Nominations have opened for the Champion Beer of Britain 2026.

The Champion Beer of Britain is one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. It is the ultimate honour for UK brewers and has helped put many into the national spotlight. It is awarded every year at the trade session of the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF).

The competition starts with individual nominations from CAMRA members and tasting panel nominations, then area competitions.

The winners will be announced at next year's Great British Beer Festival.

Read more and vote here.

A planning application to convert the former Pheasant on Chesterfield Road, Mansfield, into a convenience store, with an integral coffee shop, has been received by the council - writes The Chad.

https://www.chad.co.uk/news/politics/historic-pub-in-mansfield-could-be-given-new-lease-of-life-with-shop-and-cafe-5299605

CAMRA has revealed the 16 regional and national winners in its Pub of the Year 2025 competition.

The 16 pubs have been recognised as the best of the best in the UK and their shortlisting for the competition is testament to their quality and commitment to their communities. 

The top 16 pubs are:

East Anglia
Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth

East Central
Orange Tree, Baldock

East Midlands
Burnt Pig, Ilkeston

Greater London
Hope, Carshalton

Merseyside and Cheshire
Cricketers, St Helens

North East
Station House, Durham

North West
Cumberland Inn, Alston

Northern Ireland
Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw

Scotland
Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh

South Central
Bell Inn, Aldworth

South East
Royston, Broadstairs

South West
Hole in the Wall, Bodmin

Wales
Rhos yr Hafod Inn, Llanon

West Central
Pelican Inn, Gloucester

West Midlands
Tamworth Tap, Tamworth

Yorkshire
Beer Engine, Skipton

Read the full story on What's Brewing

The Nags Head at Pleasley is currently undergoing a major refurbishment.

While the works are ongoing, they are still operating from the marquee to the rear, however.

Keep up to date on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nagsheadpleasley

Mild by Penzance Brewing Co has been crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2025 at the Great British Beer Festival, NEC Birmingham, today.

Lewis Elliott and Richard Hickman (pictured below) of Penzance Brewing said:

“It’s quite overwhelming. I'm really glad the style has come back. It’s down to the founder of our brewery Peter Elvin and his nephew Rob, who showed me the ropes. I can’t believe we are here right now, its mad!”

Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain Judging Coordinator described Mild as:

“The aroma of this classic dark mild has all the enticing aromas one would expect. Chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose. Chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate where the gentle pleasant sweetness is balanced by a roasty, subtle, dry bitterness. Packs a lot of flavour for a 3.6% beer!”

The Silver and Bronze winners for 2025 were:

Silver: Snowflake, Sarah Hughes was described by the judges as: "a gorgeous barley wine and a classic example of the style. The flavour is complex, with sweet bitter marmalade on a smooth palate.”

Bronze: Fallen Angel by Church End was described by the judges as having: “A sweet honey toast, butterscotch aroma with a little spice. It’s a rich pale ale with bitter spicy hops that are balanced by notes of honey.”

Blue Monkey Tap will open next Friday, August 1st.

From the Blue Monkey Facebook page:

"There will be live music, food vendors, and of course an incredible selection of beer and more. We’re inviting you, your friends and family to come and celebrate this weekend (and everyone after that!) We are SO very grateful for all of the continued support and patience with this project - we couldn’t have done it without you!!!"

Give them a follow at https://www.facebook.com/bluemonkeybrewery

The Bridges Brewing Company, based in Pinxton have contacted us to announce they are up-and-running. There is not much else to report at the moment, but well pass on details when we find out more.

What's Brewing have published a roundup of the Members' Weekend, which can be viewed on the national website.

The feature includes a video and transcript of the Website of the Year presentation; won this year by Mansfield and Ashfield.

https://wb.camra.org.uk/2025/06/22/members-weekend-2025-round-up-branch-website-of-the-year

Rob Green accepting the award on our behalf