The Beer Engine in Skipton has made it to the final four in CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition. This means it could potentially clinch the title of CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, one of the highest honours a UK pub can receive.
Situated on a quaint street nestled between the town centre and the canal, The Beer Engine is a well-established micropub known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Here, six handpumps serve up a variety of beers, always including a blonde or pale ale, a dark brew, and a distinctive character beer. In 2022, the bar underwent an expansion that now incorporates craft keg fonts. Additionally, there’s a selection of still cider, fruit cider, bottled beers, cans, and wines available.
Adam Davies and Steven Gregory, Directors at The Beer Engine, said: “When we were voted Branch Pub of the Year for our area, we were so happy to get that accolade, and it had never even crossed our minds that we might get further in the competition. To go on to win the regional prize and then to get to the final four in the National Pub of the Year competition is overwhelming, but something we and our team are immensely proud of! We just do what we do: serve a range of beer from breweries that we’d love to see if we walked into a pub! That combined with a lovely crowd, our fabulous staff, great conversation and a fantastic atmosphere makes The Beer Engine what it is.”
Colleen Holiday, Keighley & Craven CAMRA Branch Chair commented: “Since Steve and Adam took over the Beer Engine, they have really made it their own, through expanding the beer and cider range and making it the most welcome and inclusive place possible. Their ideal as to what a good pub is all about is centred on customers and conversation – all supported by quality drinks and service. During COVID, they had the opportunity to expand the truly micro, micropub. With a leap of faith, they invested and expanded space and added a keg wall, further extending their range. They were unsure what customers would think of the changes, but no need – everyone loved it. They work with professionalism and enthusiasm every day and are extremely supportive of CAMRA’s aims. An absolutely wonderful pub!”
The pubs in the competition are chosen by CAMRA volunteers and evaluated based on their ambience, decor, hospitality, service, affordability, clientele mix, and most importantly, the quality of their beer. The ultimate winner will be announced in January 2024. The other three finalists are the Nelson Arms in Tonbridge, the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth, and the Trafalgar Hotel in Ramsey, Isle of Man.
National Pub of the Year Coordinator Andrea Briers said: “I am delighted to announce the finalists in our National Pub of the Year competition. Each pub holds a special place in their communities and all offer something unique to their customers. Pubs across the UK have faced many challenges, so it is wonderful to be able to recognise and celebrate the amazing pubs we have and to see them thrive.
“It was a very difficult job this year to whittle entries down to our fabulous four. Each finalist was scored against a range of criteria with all strongly demonstrating what a good pub should be; warm, welcoming, amazing service – and all serving a fantastic range of beers. I look forward to the next phase as they enter the final stage of their journey and compete to be crowned the best pub in the UK.”
The four finalists will be presented with their awards at local events in the coming weeks.
