SW London CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008

The SW London CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2008 (i.e. the current Pub of the Year throughout 2009) is the Bricklayer’s Arms in Putney [website: www.bricklayers-arms.co.ukwebsite]. The Pub of the Year was announced at the Battersea Beer Festival on 12 February 2009 following a ballot of all SW London CAMRA branch members.

The Bricklayer’s Arms in Putney - Pub of the Year 2008

The Bricklayer’s Arms was also the 2006 winner and the 2007 Greater London CAMRA Pub of the Year. This is a family owned independent freehouse offering the full range of Timothy Taylor’s beers, guests from microbreweries and a real cider or perry.

As usual the previous year’s winning pub was not entered for this year's award. The Pub of the Year 2007 winner was the Trafalgar in Merton. See the main Pubs page for other recent winners.

The official presentation of the winner’s certificate took place at the pub on Wednesday 29 April.

Following this success the Bricklayer’s Arms went on to win the CAMRA Greater London Regional Pub of the Year 2009 when it was up against the winning pubs from the other eleven CAMRA branches in the London region [Details].

The Full Result

  • 1. Bricklayer’s Arms, 32 Waterman Street, Putney SW15 1DD.
  • 2. Eagle Ale House, 104 Chatham Road, Battersea SW11 6HG
    A dog friendly haven in a side street off fashionable Northcote Road, serving a range of changing guest beers, often including one or more from the Westerham Brewery in Kent.
  • 3. Nightingale, 97 Nightingale Lane, Balham SW12 8NX
    The ‘bird’ is like a country pub in London and easily the best in the Balham area. It is very well looked after by people who really care for their Young’s beers, and also raises huge sums for charity with its famous annual walk. There is a family conservatory at the back and you are always assured of a warm welcome.

The Nightingale and the Eagle Ale House are just 8 minutes walk apart so it's possible to visit both together.

The other five finalists are all well worth visiting too. In Post Code order they were:

  • 4. Priory Arms, 83 Lansdowne Way, Stockwell SW8 2PB [websitewebsite: www.theprioryarms.co.uk].
  • 5. Beehive, 197 St Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1TH
  • 6. Falcon, 2 St Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1RU
  • 7. Grapes, 39 Fairfield Street, Wandsworth SW18 1DX
  • 8. Sultan, 78 Norman Road, South Wimbledon SW19 1BT
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The Bricklayer’s Arms was also the favourite in our "just for fun" on-line poll. This had no bearing on the official result however.

Click on either photo for a larger version on Flickr.com

CAMRAswl’s Martin Butler, pub boss Becky Newman & Patricia Barbonne Allen at the Presentation of the certificate for Pub of the Year 2008 - Click for larger versions of the photo on Flickr.com
CAMRAswl’s Martin Butler, pub boss Becky Newman & colleague Patricia Barbonne Allen
-photo by Phil Blanchard-

The VIPs at the announcement of the Pub of the Year 2008 at the Battersea Beer Festival - Click for larger versions of the photo on Flickr.com
The VIPs at the announcement of the Bricklayer’s Arms as Pub of the Year 2008 at the Battersea Beer Festival on Thursday 12 Feb 2009.

Priory Arms

Priory Arms

83 Lansdowne Way, Stockwell SW8 2PB
The Priory Arms, a frequent previous winner, is an independent freehouse in Stockwell, to the south of the Wandsworth Road. Popular with regulars and students the pub serves four changing guest beers, often from microbreweries, alongside Hopback Summer Lightning.

Beehive

Beehive

197 St Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1TH
An excellent local on St John's Hill, serving London Pride, ESB and a changing guest. The beer is always on superb form and the quiet, friendly atmosphere makes for a pleasent experience.

Eagle Ale House

Eagle Ale House

104 Chatham Road, Battersea SW11 6HG
A dog friendly haven in a side street off fashionable Northcote Road, serving a range of changing guest beers, often including one or more from the Westerham Brewery in Kent.

Falcon

Falcon

2 St Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1RU
A landmark pub close to the main exit from Clapham Junction with historic interior features, now offering a wide choice of real ales from the M&B list, including for example Harvey's and Beartown.

Nightingale

Nightingale

97 Nightingale Lane, Balham SW12 8NX
The ‘bird’ is like a country pub in London and easily the best in the Balham area. It is very well looked after by people who really care for their Young’s beers, and also raises huge sums for charity with its famous annual walk. There is a family conservatory at the back and you are always assured of a warm welcome.

Bricklayer’s Arms

Bricklayers Arms

32 Waterman Street, Putney SW15 1DD

Grapes

Grapes

39 Fairfield Street, Wandsworth SW18 1DX
Our 2005 Pub of the Year winner is an old, traditional, compact, community local, with a small patio leading to a delightful enclosed garden. Friendly and welcoming licensees look after the pub, the customers and the beers: Young’s Bitter and Special always in excellent condition.

Sultan

Sultan

78 Norman Road, South Wimbledon SW19 1BT
A previous South West London and Greater London award winner renowned for the quality of its Hop Back beers and others, is more of a village pub than back street boozer, with engaging bar staff and a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Battersea Beer Festival 2009 flyer