CAMRA announces its pubs of the year

The Bolton branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) name their pub of the year, cider pub of the year, and social club of the year annually, picking from the large amount of independent pubs across the borough.

This year’s winners were:

•  Bolton CAMRA Pub of the Year 2021 ­- Northern Monkey, Nelson Square, Bolton Town Centre.
•  Bolton CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2021 ­- The Beer School, Market Street, Westhoughton.
• Bolton CAMRA Club of the Year 2021 ­- Bolton Ukrainian Social Club, Castle Street, Haulgh.

The Beer School’s landlady Rachel Birch with sister and supervisor Hailey West

The Beer School and Northern Monkey won the same awards during 2020, a year where hospitality had to struggle through successive closures due to lockdowns and operate under strict rules during the brief times they could open.

The Beer School has also won the Pub of the Year award before, in 2018.

Ryan Bailey, who owns Northern Monkey along with Liam Convey and Kevin Barber, said it was good to be recognised again for their commitment to helping real ale grow in Bolton.

He said: “It’s really good to be recognised for our hard work making really good real ale in Bolton.

“We didn’t stop during lockdown, we did as many home deliveries as possible and kept working to produce new beer,” he added.

“There are so many bars that have done so many good things over this difficult year like Bunbury’s and Nook and Cranny, really helping to make Bolton compete with places like Manchester for brewing.

Liam Convey (left) and Ryan Bailey of Northern Monkey Brewing

“It’s great to see Beer School win an award too for what they’re doing with cider in Westhoughton.

“We’re really looking to push on from here, bringing in new events and entertainment to the bar, with even more live music coming to the tap house.

“It’s been great to be back to normal and talking to people at the bar again so hopefully we can build on this and everyone can recover.”

Beer School posted their joy about winning their award, saying: “ Delighted to announce we have won Bolton CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2021! What better way to celebrate than with The Beer School Cider & Perry Cheese Pairing.”

The Ukrainian Club

Long-standing landlords of a Horwich pub were given a gold award by CAMRA.

Gary and Bev Parker, who run The Crown on Chorley New Road, were given the Golden Award marking 50 years of the organisation.

This was after The Crown had regularly appeared in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, with the organisation deciting it was time The Crown’s dedication to pouring quality pints was properly recognised.