Matlock and Dales Pub of the Year 2009.

The Temple Hotel, Matlock Bath.

As part of the Matlock and Dales Pub of the Year award, a coach trip was organised to give possible voters the chance to visit all of the four and differing nominated establishments in one evening before choosing their particular favourite.

Meeting at the Thorn Tree Inn on Jackson Road, Pat and Emma had a good selection from which to choose, Bass, Black Sheep, TT Landlord, Bateman’s XXXB, Holden’s Golden Glow with Morland and Ruddles Best from the Greene King range. Next to visit was the winner of the spring Pub of the Season (PotS), the Temple Hotel at Matlock Bath, where Chris was getting ready for a “themed brewery weekend” with ales from the Brew Company from Sheffield whose Slakers and Bock were alongside local brew Chatsworth Gold from Peak Ales.Onto the Plough Inn at Two Dales, who won the autumn PotS to find that Tim and Helen had TT Landlord, Thornbridge Ashford and Underdog from Cottage on offer.The Bowling Green at Winster was a our last nominated pub to visit where David and Marilyn had got Abbeydale’s Daily Bread and the Bradfield Farmer’s Bitter and Brown Cow on for us to try.

Many thanks to all of the nominated pubs, of which any one would have been a worthy winner, for serving so many different ales in such good order throughout the year. With all the canvassing finished and the votes gathered in from near and far The Temple Hotel at Matlock Bath was announced the winner of the MAD Pub of the Year 2009 and at a packed presentation night, Chris Richardson and his partner Melanie Heane treated everyone to ales at £2 per pint, and a fabulous buffet of hot spare ribs, chicken portions, quiche and sandwiches with various salads and rice.

Chris’ ales for the evening were Great Escape 5% from the new Derby based brewery of Wild Walker, Howard Town’s Wren’s Nest 4.2% and a special brew from the Derby Brewing Co. called “Dino’s and Pete’s Breakfast Blonde” 4.2% which was brewed by Trevor Harris in conjunction with Derby’s Ram FM to help raise funds for the CLIC Sargent charity which helps and supports children with cancer. A raffle held on the night raised £130 for the charity, with many excellent prizes being donated by brewers in attendance, who were Pete Roberts of The Brew Co., Tony Hulme from Howards Town and Trevor Harris from the Derby Brewing Co.