DORSET is celebrating real ale success with 66 pubs from across the county recommended in the 2016 Good Beer Guide.

Four pubs from Weymouth are listed in the book, published by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) – the Boot, the Royal Oak, the Wyke Smugglers and the Globe Inn.

The book also lists 20 breweries in the county.

Mike Carter, licensee of the Globe, said he is “proud” at his pub being listed for the fifth year.

He said: “Real ale sales are increasing steadily, keg beer has died a death.

“I am proud to be in the prestigious Good Beer Guide for a fifth year.

“That shows customers appreciate good real ale, both the quality and the variety.”

He has resisted serving food, like many pubs, adding: “My customers prefer to enjoy their ale without the smell of chips and vinegar.”

There was plenty of other representation from pubs in other west and south Dorset towns and villages.

Other pubs in the area which made the cut include the Blue Raddle, the Brewhouse and Kitchen and Tom Browns in Dorchester, the Ropemakers Arms, the Tiger Inn and the Crown Inn in Bridport, the Greyhound in Beaminster, the Quarterdeck Tavern in West Bay, the George Inn on Portland and the Castle Inn in West Lulworth.

The Castle is also named as Camra’s National Cider Pub of the Year.

Michel Hooper-Immins, spokesman for West Dorset Camra, welcomed Dorset’s strong showing in the “iconic publication” and said it was testament to the quality of establishments in the county.

He said: “The 2016 Good Beer Guide is an iconic annual publication which Camra’s 174,752 members and the discerning drinking public use to find the best pubs in the area.

“The guide is completely independent, pubs are checked regularly by volunteers and, unlike many other guides, no charge is made for entry.”

The book is available from shop.camra.org.uk and will also be on sale at the Camra Beer Festival at the Pavilion in Weymouth on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17.