IT'S just a short hop from brewery to pump for nine cask ales and seven keg ales served fresh to delighted locals in Botley.

CrackleRock Tap Room is just across the road from the brewery of the same name.

This hidden gem of a watering hole will be celebrating its third birthday in November.

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The brewery was formed in 2013 by Andy Ingram and Paul Whitfield, and the tap room was opened in 2015 before moving across the road in 2018.

It was located on one side of the Botley High Street, and loyal locals helped it move to its new premises just a few yards away.

"I guess the most memorable moment was the migration on a Sunday afternoon from the old tap to the new tap," said Paul Whitfield, who is well known to residents of Botley as the popular former landlord of The Bugle Inn.

"All the customers carrying the furniture across the road ready to have a complimentary drink in the new tap. We called it the CrackleRock migration!"

The CrackleRock team have invested in air conditioning and locals just love to enjoy a nice cool pint of beer in an air conditioned bar on a warm day.

A whole host of Covid changes had to be made, but staff say things are starting to settle down again now, although they have left a buzzer ordering system on the tables for those who don't feel comfortable going to the bar.

The quirky venue also hosts a quiz night on a Tuesday.

If you're not a fan of the vast selection of ales on offer, wine, gin, vodka and ale flights are all available, alongside a massive range of bar snacks.

CrackleRock Brewing Company & Tap Room comes with a wealth of experience in the industry.

Andy Ingram has been brewing beer for over 20 years in breweries large and small and had gone on to run a number of microbreweries of his own. He uses his extensive knowledge and experience to select the best hops and best processes to make CrackleRock ales.

He approached Paul, who also once ran the White Horse at Droxford. They originally built the brewery from old stainless steel dairy tanks.

  • CrackleRock Tap Room is our pub of the week. If you'd like us to feature your watering hole, click on the link below or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk