The Siren’s Calling, in Portishead, has been named pub of the year by the Bristol and District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The runner-up was the Merchants Arms, Hotwells.
The branch will be presenting certificates to the two pubs on the evening of Thursday, 27th April. They will visit The Siren’s Calling at 7.30pm and the Merchants Arms at 9.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
“The Siren’s Calling is a comparatively new pub that first opened in 2018 and, since then, has really established itself on the real ale scene,” said Bristol and District CAMRA branch chair, Richard Brooks.
“In their feedback, the pub of the year judges praised the range and quality of the beer at the Siren’s Calling. They were also impressed by the community focus of the pub and that it shows initiative in holding a range of beer-related events. The general view was that it is a clean, well run, real ale focused independent pub in a prime location right on Portishead Marina.”
The pub’s owner, Andy Holian, said: “This is an incredible achievement for us, a small unassuming bar, operating in a local community and representing all the regulars that support us. Without their ongoing support of the work we do and the events we offer, making it to our fifth anniversary, with everything thrown at us including residents’ revolts, collapsing ceilings, flooding toilets and, of course, Covid, would never have been possible.
“We have enjoyed offering different experiences and events, including the cask-focused Bristol Brewery Challenge, blind beer tastings, winter and summer beer festivals, and our ever-popular Oktoberfest weekend, not to mention the ongoing promotion of Belgian beers and brasseries.
“I would like to thank CAMRA for their support and their recognition of the hard work we do, and I would like to make special reference to our local rep, Neil Ravenscroft, who has spread our name since the day we opened. We have an idyllic setting and we hope that more people will now stop by when walking around the Marina and enjoy a beer or two!”
Of the Merchants Arms, Richard Brooks said: “This is not the first CAMRA award won by the Merchants Arms. Back in 2001, it was awarded what was then the national CAMRA Joe Goodwin Award (now called the Community Local Award) which is given to ‘outstanding refurbished street-corner locals’.
“This year, the pub of the year judges considered the Merchants Arms to be a great community local. A welcoming pub with a nice cosy interior and excellent real ale.”
Merchants Arms owner, Mike Wilkins, said: “It is a great honour to accept the runner-up award for the 2023 Bristol and District pub of the year award from CAMRA members. I feel it demonstrates that there is still a place in this fantastic industry for a traditional real ale pub, no frills, no machines, no jukebox, but a selection of excellent, mainly local cask ales, an eclectic mix of background music and great conversation, oh and a roaring log fire in the winter.
“However, that is only half the story of the Merchants. I have the best team I have worked with in my very long career in this trade, brilliant customers, and the best local breweries we could hope for. Thank you all for making the Merchants Arms the great pub it is.”
