The Rashleigh Arms in Charlestown is celebrating winning the ultimate accolade after being crowned the UK’s Best Managed Pub of the Year.

The St Austell Brewery pub beat off competition from some of the best pubs in the business to clinch the top national title at The Publican Awards 2010.

It marks national recognition for the pub’s aptly-named managers Rob and Lucy Brewer who have transformed the Rashleigh’s fortunes since they took over three years ago.

The Mill on The exe, part of St Austell Brewery’s award winning pub group, is under new management. 

David and Kate Beck have recently taken over at the popular Exeter riverside pub, and plan to introduce a totally new menu and their own brand of hospitality. 

David and Kate previously ran The Tuckers Arms at Dalwood, where they earned an impressive reputation for high quality and innovative food.  Their efforts were acknowledged in several publications, including the Michelin “Dining Out in Pubs” guide book. 

Kate explained: “We are very excited about taking over at The Mill, and feel it has wonderful potential. It is a spectacular pub in a beautiful location with a tranquil waterside garden situated right next to the weir and the Millstone footbridge. Yet we are only a stone’s throw away from the bustle of Exeter city centre, the university and Exeter St David’s Railway Station.” 

David and Kate will be introducing a new menu once the Easter rush is over. David said: “We have already introduced some new ideas on the Daily Mill Menu, which has been well received by our customers. 

“We have just launched our new menu of delicious home-cooked pub food, including steak and kidney pie, locally made sausages to our own recipe and prime West Country beef steaks. 

“We will also introduce a hot seafood counter, The Seafood Canteen, from which customers will be able to select freshly cooked fish and seafood in crispy Tribute beer batter and dishes such as paella, seafood marinara, Thai fish curry and moules mariniere, all created and cooked by our skilled chefs.” 

Kate said: “I really believe that we can make The Mill a fantastic place to eat and socialise, and we hope to encourage both locals and visitors to come and sample our exciting new home-cooked food accompanied by a new wine list and of course a great selection of St Austell Brewery real ales.  

“The Mill is a large, spacious pub, but that doesn’t mean we can’t introduce the same friendly, personal service that proved so popular in our smaller pubs.  We simply believe in providing excellent food and fantastic beers, and really enjoy meeting and serving our customers.” 

The Mill on the Exe was previously a paper mill until the 1960s, and the original water wheel used to turn the machinery is still visible from the gardens outside.  The old mill was converted into a pub, which has been owned by St Austell Brewery since 1994. 

For more information about the Mill on the Exe, please click here.

St Austell Brewery has laid down the gauntlet to Cornwall and Devon’s prospective MPs, challenging them to back the good old British pub in the run up to the general election. 

The brewery, one of the county’s biggest private-sector employers, is hosting its own virtual hustings to help inform workers and encourage them to use their vote. 

James Staughton, managing director of St Austell Brewery, has written to all parliamentary candidates and vowed to publish their responses on the company’s website. 

The letter quizzes candidates on their support for local pubs, and whether they’ve signed up to the ‘I’m Backing the Pub’ pledge. 

Mr Staughton said: “St Austell Brewery is one of the oldest businesses in Cornwall, with 1,000 direct employees and at least 2,000 others whose jobs depend on the brewery. It’s vital they are aware of their potential MP’s views on the industry on which so many people’s livelihoods depends. 

“Pubs play a vital role in our economy and are often the hub of local communities, yet many are struggling. 

“As the election campaigns get into full swing, we hope that all parties and candidates show their support for pubs and recognise issues such as record levels of beer tax and red tape, which need addressing if we are to help protect this great British institution and promote safe, responsible drinking.” 

The letter asks: 

• The British Beer and Pub Association have written to all candidates asking them to sign up to the ‘I’m Backing the Pub pledge’. Have you signed up to this campaign? If not, why?
• Since 1997, the Government has put up tax on a pint of beer by 60%.  In the last two years alone, during the recession, it has gone up 26%, which has cost hard pressed beer and pub sector an extra £171 million in tax.  Do you think such increases are justified? What would you do about beer tax?
• Do you think pubs in your area make a valuable contribution to the local economy?
• Do you agree that pubs can be promoted as places for responsible, social drinking and what measures will you take if elected to ensure pubs are protected?  

In the week prior to the election, Mr Staughton will be writing to all brewery employees and publishing candidates’ replies on www.staustellbrewery.co.uk

The Western Morning News’s birthday brew’s got a name – thanks to a clever play on words by reader Roger Hewitt.

Mr Hewitt, of Tavistock, came up with the name Tun Fifty for the special ale brewed by St Austell Brewery to mark the newspaper’s 150^th anniversary.  

The lucky competition winner, and his wife Trichia (CORR) were at St Austell Brewery on Friday for the start of the brewing process.

Mr Hewitt, 57, who works at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled – I enter lots of competitions but I never seem to win. The name Tun Fifty just popped into my head one day. I’ve been to enough pubs called Mash Tun to know a tun is a type of container used by brewers.

“We had a brilliant day at the brewery, and helped put a few hops in the brew, so it really feels like my very own beer. I can’t wait to taste it now.”  

The award winning brewery offered one lucky reader the chance to name and help brew the special ale as part of our 150^th anniversary celebrations.

UK Regional Brewer of the Year St Austell Brewery, which celebrated its own 150th anniversary in 2001, is one of the longest established of only a few independent family brewers left in the UK.

Mr Hewitt joined head brewer Roger Ryman, the current UK Brewer of the Year and the man who created award-winning St Austell ales including Tribute, Proper Job and Admirals Ale.

Together they designed the recipe for the new beer, which will become part of the brewery's seasonal ales programme for 2010.

Mr Ryman said: "We're really pleased to be helping the Western Morning News mark its 150th anniversary – and what better way to do that than with a celebratory ale.

"The name Tun Fifty is inspired and we are all looking forward to pulling the first pint next month.”

Tun Fifty will be launched at the Devon County Show (May 20, 21 and 22) and will be available in pubs across the South West.