The Rutland Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced its 'Pub of the Season' winner for Autumn 2023.

Every year, members at the local beer-enthusiast group visit and vote for their favourite local venue of the previous season, as well as compiling a good beer guide and selecting a Pub of the Year from the previous year of pub visits and beer tasting. They judge the range and quality of the beer, as well as what else the venue has to offer and the passion of the team.

For their 'Pub of the Season', each Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, three pubs are shortlisted using the 'beer scores' from CAMRA members. These scores are based on the quality of the real ale or cider served, with the top three scoring pubs forming a short list from which Rutland CAMRA members vote.

The 2023 Autumn season (October to December) shortlist of pubs included:

• The Captain Noel Newton in Oakham
• The Wheatsheaf in Oakham
• The Vaults in Uppingham

The Captain Noel Newton is Oakham's Wetherspoons and can be found on the High Street. Image credit: Nub News.

Follow extensive beer tasting and multiple visits by members to the shortlisted venues - a trying but tasty challenge for the dedicated CAMRA members - the team have selected their winner.

The 2023 Autumn Pub of the Season winner is The Wheatsheaf in Oakham.

The team congratulated the hard-working pub team on their win, adding that the pub took the victory by storm, welcoming over double the votes than the two other "incredibly worthy" pubs in the shortlist.

Chairman, Rich Harris, added: "The pub, headed up by Dan, is an incredibly popular venue with CAMRA members and locals, and they are very worthy winners.

"And whilst there has to be a winner, it is a tribute to all three establishments to be shortlisted out of a possible 51 pubs, clubs and hotels in the area."

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. 

The team concluded: "Why not join us for great social events, and a good opportunity to meet a wide range of new friends?!"

Find out more about membership on the Rutland CAMRA website.