Pub of the Year named

The Good Pub Guide, known as a “bible for pub goers”, has published the 2014 edition, which names its Pub of the Year.

The Oilve Branch in Clipsham, Rutland has won the award as the 2014 Pub of the Year. The guide describes the pub as a “first class all-rounder”, adding that it is “the ultimate pub experience.”

The pub is run by friends Sean Hope and Ben Jones, with Jones saying after receiving the award: “We just want to serve good food and drink in a relaxed atmosphere, but to be recognised for something we enjoy doing is great.”

Guide editor Fiona Stapley said: “This year, as so often before, we have found that poor service is the number one reason for writing off a pub.

“You can’t beat a meal out at a great food pub. Increasingly we are seeing imaginative meals from creative chefs produced at prices customers feel are fair for the quality.”

The Good Pub Guide also names the landlord of the year, town pub of the year and country pub of the year, among several other awards.

Click through the following pages to find out more about which pubs have won which awards.

Pub of the Year – Olive Branch, Clipsham, Rutland

The Guide says of this pub: ““The civilised Olive Branch prompts readers to superlatives: ‘service as good as it gets’; ‘sublime food’; ‘how have they managed to maintain such consistently high standards?’; ‘the ultimate pub experience’. It’s a first class all-rounder.”

In response the owners said: A huge thanks to all of you, our customers, for supporting us and helping to make the award a reality.

“The most important thing about this award is the recognition it gives our staff. It motivates the whole team and makes them feel appreciated.”

Landlord of the Year – Tim Gray, Yew Tree, Lower Wield, Hampshire

The Yew Tree Inn is set in the Hampshire countryside and has around 20 brewers on a rotation for guest ales.

On his website Gray said: “Whichever bright spark said real ales were dying is definitely eating his words with all the small breweries flourishing and the big boys dying off. It means it is brilliant, as I can offer a large choice of interesting ales for my discerning customers. Long live Beer.”

Beer Pub of the Year – Tom Cobley, Spreyton Devon

This “family friendly” pub is owned by Roger and Carol Cudlip, who pride themselves on “creating a warm and friendly atmosphere for both the locals and newcomers.”

The pub serves up to 14 real ales at any one time from eight hand pumps at the bar, and the remaining straight from the cask in the cellar. The pub also serves up to 14 real ciders, including some perries from cider makers “in the local area and beyond.”

Whisky Pub of the Year – Bon Accord, Glasgow

Located in North Street, Glasgow, the Bon Accord is run by Paul McDonagh and has a gantry that displays over 350 bottles of malt whisky.

The pub also claims to serve “800 different varieties of ale every year.”

Staff are trained at the Auchentoshan distillery among others and are encouraged to ” develop their whisky knowledge so as to be able to understand a customer tastes and make appropriate recommendations.”

Wine Pub of the Year – Woods, Dulverton, Somerset

Woods Bar and Restaurant has around 150 wines on offer and is described as a “charming pub with a passion for fine food and wine”. Run by Patrick Groves and situated on the edge of Exmoor the pub has a “cosy interior” and a “lovely open log fire.”

The pub’s website says: “We pride ourselves on the extensive, award winning wine list where all are available by the glass. Advice on which wine to complement your meal is always on hand, where you will discover new wines.”

Own Brew Pub of the Year – Grainstore, Oakham, Rutland

The Grainstore Brewery in Oakham offers a range of different beers and seasonal brews.

Peter Atkinson, who runs the pub, said: “We are extremely proud of our brewing expertise at the Grainstore Brewery. We endeavour to produce beers that are popular with the drinker, and give very little problem to the publican – both in the cellar and at the tap.”

Town Pub of the Year – Park, Bedford

The Park pub & kitchen is located on the outskirts of Bedford and is described as “stylish, cosy and comfortable”.

In response to being named Town Pub of the Year, licensee Steve Wilkins said: “We’re all proud as punch & sure you’ll agree that it’s a grand achievement. We owe a huge thank you to all of those who put in a good word for us & you’re continued support.

“Of course we can’t fail to mention our hard working staff. This award is truly a testament to their sterling effort over the years.”

Country Pub of the Year – Malet Arms, Newton Tony, Wiltshire

The Malet Arms is a 16th century coaching inn, which is located on the banks of the river Bourne in Wiltshire.

This “thoroughly out of the way” pub offers “a wide range of real ales and high quality home produced food.” Owned by Noel and Annie Cardew the pair have “developed a simple approach to eating and drinking out.”

The pub is proud to have no background music, gambling machine or jukebox.

New Pub of the Year – Bulls Head, Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire

The building that is the Bulls Head used to be a pub, but fell on hard times and then became an Italian restaurant.

In January this year it “returned to its roots as a traditional pub”.

The pub boasts “open fires, bookcases, good old furniture, prints, rugs and oak floors.”

Licensee Andrew Coverley said of this award: “We’re delighted to let you know that we have been awarded the Good Pub Guide – New Pub of the Year in their latest edition of the guide, 2014. This means a lot to us as to get into the Good Pub Guide in the first place, we have to be recommended by our customers.”