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Pub of The Year 2003
The Speedwell - Staveley, Chesterfield
In spite of stiff competition and a strong field, the Speedwell has won Pub of the Year for the second time (first time in 2000, when it had been open just over a year). It was also nominated last year – and its name comes up regularly in Pub of the Season nominations. Why, you may
enquire?
Asked to write this at extremely short notice with deadlines looming, I resorted to the back of an envelope: 10 reasons why I voted for the Speedwell for Pub of the Year.
 1. Excellent beer!!
2. Good selection of 1.
3. Reasonably priced 1.
4. Hosts guest beers from other micros.
5. Has annual beer festival.
6. Always get full measure.
7. Comfortable friendly atmosphere.
8. Separate drinking areas, one no-smoking.
9. I can get the bus (most of the way) there.
10. I can take the dog in.
Now you may not agree with most of these; 9 & 10 in particular you may regard as frivolous. However I would hope that you would agree with at least the first five! Some at least are subjective; 7 & 8 refer to personal comfort – you may like loud music/fruit machines/emphasis on food, all of which, Bridget Jones-like, I would characterise as Bad. (though not necessarily, or all the time.)
Surely, drinking the beers of Chesterfield’s only brewpub - usually three or four regulars plus a monthly special brew, whilst chatting with the other customers and/or the friendly and welcoming bar staff; or, browsing among the selection of CAMRA newsletters available to read whilst relaxing over a good pint of locally (back of the building) brewed beer is enough to gladden the heart of the most recalcitrant beer lover. I don’t mind what your reasons are as long as you, like me, enjoy the beer & atmosphere and agree that this is a worthy winner of Pub of the Year.
Speedwell Inn.
Lowgates,
Staveley,
Chesterfield,
Derbyshire.
S43 3TT
Tel: 01246 474665
Click here to see a map of the local area.
The Handley Hack
Mary Keast (centre) presenting the award to Alan Wood (right), publican and brewer
while Stu Bradbury (left), the CAMRA Brewery Liaison Officer looks on.
This webpage was last updated on
Sunday, 07 October 2007
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