CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE SOMERSET BRANCH PRESS RELEASE

SOMERSET PUBS AND CLUB AWARDS

The members of the Somerset Branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have once again voted in their poll for the Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and Club of the Year and are pleased to announce the results.

The Pub of the Year award has gone to The Ship in Porlock (known locally as the “Top Ship” to distinguish it from “Lower Ship”, the Ship at Porlock Weir). It is the first time that this popular house in the picturesque Exmoor village has won the award and is the first in a while to take this honour in West Somerset.

The runner-up is another village pub, the Brewers Arms in South Petherton and third place goes to the Winchester Arms in Trull.

In the Cider category the title was retained by Pebbles in Watchet, which offers a tremendous choice of traditionally ciders and perrys from independent producers, both large and small.

Club of the Year,The Wyvern Taunton Pub in Taunton is the winner in this category. Although club membership is available and offers discounts of food and drinks it also welcomes non-members in the southern part of the county town.

Somerset CAMRA Branch Chairman Mike Cleveland commented:- “It’s always interesting to see which pubs and clubs our members regard as the best and this year’s award winners are all excellent places to go and enjoy a drink, and a meal if they wish, and to enjoy the unique ambience of a British pub, something that no “themed bar” can match.

As a county we are best known nationally for our ciders, and these can be enjoyed in many pubs, but we are also proud of our award winning real ale and craft brewers. We are pleased to honour our winners but we know that there are many other excellent pubs in the towns and villages and we would encourage anyone to go and enjoy them, be they the “local” or somewhere new on a day out. There is much to discover and enjoy.

For further comment on this release contact Mike Cleveland on 01984 634126 or The Star Pub in Watchet

Issued on behalf of Somerset CAMRA by

Phil Emond, 2 Northwood Close, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, TA2 6TD

Telephone: 07952 171 327.

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The following are the dates for presentations:-

Saturday 26th April Top Ship Porlock 12.30 POY. Pebbles Tavern Watchet 16.00 Cider POY.

Saturday 3rd May Winchester Arms Trull 12.30 3rd POY Wyvern Taunton Pub 16.00 Club OY.

Saturday 10th May Brewers Arms South Petherton 12.30 2nd POY.

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