The Red Lion in Barnes is crowned Fuller's Master Cellarman of the Year

Claire Morgan and Angus McKean, who run the Red Lion in Barnes, received the award from the London brewer and pub retailer after excelling in every area of quality control from cellar to glass, and impressing judges, including Fuller’s head brewer John Keeling and distinguished beer writer Pete Brown.

The Red Lion also won the title, which recognises consistently outstanding cellar quality, in 2007 and came runner up in 2008.

McKean, who has worked with Fuller’s since 2000, said: “It’s an amazing honour to receive this award, as it shows the appreciation of all the hard work that goes into creating a perfect pint.

“At the Red Lion we strive to reach, and even exceed perfection.

“It’s a real team effort, so I’d like to thank everyone involved in keeping the cellar in great condition, especially Alex Smith, our assistant manager. It isn’t just about cellar standards, it is about maintaining high standards in every respect.”

During the rigorous quality checks, carried out by the Fuller’s beer quality team, cellar hygiene and dispense equipment are thoroughly inspected and samples of beer are taken away for analysis.

High standards​

Keeling said: “It’s such a pleasure to give this award to a person who lives and breathes cask ale.

“When you visit a Fuller's pub which has been awarded Master Cellarman status you can be safe in the knowledge that the beer they serve is in the best possible condition - just as it is when it leaves the brewery gates. Even more incredibly, all eight of our finalists this year received top marks during the judging, showing how high the standard is.”

To be in with a chance of winning the award, managers and tenants must sustain a score of at least 96% across four visits from the beer quality team throughout the year.

Helen Wilson at the Mad Bishop & Bear in Paddington came second and won Best Newcomer, while Rachel and Robert Burrows from the Pointer Inn in the Isle of Wight were third place, and also received the Pride and Passion award for absolute dedication to cask ale.

The five other Master Cellarman finalists were: Bele Zemelin from the Beehive, Englefield Green; Richard Sealtiel from the Surbiton Flyer; David Beale from the Garibaldi; Sue Hayden from the Admiral Nelson and Lisa Walker from the Queens Head, Chesham.

To date, 222 Fuller’s pubs hold the Master Cellarman badge of distinction - 13 more than in August 2012 - which is displayed in all the certified pubs as a gong on top of the London Pride pump handle.