Video Highlights

Event Write-up

On Wednesday 9th July, BFBi members were welcomed to the historic Hook Norton Brewery, nestled in the village of Hook Norton near Banbury, Oxfordshire. This timeless Victorian brewery has been in continuous operation since the mid‑19th century.

Guided through their impressive five‑storey tower brewery, the group experienced the traditional brewing process in action—from malts and hops to the fermenters and the iconic grist mill. Highlights included the steam engine installed in 1899, believed to be the last in Britain still capable of powering equipment for its original use. Architectural features such as original wooden stairs, Victorian wood‑beam structure, and gravity-fed workflows illustrated how brewing tradition sits side‑by‑side with modern ingenuity.

The members learned how open fermentation remains central to Hook Norton’s process—especially for their signature session bitter, Hooky.

The tour concluded in the atmospheric cellar bar with a tasting of the brewery’s core beers and seasonal selections. Members sampled classic offerings such as Old Hooky Best Bitter and the Double Stout.

Thank you to all at Hook Norton for hosting the BFBi team and it’s members.