Pubs across the North East have reason to celebrate this week as the Campaign for Real Ale reveals its Pub of the Year results.
Following the annual voting process which sees 2,000 members of the Tyneside & Northumberland branch of CAMRA single out their favourite pubs and clubs, the success stories are being announced this Thursday morning.
And micropubs in particular are proving to have a big impact, with two in Newcastle sharing the city's top spot.
After members vote in the first round of the Pub of the Year competition, a judging process then follows to name the top pick including the Northumberland Pub of the Year and the Tyneside Pub of the Year.
Ian Lee, chairman of the local branch, explained what judges look for and said: "Excellent beer and cider is obviously of key importance.
"Award-winning pubs should be welcoming to everyone, of all ages, and be a part of their local community.
"CAMRA members obviously consider beer quality to be of prime importance. They also value a pub that has character, is comfortable and where conversation isn’t competing with loud music."
Results of the 2020 Tyneside & Northumberland Campaign for Real Ale pub and club awards
Pub of the Year
South west Northumberland
Dipton Mill Inn, Hexham
North Northumberland
The Curfew, Berwick
South east Northumberland
The Office, Morpeth
The overall winner of Northumberland Pub of the Year is the Dipton Mill Inn in Hexham
Newcastle
In joint first place - The Town Mouse and Mean-Eyed Cat micropubs.
Gateshead
Station East
North Tyneside
The Dog & Rabbit, Whitley Bay
The overall winner of Tyneside Pub of the Year is The Dog & Rabbit in Whitley Bay
Club of the Year
Northumberland
Haltwhistle Comrades Club
Tyneside
Heaton Stannington Football Club
Cider Pub of the Year
South east Northumberland and overall Northumberland winner
The Office, Morpeth
North Northumberland
The Curfew, Berwick
South west Northumberland
Wor Local, Prudhoe
Tyneside Cider Pub of the Year
O'wa the Road, Swalwell
Martin Ellis, branch press officer, said: "Clearly, micropubs are making a huge impact in the beer world. Micropubs scooped up many of the awards on Tyneside and in Northumberland.
"The Newcastle Pub of the Year award has two - joint - winners and both are micropubs: The Town Mouse and the Mean Eyed Cat.
"Whitley Bay micropub The Dog & Rabbit won North Tyneside and overall Tyneside Pub of the Year and in Northumberland, Tthe Curfew in Berwick and The Office in Morpeth retain their area Pub of the Year status - North Northumberland and South East Northumberland."
He added: "It is great to see a traditional country pub, the Dipton Mill, win both South West Northumberland Pub of the Year and overall Northumberland Pub of the Year.
"The Dipton Mill is home to Hexhamshire Brewery, has a great range of beer and a great reputation for home-cooked food."
