CAMRA unveils 2023 Pub of the Year winner
Revealed today (Friday 12 January), the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire has been awarded the prestigious accolade for the second year in a row.
CAMRA awards director Laura Emson said: “The Tamworth Tap should be incredibly proud of this feat, to be named the best pub in the UK two times on the trot is a remarkable achievement.
“The pub encapsulates everything that CAMRA aims to promote and protect, and each member of the team deserves the recognition twice over.
“A pub doesn’t have to be a national award winner to be a vital part of a local community and following a tough few years for the industry, our support is needed more than ever.”
Excellent example
Boasting Tudor features and a historic courtyard terrace the 16th century brewpub, which also won the Best Pub Garden category at the 2022 Great British Pub Awards, offers views of Tamworth Castle as well as eight hand pulls, usually featuring at least one Tamworth ale.
Various snacks are also offered, plus a wide range of ciders, gins, wines and bottled beers, with themed events regularly taking place at the brewpub, including ‘paint and sip sessions’, film screenings and live music.
Judges described the pub as an “excellent example of a pub at the centre of its community that supports a wide variety of diverse local activity groups”.
In addition, the panel said staff were knowledgeable and helpful, adding they “thoroughly enjoyed their visit and look forward to returning at some time in the future”.
The winners will be presented with the award at a ceremony set to take place at the pub later this afternoon.
Hub of the community
On receiving the news, husband and wife team and owners of the Tamworth Tap, George and Louise Greenaway, thanked the consumer organisation and their team at the pub, adding words “couldn’t express how they felt”.
The operators continued: “It took a while for the magnitude of the occasion to sink in when we won last year; to have retained it is beyond incredible.
“We vowed to continue to evolve, with the aim of providing the ultimate drinking experience to everyone who walks through our door.
“We aren’t just a pub; we are a hub of the community, and we aim to bring people together. That and the perfect pint is what it’s all about.
“A huge thank you to ‘Team Tap’ for delivering our vision with such passion, commitment and enthusiasm - we share this recognition with you. And, to our beloved Tappers, we have such a special place because of you. Thank you for supporting us in all we do.”
