FOR the second year running, the Taw River Inn at Sticklepath has been chosen by North Devon real ale devotees as their pub of the year. The North Devon branch of CAMRA chose the pub for its ?friendly atmosphere, selection of ales and its good value prices?. Paul Jones, who has run the free house pub with his wife Sue for the last seven years, said to win the award two years running was ?fantastic?. Paul said he liked to offer drinkers a wide range of ales, and now had five on offer at all times. The Taw River Inn beat off competition from many other pubs to defend its title in the competition, where the main criteria is beer quality and selection. The branch covers a wide geographic area and has around 150 members. The Taw River Inn goes forward to a regional final with other branches? chosen pub of the year, and members say hopes are high, that after recent victories by Cornish pubs the spoils could come back to Devon. Paul plans to celebrate the award at the pub on June 10, with a curry night and barbecue.
