A LEADING North East pub has once again beaten off competition from around the country to be named the country’s Best Cask Ale Pub.
City Tavern, at Northumberland Road, Newcastle, was this week (Nov 17) announced the winner in the national annual awards run by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars, beating more than 1100 other venues.
And this is yet another win for the pub, which last year took first place in the Best Pint category.
Licensee David King received the prestigious award at a gala celebration night in Liverpool from football legend and broadcaster Chris Kamara.
City Tavern scooped the highest number of nominations on the night, winning finalist positions for Retailer of the Year and Best Staff training.
The pub scored full marks for the quality and range of its ten cask beers including its two house ales – City Tavern Ale and Bar Hound Gold Ale – and also came out on top for their smell, temperature and taste.
The judges singled out City Tavern’s 35 staff for their “remarkable” cask ale knowledge and commended David for his investment in training, with staff receiving specialist in house training from experts as well as trips to breweries.
The judges loved all the ‘little touches’ in City Tavern that help educate customers about its cask range – from display jars showing each beer’s colour to the provision of free samples to customers deciding which beer to choose.
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs & Bars managing director, said: “The proof of the pudding is in the drinking when it comes to cask and City Tavern’s beer is quite simply delicious.
“A pub that puts that much effort into its cask can be trusted with its food. City Tavern is no exception and pairs its beers and dishes to perfection too.”
David added that it was “great to be recognised for our hard work. We take a tremendous amount of care and pride with our cask ales, treating them like fine wines.”
The award is the second for City Tavern in two months following its naming as Best Pub in The Tyne & Wear Lifestyle Awards.
