BEER buffs have named one of Liverpool’s flagship real ale locals as their Pub Of The Year.

The Ship and Mitre, on Dale Street, was handed the award last night by the Liverpool and Districts branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) during a presentation ceremony in the offices of KIND, in Back Canning Street.

“We’re delighted to win the award,” said Ben Garner, co-director of the pub, which features a whiteboard listing its ever-changing range of brews.

He added: “We have now put a map up in the pub to reflect that we have taken beer from every county in Britain.

“We have 12 real ales on at any one time, together with five ciders and 11 imported lagers and wheat beers, and we run eight beer festivals during the year – our first Belgian beer festival takes place from July 29 to August 2. We have a very loyal clientele and are successful because, on those days when some pubs can be desolate, there are always people in here. We are lucky because we have stability.”

But, Ben stresses, there’s more to the pub than real ale: “We keep prices as keen as we can and aim to provide great service.

“There’s nothing worse than someone behind a bar shuffling towards you after texting a mate and saying ‘Yeah, what do you want?’ Our staff are happy, smiling and knowledgeable.”