Closed down microbrewery to reopen in Oxford after seven years

Oxbrew Taproom Ltd is the second reincarnation of Oxbrew, a microbrewery first formed by Aaron Baldwin and his stepfather Simon Scamp in Enstone, near Witney, in 2016.

In a statement a spokesperson for the brewery said: “OXBREW is back!

“After a period of what one might politely call “strategic hibernation” since 2019, OXBREW is stirring again in Oxford. New site, bigger bones and just enough space to finally bring the original dream to life.

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Simon Scamp, left, and step-son Aaron run Oxbrew (Image: Gem Toes-Crichton)

“The Brewery, Taproom and Smokehouse are very much a work in progress (translation: please don’t expect to pop in for a pint next week).

“But the foundations are laid, the ambition is intact and the beer will be worth the wait.”

The microbrewery which shut down after an unsuccessful merger with another brewing company has submitted plans to launch a new taproom near Oxford’s city centre.

Mr Baldwin has relaunched the business, applying for a premises license for a site in Botley, on the Osney Mead Industrial Estate.

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Symm House in Osney Mead Industrial estate, where Oxbrew Taproom plan to set up (Image: Madeleine Evans)

An application lodged with Oxford City Council specifies that the premises will be used as a brewery and taproom with outside seating, plus a shop, collections and online sales packaging, with food and drink served on site.

The new spot its earmarked for is Symm House, which was the home of building company Symm for 200 years before it went into administration in 2020.

The application said: “Our brewery and taproom will be more than just a place to enjoy excellent beer and locally sourced food prepared freshly on-site.”