Lincoln CAMRA’s top pub, the Dambusters Inn at Scampton, has gone one better, with the award of Lincolnshire Pub of the Year for 2018. Judges from the Campaign for Real Ale visited the winning pubs from each of the CAMRA branches in the county and assessed the quality of the beer, the atmosphere, service and community focus.
Landlord, Greg Algar, has been in charge at the Dambusters since 2009. During that time, he has increased the number of handpumps from two to seven, dispensing a changing selection of ales from breweries in the local area and further afield. And he has installed a microbrewery behind the pub to produce house beers. However, the most striking feature is the unique collection of memorabilia and information about 617 Squadron and the famous bombing raid. The murals on the walls of the toilets are also a talking point.
Lincoln CAMRA chairman, Aaron Joyce, said, “We’re delighted that the Dambusters is getting the recognition it deserves. This is the third year running that it has been our local winner and now it’s gone one better. Greg and his team do a great job.”
The runner-up in the competition was the Brown Cow at Louth.
The other pubs in contention were:
Ebrington Arms, Kirkby on Bain
Sun and Anchor, Scotter
Red Lion, Newton
Station Hotel, Habrough
Anchor, Bourne
White Swan, Barton upon Humber
The Dambusters now goes forward to the East Midlands round of the competition, where it will be up against the best pubs from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.