The Vaults is Back on Top
Pub of the Year 2008

You might think Nick Worrall, licensee of the Vaults in Knowle, would feel blasé about winning Solihull CAMRA's Website of the Year - it's his fifth win in since 2003, having lost out to the Fieldhouse in Monkspath last year. But you would be wrong. "It means a lot to us," he confided. "I'd like to say a big thank you to all members of CAMRA for the continued support and recognition they have given to myself and the staff over these happy years at the Vaults, and to all the customers who know and love the Vaults."

Roger Dipple, Solihull CAMRA's chairman, presented the award. "What makes this pub stand out from the crowd is the atmosphere, which is down to the people - the warm welcome you get from staff as soon as you walk through the door and the fact that you can have an interesting conversation with staff or clientele," he commented. "The Vaults offers so much more than just a place to get a drink, it is the hub of the community. Once again the Vaults is a very worthy winner."

The Vaults is a traditional community pub, attracting a wide range of customers. Regular events are held, including mini beer festivals, race days, fishing trips, charity events and pickled onion and slow gin competitions. The pub stocks a good range of real ales from Adnams, Deuchars, Tetley's and Ansells plus two rotating guest ales from around the country.

With the recent sharp increases in the cost of making beer and the steeply rising levels of taxation being added by an apparently uncaring chancellor, many publicans are finding things hard, but Nick remains in ebullient mood. "With your continued support we will be here to serve you for many years to come."

Customer Turned Publican Scoops Award
Most Improved Pub 2007

When Tim Platt of Hampton-in-Arden complained about the way his local was being run, he was eventually barred from the pub. This should have been quite a blow, as the White Lion is the only pub in the village, but when the opportunity came up, he and John Thorne took over management of the pub themsleves!

Tim and John obviously had the right ideas about how thing should be done, as just 18 months later - despite the constraints of operating as a tied house - they have not only gained the prestigious Cask Marque status but have now also won Solihull CAMRA's award for 'Most Improved Pub'.

Local CAMRA members turned out in strength at the 17^th Century Grade 2 listed pub, which has been licensed since 1838, to make the presentation. They were rewarded with a choice of Hook Norton Old Hooky, Black Sheep Bitter, cask Brew XI and a fine Adnams Bitter which was specially priced for much of the evening, which was much appreciated.

Local CAMRA Chairman Roger Dipple, in presenting the award to Tim and John on Thursday 22nd November commented "The best kind of Landlord is one who understands things from a customer's viewpoint. We always get positive feedback from members who visit the NEC and stay at the pub. The range and quality of real ales has improved, the food is still excellent and it is once again the heart of its community."

Debunking the Myth of the Chain Pub
Pub of the Year 2007

There are those who believe that nothing good ever came from a chain pub, which makes it all the more impressive that Solihull and District CAMRA's Pub of the Year for 2007 is the Fieldhouse - part of the Ember Inns chain.

Originally opened in 1988 as a soulless fizz-palace called the Chequers, it quickly gained a poor reputation. Ten years later it was renamed the Fieldhouse. Then in 2001 it became an Ember Inn under the management of Richard and Barbara Norton, and has gone from strength to strength. Their enthusiasm and dedication is almost tangible, and the pub is always busy, attracting a cleintele of all ages.

Particlarly notable for CAMRA members is Richard's dedication to his real ale, developing a reputation for well kept beers and an ability to exploit Ember's guest beer policies, always stocking as wide a range of ales as possible. In 2006 this was recognised when the pub made its debut in the prestigious Good Beer Guide. "I was well chuffed," enthused Richard, "chain pubs struggle to get into the Guide."

In 2007 Ember introduced an ongoing programme of guest beers supplied by shipper Waverley TBS. For the Fieldhouse it was like a year-round beer festival: in addition to the resident M&B Brew XI and a slowly revolving, well-known guest, drinkers can generally expect to be treated to three unusual ales from around the country, changing on an almost daily basis.

Drawbridge scoops latest Solihull CAMRA award
Most Improved Pub 2006

16 Members of the Solihull & District Campaign for Real Ale descended on the Drawbridge to bestow their award for Most Improved Pub to Karen Ayres (Landlady) and her team on the evening of Wednesday 22nd November. Local Chairman Roger Dipple, who presented the award, said "over the last 6 months or more, members have noted the improvement in range and consistent quality of the beers on offer at the Drawbridge. Solihull CAMRA would therefore like to show their recognition and appreciation for the hard work put in by Karen and her team".

Karen Ayres, has been Landlady there for two years. Her Assistant Manager, Andy Carrington, has been there a year and has taken over cellar duties from previous Cellerman Grant Melrose, who was instrumental in improving the quality of the cask ales and showing Andy the ropes.

The pub is a managed house, belonging to the Spirit Group. Barrelage is running at about 100 galls per week. They have 5 real ales on at a time. 3 are regulars such as Marston's Pedigree, Charles Wells Bombardier and Moorland's Speckled Hen, and the other two are selected from Spirit Group's quarterly list (Cellerman's Reserve). Black Sheep Bitter and Hyde's Stormtrooper were the two guests last night, along with Wadworth 6X that had taken the place of Speckled Hen. St Austell Tribute replaced the Black Sheep when it finished.

They try to respond to what regulars request, and Young's Winter Warmer and Bateman's Rosey Nosey are to be featured as we approach the Christmas season.

A delighted Karen said "After all the hard work we've put in over the past year to get our cask ales up to the highest standard, it is nice to be finally rewarded and noticed. We are proud to accept this prestigious award, and look forward to competing to be CAMRA's best pub in the future"

The Vaults is voted Pub of the Year for 4^th year running!
Pub of the Year 2006

Yet again the Vaults at Knowle has scooped the coveted Solihull CAMRA Pub of the Year award. Chairman Ray Cook presented the award to Nick Worrall, his daughter Sarah and the team on 5^th July. The Vaults regularly features two interesting guest beers alongside Tetley's Best Bitter, Burton Ale, Ansell's Mild and Greene King IPA. The condition of the beers is consistently good, and there is always friendly banter at the bar.

"It is time some of the other 95 pubs in the Solihull area gave the Vaults a run for their money" commented one CAMRA member, as they tucked into the free sandwiches that landlord Nick had generously provided. Well, there's a challenge to all you local landlords and managers. CAMRA members will be out and about next year looking for pubs that deserve to be nominated for the award. Consistent beer quality and consumer choice are the key factors.
 

Solihull CAMRA's Most Improved Pub of the Year shared by two pubs
Most Improved Pub 2005

A dead heat resulted in two pubs being voted Solihull CAMRA's Most Improved Pub of the Year for 2005. The Drum and Monkey at Bentley Heath is under the managership of Samantha Goodwin and William Gill and though primarily a food orientated pub it is surprising beer wise in stocking Hobson's Bitter permanently. Owned by the Spirit Group William obtains beers from both Spirits' list and from The Beer Cellar. There are three beers on at present, however this is due to go up to five in the near future. A beer festival is held at August Bank Holiday and William hopes to introduce a Winter Beer Festival in 2006.

Over at the Golden Acres, Damsonwood, Simon and Kerry have really turned this pub around in the twelve months they have been there. The pub is owned by Punch, however Simon and Kerry's lease is Vanguard which allows them a free hand in beer selection. On the presentation night Tring Victory 1805, Wye Valley Forager's Finest and Draught Bass were on handpump. Food is available at the pub where Tin Feng Cantonese and Chinese restaurant operates in the pub. Sunday lunches are also available.