The Real-ale tent at the Woodcote Steam fair showcases local beers, as a measure to cut down on Beer Miles (the distance travelled by your beer from the brewery to where it is consumed).

All the beer and Cider is from breweries in either Berkshire or Oxfordshire but we have managed to assemble an appetising variety of beers for your delight.

Brakspears brewery is now in Witney (Oxfordshire) from 2004, having moved from their historic site in Henley, Brakspears Bitter (often called Ordinary) is a light hoppy bitter at 3.8%.

Butlers is the closest brewery to the site, based in Woodcote itself, it was founded in 2003 by Mark and Sarah and has already established itself as a favourite in the village; Butlers Oxfordshire Bitter (BOB to the locals) 3.6% is a superb session beer, Swift at 4% is slightly stronger in taste and alcohol.

Hook Norton is a long-established (1849) brewery up in the North of Oxfordshire, keeping with the Woodcote theme is steam powered by a 25 horsepower engine. Hook Norton brew a range of beers, perfected after years of brewing Dark is a classic mild beer with low alcohol content but a big taste 3.2% ; Hookey Bitter at 3.4% is a proper session beer with enough fruity/hoppy taste but not too much to overpower; Old Hookey is an absolute classic beer that will delight your palate, its tawny sunset colour looks great with the sun shining through it 4.6%.

Loddon brewery just on Oxfordshire at Dunsden, founded in 2003 by Chris and Vanessa and is now established in the area as a successful brewer with a number of regular outlets in well-known local pubs, and a full range of different beers. Hoppit at 3.5% is another session beer, lighter than most with a fine hoppy flavour. Hullabaloo at 4.2% has a great balance of flavours with the ideal strength for the occasional pint. Bamboozle has oodles of flavour at 4.8% has plenty of strength to go with the full flavour.

Old Bog brewery is at the Masons Arms in Oxford, established in 2005, it is a pub that brews for its own custom but also supplies beer to the free trade so you may find it in your local one day soon if you are lucky. The beers on offer this year are Quarry Gold 4.0% and Best Bitter 4.0%

Ridgeway was established by a Keith, a former Brakspears brewer. Although the Brewery is based in South Stoke, the actual brewing is itinerant (brewed on other brewers equipment) and produces mainly bottled beers for the discerning US craft beer market. Dixie Lager at 5.0% is one of these which is extremely difficult to find in the UK. Bitter at 4.0% uses a mixture of quality hops to give a full hoppy flavour. IPA 5.5% is a delight for the “hop fiend”, in the true tradition of the original India Pale Ale that was brewed in the UK for the Indian Raj, a true IPA has more hops and a greater strength to allow it to survive the long sea voyage under sail but still be palatable on arrival.

West Berkshire beers are a regular feature of the Festival of Ales at Woodcote, Dave and Helen have been brewing in Frilsham and Yattendon since 1995 and brew a range of beers that is extensive. Maggs Magnificent Mild 3.8% is a shining example of the Mild genre, its taste belies its alcoholic strength and leaves a pleasant taste of well-roast malt on the palate. Mr Chubbs Lunchtime Bitter 3.7% is quite malty and less bitter than many beers of this type, drink one and you’ll soon be wanting another. Dr Hexter’s Healer 5% is a real amber coloured nectar (forget the heavily advertised stuff) Good Old Boy 4% is so well-balanced that Harry Houdini could have had a pint before his tightrope walk across Niagara Falls, it is bitter without being harsh and malty without being over-sweet. Full Circle 4.5% A golden ale, before you taste it smell the hoppy aroma to get the full flavour of this beer. Dave will also be brewing a special beer for Woodcote Special 4.5%ish, we won’t know what it is going to taste like until we start to serve it, but it will be special.

The White Horse brewery from Stanford-in-the-Vale was started in 2004 by two former Wychwood brewers. Bitter 3.7% is a nice smooth session beer that really grows on you and Wayland Smithy 4.4% is stronger in taste as well as alcohol.

Zero Degrees opened their third restaurant in 2007 in the centre of Reading near the old Courage brewery site, the company has recently opened their fourth in Cardiff – so Zero Degrees are the only international brewer represented at Woodcote. The Zero Degrees format is to brew beers for internal consumption by diners in the restaurant and visitors to the bar, they have facilities for small quantities of take-home beers but do not normally sell the beers to the free trade, we are very lucky to have some here at Woodcote. Pilsener 4.8% is a true lager which is bottom fermented and stored for longer than bitters (the word “lager” means to store). It is crisp and clean in the true Pilsener tradition. Pale Ale 4.7% is not as pale as its name suggests, as Procol Harum would have said “a Browner Shade Of Pale”, in contrast with the Pilsener it is full and malty and leaves a lovely taste in the mouth.

Upton Cider is based in Upton which is on the Streatley to Wantage Road, at weekends in summer the cider is sold from a hut by the side of the road – so if you are going that way it is handy to pick some up. The Cider comes in Sweet or Medium/Dry varieties at about 5.0% alcohol and is one of the accessible brands of Cider, not particularly lumpy or sour. This is a Cider for the discerning public and not just the aficionado. If you don’t drink Cider normally or if you habitually dring one of the sparkling kegged varieties that have to be advertised so hard, try a half of the Sweet – you will probably enjoy it.

If you don’t know which beer to try, ask the staff (all CAMRA volunteers) during a quiet time and they will recommend something for you.

Click here to see the CAMRA website for more details.

We are also having a wine bar from Vintage Roots.

During the afternoons, you can relax with a drink and enjoy music from The Fiesta Steel Band on the Rally Stage in front of the beer tent.

The Icknield Way Morris Men will be providing some traditional morris dancing on Sunday. (Click here to see their website).

Saturday evening features the Light Years making their second appearance at Woodcote. All being well, there will be hot air balloons and Showman’s engines, plus the funfair, food and the Camra and wine bars.

As usual, pay to come in during the day and if you wish, you can go out with a passout and return later for the evening session.

CAMRA Opening Hours

Saturday 12th July: 11.00 - 22.30
Sunday 13th July: 12.00 - 17.00

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