Pub raises glass to awards listing
A popular Crieff venue is in the running for an accolade at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards after receiving a recordbreaking 1400 nominations.
The Strath capital’s Tower gastro pub is one of the finalists in the critics’ choice gastro pub of the year category.
It will now compete for top prize against Aviemore’s Old Bridge Inn, Scran and Scallie in Edinburgh, Mhor 84 in Callander and The Drake in Glasgow.
Finalists will be invited to a Brazilianthemed awards ceremony – in honour of this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janiero – on August 16 in Glasgow.
The winners will receive a trophy made especially for the awards by Glencairn Crystal.
The Dram, the magazine of the Scottish licensed trade, started the licensed trade awards 21 years ago.
The awards are also backed by the biggest names in the drinks industry, including the BII, Caledonian Brewery, Diageo, Disaronno, Gordon & Macphail, Inverarity Morton, Isle of Arran Distillers, Kopparberg, Maxxium/ Mixxit, Molson Coors and Tennent’s, as well as Glencairn Crystal, Bright Signals, Flow Training and the Sunday Mail.
Nominations have been received from the public, who voted online, and organisers have appealed for people to help them pick the best by becoming a secret shopper.
Susan Young explained: “We’ve had a massive response to this year’s call for nominations and lot of quality entries from Perthshire and the rest of the country too.
“Although we have a team of mystery shoppers already, there is always room for more.
“So if there are any folk out there who consider themselves discerning they should contact dram@mail.com and tell us why they think they have the right credentials.”
She continued: “Our mystery shoppers will initially wine and dine and check out the best craft bars and service. Once they have given us their feedback we send a panel of judges out too.
“It’s a thorough process but very enjoyable too.”