White Horse pub wins coveted Platinum award
The much-loved White Horse in Parson's Green, London, has become the first pub to achieve the highest honour in an awards scheme for pubs that serve quality beer.
The White Horse won a Platinum Award in the Beautiful Beer Awards, the scheme backed by the British Beer & Pub Association.
To achieve Platinum status, pubs have to offer a "beer experience".
A good choice of beers must be served in a range of glasses, along beer menus. Beer with food must be promoted and staff must have a good knowledge of beer.
The White Horse has 150 bottled beers in its cellar and 20 on draught at the bar. The food menu recommends beers to match different dishes. Tasting notes are included on the black board.
The White Horse was given a thorough examination by Cask Marque inspectors.
They looked at the cellar, the quality of beer dispense, and the temperature, clarity and aroma of the beer in the glass.
Pub staff also had to answer detailed questions on beer, and the venue was assessed on its beer lists, the quality of the back bar, and matching beer with food
Manager Mark Dorber said he was "absolutely thrilled" with the coveted award. BBPA reckons only 2.5% of applicants will be good enough to reach Platinum status.
"They are looking for pubs that offer a good beer experience, and I hope that is something we have been doing for a few years," said Dorber.
Inspectors will re-examine the pub after six months to ensure standards are maintained.
"If customers don't keep us on our toes the inspectors will."
Beautiful Beer PR manager Ros Shiel praised the White Horse's approach to beer. "I don't know many other pubs that do beer and food matching in the same way. If it hadn't won a Platinum Award I don't know what pub would have!"
Shiel said pub companies are currently deciding which of their pubs to nominate for either the Gold or Platinum Awards.
Hosts must pay £150 to apply for the Gold Award, which tests cellar management, beer dispense, bar presentation and the quality of the pint. The Platinum Award has an application fee of £175.
For more information on the awards see www.beautifulbeer.com
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Your CommentsM Whithouse via email 03/05/2006"White Beare at Norwood Green might have got your pub award BUT my experience differs. I have regularly called for a cafetiere of coffee - which used to be excellent value. Today, my request was turned into two cups of very average coffee at £1.60 each. When asked about the cafetiere, I was told they were all broken!
Quality: poor, Value for money: poor. I shan't call again."
