A pub in Buckinghamshire has bagged the top prize at an awards ceremony for its live music and impressive cask beer cellar.

The George Ale House in Great Missenden took the top spot at the Pub of the Year 2023 awards hosted by the Mid-Chilterns Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) organisation.

Chairman of CAMRA, Jared Ward, cited the pub’s service of fresh, cask-conditioned ale, its friendly and hospitable team and both locally and nationally sourced live musicians, bringing a modern spark to the building’s traditional interior.

The pub’s classic aesthetics, including beamed ceilings, tiled floors, fireplaces and wooden furnishings were also strong factors in its favour, with Landlord and Landlady, Steve and Debbie How, praised for creating a “gorgeous, old-school aesthetic”.

Landlord and manager of the Ale House, Steve How, said: “Myself, Debbie and the team are proud to have won CAMRA pub of the year and we would like to thank them for this brilliant recognition.”

As an organisation, CAMRA place emphasis on showcasing businesses that demonstrate a passion for serving ‘real ale’, which requires constant attention even after leaving the brewery to become the perfect pint.

The George Ale House boasts many local ales, from Tring Brewery, Rebellion in Marlow and Malt Brewery in Prestwood, kept in an ale cellar alongside nationally treasured brands Timothy Taylors, Harvey’s and Bass.

Mr Ward continued: “The awards are a great time of year, we embrace them as an opportunity to showcase local pubs with publicans who are as impassioned about beer as we are.

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“CAMRA is a consumer organisation and therefore all committee work is carried out on a voluntary basis and is a passion project for all involved. We are glad that the awards can hold some gravitas in the local community.”

Other titles bestowed on local alehouses in the awards ceremony included ‘Best Improved Pub’, a title won by The Boot & Slipper in Amersham and ‘Recognition of Long Service and Dedication’, which went to Cirprian ‘Chippy’ Chelsau.

Monks Inn in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was awarded ‘Runner-Up Pub of the Year’, ranking just below The George Ale House.

The Inn did, however, take home ‘Community Pub of the Year’ for its ownership team’s fundraising and community outreach efforts.