Branch News

Here is the latest news about pubs and breweries in the branch area.

  • Branch Pub and Brewery News (February 2020) Thursday 20 February 2020

    Pub news:

    • The Reformation (Gallowstree Common) has its ACV. However it covers only the pub and the car park to the front – the remainder of the plot having already been sold.
    • The Carriers Arms (Watlington) is still closed, awaiting the current tenant of the Fat Fox to take over. It’s possible there may be a change of name.
    • The front bar of the Social is still closed; though the club part is still operating.
    • The Crown (Chalgrove) has now been sold, as a pub.
    • The Red Lion in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, has a new tenant, Corrine Cook.
    • Curly, at the Rainbow, has received an award from Brakspear for working with them for 30 years.

    Brewery news:

    • Loddon’s Hocus Pocus won the Old Ale/Mild category at the Winter Great British Beer Festival.

  • Branch Pub of the Season for Autumn revealed Monday 9 December 2019

    We made a presentation on Thursday 28th November to David Haines (pictured right), landlord of the Royal Standard in Wallingford, as the Branch Pub of the Season for Autumn 2019.

    Branch Chairman, Graham Hards (pictured centre), in presenting the award, commented:

    “With around 18 pubs a week closing across the country, it is great that the Royal Standard is bucking the trend, by re-opening as a pub after many years trading as a restaurant, the Partridge. Close to the heart of CAMRA is that the pub is aiming to be a valuable asset for the whole of the local community by offering a wide range of activities and services. Furthermore and, very importantly, is that the Royal Standard is supporting the local, Cholsey based brewery, Amwell Springs Brewery, by serving three of its cask-conditioned ales in tip-top condition. We hope that the Royal Standard continues to prosper and we wish David every success in this exciting venture”.

    The photo is from the presentation, which also includes David Gibbons (pictured left), Chairman of Amwell Springs, who also attended the presentation.

  • An Eazy Evening at Amwell Springs Brewery Saturday 14 September 2019

    Members from our branch were lucky enough to spend an excellent evening at Amwell Springs Brewery in Cholsey last Wednesday (11th September). Andrew Gibbons, Head Brewer (pictured next to the stillage), explained the brewery’s beginnings, including the fact that the brewing water is sourced directly from chalk-filtered springs located only a few hundred metres from the brewery.

    Andrew’s father, David (also pictured in the foreground), who is the chairman of the brewery (and is the inspiration for one of the names of the beers!) helped Andrew explain the stories behind the intriguing beer names!

    Liquid refreshment was kindly provided in the form of a fresh barrel of Eazy Geez, which received many compliments.

  • Branch Pub and Brewery News (September 2019) Saturday 14 September 2019

    Pub news:

    • The Crown in Benson, has been bought by Hook Norton Brewery. Branch Chairman, David Cooper attended a meeting with James Clarke, Managing Director of the North Oxfordshire brewery, and signs are very positive with the brewery planning to invest heavily into making it a good community-focussed pub. The plan is to re-open the pub before Christmas following some major refurbishment.
    • The Reformation, Gallowstree Common has re-opened under a one-year tenancy of Bob Hurst. Gravity and Oxford Gold on pump, but only snacks and sandwiches at lunchtime food-wise.
    • The ACV for the Fleur-dy-Lys in Dorchester expired in April 2019 and has not been renewed. The pub remains closed.
    • The Red Lion in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, is once again being run by very popular landlady Sue Robson, and is proving to be very busy and popular with the locals. However, as her intention was not to continue running the pub in the long term, she has put the lease back on the market, but will only hand this over to someone who will run it as she and the community would like.

    Brewery news:

    • The owner of the Lovibonds site in Henley has won his appeal for his application to demolish and build anew in the tap room area.

  • Branch Pub and Brewery News (July 2019) Wednesday 28 August 2019

    Pub news:

    • The Dog & Duck, Highmoor, has finally been demolished.
    • The Reformation in Gallowstree Common may reopen soon. The Parish Council has canvassed locals asking for previous events they’ve attended there for evidence to support an ACV.
    • Sat Sandhu has finally left the White Lion, Crays Pond. The pub does have an ACV.
    • There is a new landlord at the Red Lion in Peppard Common
    • The freehold of the Crown in Benson is for sale at £495k. The previous tenant estimated that it will need ≈£750k to bring it back to a satisfactory standard. Branch Chairman, David Cooper, is looking into getting an ACV on it.
    • The Big Bash at the Butchers Arms in Sonning Common, was a success attracting around 1200 people.