REAL ale drinkers in Stroud have celebrated the launch of a new beer guide at a pub in Brimscombe. 

CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale - has recently launched their 2023 Good Beer Guide which features eight Stroud pubs as well as over 4,500 pubs across the UK.

CAMRA's Stroud branch celebrated the book's launch on Saturday (October 29) at the Ship Inn - which is in the guide for the first time this year. 

Tim Mars, Stroud CAMRA’s pubs officer said: “Together with our Pub of the Year, this is the most important event in the Stroud CAMRA calendar. 

“It’s not about plugging the Guide on behalf of CAMRA but celebrating the inclusion of eight of our local pubs.

READ MORE: Pubs in Stroud, Cirencester and Dursley which make CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2023

“Above all, celebrating the hard work of all those who took part in assessing each of them three times over the course of the year, tabulating the results, discussing and agreeing the final shortlist at our Good Beer Guide selection meeting in February.”

Stroud News and Journal: Stroud CAMRA members celebrate the launch of the Good Beer Guide 2023 outside the Ship Inn, Brimscombe, with Wes Birch, licenseeStroud CAMRA members celebrate the launch of the Good Beer Guide 2023 outside the Ship Inn, Brimscombe, with Wes Birch, licensee (Image: Stroud CAMRA)

Stroud News and Journal: Stroud CAMRA members celebrate the launch of the Good Beer Guide 2023 at the Ship Inn, Brimscombe. (Front left, Tony Hill, chair of Stroud CAMRA, front right, Wes Birch, licensee of the Ship)Stroud CAMRA members celebrate the launch of the Good Beer Guide 2023 at the Ship Inn, Brimscombe. (Front left, Tony Hill, chair of Stroud CAMRA, front right, Wes Birch, licensee of the Ship) (Image: Stroud CAMRA)

The Ship was re-opened in July 2021 on a short-term lease from Stroud District Council by Wes Birch, a local caterer and restaurateur. 

Wes had long wanted to run the pub and has made it a home for his family.

The pub serves two regular beers, Butcombe Gold and Uley Bitter, including guest beers Fresh Standard, Nene Valley and Northern Monk. 

The new edition of the Good Beer Guide also has an introduction by King Charles - a long-term enthusiast for pubs as shown by his support for Pub is The Hub, of which he is patron.

Here are the Stroud CAMRA pubs that feature in this year’s list: 

  • Prince Albert, Rodborough
  • Ale House, Stroud
  • Butchers Arms, Sheepscombe
  • Stroud Brewery, Thrupp
  • Ship, Brimscombe
  • Crown & Sceptre, Stroud
  • Bowbridge Arms, Bowbridge
  • Crown, Frampton Mansell

The full list of pubs and breweries can be found in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2023 which is on sale via their website here - bit.ly/3hqMTcD

All photos by Bill Hicks.