A SKIPTON bar has reached the final four in CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition

Following the announcement in August that The Beer Engine, in Albert Terrace, had been named Yorkshire Pub of the Year to win a place in the final 16 nationwide, it has now gone even further and will go head-to-head with three other pubs from Kent, The Isle of Man and Tamworth, in Staffordshire, in the national title in January.

CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale) said of The Beer Engine: "It is a well-established micropub in a tiny street between the town centre and the canal, with a friendly and welcoming ambience.

"Six handpumps dispense varying beers, always including one blonde or pale ale and one dark brew, plus a character beer. Extended in 2022, the bar includes craft keg fonts. A still cider and a fruit cider are also on tap alongside a selection of bottled beers, cans, and wines."

Adam Davies and Steven Gregory, directors at The Beer Engine, said: “When we were voted Branch Pub of the Year for our area, we were so happy. It had never even crossed our minds that we might get further in the competition.

"We just do what we do: serve a range of beer from breweries that we’d love to see if we walked into a pub. That combined with a lovely crowd, fabulous staff, great conversation and a fantastic atmosphere makes The Beer Engine what it is.”

Last Friday Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith called in to the bar to congratulate Adam and Steven on their regional win.

Over a drink, where Mr Smith enjoyed a Thornbridge Lukas Helles lager, Adam, a pub trade veteran of 20 years, talked Julian through the recent developments and more widely about how the business has progressed in recent years.

Mr Smith said after his visit: “The Beer Engine is a fantastic local pub and I’m really pleased that CAMRA have recognised this. It was great to drop-in and speak to Adam about the competition and their ambitious plans for the future.

“If you haven’t already done so, it’s well worth a visit and, in the meantime, we wish them the best of luck ahead of the national final early next year.”

Colleen Holiday, Keighley & Craven CAMRA branch chair added: “Since Steve and Adam took over The Beer Engine they have really made it their own, through expanding the beer and cider range and making it the most welcome and inclusive place possible. An absolutely wonderful pub.”