A BREWERY is mixing up a new Oxfordshire beer to battle the controversial Castle Mill buildings.

The Save Port Meadow Summer Ale is being launched in the county’s pubs this weekend.

The new ale is currently cooling at Compass Brewery in Carterton after brewing began last week.

Twenty pence will go towards funding the Save Port Meadow campaign against the controversial Oxford University student development in Roger Dudman Way.

The group claims the Castle Mill accommodation buildings have too great an impact on Port Meadow and spoil views of the Dreaming Spires.

Save Port Meadow campaigner Iain McGlade, who organised the project, said: “The beer is bubbling away as we speak, I hope it will be delicious.

“I like a lighter, refreshing beer in the summer. We have a few local pubs around the Meadow who are selling it from this weekend.

“I fully believe that end of Port Meadow has been ruined.

“You can see the buildings from Wolvercote, and I play golf at Hinksey Heights and you can see them from there too.”

The 42-year-old beer fan, who lives in Walton Well Road heard of the idea from a Nottinghamshire brewery.

The beer will be launched in The Gardeners Arms, Jericho, The Rose & Crown, North Parade, and The White Hart, Wolvercote, for the Bank Holiday weekend.

The brewery has 1,250 pints mixed, cooling and ready to go on sale.

Head brewer Mattias Sjoberg said: “We are a local independent brewery and it is a campaign important to our local customers in Jericho, Botley and North Oxford, so we decided to create a one-off beer to help.”

He said the scheme was not a profit making project but the brewery was covering its costs. It is selling the beer at a discounted price to help the campaign.

The Gardeners Arms is selling the beer for £3.40 a pint although prices in other pubs may vary.

CPRE Oxfordshire is seeking a judicial review of Oxford City Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the university development. The ale will raise funds for the legal challenge, expected to cost £50,000. More than £10,000 has already been raised.

If all 1,250 pints are sold, then at least £250 will be raised, but campaigners say more beer will be produced if it proves a hit with drinkers.

CPRE Oxfordshire director Helen Marshall said: “It is wonderful to have this level of support from local businesses. It shows how important Port Meadow is to the community.”

Save Port Meadow campaign spokesman Matthew Sherrington said: “We encourage everybody to go for a walk across the meadow and raise a glass of Save Port Meadow Ale.”