IPSWICH: Spirits were high at a popular Ipswich pub today after it was crowned the country's best at serving real ale.

IPSWICH: Spirits were high at a popular Ipswich pub today after it was crowned the country's best at serving real ale.

The landlords of The Dove Street Inn, in St Helens Street, scooped the Abbot Ale cask pub of the year award at a glitzy ceremony in London last night.

The pub was praised for impressing industry experts with its devotion to cask beer and excellent range of 12 cask hand pulls.

Landlords Ady Smith and Karen Beaumont had been shortlisted with three other pubs in the The Publican magazine's annual Food and Drink Awards.

Steve Magnall, brewing and distribution director at sponsor Greene King, said: “Hearty congratulations to The Dove.

“Of all the fantastic cask pubs across the country, to be recognised as the best is a marvellous accolade and a wonderful tribute to Karen, Ady and their team.

“Cask beer or real ale is the best drink in the world when served in good condition.

“It's a fresh product made with wholesome natural ingredients and the team at The Dove put lots of energy into making every pint perfect.”

The pub, which also hosts very successful beer festivals, has been recognised for its quality with a string of local and national best pub awards.

Mr Smith said: “It is nice to be recognised within the trade as being one of the champions of cask ale. It is testament to the team.

“Cask ale is the mainstay of our business which is very rare in this day and age. I'm really pleased.”

Are you a fan of the Dove? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk