The Ocelot Oxford and Newbury 121 July 2016 edition

Brewery Bird Why not try something new this summer? The Beer Column by Brewery Bird Ah Summer. According to the seasons, it apparently starts in June, but I think we can safely say that wasn’t the case. Not in terms of rainfall vs big yellow ball in the sky anyway. But we’re apparently assured of better weather over the next few weeks so what better way to anticipate this than checking out a few thirst-quenching brews from three local micro-breweries you may or may not be familiar with! LAM Brewing, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxon Founder Kurt Moxley started brewing in October 2014 in his kitchen, but happily earlier this year he was able to move into a purpose built brewery. Kegs, cans and a much awaited fourth beer RYE NOT will hopefully be hitting Oxford bars soon. LAM (which stands for Laugh A Minute) started with three bottled beers, including the rather quaffable Happily Indian Summer 3.5%ABV- a hazy amber session ale, glorious flavoursome creamy-citrus textures from the late addition of coriander, aroma packed with floral and fruity tones from the dry hopping. A light quaffing real beer. (Bottle-conditioned 330ml – available from Oddbins, Oxford) Indigenous Brewery, Chaddleworth, Newbury I first stumbled across Indigenous Brewery at the 2015 Reading Beer Festival where brewer Kevin Brady was offering samples from various unlabelled bottles – my favourite of which at the time was a 4.5% stout. Kevin started brewing (for research purposes) in 2011, and spent subsequent years testing out his brews on unsuspecting villagers at local events – most of whom I imagine are now loyal customers. Summer Solstice Pale at 4.1% is an English pale ale with grassy, biscuit and citrus aromas. Quite dry, but refreshing on a hot summer’s day with malty cereal flavours followed by a hint of lemony citrus. Available in cask (ask your local Freehouse to oblige) and 500ml bottle-conditioned from Inn At Home, Newbury and other discerning outlets. Beer Bores, Colerne, Wiltshire Beer Bores are old chums and drinking buddies Mark Hempleman Adams and Paul Dabson who were the original founders of Box Steam Brewery in 2004. BSB was sold on in 2007 and the pals have spent subsequent years drinking beer and moaning about not brewing beer. So in January 2015, they took the plunge once more and Beer Bores was born. Toad Stabber was the first brew (which this drinker has yet to try), but it’s the Wiltshire Blind House a 4.6% dark but hoppy and fullbodied beer (which the less inebriated may remember was once a core beer of the original BSB line-up) that has caught on. This was named to celebrate the Blind Houses of Wiltshire which were smallish stone buildings often used to lock up local drunkards. Sounds like another good idea - more beers available from July onwards, and rumour has it, their own gin at some point. Other brews to look out for: - Haresfoot, Berkhamstead, Sun Dial 3.8% Golden ale - Philsters Ales, Little Haseley - 4.2% Hoppy Pale Ale www.theocelot.co.uk 35 Ocelot 121 Ox2.indd 35 20/06/2016 19:34

The Ocelot Oxford and Newbury 121 July 2016 edition | Page 35