The Ship Inn is keeping the real ale scene well and truly afloat in Merseyside after picking up a second award in two years from CAMRA.
Recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale as one of the UK’s top sites for beer drinkers, the pub has been named the Pub of Excellence for 2011.
The award is testament to the dedication to real ale that the pub shows, and reassures real ale drinkers of a well-kept and well-poured pint when they visit.
Last year, the Ship Inn was named CAMRA Pub of the Year in St Helens, and both accolades demonstrate the commitment to local and national breweries that has been shown over the years.
Landlord Ian Pidgeon is passionate about real ale, and has used his taste for beer to develop a thriving pub that brings the best brews from the country to customers in the area.
Having managed the pub for more than a decade, he has built up a solid reputation as a real ale connoisseur, and strives to offer new and interesting ales throughout the year.
He said: “Being recognised by CAMRA is a wonderful feeling, and just goes to show that we are committed to real ale.
“We take pride in our beers, and do all we can to ensure a good range of options for customers, whether new to real ale or long-time drinkers. All our ales are carefully kept and poured and people know they can come to us for a proper pint.”
The Ship Inn has four real ales on tap at any one time and Ian scours the length and breadth of the country to choose the drinks he serves.
Working with the Society of Independent Brewers, he selects, from the hundreds of brews available, the ones he thinks his customers will enjoy.
Among the pub’s offerings is an exclusive cask ale called Ship to Shore.
Produced by the George Wright Brewing Company in nearby Rainford, it is only available at the Rainhill pub and is a popular choice.
The site also has a Charity Ale on tap, with 10p from every pint sold donated to the Lilac Centre at St Helen’s Hospice, where cancer patients are treated and supported.
Ian added: “So far, more than £300 has been raised to help the unit, just from people enjoying a pint of real ale. It is a fantastic way to help an important local cause.”
The Ship Inn is also one of only two pubs in the country to serve ale straight from the cask.
Due to return this autumn, this method of serving, where the cask is displayed on the bar and the ale is drawn out through gravity alone, results in a smooth pint with no foamy head.
The pub has also brought in special ales for occasions such as Christmas, and is always on the look-out for new beers.
Ian said: “Real ale really is a way of life, and myself and the rest of the staff are dedicated to sourcing and promoting beers, as well as enjoying a drop ourselves from time to time!”
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