Top pubs and clubs are named for 2017

CAMRA members across the borough have named their pub, club and cider pub of the year.

A record number of votes were cast by nearly 600 members of Hinckley and Bosworth branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, based on quality of drinks on offer along with service, setting, facilities, community focus and support of Camra principles at each nominated establishment.

From a shortlist of nine, The Queens Head, in Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, was named pub of the year, with Hinckley micro-pub Elbow Room voted runner-up.

Last year’s winner, The Lime Kilns in Burbage, came third.

Queens Head licensees Phil and Dawn Jackson are no strangers to the award, having held the title for three years in a row from 2013.

They will now go on to compete in the East Midlands Camra pub of the year competition.

Club of the year for the second year running is Burbage and District Constituational Club, which last year also went on to be crowned East Midlands Club of the Year.

Said to be a clear winner of this year’s branch contest, it beat seven other clubs to claim the top spot again.

Club chairman David Banks will now see the club go forward for a chance to defend its regional title.

Hinckley’s Pestle and Mortar in Castle Street has also retained its title as cider pub of the year, which Camra branch secretary Richard Lewin described as “a remarkable achievement for a relatively new micro pub”.

Licensee Sue Williams will now go on to see the mini pub compete at regional level.

Mr Lewin explained: “The pubs shortlist is drawn up based on beer scores sent in by members over the previous 12 months - well over 3,000 scores.

“Clubs are slightly different as most are private and not open to the public.

“Many of them serve real ale and are pleased to admit our members free of charge (if they have signed up to Camra’s clubs scheme).

“For the cider pubs title only those pubs that serve real cider or perry are eligible.

“The drink must be made from fruit without additives and not from concentrate and must be available throughout the year.”

Only The Lime Kilns, Elbow Room and the Pestle and Mortar qualified for that category and only Camra members who are cider drinkers were eligible to vote.

Presentations of award certificates are to be made to the winning establishments in the next few weeks.