A HUNTINGDONSHIRE pub which brews its own selection of beers could be named the best in the country. The Chequers, at Little Gransden, has already been crowned the best pub in East Anglia by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) — and is now in the running fo

A HUNTINGDONSHIRE pub which brews its own selection of beers could be named the best in the country.

The Chequers, at Little Gransden, has already been crowned the best pub in East Anglia by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) - and is now in the running for the national crown.

Landlords Bob and Wendy Mitchell received a special presentation at the launch of the Booze on the Ouse beer festival in St Ives last week.

Mr Mitchell, who has run the pub since the death of his father in 1992, said: "It is great. My head is spinning. I keep trying to figure out how big East Anglia is.

"I don't set out to win awards, I just run the pub the way I like it and how I think my customers like it. I think it is the brewing which impresses the judges."

Mr Mitchell began brewing his own beer in November last year after pressure from his regulars. He named the brewery Son of Sid, after his teetotal father.

Brews are often named after regulars in the pub, with Defibrillator and the Wonder of Woo - named after Mr Mitchell's wife Wendy - among previous concoctions.

The Chequers will now be visited by a national judging panel from CAMRA, with the winner to be announced in February next year.

nTwo beers from Son of Sid - Muck Cart Mild and Spud - were among 56 types of real ale downed by thirsty punters at the four-day Booze on the Ouse event.

Paul Moorhouse, from Hunts CAMRA, said the event had been one of the most successful ever, with attendances up by a third.

He said: "We want to show local pubs what a fantastic range of local-brewed beers is available - and the environmental benefit from reduced beer miles is obvious."

INFORMATION: Booze on the Ouse returns in March 2009 at the Priory Centre in St Neots. For more information visit www.huntscamra.org.uk

nThe Hunts Post's pub of the year will be announced on September 29 as part of our Food and Drink Awards.