Review: Teardrop Bar, a Concept Shop and Micro Pub

Teardrop Bar is one of the latest editions to Oxford Covered Market, taking on the old Haymans Fisheries spot and run by the brains behind Church Hanbrewery. If you haven’t come across Church Hanbrewery before, they’re based in Church Hanborough (the name probably gives it away!) and have been producing beer since 2015.

I discovered the joys of Church Hanbrewery at the Cowley Road Carnival last year, impressed with their single hop pale ale. Their tagline ‘cloudiness is purity’ comes from their commitment to traditional brewing methods, with no use of clarifying agents or preservatives – so you know there are no nasties in your beer.

After a successful stint before Christmas, Teardrop has just reopened with more fixtures, a greater selection of draught beer, bottled beer, spirits and champagne. While modest in size, this nano pub packs in up to 8 beers on tap and at least 2 tapped straight from the cask, which I think is a really nice touch.

The bar has a selection of local spirts (TOAD featuring as their gins), local champagne and a freshly made Caipirinha cocktail. Another nice touch is that you can take draught beer away in growlers of up to 3 litres. A good selection of bottles from Church Hanbrewery are also available, plus other beers from local breweries such as Little Ox.

First off, I went with their oak-smoked porter ‘a beer for Doug’ (5.3%). Very dark brown and hazy, with a small amount of light brown head, this has a rich, sweet aroma which makes you think it will be much heavier drinking than it is. The taste is refreshing while still being rich and flavourful with subtle smoky notes. A well-rounded porter which is easy drinking, and I really like the smoky flavour which doesn’t overpower.

The second beer I went for was ‘teardrop citra’. Since my last taste, it’s had a makeover! Luciana mentioned it’s been given more hops (which I can vouch for!). This is a very hazy beer so don’t be alarmed (cloudiness is purity after all!) and has a really hoppy, fruity aroma. On drinking, the citra hops are the star of the show, packing a hoppy, fruity punch. It’s quite a rich beer for the strength (4.2%) and feels slightly viscous when you drink – overall a really flavoursome beer and if you like your hops, it’s a winner!

Servings come in 1/3^rds or 2/3^rds and priced at £1.80 and £3.50 respectively. A 500ml bottle will set you back £3.95.