The Pelican Inn in Gloucester has been crowned CAMRA’s Pub of the Year in the South West category. It joins 15 other regional finalists who will now compete to be the National Pub of the Year 2022, the first time the competition has been held for two years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Pubs are judged on the quality of live beer, real cider, and perry as well as atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, and overall impression. The winner will be announced on 30th November 2022.
The Pelican, situated in the shadow of Gloucester Cathedral was taken over by Wye Valley Brewery and landlord Mike Hall in 2012. It serves ten real ales, mostly from Wye Valley, alongside guest beers, 5 craft keg and 20 traditional ciders as well as 10+ bottled and 50+ canned beers.
CAMRA’s South West Regional Director Peter Bridle presented the pub with the award on August 25th. He said: “These awards recognise the high standards of each of these outlets, not only in the quality of the beers they sell but also of the service and welcome they offer and the ambience and exacting standards they achieve.
“The South West region covers a huge area from the Cotswolds right down to Cornwall. There are many great pubs in the region so to be an overall winner reflects the ambitious standards it has accomplished…
Margaret Wilkins, Committee member of Gloucestershire CAMRA, said: “A warm welcome awaits regulars and visitors alike and with the Pelican offering up to ten cask ales, mainly Wye Valley, but guest ales too, you are sure to find a beer for everyone.
“You will also find a good range of cider, craft keg and an eclectic range of canned beers. We are delighted with the news that the Pelican has won the CAMRA South West Region Pub of the Year. Mike Hall, his staff and his family deserve this award and recognition for making the pub a haven for real ale in Gloucester.”
Mike Hall, from Pelican Inn, said it is “fabulously humbling” to win the award. He added: “The foundation of our success here is built on our relationship with Wye Valley Brewery. They afforded us the time to re-establish a once-forgotten Gloucester pub with real ale at its absolute heart. How the pub has since evolved over the past ten years has been the most wonderfully rewarding experience of my life. Thank you to everyone who has journeyed with us.”
