A HARTLEBURY taproom has been crowned ‘Pub of the Season’ by the Wyre Forest Branch of CAMRA.

The Tap House has been named 'Pub of the Season Summer 2021' by members of the Wyre Forest group.

The summer vote returned following the reopening of pubs as lockdown measures eased.

Rob Budworth, branch chairman, said: “It is great to be able to get out to the pub again. Members felt that The Tap House at Hartlebury has been one of those pubs that has gone the extra mile in response to the Covid lockdown.

"As well as ample outside seating and great ales, they were impressed by its great food and, of course, being a brewery taphouse, delivery miles are virtually non-existent - which is great for the planet.”

The pub is one of 12 pubs and brewers across Wyre Forest taking part in the Branch’s current Real Ale Trail initiative.

CAMRA is urging people to visit pubs and taphouses this summer under the banner of the ‘Great British Beer Festival at Your Local’, supporting the industry after a year of restrictions.

The campaigning organisation is encouraging licensees to hold events and activities celebrating live beer and real cider as part of a Great British Beer Festival at Your Local event, which is taking place until August 8.

Rob added: “Here in Wyre Forest, the branch committee thought it would be a great idea to replace the cancelled National Festival with an event supporting local licensees and brewers across our area. We have therefore organised a real ale trail event with prizes, based around a selection of the Wyre Forest pubs and breweries that we all love so much.

"We hope this will encourage you to return to those that you already know and love and, hopefully, also discover new hidden gems, whilst observing the continued need for social distancing and sensible drinking. Wyre Forest CAMRA is indebted to all participating publicans and brewers for their generous prize donations.”

The participating venues are the Anchor Inn, Cookley; Kidderminster’s Bear and Wolf, Beer Emporium and Cider House, Weavers Real Ale House and Weavers at Park Lane; Bewdley’s Brewery Tap, the Black Boy at Wyre Hill and the Great Western; Stourport on Severn’s Black Star, Hollybush and Brothers of Ale Taphouse; Hartlebury Tap House.