Heard the one about the friends who quit their office jobs to launch a brewery? Marc West finds Loose Cannon’s success gives ale-lovers plenty to smile about

Isn’t it every man’s dream to own his own pub… or better still his own brewery?

Well, four years ago, after a few pints down their local, Will Laithwaite and Jon Travis quit their office jobs and decided to do just that.

Once they had finally brewed a beer that resembled drink more than drain cleaner, they decided to take on the big boys – and they’ve gone from strength-to-strength from the moment they started trading as Loose Cannon.

With their empire growing from a small unit on a non-descript industrial estate on the outskirts of the Abbey town, their raison d’etre is to re-establish the 300-year-old tradition of brewing in Abingdon and finally bring real ale kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

As I swung open the door and muscled my way in from the cold a wonderful hoppy aroma greeted me and I knew this was the right place for the tasting event – the giveaway was the crowded bar with (mostly) men of a certain age.

I got straight in with a pint of 251 – named in honour of the former neighbouring MG factory and referencing the prefix of the factory’s telephone number and subsequently the first three digits of every chassis ever made by the sports car manufacturer.

It’s a brown ale that may be as dark as night but I’m sure many who would normally resist such a brew will see the light.

It’s clear the team aren’t interested in making just A.N.Other beer. Much thought goes into each and every one – so much so that they scooped their first (of probably many) award in March.

“These evenings are more than just tastings,” explained founder Will Laithwaite.

“They’re a unique opportunity to experience our range at source and get a sense of not only what we do, but who we are.”

In a nutshell, they add (Thames) water, malt, hops and yeast to a hopper, mash tun, copper and fermenter to boil, ferment and rack...before adding their own very special ingredient: a healthy dose of passion delicately mixed with an infectious enthusiasm.

The facility is not too dissimilar to a school chemistry lab, but on a giant scale – producing on average 7,500 litres every week.

Following a tour by brewer Craig Buddle we were treated to a takeaway supper of sausage and chips, perfect to soak up some of that alcohol before trying another pint.

Abingdon Bridge is a traditional thirst quenching best bitter with a modern twist – their first and still most popular brew from a full-time range that covers most people’s palates and tastes, plus four seasonal rotations throughout the year.

With nine brews on tap to “enjoy responsibly” you’re positively encouraged to book a taxi for the ride home.

Oxford Mail:

The brewery’s all-you-can-drink tours have been so successful they’re fully booked until January 6.

Tickets are available now from lcbeers.co.uk priced at a very reasonable £15, making it (pint for pint) on the night by far the cheapest place to drink in the south of England.

Or, in the meantime, you can enjoy a glass or two of Abingdon’s finest at OX4’s newly-reopened pub The Chester.

The family-friendly free house has a well-kept selection from Loose Cannon’s arsenal of brews on tap to be enjoyed with “the best roast in town” (according to Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes) at their cosy establishment tucked away on a quiet corner just off Iffley Road.

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