Nottingham pub group Castle Rock is officially the best in the UK

Nottingham's Castle Rock is celebrating after being named Pub Group of the Year in a prestigious UK competition. The National Pub & Bar Awards recognise excellence in the hospitality industry, based on criteria such as customer service, design, style of offer, marketing and investment.

The 2024 winners were announced at a ceremony in London on June 26. The brewery, based behind the Vat & Fiddle pub in Queensbridge Road, is renowned for its Harvest Pale, Elsie Mo golden ale, and Screech Owl, American-style IPA.

It runs an eclectic family of pubs and bars from city centre craft beer bars to traditional country pubs and community pubs in the the suburbs. Amongst them are the Canalhouse and the Kean's Head in Nottingham city centre, the Poppy and Pint in Lady Bay, the Fox and Crown in Newark and Bread and Bitter in Mapperley.

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Others in the 22-strong group are located in Derby, Lincoln, Boston, Sheffield, Loughborough and York. Earlier this month it staged its annual yard party, a two-day festival of beer, music and food in the brewery grounds.

Castle Rock was up against rivals the Southwold-based Adnams, Everards in Leicestershire, Devon's Heavitree Brewery and St Austell in Cornwall.

Managing director Colin Wilde said: "It was a privilege to accept the award of National Pub Group of the Year yesterday evening on behalf of Castle Rock. I'm so proud of everybody who contributes day in and day out to have made this possible. We were up against some stiff competition and to top the leaderboard ahead of such illustrious names makes it all the more special.

"We’re all chuffed to pieces and so grateful to our customers for their kind words which have led to us receiving this award, and for allowing us to continue to do what we love.”

Regional pub and bar winners were also announced at the awards. Nottinghamshire's county winner, the Plough at Normanton-on-the-Wolds missed out on the East Midlands title to the Tollemache Arms in Northamptonshire. The George Inn, in Norton St. Philip, Somerset, won the overall Pub of the Year.