The Blue Bell is delighted to announce, for the first time in its history, that it has an entry in the definitive guide to finding the perfect pint – the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2018! All pubs that appear in this highly regarded independent publication are nominated, evaluated and reviewed by local CAMRA members so this is an accolade that the landlord Giles Babb, Bar Manager Andrea Oldham and staff are extremely proud to have achieved.
While Sharp’s ‘Doom Bar’ is always available, the other two real ale hand pumps at this Emsworth Free House feature a constantly rotating selection of local ales from, amongst others: Staggeringly Good and Irving Breweries (Portsmouth), Bedlam, Darkstar and Arundel Breweries (Sussex), Suthwyk, Fallen Acorn and Itchen Valley Breweries (Hampshire), Goddards Brewery (Isle of Wight) and of course the nearby Emsworth Brewhouse. As the first outlet to stock casks of beer from this recent addition to the town, the Blue Bell even assisted with tasting and naming!
Landlord and Head Chef Giles Babb loves sourcing local produce to compliment the beers, supporting the local economy and adding to the fantastic food menu at the pub – a particularly popular dessert, chocolate & ale cake, features Emsworth Brewhouse ‘Wodehouse’ ale combined with Sussex Montezuma’s chocolate. The pub is at the heart of the community and has been heavily involved in supporting events including the British Food Fortnight which runs this year from 23 Sep – 8 Oct (http://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/), the Emsworth show, Hampshire Farmers’ Markets and raising money for the RNLI in this coastal town.
The CAMRA Good Beer Guide is fully revised and updated every year with details of more than 4,500 pubs across the country serving the best real ale, as selected and reviewed by over 170,000 CAMRA members – this year’s edition is sponsored by Cask Marque who ensure that the cask ale you drink in pubs in the UK is in perfect condition. The Blue Bell is delighted to have been recognised as an establishment that meets the approval of these two organisations, who are seen as the ‘connoisseurs of real ale’ in this country!