Members of the Isle of Wight Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) were happy to brave the atrocious weather to gather together to honour the great and the good in the Island beer and brewing scene last week.
The awards, presented by Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely and assisted by Branch Chairman, John Nicholson, were the result of the annual IW Pub of the Year poll which takes place in the early part of each year and is a guide to the favoured local pubs and the local breweries which serve them.
Pub numbers on the Island have been dwindling since the start of the 20th century, particularly in the latter half when Whitbreads took over Mew Langtons and followed it up with a massive rationalisation of the Island’s pubs.
Lockdown didn’t help much either, though that hasn’t yet impacted too heavily on pub closures. Likewise, the number of local brewers has decreased to 5 in that time – at the dawn of the 1900s there were 14, and many had closed before then. All the more reason, then, to celebrate the survivors with an annual poll to find the best of them.
So which were the most popular pubs?
Tying for 3rd place were the Highdown Inn at Totland and Newport Ale House, representing a link between the old and the new. The Highdown is an unspoilt 2-bar country local serving a wide range of well-kept cask beers as well as excellent food while Newport Ale House is one of the new breed of micropubs, once again offering an ever-changing selection of real ales.
In 2nd place was another local, The Castle at Sandown, which also sports a fine selection of hand-pumped beers and, for a backstreet pub, a rather unusual medieval theme.
But the winner was the much-lauded Traveller’s Joy at Northwood, which has won more times than anyone can remember – this time once again due to the pride, hard work and commitment of licensees Sam and Pete. This win is rather poignant, though, as ill health is forcing them to retire shortly.
And which were the most popular beers?
3rd place in the beer stakes went to the superb Puncheon Porter from Goddards, which usually makes its annual debut at Christmas. Like most dark beers, drinkers associate it with winter, but there’s no reason whatever why these tasty, charismatic beers shouldn’t be drunk all year round – they taste just as good in both equinoxes!
In 2nd place was the ever-popular Fuggle-de-dum, also from Goddards, with its easy-drinking, malty palate.
Heading up the list was another dark beer (who said dark beers don’t sell?), the magnificent Earl’s RDA from the Island Brewery stable, not only an IW Beer of the Year winner on several occasions, but twice voted best dark beer in the world.
CAMRA Branch members with long memories will remember its debut in brewer Chris Coleman’s garden shed, and it’s a fitting epitaph to his retirement that his creation continues to attract acclaim some 30 years later.
Why doesn’t that surprise me, the Travellers Joy win again. So rigged by individuals in Camra. How about stop with silly best pub awards and focus on helping all the pubs survive. Promote and support….
Congratulations to Pete and Sam, well deserved. They support their community and their community supports them.
They also support and encourage other island pubs.
You get out what you put in..
How can you compare a pub like the Ale House with the travelers joy theyvare 2 different beasts. Also the ale House may micro in size it’s an old fashioned boozer. Good beer good company and a good laugh just like pibs where decades ago
Well done Newport Ale House. All the award winners are good but the NAH has an especially warm atmosphere & the beers are a bit different.