Playing Hooky, a new book chronicling the 175-year history on Hook Norton Brewery, by Adrian Tierney-Jones, is being launched this month.
The book, with a cover illustration by Oxfordshire landscape artist Josephine Trotter, reveals the history of the well-loved brewery, its iconic Victorian Tower Brewhouse, its people, and the challenges it has faced over the years.
“It has been a fascinating project over the last two years,” said Hook Norton managing director James Clarke, great great grandson of founder John Harris. “Whilst I was confident, I would learn more about the history, I learnt a whole lot more, the ups and the downs, with the common theme of family.
“Working with Adrian was a pleasure, and reminded me of just how lucky I am to work with an amazing team of people, in a lovely brewery, in a family business, and to work with my sons, just as my father worked with me in this beautiful brewery of my ancestors.
“I hope this book is a suitable acknowledgement to 175 years, a significant milestone, and I am extremely proud to be at the helm in this momentous year.”
Adrian added: “Writing and researching this book has been immensely rewarding as I have delved through the brewery’s archives, including brewing records, the minutes of board meetings, and correspondence between members of the family and various suppliers, down through the years, or even centuries, for this is a brewery whose life spans three centuries and several generations of the same family.
“In writing the book I also wanted to show how the brewery mirrored the massive changes that occurred in the British brewing industry, including the strictures of the world wars, the changing tastes within beer, especially the coming of lager and keg in the 1970s and the more recent emergence of craft beer, and the various characters who served Hook Norton’s beer in its pubs. It has been a fascinating journey, and long may it continue!”
Josephine Trotter said: “The Hook Norton Brewery has been part of my life since we moved to the village 50 years ago. My late husband, Angus Irvine, who died nine years ago, very much participated in the life of Hook Norton with Bill Clarke, James’s grandfather, and Paula Clarke, James’s mother, and we have been lifelong friends, seeing each other through life’s ups and downs. Every Friday we would take our big brown jug down to The Gate Hangs High to be filled up with Hooky for the weekend!
“I was so delighted when James asked me to produce a cover for this wonderful history of the brewery. I loved the challenge of combining the three elements he had in mind: Brailes Hill, the Shire horses, and the brewery.
“The building itself was tricky — there is so much going on, so it needed to be simplified — but it all came together and I feel the composition works well.”
A special event to celebrate the book will be held at the brewery on Tuesday, 15th October, from 6pm to 8pm, hosted by James, Adrian, Josephine, and the brewery’s newest and youngest shire horse, Cromwell.
Playing Hooky is available in the brewery shop and online at hooky.co.uk
