Oxfordshire’s Top Four pubs compete for Pub of the Year title
Four pubs made it through to CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition for Oxfordshire, and when the winner is announced it will go forward into a regional competition with the top pubs in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The winner of that round has a chance of being named top pub in the UK.
Oxford CAMRA’s choice is micro-pub the Crafty Pint in Witney, which has built a strong community around its great choice of ales including two hand pumps (serving mainly local ales) and six independent keg taps. Outside space in better weather adds to its capacity, and it holds regular live music sessions.
The King’s Arms in Wantage was chosen as the Vale of White Horse branch winner, and as at all Oak Taverns pubs, real ale and cider take centre stage with up to six rotating real ales that can come from anywhere. The large garden is a rarity in the town centre.
South Oxfordshire’s champion pub this year is the Cross Keys in Wallingford, another Oak Taverns pub and a previous winner of the Oxfordshire round. This fairly small pub retains its original layout and again has an extensive garden, with regular live events and weekend visits by a range of food vans. Up to four real ales are available – including “Howse Bitter”, brewed by local independent Amwell Springs, Dave and Emma Howse being the landlord and landlady.
North Oxfordshire’s choice is the Butchers Arms in Balscote, a village off the A422 Banbury to Stratford road. It is a village local owned by Hook Norton brewery, and two or three of the brewery’s beers – typically Hooky, Old Hooky and sometimes a seasonal ale – are served direct from casks behind the bar rather than from hand pumps. It has been a Hook Norton pub since 1878.
To vote in the Oxfordshire Pub of the Year competition (CAMRA members only), you must visit all four pubs and complete voting by May 17. More information from https://oxford.camra.org.uk/oxfordshire-pub-of-the-year-2026/
Tap Social Movement
To celebrate its upcoming 10th birthday, Tap Social teams up with 10 independent breweries to brew 10collaboration beers that will debut on draught at the Change is Brewing with Friends festival, from 2pm on June 6 at the Botley taproom. Tickets cost £13.20 in advance and the event may sell out.
Tap Social hosts Change is Brewing every summer to bring people together in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment with good beer, food and entertainment. The line-up includes:
– Elusive Brewing (Berkshire)
– Siren Craft Brew (Berkshire)
– Attic Brew Co (Birmingham)
– Bluntrock Brewery (Cornwall)
– Verdant Brewing Co (Cornwall)
– Closet Brewing (Edinburgh)
– Drop Project Brewing (London)
– Pretty Decent Beer Co (London)
– Sureshot Brewing (Manchester)
– Duration Beer (Norfolk)
– Indie Rabble Brewing Co (Windsor)
Twisted Tree Beer & Cider Festival
Twisted Tree – one of the county’s newest breweries, set up in 2024 – is staging a weekend celebration including food, live music, and family-friendly fun t its farm base near Bicester on June 19-20.
Over 40 beers and ciders will be available from producers across the country, and alongside the beer and cider it will have a Gin & Fizz Bar. It will be open Friday June 19 from and on Saturday June 20 from 12-11pm, with tickets costing £15 for all weekend including three half pints.
Pizzas, a hog roast and live music (Saturday) will be laid on at the brewery at Park Farm, Tusmore, OX27 7SH, off the A43.
Hooky Gold celebrations
Hook Norton Brewery will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hooky Gold throughout May and June with a series of “golden moments” including competitions and special events at its pubs and at the brewery. Managing director James Clarke is inviting anyone with a gold medal – any gold medal –to bring it along to the brewery and be rewarded with a glass of Hooky Gold.