Cider pub is named best in the Midlands

A PUB in Hinckley has been named the best cider pub in the whole of the East Midlands.

The Pestle and Mortar on Castle Street, which will be celebrating its first birthday during the bank holiday weekend, has taken the title above all other contenders across Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

The accolade has been bestowed by members of Camra, the campaign for real ale, whose East Midlands regional cider coordinator Chis Gascoyne is to present the pub with a special award on Sunday at 2pm.

Votes in support of The Pestle and Mortar were first cast by the 550 members of Hinckley and Bosworth branch of Camra before being boosted by support at county and then regional stages of the competition.

The pub was finally picked as the best of the best by East Midlands Camra judges.

Hinckley and Bosworth Camra branch secretary Richard Lewin said: “It’s quite an achievement after only one year.

“A really outstanding result.”

Celebrations at the pub will begin on Friday with a cider tower featuring 21 ciders and up to six real ales.

Saturday will see birthday cake and balloons, with Bodgers Mate playing live in the evening.

Sunday’s presentation will be accompanied by nibbles and there will be special offers on all ales and ciders from 5pm each evening as a thank you to customers for their support over the past 12 months.