Hook Norton Brewery: BHS Visit April 2025

Hook Norton Brewery: BHS Visit, 1 April 2025

Report by Phil Wilson

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Our first BHS visit of 2025 took us to the iconic Hook Norton Brewery in the village of the same name, a few miles from Banbury. BHS has visited on several occasions over recent years, and it was good to be back at one of the few remaining Victorian tower breweries still in operation.

The brewery's beginnings can be traced back to 1849 when Scottish maltster and farmer John Harris purchased land and a maltings in Hook Norton. Beer brewing is thought to have started around 1856 as evidenced in a brewing record that shows a 'Mild XXX' produced late in that year. The striking tower building itself was constructed in the 1890s under the guidance of Harris's nephew Alban Clarke.

In 2024, Hook Norton celebrated 175 years since John Harris's original purchase of land in the village. The brewery is still very much a family run business currently under the stewardship of James Clarke who we had the opportunity to meet during a very enjoyable sampling session at the end of our tour.

Our guide (Monty) gave us a very comprehensive tour starting with a climb to the top of the tower and then working our way down following the traditional brewing process. A significant amount of the original brewing equipment is still in situ (and in use) and the 25hp steam engine, installed in 1899, is kept in working condition but only run a few times each month.

Our tour included a visit to the stable yard and a meeting with two of the brewery's shire horses. Hook Norton currently has 37 tied houses and horse-drawn dray deliveries are still undertaken to The Pear Tree Inn and The Sun pub in the village. We concluded our visit with a sampling of a few Hook Norton classics including Hooky, Off the Hook IPA and Hooky Mild.

Adjacent to the brewery is a fascinating museum housing many brewing artifacts plus the Malthouse Café – both well worth a visit.