CAMRA announces Pub of the Year 2017 finalists
First-time finalists the George & Dragon in Hudswell, North Yorkshire and the Stanford Arms in Lowestoft, in Suffolk, will be competing against previous CAMRA winners the Salutation Inn in Ham, Gloucestershire, and the Swan With Two Necks in Pendleton, near Clitheroe, Lancashire.
All four sites, which were shortlisted by the organisation’s volunteers, were featured in The Good Beer Guide 2017 and each will be presented with a super regional award at local events. The National Pub of the Year winner will be announced in February 2017.
‘A fantastic achievement’
CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year coordinator Andrew Briers said: "To finish in the top four is a fantastic achievement.
Congratulations to this year’s #puboftheyear finalists! @gndhudswell@sallyatham@stanfordarmspub and the Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton! pic.twitter.com/q0MXs6KdDF
— CAMRA (@CAMRA_Official) November 19, 2016
“Each of these pubs serves as an example of the best of what British pubs have to offer – a warm and welcoming atmosphere, excellent service and a fantastic range of beers.”
‘Extremely proud’
George & Dragon landlord Stuart Miller said: “To be recognised as one of the top four real ale pubs in the UK by CAMRA is an extremely proud achievement for all of us and it shows how far our little village pub has come in the two and a half years since we took over.
“I am especially proud of our team of staff who have embraced my ideas and shared my passion for good beer.
Come join us this Saturday to celebrate making super regional, top 4 pub in the UK! #camra#realale#yorkshire
— george and dragon (@gndhudswell) November 15, 2016
He added: “When we won our NW Yorkshire CAMRA branch Pub of the Year award, I couldn't have been happier. We never expected to progress any further against all the other great pubs in Yorkshire, and then to win the regional award... we really are over the moon!”
Stanford Arms operators David and Samantha Burd said: “We are absolutely amazed and delighted to have reached the final four in the competition.
“It is a confirmation for us that our decision to go "cask only" was the right one. We'll celebrate with our 1,000th guest ale on the presentation day!”
‘Credit to staff and community’
The Swan With Two Necks was previously awarded National CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2013.
Licensee Steve Dilworth said: “We will be celebrating our 30th year at The Swan with Two Necks in 2017, so to be nominated is a fantastic achievement, not only for ourselves, but also for our long-serving staff.”
Meanwhile the Salutation Inn was crowned the winner of the same award a year later.
Pub operator Peter Tiley said:"We're immensely proud that the Sally has made it into the top four pubs in the UK. We thought we had more than ridden our luck in 2014 so we're completely shocked to find ourselves as finalists once again.
Our latest Brew Session beer, Ham-Brook Pale Ale brewed here by @GWBrewery is on now and selling fast! Don't miss it! pic.twitter.com/85oreFmmoV
— The Salutation Inn (@sallyatham) November 16, 2016
“We've all worked incredibly hard this year, what with brewing beer, keeping pigs and chickens, making Sally Cider and all the other events, so it's amazing to have that hard work acknowledged in this way.”
