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Raise a glass to best real ale pubs(Hull Daily Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Two Hull pubs have become joint winners in the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Hull Pub of the Year Competition. The Old English Gentleman and the Wellington Inn were chosen by a panel of Camra members who considered factors such as the atmosphere and quality of service. TWO pubs in Hull have little to be bitter about this Christmas. The pubs, both in central Hull, have been announced as joint winners of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Hull Pub of the Year Competition. The Old English Gentleman in Worship Street and the Wellington Inn in Russell Street won the competition, which is run by the Hull and East Yorkshire Branch of Camra. Camra members considered factors such as community focus, atmosphere, campaigning, the quality of beer, the style and decor of the pub, the standard of service and value for money. The Old English Gentleman finished third in last year's competition. It is run by Chris Mallinson and Joyce Bate and owned by Wolverhampton and Dudley. Mr Mallinson said he was delighted to have won the award. He said: "We're really pleased. We wanted the pub to be like relaxing in a living room and this award gives us a seal of approval. "It means the customers like what we do. It's also a big thumbs up for the beer we serve." The Wellington Inn was not eligible for last year's competition because the owners, Richard and Janette Gant, bought the pub in June 2004. However, the couple are no strangers to the award, having won it in 2003 when they ran Ye Olde Black Boy in Hull's old town. Mr Gant said he was pleased to have won but found it difficult to explain the pub's popularity. He said: "We've tried to create a different sort of place. "Not everybody wants to listen to loud music. "Some people want to have a conversation. "We have worked hard to create an atmosphere where people can come with their friends and talk to one another." Tetley's bitter is available at the pub along with up to six guest beers, mainly from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and real ciders and perries. The pub dates from 1861 and has a walk-in cooler with a stock of more than 90 European bottled beers on show in a glass-fronted display. For pubs to be eligible for the competition, the licensee must have owned it since January 1, 2005. Camra was established in 1971 and has more than 80,000 members. The organisation has branches throughout Britain and campaigns to promote real ale pubs and breweries. Before Camra was founded, no real ale breweries had been established in the UK for 50 years. There are now around 300 breweries producing real ale throughout Britain. [email protected] Link Camra www.camra.org.uk |