THE landlady of a micropub crowned St Helens and Districts Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), has hailed the support of her customers who helped the venue survive the challenges of lockdown.

The Beer EnGin in Whiston scooped the award, in what was described as one of the closest fought competitions for many years.

The venue, on Greenes Road, beat off stiff competition from across the borough to be voted the best pub for real ale by St Helens CAMRA members.

The Beer EnGin was one of eight establishments in the borough to be shortlisted - beating last year’s winner the Turks Head and previous winners and former National CAMRA Pub of the Year, The Cricketers Arms.

“I was shocked, with the Cricketers and the Turks, they’re the (renowned) real ale pubs in St Helens, I didn’t think a micropub would beat them,” said landlady Leanne Dillon, who took on the venue just 10 days before the first Covid lockdown.

“I was just glad to be in the top eight and to be nominated, winning was a bonus.”

St Helens Star: Leanne Dillon, landlady of the Beer EnGinLeanne Dillon, landlady of the Beer EnGin

Leanne believes the range of cask beers the micropub offers helped the Beer EnGin to winning the gong.

“I try to have six beers on every day, I can take a risk with certain beers if they are not traditional.

“I think it’s because of the range of beers, I usually have six on every day, and because we do more beers to support a few local breweries.”

She described the micropub as a “community” and highlighted its welcoming atmosphere as one of its prominent features.

“I think the pub is welcoming because the customers are,” she said.

“If you walked in and didn’t know anyone, you would know them by the end of the night.

“It’s such a nice community and we look after each other, everyone knows everyone, and you would end up knowing everyone by the end of the night, it’s a really nice atmosphere.”

St Helens Star: The Beer EnGinThe Beer EnGin

Leanne expressed gratitude to her customers, who helped support the venue throughout all of the difficulties posed by the Covid lockdowns.

“The customers have been absolutely fantastic, if it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t still be here.

“They bought beer when we were doing takeaway and I was getting orders and selling hampers. That’s why I’m here, for them. They’ve literally been there for me since I bought the pub through every lockdown and every restriction.

“They made sure the pub stayed.”

 The other pubs in the shortlist were The New Talbot Alehouse, The Sefton, The Junction (Rainford), The Skew Bridge Alehouse (Rainhill) and the Watch Maker (Prescot).