With cosy corners and glowing fires in the winter and lively beer gardens in the summer, the Great British pub is a trusty place of refuge year-round. And, of course, every Brit has their firm favourite.
But what really makes one pub a cut above the rest? The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), a consumer organisation promoting real ale across the UK's pubs and bars, has a pretty good idea.
Since 1988 CAMRA has been judging pubs up and down the country based on atmosphere, decor, service, community focus and the quality of the beer to determine which ones are the very best. And today (January 12), it has announced its pub of the year.
For the second year running, the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth, Staffordshire has scooped the number one prize. CAMRA described it as ‘an impressive brewpub located in a sixteenth century shop front, falling within the shadow of Tamworth’s historic Norman castle’ and judges praised it as an ‘excellent example of a pub at the centre of its community that supports a wide variety of diverse local activity groups, with knowledgeable, helpful staff to help you find a real ale or cider to suit your taste’.
In a testament to just how good it is, the Tamworth Tap is only the second venue ever to win CAMRA’s coveted title for two consecutive years.
George and Louise Greenaway, the pub’s owners, said: ‘We aren’t just a pub; we are a hub of the community, and we aim to bring people together. That and the perfect pint is what it’s all about. Thank you to all at CAMRA, from branch to national level, for recognising what The Tap stands for.’
The runners-up for this year’s edition were the Nelson Arms in Tonbridge, Trafalgar Hotel in Ramsey (on the Isle of Man) and The Beer Engine in Skipton.
Find the perfect pub with Time Out
We know that pub culture is a core part of the UK’s DNA – so it’s only right that we let you know the very best boozers around. Take a look at our guide to the top 50 pubs in the London and our take on the best pubs in the whole of the UK.
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