SIX hundred and seventy one pints and he didn't even want to win. Committed drinker Snowy drunk 13.7 pints a day for seven weeks to amass 61 entries into the Exhibition Group/John Smith's draw for an Amsterdam holiday.

The star prize went to a drinker elsewhere, but it certainly was a sterling effort from the pub's favourite regular.

A pre-Christmas buy-ten-get-one-free promotion in participating Exhibition empire pubs saw more than a thousand entries into last week's draw to win the holiday and a variety of booze. But John Snowdon, 56, gave himself more than a sporting chance with his massive haul of entries.

"He is a real character," said George Forman, boss at the Exhibition Hotel, Bootham, York.

"He is here, or at Thomas's, every day and he always has a few beers."

He is well known to staff for taking photos of other customers as well as bringing in two newspapers every morning.

His gargantuan drinking effort did secure him a bottle of whisky in the prize draw at the pub, drawn and compered by Bar Talk itself.

"The promotion was a real success, it pushed the product well and gave people another good reason to drink John Smith's in our pubs," added George. "The promotion didn't work that well for Snowy - he drinks that amount of Johns anyway."

-THE Merrys are even merrier this week.

Jack and Mel Merry, the team behind The Ackhorne on St Martin's Lane, York, have received the ultimate accolade from members of the Campaign For Real Ale, York branch.

The Ackhorne has been named CAMRA Pub of the Year.

It is a great seal of approval for Jack and Mel, whose stewardship of this special boozer first reassured then delighted worried regulars.

In the summer of 1999, the couple took over from Tony and Jacqui Featherstone, who did so much to make this a treasured pub.

"When we first came in, there was a lot of concern about me making it into a Micklegate Run-type pub," Jack admitted. "That was never going to happen, but at least people know that now."

They have made changes, however. He has introduced a range of malt whiskies behind the bar as well as some "girlie bottles".

This is in addition to the five real ales on at all times, including two regulars: Rooster's Yankee (ah, heaven) and Black Sheep.

From next week, Jack is introducing a 'beer of the month', starting with Golden Hornet from Wakefield brewery Clark's.

Jack is thrilled by the award. "We're really chuffed," he said. "It's nice to be praised, and you can't get anything better than the CAMRA Pub of the Year."

He went on to make an Oscar-style acceptance speech thanking fellow licensees such as Andy Mackay at the Tap & Spile, Shaun Collinge at The Maltings and Amanda Hamill at the Phalanx & Firkin for their support.

-STAFF at specialist off licence Beer Ritz know a thing or two about ales. And they want to share that with the rest of us, bless 'em.

With that in mind, they have organised a number of beer tastings in the snug surroundings of their Stonegate shop.

Now they are staging the first tasting away from home. They haven't travelled far, however: the event takes place at Kennedy's, Little Stonegate, York.

Up for gargling will be a range of continental beers.

"We want to get a regular tasting fixture set up," said manager Luke Mitchell, "so we can introduce York residents to what we are doing and what's available to them."

The event starts at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 22. Tickets cost £8 and for that you can taste up to ten beers and munch through some nibbles. Buy tickets from Beer Ritz, or on the door. More from 01904 644344.

-PAUL Worthington, York City fan and Bootham Tavern supremo, is in the early stages of planning a game between his pub team and a Leeds United old boys XI.

Details of dates, times, venue, formation and post-match sandwiches will be printed in this column as soon as they are available.