The Winter Town Pub of the Season award night at the York Tap turned out to be a truly memorable event for all who attended – and that was a very large gathering indeed. This was in no small part to the efforts of the York Tap who decided to make the event a celebration of Yorkshire ale – and in particular breweries local to York who had won awards at last year’s Knavesmire Beer Festival.

There has never been a pub in York that has showcased 18 “LocAle” Yorkshire ales on tap all at one time and this proved to be a massive attraction as people flocked to this unique event. There was a considerable attendance from the general public and the word had spread far and wide as real ale enthusiasts from all over Yorkshire poured into York station, including staff from nine breweries, which supplemented a very good turnout from York CAMRA members.

Presenting the award to the York Tap’s manager Jon Chappell, York CAMRA’s Nick Love outlined some of the reasons that the pub deserved the seasonal accolade. He invited those in attendance to look around them at the architecture of the building they were in. In particular the sensitive restoration of the 1907 former tearoom was praised for the attention to detail – the highlights being the terrazzo floor, the wonderful stained glass cupolas that let light flood in through the roof and the wonderfully striking island bar. All of this had recently already been recognised with the National Railway Heritage Award for Conservation.

Obviously the beer is a hugely important criterion when selecting a CAMRA pub of the season and no-one needed it pointing out that night what a fabulous selection was available to all who attended that night. It was pointed out though that the York Tap kept its patrons happy throughout the year with an ever-changing eclectic selection of beers served in top condition.

Finally there was the recognition that this National Cask Ale Pub of the Year had greatly contributed to the allure of York as a real ale city and had become a destination pub due to its convenient location and beer selection, with groups from as far as London making day trips to sample the vast ale selection and unique atmosphere.

The feedback on the night was overwhelmingly positive with those attending enthusiastically effusing about the great selection of award winning Yorkshire beers served in great surroundings. (NL)