The Cornwall branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA Kernow, has revealed the first seasonal winner of its pub awards.

Cornwall CAMRA, which champions real ale, has decided to change the way its Pub of the Year is selected.

From now on it will award a “pub of the season” each quarter – spring, summer, autumn and winter – with all four winners then going forward for judging as Cornwall Pub of the Year.

The 2023 title was awarded to The ‘Front in Falmouth in April.

Now, throughout each season, Cornwall CAMRA members will be able to nominate candidates, with the winner decided by a vote at a branch meeting.

Pubs will be judged based on scoring criteria including: quality of real ale and cider; style, décor, furnishings and cleanliness; service, welcome and offering; community focus and atmosphere; and alignment with CAMRA principles.

CAMRA Kernow has now announced that its first seasonal winner, for pub off the summer, is The Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes.

Falmouth Packet: The Driftwood Spars is CAMRA Kernow's winner for summerThe Driftwood Spars is CAMRA Kernow's winner for summer

The pub won the vote at a recent branch meeting ahead of 12 other nominees, and will be presented its award later this month.

Earlier this year The Driftwood Spars was also named among the best in South West England as part of the National Pub & Bar Awards 2023, and the only pub in Cornwall to make the list. 

Real ale is defined by CAMRA as beer served in traditional fashion, i.e. with no extraneous CO2 in contact with the beer to pressurise it or to drive it into the glass. It must also not have been filtered, pasteurised, or otherwise had natural live yeast removed before the point of sale.