The latest edition features 73 pubs across the city and county
Sam Ditchfield, general manager at the Trent Navigation pub in Meadow Lane, Nottingham (Image: Nottingham Post / Marie Wilson)
The beer drinkers’ guide to the best pubs in Nottinghamshire has revealed 14 new entries.
The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) 2027 edition of the Good Beer Guide features just over 4,500 pubs across the UK, including 73 in Nottingham city centre and the wider county. A total of 41 local breweries also feature.
Trent Navigation is one of the 14 latest to get a seal of approval from the CAMRA experts. Sam Ditchfield, general manager of the pub in Meadow Lane, Nottingham, said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to be making it into the Good Beer Guide. We put a lot of time, effort and care into our cask ales from our cellar management to our selection process.
“As someone who often refers to the guide myself when I find myself in towns or cities that I’m less familiar with, I know what a useful tool it is for cask ale fanatics to find a good pint wherever they are and look forward to welcoming even more like-minded enthusiasts into the pub.”
The Trent Nav has three permanent lines which are Sharp’s Twin Coast, Bass and London Pride plus up to five guest ales on at any time.
The current line-up includes beers from Lenton Lane, RedDog Ales, Bristol Beer Factory and Pour Me Brewing Company with the next ales waiting to go on in the cellar from Liquid Light Brewing, Black Iris, Ossett Brewery, Oakham Ales and Attic Brew Co.
“We like to keep a good mix of local breweries and national favourites as well as a varied range of strengths and styles to ensure we can find the perfect pint for every punter,” added Sam.
The pub also has a happy hour deal on Fridays, from 6pm to 8pm, where all cask ales are £3 a pint.
While the Bath Inn is widely regarded for its stunning summer floral displays and Christmas trees outside the building, it has now been recognised for its cask ales.
Locally brewed beers are amongst those on tap. Stout from Lenton Lane, Blue Monkey’s BG Sips from Giltbrook, best bitter from Pheasantry Brewery in Newark, and Black Iris’ Endless Summer, brewed in Basford, are the staples.
Piers Baker, owner of the Sneinton pub, said: “We do rotate. We put Bass on, on occasions, and we often have White Rat from Ossett Brewery.”
Serving outstanding beer demands a two-pronged approach. Obviously a quality beer is required but landlords need to look after it properly.
“It needs looking after and conditioning. The beer has to be rested before it’s tapped and the timing has to be correct, at least 48 hours prior to serving it. These beers are a living product, so you really need to understand them and take care to serve them correctly. The customers appreciate it greatly when you do that.
“It’s nice to be recognised for the excellence of the beer. We always strive to serve the best quality beer possible,” said Piers.
The 14 latest pubs listed across Nottinghamshire are:
- The Gate Inn, Awsworth
- Commercial Inn, Beeston
- Nag’s Head, East Leake
- Pick & Davy, Eastwood
- Pilgrim Oak, Hucknall
- Dixies Arms, Lower Bagthorpe
- Prince Rupert, Newark
- Bath Inn, Sneinton
- Malt Cross, Nottingham city centre
- Trent Navigation, Nottingham
- Dominie Cross, Retford
- Retford Craft House, Retford
- Ticking Clock Brewery and Taproom, Shireoaks
- Station Hotel, Worksop
The latest copy of the Good Beer Guide can be bought here priced £15.99.
The 54th edition’s foreword is written by author Sir Ian Rankin. He, and his fictional detective Rebus, both frequent The Oxford Bar, in Edinburgh which features on the cover of this year’s guide.
