The Mermaid in Herts is celebrated as Pub of the Year, boosted by manager Grace Simpson, offering beer, music, and food.
Grace is 25 and has pub experience. She worked at Wetherspoons and The Boot. She took the job in February 2024. She said the job boosted her people skills. Grace feels running the pub taught her things.
The owners trust Grace, so they stepped back. She feels proud they trust her judgment now. She was scared at first about taking charge, yet the owners supported her move.
Grace respects Mark and John’s passion. She recognizes their dedication to the pub. Her staff and customers make the pub special. She feels she passed the customers’ “interview.”
When stressed, she reflects on their success. With her supportive team, anything is possible. The Mermaid won “Pub of the Year” from The Telegraph. She didn’t know about the article beforehand.
Grace thought the news was a joke at first. She was delighted by the nice surprise. She asks, “Who wouldn’t want to visit the best pub?” The pub offers beer, music, and a good vibe.
They host music, beer festivals, and darts. A spacious beer garden is open in summer and it can get hectic. Bank Holiday beer festivals are coming back, and they are trying a new festival layout this year. They plan one beer fest, one cider fest, and a combo of both. A gin and fizz festival may happen.
Young adults try their craft beers now too, which she has never seen before. Guinness is very popular at The Mermaid, where they also have similar stouts on tap. Pork pies and scotch eggs sell out quickly. They also offer pies and food trucks.
The reporter enjoys the ciders at The Mermaid, and the session IPA is also a favorite of his. He recommends the scotch egg with a pale ale, and the “Moo” pie is a great choice, too.