Cheers! More Shropshire pubs feature in Good Pub Guide
Eleven new pubs across Shropshire and Powys are featured in the latest edition of a prestigious beer connoisseurs' guide.
The Campaign for Real Ale Good Pub Guide 2019 also includes two new breweries in the area for the first time.
Now in its 46th year, it is considered by many to be the definitive guide to the best pubs for beer lovers.
The latest edition features 51 pubs and breweries across Shropshire. A dozen pubs and two breweries in western Powys are also included.
New entries in this year's guide include the Platform Ale House micropub at Albrighton railway station, The Bridges, near Ratlinghope, the Royal Oak at Ellerdine Heath, and the White Horse Inn at Clun.
Also new for 2019 are the Fighting Cocks at Stottesdon, the Fox & Hounds at Cheswardine, The Huntsman Inn at Little Wenlock and St Georges Sports and Social Club in Telford.
Over the border, the Beehive Inn in Manafon, the Dolfor Inn near Newtown, and the Royal Oak at Presteigne, also feature.
St Anne's Brewery, based at St Anne's Church in Lea Cross, near Shrewsbury, and Wilderness Brewery in Newtown, also feature in the guide for the first time.
Jack Limond, who keeps the White Horse Inn at Clun, said he was delighted the pub was back in the guide after a short absence.
"We were in it for 10 years, and then we were not in it for a couple of years, so I am very pleased to be back in this excellent publication," he said.
Mr Limond added that it was particularly gratifying given that it was more difficult for rural pubs to get the same recognition as urban pubs.
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"It's all about the votes, and it is harder getting people to vote for you in a rural location as there are not as many people as there are in the city," he said.
His Clun Brewery, which is based at the pub, is also in this year's guide.
"I have always been in it for the brewery, but it's nice being in it twice," he said.
The Platform, which only opened in 2016, was awarded the Telford & East Shropshire Camra pub of the season for spring last year.
The pub, in the former stationmaster's building, is run by Alison and Craig Taylor.
Tom Stainer of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said: “It’s fantastic to see the number of new pub entries in the Good Beer Guide 2019 and the continued growth in local brewing.
“We’ve seen such sweeping changes across the brewing and pub scene over the past year with brewing becoming more collaborative and socially-minded, and pubs continuing to diversify to cater for all tastes with the continued increase in micropubs, tap rooms and community-run pubs, each improving choice for drinkers."
He said the decision to choose which pubs to include was based on independent judgement and recommendations.
"Every pub that appears has been visited regularly by Camra members," he added.
