The owner of a Blackheath pub has said he is “surprised” to have made it into the Good Beer Guide 2024 put together by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The British Oak, based on Old Dover Road, has made it into the prestigious pub guide for the first time this year.
Peter Clements, owner of the pub, was happy to hear that he had been shortlisted.
He said: “I suppose it’s a big deal to be in it, I’d always wondered how you got into it and our pub is well-known as a really good beer pub, I had wondered how we’d not been in it for so long.
“Our biggest seller in the pub is Harvey’s Sussex Best, we are a beer pub and we have remained traditional.
“We’re still independent, we’re not part of a chain.
“So many independent pubs are closing up around us.
“We very much value ourselves on good beer, being well kept and well presented.”
Peter has been running British Oak for 23 years and he received an email telling him the pub had made it into the Good Beer Guide 2024.
He values the pub as being a part of the community without “gimmicks”.
Peter added: “We have friendly staff.
“We don’t have gimmicks like Sky Sports, background music or anything like that.
“One of the bars in our pub is literally just a bar, people come in, sit down and chat.
“We do have a jukebox in the public bar but we don’t have any fruit machines, gaming machines, board games – that’s what makes us unique and different to other pubs.
“We are a community local, off the beaten track.
“We’re detached from Blackheath Standard because of the bridge so we sit on our own at the top of Old Dover Road, up near towards the school going onto Shooters Hill.
“We do Prime Minister as a franchise – pies and mash.
“It’s a simple offer but it’s really good and we’ve been doing that for about nine years now.”
The annual Good Beer Guide is essential for those in search of the finest pints and unique pub experiences throughout the UK.
Released on an annual basis, the guide serves as the ultimate tool for navigating the nation's pubs, uncovering hidden treasures, and savouring the perfect brew.
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