A brewery took along one of its famous delivery shire horses to celebrate its pub being named pub of the year by real ale fans.

The Butchers Arms in Balscote was voted North Oxfordshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023 for having the best quality beer, the best selection of beers and ales, and most knowledgeable staff.

The grade II-listed pub has been a Hook Norton Brewery Pub since 1878, it still has the original ice house in the garden.

Hook Norton Brewery, one of only three breweries in the UK with working, delivering Shire horses, took along Brigadier to say hello.

 

 

The brewery posted on its website: "Lovely afternoon celebrating The Butchers Arms Balscote winning North Oxfordshire Branch CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023.

"Great support from the village and Brigadier enjoyed a pint of Hooky straight from the cask."

The Shire team is busy training up our young Shire Horses, which unfortunately means deliveries are currently on hold.

But Brigadier, Balmoral and Nelson should soon be seen again fully harnessed to a loaded brewers dray weaving their way through local Cotswold villages and country lanes.

A spokesperson for CAMRA North Oxfordshire said: "We had fantastic feedback from the branch members who took part in the voting this year.

"Everybody received a friendly welcome, and a great pint of beer, in all of the shortlisted pubs. The final tally was close, but ultimately The Butchers Arms deservedly took the top spot.

"Thank you to everybody who took part: the teams at all of the short-listed pubs, all of the committee who organised the competition, and of course all of the branch members who visited the pubs and cast their vote."