TWO Basingstoke pubs have been praised for the quality of their real ale.

Members of the town’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch gave the acclaim to both The Maidenhead Inn in Winchester Street and The Angel in Festival Place.

Branch members chose the Wetherspoon pubs following regular visits to check on the quality of the real ales on offer.

During the visit, CAMRA members also assessed the two watering holes customer service, décor and overall atmosphere.

Manager of the Maidenhead Inn, Jonathan Fletcher, said: “I am delighted that The Maidenhead Inn has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by CAMRA members.

“We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all times, including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as hosting our own beer festivals.

“Staff at the pub work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in first-class condition at all times and the pub’s inclusion in the guide highlights this.”

There are also two new entrats into the CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2020 from the area.

The Old House at Home, in Newnham, near Hook and Wheatsheaf in Basingstoke, a lively town centre boozer regenerated in recent years but keeping the spirit of the corner pub alive have been named in the guide. 

Brenda Cross, chair of the Branch said: ”The new guide is pretty heavy compared with the first guide published in 1972, but it really does contain everything you need to plan any trips around England Wales and Scotland to ensure a good real ale and cider-drinking experience.

"It is very comprehensive, including breweries, many of which are now becoming tourist attractions in their own right.”

Following this recent visit it means that both pubs will feature in in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2020.

CAMRA is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe.

Founded by four real ale enthusiasts back in 1971, today it represents nearly 200,000 members across the UK.

A CAMRA spokesman said: “The pubs deserve their place in the Good Beer Guide 2020.

“It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service, quality of food and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally high standard.”

To find out more about CAMRA or to become a member visit camra.org.uk.