Awards Procedures and Winners

Pub of the Year Selection Procedure

To select our Area Pubs of the Year, members attending area socials held in November and December are asked to nominate a pub worthy of the title based on their personal experiences over the previous 12 months, taking into account a number of factors including beer quality and choice, general ambience and support of CAMRA values.  Members who are unable to attend these socials can send their nomination to their appropriate area social coordinator via email.  Nominations close at midnight  on 31 December.  The area social coordinators count the votes and the results are published on this website, on our Facebook group and via email.  The Spring edition of of Full Pints will also have a feature on the various presentations that take place in January.

The four area winners are then visited by a panel of four judges made up by CAMRA members representing each of our social areas.  Each judge uses the CAMRA judging criteria to assess three of the area winners.  They do not assess the pub from their own area and this process is usually completed by mid-March. 

The winning pub will be styled “Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Pub of the Year” for the year in which it is judged and progresses to be considered for the Scotland & Northern Ireland award.

Club of the Year Selection Procedure

In January/February of each year, the few eligible clubs, i.e. those offering real ale on a regular basis, in our branch area are judged by a designated committee member using the judging criteria for the Scotland & Northern Ireland award. 

The winning club is styled “Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Club of the Year” for the year in which it is judged and progresses to be considered for the Scotland & Northern Ireland award.

Cider Pub of the Year Selection Procedure

Members are asked to nominate pubs in our branch area that offer real cider and/or perry.  In January/February of each year, the nominated pubs are judged by a designated committee member using the judging criteria for the Scotland & Northern Ireland award. 

The winning pub is styled “Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Cider Pub of the Year of the Year” for the year in which it is judged and progresses to be considered for the Scotland & Northern Ireland award.

Area Pubs of the Year 2022

South Ayrshire Pub of the Year 2022 is The Prestwick Pioneer
North Ayrshire Pub of the Year 2022 is the Twa Dugs, West Kilbride
Wigtownshire Pub of the Year 2022 is The Grapes, Stranraer
East Ayrshire Pub of the Year 2022 is the Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs

Branch Pub of the Year 2023

Award presentation
Branch chair Lindsay Grant presents the award to John Cairns of the Weston Tavern

Branch Club of the Year 2023

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Iain Martin is shown presenting the award to club steward, Ross Mitchell

Scotland & Northern Ireland Club of the Year 2023

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Scotland & Northern Ireland Director, Stuart McMahon, presents the award to club steward, Ross Mitchell

Brewery of the Year 2023

Brewery of the Year 2022
Anthony Valenti of Ayr Brewing Company receives the award from branch vice-chair, Ronnie Beveridge

Beer of the Year 2023

Five Kingdoms Presentation
Branch member, Julie Boyd presents the award to Alastair Scoular of Five Kingdoms Brewery