Four Goulburn pubs up for Australian Hotel Association Awards

The answer will be discovered on November 21 at the Australian Hotel Association Awards.

One thing for sure - Goulburn is punching well above its weight when it comes to its hotels.

Out of 600 entries, four hotels from Goulburn have been named as finalists in seven different award categories.

The Southern Railway Hotel is a finalist in the Best Draught Beer category.

The Tattersalls Hotel is a finalist for Best Outdoor Dining Experience, Best Gaming Venue Country and Best Pub Tab Country.

The Hibernian Hotel is up for Best Casual Dining Venue Country Southern, Best Cheap Eat Under $15 and Best Steak Venue. 

The Astor Hotel is a finalist in Best Pub Style Accommodation - deluxe.

Southern Railway Hotel assistant manager Sara McFarlane said it was a “great boost” for the 

“The most important thing about a pub is it’s beer, after all,” she said.

“We are excited to be nominated and we are all attending the awards next week at the Star Casino.

Ms McFarlane said their nomination was based on inspections of their cool room, storeroom and bar as well as separate visits by a ‘mystery shopper.’ 

“Fifty per cent of the judging was to do with our cool room - its cleanliness and the way we clean our beer lines,” she said. 

“We run chemicals through the lines every two weeks and we have to take off all of the bar taps and remove the lines to the kegs to avoid yeast buildups. This is how we get out crispy flavour and taste.”

She said they were also judged on the temperature of the cool room and the cleanliness of the bar and glasses. 

“We had a mystery shopper. We had no idea when they were here, even though we know most of the regulars,” she said.

Owner of the Astor and the Tattersalls Hotels, Peter Griffiths said he was pleased with the nominations and the accolade for accommodation at the Astor was well-deserved. 

“You put a lot of hard work in so it is nice to be recognised,” he said. 

“The new rooms at the Astor have been well received. We are now attracting the corporate traveller. They are beautifully appointed. It is another string in our bow.

““We are confident we can win. We won a few years ago with the Royal Hotel in Queanbeyan.”

He said the refurbishment of the Tatts was still underway.

“We have the cafe to do and also the Clinton St side,” he said 

Hibernian Hotel owner Cathryn Burke was “thrilled” that the hoel’s bistro had been recognised.

“They are three terrific categories and we are thrilled to be in it again,” she said. 

“This is the fourth year running that we have been finalists in these awards.

“Goulburn has more to offer than ever in hospitality and there is enough people in the town to patronise every hotel and club.”