IT WAS all cheers at the Oxford CAMRA branch's awards evening on Wednesday.

Awards were given out for best beer, town and village pub of the year, and city pub of the year in a ceremony at St Aldates Tavern.

Hook Norton Brewery's What The Fox took the accolade of best beer, after being judged at the Oxford CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival in October.

Twenty-six year-old brewer Jamie O'Sullivan said: "We got asked to make a four per cent pale ale for The Fox in Chipping Norton to celebrate them being open two years.

"We put a recipe together using Australian and American hops and the anniversary and beer festival were at similar times so it was a really fresh beer for the festival."

Oxford Mail:

The Brewery Tap in Abingdon won the town and village pub of the year for the third year running, and a fourth time in total.

Matthew Heritage took over the reins in 1998 and runs the pub with his wife Jacquiline.

He said: "When you've been in the role so long, you get time to hone skills and figure a target market.

"A pub nowadays can't survive alone on great wet sales, you've got to do other bits like food and accommodation."

Oxford Mail:

The final award - city pub of the year - was won by The Royal Blenheim.

Steve Hay, 47, the pub's general manager, said; "We had to get back into the Good Beer Guide so this is the first time we could re-enter the CAMRA awards.

"I couldn't do it without the staff, who are fantastic, and the customers who I want to thank as well."

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After four years in the role as chair of the group, Pete Flynn announced he is stepping down.

He said: "It's been a lovely beer journey, you meet all sorts of people and it's been a real education in beer. I know now every decent pub around here."

National chain Wetherspoons was also present through Leo Cogan, 24, and Johnny Roberts, 22, from The Four Candles.

The duo are aiming to support local breweries, as pub manager Mr Cogan explained: "The closer the brewery the better as there is less time in between the brewery and the tap.

"Students are a big part of our trade and there's a big appetite for real ale in Oxford."