A Welsh pub has been named as one of the best in Britain after it secured the place in the national finals of a top competition. The Mold Alehouse is one of 16 contenders for the coveted prize of National Pub of the Year 2022.
The Grade II listed pub has impressed event organisers the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) with its no-nonsense approach - and its landlords are over the moon to be in the final after winning the Vale of Clwyd North Wales regional before being crowned Welsh champion.
The competition, last won by the Bell Inn in Berkshire in 2019, has been on hold over the last two years due to Covid-19. Now back up and running, the Alehouse has every chance of going all the way - much to the delight of landlord Gareth Jones.
"After winning the Vale of Clwyd round, it was just a privilege to be able to represent pubs in the north - but to be named best pub in Wales by CAMRA is a real honour." Gareth, who runs business along with wife Rebecca, says much of the micropub's charm lies in its simplicity.
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"After winning the Vale of Clwyd round, it was just a privilege to be able to represent pubs in the north - but to be named best pub in Wales by CAMRA is a real honour." said Gareth, who runs business along with wife Rebecca, says much of the micropub's charm lies in its simplicity.
"There's no TV here, no live music and we don't serve spirits or food, only snacks," he explained, adding that a big part of the appeal is that there is always someone around "to have a chat with at any time of the day".
Opened in 2016, the building was formerly a café when Gareth and Rebecca took charge. Now the pub is in contention for one of the most prestigious industry prizes around, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that the pub was forced to change into a pop-up off-licence during the pandemic.
All 16 contenders will be judged on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity and overall impression. Most importantly, the judges will run the rule over the quality of live beer, real cider and perry on offer at each. The winner will be announced in November.
The other finalists are:
- Central Southern - Bell, Waltham St. Lawrence
- East Anglia - Kings Head, Norwich
- East Midlands - Horse & Jockey, Stapleford
- Greater London - Hop Inn, Hornchurch
- Greater Manchester - Real Crafty, Wigan
- Kent - Larkins Alehouse, Cranbook
- Merseyside/Cheshire - Magazine Hotel, New Brighton
- North East - Station House, Durham
- Scotland/Northern Ireland - Commercial Inn, Dunfermline
- South West - Pelican Inn, Gloucester
- Surrey/Sussex - Hornet Alehouse, Chichester
- Wessex - Olaf's Tun Craft Ale Bar, Southampton
- West Midlands - Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
- West Pennines - Fifteens at St. Anne's, Lytham St Anne's
- Yorkshire - Heaven & Ale, Barnsley
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