Part of the role of CAMRA North Herts Committee is to select pubs each year for entry into the Good Beer Guide, and run our local area judging for Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and Club of the Year.

In previous years we have relied solely on the scores provided by CAMRA members in North Herts through the National Beer Scoring System, typically via WhatPub. However as a committee we are aware that there are not huge numbers of members in our area using this system and so this year we are asking for direct nominations from you, local CAMRA members in order to capture as wide a possible list for entry as possible.

North Hertfordshire CAMRA committee members are drinking beer just the same as you, all across North Hertfordshire. But with nearly 200 pubs to keep tabs on, we really need many more of our members helping out! To help us decide which pubs in our patch are worth considering for the CAMRA Good Beer Guide we utilise the CAMRA National Beer Scoring System (NBSS) – importantly ALL CAMRA members are eligible to submit scores for any pubs they visit (across the whole of the UK).

This system consists of a 6-point scale that rates a beer on quality. The emphasis on “quality” is important, this the most challenging thing about the system. You need to judge whether the beer is in good form, not whether or not you happen to like the beer (in fact a beer worthy of a 5 could very well be one that you are not personally a huge fan of). You need to consider whether or not the pub has kept and served this ale in good condition: is it clear (unless marked otherwise for unfined beers), does it taste and smell fresh, does it have an appropriate level of carbonation? Sometimes cask ale can taste and smell vinegary (acetobacter infected – common of beer left on too long) or taste like “wet cardboard” (oxidation – which dulls the flavour), if it is particularly bad you should let the bar staff know!

Please note that NBSS scores do not form a “linear” scale.  Anything over 2 is good beer, just degrees of ‘goodness’. The CAMRA HQ website has some additional information on the NBSS here.

Finally please keep in mind that we are scoring only the beer itself, not any other aspect of the pub. Please try to be as objective as you can when rating a beer.

Please note we do scrutinise the entries on the database, so don’t try entering a load of 5’s for your favourite pub, or 0’s for one you’ve been barred from. We will notice!

The branch sends regular emails and the occasional letter to members keeping them informed about what is going on in the branch area.

To ensure that you receive these communications please follow these steps:

• Sign into your CAMRA online account via https://account.camra.org.uk/login
• Check the “Personal Details” has your correct address and email address
• Check in the “Marketing Preferences” box that your preferences are set to green (slide right) for email and post options next to “I wish to be contacted by my local CAMRA branch on local events and activities.” (We do not use SMS in North Herts)
• Make any other changes to suit your preferences.