The Royal Oak, Fishguard - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2020

One of Fishguard’s most popular pubs has been voted Pembrokeshire Pub of the Year 2020 by the counties branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). On Saturday 14 March, local CAMRA chairman Nigel Skipper, accompanied by a sizeable group of CAMRA members from all over the county, presented a framed certificate to Royal Oak manager Danni Morgan. Mr Skipper offered warm congratulations, adding that it was a notable achievement to be selected for this accolade from well over 200 Pembrokeshire pubs.

The Royal Oak is well known far beyond Fishguard or Pembrokeshire for its history as well as its excellent beer. During the ill-fated Last Invasion of Britain by a ragtag French army in 1797, local legend has it that the Surrender Treaty was signed in the pub. Sadly nobody knows the whereabouts of this historical document, so perhaps we will never know for certain.

This 18th century pub located on Fishguard Square has always been a hub for both locals and countless visitors. Only a few years ago it was given a new lease of life as a “free house” by its present owner Oliver Blakiston. A complete but sympathetic refurbishment has given this 200-year-old pub a very attractive rustic style. CAMRA praised the good selection of well-kept beers and ciders, tasty food and a warm atmosphere that is due to the friendly staff as well as the log burner! Danni’s team behind the bar are always very welcoming and provide a speedy service even at the busiest times.

The decision by CAMRA to choose the Royal Oak as Pembrokeshire Pub of the Year 2019 is also recognition of this pub as a centre of the community. The very popular Tuesday evening folk sessions attract musicians from far and wide, not to forget the monthly jazz music and Jodie’s famous pub quizzes. Unsurprisingly, the Royal Oak is also a key venue during the Fishguard Folk Festival each Spring Bank Holiday. For the Six Nations rugby tournament, it also becomes a popular sports pub.

The Pembrokeshire award means that the Royal Oak will now go on to compete with pubs in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion for the accolade of West Wales Pub of the Year, with the chance of becoming a candidate for Welsh Pub of the Year and who knows, CAMRA British Pub of the Year.

The Pembroke Yeoman, Haverfordwest - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2019

Jessica Fulker, Landlady receives her certificate from Pembrokeshire CAMRA Chairman, Nigel Skipper.

The William Owen, Haverfordwest - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2019

LIsa Williams, Duty Manager receives certificate from Pembrokeshire CAMRA Chairman, Nigel Skipper.

The Buccaneer Inn, Tenby - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018

"HARBWR Tenby Harbour Brewery and its flagship pub The Buccaneer Inn were very pleased to pick up 2 awards in one weekend, from two highly regarded organisations within the brewing industry - SIBA (The Society of Independent Brewers) and CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).

At the SIBA Independent Beer Awards in Ludlow last weekend, our brewer Rob Luly collected the coveted Bronze award for British Premium Cask Bitter for its ale called RFA Sir Galahad, a rich ruby red beer with four different hop varieties. Head Brewer Richard Johnson was particularly pleased with the young brewery's first major award and said "The competition covered the whole of Wales and the West, with a total of 185 cask ales entered across the categories - and a completely blind tasting by a panel of experts in the field - so we are very proud to be singled out and awarded the Bronze. The SIBA people really do know their ales so we are made up."

Meanwhile, the following day, the members of Pembrokeshire CAMRA visited The Buccaneer Inn in Tenby to present Mike Evans and his busy team with the very prestigious 'Pembrokeshire Pub of the Year 2018' award. Mike was truly delighted with the accolade and praised his staff and in-house brewers for their dedication to driving standards at the pub ever higher year on year. Mike Porter, Chairman of Pembrokeshire CAMRA, said on handing over the award "It is our pleasure to welcome the Buccaneer into the long and illustrious list of CAMRA Pembrokeshire pubs of the year, beating off strong competition from other pubs in the area and near vicinity! The Buccaneer has a long history of delivering quality real ale to its patrons, and now it is able to add its own award-winning ales to its offering, this just adds to the attraction for real ale enthusiasts." There is a preponderance of real ale pubs in Pembrokeshire, so again, winning 1st place out of a field of 300 competitors is no mean feat for the busy town centre pub. As county winner, The Buccaneer will next be competing against the winners of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion pubs of the year, and and stands a good chance of claiming the West Wales Pub of the Year 2018!"

The Bridge End Inn, Llanychaer - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2017

The Bridge End Inn at Llanychaer has just been awarded the title Pembrokeshire Pub of the Year 2017 by CAMRA. Members voted by online ballot and it was “The Bont” which received the most votes out of nearly 300 pubs in the county. Understandably, landlord Tom Healy felt that winning this distinction should be celebrated, and what better way than with a festival. CAMRA members and fellow beer and cider enthusiasts gathered on Saturday 29th April to present the landlord, Tom Healy with the prestigious award. The festival was well attended and the selection of beers and ciders appreciated by everyone.

Llanychaer is 2 miles from Fishguard nestled in the beautiful Gwaun Valley. For a break from sampling fine beers and ciders, the location is perfect for enjoying scenic walks along the picturesque Gwaun River or, for the more adventurous, scaling the heights of the nearby Preseli Hills

It is good news that a local North Pembrokeshire pub which at one time incorporated the local smithy and with a history stretching back to the 1800s has received recognition for providing an excellent service to locals and visitors alike.

The William Owen, Haverfordwest - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2017

The William Owen, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire’s only Wetherspoons, has been named ‘Cider Pub of the Year 2017, balloted online by members of the Pembrokeshire branch, Campaign for Real Ale.

On Friday, 28th April CAMRA members gathered to present Jon Blayney, the Manager with the award. A photographer from ‘Wetherspoon News’ was on hand to capture the occasion, so keep an eye open for the next edition. The selection of ciders includes a minimum of four real draught ciders, as well as a range of bottled ciders, including three Welsh producers and five additional choices. The draught selection always includes one Welsh cider, Gwynt Y Ddraig, as well as Westons Old Rosie and Marcle Hill, together with Scotland’s Thistly Cross Cider.

Jon, who is also on the Pembrokeshire CAMRA branch committee, added: “The branch members vote for the pub with the greatest variety and best-quality cider, served at the right temperature”.

Mike Porter, Chairman of Pembrokeshire CAMRA said "Jon and his team at the William Owen really do care about their cider quality and range. The William Owen was shortlisted for 'CAMRA Pembrokeshire Pub of the Year 2017'. Good luck for 2018."

VOTE NOW Pembrokeshire CAMRA Members Pub and/or Cider Pub of the Year 2017

Send your nomination for Pub and Cider Pub of the Year along with your CAMRA membership number to Nick: ku.oc.liamtoh@eulb_ybgur Deadline for your nominations is 4th February.

Taberna Inn - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2016

AND YET ANOTHER WINNER ….

On Saturday 14th May Pembrokeshire CAMRA members gathered at The Taberna Inn, Herbrandston, to present Peter and Brenda Absolon with the ‘CAMRA Pembrokeshire Cider Pub of the Year 2016’ award.

Three real ciders were available for the party to try, the favourite being ‘Farmers Pride’ from Gwynt y Ddraig, the others Weston’s ‘Old Rosie’ and Moles ‘Black Rat’ cider. Three cask ales were also on tap and ‘Cleddau Gold’ from Little Dragon Brewery, Milford Haven allowed us our first taste of a beer from our newest Pembrokeshire brewery.

Taberna Inn was designed and built in 1963 by a local carpenter and builder with an eye to the area's then rapidly developing oil and petrochemical industry. It has a pleasant, homely atmosphere and welcomes locals and visitors alike.

This pub really is the meeting place for everyone in the village. It houses the local Post Office and shop, the drama group meet here and you can join the church choir for a sing on a Friday evening. Live singalong music evenings are on the last Thursday of the month.

The Taberna Inn was CAMRA’s ‘Pembrokeshire Pub of the Year’ in 2013 and Peter prides himself on not just the quality but the vast range of beers served. Last year he got through 120 casks of which 100 were unique. A beer scoring system for customers put ‘Jemima’s Pitchfork’ (Glamorgan Brewery) first followed by ‘Ysgawen’ (Mws Piws) and ‘Drop Squint’ (Caffle). In 2014, ‘Billy Wynt’ (Kite), ‘Hop Head’ (Dark Star) and ‘Jaipur’ (Thornbridge) were the top three.

Brenda in the kitchen produces an interesting and sometimes unique menu which can be served in the bar, lounge or restaurant area. Anything from steaks, fish or pasta dishes are available and included are meat from the local farm shop, Preseli Gold sausages, Pembrokeshire cheese and local organic eggs.

The Taberna Inn is at Herbrandston on the road from Milford to Dale, which makes it a good place to stay (accommodation available) or stop for refreshment when walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Consult tide times if crossing Sandy Haven.

Well done Taberna Inn for flying the cider flag.

The Vine Inn - Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016

On the 7th May members of the Pembrokeshire branch of CAMRA gathered at the Vine Inn, Johnston near Haverfordwest to present the coveted “Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year Award” to landlords Alun and Jill Evans.

This is the second time the Vine Inn has won the award and now goes forward to represent the county in the West Wales regional finals against Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

Alun and Jill took over the Vine Inn 5 years ago and since then have concentrated on expanding the range and quality of the beers and food.

The Vine has three handpumps, one of which always serves Doombar and the other two regularly dispense local ales such as Bluestone or Tenby breweries or beers from further afield such as Wye Valley. Alun says, “I’m always happy to try a new beer from one of our local breweries, just drop off a barrel and I’ll let you know what the locals think”. To round off a good beer or two, why not try one of Alun’s range of 50 single malt whiskies lovingly arranged along a purpose-built shelf above the bar.

This long pub has a nook and cranny for everyone, from the cosy bar to the dining areas and conservatory, a pool table and the snug, where about 10 customers can be entertained in relative privacy.

This friendly pub is at the heart of the community and is a meeting place for many local organizations and charities such as the Puffin Swimming Club, Cymradorion and a Drama Club. Events such as a golf day have raised large sums for Pembrokeshire charity Paul Sartori.

Alun’s broad, welcoming smile lights up the bar while Jill and her kitchen staff are happy to regale the customers with a tasty, varied menu of dishes including pies, steaks, chicken or vegetarian options.

Alun says, “We have no need of facebook or a website to advertise. Word of mouth and consistently high standards keep the customers coming. Although feedback on Trip Advisor has been very positive and useful”.

Y Talbot - Pub Of The Year 2015 West Wales

 Congratulations to Y Talbot, Tregaron which has won the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) West Wales Pub of the Year 2015 award!

Presenting the award to proprietor, Mick Taylor (centre), and manager, Sion Tansley (left), Bae Ceredigion CAMRA Publicity Officer, Mary Galliers, said, “Y Talbot was up against some stiff competition for the West Wales CAMRA Pub of the Year award and its success demonstrates how fortunate we are to have such a good pub in Ceredigion. It now goes forward as one of the final three in the competition for Wales CAMRA Pub of the Year - it would be great to be back here in a couple of months’ time for the presentation of the national award, too."

Earlier this year, Y Talbot was selected as the Ceredigion CAMRA Pub of the Year and the Ceredigion CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year. It then beat the regional winners from Carmarthenshire (Royal Oak, Rhandirmwyn) and Pembrokeshire (Cresselly Arms, Cresswell Quay) in the West Wales competition. This is the first time that a pub has picked up all three CAMRA awards in one year.

Y Talbot will now go up against the regional winners from North Wales and South Wales in the competition for CAMRA Wales Pub of the Year.

The pub of the year awards are voted for by CAMRA members who visit pubs to evaluate them against set criteria. The quality of the beer and real cider is the most important single factor in judging a pub for a CAMRA award. Other criteria are value for money, atmosphere and décor, customer service and the role a pub plays in its local community.

Pub of the Year 2015

Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year is:

The Cresselly Arms at Creswell Quay

 

for Details of Pub of the Year  see member's page

 

Pub of the Year 2014

Pembrokeshire CAMRA Pub of the Year is:

The Vine Inn