The Catherine Wheel was transformed into a pub with a good reputation for real ale and cider after the refurbishment when Warwick Heskins took over in 2014.

Located at the Newbury Market Place end of Cheap Street, the Catherine Wheel has featured in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide regularly since 2018.

Awards from West Berkshire CAMRA have included Pub of the Year 2018 and Cider Pub of the Year 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2023- On Saturday 8 April, Pat Kyle presented Warwick with the West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2023 award during the pub’s annual Easter Beer and Cider Festival.

Pat complimented Warwick on the pub’s range of ciders served at a cool temperature and Warwick replied that he was honoured and delighted to receive the award.

Warwick is proud to stock ciders from both local and national cider makers including Green Shed (Newbury) and Tutts Clump.

He said ‘With the warmer weather approaching, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing pint of real cider.’

A blackboard, next to the dedicated cider fridge for bottled and boxed ciders, lists what is available and bar staff are able to give advice or tasters of boxed ciders.

Warwick said ‘Real cider comes in a range of styles to suit everyone, from dry to sweet and fruit flavoured.

Because it’s fruit-based, cider has the advantage of being gluten-free.

It also provides antioxidants and vitamin C.

CAMRA defines real cider or perry as being fermented from the whole juice of fresh pressed apples or pears, without the use of concentrated or chaptalised juices.

A CAMRA maintained list includes 435 real cider producers in the UK.

Previous West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year winners have included the Five Bells, Wickham and more recently the John O’Gaunt, Hungerford.

The CAMRA list of real cider producers can be downloaded from a button at: https://producers.camra.org.uk/

Further CAMRA resources about real cider and perry can be found at: https://camra.org.uk/beer-and-cider/cider/promoting-real-cider-and-perry/

West Berkshire CAMRA website: https://westberkscamra.org.uk/

The Catherine Wheel website: https://thecatherinewheel.com/