The Royal Oak, Wantage, is one of four finalists in Camra Pub of the Year award (From Herald Series)

The Royal Oak, Wantage, is one of four finalists in Camra Pub of the Year award

3:15pm Friday 27th November 2009

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WANTAGE pub The Royal Oak is one of four finalists in the Campaign for Real Ale’s national Pub of the Year award.

“We are thrilled to be in the final,” said the landlord of the Newbury Street pub, Paul Hexter.

“I’ve been promoting real ale for the 26 years I’ve been at the Royal Oak, and, having won the regional award twice before, it’s great to reach the national final.

“Our regulars are really thrilled for us, and to celebrate, we are cracking open a few aged bottled beers.”

It is the first time in 20 years an Oxfordshire pub has made it to the final.

Mr Hexter, who runs the pub with his wife Frankie, stocks at least 12 real ales, including two brewed to his own specifications by West Berkshire Brewery at Yattendon.

The award-winning Dr Hexter’s Healer and Dr Hexter’s Wedding Ale, brewed when the couple were married 12 years ago, are still the most popular pints on sale.

The pub also serves cider from Upton and beer from the Pitstop Brewery in Grove.

Brewer and pub regular Peter Fowler, 58, said: “Paul is the best landlord you could possibly imagine. He is attentive, humorous and caring.

“The people who come in here are of a similar ilk, and in the 27 years I’ve been coming here, I’ve never had a bad pint.”

Fellow regular Stephen Johns, 38, of Wantage, met his wife Jenny, 32, in the Royal Oak 12 years ago.

He said: “It’s got that friendly atmosphere where you get to meet other people.

“I come in here as often as possible. You get really good beers, and a great atmosphere.”

David Moore, 71, of Wantage, said: “I’ve been coming here for 28 years, and it is the nicest pub in the area. The landlord and landlady are absolutely bloody brilliant, the customers are wonderful and the company is superb.”

Jerry Williams, 49, of Didcot, said: “It has got a very friendly atmosphere from the moment you walk in the door. It is a traditional old English pub. You don’t get lager louts, but people from all walks of life who come for a sensible conversation and a chat.”

Ian Gannicott, 41, of Wantage, said: “I can come in here on my own with my dog, or with my children, or my wife. It is like pubs should be, and pubs used to be. You don’t need to look over your back and wonder what’s going to happen.”

The Good Beer Guide 2010 describes the pub as a “Mecca for the discerning drinker”, and most evenings it is packed.

Mr Hexter, who worked in the computing industry before becoming a landlord more than 30 years ago, said: “Being here for 26 years, a lot of people are our friends, not just our customers.

“We are chuffed to bits as we have been promoting real ales since 1978, when we had our first pub.”

The Royal Oak is in the final with the Crown Hotel, Manchester, the Royal Oak, West Sussex, and last year’s winner, Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield.

The winning pub will be announced in February.

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