Cheers to the best of region’s real ale pubs

CAMRA REVEALS ITS LIST OF TOP SPOTS

THERE will be plenty of celebrations at pubs and clubs around the region this week as the local branch of The Campaign For Real Ale reveals its list of top spots for a top tipple.

The Tyneside and Northumberland branch of CAMRA has just announced the winners of its annual Pub of The Year competitions and it’s great news for 29 boozers and clubs - some winning in more than one category - spread across Newcastle, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear. Among them are repeat winners and success stories which have earned their place in the heart of their community - and the CAMRA branch reveals that some pubs were neck and neck as first place picks that they could not be separated.

The first round of its competition involves an open vote with all 1,600 branch members given an opportunity every January to vote for their favourite pubs and clubs. The only criteria is that their chosen venue serves real ale or real cider - and some pubs here have scored in both.

With those singled out having a chance to advance to wider regional and even national competition, the branch then has to pick one overall winner to represent Tyneside and Northumberland in the regional competition based on set criteria including the condition of its beer; welcome at the pub and product knowledge. And it clearly will not be easy to decide.

The branch says that in Newcastle, the ‘age-old tussle between cat and mouse’ played out in the first round with micropubs The Mean-eyed Cat and The Town Mouse Alehouse which were unable to be separated so are both now being considered in the next round.

It adds that presentations are to be held over the next couple of months at the winning pubs.

Branch chairman Paul Hillhouse said: “This year’s competition was really close. While we have a few ties we also had a few pubs miss out by a single vote.”

“I find it heartening to see our members championing a wide range of venues,” he said.

“The micropubs have been strong for several years now but seeing community-owned pubs like Ye Olde Cross and traditional pubs in the mix really shows the mix of great pubs we have in our area.w

Northumberland branch of CAMRA has its 50-year anniversary this year and will celebrating it during its Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival at Northumbria University Student Union from April 10-13.