THE Campaign for Real Ale has presented the Queen’s Head with an award declaring it one of the best in the Stourbridge area.

The Stourbridge & Halesowen branch of CAMRA handed its 2024 Pub-of-the-Year award (third place) to the popular pub in Enville Street on Wednesday June 12.

Branch chairperson Tim Cadwell handed over the accolade to Anthony and Victoria Bridgens-Shepherd.

Tim Cadwell, chairperson of Stourbridge & Halesowen CAMRA, handing over the third place Pub of the Year award to Victoria and Anthony Bridgens-Shepherd at the Queen's Head pub in StourbridgeTim Cadwell, chairperson of Stourbridge & Halesowen CAMRA, handing over the third place Pub of the Year award to Victoria and Anthony Bridgens-Shepherd at the Queen's Head pub in Stourbridge (Image: Stourbridge & Halesowen CAMRA)

The couple previously kept Black Country Ales’ pub the Shrewsbury Arms in Stafford before moving into the Queen’s Head in January 2023.

Victoria said she was “over the moon” to have received the award and she added: “It’s a great achievement for us in our first year at the Queen’s Head.”

CAMRA branch members judge all the pubs in the branch’s area each year – rating them on the quality and consistence of their cask-conditioned beer – with awards handed out to the top three winning entries.

The Robin Hood at Amblecote won first place this time round, with The Swan in Brettell Lane, Amblecote, awarded the second place prize and the Queen’s Head named third place winner.

The Queen’s Head was first owned by Edward Rutland who also operated the Queen’s Brewery behind the pub from 1898. From 1997-2004, it was known as the Queen’s Berry pub but by 2007 it had returned as the Queen’s Head. In July 2017, it was acquired by Black Country Ales, and their first licensee, Jo Cundale, won the CAMRA branch Pub-of-the-Year award in 2020.

The pub boasts a large bar area, open fires, garden, smoking shelter and outside gazebo, plus indoor function room with a traditional skittle alley. It serves a wide range of beers, from Black Country Ales’ own brewery and from smaller breweries across the country. Pubgoers can watch football on TV screens, and snacks are available including rolls and pork pies.

The CAMRA branch will present its Cider Pub-of-the-Year award to Robertos’ Bar in Halesowen on July 3.