A LOCAL inn has been named the best pub in Northumberland.
The Dipton Mill Inn, in Hexhamshire was chosen as Northumberland Pub of the Year by Tyneside and Northumberland’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Members of the 2,000-strong CAMRA branch voted the pub the winner of the South West Northumberland Pub of the Year award.
A panel then judged the three Northumberland area winners and awarded the brew pub the overall accolade.
Ian Lee, chairman of the Tyneside & Northumberland CAMRA branch, said: “Excellent beer and cider is obviously of key importance. Award-winning pubs should be welcoming to everyone, all ages and a part of their local community.”
The Dipton Mill Inn is no stranger to awards. Earlier this year it was named value pub of the year by the Good Pub Guide 2020 and the family-run Hexhamshire Brewery attached to it is based in the pub’s back garden, run by Mark Brooker.
Landlady, Janet Brooker said: “We are absolutely delighted and overwhelmed. We have lovely hard-working staff and we are very grateful for the support of CAMRA members as well. We have a small team and because of that, people working here get to know the customers.
"It’s a very friendly pub and there is quite a community here even though we do not have a village. They are lovely people.”
Martin Ellis, press officer for Tyneside & Northumberland CAMRA added: “Northumberland has many great pubs. The range of beers brewed in Northumberland is growing every year and interest in real ale has also grown tremendously. To win the top award is a terrific achievement.
“You need to have a great range of beers served in tip-top condition and a pub which is the centre of the community.”
The awards also saw Haltwhistle Comrades Club win Northumberland Club of the Year and Wor Local in Prudhoe win Tyneside Cider Pub of the Year.
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