Solway

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Awards


HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR PUB AWARDS.

What does it take to win our pub awards and how do we make our choices? We all have different likes and dislikes, but, in judging for our pub awards, we try to be as objective as possible by looking at our real ale pubs from a number of angles. Our Pub of the Year (PotY) must do very well across all of these “angles”. It must be a pub that, when you visit it, you really do want to (and often do!) cancel plans to go elsewhere! Similarly, our Pub of the Season should do well across the board.

How good is the beer?

This doesn’t mean the beer is to your personal taste! How clear and fresh is the beer? How “drinkable” is it? To be considered as a CAMRA PotY the real ale must be very good all the time! Not surprisingly, this is the most important category in our assessment. Style, decor and cleanliness

Is the pub well looked after?

Is the décor in good condition? Is the style appropriate to the type of pub? Are the tables cleaned and empty glasses cleared quickly? How clean is the pub, glasses and toilets? Is it so good you’d love to move in? Our PotY should always be very well looked after!

How good is the service & welcome?

How polite, warm, welcoming is the service you receive? If you have a query, how well is it dealt with? How well does the staff know the real ales they serve? Our PotY should strive to provide excellent, friendly service.

How well does the pub serve its community?

Does the pub have a community focus? Is the pub inclusive and welcoming to all sectors of the community? Is there a good atmosphere?

How well does the pub support CAMRA, principles?

Are prices and opening hours clearly displayed? Do you get a full measure or a top up without asking? Is real ale promoted in a positive way? To be our PotY, the pub's support for CAMRA/real ale should be obvious to everyone who uses the pub!

What is the overall impression of the pub?

How enjoyable was your visit? How keen are you to visit again? Would you like to stay a lot longer?

Assessing Pubs

We have a (fairly fluid!) "team" of around 25 members who regularly visit pubs in our area. They use the above "angles" to assess pubs and this provides a list of potential pub award candidates. At branch meetings, potential candidates are considered and a shortlist of four or five pubs is agreed. These are emailed to branch members who have the final decision on the winner. The result of the ballot goes to the following branch meeting and arrangements are made to present the awards. Simple as that!


The biggest award the branch makes is the 'Pub of the Year'

The Branch Pub of the Year 2023 and 2024. Congratulation to Tom and Beki at he Drovers Rest Monkhill who received the well deserved award They have followed that success by being voted Cumbria CAMRA Pub of the year 2023


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Eden Area Pub of the Year 2023 -The Agricultural Hotel, Penrith

The Branch Pub of the Year 2020, 2021 and 2022 is - The Fell Bar,Penrith
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City Pub of the Year 2023 -Milbourne Arms



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City Pub of the Year 2022 -The Kings Head


FOX AND HOUNDS ARMATHWAITE 2024 SPRING PUB OF THE SEASON

Many congratulations to Steve Jackson and his team at the Fox & Pheasant for being voted spring pub of the season by our branch members. The Fox & Pheasant has a beautiful setting overlooking the River Eden in the stunning village of Armathwaite. This atmospheric 17th century pub was once a coaching inn. The main bar has a flagstone floor and inglenook fireplace which has a welcoming roaring fire on chilly days.The former stables have been converted into a bar and eating area. Original wooden beams, exposed stonework and stable stalls all add to the ambience.

THE BLACKSMITHS, TALKIN 2023-24 WINTER AUTUMN PUB OF THE SEASON

The Blacksmith's is a friendly pub with a reputation for good beer, excellent food and fine accommodation. The pub has been with the Jackson family for well over 20 years. It serves the local community and visitors alike as a popular meeting place.The Blacksmith's attracts visitors from far afield to enjoy the delights of the local area as well as the beer and food!


FELL BAR, PENRITH 2023 AUTUMN PUB OF THE SEASON


CUMBERLAND INN, ALSTON 2023 SUMMER PUB OF THE SEASON

The Pub of the Year 2019 was - The Drovers Rest, Monkhill repeating its success in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018

In 2014 the Pub of the Year was the Fetherston Arms , Kirkoswald

In 2013 the Pub of the Year winner was the Agricultural Hotel.Penrith

In 2012 the 'Pub of the Year' winner was: The Kings Head, Carlisle.

In 2010 & 2011 the Pub of the Year winner was The Cumberland Inn, Alston.

Cider Pub of the Year 2020 - The Cumberland Inn, Alston

Cider Pub of the Year 2019 - The Fell Bar, Penrith
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City Pub of the Year 2019 -The Fat Gadgie Each quarter we award a Branch 'Pub of the Season
Pub of the Season Winter 2022-23 Sportsman Inn, Carlisle
Pub of the Season Autumn 2022 Woodrow Wilson, Carlisle
Pub of the Season Summer 2022 -the Drovers Rest at Monkhill
Pub of the Season Spring 2022 Milbourne Arms, Carlisle
Pub of the Season Winter 2021 Agricultural Hotel Penrith
Pub of the Season Spring 2020 The Cumberland Alston
Pub of the Season Winter 2020 Royal Oak, Moorhouse
Pub of the Season Autumn 2019 -Agricultural Hotel Castlegate, Penrith
Pub of the Season Winter 2019 - 301 Miles from London
Pub of the Season Summer 2019 -The Wellington, Great Orton<
Pub of the Season Spring 2019 -Blacksmiths Arms, Talkin
Pub of the Season Autumn 2018 - Fell Bar ,Pub of the Season Winter 2018 -Dockray Hall Penrith
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Pub of the Season Summer 2018 -Fat Gadgie Carlisle.
,Pub of the Season Spring 2018 -Wheatsheaf Wetheral
,Pub of the Season Autumn 2017 -Beehive, Carlisle
,Pub of the Season Summer 2017 -Stone Inn, Hayton
,Pub of the Season Spring 2017 -Fetherston Arms Kirkoswald
Pub of the Season Winter 2017 The Spinners, Cummersdale '
Pub of the Season Autumn 2016 -Royal, Penrith
Pub of the Season Summer 2016 -The Pheasant, Cumwhitton
Pub of the Season Spring 2016 -The Old Crown, Hesket Newmarket
Pub of the Season Winter 2016 -The Plough Inn, Wreay
Pub of the Season Autumn 2015 -The Moo Bar, Carlisle Now Closed
Pub of the Season Summer 2015 -The Blacksmiths Arms, Talkin
Pub of the Season Spring 2015 -The Highland Drove, Great Salkeld
Pub of the Season - Winter 2015 - The Cumberland Inn, Alston
Pub of the Season - Autumn 2014 - The Drovers Rest, Monkhill
Pub of the Season - Summer 2014 - The Wheatsheaf Inn, Wetheral
Pub of the Season - Spring 2014 - The Shepherds Inn, Langwathby
Pub of the Season - Winter 2013 - The Royal Oak, Curthwaite.
Pub of the Season - Autumn 2013 - The Crown & Thistle, Stanwix, Carlisle
Pub of the Season - Summer 2013 - The , Carlisle.
Pub of the Season - Spring 2013 - The Magpie Inn, Carlisle. Sadly this pub has now closed.
Pub of the Season - Winter 2012 - The William Rufus (Lloyds No 1), Carlisle.
Pub of the Season - Autumn 2012 - The Plough Inn, Wreay.
Pub of the Season - Summer 2012 - Highland Laddie, Glasson
Pub of the Season - Spring 2012
Pub of the Season - Winter 2011. Woodrow Wilson, Carlisle.
Pub of the Season - Autumn 2011. Duke of Cumberland, Castle Carrock.
Pub of the Season - Summer 2011. Agricultural Hotel, Penrith.