New brewery reporter Patrick MacMahon on Tap Social, Loose Cannon, Hook Norton and more
Oxford’s Tap Social has agreed a deal with national supermarket chain Waitrose to supply 220 supermarkets nationwide. The contract, which followed a tightly contested tendering process, will see the Oxford brewery’s Time Better Spent (Juicy IPA) and Home and Dry (Hazy Pale Ale) hit UK shelves this month. Local Waitrose stores in Oxfordshire will stock up to two additional beers subject to availability.
The deal represents Waitrose’s commitment to businesses with a social cause, and will give Tap Social a wider base through which to champion its own mission to provide former inmates with training and employment opportunities following their release. So far it has delivered over 105,000 hours of paid employment to prisoners and ex-offenders.
The brewery will move from a 9-5 brewing schedule to a longer shift pattern to meet the greater volumes required by Waitrose, facilitating an expansion in its employment and training programme. Wider growth plans include an additional venue in South Oxfordshire and national expansion thereafter. The deal coincides with two Great Taste awards for Tap Social’s session pale ale, Jobsworth (1 star) and Time Well Spent (2 stars), further recognition of the quality of its beer.
Head Brewer Jason Bolger will not be at the brewery to oversee delivery of the contract, however, as he parts ways to set up his own brewpub in Witney. Tap Social wishes him every success.
Abingdon’s Loose Cannon celebrated its 15-year anniversary in August, releasing a brewery taproom exclusive, a double dry hopped ale which head brewer Alex Scott described as “all grapefruit zap”. The brewery was also joined by Hook Norton and Loddon at Wallingford Bunkfest, with all three breweries brewing exclusive beers for the occasion. Seasonal Loose Cannon brews Whiter Shade of Ale (extra pale ale) and Maltster Mash (Schwartz Beer) will be released from September.
Church Hanbrewery is approaching seven years at its Teardrop bar in Oxford’s Covered Market and has introduced a guest line to its excellent array of house brewed ales and lagers. XT’s nitro stout is a frequent occupier of this space.
One of Oxfordshire’s youngest breweries, Twisted Tree, celebrated its first birthday in August and will continue in the festive spirit with an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday September 27 at the brewery near Bicester. Two interesting brews will mark the occasion, a Dunkel lager and traditional lager, both in cask but with small packs also available. The brewery also hosts monthly “meet the brewer” events, a good chance to discuss the beers and the thinking behind them with their creators. These are announced via its website and social media so do keep an eye out. If you can’t wait for that, its flagship Twisted IPA, a delightful demonstration of British hop character, packed with East Kent Goldings, Fuggles and Challenger hops, is available on a permanent line at the White Lion in Fewcott or the Red Lion in Yarnton.
Heading west, Oxfordshire stalwart Hook Norton is currently finalising the installation of new hot liquor tanks and boiler alongside continuing repairs to the stable block after the fire in May last year, with the windows and roof now in place. In a rare nod to the beer industry of old, the brewery also hopes to have shire horses, which are currently delivering to the Pear Tree in the village every Thursday, back in place by the end of the year. More importantly for some, the Hook Norton Flagship IPA is celebrating its 20th anniversary, originally brewed in 2005 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Elsewhere September is a busy month for events; look out for Amwell Springs’ Burnout BBQ on September 26 with fresh beer and DJ Binge, and Loddon Brewery’s Octoberfest on September 27 for Bavarian food, steins of fresh Loddon beer and live performances from Oompah band and Big Smoke Brass UK. If you’d prefer to celebrate with a malty German amber lager in the comfort of your own home, Renegade brewery’s delightful Festbier is now available to order online.
Finally, a huge congratulations to Wadworth Brewery celebrating its 150th anniversary. You can join the celebrations at several of its pubs on September 27, with further details to be announced on its website. The brewery marked the occasion by pedalling an extraordinary 150 miles from the Kings Arms in Fulham, London all the way to the Riverside Inn in Saltford, near Bristol. A well-earned pint no doubt followed!
