RtW 2018

Date: 15 December 2018 Round the World

Sampled by:

ROC, KOC, TM, PC, RN, FN & PV

The destination this time was Oxford. Departing at 10.30, the train journey out via Ash Vale, North Camp and Reading went well and we arrived as planned a little after mid-day. The walk to the first pub in Jericho was via the Oxford Canal footpath and the pub easily found despite the map being ripped in half. It started to rain just before we reached the pub.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Old Bookbinders Ale House

Oxford (Jericho)

OX2 6BT

Comment

Exterior impressions were not entirely favourable – Greene King on the sign – but quickly dispelled. Despite immediately being confronted by menu bearing bar-staff (pub run by a French chef), it turned out to be old, warm and comfortable and offered a range of beers from the GK list. It was busy, but room became available when another group of beer tourists left. The photo display in the Gents was well appreciated.

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Greene King

Hop Academy

4.2

D

3.5

Pale Ale

Oakham

Scarlet Macaw

4.4

D

3.5

American Pale Ale

Coors

Blue Moon (Belgian)

5.4

B

Belgian White

The rain had really come on now but fortunately it was only a short walk to the next pub.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Jericho Tavern

Oxford (Jericho)

OX2 6AE

Comment

This large corner pub has a famous music venue upstairs, but downstairs in the bar it was all blue and, this Saturday, rather empty. There were, however, a few real ales, quite a bit of craft keg and a few foreign bottled beers to choose from. Most made sensible choices but one did go over the top and go alcohol free. No names, eh, El Tel.

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Brew York

x-Panda

4.5

D

3.5

Chinook and Summit

Sharp's

Crosshaven

4.2

D

3.5

Oatmeal Stout

Huyghe

Delirium Tremors (Belgian)

8.5

B

You can taste the strength

Westmalle

Tripel (Belgian)

9.5

B

Frank said very nice!

Becks

Blue (German)

0.5

B

For the connoisseur (TM)

Onwards through the rain to the Woodstock Road, with only a slight diversion for PV in the Jericho Cheese shop.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Lamb and Flag

Oxford

OX1 3JS

Comment

Owned by the nearby St John’s College, the small Georgian frontage of the pub is deceptive – the pub goes a long way back down the adjacent passage. A free house, the pub stocks a couple of Palmers beers, Betty Stogs, Old Peculiar and 3 changing guests. Mengo ended up at the medieval rear where we again came across the other beer tourists from the Old Bookbinders. They looked as wet as us but were in fine spirits.

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Church End

Stocking Filler

4.5

D

3.5

Pale Ale

XT Animal

Flounder

4.6

D

3.5

Brown and hoppy

Kent

Centennial

4.5

D

3.5

Single hopped pale ale

Augustiner

Vollbier Helles (German)

8.5

B

Pub

Location

Post Code

Eagle and Child

Oxford

OX1 2AT

Comment

This pub is also owned by St John’s College; but this one appears to be run by Nicholson’s. There was really noting which would have normally attracted Mengo, but it had to be done for the Inklings connection with Tolkien and Lewis. The two small snug’s at the front give way to a small bar area and onwards to the conservatory, where we settled.

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Van Steenberge

St Stefanus (Belgian)

7.0

B

Alias beer – Augustijn Blond

The group got a little disorientated on the way to the next pub until we found a very nice person who guided us to its door.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Grapes

Oxford

OX1 2AT

Comment

After all the ancient pubs it was nice to come across a Victorian pub, complete with some of the original tiling. The single room was long a thin, with the bar taking up most of the length of one side with the drinking area separated by a timber balustrade. The pub was busy with a cheery bunch. The staff was helpful and one customer gave invaluable guidance to our next pub. There was plenty of real and keg beers available and some foreign bottled; the only problem being PV got distracted by the guidance and omitted to record the bottled choice.*

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Loose Cannon

Abingdon Bridge

4.1

D

3.5

Copper session ale

Flying Monk

Dark Lane

5.5

D

3.5

Milk Stout

Sierra Nevada

Hop Hunter IPA (American)

6.2

B

Armed with directions, we headed off down Broad Street, found the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ and the headed down the small winding passage to our next venue.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Turf Tavern

Oxford

OX1 3SU

Comment

This curious pub might be difficult to find but it was packed with locals and tourists. Moving away from the small bar area we found seating in a larger room towards the far end. The toilets were outside, across the passage which now resembled a stream

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Belhaven

Smoke Stack Stout

5.0

D

3.0

What it said on the tin

InBev

Leffe Blonde (Belgian)

6.5

B

The next pub was located off the High Street down – you guessed it – a passageway.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Chequers

Oxford

OX1 4DH

Comment

This fine old pub dates back to the 16th Century and was, surprisingly not very busy; but then the weather was so bad many shoppers would have given up and gone home. Run by Nicholson’s, the pub was comfortable, and above all else, dry and warm. Good real ale list and a German bottle to tempt the rest.

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Hawkshead

Windermere Pale

3.5

D

3.0

Pal and hoppy

Adnams

Sloe Storm

4.0

D

3.0

Winter Ale brewed with sloes

Drygate

Seven Peaks

5.0

D

3.5

Mosaic IPA

PaulAner

Munchner Hell (German)

4.9

B

Emboldened by our recent navigational success, we headed off further down the passage and did find it came out near our next destination. RN headed off for the station and home.

Pub

Location

Post Code

St. Aldates Tavern

Oxford

OX1 1HU

Comment

This old coaching in dates back to the 18th Century. Can’t remember much about it other than it offered a fine range of real ale. By now PV had lost the plot a bit a failed to record the foreign beer again.*

Brewer

Beer

%

D/B

Mark

Comment

Prescott

Chequered Flag

4.1

D

3.5

Cascade and Willamette hops

XT

8 Dark Roast

4.5

D

3.5

Chocalate roasted malt

Erdinger

Weissbier (German)

5.3

B

Duvel Moortgat

Vedett (Belgian)

5.2

B

Then we opted to miss the final pub (The Jam Factory) and head back to the station for the 18.00 to Reading. We caught up with RN at North Camp; he must have been on the same train but missed out on TM’s feast.

*Subsequently added on investigation