The Brewery Tap real ale pub in Chester scoops four awards in less than a month

Oct 28 2010 by Antonia Merola, Chester Chronicle

A REAL ale pub in the heart of Chester has scooped four top food and drink awards in less than a month.

The Brewery Tap in Lower Bridge Street, has been named as the Regional Pub of the Year 2010 by members of the Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales CAMRA group, which is part of the national consumer group Campaign For Real Ale.

But its latest accolades were in the National Pub Design Awards, organised by CAMRA and English Heritage to celebrate the best examples of refurbishment and conservation of public houses.

The pub, set in a Grade II listed Jacobean banqueting hall, is owned by Matthew Walley’s Spitting Feathers brewery based in Waverton.

Described by judges as ‘outstanding’, the pub took both the English Heritage Conservation Award and the Conversion to Pub Use Award.

Andrew Davidson, an inspector of ancient monuments for English Heritage and real ale fan, who was on the judging panel, said: “It is a very nice example of when someone has worked with the building and allowed it to speak for itself. No-one has tried to force their own ideas on to it and so that allows you to really appreciate what the building is. What that does is make a very characterful place to come and enjoy a pint.”

To add to its impressive haul, The Brewery Tap was also a winner in BBC Olive magazine’s Alternative Restaurant Awards 2010, which celebrates the ‘food heroes worth shouting about’ across the UK.

Winning the Wish It Was Your Local category, it was praised by judges for its consistently good food, excellent choice of real ales and its relaxed and homely atmosphere.

John Thomas, manager of The Brewery Tap, said: “We are delighted The Brewery Tap has won these awards. We spend a lot of time and effort ensuring the pub is a great experience for locals and newcomers alike and believe that all the hard work has now paid off.”