Pub left fuming after being dropped from CAMRA Good Beer Guide for being ‘too busy’

The pub had been in the coveted Good Beer Guide for the previous nine years but they did not make the cut for 2023 after being deemed too busy

The owners of a pub have been left feeling fuming after they did not make the cut for the 2023 edition of the coveted CAMRA Good Beer Guide. The Holly Bush Inn in Makeney just north of Derby had been featured in the previous nine years of editions due to its charm and traditional architecture but this year they were given an unusual reason for being left out.

CAMRA or The Campaign for Real Ale is a consumer organisation founded in 1971 which is made up of beer and cider lovers across the country. They put on festivals and publish books and campaign for everything to do with beer and cider.

On hearing the news that their pub had been omitted from the guide for the first time in a decade, the landlady of the Holly Bush Inn was less than impressed, especially when she was given the reason behind the decision.

She told the Derby Telegraph : “The chairman said that we weren’t included because we were too busy and that they (CAMRA representatives) couldn’t get served straight away – despite part of CAMRA’s decision on inclusion being based on good ambience.

“Another reason was that we serve children – despite the fact that there are only certain areas that children are allowed in. They also didn’t like that we serve food – even though that’s only at lunchtime. We have to do that because it’s a country pub.

“It’s ridiculous and it’s a shame. If you don’t have CAMRA members that come to your pub then you don’t get votes. I don’t think that’s a very good system.”

The well-known CAMRA Good Beer Guide is an annual book published with thousands of the best pubs and off licenses for beer and cider which act as a guide for others to use to find their nearest good quality pub.

Pubs which are in the guide are voted for and chosen by an army of beer loving members of different CAMRA branches across the country. There are hundreds of branches over the country which fall under the national CAMRA umbrella.

The Holly Bush Inn has always been popular amongst locals for its traditional feel with a roaring fire and a curved snug and the landlady feels it is sad the pub has not been shortlisted this year.

She said: “There are a lot of pubs out there. We might not be everybody’s favourite pub. But we are a lot of people’s and for a reason. It’s a special place and it’s sad that it’s not been recognised.”

In response, CAMRA’s Regional Director for the East Midlands, Robert Hamnett-Day, said: “CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide is based entirely on personal recommendations made by local CAMRA members, which are rigorously reviewed by branches and editors.

“Recommendations consider beer quality as well as the history and architecture of a pub and various aspects such as food, gardens, family and disabled facilities and special events. CAMRA does not take any fees for listings to ensure the guide remains independent and unbiased.

“We appreciate that exclusion from the Guide can be frustrating. The fact of the matter is that there are only so many listings available per region, and the competition in Derby was fierce. We wish the Holly Bush Inn the very best of luck with future inclusion and will continue to support it as a branch however we can.”

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