In the previous edition I listed the 16 finalists in CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year. These have now been narrowed down to four. Sadly, none of them are in London but, if any of you are on your travels, I’m sure that they are all worth a visit. Two of them are previous winners while one of them has already won this year’s National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year award. The judging will, as ever, be on the basis of their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and, crucially, the quality of their cask beer, real cider and perry. For those pubs that have won the award previously, credit should be given for their ability to maintain their standards. In alphabetical order, these are the four.
Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth. CAMRA’s current National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year. A Victorian street corner pub with its own brewery. As well as cider and perry, it specialises in cask ale from East Anglia.
Pelican Inn, Gloucester. Grade II-listed and dating from 1679, a traditional community pub handy for the cathedral and the Kingsholm rugby ground. It features beers from the Wye Valley brewery, among others.
Tamworth Tap, Tamworth. A part Tudor, part 16th century building featuring a courtyard drinking area close to the Norman castle. It is the tap for the Tamworth Brewing Company and also sells a wide variety of cask ale from other breweries around the country. It won the National Pub of the Year award in 2022 and in 2023. It boasts a complete set of Good Beer Guides.
Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh. Run by the same family since 1858, it is a traditional bar with wooden floors, wood panelling and mirrors from defunct local breweries. The interior features an attractive Victorian gantry with old spirit casks. It won the national award in 1998 and made the final four again in 2018.
