Island recognition for pub and pint
Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley has formally presented the Isle of Wight CAMRA awards in Cowes, confirming Cowes Ale House as Pub of the Year 2025 and Goddards’ Fuggle Dee-Dum as Beer of the Year. The handover took place at the Cowes Ale House on 11 July 2026, marking a high point in the Island’s pub and brewing calendar.
The pub trophy went to Cowes Ale House after a year of change in the town’s beer scene; it moved into top place following the closure of its predecessor venue situated nearby. The beer accolade again went to a familiar Island favourite, with Fuggle Dee-Dum adding another title to a record that stretches back to the early 1990s.
Presentation in Cowes
At the ceremony in Cowes, the MP handed over the awards to the winners, with Steph Moorton and Reg White representing Cowes Ale House for the pub title, and Bob Simpson receiving the beer award on behalf of Goddards for Fuggle Dee-Dum. The event underscored the continuing strength of local venues and brews on the Island, and the value placed on cask ale by regulars and visitors alike.
“Heartiest congratulations to the winners!”
That was the message from Brian Jacobs of Isle of Wight CAMRA, acknowledging both the consistency of Goddards’ flagship ale and the contribution of the Cowes venue to the Island’s pub landscape.
Pub of the Year 2025: Cowes Ale House
Cowes Ale House’s recognition as Pub of the Year 2025 comes at a moment of transition locally, after the closure of the previous frontrunner “just down the road”. The award provides a clear endorsement from local CAMRA members of the pub’s offer to drinkers, its stewardship under Moorton and White, and its role in keeping cask beer central to Cowes’ hospitality scene.
While the award is specific to 2025, the timing of the presentation underlines how Island venues continue to adapt, with community support and recognition frequently determining which bars and taprooms thrive. In a compact market, such accolades can help sustain footfall and reinforce quality standards across the sector.
Beer of the Year: Fuggle Dee-Dum
Fuggle Dee-Dum from Goddards has again secured the Island’s Beer of the Year title. The ale has picked up the award repeatedly since first being brewed in the early 1990s, establishing a long-standing connection with local drinkers and visiting enthusiasts. Its latest success reflects continuity in Island beer preferences and the brand’s resonance across successive generations of cask ale fans.
For breweries, consistency and visibility in such awards can be pivotal, reinforcing brand identity and maintaining a presence on local bars. For pubs, stocking recognised local favourites can strengthen the offer to both residents and tourists seeking a distinctly Island pint.
Who won what
| Award | Recipient | Representative |
|---|---|---|
| Pub of the Year 2025 | Cowes Ale House | Steph Moorton & Reg White |
| Beer of the Year | Goddards Fuggle Dee-Dum | Bob Simpson |
Local impact and community value
Although the awards are decided within the Island branch, their significance is broader. Recognition by local real-ale campaigners can influence consumer choices, guide visitors to trusted venues, and help sustain trading through quieter months. For Cowes, a harbour town with a strong events calendar, an award-winning ale house provides an anchor for year-round footfall.
The presentation by a sitting MP also placed a spotlight on the contribution pubs and breweries make to community life. In towns and villages across the Isle of Wight, such venues often serve as informal hubs for social contact, charity fundraising and local culture. While market conditions shift, endorsements like these can bolster confidence—both for operators navigating change and for patrons deciding where to spend their time and money.
What Islanders should note
- Recognition for Cowes Ale House may draw more drinkers into the town centre, supporting the local evening economy.
- Fuggle Dee-Dum’s latest title reinforces demand for established Island beers, likely keeping them prominent on local bars.
- CAMRA’s role in celebrating cask ale serves as a signal to visitors about where to find a quality pint on the Isle of Wight.
For those choosing where to meet friends, plan a post-work drink, or point visitors in search of a distinctive Island pint, the latest CAMRA endorsements provide a clear steer: Cowes Ale House remains a standout for pub-goers, and Goddards’ Fuggle Dee-Dum continues to be the Island’s standard-bearer for cask beer.
