Step back in time when you reach Hook Norton brewery in rural Oxfordshire. After all, this is widely regarded as the best example of a working Victorian tower brewery, the whole affair is powered by a green giant of a steam engine, and beer is delivered locally by shire horses.
Gather in the warm flagstone-floored Visitor Centre – a converted malting barn – to kick off your visit. Begin with the steam engine before heading to the top: the fourth floor, to see the water that’s been drawn up from the same aquifer used by founder John Harris in 1849. Carry on down the brewery, seeing, smelling and tasting the ingredients as they make their journey of transformation. Head out to say hello to the horses, Consul, Major and Nelson – if they are not out on duty – and finish back in the Visitor Centre bar with an informal tutored tasting of the Hooky regulars – plus a clutch of specials. Then decide whether to head upstairs to the museum for a dash of history…
Silverware
- Hooky Bitter – Europe’s Best English Bitter, 2010 World Beer Awards
- Double Stout – World’s Best Stout, 2010 World Beer Awards
- Hooky Pint – aka Gill Begnor – fastest woman dressed as a bottle, 2010 London Marathon
Eco-friendly initiatives
- Bottles – they’ve been on a diet and are lighter
- Energy conservation – using PDX, a new technology which saves energy by using steam to heat the copper
- Carbon reduction – undergoing a Carbon Trust Audit & involved in Hook Norton Low Carbon Group
Key events
- Beer trails – more on demand than annual affairs, Hook Norton has developed half a dozen ale trails calling on some of its pubs across Oxfordshire. see website
- Food matching – the Visitors Centre run monthly beer with food events. See website for details
Community
Hook Norton supports Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
Clubs
- Beer Champions – membership is generously given to all visitors who attend a brewery tour, a beer with food evening and other beer-led events
Trade bodies
Independent Family Brewers of Britain, SIBA, CAMRA
Enjoy England Visitor Attraction
Visited Spring 2010
Features
Tours
Shop
Clubs
Wheelchair Access
Public Transport within 5 miles
Eco Initiatives
Tour details
Individuals & Groups
Mon-Fri: 9.30am, 11am, 2pm
Sat: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Duration: c. 1 hour, plus tasting. Booking essential. Minimum age: 12. Since this is one of the original tower breweries, the tour includes several flights of stairs
Wheelchair access
The Visitors Centre is accessible for wheelchairs, but unfortunately the brewery building is not. If other members of party are on a brewery tour there is an interesting DVD of the brewery process that can be watched in the Visitors Centre.
Shop
Stocks Hook Norton beers, a wide range of Hooky clothing and merchandise, plus other locally produced items and drinks
Public transport
Train: Banbury, 8 miles
Bus: 488 Banbury to Chipping Norton
Course details
Hook Norton hosts school visits by prior appointment. These visits may or may not include the brewery..
The Beer Academy runs cask ale courses at the brewery. Please check their website for details
Opening times
Visitor Centre
Mon-Sat: 9.30am-4.30pm
Closed
Christmas Day, Easter Friday & Monday, Bank Holidays
Sustenance
Tea & coffee is available upon request and for those who arrive early for a tour
Prices
£9.50, includes commemorative Hook Norton glass & membership of Beer Champions club
Get in Touch
Tel: 01608 730384
Email: [email protected]
www.hook-norton-brewery.co.uk
www.hooky.co.uk
Twitter: HookyBrewery
Facebook: Hook Norton Brewery
Hook Norton Brewery
Brewery Lane
Hook Norton, Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX15 5NY