Dea Latis welcomes pub-loving Cathy

Dea Latis, the industry beer and women forum, has welcomed a pub enthusiast into its fold. Cathy Price, who is on a mission to visit every Red Lion pub in the country, has been made an honorary Dea Latis member in recognition of her unique contribution to the group’s aim of ‘bringing beer to women’.

Cathy Price, centre, is presented with the certificate by Annabel Smith (left) and Ros Shiel (right) of Dea Latis.

Cathy’s pub pilgrimage began in April last year after a visit to a Red Lion in Hawkshead, Cumbria. To date, she has visited 135 of the estimated Red Lions in the countryand is expecting the challenge to take until 2014 to complete. Cathy orders a beer – preferably local ale –  in every pub she visits, having been ‘converted’ by Dea Latis members from her previous tipple of red wine.

Unsurprisingly, Cathy’s ambitious pub crawl creates interest wherever she goes and she has been interviewed countless times by local press and radio stations. She has written about all her visits and is planning to put them in a book. “It’s been the most amazing experience,” she says. “There’s something unique about walking into a pub in a new part of the country and sitting down with a glass of beer. It’s the best way to find out about a local area and the people who live there.”

Read Cathy’s poem about her pub experiences – good and bad –below. Follow Cathy via on Facebook/Cathy’s Crazy Red Lion Pub Crawl or onTwitter CathyPrice@RedLion-Quest

Red Lion’s with brass bellsThose with bad smells,Good home cooked foodBar tenders in a mood, Slug trails on the floor Toilet seats behind the door, Signs which are faded Décor old and jaded, Super helpful staff Locals good for a laugh,, Beer gardens with umbrellas Merry beer- drinking  fellas, Brewery’s at the back Red Wines in a rack, Smelly ash trays outside Hanging baskets that have died, Curtains that need cleaning Bars shiny and gleaming, A local Cask Ale A pub up’ For Sale’,

I have sat on church pewsSeen Estuary views,Perched on a bar stoolIn some we play pool, A perfect thatched roof Staff cold and aloof A Bowling Green at the rear A pint of “Off” Beer A Punjabi Landlord Offers on the blackboard Pink Port over ice I thought it sounded quite nice Cheap House Doubles A flat glass of bubbles All this I have seen To these Red Lion’s I have been And there are still hundreds more To enjoy, and explore. The worst and the best Of this RED LION QUEST!