The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced its list of best pubs in North Wales. Over the last few months, CAMRA branches covering every part of the region have been picking their favourite 2023 locals.

The top venue in each county (apart from one - we'll get to that later) has now been announced. All four will now vye for the honour of being named the best CAMRA pub in North Wales.

CAMRA, who actively promote and advocate for 'proper' pubs across Europe, host a yearly vote amongst its members to decide which establishment will be named their 'pub of the year' - with area, regional, national and UK wide honours handed-out at every round of voting.

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One of the nominees this time 'round is last year's regional winner, The Mold Ale House in Flintshire, which is hoping to named North Wales pub of the year for the second time running. However, it will face some stiff competition from other top pubs across the region, each hoping to secure the honours.

Under CAMRA membership, North Wales and its eligible pubs are split into five areas:

  • Aberconwy, which covers the Conwy county region and as Maerdy in Corwen.
  • Vale of Clwyd, which covers much of Flintshire and Denbighshire.
  • Gwynedd a Mon, which covers Gwynedd and Anglesey.
  • Bae Ceredigion, which covers some pubs in the south of Gwynedd and Ceredigion.
  • Chester and South Clwyd, which covers Wrexham, the east section of Flintshire and the Chester area

The winners for each region for 2023 are as follows:

Aberconwy

The Albion in Conwy.
The Albion in Conwy.

The Albion Ale House won for Aberconwy and remains one of the most consistently popular and well known pubs in the area and beyond. The pub was praised for its fantastic selection of ales, alongside its atmosphere and historical interest.

Built in 1921 in the heart of the town, the Grade II listed building closed its doors in 2010 before being taken on by a group of Welsh breweries and a business backer. The pub was then fully restored, but maintained its appearance as a 1920s public house.

Vale of Clwyd

The Mold Alehouse in Flintshire.
The Mold Alehouse in Flintshire.

As holders of the title of North Wales Pub of the Year for 2022, Vale of Clwyd CAMRA members have once again voted the Mold Alehouse in Flintshire to their top spot. The pub believes firmly in a very traditional atmosphere, offering no television, food or even spirits - sticking firmly to ale and snacks.

Recently, the pub picked up the top spot in our top 15 pubs in North Wales list, as chosen by yourselves, beating out some stiff competition. Many praised the friendly and knowledgeable staff behind the bar as well as the relaxed environment in the heart of the market town offering the best place to get a drink.

The Alehouse is also classed as a 'micropub' which means that it has to conform to a set criteria outlined by the Micropub and Microbrewery Association.

Which pub would you vote for as your pub of the year for North Wales? Let us know in the comments.

Gwynedd a Mon

The Adelphi Vaults in Amlwch.
The Adelphi Vaults in Amlwch.

Travel to far Northern edge of Anglesey and you'll find the Adelphi Vaults in Amlwch, the winner for this region. This remote pub sits besides the old port in the town, offering a good range of ales and is often praised for its pies.

We visited it recently and described it as the place to be, noting that its remote location makes it a proper old-fashioned pub with a real friendly atmosphere. There was a real sense of camaraderie here and everyone who stepped into the pub seemed to know one another. What's more, visitors were given a warm welcome.

For many though, its acclaim comes courtesy of the pub's lively nature and it regularly hosts a wide variety of events, keeping the pub busy and engaging despite its remote location.

Bae Ceredigion

Rhos yr Hafod in Cross Inn, Llanon.
Rhos yr Hafod in Cross Inn, Llanon.

A popular rural pub picked up the award for the third time in Bae Ceredigion. Rhos yr Hafod in Cross Inn, Llanon, was named the region's pub of the year - an outstanding achievement despite its remote location. Many praised the consistent quality of the ale on offer, along with the support that the pub gives to and receives from its local community.

CAMRA said Rhos yr Hafod is "a true community asset that is welcoming to all." The pub has several drinking areas including a lively front bar, a quieter back bar to relax in, a function room, a large rear garden and a sunny front terrace.

The Rhos yr Hafod hosts regular board game nights, quizzes, open mic nights, folk music and a summer beer and music festival. It is also the base for a monthly community café which is run by local residents.

But...where's the winner for Wrexham?

Despite arguably being the most popular spot in North Wales right now thanks to some fine football and a few celebrities, Wrexham is strangely a part of the Chester and South Clwyd branch of CAMRA - that means pubs in the county have to contend with other venues from over the border in order to be crowned the regional winner.

Sadly, the regional winner for 2023 came from Cheshire. The award was given to The Cellar pub, in the heart of Chester, just a few miles outside of North Wales. While it is surely a good pub in its own right, it does mean that sadly Wrexham will not be represented in the best North Wales pub for CAMRA.

But what do you think is the best 'CAMRA' style pub in Wrexham? Let us know in the comments.

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