A STOCKTON Heath bar specialising in real ale has been awarded a top-class industry award.

Costello's Bar, on Walton Road, has been named the North Cheshire Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year 2018.

The north Cheshire branch, which covers areas extending from Glazebury in the north to Tarporley in the south, contains nearly 200 real ale pubs.

Ray Head, pubs officer at North Cheshire CAMRA, said: "Pub of the year is an annual competition which most CAMRA branches run independently but subject to CAMRA national guidelines.

"We currently select five pubs for the final via a combination of beer quality scores submitted by CAMRA members, all volunteers, based on their visits over the course of a year, and a poll of our local CAMRA branch membership."

The competition's finalists are judged by a panel of CAMRA members against a number of categories, including service and welcome, community focus and atmosphere and most importantly, quality of real ale and cider – to name a few.

These scores are then added up and the winner announced.

Costello's Bar, which serves as an official outlet for Dunham Massey Brewing Company and Lymm Brewing Company, has seven real ale hand pumps – three of which are used to rotate different brews.

It also has two real lager fonts, and a selection of spirits on offer.

Ray said: "Costello's was a narrow winner over its sister brewery pub, the Brewery Tap in Lymm – who placed second.

"Both excel with their range of dark beers (mild, porter and stout) which is a growing market in the real ale scene.

"Dunham Massey's award-winning Dunham Porter proved especially popular with our judges."

John Costello, a former Tetley's brewer and owner of Costello's Bar, said it was an 'amazing achievement' and the team at Costello's were 'made up to have been considered.' 

Costello's Bar will be presented with its CAMRA certificate on Saturday, April 7.

For more information visit northcheshirecamra.org.uk