GLASSES are being raised to the Dorset pubs that have been featured in the latest edition of the Good Beer Guide which celebrates the best real ale boozers.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has published the 48th edition of the guide which features the pubs that have received the best 'beer scores' from members over the last year.

A total of 29 pubs in the DT1 - DT9 postcode area have been included in the 2021 guide.

Unfortunately the pubs listed can't be enjoyed until after the lockdown – but landlords say they are delighted to be included as it's a mark of quality.

Nigel Baker, landlord at the Convivial Rabbit in Dorchester, is thrilled to be featured in the guide for the third year running. He said: "I am chuffed to bits that we have got the hat-trick.

"We have got a massive ale enthusiast following with our ever-changing range of beers so I think that is why we have been getting good scores and featured in the guide again."

Rhos Thompson is the landlord at Wyke Smugglers in Wyke Regis. This is the sixth consecutive year the pub has been included.

He said: "This is fantastic, we weren't expecting it and it is always such a pleasure to be included. The guide is a great standard to be judged by because it is about more than just the ales - it is the service of the staff, the ambience of the pub and the cleanliness of the glasses as well as the quality of the ales so it means a lot that we have been featured again.

"The guide is brilliant for Weymouth because ale drinkers from across the country will read it and search out the pubs that are included as they are a guarantee of quality so it means more people visit the town."

The 2021 guide features more than 4,500 pubs as well as a directory of more than 1,800 breweries in the UK.

West Dorset CAMRA spokesman Rich Gabe said: "We only include pubs that have been consistently good so congratulations to all of the pubs that have made it into the guide.

"This is a reflection of the hard work that the landlords and landladies do looking after their beer and it is great to include so many."

The guide is available to buy via the CAMRA website.

The 29 west Dorset pubs included on the 2021 Best Beer Guide are:

  • Spyway, Askerswell
  • Crown, Bridport
  • Pursuit of Hoppiness, Bridport
  • Ropemakers, Bridport
  • Woodman, Bridport
  • White Lion, Broadwindsor
  • Sailors Return, Chaldon Herring
  • Royal Oak, Charmouth
  • Rivers Arms, Cheselbourne
  • Oak at Dewlish
  • Blue Raddle, Dorchester
  • Convivial Rabbit, Dorchester
  • Royal Oak, Dorchester
  • Tom Browns, Dorchester
  • Bulls Head, Fordington
  • Squirrel, Laymore
  • Rose & Crown, Longburton
  • Nags Head, Lyme Regis
  • Thimble, Piddlehinton
  • George, Portland
  • Royal Portland Arms, Portland
  • Mitre, Sandford Orcas
  • Anchor, Seatown
  • Saxon, Stratton
  • Springhead, Sutton Poyntz
  • Kings Arms, Thornford
  • Globe, Weymouth
  • William Henry, Weymouth
  • Smugglers, Wyke Regis