West Berkshire pubs named in annual Good Beer Guide

CAMRA announces which pubs have made the guide for 2015/16

IF YOU’RE a fan of fine ales then you’ll be spoilt for choice in West Berkshire with 11 local pubs making it into this year’s CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

The 2016 guide, published this month, features pubs from all four corners of the district, including West Berkshire’s CAMRA pub of the year, the Six Bells at Beenham, as well as three pubs in Newbury – the King Charles Tavern in Cheap Street, The Hatchet Inn, Market Place, and The Newbury in Bartholomew Street.

Other pubs deemed to offer the best in beers are the Bell Inn, Aldworth; the Bunk Inn at Curridge; Castle Inn at Cold Ash; Swan Inn at Inkpen; The Five Bells at Wickham, and the Hungerford Club and the John O’Gaunt pub, both in Hungerford.

Members of the West Berkshire branch of CAMRA selected the pubs based first and foremost on the quality of the real ales on offer while also taking into account customer service, décor and overall atmosphere.

The Six Bells was also named as West Berkshire pub of the year and has made it into the for the last nine years.

Owner Chris Harman, who runs the pub with his wife Glynis, said: “We’re delighted. We do try to support local breweries wherever possible; occasionally we get one from further afield, but our main one here is the West Berkshire Brewery.”

Manager of the Hatchet Inn, Paul Read, said: “I am delighted that The Hatchet Inn has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by CAMRA members.

“Staff at the pub work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in first-class condition at all times and the pub’s inclusion in the guide highlights this.”

Owner of The Newbury, Peter Lumber, said he was thrilled that the gastropub had made it into the guide for the first time since opening in 2012.

“I’m over the moon,” he said. “It’s another thing under our belt.

“We’re a gastropub so we’re all about great food and great beers, especially when they’re local, and it’s really nice to get CAMRA's recognition.”

King Charles Tavern landlord Joshua Khan, said: “Gaining entry into the was a very important goal and to have achieved this in our first year is fantastic and testimony to our style and commitment.”

Richard Scullion, chairman of West Berkshire CAMRA, said: “It is great to see just how many pubs demonstrate their ability to consistently offer quality real ale. The frustrating part is that only 11 West Berkshire entries are available.”

The guide is available now as a book and as an app.