Nine Liverpool pubs recognised at the annual awards evening
A micro-pub in Crosby, a rugby club in Waterloo, and a social enterprise in Bootle were among the winners at this year’s Liverpool & Districts CAMRA awards evening, held in the grounds of the KIND Centre for the first time in two years.
This year’s pub of the year is one Liverpool’s most unique pubs being housed in an old jail.
Liverpool & Districts CAMRA branch chair Sonia James-Henry said it was great to be back, although it was still a difficult time for pubs, clubs and breweries recovering from the pandemic.
The night began with the presentation of the Pub of Excellence Awards, which went to:
The Four Ashes
A family run micro pub in Waterloo which in the relatively short time it has been open has gained a reputation for good quality beer from local and regional brewers.
The Keystone
Sadly, this was awarded posthumously as the pub has recently been forced to close, but whilst it was open it made a big impact on the real ale scene in Liverpool gaining a reputation for quality beer and food.
Lion Tavern
Last year’s Pub of the Year winner is a mainstay of the Pub of Excellence awards. The Lion was commended for always having a good selection of real ales on offer including at least on local beer.
Liverpool Pigeon
This Crosby micro pub has been the recipient of the Pub of the Year award in the past, and CAMRA said, "it is well worth venturing into the suburbs to sample the good quality ales they have on offer."
Roscoe Head
This iconic Liverpool pub is now in the hands of licensee Carol Ross after a long battle with the pub company that previously owned it. "A true gem tucked away in a back street that is beloved not only by Liverpool real ale drinkers but by those from all over the county who travel to sample the fine ales and wonderful surroundings," said Liverpool CAMRA.
The Pub of the Year award went to The Bridewell, one of Liverpool’s most unique pubs housed in an old jail, of which Liverpool CAMRA said, “the service is second to none and the beer is of the finest quality. On a sunny day there is nothing finer than sitting in the quaint old courtyard with a pint, chatting to your fellow pub goers.”
Cider Pub of the Year was awarded to The Augustus John which organisers said was, “one of the few pubs in the city centre that serves a range of real ciders and has been a constant supporter of this fine beverage.”
Firwood Waterloo RFC scooped Club of the Year for its role as a “community club, running programmes for young people encouraging them to play sports and supporting their local brewery (Rock the Boat) by serving their beers.”
Finally, the special award for Community Pub of the Year went to the Lock & Quay in Bootle, a pub that is owned and managed by the social enterprise SAFE Regeneration, with all proceeds from the pub reinvested back into community projects.
Following the presentation of the awards, a cheque for £900 was presented to Steve Yip from KIND; money donated by beer festival goers via unused beer tokens.
For more information visit Liverpool & Districts CAMRA.
Read next: People not profit: inside Liverpool's only community microbrew pub
Read again: Lion Tavern celebrates Liverpool CAMRA Pub of the Year - finally
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
