At the January branch meeting the CAMRA Central Lancashire committee agreed that a new annual award should be introduced to recognise those pubs and clubs that were seen to be selling beer of an outstanding quality. It was decided that each year we should recognise five pubs or clubs, and that these should be those that had received the highest average beer scores from CAMRA members during the previous calendar year. Beer scores have been checked, and then double checked, with the following five pubs coming out as the five that had the best average beer scores during 2022:-

Black Horse, Preston; Mason's Arms, Chorley; Old Post Office, Adlington;

Plug & Taps, Preston; Red Lion, Wheelton.

Available from the beginning of March is Ale Cry 132, the Spring 2023 edition of the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch quarterly magazine (on-line version available here Ale Cry). Once again a 28 page issue, the cover prominently features the Black Horse, Preston which has recently been announced as the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch's Pub of the Year for 2023. Inside the Orchard, Preston is revealed as the branch's Pub of the Season for Spring 2023, while an article on Branch Awards highlights other pubs and clubs that have recently been honoured. Elsewhere Riley's Rambles visits Longridge, Walking With A Purpose describes a Catforth Circular route, while the reflective CAMRA Central Lancs And article this time looks at Beermats. As usual the magazine also includes the regular Chorley Chatter, Preston Parade, and South Ribble Scene news articles, plus there is plenty more to read. Copies of Ale Cry 132 will be available from pubs and clubs throughout the branch area in the coming weeks.

On May 25th CAMRA Central Lancashire branch held a social at Ben's Tap & Bottleshop in Chorley. This had been arranged because the pub had been chosen as the branch's Cider Pub of the Year for 2023. A presentation took place during the evening, with Ben receiving a certificate to commemorate his pub's success.

On the night there was more good news for Ben and his staff, with it being revealed that the pub had subsequently been chosen as the CAMRA West Pennines Regional Cider Pub of the Year for 2023.

This is an especially prestigious honour for a pub in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area. It is the first time one of our pubs has won this award, with the winner in previous years more often than not being a scenic country pub located in Cumbria or North Yorkshire. For information on previous winners see West Pennines Cider POTY Winners.

The Regional Cider Pub of the Year presentation will take place at the pub on July 20th.

CAMRA Central Lancashire branch have previously produced Chorley and Preston Real Ale Trails - now we are pleased to announce the availability of a South Ribble Real Ale Trail which features many of the best real ale pubs in the South Ribble portion of our branch area.

Whereas the Chorley and Preston Real Ale Trails both concentrated on relatively compact urban areas, by necessity the South Ribble Real Ale Trail covers a much larger geographic spread. The South Ribble Real Ale Trail features 22 pubs (which intentionally are all close to bus routes) in Bamber Bridge, Leyland, Longton, Lostock Hall, Penwortham, Walton Summit, and Walton-le-Dale.

Copies of the South Ribble Real Ale Trail will be available at those pubs featured in the leaflet. Additionally, an on-line version can be found here - South Ribble Real Ale Trail (Issue 1).

We have also produced an updated version of the Chorley Real Ale Trail - an on-line version can be found here - Chorley Real Ale Trail (Issue 4).

Preston Pub Festival 2023 is to take place over the weekend Friday September 29th to Sunday October 1st.

It is planned that 12 to 15 of the city's pubs will be taking part in this new event, and those known to be participating include the Black Horse, the Chain House Brewing Co. Taproom, the Continental, the Guild Ale House, the Moorbrook, NIKO, the Orchard, the Plug & Taps, and the Winckley Street Ale House.

More information can be found on the Preston Pub Festival 2023 website.

Today is the official publication date of Good Beer Guide 2024, the 51st edition of the Good Beer Guide. As ever, an essential purchase for those wanting to discover the very best of real ale pubs in all parts of the country, Good Beer Guide 2024 features 33 pubs from the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area as determined by local members.

Available from early in December is Ale Cry 135, the Winter 2023 edition of the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch quarterly magazine (on-line version available here Ale Cry). The magazine includes the usual good mix of pub and beer related articles, with the Wheatsheaf at Coppull being revealed as the Winter 2023 Pub of the Season. Copies of Ale Cry 135 will be available in pubs and clubs throughout the branch area in the coming weeks.