TWO Watchet hostelries have won top prizes in this year’s Somerset Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA)  awards - for a total of 16 times.

The town’s Esplanade Club has now won Somerset Club of the Year award seven times and Pebbles Tavern has been chosen as Somerset Cider Pub for the past nine years.

“We were thrilled to get the award once more,” said Pebbles Manager Dean Manley. “We have a very loyal following and becoming cider pub of the year is just as much for them as for us.

“We have a great staff who all take the job seriously - we have 37 ciders, all from Somerset, and there’s nothing our staff don’t know about them.”

“We were delighted and surprised to receive not just an award for being in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 15 years but also to win the Somerset Club of the Year award for the seventh time,” said Helen Chave, who runs the Esplanade Club with husband Roy.

Roy and Helen Chave, who run the Esplanade Club, proudly hold their two winners’ certificates as they celebrate with customers
Roy and Helen Chave, who run the Esplanade Club, proudly hold their two winners’ certificates as they celebrate with customers (George Ody)

“It gives an acknowledgement for all the hard work that’s been put in by the staff and us and the support of our members and customers to go towards making the club an important part of Watchet’s social life.”

Helen said that CAMRA judges were looking for a good selection of real ales, condition of the products, the ambiance and welcome to customers. 

Dean added: “It’s nice to have positive feedback after the difficult times caused by Covid. The awards are not only for us but for the town, too.”