VIDEO: Raising a glass to success as Exeter Arms is named best in the Derby
A COSY city centre pub which was taken over less than a year ago has been crowned Derby's pub of the year after a "remarkable" transformation.
The Exeter Arms, in Exeter Street, has been awarded the title by the Derby branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
And the team behind the pub's success have said they are looking to take on another somewhere in the city.
The pub was taken over by Rachel Matthews, who runs Dancing Duck Brewery, in 2011.
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But last year, the management of the pub and its kitchens was transferred to former punk rocker and food expert Martin Roper, who came on as co-owner of the business.
Since then, Martin has developed a new menu, tweaked the decor and refurbished an adjacent 19th-century cottage, incorporating it into the pub layout.
He said he was delighted with the award.
"It's absolutely fantastic. It shows that the pub of the year award is more than just beer-led.
"I've done a few things in my life so far but I think I've found my forte with pubs. Pubs have always been part of my life and when I got the opportunity at The Exeter I just knew what to do with it. It was quite natural."
Martin said his first move was to put together a new food menu, using local food and making popular dishes, but giving them a twist.
He said: "It is quite simple things – presenting food on boards, making dips and dressings, using local cheeses and putting on free bar snacks in the afternoons – but it adds up to making the food special and making a trip to the Exeter memorable.
"The other aspect is the atmosphere. We turned down the lighting, used the open fireplace and really took time to make each nook and cranny in the place seem warm and inviting.
"And, obviously, with Dancing Duck, run by my co-owner, Rachel Matthews, we have great beers, too.
"We are now looking at a potential second site in the city, as we feel we have a formula for running a pub which works."
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Along with The Exeter Arms, Derby Camra voted he Royal Oak in Ockbrook as their country pub of the year.
Derby Camra chairman Gareth Stead said: "The transformation of the Exeter Arms over the last year or so has been nothing short of remarkable.
"And the Royal Oak in Ockbrook is simply a great village local right at the heart of community life which has been in the Good Beer Guide for 37 years due to the quality of its ales."
The Exeter Arms will now go forward into the Derbyshire Pub of the Year competition
5 Comments
by DBY_SHF
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 10:08PM
“Agree with OldTup - Exeter is one of the best pubs in Derby, but based on the CAMRA scoring system it wasn't the winner in IMHO. Although it isn't just about the Dancing Duck range, it's about all the Cask beers served there. The CAMRA scoring system is about beer quality, so the Exeter is up there in the top 5 easily.
But I have to say thankfully they haven't voted the Babington Arms or any other Wetherspoons the winner. Had very few good pints in there. I mean it's serves Ruddles and Abbot which tastes better from a can, even if you choose the guests it's not good. Mostly people like it because they sell beer below cost at a loss from small breweries. £1.99 a pint is not viable to sell beer at, only Wetherspoons are making a profit, the brewery is selling at a loss. Sam Smiths and Oakwell can barely do that for their standard beers now.
Anyway, for me it would have been The Alexander Hotel and then the Furnace Inn. Great pubs, beer range and quality.”
by Co-opCow
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 11:06AM
“Some of us liked the Exeter as it was.
I remember a time, not so very long ago, when the pub had an intoxicating (?) mixture of attractions, including a varied clientele, ranging from virtual down and outs to barristers from the Crown Court, simple and cheap food (including the famous 'few', all ordered direct from the cheerful staff in the kitchen, and an excellent pint of Marstons Burton Bitter.
CAMRA appears to be completely in thrall to the trendy micro-breweries. As a previous poster on this site says, some of the micros' output is very good, but much of it seems to sell because of the daft names on the pump clip. To me, and reading the pages of What's Brewing it appears I am by no means alone, the phrase 'craft brewer' is becoming as much of a dirty word (phrase?) as that appalling concept, the 'gastro-pub'.
There are still a great many people who want to drink an honest-to-goodness quality bitter, without all the trendy added 'tastes'.
Thank goodness for Wetherspoons, and the Babington Arms in particular.”
by OldTup
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 2:05PM
“Congratulations to Martin et al. The Ex is an excellent pub, which I visit with friends often. However, though not aiming or wishing to rain on the parade of this recent success, I consider CAMRA has made an error in making this award.
CAMRA is primarily, and should always be, about the quality of real ale served. Myself and others I know are of the opinion that, as good as the Dancing Duck beers can be, as a still fledgling (no pun intended) brewery, the quality of their range of ales is variable. So I cannot believe it is right to make this particular award to the pub at this time when there are more deserving winners throughout the City which serve good beer consistently.”
by David_Brown
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 1:45PM
“Really enjoy here, always good for a friday lunch break away from the office!”
by katkit19
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 8:36AM
“Well done. I never used to be that fussed about going to the Exeter but since Martin took over I just love it. I always feel so welcome and the food is amazing. It's a great little treat to take some time out for myself, pop in there for lunch and have a real ale or 2 to wash it down.”