This week sees the return of the annual “Oxtobeerfest”, which is due to be held between three pubs in West Oxford.
Starting from Friday, the three-day event will take place at The Duke’s Cut in Park End Street, the Oxford Retreat in Hythe Bridge Street and the Jam Factory in Hollybush Row. The festival is in support of the local Hospice charity Sobell House.
This year’s festival has a Halloween theme and is the largest of its kind in Oxford, offering a wide range of ales and imported beers for all those who attend.
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James Knox, landlord of The Duke’s Cut, said: “It’s the only collaborative beer festival in Oxford. You buy a wristband for £5 which means you can get beers in all the pubs for £2.50 a pint, and there are food offers too.
“It’s all in aid of Sobell House hospice, which is a great local charity.”
Mr Knox said the weekend, which is sponsored by the Hobgoblin Brewery, is always good fun as punters move between the three venues sampling ales and Belgian beers.
He said: “I’ve got 12 guest ales on, the Retreat has five and the Jam Factory has tonnes. I think they have about 30 Belgian beers.”
Chris Keating, the marketing manager of Wychwood Brewry, owners of the Hobgoblin brand, said: “Wychwood Brewery is delighted to be the sponsors of Oxtoberfest for the third consecutive year.
“Supporting initiatives that encourage consumers to visit pubs and sample great beer is important – particularly as pubs come under increasing pressure in these tough economic times.”
He added: “It is also fantastic to be able to support an event that promotes high quality beer whilst, at the same time, raising money for an excellent local charity.”
Money raised from this event is going to support the Sir Michael Sobell House Hospice which provides palliative and end of life care to Oxfordshire residents.
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Kevin Game, a fundraiser for the hospice, said: “The Sobell House Hospice is tremendously grateful once again to the Oxtoberfest for their on-going support of Oxfordshire’s oldest hospice.
“Every year it costs in the region of £4 million to offer the service much of which is raised through the hard work and generosity of the community, without which we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
He added: “Last year we were able to offer specialist care and support to over 3,000 families throughout Oxfordshire, and the Oxtoberfest was one of many ways in which our supporters have helped us to do it.
“Thanks to everyone that has supported the event in the past and we hope this year’s event is just as good.”
The festival will run from Friday the 2nd November to Sunday 4th.
