An Oxford brewery has dedicated one of its bottled beers to an Oxford University college ghost.

Oxford Brewery at Horspath, near the BMW Mini factory, supplies beers to lots of pubs in the city including the Lamb & Flag, The Jolly Farmers and the Harcourt Arms.

The brewery formerly known as Shotover, has been run by Alistair and Moira Ross since 2016.

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It features a tap room which is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so drinkers can visit and sample the beers.

(Image: Pete Flynn/Oxford Drinker) Quiz and music nights are a popular feature and offer an opportunity for musicians from all musical genres.

One of its most distinctive beers, Headless Laud, is dedicated to a ghost which apparently haunts St John's College.

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Mrs Ross said: "Headless Laud is quite a strong beer - it costs £10 a bottle.

"We started to make it in 2017 and the guys from CAMRA would come in to check it - we still have lots of bottles left.

(Image: Pete Flynn/Oxford Drinker) "A lot of our beers have distinctive names - I really like Matilda's Tears.

"Our tap room opens at 4pm and usually shuts at 11pm."

The brewery switched its name to Oxford Brewery during the pandemic and its other beers include Scholar, Porter, Prospect and Trinity.

The bottled beer named after the ghost is called Headless Laud - a cellar-aged Old English IPA.

The brewery website says: "Legend has it that St John’s College is haunted by the headless ghost of Archbishop William Laud, a former pupil and Chancellor of the University.

"He had the misfortune to be beheaded in the Tower of London and is still to be seen in the college Library, kicking his head around like a football.

"This English IPA (7.1% ABV), based on a recipe from 1865, has been conditioning since December 2017 and is now in perfect condition.

"A smooth-drinking strong ale with massive complexity, underlying resinous pine notes and a reach earthiness of dark fruit and caramel, balanced by floral hop character. Guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits."

The Dark Oxfordshire website said William Laud was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles I in 1633 and supported the King during the English Civil War.

(Image: Google Maps) He was arrested by Parliamentary forces in 1640 and kept prisoner in the Tower of London for five years, before eventually being beheaded in January 1645.

The website adds: ""Laud was a student and later a fellow at St John's College, Oxford, and after his execution, his body was returned to the college and buried in the chapel.

"His ghost is said to often be seen bowling his head across the library floor!"

For more visit oxfordbrewery.co.uk

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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