Kinver pub wins CAMRA award
A pub has celebrated success after winning a regional award.
The Cross Inn, in Kinver, was named as South Staffordshire's pub of the year by the Dudley and South Staffordshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch.
The pub, on Church Hill, was given the award on Saturday (March 16).
Andy Clark, manager and licensee at the pub, said: "When the chair of CAMRA gave me a call, he said that I had come third in the Dudley and South Staffordshire region but I had won the South Staffordshire award.
"I was quite surprised, but we do put 110 per cent in and it's nice recognition because you don't really think, or know, how good your beers are.
"I've got a good team here and we're conscious of good quality beers and good service.
"You have to have a clean, friendly pub, a good atmosphere and have things to do. There's many activities, so there's always things to do – if you come into The Cross we have live entertainment which is quite popular and even a guitar workshop.
"I do have a large customer base – I'm out the way, really, but people make the effort to come in.
"I do have a lot of cyclists and dog walkers come in, so I'm in a really good position.
"CAMRA members come round the pub like mystery customers and they score you on beer, cleanliness and everything.
"They can come at random times and they submit their scores and the chairman, or the board, works out who's won."
The pub, to mark the win, had a special ale brewed – called Celebration Ale.
Mr Clark, originally from Tipton but who now lives in Kinver, added: "It's all gone – it was on tap and it's all gone now. I think I only managed to get a half."
