Pub's toast to top marks

The landlord of a Shropshire pub is feeling ale and hearty after his beer achieved the rare feat of winning top marks twice in a row in a nationwide quality assurance scheme.

Each of the six ales tested at The White Hart in Shifnal scored a maximum possible 20 points each time under the criteria used for judging in the independent Cask Marque awards.

Andy Koczy, who has been running the pub with his wife Jayne for 16 years, said: "The inspector who checked on us said it was extremely rare for all of a pub's beers to get maximum points, let alone twice in a row."

A Cask Marque inspector first called, unannounced, to check on the pub in March and then again this month.

The organisation ranks each beer in four categories, namely for the temperature it is kept at, aroma, taste and clarity.

Scores of -5 to +5 are awarded in each category and an ale has to achieve at least 16 points to be recognised by Cask Marque.

Brewers Carlsberg Tetley sponsored Mr Koczy to enter the scheme, although The White Hart is a freehouse, and six of the seven ales on offer were tested on each visit.

Mr Koczy said: "Anyone who thinks they are keeping good beer well should apply to Cask Marque as it is a nationally recognised and independent scheme.

"So many landlords think they are doing everything right but there is a lot to keeping an excellent pint and Cask Marque tests that to the full."