It was revealed in September that over 60 Gloucestershire pubs were named in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2026, with many being hailed by the annual boozer directory for their atmosphere, decor, service and most importantly, their quality cask beer, real cider and perry.
The Campaign for Real Ale, better known as CAMRA, also selects the best pub in the UK from those who make the guide and a Gloucestershire pub is in the running to win it all.
Found on St Mary's Street in Gloucester's city centre, The Pelican Inn dates back to 1679 and is a family-run traditional pub known for its wide array of cask beers and ciders on offer – and it's been listed in the Good Beer Guide for more than a decade.
Now a Pub of the Year finalist, the Grade II-listed ale house is being pit against the Blackfriars Tavern in Great Yarmouth, the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth and the Volunteer Arms (Staggs) in Musselburgh, with each winning multiple other awards over the years and the latter already taking home pub of the year in 1998.
Alongside hundreds of recommendations, this year's Good Beer Guide also came with a stark warning to pub lovers and the UK government, as the number of independent breweries in the UK has seen a decline due to the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and rises in tax and business rates.
Andrea Briers, CAMRA's Pub of the Year coordinator, said: 'I am delighted to announce who has reached the top pubs for 2025. It is always a hard-fought and close competition with judges having an incredibly difficult job whittling them down to just four. They are shining examples of what makes our pubs so incredibly special, vital to our communities and providing a wonderful welcome to all.
'Every year we see pubs facing new pressures and to continue to thrive in the face of rising costs and other issues is humbling to see. We are calling on the chancellor to give pubs a fair deal in the Autumn Budget, so they can keep serving their communities for many years to come.'
Licensee of the Pelican Inn, Mike Hall, said: 'Never did I dare hope that the Pelican Inn would be recognised as one of the top four pubs in the country.
'It’s been a joyous journey for me and my family, building the pub up from a poor trading position. The plan from day one was to make it a relevant part of the community and a beacon for real ale fans to find. The fact that it’s evolved into something so far beyond our own ambitions is the warmest of feelings.
'Our greatest strength is the support offered to us by Wye Valley Brewery, we showcase all of their beers but with a flexibility to offer a broader choice of beers than their portfolio alone. It’s a simple, traditional public house with a clear vision and fabulous, fabulous beer.
'This honour will stay with me always.'
The winner of CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025 is set to be announced in January 2026, so stay up-to-date with SoGlos on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to ensure you don't miss out.