Pete Wiffin, the landlord, has been at the pub for 6 years and has been in full charge for the last three. He prides himself on the wide choice of well-kept real ales with the eight handpumps serving a changing selection of beers from all over the country as well as a "real" cider from local producer Cassels. You can also choose from around 20 Belgian bottled beers, including some unusual ones, plus a big range of malt whiskies. Pete also runs regular Beer Festivals; the most recent one took place from 21 to 23 April and had a St George's theme. The 30 or so beers included several brewed specially to commemorate St George's Day.
The Live has excellent home-cooked food available at all sessions but it's very much a drinking pub, not a restaurant with beer as so many pubs have become. It's what we in CAMRA regard as a "real" pub - a far cry from the identikit, anonymous bars which increasingly dominate our city centres. It specialises in good ale and good chat and that's what most of us are looking for - but it's also a smashing place for non-real ale drinkers as well.
Pete was presented with his award on the opening day of the Beer Festival, 22 May.