A WEST Berkshire pub has been crowned Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale for 2022.

The Lion in Newbury was named the winner in what was described as one of the closest fought competitions for many years.

The freehouse, on West Street, beat off stiff competition to be voted the best pub for real ale by West Berkshire CAMRA members.  

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Father and son team Kevin and Sam took over the pub in October 2019 following a refurbishment.

Kevin said: "We are so proud to have got the 2022 Pub of the Year award. Our initial aim was to get into the Good Beer Guide and this is now the icing on the cake.

"This has been a team effort involving Sam, Julia, Kieran, Sanna, Joe and Jak. We have trained Sanna, Kieran and Joe in the cellarmanship and bar skills needed to ensure that beer is served at its best."

Up to eight cask ales, including a range of guest ales and one cask cider are available.  They also serve a a range of Tex-Mex food and the pub shows live sport on TV, hosts a Thursday quiz night and occasional live music.

In the 80s, The Lion was the only Free House in Newbury and the CAMRA branch’s unofficial HQ. It was almost replaced with offices, but for a campaign by CAMRA which saw the pub rebuilt by Wadworth in 1988. 

Pub of the Year is an annual accolade awarded by the Campaign for Real Ale to the best real ale pub in the district and is voted for by CAMRA members who are asked to visit each pub on the shortlist and score it out of 10 for eight areas - quality of ale/cider; promotion and knowledge of real ale; cleanliness and staff hygiene; décor style and furnishing; service/welcome/offering; community focus and atmosphere; sympathy with CAMRA’s aims and overall impression and value.