BEAUTIFUL beer at Tadcaster Pub Company got an MP's lipsmacking approval.

Selby MP John Grogan was presenting the firm's managing director, James Crawfurd-Porter with a Beautiful Beer award, recognising the company's commitment to offering top-quality beer to its customers.

The awards, established by the British Beer And Pubs Association, the trade association for pub operating companies and brewers, go to individual pubs and companies. And who better to hand over the accolade than Mr Grogan, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group?

He said: "Beer plays a vital role in the economy of this country, and especially in Tadcaster. The Beautiful Beer initiative, which encourages people to choose beer over other drinks more often, can only benefit the brewing industry and I'm delighted that Tadcaster Pub Company has been selected.

"It is a shining example of a company that shows real dedication to ensuring its customers have a wide range of top-quality beers to choose from."

Tadcaster Pub Company, with an estate of 64 pubs, offers an extensive range of ales and lagers to its licensees and encourages them to stock traditional cask ale. It even has a resident cask ale specialist, Glenn Hymers, a former pub tenant, who advises newcomers on the selection and handing of traditional beers.