Growing demand for good quality, locally made beer seen 19 new breweries opening across the East Midlands in the last year, according to the Campaign for Real Ale.
The publisher of the Good Beer Guide 2020 says there are now 178 breweries in an area stretching from Lincoln in the north to Market Harborough in the South.
And despite a national decline in pub numbers, the latest guide includes 97 new entries among the 402 pubs listed across the region.
Smithfield, in Meadow Road, Derby, stands out among them having been named one of the best in Britain, and a shot at becoming ’s Pub of the Year.
It was the 2019 East Midlands CAMRA pub of the year.
A spokesman for the real ale group said: “The Smithfield is a handsome riverside pub with a large outdoor terrace overlooking the river Derwent.
“The beer range is varied with a strong emphasis on new breweries and a good selection of craft keg beer.
“Family-friendly and dog-friendly with wifi, live music and traditional pub games, it is the ideal stop for anyone in the area.”
It will now compete in the next round of the competition, hoping to be named one of four finalists – and a chance of becoming the overall winner next February.
The Good Beer Guide reviews more than 4,500 pubs across the UK, and is compiled by thousands of independent volunteers.
As well as highlighting the best beers, it helps identify significant trends and themes locally and nationally.
CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer said: “For nearly five decades, the Good Beer Guide has been a comprehensive guide to the UK’s breweries, their ales, and the best outlets to find them in across the country.
“What makes the Guide unique is that all the entries are compiled and vetted by a huge volunteer team, based around the country.
“We work hard to ensure that all areas of the country are covered and, unlike with some competitor titles, inclusion in this book is dependent only on merit, not on payment.
“The Good Beer Guide has always had an important role in acting as a barometer of the beer and pub industry.
“We believe information gleaned from the Guide is absolutely vital in the drive to save our pubs from closure and campaign for policies that better support pubs, local brewers and their customers.”
