CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have released their 2023 Good Beer Guide, and three Rutland pubs have been included on this prestigious list.

The Good Beer Guide, which is published annually by CAMRA, helps beer lovers take a barometer of the local beer scene. As well as covering the very best pubs across the nation, it keeps track of brewery numbers, and notes a net loss of nine breweries across the counties. 

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona says: "For nearly five decades, the Good Beer Guide has been a comprehensive guide to the UK's breweries, their ales, and the best outlets to find them in across the country.   

"The Good Beer Guide has always had an important role in acting as a barometer of the beer and pub industry. We believe information gleaned from the Guide is absolutely vital in the drive to save our pubs from closure and campaign for policies that better support pubs, local brewers and their customers. 

"Whilst we experienced a boom in the brewing industry over recent years, it's clear that the effects of COVID-19 and subsequent cost of living and cost of goods crisis has been keenly felt. I'd encourage everyone to use this Guide to seek out the very best examples of pub excellence and support these locals by visiting them."  

The Good Beer Guide, which reviews over 4,500 pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinkers' guide to the very best pints in a variety of styles of pubs to suit individual tastes. Compiled by thousands of independent volunteers, it helps identify significant trends and themes locally and nationally. 

This year, Rutland has had three of its local pubs added to the list - and all three are in Oakham's neighbouring market town of Uppingham!

The Uppingham venues that have won a spot on the list are:

The Crown Inn, High Street, Uppingham

The Exeter Arms, Leicester Road, Uppingham

The Vaults, Market Place, Uppingham

Oakham's The Grainstore also reappears on the list, both as a brewery and pub, serving a wide range of real ales.

Other pubs and venues on this list are The Crown Inn at Great Casterton, Empingham Cricket and Sports Club, and The Railway in Ketton.

Of additional note is that the Railway in Ketton, not only gained entry into the guide, but was also voted as the best pub in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland by the same methodology. A great reward for a hard-working community pub. The Crown at Great Casterton held a well-attended beer festival this summer and is currently building a much-needed extension to its property. The unusual entry is the Empingham Cricket & Sports club, which by nature of its status as a club, is different from the other entries but much deserved, for its enterprise and beer quality.

Rutland CAMRA branch is a socially active branch with a wide range of members, and would welcome more members, particularly those new to the county, and those that enjoy the 'trip to the pub' both male and female. We work hard to help preserve the tradition of real ale & cider.

Discover all of the pubs listed, and more, with CAMRA's new Good Beer Guide app, available on iOs and as a web-based app.