Punch Pubs & Co has launched its very own Quality Drinks award in partnership with Cask Marque, to further improve and recognise drinks quality and best practice in Punch pubs across the UK.
The initiative will enable its pubs to be assessed and marked on the quality of serve in all aspects of its drinks – from keg beer and cask ale to spirits and soft drinks – giving them a total score on the cellar doors, with the highest receiving the Punch Quality Drinks award.
Every part of the drinks delivery to a customer will be tested through inspections by experts Cask Marque. It will look at the temperature and clarity of draught products alongside glassware, glass washing, garnishes for cocktails and spirits and how all the drinks are served. Those that gain a four or five-star rating will receive the award certificate and plaque.
Speaking about the initiative, Marketing and Strategy Director for Punch, Russell Danks, said, “Every customer going for a drink in a pub deserves the very best, whether that’s how a gin is served, the head on their cask ale or the temperature of their lager or craft beer. This initiative helps our Publicans serve every drink just how it should be, in the right glasses, at the right temperature and with the right mixer and garnish. By doing this, they get to tell the whole world they are good at what they do.
Our aim is to get at least 250 of our pubs awarded in the next 12 months with more coming on after the first phase.”
Each pub will be inspected by Cask Marque twice a year.
Danks added, “Our drinks suppliers work tirelessly to brew and produce the very best products and its only right that at the place they are served to the customer their taste and quality is maintained. This initiative will ensure this and that Punch pubs are No. 1 for their drinks being served.”
The initiative is part of a project celebrating everything that’s great about enjoying drinks in pubs. As part of this, Punch has also introduced its own house cask, which can now be enjoyed at 130 of its pubs, and this month its 500th pub received the Cask Marque accreditation.