Changes Ahead for Beer Scoring in Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre

For almost as long as CAMRA members have been campaigning for good beer, we’ve also been talking about it, debating it, and crucially, scoring it. Beer scoring has always been one of the most important tools we have as a branch: it helps identify consistently well-kept beer, helps us shortlist entries for the Good Beer Guide, supports our Pub of the Year process, and feeds directly into CAMRA’s wider campaigning work around quality.

As we approach the end of 2025, an important change is coming to how members in Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre submit their beer scores. This article explains what is changing, why it’s changing, and how you can continue scoring beer going forward.

A Brief History of Beer Scoring

Beer scoring has evolved significantly over the years, both locally and nationally.

Many longer-standing members will remember the earliest days of scoring, when results were collected by shouting out scores at branch meetings. While informal, this approach reflected the social nature of the branch and worked well when membership numbers were smaller, but as the membership grew it became impossible to collect accurate data with a number of members all shouting their scores at once.

In the early 2010s, the branch moved to a web-based beer scoring system hosted on the branch website. This was a major step forward. It allowed members to submit scores online, improved record keeping, and provided a single, branch-wide list of pubs and scores that could be easily accessed by committee members.

That system has served us well for many years. However, both CAMRA and our branch have changed considerably since then, and the committee believes the time is now right to move on once again.

Why Are We Changing?

After careful consideration, the branch committee has decided to retire the branch-run beer scoring system and transition fully to CAMRA’s national beer scoring system.

There are several key reasons behind this decision.

Limitations of the Branch System

While the current branch system makes it easy to view pubs on a single list, it does have drawbacks:

• Members can only submit one score per pub per month, which limits the ability to reflect changes in beer quality over time.
• The system requires ongoing maintenance and administration by volunteers.
• Scores collected locally are not automatically shared nationally, reducing their impact beyond the branch.

Advantages of the National System

The national beer scoring system addresses these issues and offers additional benefits:

• It is fully centralised, requiring no technical maintenance by the branch.
• Scores are collected in one place and are available at a national level, supporting CAMRA’s wider campaigning work.
• Submitted scores contribute directly to a pub’s Beer Quality Accreditation score on the national CAMRA website.
• It allows CAMRA to build a more accurate, up-to-date picture of beer quality across the country.

In short, moving to the national system ensures that every score you submit has maximum value, both locally and nationally.

How to Submit Beer Scores Going Forward

Submitting a beer score using the national system is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the CAMRA Pubs Website
2. Search for the pub you wish to score
3. Click “Score Beer”
4. Fill in the form and click Submit

That’s it. Your score will immediately contribute to CAMRA’s national data and help support beer quality both locally and across the country.

Important Dates to Note

31 December 2025 will be the final date that beer scores can be submitted using the branch website.

From 1 January 2026, members should submit all beer scores exclusively via the national CAMRA system.

We strongly encourage members who haven’t already done so to familiarise themselves with the national scoring process well before the end of the year.

Your Scores Still Matter

Beer scoring remains one of the most valuable things CAMRA members can do. Every score helps highlight excellence, identify problems early, and support licensees who consistently serve well-kept beer.

By moving to the national system, we’re ensuring that your efforts go further than ever before.

If you have any questions or would like help getting started, please speak to a committee member at a branch meeting or get in touch via the branch website.

Thank you for continuing to support good beer, well kept – and for helping CAMRA make a difference.