This Saturday’s Tap Social festival heads the week’s line-up of news
Following the success of the second-annual Change is Brewing Beer Fest in August, craft brewery and social enterprise Tap Social Movement is hosting a festive edition this Saturday, November 18, from 2-11pm at the Tap Social Taproom in the Curtis Industrial Estate in West Oxford. The Festive Beer Bash features seven leading independent craft keg breweries from around the UK, with many of them making their very first appearance in Oxford – none of the guest breweries have previously poured at a Change is Brewing festival. In addition to the beers there will also be a full bar, non-alcoholic beers and soft drinks, baked goods and hand-stretched sourdough pizza from Proof Social Bakehouse, live music, and more.
Here’s the full line-up:
– Gravity Well Brewing (London)
– Signature Brew (London)
– BMAN Brewery (Oxford)
– Tap Social Movement (Oxford)
– Three Hills Brewing (Thrapston)
– Two Flints Brewery (Windsor)
– Siren Craft Brew (Wokingham)
Tickets are £10 inclusive of festival glass. Ticket holders will have access to street food and live music, and info and tickets are here: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/596491
Red Lion, Northmoor
The popular couple running this Community-Owned village pub near Witney have announced their intention to leave after 10 years, when their tenancy ends in April 2024.
Ian and Lisa Neale said in a Facebook post: “It is very unusual for pub tenants to stay for 10 years, and we have had an amazing time at the Red Lion, a beautiful pub in a truly special community. It hasn’t been easy for anyone in the hospitality business, with the devastating effect of the pandemic and the hefty increases in the costs of utilities and supplies in recent months. So for us it’s time to move on. We haven’t got a plan yet, but we are looking forward to having a break before looking for new opportunities.”
Boundary House, Abingdon
This large Greene King pub on the edge of the town has re-opened after a major revamp, with a greater emphasis on real ale and a much wider food offer. The new bar has a “feature barrel” designed to highlight cask ales and there is also a dedicated area for sports fans. The garden revamp includes a new heated pergola and two new outdoor TVs, and there is a new undercover Aunt Sally area. The refurbishment has created 27 new jobs.
Plough, Appleton
New landlords Rob Filbrandt and Will Hutchinson have re-opened the village pub off the A420 near Abingdon following refurbishment by Admiral Taverns. Closed for about a year, it now offers real ales including Timothy Taylor Landlord and Sharp’s Doom Bar, and it hopes to serve some local ales.
Old Anchor Inn, Abingdon
Closed since May 2023, this riverside pub has been put out for lease by Fleurets on behalf of its private owners. The former Morland pub was leased by Greene King for many years but is now offered as a free house.
Chequers, Headington Quarry
It could be the end of the line as a pub for this historic building after its owner applied for permission to convert it to residential. The lounge bar has been run as an Indian restaurant for many years but a public bar remained. It is close to two other pubs, the Six Bells and the Masons Arms.