The 2024 edition of the Campaign for Real Ale Good Beer Guide was published on September 27 – and eight pubs in the East Hants CAMRA branch area are included!

A new entry for this edition – making a welcome return since its last appearance in 2017 – is the Star Inn at Bentley, which makes a point of championing beers from local breweries.

Other East Hants branch entries include the local branch Pub of the Year, the Eight Bells in Church Road, Alton, and six other pubs in and around Alton.

The Good Beer Guide relies entirely on volunteers drawn from CAMRA’s 150,000-plus members to evaluate pubs for inclusion.

This independence means all entries are judged on merit, with no payment for entry.

The guide is also unique in providing an exhaustive listing of the 1,700 breweries operating in the United Kingdom.

East Hants CAMRA pubs officer Tony Davis said: “Although nationally there has been a decrease in the number of breweries as well as pubs, we are bucking the trend In the East Hants branch area.

“There is the award-winning Triple fff Brewery in Four Marks, the tiny Gilbert White’s Brewery in Selborne – which produces mainly bottle conditioned beers from modern kit in its 1765 brewhouse attached to the Gilbert White Museum – and in Kingsley Maverick brewery, opened this year, offering craft kegged beers with an international flavour.

“Joining them shortly will be the Ten Tun Brewhouse in the centre of Alton, a long-overdue return of brewing to the town so long associated with the industry.” 

Pictured with the Star Inn’s Good Beer Guide certificate and the guide are co-owner Sophie Croft and bar staff member Vanessa Payne. They are being congratulated by East Hants CAMRA pubs officer Tony Davis.