Good news for the Locomotive pub in Newton Abbot as Nicki and Sherilee are back behind the bar offering an excellent range of real ales and tasty homemade pasties.

The Clifford Arms in Shaldon is still closed at present but looks to open again soon. They're currently applying for planning permission for a 2-storey extension at the rear. Lets hope that the excellent range of real ales return to this very popular local pub.

The Hole in the Wall pub near Torquay harbour has recently added a mild, namely Theakston Mild, to its permanent beer range. Theakston, for a long time in the hands of national brewers, is now back under the control of the Theakston family. The pub is now serving 7 real ales!

A recent CAMRA pricing survey in pubs in the south west has revealed the average price of a pint of real ale now stands at £2.27 although this survey was conducted prior to the recent budget increase. Comparing prices from the same time last year reveal a 3.85% increase, again well above the rate of inflation. Beer prices in the area ranged from just £1.39 to £2.90.

If you're out and about in the South Hams part of our region why not call into the George Inn in Blackawton which was taken over by two former members of staff of the Normandy Arms up the road when it closed during the summer of 2005. They're offering 3 real ales with an emphasis on microbreweries along with a decent range of foreign bottled beers. I can also recommend their excellent curries washed down with a pint of local Teignworthy Spring Tide. Local farm 'real' cider will be available again there this summer.

Not too far away is the Church House Inn in Harberton, a few miles southwest of Totnes, which was taken over by Tom Callender in November 2005. It's a lovely old pub with a wonderful interior but went through a couple of bad years following the retirement of Dave Wright. Since Tom's taken over the real ale quality has improved's keen to offer decent real ale. They've also a newly revamped website.

14/04/2006

© Campaign for Real Ale & Ant Veal 2007. Designed & compiled for South Devon CAMRA by Ant Veal.
This page was last updated on 07-Mar-2007