Many congratulations to Cath and the team at the Dog & Partridge, Alcester, which was voted as Pub of the Season for Winter 2024. A presentation by Rhys Williams, Cider Representative, took place on Wednesday 18th December.

Pictured is a delighted Cath receiving the certificate from Lloyd Evans, Branch Chair.

The Royal Oak is a grade two late 18c / early 19c listed building situated at the lower end of Alcester High Street just to the side of the very impressive gold painted letter box. It is primarily a large open plan pub but with sufficient space to provide the visitor with number of options should they wish to socialise in larger groups or as couples. With a nice welcoming log fire at the front of the pub it is said to have the longest bar in Alcester and there is live music on Friday and Saturday nights. In awarding the Winter Pub of the Season to Ruth Mclauren, Licensee of the Royal Oak since February 2017, branch members were originally impressed with the quality of the beers during a well-attended meeting on the 29th of September and this was confirmed by further visits made over subsequent weeks. With three hand pulled beers on offer, chosen on a rotational basis from regional and national brewers, they were found to be of a consistently high quality and the branch had great pleasure in recognising the Royal Oak as currently an up-and-coming real ale pub of some quality. The presentation was made on behalf of the branch by Rhys Williams, Apple contact for Shakespeare CAMRA, to Ruth, her Pub Manager Kerrie, and Adam the cellarman who does an excellent job in ensuring that the beers are always served at optimum quality. The pub was very busy and besides there being branch members present it was also good to see a number of local residents along with the Alcester Court Leet who willing provided the services of the Town Crier in order to announce the start of proceedings to all present.

A presentation was made on 30th January 2018 by local Shakespeare Branch member and regular at the Holly Bush, Rhys Williams. Since taking over the Holly Bush, Henley Street, Alcester in June 2017, landlords Peter and Helen have endeavoured to return the pub to its former glory. In recognition of their efforts, the Holly Bush was awarded Shakespeare Branch Pub of the Season for Winter 2017.

On 30th Aug 2016, a presentation to mark the award was opened by Pete Godfrey, Shakespeare CAMRA Good Beer Guide and Pubs Officer. Andrew and Rachel Danks took over the Lord Nelson 3 ½ years ago. They have certainly turned the pub around and now consistently have five real ales available – always in good condition. They always have a cider available too and there is always a good friendly service from welcoming staff. Andrew and Rachel have put a lot of effort into transforming the interior, which now has welcoming log burner in the winter, and have moved the front door to where a door should be – not round the side. They have also recently extended the outside seating areas. The Lord Nelson is a real locals' local, but also welcomes newcomers. Pete handed over to Alan Whitbread, one of the founding members of Shakespeare Branch of CAMRA and an Ale Taster for the Alcester Court Leet. Alan commended the Lord Nelson for its community activities such as cribbage evenings and vinyl nights, before treating those present to a rendition of 'O good ale thou art my darling'. Alan then presented the certificate to mark the achievement to licensee Andrew Danks.

Award presented on 6th April 2016 by Bob Kirby. With a somewhat chequered past and after a period of closure The Royal Oak opened again mid May 2014 under the stewardship of Chef Alistair Barlow and partner Stacey. They got off to an excellent start offering three real ales – at the time St Austell Tribute, Wychwood Hobgoblin and Sharps Doombar together with a first class food offering with a promise that the ale choice would be become more adventurous - they stuck to their promise which now sees them with a changing selection far from the norm. The license trade not being an easy one and CAMRA doing its best to encourage pubs to stay open in one format or another means all parties have their work cut out. Fortunately for Alistair and Stacey they seem to have found the right formula with the Royal Oak; An excellent food offering, a pleasant environment to eat and drink, and as far as we are concerned good beer! So for becoming one of only 4 per year - voted as Winter pub of the season 2015 by branch members at a recent meeting, we wish them well and offer our encouragement with the hope they will have a long future here with great success.

Members of Shakespeare Branch of CAMRA voted the Three Tuns, Alcester as their Pub of the Season for Summer 2015. Having been shut on 29 March 2014 it presented a very dark period in the history of this well known Alcester pub. Many of our members were concerned about the future and many rumours began to circulate. It was then really good news to hear that Mandy Downs and Andy Bown had managed to secure the pub and it re-opened again on 6 March 2015. Mandy was well-known in Alcester, as owner of the Cross Keys. The interior has been enhanced but the character of the pub had not been altered. It was found to be selling a good number of real ales and friendly conversation was still a priority. On 24th November 2015, a presentation was made by Lloyd Evans, Shakespeare Branch Chairman, who commented that he was pleased that the beer quality had remained consistent since the opening and that the choice had been interesting and varied. Mandy and Andy were delighted to be presented with the Pub of the Season award and were really "chuffed and overwhelmed" that their hard work had been so well appreciated.

The Pub of the Season award for Winter 2014 was presented on Tue 3rd March by Dave Page, Shakespeare CAMRA Treasurer. The Plough Inn is in the heart of the village and it oozes charm and character. First time licensees Steve and Mandy Aubrey, have taken on this former Warwickshire Pub of the Year after a six year search and they have big boots to fill as the former owners had a great reputation for food and ale. They have brought with them a new head chef Christophe Le Saint, who has a pedigree of turning out top food in a number of prestigious Cotswold pubs and restaurants offering a range of superb homemade dishes using local ingredients where possible. The pub received a new kitchen and a face lift and a lovely new white washing on the outside. Serving four beers you'll be sure of a good choice. When several Shakespeare CAMRA members visited, we were not disappointed, on offer were Marstons EPA, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Wye Valley Butty Bach and Wickwar BOB.

The Pub of the Season award for Summer 2014 was presented on Tue 29th July. The Stratford Alehouse opened for business on christmas eve 2013, the first micropub in the Shakespeare Branch area. A member of the Micropub Association, the Stratford Alehouse is a family-run business run by Bill O'Brien, along with general manager Phil Atherton. Serving real ale direct from the cask, the Stratford Alehouse pledges to support local breweries, as well as other breweries not usually seen in the area. Congratulations therefore to Bill and Phil who, after just seven months at The Stratford Alehouse, have been voted Shakespeare CAMRA's Pub of the Season for Summer 2014. The Stratford Alehouse was packed with CAMRA members and regulars for presentation of the award which was made by Pete Godfrey, Shakespeare CAMRA GBG Officer. Bill and Phil thanked everyone immensely for their continued support.

The Pub of the Season award for Summer 2013 was presented on Tue 17th September. Congratulations to Ian Merivale and Anne Simpkins who, after just 18 months at The Gate Inn, Upper Brailes, have been voted Shakespeare CAMRA's Summer 2013 Pub of the Season. An award certificate was presented by CAMRA's Julian Stobinski in front of an appreciative gathering of branch members, locals and a few passing cyclists who celebrated in style by drinking plenty of Old Hooky, straight from a cask on the bar, (and Weston's Old Rosie Cider). Its sometimes difficult to put your finger on exactly what elevates a pub from 'good' to 'something special'. Great beer is an obvious must and presents no problem as Ian and Anne have plenty of experience running other pubs in the area and Ian has previously brewed commercially, (and still runs a brewing 'master class' for anyone interested). Add to good beer and food, a genuinely warm and friendly welcome, traditional pub games, community services like a 'book swap' and a wealth of local information for walkers and cyclists, (no doubt a result of Ian's years as 'footpaths officer' for Warwickshire) and you're starting to get there. For the final ingredients add a lovely 18th Century local stone building, with timber beams, a real fire set in a stone hearth, set it in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and put it all just 6 miles from where its beers are brewed.