GBPA 2026: Meet the finalists for Best Beer Pub, sponsored by SIBA’s Indie Beer Campaign

The Crown Inn

Run for more than 30 years by John and Tanja Ellis, this pub is the jewel in the crown of the community of Oakengates in Telford.

A beer lovers mecca, loving curated by the couples whose passion for the subject is unparalleled, this is a site that boasts an impressive arrange of cask beer on draught, along

with a fantastic selection of world tipples, all beautifully presented on hand made display board inside the pub.

The care and attention John and Tanja put into both the pub and the impressive range on offer make this a standout entry in the beer pub category.

The Bunch of Grapes

Nestled down an unassuming side road in the Welsh Valleys is this corker of a freehouse. Run by Nick Otley, the pub has been in the family hands for two generations now, but Nick has elevated the offer both on food and drink to exceptional levels, creating a beer-focused gastropub that really has the wow factor.

Cooking over live fire in the kitchen is complimented by an exception range of beers, while Nick also runs an impressive micro-brewery set up in the pub garden. Craft beer options are also well catered for with the pub operating a great bottle shop selection which proves popular with locals and visitors alike.

The Tamworth Tap

When the fact that you have a castle abutting the pub garden is not the most impressive thing about your pub, you know you’ve got something special.

A regular award winner, gaining impressive recognition for its beer offer, the Tamworth Tap has steadily built up an astonishing reputation in the short time it’s been operating.

With 12 cask beers on draught, 20 keg lines and a huge range of world beers on bottle and can, this is a pub that is not just serious about beer, but also serves a pivotal role within the local community. Stand out events include everything from knit and natter to hosting the local church in the pub on a regular basis.

The Butchers Dog

This Dorset-based bar offers something really special for the community of Ashley Cross, with a strong selection of well curated craft beers from both local suppliers and respected brewers from around the UK and further afield. The beer range is well displayed and a strong collection of bottles and cans are also available in a well stocked fridge.

A newer entrant into the on-trade, the operators have two sites already and this addition is an impressive operation that is likely to see further development down the line. With over 20 keg lines on offer, this is a pub that has a little something to offer all beer lovers.

The Railway

Situated on the edge of the New Forest, the Railway Pub & Kitchen is the kind of pub everyone would love to have as their local. A great range of beers is on offer, with guest beers being regularly rotated, and a strong roster of breweries ensures punters are regularly surprised and delighted.

Top this off with an outstanding barbecue and smokehouse inspired menu, and this is a pub that makes people want to move near to it. An impressively hand-built garden features comfortable covered areas, along with play equipment to keep the children happy while the adults enjoy some grown up time. And beer.

The Victoria and Commercial

Probably the newest development on the list, this is a pub that has been lovingly reopened and restored to its Victorian grandeur as part of a joint initiative between local operators. As a result, visitors are first wowed by the ornate and beautiful details, from the traditional 19th century partitioning, to the high ceiling and impressively long original bar.

And that’s before they get to the beer. This is a pub with a real passion for showcasing the best of the best, and it has a strong line up of cask beer that would make any enthusiasts day. Alongside that is an innovative food menu offering some interesting and fun choices, and staff that are knowledgeable and put service at the heart of the experience.