Westcountry beer drinkers should raise their glasses in celebration. Pubs in the region are serving some of the best pints in the UK.

Truro, Exeter, Bristol and Plymouth all finished in the top 10 of a study by Cask Marque, an independent quality assessor for cask conditioned ale.

Beer buffs at Cask Marque carried out a total of 9,403 pub visits during 2007 and rated approximately 28,000 pints.

Truro took second place, with local pubs averaging a near perfect score of 19.5 out of a possible 20 points.

The city's ales were tested by Cask Marque inspectors for serving temperature, appearance, aroma and taste during a series of mystery shopper-style visits.

Paul Nunny, Cask Marque: "We were extremely impressed by the consistent quality of pints being pulled in Truro and offer our congratulations to local publicans, many of whom have already gained Cask Marque accreditation."

Exeter came fourth, Bristol took sixth spot, while Plymouth finished in eighth position.

Huddersfield, in West Yorkshire, came out on top of the Cask Marque survey.

"For pub goers to really enjoy and appreciate their ale it has to be served just right," said Cask Marque director Paul Nunny.

"We were extremely impressed by the consistent quality of pints being pulled in Truro and offer our congratulations to local publicans, many of whom have already gained Cask Marque accreditation."

Cask conditioned ale differs from lagers and ‘smooth’ bitters because it is a living product that arrives at the pub not fully fermented.

Publicans play a key role in finishing the ale, using their skill, knowledge and experience to look after the product and serve it when the quality is at its best.

Nunny added: "Cask ale is unique to British pubs and when it is well kept and well presented there is nothing else quite so refreshing and flavoursome. Get it wrong, however, and you run the risk of putting the consumer off for life."

Cask Marque has inspected and accredited 4,300 real ale pubs throughout Britain. Its inspectors say the perfect pint must be served between 11 and 13 degrees centigrade in a spotlessly clean glass. The beer should have good clarity, a fresh aroma and a refreshing aftertaste.