Beard Liberation Front
10th January
Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social
Beard Friendly Pub* of the Year 2025 Four Finalists announced
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that the four Finalists in the annual vote for the Beard Friendly Pub of the Year have been decided after on-line polls
In Round One (London) North triumphed over South with the Antwerp Arms N17 winning the vote and the Cock Tavern E8 second. For Round Two (Rest of the Country) the Indian Brewery Tap topped the poll with Tom’s Tap and Brew second
For 2025 the BLF has looked again to a focus on beard friendly pubs with a strong community presence.
BLF Inspectors drew up a shortlist comprised of pubs which are independently owned, inclusive of the communities in which they are located, have a welcoming presence and sell good beer, broadly defined
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, its tough times for hospitality particularly in January and tough times for pub goers too as the cost of living crisis continues. The Beard Friendly Pub of the Year vote aims to encourage people to stop by their local and engage in some hirsute socialising.
*the vote also covers bars, taprooms and bottle shops
There were two preliminary rounds of voting with the top two in each round going to a final vote on the weekend of 11th & 12th January. The winner be declared on 15th January
The Final Vote is pinned on Twitter @kmflett Because of known issues with Twitter, votes can also be posted in response to this post as an alternative
Finalists
Cock Tavern, Hackney
Antwerp Arms Tottenham
Tom’s Tap, Crewe
Indian Brewery Tap, Birmingham
The Cross-On-The-Hill, Clee Hill, Shropshire. The highest pub in the county.