As The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) release the 45th edition of it’s celebrated Good Beer Guide, they crown the winners from each region in the first round of its nationwide search for the National Pub of the Year 2018.
With so many popular real ale venues in Merseyside to choose from, the CAMRA judges had a tough task and their decision was announced earlier with The Cricketers in St Helens Town Centre, taking and retaining the title it also earned in 2015 and 2016.
The cask ale pub has 13 handpumps on the bar with beers coming in from regional brewers and microbreweries. Cider drinkers aren’t left out either, with the judges noting the selection on offer. They have also extended their offering to appeal to gin lovers with 100 different gin’s on sale
The Cricketers is owned by Andy Evans and his wife, Denise, who took over the premises in 2013.
In the next phase of the competition, the 16 pubs will be slimmed down to a list of four regional super-finalists competing for the national title, to be announced early next year.
