The camra names the “thriving and friendly” Huddersfield club as the best in the city

A ‘thriving’ Huddersfield club has been named the best in town for its ‘top tip’ beers.

The Armitage Bridge Club – better known as The Monkey Club – is this year’s Huddersfield campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Club of the Year.

Managed by Gareth Shaw, the club is no stranger to awards. In fact, it has won the Camra Club of the Year award no less than 13 times. It was described as a “thriving and friendly little club” by Camra members, who said: “This award-winning club has been a regular nominee for Club of the Year for a number of years and it’s not hard to see why.

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“The club serves some top quality beers, promotes real ale by supporting local brewers and provides an important focus to the community through its local events and activities.

“Club manager Gareth Shaw and the bar staff are to be commended for their dedication to looking after the beer and are a shining example of what can be done with a little imagination and effort. An impressive achievement for a small local. club.”

Camra praised Mr Shaw, who has been manager for the past 15 years, for ensuring the beers are always “top notch”, adding: “During that time he has successfully managed the selection and quality of the beer to win the prestigious Huddersfield Camra Club of the Year Award from 2012 to 2024 and runner-up in 2014 with Camra Yorkshire Regional Club of the Year.

“Unlike some clubs that are linked to national brewers and forced to serve bland and lager, the Monkey club is totally dedicated to real ale and has no tie. The bar accepts a selection of four hand-drawn beers.

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“These include regular beers from Empire Brewing and Abbeydale Brewery, with an ever-changing selection of beers such as Ashover Brewery beers, Nailmaker beers and more. All beers are served in peak condition, a fact recognized by this award.”

One of the highlights of the year is the annual Monkeyfest beer, cider and music festival. This year the popular festival known as RAAM (Real Ale And Music) will take place on Saturday 7th September.

The Monkey Club has a good sporting fraternity and is home to the Berry Brow football team. The club is open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 19:00 to 23:00; Friday from 17:00 to 23:00; Saturday from 16:00 to 23:00; and Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Earlier this year members of Huddersfield Camra named County Beerhouse, Princess Street, in the town centre, as Pub of the Year.

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