When is a club not a club? When it temporarily becomes a pub in order to scoop a major award for the quality of its ale.

The Campaign for Real Ale faced a conundrum when it wanted to consider Guiseley Factory Workers Club & Institute for its Winter Pub of the Season 2006 award.

The branch decided the Town Street venue, which has been running for more than a century, could be classed as a pub for the purposes of the competition.

Now the club has been named winner of the award in what it believes is a first for working men's clubs in the area.

Club assistant secretary Rick Lamb, of Grove Park, Yeadon, said: "We're delighted with it - it's the pinnacle of local success for us really. It's only awarded by beer drinkers who wouldn't have given us it if it wasn't right.

"This honour is awarded every season to the pub, or club, the membership decide deserves to be recognised for the quality of their beers.

"It is believed this is the first time that a working men's club has taken the award in Leeds.

"Because of the growing popularity of real ales, the club has sold 140 different beers during the year and has tried more than 220 ales of a variety of styles and tastes during its short period of taking guest ales.

"The variety is important but it is the quality that is paramount and this is due to the skills of club steward Bill Warne, who has many years experience of looking after licensed premises and his staff."

The award will be presented to the club, which is also listed in CAMRA's 2007 Good Beer Guide, on Tuesday.

The club only introduced real ales a few years ago but they immediately proved a hit, and it was the only working man's club in Leeds to be named in last year's good beer guide.

Early in 2006 the establishment had its very own real ale, Factory Tun Up, produced to celebrate it reaching "a century of real ales". The exclusive special brew has proved a hit with members and visitors alike.

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