The Good Beer Guide prides itself on acting as a passport to Britain’s pubs and a simple tool to discover hidden gems near to home or planning stops on a trip
The Plasterers Arms, Hoylake(Image: Google)
A number of Merseyside pubs have been duly recognised in the new edition of The Good Beer Guide. Published every year, the annual list is a guide to the best pubs and beer in the UK.
Organised by the campaign for real ale, CAMRA, it is independent and inclusion is free and dependent on merit, with all entries chosen and checked by the group’s own members. CAMRA’s vision is to have quality real ale and thriving pubs in every community.
The guide, which includes the 4,500 pubs that the organisation considers the best for real ale across the country, was first properly published in 1974. It also includes a list of real ale breweries found across the country.
Chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins, said: “CAMRA champions great cask beer in great pubs, with independence and choice at the heart of our Good Beer Guide and our campaigning. This is the only Guidebook you can buy that supports a campaigning organisation that fights for pubs, pints and consumer rights.
“Each edition of the Guide is also a collectable snapshot of beer and pub culture that year. This year’s Guide is a testament to the remarkable resilience of publicans, continuing to achieve excellence and choice for consumers despite a backdrop of sky-high tax bills and a lack of action from government.
“The Chancellor needs to use the upcoming Budget to slash the tax burden on pubs, including VAT, tax on beer and cider, and National Insurance contributions.”
This edition, the 53rd, features nearly 900 new pubs that didn’t appear in 2025. Below, the ECHO look at what 10 from across the region and what CAMRA had to say about the venues.
Plasterers Arms, Hoylake
The Plasterers Arms, Hoylake(Image: Jade Wright)
Friendly, traditional two-room pub in an old fishing community, sadly long gone. A pub on this site for over 270 years, it has really interesting decor including information about the pub and local history.
Note the mirrored ceiling. Only 150 yards to the beach, it is popular with walkers and bird watchers and a short walk to Market Street for local shops, buses and the railway station.
The outside seating area was extended in 2021 and there is a children’s playground in the park opposite. Regular entertainment at weekends and quiz night on Thursday. There is plenty of convenient street parking near the pub. Wirral CAMRA Pub of the Season Spring 2025.
St Peter’s Tavern, Liverpool city centre
St Peters Tavern on Seel Street
Set inside the 1788 consecrated St Peter’s Church, this grand ale house is spread over three floors. A hidden ‘Lady Chapel’ and the original altar are among the characterful features of this unique venue.
Restored in a way that honours the original 18th Century interior, this opulent pub boasts stained glass windows, marble features and dramatic chandeliers.
Formally St Peter’s Church and then Alma de Cuba night club it was refurbished and renovated as St Peter’s Tavern and opened in November 2024 by owners of the nearby Monro, Red Lion and Vines. Has multiple levels and three bars with cask beers and cider.
Watch Maker, Prescot
The Watch Maker Wetherspoons in Prescot (Image: Google Maps )
A Wetherspoon’s freehouse with a friendly welcome. Apart from the standard national ales, there is a focus on local breweries on the available pumps, which has earned the pub LocAle accreditation.
Adjacent to the Eccleston Street building known as ‘Flat Iron House’ (owing to its unusual shape) which was the former Lancashire Watch Company Warehouse.
Prescot was one of the main centres for watch making during the 18th and 19th century. The pub is decorated with elements of watchmaking memorabilia. Normally has a selection of seven real ales and three ciders. It has a small outside area to the front of the building and often organises coach trips and other social activities.
Irby Mill, Greasby
The Irby Mill is one of the pubs on the guide
Originally a miller’s house and later a cafe, it opened as a pub in 1980. With thick sandstone walls, low beams and a real fire it comprises a small L-shaped, stone-floored bar and a lounge used mainly by diners.
The pub has an excellent reputation for its locally sourced home-made food with a menu to suit most tastes. The nearby Royden Park and Thurstaston Common provide the pub with many passing hikers to supplement the strong local following. The black & white photos show the pub in 1980 and 1992.
Hoptimist, Bebington
The Hoptimist on Broadway, Bebington, Wirral. Photo by Colin Lane(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
New micro pub opened on 28 March 2024 in a converted clothes shop in the shopping area adjacent to Broadway roundabout. This pub is a smartly decorated, comfortable, bright and airy one-room bar with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Parking is free in the public car park behind the pub and can be accessed from Broadway. Constantly changing ales, usually include something for those preferring dark beers. Wirral CAMRA Pub of the Season Summer 2024.
Love Lane Brewery, Baltic Triangle
Love Lane Brewery in the Baltic Triangle(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Opened December 2017, the Higsons /Love Lane brewery tap. Large warehouse style bar with mezzanine. The 30 barrel plant can be seen through the window. Many craft kegs from the Higsons and Love lane brewery. Own gin distillery. New owners in 2024.
Windmill Inn, Southport
Situated just off the historic promenade in the Coastal Town of Southport, The Windmill is a traditional pub serving real ale, homemade meals, and friendly welcoming service.
Dog friendly and free wifi, the pub has a large games area, large beer garden and a mouth watering selection of gins, spirits and wines to suit all tastes. Parties can be catered for. The changing selection of cask beers can be found on the Real Ale Finder App.
Stamps Bar, Crosby
Stamps Bar in Crosby Village(Image: Trinity Mirror NW2 )
Real ale, real music is the Stamps motto and this is what you will find. Up to five cask beers available, including at least one from Stamps Brewery, although some of these may be badged as Republic of Liverpool. Real cider is available, usually from Seacider in Sussex.
There is a quiz twice a month, usually on the first and third Wednesday. Friday is karaoke night. Sunday evening is a musical jam night. There is a quieter upstairs lounge area away from the bustle of the main bar and a roof terrace area at the rear.
Free Internet access and Wi-Fi available. Loyalty card available, very popular with regular clientele. Third pint taster paddles on offer.
West Kirby Tap, West Kirby
West Kirby Tap on Grange Road (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
A smart, modern, open plan bar with plain wooden panelling, bare brick walls and a log burning stove owned by Spitting Feathers brewery. Seating on the pavement outside.
A wide range of beers, mainly from microbreweries both near and far are served. The food offering is bar snacks and freshly made pizza. There is live music on a Saturday night during which the pub tends to be very busy and a quiz every Tuesday evening.
Close to West Kirby shops and transport connections, a short walk to the beach and for those trekking to Hilbre Island, tides permitting.
Willow Bank, Wavertree
Vibrant traditional multi room pub. Refurbished summer 2016 and now signed as a Greene King pub. Popular with students with events such as quiz nights and cask ale night (Tues) when cask beers are £2.50p / pint (as of 2024) . Up to 8 ever changing quality guest beers, also serves real cider.