On Saturday 8 April, Pat Kyle presented Warwick Heskins and his son Jack with the West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2023 award during the Catherine Wheel’s annual Easter Beer and Cider Festival. The award was made in the presence of several West Berkshire CAMRA members who had met up at the pub for a social afternoon at the beer festival.
Pat complimented Warwick on the Newbury pub’s range of ciders served at a cool temperature and Warwick replied that he was honoured and delighted to receive the award.
Warwick is proud to stock ciders from both local and national cider makers including Green Shed (Newbury), Seven Trees (Reading) and Tutts Clump. He said ‘With the warmer weather approaching, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing pint of real cider.’
A blackboard, near the dedicated cider fridge for bottled ciders, lists 22 boxed ciders available from the cellar and bar staff are able to give advice or tasters of boxed ciders. Warwick said ‘Real cider comes in a range of styles to suit everyone, from dry to sweet and fruit flavoured. Because it’s fruit-based, cider has the advantage of being gluten-free. It also provides antioxidants and vitamin C.’
Located at the Newbury Market Place end of Cheap Street, the Catherine Wheel has featured in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide regularly since 2018. Awards from West Berkshire CAMRA have included Pub of the Year 2018 and Cider Pub of the Year 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Previous West Berkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year winners have included the Five Bells, Wickham and more recently the John O’Gaunt, Hungerford.