Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs 2018

Foodie pubs across the UK have been assessed by industry experts to compile this year’s list of the top 50 must-visit gastropub destinations. The collection of venues, spread over six regions, boast Michelin Stars, award-winning chefs, and 5 star front-of-house teams between them.

The winning pub is The Sportsman, Kent, once described by owner Stephen Harris as his “grotty boozer by the sea”. Although considering this is the third time it has taken the title, there’s a chance he’s being modest.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The Top 10:

  1. The Sportsman, Kent
  2. The Pony & Trap, Bristol
  3. The Star Inn, York
  4. Freemasons at Wiswell, Lancashire
  5. The Coach, Buckinghamshire
  6. The Drapers Arms, London
  7. The Beehive, Berkshire
  8. Parkers Arms, Lancashire
  9. The Hardwick, Abergavenny
  10. The Marksman, London

Click here to see all 50 winners.

About the awards:

The “Estrella Damm” Top 50 Gastropub Awards are voted for by top foodies and hospitality experts. These include gastropub operators (who can’t vote for their own pubs), food writers, pubco catering development managers and executive chefs, celebrity and top hospitality industry chefs, pub guide editors, industry chiefs and food operators. The voting criteria ensures the list really is decided by the industry.

To ensure that each region in the UK has an equal opportunity for their pubs to shine, our voters are broken down into six geographical regions, with an equal number of votes collected in each by the Top 50 Gastropubs Voting Academy. Our regional academy chairs include food writers and experts.

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington says: “Winning or being shortlisted as a finalist is an excellent way of getting your pub – and yourself – the recognition that you deserve.”

Food and drink editor Nicholas Robinson adds: “Getting on this list is the jewel in the crown for foodie pubs across the UK. It’s the place to be seen.”

Votes are cast in a poll of hundreds of industry experts, including top chefs, food writers, pubco chiefs, pub-guide editors and top suppliers to bring you this definitive list of the best gastropubs in Britain.

Burns Night Bevvies

Burns Night offers a chance to celebrate the life and works of legendary Scottish poet and lyricist, Robert Burns. With pubs across the nation, from John O’Groats to Land’s End, hosting tributes. Of course, they couldn’t possibly do that without raising a traditional whisky toast to the man, after all, Burns himself was partial to a wee dram.

But if you fancy trying something a bit sweeter to top off your Burns Supper, one of these simple cocktails, as recommended by the Scotch Whisky Association, should do the trick! We’re sure Rabbie would approve of a little modern twist on the ‘guid, auld Scotch drink’.

Whisky Sours

To a double Scotch add the juice of half a lemon and half a teaspoonful of sugar. Shake with ice and serve with a squirt of soda water.

Whisky Royale

25ml measure of Scotch Whisky, dash of apple schnapps (or clear apple juice), ginger ale, sliced green apple, crushed ice.

Half fill a chilled champagne flute with crushed ice. Pour in the Scotch Whisky and then the apple schnapps. Top up with ginger ale. Place a slice of green apple into the drink.

Scotch Paradise

Sugar syrup, desiccated coconut, 50ml measure of Scotch Whisky, a dash of coconut syrup, milk. Moisten the edge of a highball glass with sugar syrup and roll the glass in desiccated coconut to coat the outer edge.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the Scotch Whisky, the coconut syrup and top with milk (enough to fill the glass). Shake well and pour into the glass.

Bitter ‘n’ Twisted

In a chilled cocktail glass mix a few drops of lemon juice, 4 drops of Angostura bitters, 25ml measure of Scotch Whisky, ginger ale to top up.

Jock Collins

Scotch Whisky, 5-6 dashes lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda. Pour into a large glass and fill with soda.

Red Scotch

Shake together 25ml measure of Scotch Whisky, tomato juice, juice of half a lemon, dash of Worcestershire sauce, dash of Tabasco sauce. Fill a glass with ice and pour the mixture over and decorate with freshly ground black pepper.

Slainte!

Looking for somewhere to enjoy the Burns Night merriment? Check out events happening in pubs and bars near you.

Sky Sports Live PL Games – March ’18

Get your diaries out boys and girls because Sky Sports have announced 15 games from the top flight to be televised throughout March on their dedicated Premier League channel. Click here to find pubs and bars near you showing Sky Sports.

   Sat 3rd March    

Burnley v Everton, 12.30pm

   Sun 4th March   

Brighton v Arsenal, 1.30pm

Man City v Chelsea, 4pm

Mon 5th March

Crystal Palace v Man Utd, 8pm

Sat 10th March

Man Utd v Liverpool, 12.30pm

Sun 11th March

Arsenal v Watford, 1.30pm

Bournemouth v Spurs, 4pm

             Mon 12th March               

Stoke v Man City, 8pm

Fri 16th March   

Spurs v Newcastle, 8pm

Sat 17th March

Burnley v Chelsea, 12.30pm

Sun 18th March

West Ham v Man Utd, 1.30pm

Man City v Brighton, 4pm

Sat 31st March  

Crystal Palace v Liverpool, 12.30pm

     Sun 1st April       

Arsenal v Stoke, 1.30pm

Chelsea v Spurs, 4pm

 

FA Cup – 4th Round

Friday night sees the 4th round of the FA Cup kick-off an action packed weekend of football with 6 televised games across 3 days. And with two thirds of the ties featuring lower league teams, there’s plenty of potential for a giant-killing!

Friday 26th January

Yeovil Town v Manchester United (7.55pm)
BBC One

Saturday 27th January

Peterborough United or Leicester City (12.30pm)
BT Sport 2

Newport County v Tottenham Hotspur (5.30pm)
BT Sport 2

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion (7.45pm)
BT Sport 2

Sunday 28th January

Chelsea v Newcastle United (1.30pm)
BT Sport 2

Cardiff City v Manchester City (4pm)
BBC One

For a list of pubs and bars with BT Sport click here

For a list of pubs and bars with terrestrial TV click here

 

BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018

The BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards recognise the very best of the British countryside including landmarks, nationals parks, and, of course, good old fashioned British country pubs.

Having been nominated by readers and further scrutinised by a panel of expert judges, five ‘outstanding contenders’ are selected for the shortlist in each category, from which a winner is voted for by the public.

The judging panel includes; John Craven: Captain Countryfile, Phoebe Smith: Author and adventurer, Mark Rowe: Rural affairs and travel writer, Sheena Harvey: BBC Wildlife editor, Fergus Collins: BBC Countryfile Magazine editor, Miranda Krestovnikoff: Radio and TV presenter and RSPB president.

Voting is now open until Monday 5th March, so check out each of the nominees and pick your favourite! We already know ours…

Best Country Pub 2018 Nominees:

To cast your vote and find out more about the nominees click here to visit the Countryfile website.