Duke of York pub in Lichfield crowned Taphouse of the Year at Joule’s Brewery Awards 2026

The team at Lichfield’s Duke of York pub have been raising a glass to their success after winning the Taphouse of the Year award at the Joule’s Brewery Awards 2026.

The brewery celebrated the achievements of its pubs, landlords and teams at its annual Taphouse Awards, held at The Stag in Market Drayton, Shropshire, on October 14.

The awards, which brought together pub teams from across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Wales and the West Midlands, celebrate everything from beer quality and sales growth to food, live music, community involvement and individual achievements.

The biggest award of the evening, Joule’s Taphouse of the Year 2026, went to the Duke of York in Lichfield.

The brewery’s highest recognition for a taphouse, the accolade celebrates the all-round achievements of the people running it.

Andy and Leanne Bridgwood took on the Duke of York after its major refurbishment and reopening in March 2026. Since then, they have worked hard to establish the next chapter for the historic Lichfield pub, welcoming customers back and making the most of its new surroundings.

Their efforts have made a real impression, with the Duke of York also taking home the Joule’s Seasonal Flagship award on the night.

Vicky Colclough, managing director of Joule’s Brewery, said: “Taphouse of the Year is a very special award for us, and Andy and Leanne are thoroughly deserving winners.

“They’ve been part of the Joule’s family for many years and know their pub and its community incredibly well. This year has been particularly exciting for the Duke of York, with the refurbishment giving the pub a new lease of life, and Andy and Leanne have really made the most of it.

“They’ve worked so hard to make the Duke of York the success it is today, and it’s wonderful to see that recognised. To take home both Taphouse of the Year and Seasonal Flagship is a fantastic achievement, and we’re absolutely delighted for them.”

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A raft of awards were also handed out for beer quality, with several pubs recognised for their commitment to looking after and serving the brewery’s beers.

The Angel Inn in Lichfield received the Best Pint award, voted for by the public.

Crown Wharf in Stone took home Draymen’s Choice while the Offley Arms in Madeley, Staffordshire, won the award for Best Cask Ale Growth.

The brewery’s flagship beer awards recognised pubs that have shown particular support for individual beers across the Joule’s range - with the Duke of York winning the Seasonal Flagship accolade.

Boldmere Tap in Sutton Coldfield and Crown Wharf in Stone were among five pubs recognised as Top Tap Champions.

Harborne’s New Inn was among those named Rhythm of the Week Champions for its regular events and weekly activities.

The Crown at Codsall also received one of the Pub in Bloom awards.

Vicky Colclough said: “What I particularly love about these awards is seeing just how different all our pubs are. There isn’t one way to run a great Joule’s pub, and that’s something we’re very proud of. Congratulations to all our winners, and a huge thank you to everyone across the estate for another brilliant year.”

The evening also recognised individuals who have made a particular contribution to Joule’s over the past year and celebrated long-service milestones, with a number of staff recognised for five and 10 years of service.

Full list of 2026 Joule’s Taphouse Award winners:

• People, Pubs & Community Social Media Star: Mere Inn, Castle, Lower Chequer
• Live Music Legend: Bricklayers, Prince of Wales, Sandbrook Vaults
• Event Excellence: Henry Tudor
• Rhythm of the Week Champion: Sandbrook Vaults, White Horse, New Inn Harborne
• Community Champion: Cock Hotel, White Lion
• Pub in Bloom: Mere Inn, Kings Arms, Crown Codsall
• Top Tap Champion: Boldmere Tap, Crown Wharf, New Inn Newport, Old Town Hall Vaults, Red Lion Market Drayton
• Best Pub Pet: Nala, Rose & Crown, Biddulph Moor
• Best Pub Food: Leopard, Nantwich

Beer and Wine Awards

• Best Pint: Angel Inn, Lichfield
• Draymen’s Choice: Crown Wharf, Stone
• Cellarmanship: Cock Inn, Leek and Market Vaults, Tamworth
• Citra Blonde Flagship: New Inn Newport
• Joule’s Pale Ale Flagship: Rose & Crown, Ludlow
• Slumbering Monk Flagship: Glebe, Stoke
• Green Monkey Flagship: White Horse, Shrewsbury
• Joule’s Seasonal Flagship: Duke of York, Lichfield
• Best Cask Ale Growth: Offley Arms, Madeley
• Best Cold Beer Growth: Cock Inn, Leek
• Château Bessan Ambassador: Chris Turner and Red Lion Market Drayton

Regional Champions

• Shropshire Champion: Rose & Crown, Ludlow
• Staffordshire Champion: Rose & Crown, Biddulph Moor
• Cheshire Champion: Lower Chequer, Sandbach
• Wales Champion: Royal Oak, Wrexham
• Birmingham Champion: New Inn, Harborne

Individual and Special Recognition

• Five Years of Service: Emma Burbridge (Joule’s Team), Callum Jinks (Joule’s Team), Dan Morrow (Joule’s Team)
• Ten Years of Service: Stacey (Royal Oak, Wrexham), Rachel Hackett (Joule’s Team)
• Special Recognition: Paul King, Red Lion Bomere Heath
• Local Landlord Icon: Fran, Offley Arms
• Joule’s Brewery Ambassador: Katarzyna Drozd
• Rising Star: Helen and Andy, Bricklayers
• Taphouse of the Year: Andy and Leanne, Duke of York, Lichfield