The Plough Inn in Caldecott, Rutland, has won the Pub of the Season Autumn 2022 Award from the Rutland branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) team.

Tonight, Wednesday 15 March, The Plough Inn in Caldecott received their award for Pub of the Season from the CAMRA Vice-Chairman.

CAMRA is an independent organisation run by volunteers who promote and champion real ale, cider, and traditional British pubs and clubs. 

It is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe. Founded by four real ale enthusiasts back in 1971, today they represent beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK.

They are prolific in Rutland, naming a range of local pubs, clubs and breweries in their Good Beer Guide 2023. Venues on this list are The Crown Inn at Great Casterton, Empingham Cricket and Sports Club, The Railway in Ketton, Oakham's The Grainstore Brewery, The Vaults, The Crown Inn, and the Exeter Arms all in Uppingham.

Each year, CAMRA representatives from Rutland vote to decide who will win the prestigious award, determining also which Rutland pub, or pubs, will feature in the Good Beer Guide, published annually by the organisation.  

This season, The Plough Inn in Caldecott have bagged the title.

Rutland CAMRA Vice-Chairman, Homera, said : "The pub of the season award usually goes off of beer scoring, and it's a collective branch opinion. We have about 200 members and this pub has surpassed itself on quality of beer, the surroundings, popularity, the welcome when you walk through the door and good food. Not to mention the popularity from the locals. It's great to see a pub so busy on a Wednesday night like tonight. It is testament to a good pub."

Gene and Debbie at The Plough Inn. Image credit: Nub News.

The venue was also runner up in the Rutland CAMRA Pub of the Year award, which was claimed by The Grainstore Brewery and Tap in Oakham.

Read more about their victory here.

Winning Pub of the Season will put them on the Good Beer Guide map and has been "very exciting" for the close-knit local team.

Landlord and Landlady, Gene and Debbie, the married couple who run the popular local pub, have celebrated their award together - the way they run their successful business.

"We have been married for a long time", Debbie laughed. "It has its challenges working together but on the whole it is lovely."

Landlady, Debbie, said: "We have been here for 25 years and have won pub of the season previously, but this is the most recent win. It has been very exciting and it's nice to get acknowledgment of the hard work that goes into providing a good pint. It is just down to our fantastic customers and fantastic local suppliers really. Huge thanks to all"

The last Rutland-based put to win this award was The Plough in Greetham - perhaps it is all in a name after all!