Rejoicing in Ripon: Cheers to Ripon’s Portly Pig as it wins Harrogate & Ripon CAMRA Pub of the Year award
It was time to raise a glass or two of real ale at Ripon’s Portly Pig bar and bottle shop last night (Thursday 16 April) as owners Stuart and Katie Ross received the Harrogate & Ripon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026 award. 🍺✨
Members of the branch, who selected the popular Kirkgate hostelry to receive the accolade, presented Stuart and Katie with a certificate that now takes pride of place in their premises. 🏆
Katie told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be chosen for this award in a city that has so many fantastic and historic pubs serving some of the best real ales produced locally and across the region.” 💛
Stuart added:
“We have been made so welcome here after taking over the Portly Pig in November 2024 from our friends Adam and Katrina Coulson, who gave the bar its memorable name.” 🐖
The citation to accompany the certificate from the Campaign for Real Ale says that Portly Pig earned the Pub of the Year award because of its high-quality beer, community focus, and excellent service. ⭐
🍺 Launch of Ripon’s Real Ale Guide 📘
In addition to last night’s award presentation, the hostelry hosted the launch of Ripon’s first Real Ale Guide.
Produced by CAMRA’s Harrogate and Ripon branch, it features the Portly Pig alongside The Black Bull, Black Swan, King William IV, The Magdalens, One Eyed Rat, The Ripon Inn, The Royal Oak, The South Lodge, Storehouse Bar & Eatery, The Unicorn Hotel and The Water Rat. 🍻🗺️
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, which funded the production of the guide, was present for last night’s launch and said:
“The Cathedral City of the Dales is home to some of the best pubs and bars in the north and between them they provide visitors and residents alike with a tremendous range of choice.” 🌄
🤝 Community Focus
Lilla added:
“Katie and Stuart are BID members and they have made a big impact in the relatively short time since they took over the Portly Pig because of their community-minded approach.” ❤️
“A key example of this was their launch earlier this year of the Pig Cup six-a-side tournament ⚽ which will be held in July at Ripon City AFC’s ground to raise money for men’s mental health and wellbeing charities Andy’s Man Club and Ripon Men’s Shed.” 💙
The tournament will see 16 teams from businesses and organisations across Ripon and district vying for victory — and has taken off with invaluable guidance from English Football League regional safeguarding manager Helen Cotterill-Smith who, with husband John and family, are Portly Pig regulars. 🙌
Allan Gauld, branch secretary Harrogate & Ripon CAMRA, (front right), presents the award to Stuart & Katie Ross, with CAMRA members, Portly Pig regulars and Lilla Bathurst, manager Ripon BID
CAMRA members and Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst with the new Ripon Real Ale Guide
Photo credit: Tim Flanagan, Rejoicing in Ripon for Ripon BID
