Leyton Orient Supporters Club serves best beer
Leyton Orient Supporters Club has been named the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) Club of the Year.
The Supporters Club, based in the West Stand of the football club's Brisbane Road ground, shared the top award with Appleton Thorn Village Hall in Cheshire.
The club boasts 1,300 members and was praised by judges for the range and consistency of real ales available. The award will be presented tonight at its annual beer festival.
"We have gone to great lengths to stock cask-conditioned ale, and on a busy match-day we can sell in excess of 700 pints," said supporters club bar manager Mike Childs.
"This award is really a tribute to our devoted staff members, who do all they can to provide supporters with the best quality and variety."
Steve Williams, Camra regional director for Greater London, added: "To find real ale at a football club, regardless of its condition, is truly rare. Therefore for the Leyton Orient Supporters Club to show this degree of devotion to our national drink is totally unique.
"When you consider the vast numbers of football fans being converted to real ale it is a true testament to this club's efforts. A worthy winner and an unlikely source of quality real ale."
