Beautiful Beer praises Cornish pubs

September 17, 2006: The King’s Arms, at Luxulyan, and The Lifeboat, at St Ives - both in Cornwall - have received the top accolade from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), which has launched the new Beautiful Beer award scheme, aimed at ensuring beer reaches customers in pubs across the UK in the best possible condition.

The scheme also aims to change the image of beer and encourage more people to choose beer on more occasions, particularly as a drink to enjoy with food.

The gold award recognises pubs that serve great quality beer - both draught and bottled. Specially trained inspectors carry out a thorough assessment of the pubs, from the storage of beer in the cellar through to the quality of the beer in the glass. To pass the inspection, pubs have to score 85 out of a possible 100 points.

George Roe, the Beautiful Beer assessor who inspected the two St Austell Brewery pubs, said: “It takes two hours to carry out a Beautiful Beer assessment so it’s very thorough, and the pubs have to meet incredibly high standards to pass it. The pubs should be very proud of their achievement.”

Adam Luck, estate director at the brewery, said: “I am delighted that St Austell Brewery pubs are leading the way in Cornwall by becoming the first in the county to achieve this award.

“We put a huge emphasis on ensuring that all our beers reach customers in tip-top condition, whether it’s from a pump or from a bottle. That means we have to get everything right from transport and storage through to service.

“The Beautiful Beer Awards reinforce our reputation for excellence and my congratulations go to The King’s Arms and The Lifeboat for the effort they have put in to win these awards for Cornwall.”

The King’s Arms at Luxulyan is a traditional village pub, popular with walkers, cyclists and those with an interest of the outdoors, and located just over a mile from the Eden project in the picturesque Luxulyan Valley. The Lifeboat is a traditional harbourside pub in St Ives with log fire and outstanding views of the sea with wooden beams and granite pillars.