The Tamworth Tap has been crowned Overall Great British Pub of the Year and Best Beer Pub in a recent awards ceremony. The venue, located in a Tudor property in the shadow of Tamworth Castle, attracts visitors from across the country for its cask ales, historic surroundings and views of the castle.
Owners George and Louise Greenaway said becoming an award-winning pub was never part of their original plan. Eight years ago, the building was an empty former tourist information centre with overgrown outdoor space and boarded-up rooms.
From brewery to pub
When Tamworth Brewing Co was established, the couple's intention was simply to create a small brewery in the building and supply local pubs and beer festivals with their ales. There was no initial plan to open a pub.
The building required extensive restoration work. Sections including the courtyard and hopyard area overlooking the castle had become overgrown. George explained the early practical challenges: "It was an empty shop eight years ago. A lot of the building was actually unusable, particularly finding tradespeople when we needed them, including electricians."
As work progressed, the building's character began to influence the business direction. The couple held occasional pop-up openings, allowing people to drink the beer where it was brewed. Louise said: "These were initially intended to be limited events, but customers responded positively and kept coming back. The pop-ups became more regular, our opening hours expanded and, before we knew it, the brewery had developed into a pub open six days a week."
The building shaped the business
George said the venue's timber-framed rooms, historic features and setting beneath Tamworth Castle changed the trajectory: "The more work we carried out, the more we felt its character should be experienced by customers, rather than simply used to house the brewery. It became clear that it was somewhere people should be able to sit, enjoy a pint and spend time in."
The 16th century shopfront remains a focal point of the interior. The courtyard offers uninterrupted views of Tamworth's Norman castle, a defining characteristic of the venue. Inside, visitors are greeted by intimate rooms, traditional furnishings, hop garlands suspended from ceilings and vintage beer memorabilia.
Brewing remains central
The Tamworth Tap closes every Monday, not for a day off but for its busiest working day. George said: "It is actually one of our busiest working days, as we use it for brewing, cellar work, deliveries, deep cleaning and other jobs that are more difficult to carry out when the pub is open. So, although The Tamworth Tap has become an award-winning pub, it is still very much a brewery at heart."
The pub has also been named in the final four of CAMRA's (Campaign for Real Ale) National Pub of the Year, after winning on three consecutive occasions.
Recognition validates the direction
George said the latest awards held particular significance. "Those accolades have been particularly meaningful because they have validated the decision to embrace the venue as a pub, even though that was never part of the original plan," he said.
Awards judge Ed Bedington said: "The beer is excellent, obviously, but it's so much more than that. It's been a real passion project for them and they've created something that really is quite special. You would not know it was an old shop. You'd think it had been a pub for generations."
