Express & Star

WATCH: Hail to the Ale! Micropub voted the best

Cheers! It's one of the smallest pubs in the West Midlands – and now Hail to the Ale in Wolverhampton has been voted the best in the region by members of the Campaign for Real Ale, just two years after it opened its doors.

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The micropub in Pendeford Avenue, Claregate, was converted from a former furniture shop and post office by Gary and Angela Morton, of Essington's Morton Brewery, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

Camra chose Hail to the Ale for the regional launch of its Good Beer Guide 2016.

Licensee Angela said: "When we opened we just aimed to get in the Good Beer Guide in our first five years, but we made it last year in our first year of opening and are featured again this year."

Gary said: "We are gobsmacked to have got this far. We are up against some really good pubs." Hail to the Ale only opens 25 hours a week spread from Thursday to Sunday and offers four real ales.

"We always have one of our beers on and offer guest ales, including from neighbouring brewers. We are selling 10 to 12 barrels a week and also offer cider from Wheaton Aston," added Gary. "Our customers love it here. There are no distractions like music, or gaming machines."

John Nightingale, secretary of the Wolverhampton branch of Camra, said Hail to the Ale had first won branch pub of the year, then county pub and now regional.

"It is a throwback to the old style of pub with good beer and conversation the main fundamentals."

Hail to the Ale and 15 other regional finalists will now be judged for the national title. The winner will be announced in February.

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