By Isle of Wight Observer
The Newport Ale House has been crowned ‘CAMRA pub of the Year’ for the second successive year. The pub, on Holyrood Street, is described as a ‘new breed’ of micropubs which are a reincarnation of the old beer houses – small, basic, friendly and offering a fine range of beers.
CAMRA chairman, John Nicholson, said: “Rod Kellaway and his staff thoroughly deserve it. The pub is head and shoulders above the others, not just in providing good beer, but a great atmosphere where people can go and relax.
“A pint is our tradition, but it’s secondary to why we go to the pub; we go there for camaraderie, companionship and solitude, if that’s what we want. You will only find that in a good pub.”
Rod said: “We would love to thank all and everyone who continues to support us – it’s been an awesome journey over the past seven years and, without my staff and my amazing family, this would not have been possible.
“And to all the customers and visitors of the Newport Ale House, it would never have been the same; you make this little place so awesome. So thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my heart.”
Second place went to The Castle, Sandown, third was Cowes Ale House and fourth Fowlers, Ryde.
This year’s top ale was won by Island Brewery’s Earl’s RDA, with Fuggle Dee Dum second, Yachtsman third and Puncheon Porter fourth.