LAST week, members of the Isle of Wight branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) braved the weather to gather and honour the great and the good in the Island's beer and brewing scene.

The awards, presented by Island MP Bob Seely with branch chairman John Nicholson, were the result of the annual IW Pub of the Year poll.

This takes place every year and is a guide to the favoured Island pubs and the local breweries which serve them.

Pub numbers on the Island have been dwindling since the start of the 20th century, CAMRA says.

Likewise, the number of local brewers has fallen to five – down from 14 in the 1900s.

All the more reason, then, to celebrate the survivors with an annual poll to find the best of them.

So the question is, which were the most popular pubs?

Tying for third place were the Highdown Inn at Totland and Newport Ale House, representing the old and the new.

The Highdown is un unspoilt two-bar country local serving a wide range of well-kept cask beers, while Newport Ale House is a micropub, offering an ever-changing selection of real ales.

In second place was the Castle in Sandown, which also sports a fine selection of hand pumped beers.

The winner was the much-lauded Traveller’s Joy at Northwood.

This win is a rather poignant one, as ill health is forcing licensees Sam and Pete to retire soon.

“CAMRA’s good wishes go out to them, along with sincere thanks for all the work they’ve done, not only in serving excellent beer, but in refurbishing the Travs in such a sympathetic and professional way,” said a spokesperson for the organisation.

Third place in the beer stakes went to Puncheon Porter from Goddards, which usually makes its annual debut at Christmas.

Like most dark beers, drinkers associate it with winter, but there’s no reason why these tasty, charismatic beers shouldn’t be consumed all year round.

In second place was the ever-popular Fuggle-de-dum, also from Goddards, with its easy-drinking, malty palate.

Heading up the list was another dark beer; the Earl’s RDA from the Island Brewery stable, not only an IW Beer of the Year winner on several occasions, but twice voted best dark beer in the world.

CAMRA branch members with long memories will remember its debut in brewer Chris Coleman’s garden shed.