7th October 2007

Hook Norton builds on reputation for excellence

Hook Norton is building on its reputation for excellence and quality by joining Cask Marque, a brewing industry accreditation scheme, which provides drinkers with a reassurance about the quality of the real ale being served to them.

The North Oxfordshire family brewer is nominating 12 of its licensees for the prestigious Cask Marque award. To achieve the Cask Marque award licensees joining the scheme will be visited unannounced by an independent assessor twice a year, who will rigorously check on the quality of all the ales on sale.

Licensees passing the audit will be able to display a Cask Marque plaque outside their pub. Licensees failing the Cask Marque audit will not receive the quality award. In addition, as part of the process Cask Marque has been engaged to undertake cellar management training to give their staff wider product knowledge and a better understanding of best practice in the cellar.

Hook Norton currently operates more than 40 pubs across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Hook Norton’s Managing Director, James Clarke said: “We are a family Brewery that cares deeply about the success of the independent business people who run our pubs. Joining Cask Marque sends a positive message to consumers about the quality of the drinking experience that customers should enjoy in our pubs.

“For the licensees that run our pubs, Cask Marque provides the skills to ensure the excellent Hook Norton beers that we deliver to pubs will be still excellent when they are drunk by customers.”

Cask Marque Managing Director, Paul Nunny said: “It is great that Hook Norton, one of the country’s leading brewers, recognises the importance of working with its tenant business partners who run the pubs to provide an exceptional drink experience. Investing in staff training will increase sales and yields and the Cask Marque award will give customers a reassuring guarantee. We look forward to working closely with Hook Norton.”