Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds Pub Excluded from Good Beer Guide 2026

Jeremy Clarkson, the celebrated television presenter known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and Clarkson’s Farm, has faced a surprising setback with his latest venture, The Farmer’s Dog pub in Oxfordshire’s Cotswolds. Despite its popularity and widespread acclaim, the pub has been omitted from the prestigious Good Beer Guide 2026, published by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The snub has raised eyebrows among fans and locals, given the pub’s high profile and its role in showcasing Clarkson’s Hawkstone beer brand, as well as its prominence in the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Video.

Clarkson purchased the former Windmill pub in Asthall, near the picturesque town of Burford, for approximately £1 million in 2024. The acquisition marked a new chapter for the presenter, who has transitioned from motoring journalism to farming and now pub ownership, as chronicled in his hit series. After extensive renovations and a complete redecoration, The Farmer’s Dog opened its doors in August 2024, just in time for the bank holiday weekend. The pub, set against the stunning backdrop of the Windrush Valley, quickly became a magnet for both locals and tourists, drawn by its rustic charm and Clarkson’s celebrity status.

At the heart of The Farmer’s Dog is Clarkson’s Hawkstone brand, which offers a range of alcoholic beverages, including lager, cider, IPA, and stout, all brewed with ingredients tied to his Diddly Squat Farm. The pub’s menu, emphasizing British-grown produce, has garnered rave reviews, with dishes like steak pie and Sunday roasts earning praise for their quality and local sourcing. The establishment’s prominence was further amplified by its central role in the latest season of Clarkson’s Farm, which documented the challenges and triumphs of opening the pub amidst bureaucratic hurdles and logistical complexities. Social media posts from the pub’s Instagram account, boasting thousands of views, have showcased its vibrant atmosphere, from quirky drinking games to scenic views of the Cotswolds countryside.

Despite this success, The Farmer’s Dog was notably absent from the Good Beer Guide 2026, a definitive resource listing 4,500 of the UK’s top pubs for cask beer quality. The guide, released on September 24, 2025, included 67 Oxfordshire pubs, highlighting establishments like The Bear Inn in Oxford and The Bell Inn in Adderbury. Another notable omission was The Bull in Charlbury, a well-regarded pub led by Michelin-starred chef Sally Abé, which hosted former US Vice President Kamala Harris earlier in 2025. The exclusion of both high-profile venues sparked curiosity, prompting The Oxford Mail to seek clarification from CAMRA on the selection process.

A CAMRA spokesperson explained, “The Guide is the definitive guidebook to pubs that serve great cask beer, and uses an independent, volunteer-led selection process that makes it the authoritative and trusted voice of cask beer drinkers. Listings in the Guide are highly competitive and do change year on year. Entries in the Guide are decided by the hardworking volunteers of local CAMRA branches across the UK.” The organization emphasized that its scoring system focuses exclusively on the quality of cask beer, disregarding factors like food, décor, or ambiance. Throughout 2024, CAMRA members submitted scores ranging from 0 (undrinkable) to 5 (perfect), with venues requiring at least five scores to be considered for inclusion. This rigorous, beer-centric approach underscores the competitive nature of the guide, where even popular pubs may not make the cut if their cask offerings fall short of CAMRA’s standards.

The omission of The Farmer’s Dog may be particularly surprising given its focus on Hawkstone beers, which include cask options like the Butcombe Original Ale, introduced in collaboration with Butcombe Brewing Co. in 2025. However, CAMRA’s criteria prioritize consistent cask beer quality, and it’s possible that The Farmer’s Dog, having opened only a year ago, has not yet accumulated sufficient scores or met the exacting standards of local CAMRA volunteers. The pub’s emphasis on Clarkson’s bottled and kegged Hawkstone products, while popular, may also have shifted focus away from cask beer, which is CAMRA’s sole focus.

The snub adds to the challenges Clarkson has faced since entering the pub trade. As reported by GB News on January 26, 2025, Clarkson has described running The Farmer’s Dog as “near-impossible” due to financial pressures, theft, and regulatory demands. He has also voiced concerns about potential government restrictions, such as lowering the drink-driving limit, which could deter customers and further strain the pub industry. Despite these hurdles, The Farmer’s Dog has thrived as a tourist destination, with visitors flocking to experience its Cotswolds charm and connection to Clarkson’s Farm. Reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor have praised its food, service, and views, though some have criticized high prices, such as £17.50 for two pints, including a £2.50 charge for reusable cups.

The exclusion from the Good Beer Guide does not diminish The Farmer’s Dog’s appeal or success as a cultural and commercial venture. For Clarkson, the pub represents a continuation of his mission to promote British agriculture, a theme central to both his farm and his Hawkstone brand. The Good Beer Guide snub may sting, but it is unlikely to deter the thousands of fans who queue to visit, drawn by the promise of a pint of Hawkstone and a taste of the Cotswolds. As CAMRA’s volunteer-driven process suggests, inclusion in the guide is not guaranteed, even for high-profile establishments, and The Farmer’s Dog may yet earn a spot in future editions as it refines its cask offerings.

For now, Clarkson’s pub remains a vibrant addition to Oxfordshire’s hospitality scene, even without CAMRA’s seal of approval. Its absence from the Good Beer Guide 2026 highlights the competitive and specialized nature of CAMRA’s selection process, which prioritizes cask beer excellence above all else. As Clarkson continues to navigate the complexities of pub ownership, his fans and patrons will likely continue to support The Farmer’s Dog, ensuring its place as a beloved destination in the heart of the Cotswolds.