MEMBERS of the Devizes branch of the Campaign for Real Ale were accused of being smug and aggressive when tasting the beer at an award-winning pub in the area last week.

Last Thursday, the group of 14 ale enthusiasts dropped into the Bridge Inn at Horton, recently awarded a Cask Marque for the quality of its draught ale, for one of their regular monthly meetings.

But the beer didn't prove up to their standards and the group ended up being asked never to return by landlord Kevin Maul.

Mr Maul said: "These people are not yobbos. They are highly educated people in professional occupations. But the way they came to the pub that night, they were obviously looking to find trouble.

"They complained about the beer, and were given replacement glasses.

"Some comments were made that were insulting to our staff and, I have to admit, they were getting under my skin.

"The last straw was when they got up to leave and all, one after the other, banged their empty glasses on the counter. One man said: "We won't be coming back here for your vinegar".

"I am a great supporter of CAMRA. Without them we would all be drinking keg beer by now. But these people go around, unannounced, with the sole intention of making their presence felt. I can do without them, quite frankly."

Don Jones, chairman of the Devizes branch of CAMRA, said the group met monthly at various pubs in the area. He said: "We like to move around to spread our custom among the pubs in the district and decided, as the Bridge had recently been awarded a Cask Marque, we would stop in there for a pint.

"The first pint we had was definitely off. When we pointed this out to the landlady we were told that beer from the wood was an acquired taste.

"I got up at the end to thank the staff for their hospitality and the landlord came round the corner and told me he was not going to have his staff spoken to that way and didn't want us in his pub again."

Landlady Sue Jacobs said: "The staff told us there was a problem. Having no idea who these people were, I explained that beer from the wood has no head and tastes differently from beer served from aluminium casks.

"They were offered replacement glasses but I was aware of caustic comments coming from some of them."

Alan Powell, one of the group of ale enthusiasts, complained of their treatment. He said: "We were not only faced with beer that was definitely not up to the standards expected of Wadworth's public houses, but were also engaged in some pretty ropey PR skills, as demonstrated by the landlady.

"Then followed a tense debate with the landlord, who was somewhat rude, insisting that he did not agree with us, and asked us to leave the pub. I fail to understand pubs that don't put customers first, especially as they are the ones who are meant to be looked after in a convivial manner so that they will return.

"The beer served was not only expensive, but undrinkable."

Mr Maul reported the incident to Wadworth, which owns the canalside pub. The following day senior director Fred West happened to call on another matter and Mr Maul asked him to sample the beer at the centre of the controversy.

Mr Maul said: "He said to me, Kevin, this beer is perfect. There is nothing wrong with it at all."