This page explains how each award is chosen and the standards used to judge pubs and clubs across the branch area. All awards are based on National CAMRA guidelines, which focus on beer quality, service, cleanliness, atmosphere and support for CAMRA values.
National CAMRA Judging Criteria
All awards use the following national criteria as the foundation for judging:
Quality of Real Ale, Cider and Perry
The beer, cider or perry must be of excellent quality and consistently well kept.
Style, Décor, Furnishing and Cleanliness
Venues should be comfortable, clean and safe, with appropriate décor, clean glasses and hygienic toilets.
Service, Welcome and Offering
Staff should be friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. Good service includes prompt acknowledgement, enthusiasm for real ale, and offering suitable additional products such as soft drinks or food.
Community Focus and Atmosphere
Judges look for a friendly atmosphere, regular customers, support for local groups, and useful local information for visitors.
Alignment with CAMRA Principles
Clear pricing, full measures, oversized glasses, positive promotion of real ale and a sensible range of styles all contribute to scoring.
Other Factors
The venue should be enjoyable and offer reasonable value for money.
Criteria For Each Type Of Award
Pub of the Year
The Pub of the Year is selected from the highest‑scoring Good Beer Guide pubs in the branch area. Members judge each shortlisted pub using national CAMRA criteria, focusing on the quality and consistency of real ale, the cleanliness and comfort of the venue, the standard of service and welcome, the pub’s community role and atmosphere, and its alignment with CAMRA principles such as full measures, clear pricing and positive promotion of real ale. The winner is the pub that members believe best represents excellence across these areas.
Highly Commended (Pub of the Year)
Highly Commended certificates are awarded to pubs that reach the final round of Pub of the Year voting but do not win. The runner‑up automatically receives a certificate, and other finalists may also receive one if they achieve the required number of member votes.
Cider Pub of the Year
The Cider Pub of the Year must serve real cider or perry that meets CAMRA’s definition, and it must be available all year round. The judging process mirrors Pub of the Year, with members assessing quality, consistency, service, knowledge, atmosphere and commitment to real cider.
Club of the Year
Club of the Year follows the same criteria and voting process as Pub of the Year, with members judging real ale quality, service, cleanliness, community involvement and support for CAMRA values.
Pub of the Season
Pub of the Season is awarded quarterly to a pub or club that has been on the Watching List for at least three months and has not previously won under the same management. It recognises venues that have recently improved their real ale quality, choice or availability, have furthered CAMRA’s aims, or have introduced real ale to a new area. It may also be awarded to long‑standing quality venues that have never received branch recognition