14th October 2007

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide recognises excellence in Hooky pubs.

Hook Norton’s purchase of The Falcon pub, Thame in 2006 has saved the pub from oblivion says the Campaign for Real Ale.

As a reward for the hard work put in by The Falcon’s licensees Paula Dimmock and Chrissy Harris, the friendly community pub is included in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2008 for the first time. To make their success even sweeter, The Falcon is the only pub in Thame to be included in the Good Beer Guide.

Only the very best outlets for cask beer are included in the best selling guide, which is the biggest selling and most influential annual guide devoted to beer and pubs in the UK. Paula Dimmock said: “We have yet to complete 12 months at the Falcon, but being listed in the Guide is a wonderful recognition of the hard work we have put into this pub.

Before we took on the pub it was in danger of closing, but with the support of our customers it is once again a thriving community pub.” Chrissy Harris said: “We pride ourselves on serving good beer and good food. And we like to involve our customers in choosing the beers which go on sale.

Serving the perfect pint is important to us, and tribute has to be paid to my husband Jon and Paula’s husband Paul, who work so hard to keep the beer in top condition in the cellar.” The Falcon is reaffirming itself as Thame’s best community pub with the return of a ladies and mens darts teams to the pub. The Falcon joins a fabulous list of 11 Hooky pubs - which are published in the guide – including several for the first time.

John Bellinger at The Bell Inn, Adderbury said: “Words can’t describe how much being in the Good Beer Guide means to us. Inclusion in the guide confirms that our customers are especially pleased with the quality of our beer and the effort we put in at The Bell to serve the perfect pint.” According to the Guide, The Peyton Arms in Stoke Lyne makes a welcome return. “Enter here for a true welcome and enjoy top quality Hook Norton ale and conversation,” says CAMRA.

At the Marston Inn, Marston St Lawrence drinkers are guaranteed a lively enthusiastic welcome by the taxi driving magician landlord of the pub, says the guide. The Good Beer Guide is more than just a pub guide. Britain's longest-running and best-selling guide contains Britain's best pubs for real ale.

It's compiled by CAMRA’s 82,000 dedicated volunteers. There are no fees for listings, and every pub is checked many times a year.

Hook Norton’s Managing Director, James Clarke said: “We are a family brewery that cares deeply about the quality of our beer, wherever it is sold. For the consumer group CAMRA to recognise the commitment to excellence made by so many of the tenants who serve Hook Norton beers is a wonderful accolade.”

Hook Norton pubs listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2008

Oxfordshire

Northamptonshire