Here’s something some of you may be interested in… it’s something we have certainly been thinking about of late, ie… Good Regional Pubs. We’ve picked out six of the sixteen shortlisted pubs from “Up The Top End”. See excerpt CAMRA’s recent press release below.

Refreshing to know that 78 new breweries opened in last 12 months, CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2011, announced there are now a staggering 767 breweries operating in Britain – four times the number when CAMRA was founded back in 1971. Allowing for closures, that’s a net increase of 56.

The 2011 Guide, launched Thursday 16th September 2010, announced Britain’s Top 16 pubs.

The 16 CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year winners will compete to be crowned National Pub of the Year later in 2010.

Pubs are judged in a number of areas which include Customer Service, Decor, Clientele Mix, Value for Money, Atmosphere and of course, the quality of the beer and cider!

The top Northern pubs appearing in the new Good Beer Guide are described as follows: 

Merseyside / Cheshire / North Wales
Brewery Tap, 52 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1RU

Situated on the first floor of a former Jacobean banqueting hall, the pub is accessed via steps from the street. The large room has stone floors, high ceilings and tapestries, creating a terrific ambience. A comprehensive, frequently changing list of real ales from micros, many local, complements the Splitting Feathers house beers, giving drinkers a wide, balanced choice. The real cider is usually Westons Traditional Srumpy. Inventive, freshly prepared food is served. An unmissable gem.

Scotland
Albert Tavern, 2 High Street, Freuchie, Kingdom of Fife, KY15 7EX (Page 640, Good Beer Guide 2011)

Friendly village local, reputedly a coaching inn when nearby Falkland Palace was a royal residence. Wainscot panelling and two old brewery mirrors adorn the walls of the bar, and both bar and lounge have beamed ceilings. A TV in the lounge screens sports. Four handpumps offer weekly-changing guest beers, usually including a dark mild. Outside is a small patio area. Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year 2002, 2009 and runner-up 2008. National Pub of the Year runner-up 2002.

North West
Taps, Henry Street, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 5LE (Page 240, Good Beer Guide 2011)

This multi award-winning one-roomed pub has six varying guest beers including a cask mild. The pub supports the local lifeboat and rugby team, and much memorabilia is displayed. The landlord is the only person to win Branch Pub of the Year in two different pubs. The venue stocks a regular changing real cider.

North East
Surtees Arms, Chilton Lane, Ferryhill, Durham, D17 0DH (Page 144, Good Beer Guide 2011)

Large multi-roomed traditional pub owned by CAMRA members. Guest beers are sourced from local and national breweries and the real cider also changes regularly. Annual beer festivals are held in the summer and at Halloween. Live music and charity nights are regular events. A function room is available for private gatherings. Lunches are served on Sunday only. The pub is also home to the Yard of Ale micro-brewery, established in 2008, and its beers are permanent in the pub.

Greater Manchester
Knott Bar, 347 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LY (Page 321, Good Beer Guide 2011)

A well-established venue with a great mix of customers serving both local and national brewery beers. The excellent public transport links make this an ideal start / end point for a pub crawl. Food is served 12-8pm daily, with monthly themed epicurean nights a speciality. There is always a real cider available from a box, together with an extensive selection of foreign bottled beers.

Yorkshire
Ferryboat, Ferry Lane, Thorganby, YO19 6DD (Page 526, Good Beer Guide 2011)

This warm and welcoming local CAMRA award winning pub is in a beautiful rural setting with a large beer garden running down to the River Derwent. It is popular with birdwatchers, ramblers and cyclists, while the river attracts fishermen and boaters. Run by the same family for more than 60 years, the landlady makes beautiful home-made sandwiches and the landlord gives meticulous attention to his guest beers. Dogs are welcome in the garden.

A copy of the CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2011, is available here.

By Dave on September 20, 2010