All pubs are eligible with local members first selecting their own area winners which are then are judged as part of a wider Regional competition.
The local winner
The local north Hampshire area winner, the excellent Wonston Arms near Sutton Scotney has received several visits by judges over the last four months but only narrowly missed out on taking the Regional Award.
It would be always a tough call being up against the very best in Hampshire, the IOW, Dorset, parts of Wiltshire and the Channel Islands. The Wonston won the National Award in 2019 and is a pub that must not be missed, oozing with community hospitality.
Regional Winner announced
However, this year's winner, and this years entry into the final 16 in the national competition is the family-run Barking Cat Ale House, a vibrant two-roomed pub in Parkstone, Poole, managed by well-known licensee Mark Ambrose.
This small award-winning pub offers a 8 handpumps serving a range of real ale primarily from local breweries, as well as real ciders and a range of 12 craft beers on the taps. It is a short walk from Branksome station.
Into the last 16
The Barking Cat now goes into the next round of judging with the very high chance of following the Wonston and taking national honours. We wish them well.
Pubs in the competition are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry. Last year’s winner was the Tamworth Tap, Staffordshire which has once again reached the final 16.
Presentation – all are welcome
A special presentation for taking the Regional Award is arranged for Saturday October 14th at 2.00pm, to which everyone is welcome to celebrate the success of the Barking Cat Ale House.
The Final 16 in the competion are:
Central Southern
Butchers Arms, Balscote
East Anglia
Endeavour, Chelmsford
East Midlands
Horse & Jockey, Stapleford
Greater London
Hope, Carshalton
Greater Manchester
Fox & Pine, Oldham
Kent
Nelson Arms, Tonbridge
Merseyside – Cheshire
Turks Head, St Helens
North East
Grey Horse, Consett
Scotland & Northern Ireland
Hillend Tavern, Dalgety Bay, Fife
South West
Halfway House, Pitney, Somerset
Surrey & Sussex
Watchmaker’s Arms, Hove
Wales
Magic Dragon Brewery Tap, Wrexham
Wessex & Channel Islands
Barking Cat Alehouse, Poole
West Midlands
Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
West Pennines
Trafalgar Hotel, Ramsey, Isle of Man
Yorkshire
Beer Engine, Skipton
