The Crown in Minchinhampton has for the first time been featured in CAMRA’s prestigious Good Beer Guide 2021, considered the definitive beer drinker’s guide to the very best pubs in the country.
The 4,500 pubs listed in the Guide are independently selected by CAMRA volunteers around the country based on the quality of brews sold at the bar – inclusion can never be bought or sold. It has been used for many years to identify significant trends and themes in the beer world both locally and nationally.
Despite being hampered by a national lockdown and local restrictions, The Crown continues to serve the local community. The pub was bought by the Lucky Onion group and underwent a significant transformation. The Crown re-opened last year, much to the delight of local Minchinhampton residents. The Crown offers a classic British menu alongside some of the most interesting selections of beer and ales which are served up by the Pubs General Manager, Richard Terry.
Richard says: “It’s an honour to be included in this year’s Good Beer Guide, which identifies only the very best pubs serving real ale across the country. Despite an incredibly challenging year, we’re delighted to still be serving the community and look forward to welcoming locals and visitors through our door.”
The foreword to this year’s Good Beer Guide has been penned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, who has urged the country to ‘stay strong and stay positive’ despite the ongoing challenges.
Writing in the Guide, Kerridge observes that “the one thing we have all missed during lockdown is human connection and social interaction, which above all else, is everything that the Great British pub provides – a warm, happy and friendly place for people to drink and eat. We need now more than ever to be positive and strong to enable us to drive the word home about how fantastic the Great British pub is, and most importantly, what it brings to each and every community.”
Nik Antona, CAMRA National Chairman added: “There is no doubt that 2020 has been one of the most difficult years in living memory. Pubs and breweries have been especially hard-hit after being closed for over 100 days and then facing various restrictions and local lockdown measures. Without a further financial support package, its likely that many of the fantastic pubs featured in this guide may close forever.
“We cannot overstate how important it is to support pubs during this difficult transition period. It truly is a testament to the ongoing endurance of the sector and the dedication of our volunteers that the Guide has been produced this year and that we are able to report some positive local news in the area.
“We hope people will use the Good Beer Guide to not only applaud the ‘cream of the crop’ featured, but also to visit pubs, if they are able to, during a time when they need it most.”
The Good Beer Guide 2021 is now available from the CAMRA shop and there is an updated app version available for download on both iOS and Android device.