BREWERY TAP scoops four top awards

THE Brewery Tap scooped four top food and drink awards in less than a month at the end of last year.
The pub in Lower Bridge Street, Chester, was named as the Regional Pub of the Year 2010 by members of the Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales CAMRA group, which is part of the national consumer group Campaign For Real Ale.
But it also took two awards in the National Pub Design Awards, organised by CAMRA and English Heritage to celebrate the best examples of refurbishment and conservation of public houses.

The pub, set in a Grade II listed Jacobean banqueting hall, is owned by Matthew Walley’s Spitting Feathers brewery based in Waverton.
Described by judges as ‘outstanding’ the pub took both the English Heritage Conservation Award and the Conversion to Pub Use Award.
Andrew Davidson, an inspector of ancient monuments for English Heritage and real ale fan, who was on the judging panel, said: “It is a very nice example of when someone has worked with the building and allowed it to speak for itself. No one has tried to force their own ideas on to it and so that allows you to really appreciate what the building is. What that does is make a very characterful place to come and enjoy a pint.”
To add to its impressive haul, The Brewery Tap was also a winner in BBC olive magazine’s Alternative Restaurant Awards 2010 which celebrates the ‘food heroes worth shouting about’ across the UK.
Winning the ‘Wish It Was Your Local’ category, it was praised by judges for its consistently good food, excellent choice of real ales and its relaxed and homely atmosphere.
Jessica Gunn, features editor at olive magazine, said: ““The things we look for in the ‘Wish It Was Your Local’ award is somewhere that is relaxed and comfortable and somewhere people go to a lot. You almost feel it is a second home, that place you go to for all sorts of things, after work or with friends at the weekend.”
Tony Walden from Victoria Crescent, Queen’s Park, enjoys coming to The Brewery Tap several times a week with his wife, Sue.
Mr Walden, 72, a retired pharmaceutical director, said: “I feel at home here and I like the fact that when we come in, we are recognised and made to feel welcome.”
His wife, 63, a retired personal assistant, agreed and said: “I also like the ambiance, the building, the lack of music, fruit machines or TV.”
Helen Jennings enjoys eating out at The Brewery Tap with her husband Tony and other members of their family.
The 45-year-old regional manager for Dwell, from Lache Park Avenue, Westminster Park, said: “You know it is being freshly cooked for you rather than just being warmed up and it is reliable, we know we will get a good meal here.
She added: “And the chips are absolutely fantastic. Sometimes I am just happy with a bowl of those!”
John Thomas, manager of The Brewery Tap, said: “We are delighted The Brewery Tap has won these awards. We spend a lot of time and effort ensuring the pub is a great experience for locals and newcomers alike and believe that all the hard work has now paid off.”