| S.P.B.W. - NORTHERN IRELAND |
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SPBW NI PUB OF THE YEAR AWARD There are now quite a few pub awards and it is hard about how to judge for the award. Obviously it is about cask ales; how well they are stored, served and their quality. But what else? Well, all those things that make a good business, whatever it is. Consistent quality of product
served (food, drink or accommodation). The choice was very hard and, as time goes by and cask ale knowledge increases, will get harder.
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2010/11
WINNER |
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A Victorian
Gin Palace in all its beauty, still standing firm against the heavy
encroachment of modernisation and minimalism. Loved by locals and
foreign visitors, it boasts good food, friendly staff, and some lovely
pints of cask ale. A worthy premise for an award! Several branch members came along to a presentation of the SPBW NI POTY award. Along with George (the boss) and his staff from the pub was the owner of Whitewater Brewery, Bernard Sloan, and the (in)famous mainstay of Belfast reporting, Jim McDowell. A really relaxed morning and thanks to George for the food and drinks. |
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PAST WINNERS |
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This year will see the first presentation of the S.P.B.W. POTY award for 2005/6. This is a new scheme and was not part of the original branch working. 2005/6
WINNER |
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Since re-installed the cask ale it has been on fine form and always available. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Food and decor is good and, while very busy at times, the noise level in the front lounge is not overpowering. All in all, a good place to investigate. |
2006/7
WINNER |
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Despite first impressions, the John
Hewitt is actually quite a new bar in Belfast. It soon became well
known as one of the few places in the town not to drive customers
away with high prices. It also became the centre for traditional
music, mostly Irish with a regular trad jazz night, but laterally a
mixture of seasonally hosted folk, bluegrass, cajun and others. As far as I am aware it is the only place in the province which has a Hilden ale as its regular cask; now with a changing guest ale. There is a fine selection of continental and foreign bottled beers - just right to compliment the excellent food. |
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2007/8
WINNER
THE KITCHEN BAR
Victoria Square, Belfast
(part of the Botinns Group)
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This is quite a change from the dark
little side street pub known and loved by everyone. It is new, it has
new owners but it still keeps some of its original customers and tasty
items from past menus - like the KBS (although now described as "The
Paddy Pizza"). The ales are still going strong and, as normal with the
Botinns group, well served. It has taken a while to get acquainted with
all the newness and the major change of having regular music nights, but
the bar is extremely popular and right next door to the new shopping
mall. An excellent place to stop of for an ale and a meal. |
2009/10
WINNER |
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| It is always a hard choice to pick a bar for a POTY award. More often than not it goes to a well used (as in "can't be bothered going elsewhere to investigate") bar without consideration of an all-year-round profile. A bar that quietly performs well every night, with consistancy and friendliness is hard to beat - and hard to find. The bar this year is one that had a difficult start, with a bad customer group moving in from another local. Over the months this crowd got the message and the clientele are now seen to be regulars, supportive, friendlier and much more relaxed. I have been using it on a regular basis and have found the staff well educated in the ales they sell. |
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