Town Centre - Red Lion, Doncaster

The Doncaster Pub of the Year 2010 award has been won by the Red Lion in the town centre’s Market Place. Manager Paul Sanderson and his staff are to be congratulated on retaining this award for a second year, beating off some stiff competition in the process.

One of the reasons for the Red Lion’s ongoing success under Paul’s management is that the pub works so well on two ‘levels’. Of course it’s a Wetherspoon – so customers benefit from that company’s positive attitude to real ale and unquestionable value. Whilst these attributes are obviously much appreciated, they alone do not make a great pub, and even fans of Wetherspoon would admit that many of their establishments can be a little ‘soul-less’. The Red Lion, however, works as a ‘local’ too, with friendly helpful staff and a great mixed clientele.

Paul’s commitment to real ale is well known, and he regularly sources beers from a fine range of micro-breweries – including Elland, Saltaire and of course the excellent and very innovative Thornbridge. He runs a number of additional beer festivals over and above JDW’s regular events, including an eagerly awaited  ‘Hop Into Spring’ Festival during the first two weeks in March.

The award will be presented to Paul on the evening of Thursday 1 April at around 21:00, and all are welcome.

Doncaster District- Jemmy Hirst at the Rose and Crown

The Doncaster District Pub of the Year 2010 award has been won by the Jemmy Hirst at the Rose and Crown in Rawcliffe. What more can be written about this superb establishment? It seems that licensees Simon and Jane Hicks are out to make this award their very own having now won it six times in all!

The Jemmy Hirst is the sort of pub that every lover of great pubs and beer would surely love to be their ‘local’ - I certainly wish that I lived within ‘staggering distance’ (although Simon & Jane might soon get bored of requests for a very hoppy beer to be served at all times!!). It’s even been a runner up in the CAMRA Yorkshire Pub of the Year awards, and should be on every discerning drinker's 'to do' list!

We will be presenting the award to Simon & Jane on the evening of Saturday 17 April at around 21:00. All are welcome to attend.