If you’re a dedicated Time Out news reader, or an avid fan of articles about pub awards, you might remember back in August when CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) published its regional winners for Pub of the year, officially naming the 17 best pubs in the country for 2024. The list is based on a complex set of criteria including, ‘decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.’ Lovely stuff.
But, alas, there cannot be 17 winners of ‘pub of the year’. CAMRA has had to bid adieu to 13 nominees and whittled them down to a final four. These establishments represent the absolute best of the best in the British pub scene, and should be very proud of themselves for making it this far.
So who made the cut? Black Horse in Preston, the ‘West Pennines’ winner, Three B’s, Bridlington, which was the Yorkshire champ, Little Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill, Greater London’s entrant, and the West midlands’ Bailey Head. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, we expected better from you.
But what did these free houses have that the rest didn’t? The judges described the Black Horse as, ‘a fantastic example of Victorian architecture’, highlighting its ‘tiled walls and meticulous mosaic flooring throughout’ as particular standouts.
Down in Winchmore Hill, they were impressed by a dedication to, ‘the quality and diversity of cask beer,’ while the Bailey Head stood out thanks to ‘one of the largest beer ranges of any in Shropshire’, as well as their organising regular activities for the community.
Finally, the Three B’s ‘represents what a micropub can bring to a community,’ and set itself apart with its dedication to serving Bridlington from its welcoming of everyone, including four legged friends, to its weekly charity pub quiz. Basically, they’re all excellent.
The final will be in January, so we still have a little while to wait to see who will end up 2024’s top dog in the business, but while you wait you can learn more about all 17 of the regional winners on CAMRA’s website here. Grab a pint and have a read – Sunday plans sorted.
Pubs according to Time Out
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