Originally the New Inn, and dating back to 1838, it was once a tied house of Francis Wintle's Forest Brewery in Mitcheldean. The name was changed to the Hearts of Oak by Whitbread in the 1970's. The pub is set back from the road and has a pleasing symmetrical frontage.
Admiral Taverns were the owners of the Hearts of Oak. During their ownership a succession of tenants failed to make a success of the village pub and it closed early in 2020.
The property was boarded up and, over the course of two years, the Hearts of Oak was left unkept and unloved. Finally, free of pubco tie, the Hearts of Oak was taken on by Steve and Sara Gibson and their son Tom, who had previous experience at the Mill Inn in Withington.
The Hearts of Oak reopened in January 2022 and is now once again a welcoming community pub in Drybrook. A free house, but real ales are usually sourced from the Wye Valley Brewery.
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 3 regular beers.
Hearts of Oak, Drybrook