A PUB is celebrating after being named the best in the district and in Gloucestershire by a group of dedicated beer enthusiasts. 

The Carpenters Arms in Westrip near Stroud - also known as The Carps - was crowned the best cider pub by the Campaign for Real Ale for the Stroud district and also the county.

The Carps was recognised for its impressive variety of ciders including from local producers like Day's Cottage from near Gloucester and Orchard Revival from Dursley.

The popular pub beat other county boozers including The Salutation Inn in Ham, The Pelican in Gloucester and The Dog House in Coleford. 

The Westrip pub will now compete for the title of South West CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year against other regional branch nominations. 

After the Randwick Wop on Saturday, May 13, there was a celebration with live music, local cider producers, pork and apple baps and a double presentation by CAMRA. 

Owner and licensee Sammy McKie said: “We bought the pub in 2019, then we had Covid nearly straight away which was quite stressful. 

“But we are going great guns and people seem to be loving it. 

“We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

“We spend so much just to pay the electricity bill at the moment and we are just keeping our head above water.

“We have turned it around despite Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.”

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: CAMRA members gather behind the bar to toast Sammy McKie, owner and licensee of the Carpenters Arms, Westrip, on her double triumph as CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year for both Stroud and Gloucestershire CAMRA members gather behind the bar to toast Sammy McKie, owner and licensee of the Carpenters Arms, Westrip, on her double triumph as CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year for both Stroud and Gloucestershire (Image:  Bill Hicks)

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Tony Hill (left, Chair of Stroud CAMRA) presents the framed Stroud CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year certificate to Sammy McKie, owner and licensee of the Carpenters Arms, Westrip, while CAMRA members, regulars and locals raise their glasses in a toastTony Hill (left, Chair of Stroud CAMRA) presents the framed Stroud CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year certificate to Sammy McKie, owner and licensee of the Carpenters Arms, Westrip, while CAMRA members, regulars and locals raise their glasses in a toast (Image:  Bill Hicks)

Tim Mars of Stroud CAMRA said: “It was a day of glorious sunshine when Stroud CAMRA presented Sammy McKie of the Carpenters Arms, Westrip, with a framed certificate recording her pub’s triumph as our Cider Pub of the Year for 2023.

“It proved a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and both the pub and garden were heaving. 

“The pub was relaxed and welcoming and everyone—whether real cider drinkers or not—rejoiced in the pub’s success and came together to toast the Carpenters’ richly deserved victory. 

“Quite a turnaround for a pub which was not so long ago closed and at risk of being lost to a residential conversion.

 “While we present an award every year, this one was a first. The Carpenters is not just Stroud CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year but has triumphed in the next round to be declared Gloucestershire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year. 

“So we have a double award-winner and it was a double presentation, with Andy Frape, chair of Gloucestershire CAMRA, presenting the certificate on behalf of the branch.

“Which just goes to show what a good job Sammy and her team at the Carpenters have done in such a short space of time since she bought the pub in 2019.”

All photos by Bill Hicks.