The 2025 CAMRA Members’ Weekend agreed that branches must use beer scores as a significant part of their Good Beer Guide selection process.

To be considered for entry, a pub must:
1. Have received the minimum number of scores from the minimum number of scorers during the previous year.
2. Have one of the highest average scores for the year that meets the minimum acceptable score threshold.
3. Have been scored in each quarter or the previous six months of the year.
4. Not have changed owner or management during the previous six months, unless the owner/manager/cellar manager has a good reputation of keeping beer.
5. Have had its scores checked for inaccurate and/or suspicious scores.

How our Pubs are Selected

At the November branch meeting, the list of pubs which meet the above requirements are discussed. A shortlist is prepared from those pubs which best meet the above criteria. Where the pub has not been surveyed recently, a physical survey takes place.

At the January meeting, the entries for the Good Beer Guide are selected. We select pubs based on their ranking until the quota is filled or our minimum score threshold is reached, subject to:
1. A minimum of four beer scores.
2. Scores from at least two different people.
3. Where possible, we provide a spread of pubs across the branch area. The branch has an allocation of 30 pubs for inclusion in the guide, which means restricting the number of entries in a particular area, especially in the towns.

A final check is made at the February meeting, and the entries submitted to Headquarters by the beginning of March.

Note

The Fenland branch area covers around 1,000 square miles. There are many rural pubs which do not receive sufficient beer scores, though they are known to keep good quality beer. Please encourage all CAMRA members to score the beers in the pubs they visit, so that the pubs have a chance of entry into the Good Beer Guide.