Plus Pub News from around the county
Timothy Taylor’s Landlord is now officially the top selling real ale in Britain by both volume and value, according to the latest data by research firm CGA as published in trade portal the Morning Advertiser. This represents a major achievement for the independent brewery based in Keighley, Yorkshire, as it has now out-gunned bigger breweries with the previous market leader, Sharp’s Doom Bar, now in second place but in free fall.
Landlord became the top real ale by value in 2024, but is now top by volume too. Doom Bar — which has spread rapidly in pubs since becoming owned by international brewing giant Molson Coors in 2011 — remains in second place for both volume and value although volume dropped by nearly 20% last year, suggesting that Molson Coors is focusing more on core brands such as Carling, Staropramen and Madri.
Fuller’s London Pride was in third place, while Greene King had three beers in the Top 10 (see below) and Carlsberg (which brews Marston’s beers Wainwright Gold and Pedigree) had two. The only other independents to make the Top 10 were St Austell and Black Sheep.
More concerning was that among the Top 10, the volume of real ale sold in the year to October 5 was down by over 5% with only London Pride showing an increase, of 1.6%. The biggest loser apart from Doom Bar was Marston’s Pedigree, down 18%.
“This is the first time in our history that we have topped the chart overall,” said Timothy Taylor. “This achievement means a great deal to us. As a brewery that has remained fiercely independent for over 160 years and is still proudly family-owned, reaching the summit of a list dominated by larger, multinational brands demonstrates the enduring power of doing things properly. Our focus has always been simple: consistency, quality, and dedication to producing the very best beer we can. Our progression in the rankings over the last eight years tells a story of steady, determined improvement and unwavering customer loyalty.”
Landlord has gone from eighth place to first since 2018, and that is certainly reflected in Oxfordshire where Landlord has become ubiquitous, and is sometimes the only real ale served or one of only two. Other Timothy Taylor beers are being seen more often, though nowhere near the volume achieved by Landlord. Boltmaker is the next most popular, being on at the Oranges & Lemons recently, while Landlord Dark (known as Ram Tam in Yorkshire) is also being seen locally.
Top 10 Table
| Volume (Hectolitres) | Value (£m) | ||||||
| Cask ale | MAT YA | MAT TY | %chg | MAT YA | MAT TY | %chg | |
| 1 | Timothy Taylor’s Landlord | 102,654 | 102,552 | -0.10% | 79 | 81.8 | 3.60% |
| 2 | Sharp’s Doom Bar | 109,043 | 88,506 | -18.80% | 72.3 | 62.4 | -13.80% |
| 3 | Fuller’s London Pride | 76,850 | 78,113 | 1.60% | 61.1 | 65.2 | 6.70% |
| 4 | Greene King Abbot Ale | 66,169 | 63,685 | -3.80% | 45.9 | 46.9 | 2.20% |
| 5 | Greene King IPA | 50,001 | 43,575 | -12.90% | 35.1 | 32.2 | -8.30% |
| 6 | Wainwright Gold | 40,353 | 37,556 | -6.90% | 27 | 26.2 | -2.80% |
| 7 | St Austell Tribute Ale | 30,717 | 28,713 | -6.50% | 23 | 22.4 | -2.50% |
| 8 | Marston’s Pedigree | 30,284 | 24,842 | -18.00% | 19.9 | 17.1 | -14.00% |
| 9 | Old Speckled Hen | 14,917 | 13,730 | -8.00% | 10.5 | 9.9 | -6.10% |
| 10 | Black Sheep Best Bitter | 13,608 | 12,906 | -5.20% | 9.4 | 9.3 | -0.60% |
All data provided by CGA for the 12 months to October 4, 2025
Fears grow over impact of business rates
The “permanently lower business rates” for hospitality businesses mentioned in the Budget on November 26 have turned out to be an illusion as it emerged that the revaluation of business rates from April 2026 will in fact mean an increase, sometimes hefty, for all pubs. CAMRA and pub industry organisations are now warning that many pubs will not survive, as the revaluation comes on top of an increase in alcohol duty, and increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions and the Living Wage.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman said: “This is a dark day for UK drinkers, pubs and breweries. Instead of offering a bold package to save and support the UK’s pubs, the Chancellor has chosen not to help with VAT, energy bills or Employer National Insurance contributions.
“The Government is going to introduce permanently lower business rates for hospitality in 2026. Whilst this sounds like a positive step, and the Treasury says all pubs will pay a ‘lower tax rate’ than they do at present, there is a sting in the tail. Because these changes come in at the same time as the Government is ending the 40% discount on business rates bills for pubs, licensees face having to pay more than they do at the moment. Obviously this is disgraceful at a time when other costs are rising for pubs.
“We are bitterly disappointed that alcohol duty has been hiked today, including on draught beer and cider. Hundreds of pubs have closed this year and thousands more are at risk because of this Budget where no support has been given on VAT, energy bills, alcohol duty or Employer National Insurance contributions.”
UK Hospitality reckons the average pub’s business rates would increase by 15% in 2026, adding £1,400 to the typical tax bill. By 2027, rates would be £4,500 higher and by 2028 they would pay an extra £7,000, an increase of more than 65% or an extra £12,900 over the next three years. Many pubs have warned they cannot absorb such an increase, and the cash-trapped public can’t afford to pay more.
Award for White Horse, Banbury
The White Horse in North Bar Street, Banbury has been crowned “Venue of the Year” at the national Business Buzz Awards recognising the best hosting venue across the UK-wide networking organisation.
Since landlords Ken and Eileen Thompson took over the pub in 2015, the White Horse has become known for its warm welcome, award-winning real ales, thriving courtyard garden, and reputation as “a village pub in the town.” The team regularly hosts charity events, business meet‑ups, knitting groups, music nights and more, making it a beloved venue for locals and visitors alike.
It has also built a strong national reputation, consistently featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and winning multiple cellar quality and garden awards.
Ken Thompson said: “This award means the world to us. The pub trade has had some incredibly tough years since Covid, and personally it’s been a challenging time too. But we’ve always focused on what matters, creating a place where people feel welcome, where the beer is excellent, and where the community feels at home. Winning Venue of the Year shows that all the little things we do, from the atmosphere to the ale to the conversations at the bar, really do make a difference. We’re proud, grateful and absolutely thrilled.”
Evenlode, Eynsham gives real ale the boot
This large pub and hotel on the A40 outside Eynsham has had a make-over as the Firehouse BBQ & Bar, and has got rid of its four hand pumps which used to serve rotating ales mainly from Little Ox in nearby Freeland. Oxford CAMRA’s Tony Goulding described this as an “absolute tragedy”, adding: “It does show nowhere is forever or safe in this industry from the dreaded marketing man”.