FAMILY-run Hook Norton Brewery, held another of its popular open days recently as it launched is new Barm Cellar Bar.

The day also offered the opportunity for people to visit the main brewery as well as the microbrewery which started in October 2014. On site attractions included children’s activities, craft stalls, musical entertainment and a display of historic military vehicles from the Military Vehicle Trust of Oxfordshire and North Cotswolds.

The Barm Cellar bar is available for private functions and had a range of beer on offer to sample or buy. The slate of the bar top came from one of the troughs - called a barm - that was used to store the yeast. On a hot day the cool cellar had the beer available at just the right temperature.

Staff and volunteers explained the brewing process to visitors which included showing the specific barley and hops used to brew the different beers. The hops are mostly from the Hereford and Worcester region, with varieties such as Challenger, Cascade and Fuggles, along with one hop from the USA Willamette, which is used for the Gold variety.

The barley comes mainly from local Cotswolds farms as well as East Anglia.

Guides explained the ten stages of beer making using water pumped from a well below the brewery to crushing, mashing and adding the malt to the copper vats, through to fermentation, cooling and cask racking.

The steam engine is still in place, but due to the high cost of oil the belt is now driven by electric motor, and was demonstrated to the visitors who were able to taste some of the beers and take some home at a discounted price.

Outside, an extra treat for visitors was the appearance of the two shire horses, Nelson and Major, which pull the dray to local pubs under the control of head draysman Roger Hughes. They even were treated to their own pint of Hooky ale after their efforts.

The brewery with a string of award winning ales began operation in 1849 and still has strong family connections with managing director of brewing, James Clarke, being the fifth generation of his family to be involved.

Two of the beers on display Red Rye and Twelve Days have just won gold awards at the recent World Beer Awards.