Winner: King of the Belgians, Hartford

The award was presented at the St Neots Booze on the Ouse Festival in March. Presenting the award was Branch Chairman Jez, and accepting was the King of the Belgians Licensee Matt.

About the pub: A sixteenth-century multi-award winning pub in a picturesque village setting. This is a genuine community pub which offers an ever-changing selection of real ales, cider (up to ten from the local Cromwell Cider) and good value food every day including takeaway pizza and a traditional Sunday roast. Solid oak beams and a copper topped bar are features of the public bar and there's a separate dining area.
The range of community activities includes a monthly quiz night, pub games nights and open mic-style music nights on the 1st Monday of each month. Every second Thursday is BYO cheese night and there's a monthly themed food night.
Look out for the annual beer festival at the end of May and a mini beer festival over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Having been the winners of the Hunts Branch Pub of the Year, the King of the Belgians goes forward into the Pub of the Year award competition for Cambridgeshire, including the winning pubs for Peterborough, Cambridge and Ely.

Winner: Chequers, Little Gransden

The Rural Pub of the year award goes to a branch pub outside of the 3 urban areas of the branch. The top 3 nominations in 2024 were The Chequers, Little Gransden; The Crystal Ship, Earth; Royal Oak, Warboys. The Rural Pub of the Year award 2024 went to Chequers. The award was presented by Nikki - branch Treasurer and festival first aider, to Committee member and Chequers Pub Contact Roy on behalf of the Pub.

About the Pub: This village pub has been owned and run by the same family for over 70 years with 29 of those in the GBG. The unspoilt middle bar, with its wooden bench seating and roaring fire, is a favorite spot to pick up on the local gossip, along with a collection of decoy birds that seem to be gathering on the beam over the bar. When brewing the pub's 'Son of Sid' brew house brews for the pub and local beer festivals.

Winner: King of the Belgians, Hartford

The Urban Pub of the Year goes to a pub in one of the 3 urban areas of the branch: Huntingdon, St Neots or St Ives. The top 3 nominations in 2024 were Sandford House, Huntingdon; The Ale Taster, St. Neots; King of the Belgians, Hartford. The Urban Pub of the Year award 2024 went to the King of the Belgians, Hartford. The award was presented by Chris - Festival Organiser and Pub Contact, to King of the Belgians licensee Matt.

Winner: King of the Belgians, Hartford

The Community pub of the Year is presented to the branch Pub voted to have been the most community focused. Activities such as supporting local charities and providing a community hub including hosting regular events. The top 3 nominations for 2024 were the Black Bull, Brampton; King of the Belgians, Hartford; The Crystal Ship, Earth. The Community Pub of the Year 2024 went to the King of the Belgians, Hartford.

Winner: Crystal Ship, Earith

The Cider pub of the year is awarded to the branch pub that is voted as the best cider pub, based on regular availability of real cider, kept and dispensed to a high standard. The top 3 nominations in 2024 were the King of the Belgians, Hartford; The Ale taster, St. Neots; The Crystal Ship, Earith. The Cider Pub of the Year 2024 was awarded to The Crystal Ship, Earith. The award was presented by local cider producer Ray from Camrose Cider to Papworth Brewer and Crystal Ship owner Dickie.

About the Crystal Ship: The Papworth Brewery Tap, housed in an industrial unit adjacent to the brewery. It is open for indoor and outdoor drinking, serving up to eleven changing Papworth ales and a guest ale along with ciders, wines and spirits, and pizza on some evenings. Occasional events including classic cars, quizzes, live music, food and drink tastings are held.

There is also a bottle shop where a range of Papworth beers and Cromwell ciders can be purchased.

Winner: Comrades Club, Godmanchester

The Club of the Year award is presented to the Club voted to have been the best for supporting the ideals of CAMRA, offering a regular variety of real ale as well as offering a welcoming atmosphere and a service to the community. The Club of the Year award 2024 went to the Comrades Club, Godmanchester. The award was presented by Sue Ryder festival charity representative Trevor to the owners of the Comrades Club.

About the Club: The Comrades Club (Working Men’s and Social Club) which started life in 1920 for the Comrades of the Great War, is a respected and established member in the Godmanchester community and is committed to providing members, their families and visitors with the very best facilities, services and entertainment options

Stocking local beers are well as some old favourites.

Winner: Crystal Ship, Earith

The Mild and Dark Ale pub of the year is awarded to the branch pub that is voted as top for consistently offering a good range of mild and dark beers, kept and dispensed to a high standard. The top 3 nominations in 2024 were the The Crystal Ship, Earith; the Falcon, Huntingdon; Pig 'n' Falcon, St Neots. The Mild and Dark Ale Pub of the Year 2024 was awarded to The Crystal Ship, Earith. The award was presented by a local brewer from Xtreme Ales to Papworth Brewer and Crystal Ship owner Dickie.

Winner: Crystal Ship, Earith

The LocAle pub of the year is awarded to the branch pub that is voted as top for consistently offering a good range of beers from local breweries, kept and dispensed to a high standard. The nominations in 2024 were the Crystal Ship, Earith and the King of the Belgians, Hartford. The LocAle Pub of the Year 2024 was awarded to The Crystal Ship, Earith. The award was presented by local brewer Frank from the Huntingdon based Wheatsheaf Brewery to Papworth Brewer and Crystal Ship owner Dickie.

Winner: The Market Inn, Huntingdon

The Most Improved pub of the year is awarded to the branch pub that has experienced the most improvement, which can down to any number of reasons such as an improved range or quality of beer and cider, refreshed decor or atmosphere, or compliance to CAMRA values. This award is often awarded to a pub or club following improvements made by new management, as is the case this year. The nominations in 2024 were the Brampton Institute, Brampton; Royal Oak, St Ives; Market Inn, Huntingdon. The Most Improved Pub of the Year 2024 was awarded to the Market Inn, Huntingdon. The award was presented by deputy bar manager Mike to Festival Organiser and pub contact Chris, who presented the award in person at the pub on the day of the post festival social.

About the pub: A four hundred year old traditional pub down an alley off the market square. Once a series of tied cottages serving the former Fountain Hotel Brewery, it retains its original roof and three listed fireplaces. The front bar has unspoilt wood panelled décor and stained glass windows. Handily placed for the bus station which is a short walk from the market square.

Winner: Mr Winters Brewery, Vanilla Latte

Not technically a pub award, but announced at the festival none the less. We once again hosted an East Anglia regional round of the Champion Beer of Britain, for the Speciality - Flavoured category. A tasting panel made of up some experienced CAMRA tasters, the St Neots Town Mayor and Clerk, a local brewer, and local radio presenter, performed a blind tasting of the 5 highest rated beers in this category brewed in the East Anglia region. Mr Winters' Vanilla Latte took the Gold in this category for East Anglia. It will now go forward to the next stage of the Champion Beer of Britain and be judged against the winners in other regions.