Revealed: The 16 best real ale pubs in Yorkshire

You’d certainly need to be handy with bus and railway timetables to create your own long-distance ale trail.

The super 16 have been singled out for special praise by the Campaign for Real Ale which has drawn up a list of the country’s best 200 community pubs.

Volunteers with Camra have been judging pubs for decor, value for money, customer service and, of course, the quality of their beer.

Camra announced its 200 Local Pubs of the Year to launch Community Pubs Month.

“Community Pubs Month is about highlighting the important role pubs play in community life,” said Tom Stainer, of Camra.

“No pubs are better examples of fantastic locals than these 200 Camra branch winners.

“Each one of them has been judged the best in their respective area and all are well worth seeking out for any would-be ale lovers.”

A survey by Camra revealed that 75 per cent of pub-goers believe a well run pub is as important to community life as a post office, local shop or community centre - but despite this 29 pubs are still being lost in the UK every week.

Camra is urging people to get down to their local pub and buy a pint or two.

“Pubs play an essential role in our communities and are clearly very highly valued,” said a spokesman.

“But despite this pubs are still being lost at an alarming rate across the UK.

“The best way people can protect their local’s future is by getting down there and supporting it - that is why throughout April Camra will be calling on people to visit their local pub and support an important British industry.”

In Yorkshire - where some Camra branches have yet to decide their best pub - the list includes: Barnsley: Old No 7; Bradford: Jacobs Beer House; Doncaster: Corner Pin; Halifax: Three Pigeons; Harrogate: Harrogate Tap; Mirfield: Flower Pot; Huddersfield: Grove Inn; Beverley: Chequers Micropub; Keighley: Brown Cow; Leeds: Kirkstall Bridge Inn; Hawes: White Hart Country Inn; Rotherham: Beehive; Pickering: Sun Inn; Sheffield: Kelham Island Tavern; Castleford: Junction; York: Maltings.

In a straw poll by The Yorkshire Post, pub lovers posted a few of their own favourite Yorkshire pubs.

On Facebook, Paul Denton said: “My second favourite pub, Three Pigeons, is on the list but not the Cross Keys at Siddal, near Halifax (my favourite) - great beer and wonderful pies.”

On twitter, Chris Shaw, a business development expert, said a great pub required “friendly staff and landlord, good location, beer garden, good selection of beers and wines and ‘olde worlde’ charm.”

His own favourite watering holes include The Butchers Arms at Hepworth, Ripponden’s Old Bridge Inn, The Mustard Pot in Leeds and The Woodman Inn, Huddersfield.

Graphic artist Matt Smith named Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Leeds, as his favourite, tweeting: “Friendly staff, vast array of beer, fantastic food, dogs allowed.”

In Yorkshire - where some Camra branches have yet to decide their best pub - the list includes:

Barnsley: Old No 7.

Bradford: Jacobs Beer House.

Doncaster: Corner Pin.

Halifax: Three Pigeons.

Harrogate: Harrogate Tap.

Mirfield: Flower Pot.

Huddersfield: Grove Inn.

Beverley: Chequers Micropub.

Keighley: Brown Cow.

Leeds: Kirkstall Bridge Inn.

Hawes: White Hart Country Inn.

Rotherham: Beehive.

Pickering: Sun Inn.

Sheffield: Kelham Island Tavern.

Castleford: Junction.

York: Maltings.

• Is your favourite on this list? If not, tell us! Sing its praises below, or visit our Facebook page.