A RELAXING atmosphere and welcoming staff helped a Stroud pub to triumph in a district competition.

The Prince Albert at Rodborough has been named pub of the year in the district by the area’s most dedicated beer-drinkers. 

The pub has been voted the best in Stroud and will now compete to become the best in Gloucestershire. 

The Stroud CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale award was presented on Saturday, July 2, with previous winner The Crown at Minchinhampton landlord Richard Terry ‘passing the baton’ to Lotte and Miles from The Prince Albert.

Since 1988, the competition has highlighted the best pubs in the country, and helps to showcase quality pubs throughout the UK that are worth seeking out and visiting.

Tim Mars, Stroud CAMRA’s pubs officer said: “This is a stunning comeback for the Albert, which lost out last year when the Crown came from nowhere to snatch an unprecedented victory."

“The pub was relaxed and welcoming and everyone, whether real ale drinkers or not, rejoiced in the pub’s success and came together to toast the Albert’s richly deserved victory.”

Albert landlady Lotte Lyster Connolly said: "We are delighted to be voted Stroud CAMRA pub of the Year 2022.

"There are so many great pubs in the Stroud district and they all have some fantastic attributes, so being voted the best of a top bunch is very heartwarming.

"Well done to Nigel at the Ale House, and the team up at The Crown Minchinhampton who we were up against in the final.

"We look forward to providing great beer, good company, delicious food and being the best we can to all who visit 2022 and beyond."

These are the scores for the shortlisted pubs ranked in order:

  • Prince Albert 83 points
  • Ale House, Stroud 50 points
  • The Crown, Minchinhampton 49 points

“The Albert now goes forward with our blessing to the next round to compete with all the other Gloucestershire CAMRA branch nominations for the title of Gloucestershire CAMRA Pub of the Year”, Tim said. 

The winner of Gloucestershire CAMRA Pub of the Year advances to compete for CAMRA South West Pub of the Year and then onto the national CAMRA Pub of the Year from a shortlist of four. 

So far, three Gloucestershire pubs have scooped the title of CAMRA Pub of the Year:

  • The Sandford Park Alehouse, Cheltenham (2015)
  • The Salutation Inn, Ham (2014)
  • The Old Spot Inn, Dursley (2007)

“The Albert did us proud on the beer front. On handpump were Tiley’s Ordinary Bitter (3.8%) from the Salutation Inn at Ham near Berkeley, Easy Peasy (4.0%) from 3D Beer, Timothy Taylor Landlord (4.3%), Bristol Beer Factory’s Optimist (4.4%) and Young’s Special (4.5%). 

“The quality of the ales is a tribute to the cellar skills of Lotte and Beaver’s daughter, Ruby Stephens.” 

The Albert near Rodborough Common has been run by the same family for 26 years. It is well known as a lively and colourful music venue and community hub, with a fiercely loyal clientele.

It recently unveiled a new sign, in tribute to Thomas the Tank Engine author and former Rodborough resident the Rev W Awdry. It was painted by Stroud signwriter Eleanor Harper.

The pub also recently returned with its well-loved May bank holiday beer festival after a two-year hiatus due to Covid lockdowns and restrictions.

They achieved national fame when it was one of four pubs featured on the BBC2 series Saving Britain’s Pubs with top TV chef and publican Tom Kerridge. 

The programme broadcast in November 2020 highlighted some of the difficulties currently faced by pub landlords due to Covid restrictions.