On Tuesday 21 March, West Berkshire CAMRA Chair, Andy Pinkard, presented the certificate to Hugh Macaulay, landlord of the Bell, with the assurance that the pub had all the qualities needed to win through again.
Andy said ‘The Bell, under Hugh’s most excellent stewardship, represents the very essence of a traditional pub; welcoming, inclusive and sociable.
It is an honour to present the award on behalf of CAMRA branch members.’
Hugh said ‘Thank you so much.
It’s absolutely great to have this award.
It just feels a really lovely award for this pub.
Thank goodness for the Bell, is all I can say. Well done the Bell, yet again.
I’m glad that everybody feels that we have a very welcoming and lovely pub here.’
This was met with applause and ‘Congratulations’ from those present.
Customers and CAMRA members then gathered outside the Bell with Hugh Macaulay and Andy Pinkard who holds the award certificate between them.
The Bell Inn, Aldworth, is the traditional village pub in West Berkshire that the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has recognised with many local, regional and national Pub of the Year awards.
It won CAMRA National Pub of the Year for the years 1990 and 2019. The free house has been included in every edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide since 1979.
It’s latest award is West Berkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023. Following this award, the pub goes through to the Berkshire round of the Central Southern region competition that includes Reading’s Ale House and Maidenhead’s A Hoppy Place.
On Tuesday 21 March, West Berkshire CAMRA Chair, Andy Pinkard, presented the certificate to Hugh Macaulay, landlord of the Bell, with the assurance that the pub had all the qualities needed to win through again.
Andy said ‘The Bell, under Hugh’s most excellent stewardship, represents the very essence of a traditional pub; welcoming, inclusive and sociable. It is an honour to present the award on behalf of CAMRA branch members.’
With its unchanged appearance, the Bell Inn is described as having ‘A historic pub interior of national importance’ in the guide to Historic Pub Interiors maintained by the CAMRA Pub Heritage Group.
A range of real ales and ciders from local suppliers are served from the three small counters of the central bar. Small independents including Indigenous Brewery, SOX Brewery, Amwell Springs Brewery and Tutts Clump Cider are favoured.
A recent addition to the beer range is Five Giants brewed by Aldworth Brewing Company. Hugh’s rugby playing son, James Macaulay, is the brewer at this nano brewery located in an outbuilding behind the Bell. Additional brewery capacity is already being considered to allow enough beer to be brewed to meet demand from the pub’s customers.
The food available at the Bell includes freshly prepared warm bread rolls with a variety of fillings.
Other recent winners of the West Berkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year award include The Lion, Newbury and the John O’Gaunt, Hungerford.
West Berkshire CAMRA has arranged a social for current and prospective members to celebrate the award at the Bell Inn on Saturday 1 April at 2pm.
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