THE 2025 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS

Welcome to the annual review of Retired Martin’s pubby 2026. Part II can cover life, whatever that is.

THE STATS

Six hundred and thirty-one (631) pub visits, 580 different pubs, only 160 of those were new Beer Guide pubs but who cares about GBG ticking nowadays. Go, BRAPA !

And go, Daddy BRAPA, too.

What a father Bernard is; chauffeur, confidante, muse, legend. Talking of Simon, respect for a man who only published his review of the year after the old one ends.

If I’d wrote this just two days ago I’d have missed out the PINT OF THE YEAR,

Acorn’s Winter Pale in a return to the Abbey in northern Leeds, my lone NBSS 5 of the year, because CAMRA doesn’t like NBSS 5s (discuss, show workings).

Beer Quality in 2025 was better than ever, only half a dozen really below par pints (less than 1%), and a lot of beer that would have you turning to your neighbour and saying “This, this, is the pinnacle of the brewers art“.

Ninety beers score of NBSS 4 or above, none of them in Atherstone, which nevertheless gets the ultimate accolade of PUB TOWN OF THE YEAR, for bench seating, banter and a general warmth that Old Mudgie appreciated on our September crawl.

PUB OF THE YEAR, completing an Atherstone double, is Maid of the Mill.

Simon reckoned that Glasgow’s Lismore was his Pub of the Year, and I also thought it practically perfect,

except for the beer.

Despite leaving Waterbeach 5 years ago, it was n-n-n-n-nineteen visits to The Sun that made it my MOST VISITED PUB.

That’s a pint of the oft-maligned Pedigree the other week, absolutely immaculate. Landlady Helen left the Sun in capable hands of Gary in September, but it’s Burnley Bev who provides the cask continuity.

For her magic in the cellar, her wonderful smile when I popped in after a miserable day last month, and her ability to pronounce “Rawtenstall”, Bev is my PUBMAN OF THE YEAR.

Treasure your pub staff, folks. And your friends.

Unknown's avatar

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

11 thoughts on “THE 2025 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS”

  1. It’s lovely to see Atherstone, and its Maid of the Mill, getting the recognition it deserves.
    I knew you’d easily double my 285 pubs. My most visited pub was my nearest, and 65 pints there suggests a Nepalese meal about every twelfth day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      2. Yes Dick, Just a three minute walk from home is wonderful.
        With me not getting abroad for a many year I appreciate all the more the best of the world coming to me, whether the very best of Asian food or you and Dave on your annual UK tour.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you Paul. We really enjoy the time we get to see all of you. The next one is yet to be determined, but we hope the opportunity opens.

        Dick

        Like

      1. I was tempted by the Woodfords Wherry in the Radcliffe yesterday afternoon but then remembered Timothy Taylor have 168 years of brewing experience.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 168 years of brewing experience is no use if the pub doesn’t know how to clean lines and price beer attractively enough to sell it. Thankfully, The Radcliffe did.

        Like

  2. I also think beer quality is improving across the board. The major fault now is that beer is too warm, or sparkled to death. It’s rare to get a vinegary pint now, which is just as well at today’s prices.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m always glad to get that opinion, Rob. Very few bloggers will put a score to their beer (Paul B and Chris Dyson do), but Will has been reporting some great beer of late.

      The chap on Discourse from Ely is still complaining about ice cold beer, mind.

      Like

      Reply

  3. Some impressive stats there, Martin, and way in excess of my 106 different pubs for the year (I didn’t bother counting re-visits, but perhaps I ought to.

    Congratulations too for Stafford Paul, Simon and especially Simon’s father, Daddy BRAPA. If anyone deserves a special award, then Bernard (first time I’ve seen his name mentioned), is your man!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment