Brewers select one pub they would pick to drink a pint of their own beer during Cask Ale Week 2025.
An estimated 10,000 pubs will be taking part in Cask Ale Week 2025, offering free try-before-you-buy samples across a range of styles, from hoppy pale ales to dark malty stouts
A fresh, well-kept, cellar cool and expertly poured pint of cask ale is one of the quintessential experiences of then British pub, but where will those in the know be supping their ale during Cask Ale Week, which runs from September 18 to 28?
Some of Britain’s leading, award winning brewers were persuaded to stick their heads above the parapet and nominate just one pub where they’d want to drink a pint of their own beer during this year’s celebration of Britain’s national beer style. ‘
Fergus Fitzgerald, head brewer, Adnams
Beer: Southwold Bitter
Pub: The Anchor, Walberswick, Suffolk
The Anchor in Walberswick just down the coast from Southwold, is run by the incomparable Mark Dorber. I’ve almost lost count of the memorable evenings there, where the welcome is always warm and the beer always cool enough. Mark is the original cask beer version of the Horse Whisperer, enticing the best out of each beer, So for me, it’s a pint of Southwold Bitter, dry hopped in cask and conditioned to perfection in the Anchor’s cellar just a few feet from the bar. Whether it’s the quiet of winter by the fire or the chatter of summer visitors in the beer garden, it’s a perfect place for a pint of cask beer.
Miles Jenner, head brewer and joint MD, Harvey’s Brewery
Beer: Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter
Pub:, Berwick Village, East Sussex BN26 6SP
Originally a beer house, with bitter or mild dispensed by gravity from the pantry, the Cricketers Arms has developed but retained its charm. It holds many happy memories spanning more than half a century. When my wife and I married at Berwick Church we went straight to the pub, with all twelve guests, to buy a round. You can still ask for your pint to be drawn from the pantry.
Toby Heasman, head brewer, Hall & Woodhouse
Beer: The Fursty Ferret
Pub: The Crown, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
A great traditional English country pub that has stood the test of time, first opening its doors in the 16th Century. I have chosen the Crown due to the warm welcome, the buzz of the locals at the bar and the warm hospitality that is served up with every pint. The cask ale is always top notch with a selection of three beers. For Cask Ale Week they will have Tanglefoot, Fursty Ferret and the autumn cask seasonal RedShift. The cask ale I will be drinking in The Crown during Cask Ale Week will be the Fursty Ferret. The Crown is steeped in history, from its priest hole through to being the Pure Drop Inn in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Monty, Gemma and Ryan run a great pub.
Andy Leman, head brewer, Timothy Taylor’s
Beer: Timothy Taylor’s Landlord
Pub: Taylor’s on the Green, Keighley, Yorkshire
There’s been a pub on the site of Taylor’s on the Green, in the heart of Keighley, for over 400 years. It had a refurb in 2022, with the décor and design bringing the brewing process to life through touches including wall-mounted casks with Perspex fronts containing ingredient samples and hop flowers, which replaced garden plants. Recycled brewery materials and promotional posters give visitors the chance to learn about, and explore cask ale, as well as enjoying their pint. As the Timothy Taylor’s taproom, the beer quality is guaranteed and it’s my favourite pub to enjoy a pint of Landlord – or Boltmaker or another of cask ales.
Jack Palmer, Head Brewer at Greene King.
Beer: Abbot Ale
Pub: The Dog & Partridge, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
There is nothing better than enjoying a pint of Abbot Ale at The Dog and Partridge in Bury St Edmunds, especially after work with the team. Travelling just over the road from the brewery itself, the rich, malty and fruity brew always satisfies that after- work quench, and as a cask ale it hits home like no other draught beer can. A traditional brew paired perfectly with a history-rich pub is an experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else.
Paddy Johnson, director of Windsor & Eton Brewery, recipient of the John Young Memorial Award 2025, made by the London CAMRA branches to commemorate the former chairman of Young’s Brewery, and champion of cask ale, John Young.
Beer: Knight of the Garter
Pub: The Hope Carshalton, Surrey
I’d choose a pint of our Knight Of The Garter golden ale at the Hope in Carshalton, Surrey. Their part of South London is quite a slog around the M25 from our brewery, but it’s well worth the trip. The Hope has been named London Pub of the Year by CAMRA half a dozen times in recent years, it’s community owned, and the team lead by Rodger Molyneux keep and serve cask ale superbly. They’ve been a great supporter of ours for years, as we have of them, and Knight of the Garter is their regular house ale – although there’s always plenty of other choice. This is a pub that’s all about great beer, nothing fancy – just a great place that is so friendly. It’s one of those local pubs where you never quite know who you’re going to end up talking to at the bar, but it’s always a great conversation.
Georgina Young, Brewing Director, St Austell Brewery.
Beer: Anthem Session Paie Ale
Pub: The Shipwrights North Quay, Padstow , Cornwall
The Shipwrights is one of my favourite pubs, and I don’t visit it enough. The beer is always tip top, in winter the pub is cosy with its wooden cladding interior and in summer you can sit outside and watch the world go by at the side of the harbour. I’d recommend a pint of Anthem Session Pale Ale with manager Jordan and his team, although they have a great range of St Austell ales
Matt Dutton, Head Brewer, Track Brewing Co
Beer: Track Sonoma (Champion Pale Ale of Britain 2025)
Pub: The Magnet, Stockport
I’d want to enjoy a pint of Track Sonoma poured at The Magnet, Stockport. It’s a lovely, family-run freehouse, with a warm welcome and a cozy atmosphere. They have 14 cask ales on at any time, including ours on a regular basis, I’m pleased to say, and the beer is always kept and served in impeccable condition. I’m proud to be able to call the Magnet my local pub and it is always my preference whilst showing visitors around our amazing beer city.
Pam Honeyman, co-founder and brewer at Monty’s Brewery, Hendomen, Montgomery.
Beer: Monty’s Mischief (Silver in the Champion Beer of Britain 2025
Pub: The Dragon Hotel, Montgomery, Wales
Picking just one place I would go for a pint is a difficult choice, there are so many excellent places around, but a pub in our namesake town seemed appropriate. Montgomery is the inspiration for the name of our brewery, Monty’s, and the Dragon Hotel is a beautiful, historic coaching inn. The Dragon also offers rooms when you are really enjoying the beer and don’t want the evening to end. The historic town of Montgomery is small but very dynamic. There is always something going on and the Dragon is usually at the heart of things. At the moment the beer I would choose to drink has to be Mischief. I am so totally thrilled that this beer won a silver medal this year, brewed to a recipe that I created way back in 2010.
Andy Parker, founder and head brewer at Elusive Brewing, Wokingham, Berkshire.
Beer: Elusive Oregon Trail (Champion IPA of Britain 2025)
Pub: The Hand & Marigold, Bermondsey, London
Against a backdrop of many pubs having to close, the reopening of the Hand & Marigold in Bermondsey under new ownership in 2025 was fantastic to see. The pub has been renovated to a high standard and has since gained a loyal following amongst local residents. Experienced publicans Alice Hayward and Oli Carter-Esdale keep their cask in impeccable form and it’s quickly become one of my favourite places to grab a pint of Elusive, and at the moment I’d have to p[ick Oregon Trail, our award winning IPA.
Sam Shrimpton Head Brewe, Fyne Ales
Beer: Jarl
Pub: Roscoe Head, Liverpool
The Roscoe Head in Liverpool is a proper old-school pub; cosy, welcoming, and full of character. I love that the regulars settle into the snug and work their way through the cask lineup. They even serve each beer in the right glassware, which shows real care and respect for the pint. It’s just a brilliant place to enjoy a proper cask ale. I’d be ordering a pint of Jarl, our flagship session blonde ale. Fyne Ales was one of the first UK breweries to use Citra hops and Jarl has been winning awards and the hearts of drinkers ever since.
Dylan Fowler, Brewer, Church End Brewery
Beer: Fallen Angel
Pub: The Dragon Inn, Worcester
The Dragon Inn is one of the best places to drink our beer, Fallen Angel. It’s a proper, friendly traditional pub, and the Georgian building provides that ideal ambiance in which to sit and savour a well-kept pint. Also, Joe the landlord takes great pride in nurturing the ales in his cellar, including Fallen Angel. This sharp, full flavoured pale bitter has bucket loads of American hops which gives it a lemony edge, and was awarded Bronze in this year’s Champion Beer of Britain.
