Hook Norton Brewery is raising a celebratory pint after clinching two prestigious medals at the 2025 World Beer Awards, marking another milestone in the long history of one of Oxfordshire’s most iconic brewers.
The brewery’s much-loved Old Hooky Premium Ale secured a Silver Medal, while Hooky Best Bitter earned a Bronze Medal, placing both firmly on the global stage in a competition that recognises the very best beers across internationally recognised styles.
Managing Director James Clarke said the awards highlight the expertise and passion of Hook Norton’s brewing team:
“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition from the World Beer Awards. It’s a testament to our brewing team’s passion, expertise, and dedication. Old Hooky and Hooky Best are staples of our range, and it’s fantastic to see them recognised on the global stage.”
Celebrating Oxfordshire Brewing Heritage
Founded in 1849, Hook Norton Brewery has been at the heart of Oxfordshire’s brewing tradition for 176 years. Known affectionately as Hooky, the family-run business still operates from its original five-storey Victorian tower brewery, one of the last of its kind in the UK.
This rare “gravity-fed” system means that ingredients are added at the top and flow naturally down through each stage of the brewing process, a living link to 19th-century brewing methods. Visitors can still witness the iconic steam engine, installed in 1899, which once powered much of the brewing machinery and remains in working condition today.
The awards for Old Hooky and Hooky Best Bitter add to a proud legacy of traditional, handcrafted beers that have become synonymous with Oxfordshire pubs.
Award-Winning Ales With Global Reach
Old Hooky Premium Ale, first brewed in 1978, is a strong, rich, malty beer with notes of fruit and toffee that has built a loyal following across Oxfordshire and beyond. The silver medal at this year’s World Beer Awards cements its reputation as a true English classic.
Meanwhile, Hooky Best Bitter, a 3.6% session ale, remains a go-to pint in village pubs and city taverns alike. Its bronze award showcases the enduring appeal of well-balanced, traditional bitters at a time when craft brewing trends often favour the new and experimental.
Both beers are available year-round on cask across Hook Norton’s own network of more than 30 pubs, in free houses across the region, and in bottled form. Through its export programme, Old Hooky has even found fans as far afield as Australia, bringing a taste of Oxfordshire brewing to the world.
Tourism and Community Spirit
Beyond brewing, Hook Norton has become a key part of Oxfordshire’s tourism and cultural landscape. Today, the brewery is one of only 32 surviving family-owned breweries in the UK and remains the finest example of a working Victorian Tower Brewery.
The site is more than just a brewhouse: visitors can explore its free museum, enjoy local produce at the Malthouse Kitchen Café, browse the brewery shop, or hire one of its meeting spaces or even have your we4ddign there. The brewery also owns and operates 36 pubs across Oxfordshire and beyond, many of which act as cornerstones of their local communities, serving award-winning beers alongside hearty food.
The brewery visitor centre and museum welcome thousands of people each year, offering tours, tastings, and an insight into the heritage of British beer-making.
Events such as the annual beer festival, open days, and seasonal celebrations attract locals and visitors alike. The site also houses a shop and Malthouse Kitchen café, where guests can sample Hook Norton’s beers alongside locally sourced food.
The brewery continues to support the wider community, whether through charity fundraisers, preserving historic pubs, or offering apprenticeships and brewing careers for local people.
Looking to the Future
While heritage is at the heart of Hook Norton, the brewery has also embraced innovation. Alongside its traditional cask ales, it produces a rotating range of seasonal and experimental brews, often collaborating with other breweries or local producers.
Sustainability is a growing focus too: the brewery is investing in greener energy use, water efficiency, and exploring how to reduce waste across production. These steps ensure that while Hook Norton celebrates the traditions of the past, it is equally committed to brewing responsibly for the future.
A Toast to Oxfordshire
For locals, the awards are not just a win for Hook Norton Brewery, but for Oxfordshire itself. At a time when many regional breweries face challenges from changing drinking habits and economic pressures, the recognition reaffirms the enduring appeal of traditional, quality beer.
Visitors can take home the award-winning ales direct from the brewery shop or order online at hooky.co.uk. And for many, there’s no better way to experience them than in their natural setting, a pint of Old Hooky by the fire in one of the brewery’s historic pubs.
With two more medals to add to its name, Hook Norton Brewery remains a proud standard-bearer for Oxfordshire’s brewing heritage — and proof that tradition, community, and quality still have a strong place on the world stage.
