AN EVESHAM pub in the heart of the town centre is celebrating a return to the real ale ‘bible’ — the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
The Red Lion in Market Place has been re-added to the definitive beer drinker’s guide to the very best pubs in the country after a year’s absence following a change of ownership.
Landlord Tom Doggett, who took over the town centre pub last August, said: “We had to be taken out of the Guide last year because I’d taken over the pub just as they were publishing, and with no track record CAMRA couldn’t recommend us. But I’m delighted that the wide selection and quality of ale we’ve sold over the past twelve months has been recognised.”
“79 per cent of our beer sales are real ale, more than five times the national average of fifteen per cent,” said Mr Doggett.
“That’s a reflection of the quality and consistency of our local breweries, the hard work we put in to look after the beer, as well as the enthusiasm and demand for a really good pint.”
While the guide’s focus is on real ale and cider, The Red Lion also stocks local Worcestershire lagers from Bromsgrove brewery Brew61 and Spilsbury and Jones from Stanford Bridge, as well as focus on local spirits, including Evesham’s own Hentony gin, rum from Warwickshire, vodka from Oxfordshire, and whisky from Gloucestershire.
The guide features just 4,500 of the UK’s 50,000 pubs and a rigorous selection process applies to ensure only the best outlets for real ale are included.
This year’s guide includes a forward penned by Iron Maiden’s lead singer and real ale fan Bruck Dickinson.
He shines a spotlight on the cultural tradition of pubs within the United Kingdom, the importance of protecting the heritage, charm and welcoming nature of pubs and clubs, and not taking them for granted.
CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said: “We’re honoured to have Bruce Dickinson pen the foreword for The Good Beer Guide 2024. As we enter our second half century of producing the Guide, there is no one better to introduce this year’s edition, and highlight what makes these institutions so worth visiting.
“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 open and thriving.
“I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s Guide to visit the very best pubs across the UK and support them for generations to come.”
