The 2011 Pub of the Year
Ever since the first Dotcom walks programme in autumn 2008 enjoying a pub lunch has been an important element of an outing.In the course of a year the group may visit over 30 pubs. Little wonder then deciding on the Pub of the Year has developed into a serious business.
The first thing that has to be made clear that the standards are very high and there have only been two occasions over three years when there has been general dissatisfaction with the quality of a meal or beer. And the second thing to be made clear is that taste is a totally subjective judgment.To paraphrase an American President, "You can't please all the Dotcoms all of the time."
Given this, after hours of debate, John developed a new voting formula for the 2011 season. After every walk he required each participant to e mail their votes out of ten in 3 categories - food, drink and ambience. This last category covers service, friendliness of the staff and general atmosphere. By and large this approach has worked well and the Dotcoms are happy they have reached a fair way to measure their pub experience.
It is with great pleasure we announce that the winner of the 2011 Dotcom Pub of the Year is the Corporation Arms at Longridge.
This warm, friendly family run establishment has an excellent reputation in the Preston and Ribble Valley area. Recently it was awarded a high rating in the Lancashire Tourism Food awards and has received several favourable reviews in the local and regional press.
In its menu it achieves that most difficult of tricks offering fine cuisine at reasonable prices. The food, locally sourced, is freshly prepared and superbly presented. Doubtless there is a discerning and intelligent wine list but beer is the focus of Dotcom interest and in this the Corporation Arms is greatly admired. On offer there is always a range of real ales with two or three guest ales to supplement the more frequently used brews (Bowland, Timothy Taylor's, Moorland's). The Real Ale drinker coming to the Corporation Arms is confronted with a difficult but pleasurable choice. It goes with out saying the beer is expertly kept by proprietors Kevin Proctor and Paul MacNeil.
The Dotcoms last visited the Corporation Arms in June. It was the occasion of Val's birthday. GPS Dave went out of his way to organise a memorable walk.
The meal was the icing on the cake and received the highest approval ratings in 2011. As a special treat we had dessert that day so Don was able to have his cake (or perhaps it was Val's) and eat it!
For more information about the Corporation Arms visit www.corporationarms.co.uk