Pubs

We have over 150 pubs in our branch area.

All the Essex CAMRA Branches contribute to an Essex Pubs Database which you can access here.

• Link to Essex Pubs Database

Potty about POTY? What sounds like a receptacle for the results of a good night out on the beer is actually CAMRA-speak for our annual Pub of the Year awards.

Every year, all CAMRA branches nominate and vote for the favourite pubs in their area. The winners then go on to the county, regional and finally, national awards. Even at a local level, the award is highly regarded. 

The difficulty is that everyone has his or her own idea of the ideal pub, which is why it is so important to get as many people voting as possible. EVERY member of Colchester CAMRA can have their say, and the more votes we receive, the greater our confidence that we'll come up with the right result.

Cast your vote now. The closing date for votes is midnight on the 31st January 2012. You can choose to nominate up to 5 pubs ranked in order of preference.

Voting has now closed. Results will be released soon.

Winners will inevitably receive good publicity in the local media and trade press, resulting in increased trade. But they mustn't be complacent, as we start from scratch every year with no pre-conceptions. Our 2005 POTY, the Red Lion in Kirby-le-Soken (now in Tendring Camra), was not even in the Good Beer Guide at the time - but is proof that we monitor all the pubs in our region, and shows what good Landlords can achieve in a short space of time. In the past, we’ve had some criticism that pubs in central Colchester have been favoured, but the 2011 winner, the Thatchers at Bures, is about as rural as they come – we will go anywhere to find a decent pint!

Past Pubs of the Year 

2011: Rural Pub of the Year and Overall Winner: Thatchers Arms, Mount Bures. Town pub of the Year: Bricklayer's Arms, Colchester

• Full List of Past Winners