Near the medieval forest of Wych Wood on the edge of the market town of Witney you’ll find the home of Hobgoblin, a creature of legend with a fanbase the world over.  The home of Britain’s third bestselling bottled premium beer, Wychwood Brewery receives thousands of visitors, a fifth from outside these shores, and interest is never greater than at Hallowe’en.

Weekend tours kick off with a half pint in the Cellar Bar, while your guide fills in a bit of brewing history. Following a lively tour of the premises – you’ll certainly smell the malts and aromas and, depending on when you visit, you might see yeast flowing over the square fermenting vessels – it’s back to the bar, for a tutored tasting of some of the bottled beers.

Wychwood has been sharing its site since the mid-2000s with Brakspear, since the latter’s purchase by parent brewer, Marstons. Ever mindful of Brakspear’s loyal following, most of Brakspear’s original brewing kit made the journey from Henley to Witney, including its unique ‘double drop’ system, designed to give the beer a breath of air during fermentation. Housed in the results of a £1m-pound refurbishment, visitors get a good view from the brewing platform. 

Don’t miss

• the Wychwood website – with its quirky characters and cartoon-like rendering, you’ll think you’re in another land
• Oxford Ale Trail – pick up your map and collect stamps for pints of Brakspear quaffed in designated Oxford pubs to earn yourself a t-shirt and – at the last stop – your free pint

Silverware

• Hobgoblin – It’s hard to top being the beer presented to the US president by prime minister David Cameron

Community

Wychwood donates on a weekly basis to charity and hosts three or four charitable fundraising tours each year

Eco-friendly initiatives

• Lighter bottles
• Spent grain & hops are put to good use, primarily as cattle or horse feed
• One of the UK’s leading organic beer producers

Anything else?

Over 500 people join the locals each year for Wychwood’s Hallowe’en gathering. Along with the ceremonial Grand Lighting of the Pumpkins and traditional pursuits such as pumpkin carving and apple bobbing, there’s magicians, birds of prey, story tellers, and – of course – Hobgoblin served at the bar.

Visited Spring 2010