| Re: Hook Norton Brewery's stable block to reopen after 2024 fire: 14 Feb 2026 Posted by Oxonhutch at 20:50, 10th February 2026 |     |
I can recommend their great brewery tour. They have a steam engine too.
| Re: Hook Norton Brewery's stable block to reopen after 2024 fire: 14 Feb 2026 Posted by ChrisB at 18:55, 10th February 2026 | |
They are going to be busy on Saturday! 0900-1600 for the above followed swiftly by Live Rugby on the big screen accompanied by the new brew....can recommend the bar/kitchen - great beer & Food too
| Hook Norton Brewery's stable block to reopen after 2024 fire: 14 Feb 2026 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:44, 10th February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Brewery's stable block to reopen after 2024 fire
A fire in May 2024 tore through the brewery's stable block
An independent brewery has announced its historic Victorian stable block will officially reopen on Valentines Day following a "catastrophic" fire nearly two years ago.
The blaze broke out at 177-year-old Hook Norton Brewery, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, on 20 May 2024. Nobody was hurt and the Shire horses used by the business for deliveries were also unharmed because they were out in the fields when the flames ignited, "oblivious to all the activity", said the brewery.
Head Coachman Nicholas Carter said: "These stables aren't just buildings, they're the heart of our working heritage."
The brewery's Shire horses will be on site to greet visitors at the open day
The brewery, which has been crafting ales, lagers and stouts since 1849 and still uses a horse-drawn dray for deliveries, has planned a special celebration to mark the return of its iconic Shire horses to their original home.
On 14 February, visitors will get a "rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of Britain's most distinctive brewing traditions", the brewery said.
Shire horses Balmoral, Brigadier and Cromwell will be on hand to greet beer fans alongside the draymen who look after them.
Pints will also be served at the horsebox bar, with all proceeds on the day going to the Fire Fighters Charity.
"These stables aren't just buildings," said Carter. "They're the heart of our working heritage, safeguarding this unique tradition and the role of the working Shire horse, both here at 'Hooky' and in the wider community for years to come. The newly restored stable yard is the perfect starting point for the team as we head into another busy year of pub deliveries and public appearances. The new facilities will allow us to deliver a first-class level of care to our hard-working Shire horses and also allow the public to get up close and personal with them."
A fire in May 2024 tore through the brewery's stable block
An independent brewery has announced its historic Victorian stable block will officially reopen on Valentines Day following a "catastrophic" fire nearly two years ago.
The blaze broke out at 177-year-old Hook Norton Brewery, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, on 20 May 2024. Nobody was hurt and the Shire horses used by the business for deliveries were also unharmed because they were out in the fields when the flames ignited, "oblivious to all the activity", said the brewery.
Head Coachman Nicholas Carter said: "These stables aren't just buildings, they're the heart of our working heritage."
The brewery's Shire horses will be on site to greet visitors at the open day
The brewery, which has been crafting ales, lagers and stouts since 1849 and still uses a horse-drawn dray for deliveries, has planned a special celebration to mark the return of its iconic Shire horses to their original home.
On 14 February, visitors will get a "rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of Britain's most distinctive brewing traditions", the brewery said.
Shire horses Balmoral, Brigadier and Cromwell will be on hand to greet beer fans alongside the draymen who look after them.
Pints will also be served at the horsebox bar, with all proceeds on the day going to the Fire Fighters Charity.
"These stables aren't just buildings," said Carter. "They're the heart of our working heritage, safeguarding this unique tradition and the role of the working Shire horse, both here at 'Hooky' and in the wider community for years to come. The newly restored stable yard is the perfect starting point for the team as we head into another busy year of pub deliveries and public appearances. The new facilities will allow us to deliver a first-class level of care to our hard-working Shire horses and also allow the public to get up close and personal with them."
