Each year the five Nottinghamshire CAMRA branches select their Pubs of the Year and the Nottinghamshire Pub of the Year is selected from one of these five pubs. Each branch visits all the pubs and votes on each according to the criteria set out by CAMRA. The Nottinghamshire Pub of the Year is then chosen by the voting of the branches.

Because Mansfield and Ashfield branch has just reformed no entry was put in for Mansfield but Mick and Bridget said the Inkpot at Rainworth was good so we added that in to our trip and the Pavilion at Forest Town in Mansfield.

The pubs visited and the route:-

Beer Under The Clock Retford

Organ Grinder Newark

Marquis of Granby Granby

Horse And Jockey Stapleford

Inkpot Rainworth

Pavilion Mansfield

For this beer trip Tony's minibus was used but with a new to us driver, Alan, who was very good. The Worksop members were joined by Mick and Bridget from Mansfield for the journey to Retford and everybody met at high noon (no guns allowed) in Beer Under The Clock.

Beer Under The Clock is a micro pub tucked away in the Town Hall Yard in the centre of Retford. Serving 5 changing real ales, including a dark beer and a bitter, a real cider, and various other drinks. In the good weather there is some seating outside. Beer wise a lot of us tried the Lenton Lane Pale Moonlight, very nice, John K (eye on the clock, he knows I loose track of time) likes his dark beers, so the new stout from Welbeck Abbey, Sligo, for him. Stuart orders us Jester from Yeovil Beer Co. rude to refuse and Bridget and Mick are pleased to see a proper cider on the bar. To the bus, south on the A1 and onto Newark.

The Organ Grinder , a Blue Monkey Brewery pub, (all their pubs are called Organ Grinder) is just outside the centre in Newark but no problem for us as Alan found a space for the bus almost opposite the pub. I do like the pub sign with the monkey on and the snug area on the left as you enter the pub. John B and Mike A positioned themselves there. On the bar 5 Blue Monkey real ales and 2 guest beers from North Notts breweries, Red Feather from Welbeck and Honey Hole Golden Ale from the Lord Randall brewery. I was pleasantly surprised with the Honey Hole and also the Infinity Plus 1 and Mike O as well as enjoying the beer sampled a ploughman's which he said was excellent.

Back to the bus, John K reminds us time is getting on, and to Granby near Bingham in the Vale of Belvoir.

The Marquis of Granby is in the picturesque village of Granby in the very south of the county. The quaint pub that also houses the village store, is the tap for Brewsters brewery and 3 Brewsters beers were available, Marquis, Hop A Doodle Doo and Hophead plus Abbeydale Hopback and Buntingford Oatmeal Stout (dark but not black) Trevor and Robert managed them all between them "decent nick" but there was no real cider. There was another bus trip there and most were sat outside, the man behind the bar was rushed off his feet, Ian offered to help himself but was politely refused.

On to Stapleford and the last on our list to judge.

The Horse And Jockey has long since been well regarded by real ale drinkers but for most people it is quite difficult to get to. Alan dropped us outside the door almost, so for us it was up a few steps and into the pub. A tremendous range of beers on the bar greet you, Black Lodge, Full Mash, Stancil, Black Iris, Neptune are the breweries I can remember and Neptune Mosaic was the beer I tried. Some of us watched the football results in the second room and the weekly accumulator go down. Good range of beers said Matt and most agreed.

Pub judging done, 4 great pubs and now to Rainworth.

The Inkpot is a micro pub serving up to 5 real ales and a range of ciders and perries. Offerings from Lincoln Green, Beermats, Alter Ego, Beartown were available, all in great nick, good choice Mick and Bridget, well worth a visit. I wandered outside with my pint of Gold and Stuart asked one of the locals what the micro used to be, a bookies was the answer, didn't help our accumulator. Trevor managed to taste a few more samples of cider, "well Dave Slueman will ask about the cider." Alan had a shandy, thirsty work and he wasn't judging, now to Mansfield.

The Pavilion is situated on the old racecourse site. The team from Kings Clipstone brewery have taken over the Pavilion bar and offer a up to 5 real ales, ciders and a range of other drinks. There is usually a beer available from Kings Clipstone and when in their bar it is rude not to try their beer, so Palace Pale it was for me.

Unfortunately as with every trip there is a time when you have to head home. A great day, some great pubs, some great beers, what more could you wish for!