Winner of National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2011 announced

29th September 2011, 11:59am

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has announced that Ye Olde Cider Bar in Newton Abbot, Devon, has been judged as its National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2011 after a year of local and regional judging rounds.

The news comes at a time when CAMRA is due to kick off its National Cider and Perry Month celebrations during the month of October.

Although the competition was strong this year in finding Britain's best cider pub, CAMRA judges noted how Ye Olde Cider Bar's friendly and knowledgeable staff, formidable cider heritage and impressive range of produce shone out over the other three National finalists, who were Royal Oak in Oxfordshire, Penrhyn Arms in Conway and The Lifeboat in Kent.

Run by Mr Knibbs since the early 1970's, the pub serves 20-25 real ciders and perries at any one time, having never held a licence to sell beer or spirits.

Knibbs said: "I'm absolutely blown away, and had no idea I'd won it. It came as a real shock, but I'm delighted, and it all comes down to the hard work, enthusiasm and knowledge of our pub staff."

Sarah Newson, CAMRA Cider and Perry Committee Vice Chairman and one of the final judges, added: "I felt that the bar showcased some of the best cider that Devon has to offer, which was served by friendly and knowledgeable staff who went out of their way to find a cider that the customer was happy with. 

"All this, combined with the wonderful, very rare example of a traditional cider house setting which harks back to a bygone era, but which is welcoming to all ages and both locals and visitors alike, made this a truly deserving winner."

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