Small pub's big win

Newark’s smallest pub has been named the best in Nottinghamshire by the Campaign for Real Ale.

Just Beer, in Swan and Salmon Yard, off Castlegate, beat much larger and longer established pubs to win the award.

It had already been named Newark Camra pub of the year and now has the opportunity to win the East Midlands award, with the possibility of a national final.

The micropub was set up nearly two years ago by four friends from Newark, Mr Phil Ayling, Mr Stuart Young, Mr Paul Murphy and Mr Duncan Neil.

Mr Ayling said: “Some of the pubs that were in the competition are fantastic pubs and have been around a lot longer than us. It is really humbling that we have beaten them.”

Members of the four other Camra regions in Nottinghamshire visited the pub and judged it on criteria such as the quality of the beer and the ambience of the venue.

Mr Ayling came up with the idea for the pub after hearing of a similar initiative in Kent at an annual Camra meeting.

“I wish we had done it years ago,” he said.

“When we opened a lot of people questioned our sanity but real ale is making a resurgence now. It is the thing to drink.

“Breweries are opening at a rate of three per week and there is no sign of this boom slowing down.”

Mr Ayling said they had benefited from a large number of discerning drinkers in Newark who enjoyed the pub’s minimalistic style.

“We care passionately about beer and we like to think we take care of our customers,” he said.

He welcomed the news that the Newark Brewery Company is converting former maltings on William Street and bringing the trade back to the town.

“It is really exciting. It will be the first new brewery in Newark for 26 years,” he said. “We will certainly sell their beer.”

The brewery is a joint project between friends and neighbours Mr Dan Derry and Mr Will McKeon, of Newark.