Top marques for Huddersfield publicans

February 4, 2008: Huddersfield has topped a Cask Marque survey to find the UK town or city with the best quality real ale.

	THE FULL TOP TEN
	1. Huddersfield 2. Truro 3. Twickenham 4. Exeter 5. Northampton 6. Bristol 7. Lancaster 8. Plymouth 9. Southampton 10, Leicester

Local pubs in the Yorkshire town averaged a near perfect score of 19.5 out of 20 on the Cask Marque scoring scale.

Their ales were rigorously tested by inspectors from the beer quality organisation for serving temperature, appearance, aroma and taste during a series of mystery shopper-style visits.

Paul Nunny, director of Cask Marque, an independent organisation responsible for monitoring real ale quality in British pubs, said: "For pubgoers to really enjoy and appreciate their ale it has to be served just right.

"We were extremely impressed by the consistent quality of pints being pulled in Huddersfield and offer our congratulations to local publicans, many of whom have already gained Cask Marque accreditation."

Publicans play a key role in the final stages of preparation of a real ale, using their skill, knowledge and experience to look after the product and serve it when the quality is at its best.

Mr Nunny added: Cask ale is unique to British pubs and when it is well kept and well presented there is nothing else quite so refreshing and flavoursome. Get it wrong, however, and you run the risk of putting the consumer off for life."

Cask Marque has inspected and accredited 4,300 real ale pubs throughout Britain. Its inspectors say the perfect pint must be served between 11 and 13°C in a spotlessly clean glass. The beer should have good clarity, a fresh aroma and a refreshing aftertaste.