Inkpen drinking hole scoops best pub award

The Swan Inn has picked up the West Berkshire CAMRA award and now goes head to head with other pubs in the region

THE Swan Inn at Inkpen has scooped the West Berkshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) pub of the year award.

The 17th century village inn is owned by organic beef farmers Mary and Bernard Harris who have been running the pub for 15 years.

West Berkshire CAMRA branch chairman, Adrian Bean said: "Our hearty congratulations go to Mary and Bernard and all staff at The Swan Inn.

"They have been great servants to the real ale cause over the years and have been keen supporters of our local breweries, regularly stocking ales from Butts Brewery just down the road from them in Great Shefford.

"For this reason they were also awarded CAMRA's LocAle accreditation, signifying their commitment to locally produced beers."

Licensee Bernard Harris said "This is good news; we are all delighted.

"We rely on customers travelling some distance to visit us so this award is especially welcome."

The pub will now go head to head with the best pubs in other areas including the Jack O'Newbury, Binfield; the Nag's Head, Reading and the White Horse in Hedgerley.

Mr Bean added: "We wish Bernard and Mary luck in this round and hope they will win through to the next stage, as did the Bell Inn, Aldworth, last year's local winner."