Autumn Pub of the Season 2013, George, Upper Denby
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The Huddersfield Branch of CAMRA has voted The George Inn at Upper Denby its Autumn Pub of the Season. The George is a family run traditional village pub which is well-known for its real ale. It is one of the few places left in Denby where the Community can meet and enjoy a drink among friends, as well as welcoming visitors and walkers who pass through the village.
The pub, formerly owned by Admiral Taverns was taken on by the Wyatt family in 2008. At that time, the village was in danger of losing its only pub and Dean, the current licensee, was determined that this valuable community asset should not be lost to housing. Once the lease was up and after much negotiation, the family were able to buy the George in 2012 and save the village local for the benefit of the community.
Dean’s father, Tony, then became joint licensee, covering for Dean while he studied at University. Since then they have run the pub as a Free House serving Tetley Cask Bitter and Timothy Taylors Landlord as permanent, with guest ales drawn from local and regional breweries such as Ossett, Abbeydale, Concertina, etc.
Tony and Dean are no strangers to real ale. Their passion for beer quality has resulted in them gaining Cask Marque accreditation for their beers in addition to winning this CAMRA award.
It was notable at the award presentation that three generations of the family were present. Dean’s grandfather, Doug Wyatt, ran the Firwood Cottage at Walkley and was one of the very first Sheffield licensees to receive a special CAMRA award in 1985 for 10 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide. What better pedigree can you have!
The stone built George Inn stands on Denby Lane. It has been extended over the years to include a comfortable lounge with an open fire. The tap room is one of those traditional rooms that still retains a real fire, part stone floor and part wooden floorboards, with bench seating around the walls. To the rear of the pub is the beer garden with the unusual notice that “Dogs and Goats are welcome.”
The pub hosts a weekly quiz night each Wednesday with live music on either a Friday or Saturday night, as advertised. There is a darts team which plays in the local winter league and for pool players, there is a pool table in the tap room.
Food is not normally served unless previously arranged but homemade pies are always available. These are baked by Celia, Dean’s mum, and come highly recommended. Pie and Pea walks are also popular.
Normal opening times are Monday to Thursday 5pm to 10.30pm; Friday from 5pm to 11.30pm; Saturday 1pm to 11.30pm and Sunday 11.30am to 10.30pm. Bank Holiday Mondays are 12 noon to 10.30pm.
The Pub of the Season award is Dean and Tony’s first CAMRA award and hopefully, the first of many to come.