The Good Beer Guide 2024

Product Information

Wetherspoon’s pubs across the UK have been acclaimed for the quality of their real ale – by members of their respective Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branches. Included in the local list - longer than last year's tally - are 34 new pub entries and five new breweries. Taking the edge of the feelgood news, however, is the revelation that nine breweries have closed down; although five new ones have opened, reducing the overall loss to four. Formerly the Greyhound, The Hare on High Street, Farndon has a variety of cosy areas with comfortable seating. Big Hand Super Tidy and Weetwood Best Bitter are the regulars on tap, with three further changing beers which are sourced regionally. The Guide recommends the good-quality menu, which is available throughout the day. This year’s Guide contains 910 newly featured pubs, which is a fantastic prospect for the pub trade which has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years following the pandemic and rising costs. The trade also faces an impending threat from unlawful demolitions, which CAMRA has declared a ‘national scandal’ in the wake of the demolition of the Crooked House in Himley.

CAMRA's new 2024 guide, published this September 28, showcases top pubs across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham and, in more good news for the region, it also features 73 local breweries. The annual guide, dubbed 'the beer-drinker's bible', is eagerly awaited each year by both experts in the trade and ordinary beer enthusiasts. CAMRA chairman Nik Antona said: “The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs and breweries open and thriving. This year’s Guide contains 910 newly featured pubs, which is a fantastic prospect for the pub trade which has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years following the pandemic and rising fuel costs. The trade also faces an impending threat from unlawful demolitions, which CAMRA has declared a ‘national scandal’ in the wake of the demolition of the Crooked House in Himley. Added to this, the sentiment of the tie-up reflects how pubs and clubs are a rite of passage for many bands and musicians starting out in the UK, just like Iron Maiden themselves began their career almost 50 years ago playing in London pubs. Mentioning the recent case of The Split Chimp in the city centre, he says that more venues have closed or been sold this year than at any other time he can remember. CAMRA’s national chairman Nik Antona said: “The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs and breweries open and thriving.

Thanet’s entries in the guide:

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Welcoming micropub situated down the alleyway next to the Carlton Cinema, an oasis for the real ale drinker and a frequent local CAMRA pub of the Year winner. Breweries By The Mile Broadstairs Gateshead - Microbus and O ld Fox (Felling) and The Schooner and The Wheat Sheaf (Felling) and Ye Olde Cross (Ryton) Outside of the city, Bluestone on Christleton Road, Boughton is recognised for its three changing cask ales, complemented by 10 cask beers, four real ciders and a wide selection of canned and bottled beers. This micropub is situated amongst the parade of shops. Children are welcome until 7pm. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

However, CAMRA's latest publication aims to shine a light on the value that UK's pubs and taprooms add. In Manchester alone, there are nine new entries to the guide, spanning everything from well-known watering holes to hidden gem taprooms. A modestly sized, industrial-styled and welcoming micropub offering a good selection of cask and craft beers alongside cider and the occasional Bavarian beer or two. Red LionIn total, 236 of the company’s pubs are listed in CAMRA’s publication, The Good Beer Guide 2024, the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide. Staff at the pubs work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in first-class condition at all times – and the pubs’ inclusion in the guide highlights this.”

A welcoming, dog-friendly micropub that serves a good range of cask ale and ciders /perries, Montefiore ArmsI’d encourage everyone to use this year’s guide to visit the very best pubs and breweries across the UK and support them for generations to come.” Each of the pubs always offers customers an excellent choice of real ales, including those from local and regional brewers, as well as hosting its own beer festival. its current location, allowing for increased capacity and bottling. A 25-hectolitre brew plant is used. Northdown Brewery One of the most authentic of all the Ramsgate pubs, this is unashamedly a no-frills real ale boozer with a wide selection of beers on draught. There is a military theme throughout Hovelling Boat Inn The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs and breweries open and thriving. I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s Guide to visit the very best pubs and breweries across the UK and support them for generations to come.”

Helter Skelter on Church Street in Frodsham is a lively single-room bar and a multiple winner of local CAMRA Pub of the Year awards. With four regular cask ales and a further four changing guest ales from local and national breweries, the bar also serves food together with the upstairs Grill@31 restaurant. Eclectically furnished micropub, opened in 2015, Brewery and fairground memorabilia adorn the walls while musical instruments are fixed on the ceiling. Mechanical Elephant The UK beer and pub guide, owned by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across Britain and has long been heralded as the best source of information for people seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs. Darlington - Britannia and Crafty Merlin's Micropub Shop and Darlington Snooker Club and Half Moon and House of Hop and Number Twenty 2 and Old Yard Tapas Bar and ORB Micropub and QuakerhouseThe South Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA is marking the publication of The Good Beer Guide 2024 with a special event and Award presentation to The Leathern Bottle pub in Lewknor, which has attained a remarkable 50 entries into the prestigious Good Beer Guide. This is no mean feat and has only been achieved by a handful of pubs across the country.