Procedure for selecting entries for the Good Beer Guide

Outline Procedure

1. The Western Sussex branch currently has 22 entries in the Good Beer Guide.
2. Any establishment in the Western Sussex area defined by CAMRA as a pub or club (with public access) may be nominated by a Branch member for inclusion in the guide, so long as it regularly offers at least one real ale or real cider, as defined by CAMRA.
3. The nominated establishments are assessed as to their suitability at a formal branch meeting, and the Long List established is put to a vote open to the entire branch membership.
4. At the same time a separate vote will determine the branch Pub of the Year, and if so decided by the committee, a Cider Pub of the Year and Club of the Year.

Criteria for Selection

1. The quality of the beer/cider on offer is the prime consideration.
2. The National beer scoring system (NBSS) is used to inform the selection process for establishments which have attracted five or more scores in the previous twelve months. Establishments with an average score of less than 3.0 are unlikely to be included on the Long List. However, since interested groups can affect the scoring, average scores will not be the sole criterion.
3. Members may also take into consideration:
   • geographical location
   • the criteria used to determine County and Regional Pubs of the Year
     • community focus and atmosphere
     • promotion and knowledge of product
     • cleanliness and staff hygiene
     • sympathy with CAMRA's aims
     • welcome and offering
     • style, décor, and furnishing
     • overall impression and value
4. Establishments are not normally considered for inclusion if ownership/management has changed in the preceding six months, unless it can be shown that the quality of the beers/ciders is not affected.

Timeline

September formal meeting. The Chairman invites nominations for inclusion in the Long List. The Pubs Officer will normally nominate the 22 establishments in the current Guide.

November meeting. End of the nomination period. The meeting will decide the Long List to a maximum of 35 establishments. A summary of the beer scores will be available. Assessors for the selected establishments will be appointed.

February 5. A summary of the beer scores from the previous 12 months and voting forms will be issued to branch members.

February meeting (this will be a separate meeting to the AGM which also takes place in February).

• The Assessors will make brief presentations and the contending establishments will be discussed where necessary.
• A written ballot will then take place. Those members not present may vote in advance by email.
• Ballots for Pub of the Year (Club and Cider Pub of the Year) will also take place.
• Results featuring the top 22 plus 5 reserves will normally be reported before the end of the meeting. They will be confidential until further notice.