Popular Kendal pub, The New Union, was elected Westmorland CAMRA Pub of the Year 2019 and Westmorland CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year by members of the Westmorland Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale at its meeting on 11th February.
This is a great achievement for landlord Philip Walker and his staff at the pub. Reopened after a period of closure in September 2017, the New Union is a popular community gathering spot hosting a weekly quiz, fortnightly music nights along with other events such as carol singing, live music and whisky tastings. The pub hosted its inaugural cider and gin festival last year catapulting it into the running for the Cider Pub of the Year award as well as the prestigious Pub of the Year award.
The New Union works in partnership with other local Kendal businesses including the Thai Kitchen, Heathen Vegan, Yard 46 and Pennington Tea and Coffee. Most significant is its promotion of local cask ales and craft beers, normally including beers from local and other northern breweries as well as a range of Belgian, German and other continental beers.
Other local hostelries scored well. Joint Pub of the Year runners up were the Watermill at Ings and the Stag Inn, Dufton. The Cider Pub of the Year runner up is the award-winning Crafty Baa in Windermere.
Congratulations to all the pubs who will be presented with their awards later in the year.