News

Lincoln Pub of the Year 2019

Just one week after being named Best Cask Ale Pub by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars, Lincoln’s Strugglers Inn has won another award. The Lincoln Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale has chosen The Struggs as their Pub of the Year for 2019.

The competition was divided into two categories, with CAMRA members voting for their favourite city pub and their favourite from the villages in the Branch area. Five judges then visited the top three pubs in each category to assess the quality of the beer, the atmosphere, service and community focus.

Standing in the shadow of Lincoln Castle, the Strugglers Inn is big on character and conversation, and a warm welcome from the staff is assured. The ceilings of the main bar and snug are adorned with pumpclips of beers that have appeared on the bar. There is regular live music on Sunday teatimes.

Lincoln CAMRA chairman, Aaron Joyce, said, “The Struggs is a classic community local. And with ten handpumps on the bar, it’s a magnet for real-ale drinkers from near and far.”

The runner-up and Lincoln CAMRA Country Pub of the Year is the Dambusters Inn in Scampton. The other city pubs in the final were the Cardinal’s Hat and the Jolly Brewer. The Butcher and Beast in Heighington and the Ivy in Wragby were the other country finalists.

The Strugglers Inn now goes forward to the Lincolnshire round of the competition, where it will be up against the winners from the Gainsborough, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Louth, Grantham and Fenland CAMRA Branches.

Dambusters Inn takes county crown

Lincoln CAMRA’s top pub, the Dambusters Inn at Scampton, has gone one better, with the award of Lincolnshire Pub of the Year for 2018. Judges from the Campaign for Real Ale visited the winning pubs from each of the CAMRA branches in the county and assessed the quality of the beer, the atmosphere, service and community focus.
Landlord, Greg Algar, has been in charge at the Dambusters since 2009. During that time, he has increased the number of handpumps from two to seven, dispensing a changing selection of ales from breweries in the local area and further afield. And he has installed a microbrewery behind the pub to produce house beers. However, the most striking feature is the unique collection of memorabilia and information about 617 Squadron and the famous bombing raid. The murals on the walls of the toilets are also a talking point.
Lincoln CAMRA chairman, Aaron Joyce, said, “We’re delighted that the Dambusters is getting the recognition it deserves. This is the third year running that it has been our local winner and now it’s gone one better. Greg and his team do a great job.”

The runner-up in the competition was the Brown Cow at Louth.
The other pubs in contention were:
Ebrington Arms, Kirkby on Bain
Sun and Anchor, Scotter
Red Lion, Newton
Station Hotel, Habrough
Anchor, Bourne
White Swan, Barton upon Humber

The Dambusters now goes forward to the East Midlands round of the competition, where it will be up against the best pubs from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

Lincoln Beer Festival Needs You!

Planning is well underway for this years Lincoln Beer Festival. It’s shaping up to be another great event, but as usual we can not run it without your help!

Jobs include; getting people admitted into the festival, dispensing glasses to thirsty attendees, serving on one of our three bars, assisting the volunteering team, selling products at our CAMRA shop & signing up new members to the campaign on our membership stand. No experience? Don’t worry! Our core team of volunteers are happy to show you the ropes.

Benefits of working include;

    • Free Refreshments
    • Free Beer
    • Food Subsidy

(Terms & conditions apply)

Any time you can spare is much appreciated be it one shift, one day or more!

Please visit Lincoln Beer Festival Volunteering for the volunteering form.

Volunteers needed on the following days on the following areas, these are the times of the day we need people, you do not have to do a full 12 hours, any time you can offer in any of the following areas is much appreciated, be it 3/4 hours or more!

UPDATED 22/05/18

Festival Set up;

Wednesday 23rd May 3-5 volunteers (Lunch provided)

Festival Open;

    Thursday 24th May
    Ale Bar 18:00-Close 5 volunteers
    • Door (Admissions) 15:00-17.00
    Products/membership 17:00-24:00 1 volunteer
    Friday 25th May
    Ale Bar  18:00-19:00 5 volunteers 19:00-24:00 6/7 volunteers
    Imported Bar 17:00-24:00 1 volunteer
    Door (Admissions) 16:00-19:00 2 volunteers
    Gate 17:00-18:00 1 volunteer
    Glasses 16:00-17:00 1 volunteer
    Products/Membership 16:00-19:00 1 volunteer
    Saturday 26th May
    Ale Bar 17:00-19:00 5 volunteers, 19:00-21:00 6, 21:00-close 7 volunteers
    Imported Bar 12:00-15:00 2 volunteers
    Gate 17:00-20:00 1 volunteer
    Door 11:15-13:00 1 volunteers, 16:00-18:00 2 volunteers, 18:00-21:00 3 volunteers
    Products/Membership 17:00-19:00 1 volunteer
    Glasses Counter 18:00-24:00 2 volunteers
    Take Down
    Sunday 27th 8 volunteers that can move scaffolding
    Tuesday 29th 5 volunteers to load scaffolding (Breakfast roll and soft drink/coffee provided)