The Catherine Wheel named West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2023

The Catherine Wheel in Newbury was transformed into a pub with a reputation for real ale and cider when Warwick Heskins took over in 2014.

And this has been reflected yet again with another commendation.

On Saturday, Pat Kyle presented Mr Heskins with the West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2023 award during the pub's annual Easter Beer and Cider Festival.

Mr Kyle complimented Mr Heskins on the Cheap Street pub's range of ciders served at a cool temperature, and Mr Heskins remarked he was honoured and delighted to receive the award.

The pub has featured in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide regularly since 2018.

Awards from West Berkshire CAMRA have included Pub of the Year 2018 and Cider Pub of the Year 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

Mr Heskins is proud to stock ciders from both local and national cider makers including Green Shed (Newbury) and Tutts Clump.

"With the warmer weather approaching, it's the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing pint of real cider," he said.

A blackboard next to the fridge, dedicated to bottled and boxed ciders, lists what is available and bar staff are able to give advice or tasters of boxed ciders.

Mr Heskins added: "Real cider comes in a range of styles to suit everyone, from dry to sweet and fruit flavoured. Because it's fruit-based, cider has the advantage of being gluten-free. It also provides antioxidants and vitamin C."

CAMRA defines real cider or perry as being fermented from the whole juice of fresh pressed apples or pears, without the use of concentrated or chaptalised juices. A CAMRA maintained list includes 435 real cider producers in the UK.

Previous West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year winners have included the Five Bells, Wickham, and more recently the John O’Gaunt, Hungerford.