Bridgnorth landlord ale and hearty at win
Shropshire landlord Stephen Illedge has raised a glass to his staff and customers after his pub scooped a top award.
The Black Boy Inn in Bridgnorth has been named east Shropshire pub of the year by the members of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
Mr Illedge said his pub, in Cartway, was judged on the quality of it real ales, its value for money, the atmosphere, interior decoration, customer service and the general welcoming nature of the venue.
The Telford and East Shropshire branch Pub of the Year is voted for by the 650 Camra members. He said: "This is the first time that a pub in Bridgnorth has won the award for many years.
"We sell a variety of ales from national to good local breweries as we love to support local producers from Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Black Country.
"It is no big secret or mystery around keeping good beer, just three key things. Everything must be clean from your cellar floor, your pipes, through to your glasses.
"You must give your ale time to condition in your cellar and settle nicely. You also have to throw the ale out if you can't sell it, because if you don't it goes off and you serve a bad pint."
Eleanor Haddon, chairman of the Bridgnorth Camra sub branch, said: "We are delighted that The Black Boy has won such a prestigious award.
"The Telford and east Shropshire branch includes more than 400 pubs and to receive such an award is truly an accolade."
