Hook Norton Brewery

 Introduction

This evening, I am reporting on a recent tour of the Hook Norton Brewery in the English Cotswolds.

Preparing Shire Horse for local deliveries 

Information on Hook Norton Brewery.

This is the oldest independent brewery on Oxfordshire and has been brewing since 1849. The current premises date from 1900.They use gravity feed and still house much of the original machinery. This includes a 25hp steam engine. 

 Brewery Plant

Basic Beer Manufacturing Process 

Milling cracks malted grains to expose starches. Mashing mixes this with hot water, activating enzymes to convert starches into fermentable sugars. Lautering separates the resulting sweet liquid (wort) from the spent grain. Boiling sterilizes the wort and extracts flavors from hops. Finally, yeast is added during fermentation to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Images

Still working 1899 steam engine. Now used as a back-up

 Malted Barley 

 

 4000 Gallon Mash Tun 

 Grist Mill Dating From 1899.

Fermentation

Tasting Final Product

Production comprises cask ales, lagers, stouts, and ciders. Their annual output includes flagship lines like Hooky Bitter, Old Hooky, and Cotswold Pale, which are distributed weekly within a 60-mile radius and sold at their own tied pubs.

The brewery has a tied estate of over 30 pubs, primarily located in and around Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire.

In addition to traditional brewing there is a restaurant on site which caters for meals from breakfast onwards throughout the day. 

More Information

Below are links to popular local, Cotswolds villages,historic sites and towns which may be of interest to visitors.

Whichford: Best known for it's pottery and connected restaurant/cafe.

Long Compton:A quite village which is home to the well regarded Red Lion Inn.

Brailes: High elevation. Split into 'Upper Brailes' and 'Lower Brailes'. 

Hook Norton:Classic honey-coloured houses. Here is an excellent brewery which offers tours and refreshments.

Rollright Stones: An evocative stone circle being part of a group which spans nearly 2000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age Development. 

Cherington: A quiet village.

Stourton (Cotswolds Distillery):Adjacent to Cherington. Distillery tours and refreshments  are available

Shipston-on-Stour: A market town close to the River Stour.

Moreton-in-Marsh: An historic market town situated close to the Roman Fosse Way.

Chastleton:Home to an impressive 17th century mansion.

Bourton-on-the-Hill: A traditional village with glorious views.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Technically, not within the Cotswolds but famous as the birthplace (and burial place) of William Shakespeare.

Swalcliffe: A fascinating village with Saxon origins which is close to an extensive Roman settlement.

Chipping Campden: A popular visitor destination with thatched houses and a 17th century market hall.

Broadway Tower: Visitors can climb 1024 feet to the top and avail of superb views.

Stow-on-the-Wold: A large village with extensive honey-coloured properties dating from 18th century, 

Upper Slaughter: Extremely picturesque small village featuring a stream and ancient manor house.

Lower Slaughter Quaint limestone cottages bordering a stream with a water mill visitor attraction. 

Bourton-on-the-Water: Extremely popular tourist destination with river and model village.

Cotswold Farm Park: Rare breeds a speciality.

Winchcombe: An ancient village close to Sudeley Castle and a prehistoric burial site.