Patrick MacMahon rounds up the most interesting news from our local breweries
With the summer heatwaves finally dissipating, we can look forward to an autumnal flow of real ales and exciting events from Oxfordshire’s real ale breweries, while appreciating the fine work of all the keg and cask beers that have kept us refreshed over the last few months.
We start with Chadlington, which has been exceptionally busy over the past few months, releasing a range of specials and continuing to spread the Indian lager Kati Patang to venues across the country. While summer brings the lager drinkers out in us, Summertime Gold has kept the pins and firkins flowing with the good stuff for Chadlington, which also has a delectable range of IPAs. These range from a keg and cask NEIPA to an English IPA, a rarity these days and one that showcases all the wonderful fresh, grassy and earthy characteristics of British hops in a sturdy pint. Its ESB has also been popular over the summer, proving that a well-kept cask is as refreshing as anything!
Twisted Tree, remaining true to its roots, has brewed up a delightful roster for an Indian summer across the county. With half an eye on Oktoberfest, a delightful Dunkel has made its way into casks and kegs following its crowning as Untappd’s best lager earlier this year. For a family-run brewery established only two years ago, things are going strong for the Bicester outfit, which is embedded in the community and now making a splash further afield with consistently excellent beer. Keep an eye out for an eagerly awaited Oxfordshire collaboration, with details yet to be announced. It will use locally grown heritage barley for some mouth-watering flavours, no doubt, as well as a new and improved Oktoberfest.
Tap Social’s growth drive in the retail sector continues apace, with expansion into a further 50 Waitrose stores bringing the total to over 300, as well as entry into 80 Co-op stores for the two award-winning drops, Time Better Spent and Jobsworth. And as if that wasn’t enough, Ocado is also getting in on the breakout success of Tap Social, with products set to be available straight to your door from early September. All very impressive for a 2,000L brewhouse and an example of how good-quality products will always rise to the top. Even the alumni of Tap Social continue to grow within the industry, with Jason Bolger’s Scarlet River opening in Witney earlier this year and doing really well in its opening weeks.
Loose Cannon continues its book-themed beers as of late; David Hopperfield, a deliciously light Kölsch, has been keeping Abingdonians refreshed over the summer, and literary fans can look forward to Jungle Bock as we veer into Oktoberfest season. Adding to the wonderful array of beers is Italian Cob, back by popular demand and a super-drinkable 4.6% to boot.
Keep an eye out also for some events in the coming months. Following Bunkfest in Wallingford over the first weekend of September, Loose Cannon is hosting events including live music on September 5, Oktoberfest on October 2/3 and its regular guided tours every second Saturday of the month.
Over at Hook Norton new brews are aplenty with a particular focus on “no and low” alcohol in keeping with wider trends..! The legendary Old Hooky is going zero, with the original recipe being released in zero alcohol form as a really exciting addition to the sector. Managing Director James Clarke, explains: “Old Hooky has been the heart and soul of our pubs, and a favoured pint of real ale lovers for nearly five decades. With Old Hooky Zero, we wanted to prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks! It’s our very first zero alcohol beer, and making it gluten-free means even more people can raise a glass.”September’s cask ale roster at the Victorian tower brewery includes a 2.5% Lock Steady Gluten Free Pale ale and a limited run of a fresh hop beer. These will complement collaborations with fellow brewing heavyweights Oakham and Thornbridge, being brewed in August and October respectively.
In wider national news independent brewers group SIBA has reported that the rate of brewery closures is down on last year, with only one closing a week, down from three per week last year. This is bolstered by four of its nine regions experiencing growth in overall brewery numbers. The industry still faces strong headwinds, however, of rising prices, consumer demand and taxation, with SIBA Chief Executive, Andy Slee, advocating greater duty relief for draught beer in on-trade venues.
