The Taphouse Team Expand to the Inner West with Oxford Tavern Acquisition

Brothers James and Josh Thorpe of Darlinghurst’s award-winning craft beer pub, The Taphouse, have added a second venue to their portfolio, with the acquisition of The Oxford Tavern in Sydney’s Petersham. The beloved Inner West pub is an opportunity for the team to inject their love and knowledge of beer into another community institution.

James Thorpe, Co-Founder of Thorpe Hospitality Group, said: “The Oxford Tavern has been one of our favourite Inner West venues for a long time. The pub has a rich and colourful history in the area, and whilst we will be refreshing certain elements, it is really important to us that the pub retains its incredible charm”.

The Thorpe’s are incredibly passionate about local, independent beer and breweries, so it is no surprise that they will launching a brewing label, with the ultimate goal of installing a brewery in the venue. “We’d love to brew our own beer for the pub – ridiculous, commercially unviable beers that are tasty and a lot of fun. Everything from hazy to barrel aged, sour and even smoked”, says Thorpe.

To celebrate the venue takeover, the team have brewed their own New England IPA with their friends at Capital Brewing Co. The Oxford Brewing Racket x Capital Brewing Co. “Hi-Vis” Neipa with Mango and Tumeric will be launched in venue on Australia Day (event details below).

Given its location in the heart of Sydney breweries, the pub will be focusing exclusively on locally owned, independent breweries on tap and will also introduce a wide range of craft options, with a particular focus on ‘hyper-local’ (breweries within a 5km radius of the pub).

The Oxford Tavern is famous for its smoker BBQ, so there will be a big focus on restoring it to its former glory. The Taphouse’s much-loved and awarded Sunday roast will also make an appearance, but with a BBQ twist. Think smoked brisket or pork belly, lashings of gravy, roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli and a Yorkshire pudding to match.

“We really want The Oxford Tavern to be inclusive and open to all. The new Tavern will be a venue that doesn’t take itself too seriously – a fun, relaxing environment with fresh, local beer, great food and all-round good times for everyone”, says Thorpe.

The team will kick off their new tenure with two exciting events across the Australia Day long weekend:

Drain the Swamp Tap Extravaganza “$5 Schooeys/Cans – Friday 25 January from 5pm “We are super into local, independent beer. For this reason, we need to make a shedload of tap space to bring you all the tasty brews we have in store. We are putting up $5 schooners and $5 cans of pretty much everything on site to make this happen!”

Oxford Brewing Racket x Capital Brewing Co ‘HI-VIS’ Neipa launch party – Saturday 26 January from 12pm “We are proud as punch to announce our new brewing label “The Oxford Brewing Racket”. To celebrate, we have brewed a beer in collaboration with our friends at Capital Brewing Co called ‘HI-VIS’ NEIPA, a mango and turmeric New England IPA. Be sure to wear your HI-VIS!”

The acquisition comes fresh from the launch of Odd Culture, the group’s new first of its kind wild ale and natural wine bar. Located on the second level of The Taphouse, Odd Culture offers a constantly rotating menu of twenty beers on tap, twelve wines, and the largest bottle list of wild ales and sour beers in Australia.