The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has named the best four pubs in the country as part of its Pub of the Year 2017 competition, one of the most respected and well-known pub awards in the UK.
Among the finalists is the Weavers Real Ale House in Kidderminster, a relatively new one-room micropub. This micropub serves eight real ales and four ciders and perries on handpump and has six craft beers on tap. A short walk from the railway station, it's the perfect place for a pint and a chat on the way into town.
Also in the running for the second year in a row is the Stanford Arms in Lowestoft, East Anglia (pictured). A thriving traditional back-street pub, the Stanford Arms serves mainly local beers and ciders, and boasts live music at the weekends.
Finally two rival pubs from the North West have made the list this year - Wigan Central in Wigan and the Cricketers in St Helens, Merseyside. Wigan Central boasts a unique railway-themed interior and sources real ale from all over, with continental bottled beers displayed in a ‘beer library’. The Cricketers in St Helens is a friendly local community pub saved from closure just four years ago that boasts 13 handpumps on the bar and runs beer festivals and jam nights throughout the year.
All of the pubs in the competition are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix and most importantly – quality of beer. The four finalists will now have a chance to win the National Pub of the Year title for 2017, which will be announced in February 2018.
National Pub of the Year Co-ordinator Andrea Briers said: “All of these pubs should be very proud of themselves for reaching this stage in the competition. It is a huge honour to be considered one of the top four pubs across the country. While each of these pubs offers something unique to their visitors, they all share the foundation of what makes a great pub - a warm and welcoming atmosphere, excellent service and a fantastic range of beers.”
The four finalists will be presented with their super regional award at local events over the coming weeks.