Offering an impartial appraisal of Britain’s pubs, the Good Beer Guide 2022 includes 12 pubs in and around Chard and Ilminster.
The Good Beer Guide is the biggest book of pubs and breweries in Britain, with thousands of recommendations from CAMRA volunteers across the country.
The only directory created by members of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, every pub or bar listed has been carefully selected by volunteers who have visited them and tasted the beers.
You’ll find more than 4,500 listings across the UK’s best pubs, bars and breweries, chosen by local CAMRA volunteers as having the best cask beers available – or you can check out the special brewery section to discover new breweries setting the scene alight with interesting, exciting new brews.
Pubs are rated on atmosphere, quality of beer and how well they cater for real ale drinkers.
James Blunt throws support behind the Great British pub
Best-selling singer James Blunt has thrown his support behind the Great British pub and reflected on the industry’s struggles during the coronavirus pandemic, in his foreword for CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022.
Following 18 months of struggles for the industry in the face of restrictions and lockdowns, Blunt, who owns the 17th-century Fox & Pheasant pub in Chelsea, remarks that as both a musician and a publican, he has “pretty much chosen the worst two jobs for a global pandemic”.
However, with his trademark optimism, he highlights the importance of pubs to communities and encourages Brits to get back to the pub to support their locals.
He said: “Whilst, in recent years, there might have been a trend for people to drink cheap supermarket beer at home, those people have been locked away for the best part of a year, and now those people want out.
“They can taste real beer from the tap, and food cooked by a pro, and they can meet legally and joyfully.”
READ MORE: AA Restaurant Guide 2022: Best Somerset restaurants revealed. See the list
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide App
Now fully updated with CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022 punters can tap into Britain’s best pubs from their mobile phone.
Putting thousands of pubs, beers and breweries at your fingertips, the app uses information compiled, and continuously updated, by pub-goers all over the UK.
Letting you get social, the app allows you to follow, post and even score beers to influence the inclusion of pubs in the Good Beer Guide.
The Good Beer Guide app compiles data from more than 37,000 real ale licensed premises, over 13,000 beers and 2,000 breweries. The data is collected and maintained by CAMRA members and is powered by WhatPub, CAMRA’s online pub database.
:: The Good Beer Guide 2022 is available now through CAMRA’s website priced at £15.99
The Chard and Ilminster pubs in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022
Cerdic
Where: 47 Fore Street, Chard, TA20 1PT
What the guide says: “A Wetherspoon that used to be a cinema with the same name before it closed in the 1960s.
“The well-kept guest beers are normally local and you may find a bigger selection at the weekend. In addition there are usually six real ciders.
“There is a bar area and a family eating section down some steps in a conservatory. A pleasant garden has been added at the rear.”
King William Inn
Where: Barn Street, Crewkerne, TA18 8BP
What the guide says: “A short walk from the town centre towards Chard takes you to this well-hidden traditional pub.
“There are three changing ales and two ciders, and the array of pumpclips adorning the beams indicates the huge range of beers that has been served.
“Twitter shows the beers that are being added. There is an early evening happy hour every Monday and Wednesday.
“For music lovers there is an acoustic night the last Wednesday of each month. Beer festivals are held in May and the end of September."
READ MORE: Best and worst Wetherspoons in Somerset according to TripAdvisor
Dinnington Docks Inn
Where: Dinnington, TA17
What the guide says: “A quirky gem, this traditional Somerset country pub has beautiful views from the large garden.
“It wears its heart on its sleeve, supports the community and offers a warm welcome to locals and visitors alike.
“There is a good selection of two permanent and three guest ales to suit all tastes, along with a wide range of wines and spirits.
“All this, combined with the renowned hearty meal menu, makes the pub a must-visit destination.”
Five Dials Inn
Where: Goose Lane, Horton, TA19 9QQ
What the guide says: “An old coaching hostelry given a contemporary facelift.
“Three real ales and traditional local ciders from Perry’s and Burrow Hill are on the bar, including the famous Somerset Cider Brandy.
“Fresh seasonal food is served, and there is a specials board that changes on a daily basis."
White Hart Hotel
Where: East Street, Martock, TA12 6JQ
What the guide says: “This hamstone Grade II-listed coaching inn at the centre of the village dates from 1735.
“The warm and welcoming establishment has a main bar for drinks, serving three real ales on handpulls, mainly from nearby breweries.
“The cosy restaurant offers great chef-cooked food with table service.
“Local music and film clubs use the pub as a meeting place. It has 10 en-suite letting rooms, including one for families.”
King’s Head
Where: Church Street, Merriott, TA16 5PR
What the guide says: “A classical 17th-century inn with open-plan rooms and a mix of flagstones and wood flooring. A raised woodburning stove in the flagstone area is welcoming in winter.
“As well as cask ales there is a selection of up to seven local ciders. The owner loves gin and there are more than 80 available.
“Outside is a large beer garden with a smoking section featuring a wood-burner.
Phelips Arms
Where: The Borough, Montacute, TA15 6XB
What the guide says: “Just 200 yards from the National Trust Montacute House, this lovely hamstone village pub offers a warm and friendly welcome.
“It has a selection of three or four Palmers cask ales, and the real cider on handpump is also from Palmers.
“Home-cooked meals and daily specials are made from locally sourced ingredients where possible.”
Volunteer Inn
Where: New Road, Seavington St Michael, TA19 0QE
What the guide says: “Cosy three-roomed pub that has built a strong reputation with real ale enthusiasts for Windy Brewery beers, crafted on-site in the purpose-built structure to the rear.
“The owners wanted to form a true brewpub in Somerset and christened the brewery after the weather problems encountered by their builders.
“Even today all the brews are named after the wind and weather. This fine establishment is well worth a visit.”
READ MORE: Somerset best in the UK for accessible walks, survey finds
Brewers Arms
Where: 18-20 St James Street, South Petherton, TA13 5BW
What the guide says: “This pub has appeared in more than 20 consecutive editions of the Guide. During this time around 3,000 different ales have been served and documented.
“The Brewers is a hub of village life, a true community pub that keenly supports local events and charities.
“Regular live music and quiz nights feature, and beer festivals are held over both spring and summer bank holiday weekends.
“The adjoining Old Bakehouse provides excellent quality food.”
Cotley Inn
Where: Wambrook, TA20 3EN
What the guide says: “A traditional country pub that is well worth finding, in a wonderful rural setting where sitting outside is a delight.
“Inside the main entrance is a bar area with a welcoming wood-burning stove to greet you in the winter months.
“To the right of the bar is a challenging skittle alley and to the left you will find dining spaces where you can sample the excellent food.
“Ales are served from gravity racking behind the bar.”
Muddled Man
Where: Lower Street, West Chinnock, TA18 7PT
What the guide says: “A popular traditional free house in a picturesque village.
“The family team gives a warm welcome to visitors and locals alike, serving good home-cooked food in a jovial way.
“A good range of three well-kept ales is served alongside a real cider.
“Outside is a large beer garden with exceptional flower boxes, troughs and baskets.”
Quicksilver Mail
Where: 168 Hendford Hill, Yeovil, BA20 2RG
What the guide says: “A roadside pub with a unique name commemorating a high-speed mail coach.
“It has been run by the same landlord since 2002 and has been almost ever-present in this Guide.
“Alongside the large single bar is a separate dining area serving excellent food and a well-priced range of wines.
“The pub is a well-known live music venue and also holds comedy, bingo and quiz nights in the bar or function room.”
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