18
Apr
Popular bar named Harrogate and Knaresborough's Pub of the Year 2026
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Ripon’s Portly Pig bar and bottle shop was officially named the Harrogate & Ripon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026 last night (Thursday, April 16).
Members of the CAMRA branch, who selected the Kirkgate establishment for the award, presented owners Stuart and Katie Ross with a certificate that now takes pride of place in their premises.
Katie said:
We’re absolutely thrilled to be chosen for this award in a city that has so many fantastic and historic pubs serving some of the best real ales produced locally and across the region.
Stuart added:
We have been made so welcome here after taking over the Portly Pig in November 2024 from our friends Adam and Katrina Coulson, who gave the bar its memorable name.
The citation to accompany the certificate from the Campaign for Real Ale says that Portly Pig earned the Pub of the Year award because of its high-quality beer, community focus, and excellent service.
Real Ale Guide
In addition to last night’s award presentation, the hostelry hosted the launch of Ripon’s first Real Ale Guide.
Produced by CAMRA’s Harrogate and Ripon branch, it features the Portly Pig alongside The Black Bull, Black Swan, King William IV, The Magdalens, One Eyed Rat, The Ripon Inn, The Royal Oak, The South Lodge, Storehouse Bar & Eatery, The Unicorn Hotel and The Water Rat.
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, which funded the production of guide, was present for last night’s launch and said:
The Cathedral City of the Dales is home to some of the best pubs and bars in the North and between them they provide visitors and residents alike with a tremendous range of choice.
CAMRA members and Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst with the new Ripon Real Ale Guide. Photo: Tim Flanagan of Rejoicing in Ripon, for Ripon BID.
Ms Bathurst added:
Katie and Stuart are BID members and they have made a big impact in the relatively short time since they took over the Portly Pig because of their community-minded approach.
A key example of this was their launch earlier this year of the Pig Cup six-a-side tournament that will be held in July at Ripon City AFC’s ground to raise money for men’s mental health and wellbeing charities Andy’s Man Club and Ripon Men’s Shed.
The tournament will see 16 teams from businesses and organisations across Ripon and district, and has taken off with guidance from English Football League regional safeguarding manager Helen Cotterill-Smith who, with husband John and family, are Portly Pig regulars.
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