Branch Awards

Spring is the time of year when we decide on the three major branch awards; the Pub of the Year, the Club of the Year and the Cider Pub of the Year.

Pub of the Year

In the last issue of Ale Cry we announced the 6 finalists in our Pub of the Year competition and set out the judging criteria. With all the disruption during last year it was decided that the committee would draw up the shortlist, although we hope to make the selection process open to all branch members for next year’s competition. The six pubs that were chosen for the shortlist were: BLACK HORSE (Preston), DOLPHIN (Longton), MARKET ALE HOUSE (Leyland), MASONS ARMS (Chorley), PLAU (Preston) and RED LION (Wheelton).

The pubs were selected taking into account the criteria applied to the national competition. Pubs are judged on the following points: • Quality and condition of product • Promotion and knowledge of product • Cleanliness and staff hygiene • Service, welcome and offering • Style, Decor and Furnishing • Community Focus and Atmosphere • Sympathy with CAMRA aims • Overall Impression and Value

The judging process was an interesting one, and when the scores were in, there was one clear winner. All but one of the judges voted the RED LION as the best pub and it scored highest overall in every single judging category. The BLACK HORSE was the runner up and the MASONS ARMS third.

The presentation was held on 10th February. The pub was packed with staff and their families, locals and branch members. It was all a bit chaotic, but some great beer was being served and an enjoyable evening was had by all. Congratulations to Richard, Nikki and their team for turning this into a great pub, which now goes forward into the next round of judging where it will come up against the other Lancashire branch winners. We wish them well.

Club of the Year

With so many good pubs in our branch area, it’s very easy to overlook the fact that we have some excellent clubs out there, serving interesting beers in great condition. Last Autumn we had a social trip to Croston and visited the CROSTON SPORTS CLUB. We were impressed with a smart appearance of the premises, a modern and cosy interior and a couple of cask beers on offer. There is usually something on from Moorhouses plus a guest – on that particular visit it was from Rooster’s, but will often come from local breweries. They run a beer festival at Easter and clearly care about their real ale, so this year we are delighted to select them as our Club of the Year. We have a social in Croston planned for 26th May and hope to make the presentation to them then.

Cider Pub of the Year

Since we last gave out a Cider Pub of the Year award, there have been some significant changes to our definition of what constitutes real cider. This has meant that many of the most readily available ciders are no longer considered to be ‘real’ – including such well known brands as Westons, Gwynt Y Ddraig and Lilley’s. That’s not to say that these brands are not good and worth drinking, but as they are no longer considered ‘real’ it removes rather a lot of our pubs from contention for this award. We’ve taken the rather unsusual step this year of selecting a pub that not only does not serve any cask ale, but also where the cider is not on draught, but in bottles. NIKO, on Guildhall Street in Preston only opened in July 2021, but with a decent selection of bottled real cider, it ticks all the boxes and we are delighted to make them our Cider Pub of the Year 2022.

ADRIAN SMITH

Shepherds’ Hall Ale House, Chorley

The award winning Micropub is expanding.

We already have 5 cask lines, 10 keg lines, extensive whisky, cider, wine and gin menus BUT we need more…

Bringing you the VICTORIA ROOMS

With ale still at its core we are seeking to bring our brilliant drinks offer to more customers, in luxurious and safer surroundings with hospitality and community at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to welcoming you.

NOW OPEN

63–67 Chapel Street, Chorley PR7 1BS