Pub of the Year 2018
It will come as no surprise to many that the winner of our Pub of the Year award for 2018, as voted for by branch members, is the Kelham Island Tavern on Russell Street.
The pub was previously known as the White Hart and until Trevor and Lewis opened it in its current guise back in 2002 it was closed, boarded up, and in danger of becoming derelict. The pub proved popular from day one and an extension was built at the rear to cope as well as the yard outside being developed into a pleasant beer garden.
The pub serves three regular beers – Acorn Barnsley Bitter, Pictish Brewers Gold and Bradfield Farmers Blonde – and up to ten changing guest ales on handpump. The range covers a variety of beer styles with a dark beer (stout or porter) and a mild always available. A cider and perry is also available and on the keg lines there are various continental beer styles, plus a range of malt whiskies.
A simple food menu is served at lunchtimes from 12-3pm every day except Sunday. Outside these hours there are often sandwiches and pork pies available. The bar is open from midday until midnight daily.
The Kelham hosts their annual beer & cider festival at midsummer when an outside bar pops up in the beer garden. The pub also takes part in the folk music session festival spread across a number of venues over the Easter weekend. The rest of the year folk and other musicians gather in the back room to play most Sunday evenings. There is also a weekly quiz on Mondays.
Part of the ongoing success of the Kelham including its many awards has been due to maintaining high standards. The beers are always well kept, reasonably priced and served by friendly staff into oversized lined glasses to ensure a full measure, the pub is always kept clean and tidy (they are also proud of their 5* food hygiene rating!) and customers are encouraged to keep their language civilised (if you have to swear, please drink elsewhere!).
Although the standards and principles that the Kelham is run by hasn’t changed in the 15 years, this doesn’t mean there has been no innovation – there is now an extra keg line serving modern UK craft beers and bottled gluten free beer is available.
We’ll be presenting the award certificate to the Kelham Island Tavern at 3pm on Saturday 12 May, so please come and join us for what is sure to be an enjoyable afternoon!
Outgoing social secretary Patrick Johnson made what could be his last Pub of the Month presentation to pub manager Heather Griffin, and afterwards we were treated to a range of free sandwiches, which were very much appreciated.
Congratulations once again to owners Kate and Chris, managers Heather and Pete and all the Rutland staff on their award. 
