Pubs In The Good Beer Guide 2026
Greene King Pubs in the Good Beer Guide 2026
Here at Greene King, we pride ourselves on our warm ambience, friendly staff, wide range of locations, and delicious food menus. But our range of beers and ales is deeply rooted in our heritage, and maintaining the quality of our selection is central to who we are.Each year, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) publishes the Good Beer Guide, highlighting what it considers the best 4,500 real ale pubs. And we’re proud to say that so many of our beloved inns have been included on the 2026 list.
What is the Good Beer Guide 2026?
The Good Beer Guide, put together each year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is widely regarded as the UK’s definitive resource for pubs serving quality real ale. Judging usually kicks off in spring, with the final list released every October.
Local CAMRA volunteers pick the pubs, anonymously scoring them via the National Beer Scoring System on WhatPub or the Good Beer Guide app.
As well as the standard of beer and cellarmanship, volunteers also take practical details into consideration, such as opening hours, accessibility for customers, and food options. They may also assess things like the character of the pub as well as the general warmth and helpfulness of the staff.
The very first Good Beer Guide appeared in 1972, though it was a far less polished affair than today’s editions. Instead of a professionally published volume, it was just a collection of sheets of paper that had been stapled together and posted out to CAMRA members.
Why the Good Beer Guide 2026 matters to us
While we may be known today as a leading pub retailer with thousands of pubs, restaurants, and hotels across the country, our roots lie in brewing.
For over 200 years, we’ve been crafting quality cask ales at our Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds, and we take pride in offering our customers a rich and varied selection.
Tradition remains at the core of many of our practices, with our beers brewed using natural ingredients, and our water drawn from the same chalk wells beneath the brewery that once served the Benedictine monks of St Edmund.
Which Greene King pubs are listed in the Good Beer Guide 2026?
We’re thrilled to see so many of our pubs listed in this year’s Good Beer Guide from across the country. Whether you’re after a hidden gem nestled in the country, a vibrant city spot or a waterside location, there’s something to suit. Let’s take a look at a few of our pubs listed.
The Dirty Duck in Stratford-Upon-Avon is a beloved spot for tourists and locals. The Grade II listed building has been trading since 1738 and is the only pub to be licensed under two names, with the Black Swan as its other moniker.
You can enjoy waterside views from the beer garden, and it’s also a popular spot for theatre fans due to its close proximity to two Royal Shakespeare Company theatres. It even counts Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Laurence Olivier, and Richard Attenborough among its previous guests, and there are signed photos from stars adorning the walls.
The Freshfield pub is nestled in Formby, Liverpool, and is a dog-friendly spot with a thriving social calendar of quiz nights and live music. You can also catch live sport, plus there are plenty of walking spots to explore, including Formby's sand dunes. The Dog & Gun can be found in the town of Keswick, a picturesque spot that lies within the borders of the Lake District National Park.
The historic spot has a beer garden for sunny days, and as well as a packed food menu and quality ales, its specialty is its homemade Hungarian Goulash. The County pub in Gosforth is a stunning spot just two miles from the vibrant city centre of Newcastle. The 19th century historic inn has plenty of vintage charm, as well as TNT Sports and Sky Sports showcasing all the live sporting action.
Our impressive range of beers and ales
We know that when it comes to a perfectly poured pint, the pub is often regarded as the perfect place. But everyone’s taste is different, with some craving a premium bitter while others prefer something lighter. That’s why our real ale pubs have such a wide range of beers to please every palate.
A popular choice is Greene King's classic IPA, which is an English ale that's favoured for its balanced and hoppy flavour. It contains 100% English natural hops for a clean and crisp taste, and offers notes of toffee and citrus.
Abbot Ale has been on offer at Greene King pubs since the ‘50s, and the 5% premium bitter derives from Bury St. Edmunds, our hometown. With deep caramel and toffee notes, it offers a full flavour with a recipe that’s remained unchanged since its start.
Why not pair a pint with a delicious meal?
A pub may be the perfect place for a pint, but why not pair it with a delicious meal?
Many of our Greene King pubs offer generous menus, from light starters to hearty mains and classic Sunday roasts.
Drop by for breakfast to kickstart your day, enjoy a well-earned lunch, or savour a dinner that suits any occasion, whether it’s a romantic date, a catch-up with friends, or a family get-together.
And of course, our bar staff are ready to serve your drink of choice, from our highly-rated beers to crisp wines, cocktails, or refreshing soft drinks.
Find your nearest Greene King pub
Looking for a great spot to enjoy a tasty pint or bite to eat? We’ve got Greene King pubs across the country, so find a pub near you and stop by!
The full list of Greene King pubs in the Good Beer Guide 2026:
Bell (Shottery)
Bell (East Molesey)
Black Prince (Addlestone)
Bull (Newmarket)
Burnbrae (Bearsden)
Church View Inn (Lunts Heath)
County (Gosforth)
Crown (Bradford)
Dirty Duck (Stratford-Upon-Avon)
Dog & Gun (Keswick)
Fisherman's Tavern (Dundee)
Fortescue (Plymouth)
Freshfield (Liverpool)
Golden Fleece (Manor Park)
Hare & Hounds (Ramsbottom)
Little Mester (North Anston)
Pickerel Inn (Cambridge)
Prince of Wales (Aberdeen)
Prospect of Whitby (Wapping)
Regent (Chapel Allerton)
Scotia Bar (Glasgow)
Shakespeare (Bristol)
Ship (Exeter)
Swan (Holborn)
Tappit Hen (Dunblane)
Taps (Lytham St Annes)
Templar Hotel (Leeds)
Three Blackbirds (Boxmoor)
Uplands Tavern (Uplands)
Victoria Hotel (Lytham St Annes)
White Cart (Clarkston)
Willow Bank (Liverpool)
Griffin (Caversham)
Red Lion (Iver)
Black Bull (Corbridge)