A micropub which has tapped into a real ale craze to help scores of Uttoxeter lager drinkers "see the light" has won a coveted CAMRA pub of the year crown.
More than 400 independent breweries' beers have been served at the Horse and Dove since it opened in March 2017 - an achievement now recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA's) Uttoxeter branch.
Joint owners and ale aficionados Paul Blick and Yogi Gupta have poured their heart and soul into the Market Place pub run from the former Perry's Dry Cleaners building.
Although they suspected their watering hole would be successful, they admit their surprise at the numbers of customers coming through the doors.
Paul said: "I knew we'd be creating an atmosphere that didn't exist anywhere else in town and would be providing a far wider variety of beers, but how busy we've been has surprised me.
"I think we've not only established a solid customer base of locals, but there's been a trendy crowd that's been drawn to us.
"It's wonderful to have won this award and is a huge vote of confidence in what we're trying to achieve here.
"Perhaps it's down to the number of people who have come to us having been lager drinkers. I think we've helped them see the light."
Among the most popular beers served by Paul and Yogi have been those brewed by Uttoxeter Brewing Company, whose bosses have plans to open the town's first industrial brewery in 80 years.
Their Indian pale ale (IPA) and yogi beer - a strong pale ale - have been among the most popular brews.
Other favourites have been golden ale Butty Bach, brewed by Wye Valley Brewery, and Stoke-based Titanic Brewery's Plum Porter.
But it is not just beer boffins who frequent the Horse and Dove - the 20 gins served at the pub have also proved a draw.
Paul said: "We were always aware of the surge in popularity for premium gins in the last few years and many of the gins we serve were recommended by our punters.
"They've been loyal and I think that's also the result of Yogi and I, although we've taken a step back from the pumps to some extent since employing three new staff members, always ensuring we spend some time serving."
Dave Scorer, Secretary of Uttoxeter CAMRA, said: "We have many great pubs in the Uttoxeter area so choosing the Pub of the Year is always a difficult task.
"The Horse and Dove won this year as it has really revolutionised the pub scene in the town, with its welcoming atmosphere and constantly changing range of cask beer, including beers from local small breweries such as the Heritage Brewery in Burton and Uttoxeter Brewing company.
"Paul and Yogi took a big risk in opening Uttoxeter’s first micropub but it has really paid off and the pub has become a must-visit for local lovers of real ale."
Uttoxeter CAMRA Chairman Simon Ardron's take on the Horse and Dove
Since opening in March 2017 the Horse and Dove has changed the scene in Uttoxeter. On opening it nearly doubled the range of real ales available in Uttoxeter, providing a choice of six additional ever-changing beers.
During this time it has also expanded its choice of gins and ciders and added a premium lager to cater for all tastes.
The pub has created a new safe place for everybody of any age or sex to meet friends, sit alone and read a book or join in with the friendly conversations held inside the hostelry.
Many people have said to me how much they enjoy the pub, and while it does have customers who would have frequented other establishments in the town, there are many people who would not venture into town before but do so now on a regular basis to visit the Horse and Dove.
The beer quality has been supported by CAMRA members, not just from the town but from across the region and far away who have visited Uttoxeter and have scored the beers for quality on CAMRA’s WhatPub website - www.whatpub.com - a database of all pubs in the country that can be accessed by everybody to see what pubs are nearby and something of their facilities.
Paul and Yogi have invested heavily in time, effort and money, aided by the core staff, to make this a very friendly pub serving a wide variety of excellent ales changing at the rate of nearly one new beer a day.
For these reasons Uttoxeter and District CAMRA have voted the Horse and Dove as our Pub of the Year for 2018 and it is now in the regional competition against the other pubs in the West Midlands.
