Hall & Woodhouse awards its top performing pubs

The Crabtree in Horsham, West Sussex, picked up the most coveted award of Public House of the Year, with judges praising the team’s commitment to innovation, growth, the community and beer quality.

Owner Simon Hope said: “Working with Hall & Woodhouse is like being a part of one big family, which is particularly important to us as we are a family run business too. We are truly honoured to have won public house of the year especially against such strong competition.”

The brewer also recognised six other top performing pubs at a special gala dinner held in the grounds of the Crown Hotel in Blandford, Dorset.

Each of the award winners was presented with a certificate and commemorative plate, as well as a cheque for £250, while the Public House of the Year winner was awarded £1,000. Each of the winners will also each be taken on a European city break in the New Year.

The full list of winners is:​

• Community Asset: Plough, Ifield, West Sussex - for "consistently working to support the local community" and raising £100,000 for charity
• Best Food Public House: Ye Olde George, East Meon, Hampshire - "the competition for this category was very strong but the fantastic menu, locally sourced ingredients, perfectly cooked and presented dishes and superb food service secured the win for Ye Olde George"
• Best Public House Garden: The New Inn, Salisbury, Wiltshire - "a stunning and well-kept pub garden with the added benefit of a view of the impressive spire of Salisbury Cathedral has been a real labour of love for the team at the New Inn"
• Best Business Idea: The Huntsman, Eridge, East Sussex - "Emma and her team at the Huntsman have transformed an unused section of the pub in to a stunning and extremely popular Members Only Pub, which we believe to be the first in the country"
• Dave Blewitt Award for Best Beer Quality: Kings Head, Poole, Dorset - for "consistently delighting guests with the quality of their beer, which is always perfectly kept"
• Best Newcomers to Hall and Woodhouse: Buffalo Inn, Gillingham, Kent - "the team at the Buffalo have introduced an interesting and popular Italian restaurant concept to the rear area of the public house, while simultaneously keeping the locals happy with their traditional feeling bar area"
• Public House of the Year: Crabtree, Horsham, West Sussex - for "excellence in all areas and consistently delighting their guests"