The LocAle scheme was created here in the Nottingham Branch in 2007. The catalyst was the buy out and subsequent closure of Hardy & Hansons by Greene King. They then started brewing various H&H beers at Bury St. Edmunds and transporting it all the way back to Nottingham. This led to thinking about the miles that the beer was traveling. Hence we coined the phrase”Beer Miles”.
Locale accredited pubs should always stock at least one real ale brewed at a brewery no more than 20 miles from door to door (this rule may vary in other CAMRA branch areas). A list of breweries that are “LocAle” to Nottingham branch pubs can be seen here. LocAle brewery List
Encouraging pubs to sell local beer reduces the “beer miles” thus benefiting the environment. In addition;
- It ensures more variety and diversity to the consumer, and hence better sales for the pub.
- It helps sustain the local micro brewers.
- It benefits the local economy.
The Nottingham branch now has nearly 150 pubs signed up to the scheme. Though initially the scheme was only in the Nottingham area it was then rolled out nationally, and now most branches have adopted the scheme and you can see LocAles up and down the country.
Each year a competition is held to find our “LocAle Pub of the Year”, click here for more details and a list of past winners.
You will find that participating pubs will display appropriate stickers in windows and doors, visible from outside.
You will always know a LocAle because most will have a topper attached to the pump clip.
LocAle Pub List
The Nottingham CAMRA LocAle scheme works by accrediting pubs that always stock at least one beer from a brewery within 20 miles of the pub door. Please click on the drop down list below for the current list of LocAle pubs in our Branch.
Last Updated 9th September 2026
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LocAle Brewery List
Nottingham branch introduced the now national LocAle scheme in 2007 and there are about 150 pubs within the branch area that are accredited to the scheme. As it is based on a mileage below 20 miles, brewery to pub by road, it means that each pub has its own unique list of breweries.
For a full list of current LocAle Breweries, please click on the link below to download the details:
2026 Nottingham “LocAle Pub” of the Year – Winner: The Bird Hide
The 2026 Nottingham LocAle Pub of the Year award was presented to the Bird Hide Micro-pub, Attenborough, on Friday 7 August 2026. The pub ensured that there was plenty of local beer and ciders available on the night and customers were treated to the following choices:
- Bang the Elephant – Never Wrong
- Bang the Elephant – Lumiere
- Blue Monkey – Funky Chicken
- Castle Rock – Elsie Mo
- Full Mash – Murmuration
- Lenton Lane – Twisted & Stout
- Lenton Lane in collaboration with Jacaranda – Near Dark
- Three Cats Cider – Three Cats Cider
- Three Cats Cider – Traditional Perry
So how did The Bird Hide win the award and what exactly is LocAle? LocAle is the campaign that Nottingham branch started as a result of the closure of Hardys & Hansons brewery in 2006. Pubs are accredited to the scheme as long as they offer at least one local beer or cider and the quality of the beer or cider is consistently good. For the beer to be deemed local it has to be brewed less than 20 miles from the pub and for cider a slightly higher mileage is allowed.
Since 2006 the scheme has been adopted nationally and within the Nottingham CAMRA branch area there are now over 150 LocAle accredited pubs. In every edition of ND a number of pubs feature and from this list pubs (chosen by the public) advance to the final. In June and July judges visit the pubs and awarded marks for quality of beers and ciders; range of beers and ciders, and the amount of promotion of LocAle that was undertaken by the pub.
Previous winners of the award were The Vat & Fiddle (2025);The Old Green Dragon, Oxton (2023 and 2024); Byrons Rest, Hucknall (2022); The Robin Hood (AND) Little John, Arnold (2021) The Miners Return, Kimberley (2020); The Star Inn, Beeston (2019); The Tap & Growler, Hilltop, Eastwood (2018); The Star, Beeston (2017); Horse & Jockey, Stapleford (2016); Lincolnshire Poacher (2015); Hand & Heart (2014); The Gate, Awsworth (2013) and The Flying Horse, Arnold (2012).
Congratulations therefore go to Bird Hide owner Chris Parkin and his team, for becoming the 2026 Nottingham CAMRA LocAle pub of the Year.
On being told that the pub had won, Chris told ND
“I am so happy to receive the news we’ve won! We’ve only been open 5 years and having made the final a few times, I never thought we would win as there are so many fantastic pubs in the area supporting LocAle and great quality beers. My model for The Bird Hide has always been to buy cask from local breweries wherever possible, ensuring money spent here goes back into the local economy, allowing them to produce more excellent beer. I try to get every new ale I can, it’s like a mini-beer festival each week. We’ve sold over 750 different beers and ciders over the years, so please come try some!”
On the night of the presentation well over 100 people attended giving the presentation a real party atmosphere, which was enhanced by some very enjoyable cakes.
Chris and team receiving the award on the evening, with the crowds enjoying a great night of fine ales, ciders and good cheer!
