Small Ripon bar called the Portly Pig is CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026
A “community minded” Ripon bar which opened less than three years ago in a historic site in the city has been named Pub of the Year by CAMRA.
Portly Pig bar and bottle shop, which is owned by Stuart and Katie Ross, was awarded the Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026 award.
The bar first opened its doors in a historic building in 2023 at 5 Kirkgate which was a Town Council House from 1835 to 1851.
Its more recent history was as none other than the offices of the Ripon Gazette which, for many years, was part of Ackrill Newspapers and the Harrogate Advertiser Series.
Last night, April 16, the Portly Pig owners received the accolade from members of the Harrogate and Ripon branch of The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The citation to accompany the certificate from CAMRA said that Portly Pig earned the Pub of the Year award because of its "high-quality beer, community focus, and excellent service.”
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.”
As well as last night’s awards presentation, the hostelry hosted the launch of Ripon’s first Real Ale Guide.
Produced by Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA, 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 guide, 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.”
“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.”
More information: http://www.harrogateandriponcamra.org.uk/