flavours. fee malt. The Animal Rabbit, different hops in different beers Last year’s special, XT-13 Motueka IPA from last summer with Chinook and Cascade hops Pacific Red Ale, proved so is now available in bottles – in a used in red and gold beers. The popular it continues to be avail- slightly stronger form at 5%. Chinook Gold went down very able. The recipe, however, has The XT Pi mild at 3.141% sold well at Banbury Beer Festival changed several times as the well for the Mild May promo- being the first beer to sell out. beer is made with hard to find tion. The guest ales for the summer North American, Australian and XT have also teamed up with months are Gold, which is avail- New Zealand hop varieties – so Long Crendon Cider – which is Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 Production will be increased in Packaging this year is in 10- 2014 for sale in 2015. and 20-litre polypins however Apples for Late Summer are all investment made in the produc- locally sourced, while Autumn tion facility will provide signifi- varieties are made primarily cantly increased volume and a using the famous Dabinett cider greater product offering for next apple from Herefordshire. year. CAMRA’s Big National Event Is On Again Soon The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) will once again return to Roll up, roll up London’s magnificent Olympia for the exhibition centre. circus- 55,000 people are expected to themed produced at the historic Long attend the event, which will have 2014 Great Crendon Manor, about a mile more than 900 real ales, ciders, British Beer Festival from the brewery. XT are exclu- perries and foreign beers avail- – with live-action sive distributors of this medium able to try and plenty of enter- circus performers, dry real cider produced with tainment and food to enjoy! music stage, etc. apples from Oxon and Bucks. GBBF tickets are now on sale, Four varieties of cider are on with single tickets for each full Don’t miss out on your place sale, depending on the apple day and ‘season tickets’ available at the festival and buy a ticket harvest used – Summer, Early, for purchase – all at cheaper now at www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets Mid and Late Autumn – and rates than paying on the door. Opening Times: 12 August, it has proved very popular CAMRA Members receive an 5pm–10:30pm; 13–15 August, with a large percentage of 2013 additional discount on all tick- noon–10:30pm; 16 August – production already being sold. ets, many beer guides, etc. 11am–7:00pm.

28 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 What Makes A Beer A ‘Craft Beer’? Recently there has been a lot should be honest about its origin greater range of beers many of of heated discussion about and ingredients. the more progressive brewers this seemingly simple phrase. Real Ale from a microbrewery have looked again at offering keg Both CAMRA and the Brewers can be a Craft Beer, but Real beers. A beer served in keg lasts Association SIBA talk at length Ale mass produced by a multi- longer than a cask beer enabling about how this term should be national is not a Craft Beer. pubs to have more beers on offer used and what it ‘means’. So The other reason for the at any one time. Keg also pro- why is it a hot topic? The phrase increasing use of the term Craft vides the opportunity to produce ‘Craft Beer’ is being used more Beer is its connection with the more unusual, much stronger and more and is associated new-fangled Craft-Keg beers. or challenging flavours in beers with beers from a wide range of This new term has developed for – where a cask might be too breweries from very small to the much the same reason CAMRA slow selling in most pubs. The global giants. Compare this to introduced ‘Real Ale’ to our lan- character of some stronger beers another phrase which has been guage. Back in the 60s and 70s or heavily hopped beers can also around for a while and which has ‘ale’ was increasingly devalued be enhanced in a keg. The differ- significant meaning to readers of and its quality spiralled down- ences between a Craft-Keg and this magazine, ‘Real Ale’ – this wards – hence CAMRA added a standard keg beer are huge – by contrast is a carefully defined prefix to differentiate a tradition- hence the need for a new term. term – where secondary fermen- ally crafted beer from the indus- At the XT Brewery we produce tation occurs in the beer barrel trially produced rubbish. traditional cask conditioned beer after the main brewing process. What is this Craft Keg stuff – that is what we do and it will The strict definition gives the then? CAMRA promotes and always be the vast majority of our consumer a degree of security; protects cask conditioned real brewing. Cask beer is an amazing you know what you are getting. where the beer is still ‘alive’. product and cannot be beaten for There has been craft beer These are beers served from flavour, however to complement since the dawn of civilization traditional hand pumps, the beer the cask beers, we are develop- but the term is gradually taking lasts three or four days once it ing a range of Craft Keg beers on a more particular meaning has been tapped. This method of – brewed in exactly the same and is being used in connec- production was being phased out way using the same high quality tion with beers that have more by the industrial brewers in the ingredients, the beer is filled into character and flavours than the 60s in favour of easy keep keg keg totally un-filtered and cer- mainstream products. Generally beer. Keg beers such as lagers or tainly not pasteurised – it is still speaking your local microbrew- bitters like John Smiths Smooth living as Real Ale and allowed ery will be producing Craft Beer are served under gas pressure to condition and age naturally – beers which are full flavoured through taps and the beer lasts in the keg. As the beers are not and interesting. However as this for several weeks once in use. filtered of all their life, they will phrase passes into the general Keg beers are generally pro- also not be as crystal clear as a beer language we’ve seen more duced by the large brewing keg lager. All of the character and of the big players jumping on the groups. They are filtered and flavour of the beer goes into our bandwagon and producing their pasteurised to kill all life in the keg process. The reason for us to own so-called Craft Beers. There beer and then the beer is artifi- use kegs is so we can work with is a danger that the boundaries cially gassed to make it fizzier more unusual styles or stronger are blurring and the small scale than Real Ale. CAMRA’s bête beers – in complete contrast to local beer revolution we are cur- noire are the keg bitters which the reasons for keg beers of old. rently enjoying is being hijacked historically pushed Real Ale out There’s a lot going on in the by the brewing giants. of pubs across the country. These beer world these days and it’s So what are the characteristics beers like Watney’s Red Barrel important that consumers under- of a ‘Craft Beer’? and Double Diamond were stand what they’re drinking. The Small – small scale production brewed for ease of distribution choice of beers will continue Independent – the brewery and dispense, all at the expense to grow and it’s likely you’ll see should not be part of a larger of taste or character. Rubbish In more Craft Keg beers alongside group, and ideally an owner- Rubbish Out – regardless of the an increasing range of cask beers, brewer company. method of dispense. for either method of dispense – if Authentic – the beer should We are currently in the midst it’s made by a small, independent be brewed with all high quality of a beer revolution and today’s and authentic – craft brewery – natural ingredients, where taste craft breweries are producing an why not give it a try? and flavour are a higher prior- ever widening range of beers. In Russ Taylor – XT Brewing Co. ity than cost per unit. The beer order to be able to offer an even Long Crendon, Bucks Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 Pubs Which Pop Up At A Venue Near You We’ve seen the surge of interest No pub on in ‘micropubs’ (starting up in your event site? No empty shops in town centres), problem but now we have a ‘pop-up pub’. – just get Conceived by Ascott-under- yourself a Wychwood-based company pop-up pub. Spacial Installations, this is an It’s even ingenious modular system of available as customised containers which dry hire or are transported on two flat-bed with full bar trucks then built quickly on-site supply and service in just a few hours. Co-owner of Spacial, Chris Coulton, a local CAMRA member, says: “Building with containers is a bit like building with sized working bar area with a favourite local pub in Charlbury, giant Lego bricks”, and this new walk-in drinking area at ground but it’s easy to re-brand it to any idea comes on the back of many floor level, and an upstairs roof name the customer requires. years in the set design and build terrace with indoor seating If you want a pop-up-pub, get field for major music festivals, lounge. The CAD image above in touch direct via their website launch events, etc. is named in honour of Chris’s at http://pop-up-pubs.com/. Aimed at festivals, weddings, private parties and the corporate Letter to the Editor hospitality market, they hope it could also be of interest to Kirtlington Lamb Ale Head, Bletchingdon for a game brewing companies as it easily God made two beautiful coun- of Aunt Sally and a further pint branded and can be collected ties on this island Oxfordshire or two. The Dashwood Arms, after use and stored until the (north) and Pembrokeshire. Kirtlington puts on Marsh next time it’s needed. I regularly return to my north Mellow and a guest ale on the The pre-fabricated layout has Oxfordshire home (Kirtlington Monday before the dinner and been designed to offer a decent through to the Bartons) from the school has a real ale bar run- Pembrokeshire to visit friends ning over the weekend. What’s IPA Tasting and relatives, and also to attend left we try finish off during the Kirtlington Lamb Ale Feast cricket. There are some very S H Jones of Banbury are run- on Lamb Ale Monday. tired OAPs by the time we’ve ning an IPA tasting in their The Lamb Ale Festival has finished at the Black’s Head. High Street shop on Friday 27th been kept going by three genera- There is a saying here in June, from 7pm. Tickets are £12, tions of the Edgington family Pembrokeshire “it has to be and they hope to offer around since the war and they should be done” – so here we go again on 10 India Pale Ales, a beer style congratulated on this. the 16th of June this year. which has seen a surge of inter- The Morris Men also help to May I say that Beer on Tap is est in recent years with many revive the link with Kirtlington one of the best. variations on the theme. Morris and the Lamb Ale, Andrew Humpries As with their last beer tasting, although it has moved to the Editor’s response: Thanks go there will be a brief talk and an weekend, leaving the traditional to Andrew for this enlighten- open discussion, with nibbles to Monday a bit flat. After the ing look into the old tradition soak up the beer. dinner and a barrel of Hooky of Lamb Ale. I’d certainly never If anyone is interested, they we play a cricket match (this heard of it and will try to get can book tickets by calling the tradition dates back to the along on the 16th June. As for shop (tel: 01295 251179) or early 1900s). After the game Beer on Tap we can only agree emailing [email protected] the teams move to the Black’s with your sentiment! The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2014 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 Information Press, Eynsham, Oxon 30 Beer on Tap – Summer 2014 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31