CityLife

Worthington's The Crown shortlisted for Pub Of The Year

Proud landlord Daniel Prince

A WIGAN boozer is hoping to go one better than 2008 and bring a prestigious national Pub Of The Year trophy back to Greater Manchester.

The Crown, at Worthington, in countryside near Standish a few miles from the town, has reached the last four in the contest, run by the Campaign For Real Ale. It won the regional title in September and last week clinched the north west round. Last year another Crown, the real ale mecca in Stockport, was runner-up in the national competition.

The Crown at Worthington is up against the current title holder, the Kelham Island Tavern, in Sheffield; the Royal Oak, in West Sussex and the Royal Oak Inn, at Wantage, in Oxfordshire.

In December 2008, The Crown was named as one of my top five pubs of 2008 and was a nominee in that year’s Manchester Food And Drink Festival awards. The freehouse always has at least eight handpumps of real ale and is the ‘brewery tap’ for Standish micro-brewery Prospect (their Silver Tally is one of my favourite brews) but is as well-known for its food as its beer.

Landlord Daniel Prince, who regularly holds beer festivals and beer themed weekends, says he was pleased, but also surprised at making it to the last four.

“We are a bit different to the rest of the finalists as we have a significant food operation and we let rooms, but we also concentrate hard on the beers. This is a big thank-you to all the people – not just Camra members – who come here for good beer. We’ll be trying very hard to win it.”

The winner is announced in February (2010). Fingers crossed.