The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the four finalists for its Pub of the Year competition, one of the most respected and well-known pub awards in the UK.
Pubs are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, community focus and most importantly – quality of beer. The four finalists will now have a chance to win National Pub of the Year, which will be announced in February 2017.
Among the finalists for the first time is the George & Dragon in Hudswell, a previously closed Yorkshire pub which has been reopened by the local community. Not all pubs are protected under planning laws and many can be converted or redeveloped without planning permission. With 21 pubs closing every week, some communities are actually taking on running of their much-loved local to save it from closure, with great success.
The Stanford Arms in Lowestoft is also among the finalists for the first time after significant improvements to the free house once returned to local ownership. Other finalists include two previous CAMRA National Pub of the Year winners. The Salutation Inn in Ham and the Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton (pictured) are now in the running to join the few pubs which have taken the award more than once.
Andrea Briers, CAMRA's National Pub of the Year coordinator, praised the top four pubs, all of which featured in the Good Beer Guide 2017. 'To finish in the top four is a fantastic achievement. Each of these pubs serves as an example of the best of what British pubs have to offer – a warm and welcoming atmosphere, excellent service and a fantastic range of beers.
'Pubs play a huge role in local communities and can help people make friends and build networks. The fact that two new entrants have made it into the final round this year following a change in ownership shows that in the right hands, many pubs can thrive. We need to see even greater protection afforded to pubs so that our locals cannot just be demolished or redeveloped without a say from the local community.'
Each of the four finalists will be presented with their Super Regional award at local events. The National Pub of the Year will be announced in February 2017.
The Regional Finalists are as follows:
George & Dragon, Hudswell
At the heart of the village, this homely multi-roomed country inn has a large beer terrace offering fantastic panoramic views over the Swale Valley. Rescued and refurbished in 2010 after a successful community buyout, it now offers its own library, shop, allotments and various other community facilities, as well as food and drink. Either Rudgate Ruby Mild (4.4% ABV) or Wall's Northallerton Dark (4.5% ABV) are always available, with other beers mostly from Yorkshire breweries.
Salutation Inn, Ham
CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year again and former national Pub of the Year 2014, this cracking rural freehouse/ brewpub is within walking distance of the Jenner Museum and Berkeley Castle. The enthusiastic landlord has turned brewer (Tiley's), keeping an inspired selection of ales and eight real ciders and perries. The pub has two cosy bars, a lovely woodburner and a skittles alley/ function room. Food is served lunchtimes and occasional evenings only. Live folk music and piano sing alongs occur fairly regularly.
Stanford Arms, Lowestoft
The spacious open-plan bar has a large array of handpumps serving mainly local beers - it is a rare outlet for Redwell brewery. A fine collection of beer trays adorns the walls. To the rear is a courtyard garden with its own wood-fired pizza oven (Friday is pizza night) and a small aviary. A food night is held most Wednesdays (booking required) and a dish of the day is available late Saturday afternoons. Live music features on most Saturday evenings and on Sunday afternoons.
Swan with Two Necks, Pendleton
Dating from 1772 as a licensed farm, the pub sits beside the stream in the heart of the village. The landlords have been in charge for 30 years and are renowned for their welcome and hospitality. National CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2013, you will find five beers here (including a mild) and a changing cider on the bar. CAMRA members receive a discount. Home-cooked, locally sourced food, is served daily; booking is essential at weekends, especially for the Sunday roast.