LICENSEE OF SEA FRONT BAR IS CHOSEN FOR RECOGNITION AWARD

Issued 11th May 2009. Download this article as a pdf.

Ian McLean, licensee of the Marine Bar in Bridlington, has received a ‘Committed To Cask Award 2009’ in recognition of his “Continuing Commitment to Quality Real Ale”.

The ‘Committed To Cask Awards’ recognise those licensees in the Hull and East Yorkshire area that have demonstrated a "Continuing Commitment to Quality Real Ale" at a time when they are under great pressure to remove distinctive, tasty real ale and replace it with ‘easily kept’ heavily advertised, bland tasting nitro-keg beers. The awards are for the licensee’s personal commitment and are not a pub award as such. They also acknowledge the specialised art of cellermanship. This is because real ale requires expertise to prepare and maintain it in good condition whereas nitro-keg beer only requires connecting to a mixed-gas cylinder before selling.

Ian was born in Bridlington and has been in the licensed trade for most of his life, much of it working in pubs in Leeds. He decided to return to his hometown, and eight years ago he became the licensee of the Marine Bar. He has always had a passion for real ale and a respect for the brewers that produce it, especially the small independent ones.

The Marine Bar is attached to the Expanse Hotel and is situated on the sea front, 1 mile north east of the town centre. It is featured in CAMRA’s new Good Beer Guide 2009. The pub attracts a very mixed clientele including local residents, day-trippers and those on holiday in the town.

John Smith’s Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Wold Top Bitter and a regularly changing guest beer are available at the pub. The Wold Top Bitter is a recent addition to the beer range and it is brewed locally at Hunmanby Grange, which is halfway between Hunmanby and Wold Newton.

The ‘Committed To Cask Award 2009’ was presented to Ian by CAMRA Branch Chairman, Alan Canvess on Saturday 9th May during a Good Beer Guide survey crawl of pubs in the area. The pub was already packed before the 23 CAMRA members squeezed in. Amongst them was John Eagle, who had nominated Ian for the award. Justifying his nomination he said “Ian could have just sold nitro-keg beers like many hotel/seaside bars do, but by selling a range of real ale and keeping it good condition he has added the more discerning drinker to his customer base.”

For more information and comment please contact:
Alan Canvess (Branch Chairman) Tel: (01482) 446320 E-mail: alan@canvess.karoo.co.uk
Ian McLean, Marine Bar, Esplanade Hotel - Tel: (01262) 675347