Meet the finalists: Best Pub Brand/Concept sponsored by Moet Hennessy

BrewDog

BrewDog launched its pub operation in 2010 in a bid to make pubs and craft beer accessible to everyone. It now runs 125 sites worldwide with a further 20 franchise branches in the UK.

Recent launches have included huge bars in Waterloo, London, and in Las Vegas, US. The typical BrewDog bar has 28 draught taps for craft beer, most of which are taken by its own-brewed beers across a wide variety of styles.

Not only are beers made by the Ellon-based business, it has its own cider and spirits brands and no and low alcohol options are prevalent too, and its food offer is vast too.

Its green credentials are strong being a carbon-negative business with green schemes such as planting trees in its Lost Forest and eco-friendly vehicles.

Brewhouse & Kitchen

Brewhouse & Kitchen had just five sites seven years ago and has now grown to 22.

Every site, which are located mainly in towns rather than cities, is home to a microbrewery meaning cask and kegged beer travels no distance further than the pub’s ground floor to the bar, guaranteeing freshness – and half of its draught sales are made from home-brewed beers.

Its food offer is strong and even uses some of its own-brewed products in its food and sauces.

No and low alcohol wishes are catered for comfortably by B&K while its RTD cocktails are poured in seconds and are great quality.

Another category where the business is flying is its experiences, which range from brewing days to beer flights to whisky and beer pairings to name a few.

Chef & Brewer (Greene King)

Chef & Brewer (C&B) has set its goal of being a top-end village pub brand within the Greene King pub estate, and its campaign to overhaul its circa-140 sites is well under way.

Not only have dozens of its pubs undergone huge financial renovations, C&B has transformed a number of its garden areas to bring the indoors outside with green areas, seating, shelters and heaters increasing covers.

Customers won’t find discount deals at its sites and its promotions are based on using better quality food and drinks. And its specials menu gives each site individuality while all having similar touchpoints.

The training pathway is strong for all staff from those behind the bar to the back-of-house chefs.

Designs inside make what was once a somewhat unloved pub brand a genuinely welcoming place and roaring fires are commonplace and needed for many customers.

Little Door and Co

Little Door operates four sites across London with a completely original flat-sharing concept.

Each one has the core concept of a house party and is divided into rooms such as a living room where the party is lively while kitchens are more likely to be a touch quieter so customers can talk but are still a great place to have fun.

Drinks menus are displayed on household items such as pots and pans and even though each house is different from each other, there are various touchpoints that remain the same like a console with Mario Kart for four players or a basket of clothing so guests can get kitted out in fancy dress.

You wouldn’t know what was going on from the outside with very little giveaway clues but the cocktails are great and so is the food, and the music playlist suits each site’s characteristics perfectly.