Loddon Brewery

The Loddon Brewery is an independent brewery based in Dunsden Green in Oxfordshire, near both Henley on Thames and Reading.

History

Loddon Brewery was launched by Chris and Vanessa Hearn in 2002 following the closure of Brakspear's brewery in Henley, where Chris and his head brewer Steve Brown worked. Its name derives from its location in the Loddon Valley and the River Loddon.

In 2016 their son Dan joined the business, as did their second son Luke in 2019.

The brewery has won numerous awards for its traditional real ales, including the 2006 Tesco Drinks Awards (Bottled) and multiple CAMRA [1] and SIBA [2] awards.

It won Newcomer of the Year at the Henley on Thames Business Awards 2004,[3] and Chris won Business Person of the Year in 2006.[4]

In 2008, the brewery's Ferryman's Gold won a silver medal in the golden beer category at the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival in London.

In 2018, long serving Head Brewer Steve Brown retired. Jake Bartleet-Perry joined from Bradford Brewery, having previously also worked at Nightjar Brewery, bringing with him a new direction of more experimental craft beers.

Loddon Brewery is based in Dunsden Green on the Phillimore Estate within walking distance of Caversham, Emmer Green, Henley-on-Thames and Reading. The brewery is well used by cyclists and walkers and is both dog and child friendly.

Beers

The Brewery produces six year-round beers:

  • Hoppit (Classic Bitter) - 3.5%
  • Reading Best (Golden Best) - 4%
  • Hullabaloo (Best Bitter) - 4.2%
  • Ferryman's Gold (Golden Ale) - 4.4%
  • Citra Quad (Single hop session IPA) - 4.4%
  • NOTUS (American Pale) - 4.7%

In addition, Loddon Brewery produces 12 monthly specials:

  • January - Glaistig (Scottish Wee Heavy) - 5.5%
  • February - Six Pack (Blonde Ale) - 4.2%
  • March - Begorrah (Oast Stout) - 5%
  • April - Gorgeous George (English Bitter) - 4.3%
  • May - Sharp end of the Lemon (Lemon and Ginger Pale) - 4.5%
  • June - Waistcoat (Cask Pilsner) - 4%
  • July - Summer Snowflake (Pale Ale) - 4.1%
  • August - Colour Outside The Lines (Double dry-hopped IPA) - 5%
  • September - Shmoke Shtack (Smoked Porter) - 4.8%
  • October - Hocus Pocus (Old Ale) - 4.6%
  • November - Disparity (White Stout) & Disparity (Black IPA) - 4.8%
  • December - Razzle Dazzle - 4.3%

Plus Quad beers, a bi-monthly range of single hop session IPAs:

  • Jan-Feb - Eureka! Quad (US, dark fruits, herbal) - 4.4%
  • March-April - Rakau Quad (NZ, Passionfruit, Pine) - 4.4%
  • May-June - Ekuanot Quad (US, Citrus, Tropical Fruit) - 4.4%
  • July-August - Pekko Quad (US, Floral, Melon) - 4.4%
  • September-October - Eagle Quad (Slovenia, Red Berry, Pepper) - 4.4%
  • November-December - Idaho 7 Quad (US, Mango, Grapefruit) - 4.4%

Beer is available to purchase directly from the brewery in 500ml bottles. Draught beers are available to take away in 2, 5, 10, 20 and 40 litre containers. Plus 2 litre refillable glass growlers.

Loddon bottled beers are available in Budgens, Co-Op, Majestic wines and a host of independent off licenses,

Tap Room and Store

The taproom was opened in 2018 and you can enjoy a pint of Loddon straight from the source.

Featuring five rotating Loddon beers (three cask and two keg), the taproom has indoor and outdoor seating and surrounded by beautiful countryside.

In 2019, an outside decking area was installed.

As well as a wide-screen TV in the Tap Room, the brewery also has a 2m x 1.5m giant screen in the brew house, with HD projector and surround sound. This is used to show a range of free to air sporting events such as Rugby and Football World Cups, Football European Championships, Six Nations Rugby and all major horse racing festivals.

Keg beers are available anytime – and you can always get a cask beer from the cellar –  but if you want a pint through the handpumps they’ll be available:

  • Thursday – 10am to 6pm
  • Friday – 10am to 8pm
  • Saturday – 10am to 7pm
  • Sunday – Closed

Last orders are called 30 minutes before closing time.

As well as beer; wine, spirits, teas, coffees, and soft drinks are all available over the bar.

The Store stocks a wide range of local produce (all sourced from within 40 miles of the brewery) including:

  • Spirits from Cotswold Distillery, Hobbs of Henley, Chalgrove Artisan Distillery, Twisting Spirits, Santa Cruz and The Oxford Artisan Distillery.
  • Cider from Tutts Clump
  • Preserves from Caversham Jam Lady
  • Honey from Coppid Hall
  • Chutneys from Well Preserved (made with Ferryman's Gold and Hullabaloo)
  • Pickles from Windy Mills

The Store also stocks a range of popular wines from Laithwaites and alcohol free Seedlip distilled spirit.

Cold bar snacks are available, including homemade sausage rolls and cheese straws. Locally produced biltong and pork scratchings are also a favourite with locals.

Beer Club

Loddon has a thriving Beer Club. Benefits include:

  • Cask pints for £2.50 (Keg £3.50)
  • 10% discount on all Loddon products
  • 3 member socials each year (each member can bring 1 guest) including an open bar and BBQ
  • Branded polo shirt
  • Branded pint glass
  • Bottle of beer

Sponsorship

The brewery are elite sponsors of Henley Hawks RFC, Bunkfest Music Festival, Reading University RFC, RAF Benson Bulldogs RL and Wallingford RFC.

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2008-02-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. News Item
  3. Visual Information : Henley Business Awards Ceremony Archived 2008-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Index
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