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No.180 Spring 2017
NORFOLK NIPS HITS 180!
WHO’S THE RISE OF BREWING? THE MACHINES The Head Brewer of Is the future of beer Panther brewery dispense without discusses big changes humans? Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale
Norfolk Nips | Bournemouth AGM Colin Valentine: Why In this issue: I’m looking forward to Looking forward to Bournemouth 3 Bournemouth Tobi’s Tipple 5 friends, make new acquain - Pub and Brewery News 6-8 tances and socialise with other The Ed’lines 10 CAMRA members from across the country. Stig’s Words 11
Most importantly, the Award Presentation 13 Members’ Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for any Around Breweries 14 member across the organisation – whether you have just joined, Norfolk Brewhouse Expansion 17 been a member for 20+ years, active or inactive – to shape the Who’s Brewing? 18-19 future direction and purpose of Bird’s Eye View 21 CAMRA. Thetford Developments 22 This April, I will be joining As Chairman, I now have the CAMRA members from across great responsibility of making Pub is the Hub 23 the UK in the seaside resort of sure that the AGM and Confer - Bournemouth for CAMRA’s ence part of the Members’ Letters to the Editor 24-25 Members’ Weekend, which Weekend is run successfully and includes our National AGM and open to every single one of our Norwich Beer Festival Logo 27 Conference. 185,000 members. This year, that responsibility is even From the Archives 29 I have been attending the greater than ever before. CAMRA Members’ Weekend for Rise of the Machines 30-31 almost 30 years, well before I was active nationally, never “Following 50 Hove, actually 35-39 mind National Chairman. Those consultation meet - of you who were in Norwich in ings across the UK CAMRA LocAle Update 41 2013 may remember that I still and three national CAMRA Discount Scheme 43 have my glass from my first surveys, we have AGM weekend, as they were CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar 45 then called, in Norwich in now seen the 1990. Even prior to becoming proposals that were Beer Festival Listings 46-57 Chairman, I always made an put forward by the effort to travel to whichever Join CAMRA 58 corner of the country the Revitalisation weekend was held and have Project Steering Steve’s Words 59 only missed one since then - Committee on CAMRA Branch Calendar 61 and was even organiser in CAMRA’s future.” Edinburgh in 1998. It has Contacts 62 always been, and still is, an opportunity to meet with old Continued Overleaf Spring 2017 | 3
Norfolk Nips | Bournemouth AGM - continued
Following 50 consultation Over the weekend, members – where every member has the meetings across the UK and will be able to consider the opportunity to feed into our three national surveys, we have Revitalisation Project and policies, direction and future. now seen the proposals that proposals on the future of I never forget that without our were put forward by the Revi - CAMRA in a series of discussion huge membership base and talisation Project Steering groups. It will be your chance to dedicated volunteers; there Committee on CAMRA’s future. have a say on the Revitalisation simply would not be a CAMRA. Whether you agree or disagree Project’s findings and represent with the proposals, took part in your views in the debate. A final I hope you will consider the consultation events or decision on the proposals will joining us in Bournemouth this stayed at home, the Members’ then be taken at the Members’ year. The closing date for regis - Weekend will be the opportu - Weekend in 2018. tration is Friday 17th March nity to discuss them inside and 2017. For more information out ahead of a decision next I am proud to chair an organi - simply visit camraagm.org.uk. year. sation that is a true democracy Charity ale is back as a proven life saver
It’s back, after last year’s charity beer Tobi’s Tipple Special Edition really did save a life... Tobi’s Tipple launch at the Bob Carter Centre Last summer, Alan contacted the Norfolk Brew - house and literally said ‘Did you know your beer saves lives?’ So joining forces again with Testicular cancer is the most common form of Norwich based charity It’s On The Ball and with cancer amongst young men as well asa difficult support from of over 70 pubs and clubs across subject to get men talking about. So creating a Norfolk, Tobi’s Tipple Special Edition is back on special beer, with the support of pubs, seemed bars throughout January to continue raising like the perfect combination to increase aware - awareness of testicular cancer. ness and conversations, whilst also encouraging people into their local in January, often one of After drinking a pint at his local club, the Bob the toughest months in a pub’s year. Carter Centre in Drayton, just outside of Norwich, Alan said “The It’s On The Ball infor - Tobi is the charity’s pants wearing logo (an mation, provided by The Norfolk Brewhouse anagram of IOTB, the initials of It’s On The Ball). with their (particularly fine) Tobi's Tipple, His oversized y-fronts have been seen at many prompted me to think that something wasn’t events, increasing the awareness of the charity right. This opinion was subsequently confirmed and its basic message for men to check them - by those infinitely more qualified than me. My selves monthly. A ‘Pants Wall of Fame’ is a cancer was detected and treated at Stage 1 (the feature on the IOTB website and it is hoped that earliest and most survivable of four). As a conse - many more pictures will be added to this during quence of this, my prognosis is very good. S ome the campaign. people I speak to regarding my experience seem to be very uncomfortable and embarrassed Norfolk Brewhouse Brewer and co-owner about the subject. Please try and get over this; I David Holliday, said; “To us, supporting It’s On don't like to think where I would be today if I'd The Ball is a no brainer, by spreading a simple been too embarrassed to visit my GP.” message we can all easily help save lives. Spring 2017 | 5 Pub and Brewery News | Norfolk Nips Pub and Brewery News Ian Stamp’s News closed for several months. News from the West In the county, the Heart of The Rising Sun at Coltishall Wymondham closed in We start with an apology. In has re-opened, and has four October and reopened in the last issue I referred to a blue ales on the bar, two from December. Thurne Lion plaque that was on display Greene King, one from Adnams closed at the end of October behind the bar in an unnamed and one from Humpty Dumpty when the landlord retired, and pub. I have received a serious at our visit in November. Food the Three Horseshoes , amount of grief for this and I is served at lunchtime and in Warham, a real gem and on would like to make it clear that, the evening, and there’s a nice CAMRA’s list of historic inte - although this is not an official outside area with views along riors, was sold after the owners blue plaque as awarded by the river, as well as a large of 30+ years retired. The pub English Heritage, neither was it restaurant area featuring a will be closing until April for commissioned by the landlord collection of sewing machines refurbishment - hopefully sensi - of the pub as suggested. In fact and a 6d slot machine from the tive! Also the Gull , it was the gift of a satisfied 60s! Framingham Pigot; and the customer, and I apologise for Gallon Pot , in Great suggesting otherwise. Not much in the way of good Yarmouth have both closed. news in Norwich , where we As you are probably aware, learn that Greene King, owners Better news from the White some of our pubs are under of the Windmill , on Plum - Horse at East Barsham, which threat, so here is an update. stead Road, want to sell the car is to re-open as the Barsham The Railway Arms on park for houses to be built. The Arms ; the Bell at Brisley and Downham Station is closed, pub’s locals obtained over 100 the Blue Bell at Langham , and Ian, the former landlord signatures to nominate the pub which have both reopened, was unable to agree terms to as an ACV, and Norwich City and the King’s Head , Filby , reopen it and has moved on to Council have visited and will which we hear is to be refur - new ventures. Damian, from decide shortly. bished and reopened - well the property company in done to the local Save the charge of marketing the former The Pig & Whistle in West - Kings Head Filby group, who bar told me in January. legate closed just before raised the Asset of Community Christmas when Enterprise Inns Value nomination, which is ‘I am still awaiting the and the latest tenants (who believed to have saved the pub approval from the railway also run the Walnut Tree from developers! company to begin marketing Shades) could not agree an this as there are apparently increased rent, after they had For details of all ACV pubs, some repairs required and run the pub for six months. and to nominate your local given it’s grade II listing this And the Freed Man , Mildred pub, or any other as an Asset of may take a while. In the mean - Road, has been granted plan - Community Value, please visit time I have been putting ning permission for conversion norwichcamra.org.uk/acv or together a contact list of people residential use. contact who have expressed an interest [email protected] in the property and will email There is a small silver lining, in them in due course. If you wish that the Robin Hood in I can add people that you may Anchor Street, re-opened in feel will be interested so that late November after being they are sent details as well.’
6 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Pub and Brewery News
So contact me if you are operating on Friday evenings, Lynn, we discovered that Bar interested, and I will send on but if it continues to go well Red and the Maids Head your details. Saturday opening is planned. were both closed, though this When we first visited there was may be a temporary situation. The Lord Nelson at a cask of Ghost Ship and some There is a smart new bar in the Burnham Thorpe is closed as I real cider. It was so good we front room of the Duke’s write, but Mike from Greene went back the following week Head on Tuesday Market King tells me ‘It is our intention and had the Citra beer in pref - place, occupying what used to however to reopen for trading erence to the two ciders and be the bistro, but there was no as soon as possible and we are range of gins on offer. real ale. More encouragingly, collaborating closely with the there is a planning application parish council, The Nelson Good news also at the Ouse on the old Jessops Camera Historical Society, the local Amateur Sailing Club , shop at the end of the high authority and the 1805 Charity where a special meeting in Street seeking permission for a on the renovation project for January was briefed about the craft beer bar. Hopefully this the Lord Nelson. Given the rich planned changes to separate will sell real ale if the objections heritage and local significance the Social Club from the from the charity shop next of the pub this is a complex Sailors. I believe that it was well door can be overcome. task but the matter is in hand. attended and a steering group Any improvements we intend have been formed to take the There are new people in the to make must comply with proposals to be ratified at an White Horse at Gaywood, planning and regulatory EGM in March. It is likely that who have ambitions to create a approval, therefore I cannot the name will be changed, but family environment where all commit to providing you with otherwise it will operate much are welcome. Phil Ashman, a reopening date but I suspect as it has done in the past. who took over at the begin - that this will have to be some - ning of the year is also time in the spring 2017.’ Several pubs are being refur - planning events such as bingo, bished. The Ffolkes Arms in quiz nights and student nights. The North Pickenham Hillington closed in January for Community Trust are, as far as I several months while major The Foldgate at Stradsett am aware still looking to works are carried out. We has been closed for a while and reopen the Blue Lion in North visited just before Christmas as I write it is being advertised Pickenham, and a google and I was impressed to see a as being to let. As suits its posi - search will lead you to more giant pin board with customers tion at the junction of two busy details. suggestions about what they roads, it has always had a good wanted included. I was also reputation for food, and should One of the new ventures that impressed by the beer, so prove a sound investment, so Ian of the Railway has been hopefully that will be near the hopes are high that it will involved in is a pop up pub in top of the list. Work has finally reopen. Tottenhill, called the Drivers started on the Wenns Hotel Club . It opened in January and on Saturday Market Place in I was disappointed to learn the first night exceeded expec - Lynn, but it looks like a long that Jo C ’s have ceased tations, so much that by job, so it may be a month or brewing. Not only was Norfolk around 9.30 the customers had two before we see the results of Kiwi one of my favourite beers, drunk the place dry. It is situ - the labours. Down Norfolk I also have great memories of a ated above the classic car show Street, Chicago’s is also under - visit to the brewery where Jo room on the small retail estate going a major refit and I gave us a tour. Unlike some opposite Bilton’s restaurant believe will be renamed. breweries that cease produc - (formerly the Dray and Not everything in the garden Horses ). Initially it is only is rosy. On a recent trip around Continued Overleaf Spring 2017 | 7 Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips tion, Jo’s decision is due to the success of the enterprise which has transformed a one day a fortnight hobby into a full time job. The good news is that Boudicca Brewery are taking over the premises and with experience brewer Andy Mitchell on the team, we should get some excellent ales. Brewery founders Simon St Ruth, Helen St Ruth and Emma Pinder are committed to producing vegan beer, which should boost their appeal.
Norfolk Nips and Cask Force will no longer be available from the Crown and Mitre in Kings Lynn.
Your top scoring pubs in the West Norfolk branch area over the last three months on the STOUT NAMED IN NBSS scheme are Great Hockham Eagle (4.41/5), Castle Acre Ostrich (4.33), HONOUR OF LOCAL Peddars Sporle, Swan, South Wootton, Stuart House, Kings Lynn, Bedingfeld PUB LEGEND Arms, Oxborough , and Crown Hotel, Norwich’s longest established brewery, Chalk Downham Market (all 4.25). Hill, has announced the name of its new stout – Jeff Black Anna. The name, which has real Norwich pub heritage, was chosen by the judges from the hundreds of entries received. However, the suggestion was anonymous and Chalk Hill is now inviting family of Black Anna to come forward to receive the prize.
The stout’s name honours Anna Carrera, a local publican who ran the Jolly Butchers on Ber Street, Norwich, with her husband Jack Hannent from 1935. During more than 40 years there behind the bar, Anna became quite the local legend, singing jazz and blues to a packed pub when the Americans arrived during the Second World War and during the 1950s and 60s. Folk - lore suggests she was called Black Anna for her long black hair and black clothing.
Robbie Wincup, head brewer at Chalk Hill Brewery, said: “We were really surprised at the response to our ‘Name our stout’ competition – we had hundreds and hundreds of entries. It’s such a shame we don’t know who submitted it but we would love to be able to find some of Black Anna’s family and give them the opportunity to try the stout themselves and enjoy the prize.” 8 | Spring 2017
The Ed’lines
Hopefully by the time you are reading this the National Winter Ales Beer Festival has been a great success and they will let us host it in Norwich for the next 2 years. I thank you if you helped as a volunteer and also as a customer. I intend to have a full report from the organiser Rob Whitmore in our next edition.
Talking of drinking I noted a recent report that going down to the pub is good for you. Well we all knew that but now it is official. Very impor - tant scientists in Oxford have carried out research that found people who visited their local regularly felt more content and more likely to trust members of their community. It seems we actually talk to each other rather than by social networking. Is this why micro-pubs are so popular? Drinkers who visited city centre bars Pub cellar spot ted had shorter conversations and were less engaged with those who they were talking to as doing 60mph the groups were too big to support conversa - tion. I know our January First Friday Five had 49 do wn the M6 . people in our group and even though I tried it was difficult to talk to everybody. The paper Don’t be alarmed, it’s just one of our lorries. ‘Functional benefits of modest alcohol consump - Good beer needs to travel well. So to ensure our beer is delivered to pubs in perfect tion’ can be read in Adaptive Human Behaviour condition, we designed our own lorries that and Physiology at tinyurl.com/hdtpg7c always keep our casks at cellar temperature, whatever the weather. They keep our beers I expect you have all seen the recommenda - between 10 and 12 degrees, allowing for the tions of the CAMRA revitalisation project and at correct conditioning that gives Landlord its clean and crisp flavour. So however near or least we have been sensible in the outcome. We far from the brewery you are, you’re always will still keep our name and support Real Ale & going to get that taste of Taylor’s. Ciders as usual. The main priority I see is to spend more time campaigning for the pub and All fo r tha t t aste o f Taylor ’s at last this will be stepped up a gear. If you took part then you can be proud we have stayed with our core values. This will all be discussed at our Members’ Weekend and AGM in Bournemouth on 7-9th April so why not attend and have your say in person.
Well spring is approaching when hopefully the weather improves so you can at least sit outside and enjoy another wonderful pint of Real Ale. Heaven. Graham 10 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | From the Editors Stig’s Words Every year the issues of Nips come and go and I stop me or other folk in my age group joining have to think of something original to say for CAMRA and supporting it. All organisations with each of them. I guess I could just re-hash the any kind of aim have their dogma and not diatribe of twelve months ago as it is unlikely joining a church because they believe in God that anyone remembers it, plus it would probably and you don’t would be a very valid one. still apply! Obviously CAMRA is not a religion and even By the time you read this several things will be they change with time but not one of them is recent history, the National Winter Ales festival currently trying to recruit card carrying atheists. and fringe will have been a triumph/disaster (delete as necessary) in Norwich. The many When smooth keg beers were fashionable or CAMRA branches will have made their Good Beer alchopops, shots plus white cider, did CAMRA Guide selections, causing (embargoed till feel the need to embrace them? No. September) consternation amongst local land - lords. Various early beer festivals will have Apparently if something is “hand crafted” then happened and unfortunately some more pubs that’s different, but craft beer is still essentially will have been lost. Its all so awful isn’t it…” Life, part of a trendy hipster culture like long beards, don’t talk to me about life”. One of the advan - tattoos, woolly hats and (honestly) customised tages of being a pessimist is that you are never old BMW motorcycles. disappointed by the out come of anything. As I have always said people can drink I was slightly surprised when in response to anything they want, indeed I travel a lot and Tim’s broad minded appeal to the original ethos drink a lot of continental beers but they are of of CAMRA in the last issue a beer blogger their country’s or region’s tradition and some - quoted his words using the phrase “granddad” times pasteurised. CAMRA has been the defining to refer to the author and said it would turn off force in maintaining a cask tradition in Britain anyone under 40 wanting to join CAMRA, I and if it has achieved its aims and become irrele - could go into the comparative real ages of the vant then it won’t survive, maybe the thirst for a two authors but I’m not going to use such struggle (sorry) among younger drinkers has Trumpesque tactics. evaporated, or as an organisation we are seen too much as part of the industry these days So I’ll just say this: I joined CAMRA when I was rather than the group of concerned consumers twenty seven about the same time Tim did (we we once were. Maybe we’re so concerned with are the same age), I joined at a beer festival like beer festivals and awards we have forgotten the many others but became active because I big C in CAMRA, campaign. Perhaps a bit less believed that real ale was a valid style of brewing schmoose and a bit more boose are called for! and dispense. Pubs are a very important, in fact So basically I’m happy with evolution just not indispensable part of the scene because cask ale revolution. is only possible with their existence. If you think there is still work to do then get There was plenty of talk of details such as cask active or join us in the first place if not I’m sure breathers etc, much of which came from Jeff has some moustache wax to spare! members well under the “granddad” zone, some of which was intensely pedantic and Stig. (owner of a beard, several chunky jumpers might I say often boring. However this didn’t and 3 BMW bikes!)
Spring 2017 | 11
Norfolk Nips | Award Presentation National Presentation for Railway Arms in Downham Market
This latest award is for us of course tinged with more than a hint of sadness as we have unfortu - nately had to close within the past few weeks following the collapse of difficult negotiations with our landlord’s agent over a proposed rent increase that was for us unaffordable.
On the upside however - what a way to bow out - being viewed as one of the best four Cider Pubs in the country for the third time in four years - what can we say other than a huge thank you; to our staff, to CAMRA (all involved from our local Branch upwards), to our customers who came from near and far, to our suppliers (special mention should be made of the Downham Cider Company, Cromwell Cider, The Following on from the success of being selected Small Beer Company and Adnams - all of whom as CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) Regional have been so supportive and have produced or Cider Pub of the Year, the Railway Arms at supplied products of the highest quality) - and Downham Market was judged to be one of the to the very many people who have offered such best four cider pubs in country in the National kind words over the past few days and weeks. Cider Pub of the year 2016 competition. Andrea Briers, Chair of CAMRA’s Cider and Perry The railway used to regularly sell 7 or 8 ciders Committee and East Anglia Regional Director and perries and, when possible, include local said, “The Railway Arms was a worthy winner of products amongst their range but, unfortu - all their awards and it is very sad that they have nately, circumstances arose which meant the had to close. The loss of this very special pub pub had to close before their award could be leaves a large gap in the cider and perry market presented and The Kings’s Arms at Shouldham in West Norfolk”. kindly offered to host a presentation for the award to Ian, Lesley and Callum Pinches, who At the presentation Andrea also surprised Ian ran the Railway Arms over the years. and Callum with a special award from the East Anglia Region. Over the years they have given Ian, Lesley and Callum Pinches said “Knowing great support to East Anglian cider producers the company that The Railway Arms has kept in and promoted their products and they were CAMRA’s annual Cider Pub of the Year competi - presented a certificate to recognise their efforts. tion over the years, we have always been (and continue to be so) much humbled by the Thanks are due to the Kings Arms in Shouldham evident high regard that our little micro-pub has for hosting the presentation and we would like been viewed by those who have undertaken the to wish Ian and Lesley success in their new many and various unannounced visits to us. venture at the Historic Sports Car Collection at Tottenhill.
Spring 2017 | 13 Around Breweries News from the Brewery Liaison Coordinator
After a brief break at the Christmas period, Last but not least, we have to congratulate breweries have started this year with lots of several Norfolk breweries, who have won awards enthusiasm and news. in the Champion Beer of East Anglia competi - tion. Winter’s were the big winners, with a We had to say sadly farewell to Jo C’s , who gold for Winter’s Mild, a fantastic pint and very after seven successful years has decided to stop well deserved - a regular tipple of mine in my brewing and sell the brewery premises to local! The other winners were Humpty Boudicca . She said in a message to all her Dumpty with a bronze for their cracking customers on her website, that after years of hard Christmas Crack 7.0% in the Barley working and brilliant achievement had decided to Wines/Strong Ales category. say goodbye to brewing, as what started as a hobby ended up being a 24/7 job, and thanked In the Old Ales/ Strong Milds Category Wolf everyone for the support through all the years got the silver with Woild Moild and Wood - and wished the very best to Boudicca. forde’s the bronze with Norfolk Nog. And Grain won a total of four awards, with silver medals in Norfolk Brewhouse have been extremely the Golden Ales for 3.1.6, and Slate in the busy as they will be featuring one of the bars in Porters group, and bronze medals for Blonde the National Winter Ales Festival (NWAF) at The Ash in the Speciality category and Oak in the Halls from the 21st to the 25th February. They Bitter category. have two new beers, a deep and rich Orange Oli Fernandez Stout at 4.5%, and Five Candles , an amber 5.0% brewed with five malts and five hops cele - brating their five years in the brewing industry. They have also announced the arrival of their new brewery manager, Bruce Ash, who is also a beer sommelier, and who worked for Wood - forde’s for several years.
Also featuring a bar at NWAF are Wood - forde’s , Lacon’s and Green Jack . Lacon’s have been very busy promoting their beers, if you travel by train to London you can now enjoy your journey sampling Quell, their 5.4% Amer - ican IPA in a can. In February look for Jack Valentine a 4.2% brew celebrating Valentine’s day, if you like beers with a extreme bitter finish, this will be a perfect pint for you!
After a well-deserved Christmas break down under, Golden Triangle are back with a new brew available soon, Shenanigans, a nice 5.2% rounded milk stout, yes you are reading correctly, a milk stout! It will be launch at The Plasterers on the 22nd February from 19.00 onwards.
14 | Spring 2017
Multi-Award Winning Pub
Open from Midday Everyday Fresh home cooked food Local suppliers used where possible
Good selection of speciality Gin, Whisky & Rum
Large Beer Garden Upcoming Events
Real Ale, Cider, and Music Festivals during the Spring (May 26th-28th) and Summer (August 25th-28th) Bank Holiday weekends, with acts including:
Danny James, James Summerhill, Those Darned Mouldy Figs, DC Wilson Band, Time Machine and more TBC Tuesdays Ukele Group & Games nights, Pub quizzes every Thursday night. 3rd Sunday of every month Open Mic night. Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated through the summer
The Green Dragon, Wymondham
Brewing up expansion plans The appointment of a new brewery manager looks set to bring added Pictured inside The Norfolk innovation and variety as The Brewhouse are Rachel Holliday Norfolk Brewhouse celebrates five (left) Bruce Ash ( centre) and years in business and embarks on David Holliday the next stage of its development.
The appointment of a new brewery manager If we can support them by providing an ever- looks set to bring added innovation and variety changing and interesting range of beers – only as The Norfolk Brewhouse celebrates five years made available to pubs – then at least we are in business and embarks on the next stage of its doing our bit.” development. “Bruce’s experience and enthusiasm for Although a relative newcomer, The Norfolk brewing will mean that while we continue with Brewhouse, an award-winning brewery based in our established beers – Bruce can develop an Hindringham, North Norfolk has established exciting new range of beers and manage the itself a reputation not only for producing fine brewery’s expansion through new markets ales and lagers, but also in promoting the prove - across Norfolk and East Anglia.” nance of Norfolk. Little surprise therefore that in their search for the right member to join their “However global domination is not in our small team, of just five, they chose someone who plans! Our ability to create new beers and be is Norfolk through and through, appointing multi instantly responsive to new opportunities is award-winning Bruce Ash, who has spent 29 down to our small size, we are flexible and years at Norfolk’s longest established brewery – adaptable – and we never want to lose that.” Woodfordes. Bruce is thrilled to be part of the plans, and David Holliday, who founded the Brewhouse relishes the challenge of joining a team a frac - with his wife Rachel, explained the expansion tion of the size that he is used to working with: plans and what the new role of brewery manager will bring to the business: “The craft beer market is so exciting at the moment – new beers spring up almost daily and “We are so excited to welcome Bruce to the the customer is offered so much choice. Joining team, his wealth of experience in brewing will The Norfolk Brewhouse will allow me to express allow us to develop the business and make the creativity in beer design and help promote further investment in equipment and production Norfolk as a whole.” capacity.” “Norfolk is such a key part of the team’s philos - “We are passionate about ale, and also ophy – I guess the clue is in the name – and that passionate about supporting pubs, not just really attracted me to what they are trying to because they are our customers but because achieve.” they play such an active role in community life.
Spring 2017 | 17 Who’s Brewing? In the brewing chair is Alex Simpson, I helped out at weekends and we got the Head Brewer, Panther, Unit 1, Collers brewery started which used to be the Reepham Way, Reepham, Norfolk, NR10 4SW. We Brewery. It is now is the oldest brewing site still thought it was going to be Martin James in use in the county. I had not brewed before but big changes going on in the brewery. and noted how passionate he was about brewing. I started reading more into it and I was What did you do before brewing? here for three years at the beginning. I then I started in music technology engineering and went to Dark Star, West Sussex as Technical was involved in custom manufacturing of bulk Brewer for just over two years. Due to family liquids. There were lots of different shapes and reasons I came back to Norfolk in December. I like polypins up to 10,000 litres in scale which asked Martin about a job and he said he had a now helps me with our cask fresh containers. I big project going with the new bottling line and tried saving up for a music studio but it didn’t he brought me in as Head Brewer. I’m doing all happen. the brewing and trying to update all the recipes. It is a five barrel plant and we can max up to What got you into commercial brewing? seven. We brew two or three times a week and it I worked opposite Martin James and will be nice to revisit old recipes and maybe noticed he was opening a brewery. modernise them.
18 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Who’s Brewing?
How do you go about choosing the style Development and will be able to contract brew of beers you brew? for other breweries. It can bottle 1,000 bottles We have a range of nine beers and I want to an hour. The breweries deliver in 1,000 litre condense to a core range which will allow for boxes with fermenting sugars and yeasts in the more seasonal products. I really like traditional bottle. So true real ale. We can shift a lot of beers especially English and German. I’m trying production to bottles but the core beers will to bring our products to have that flavour always be available in casks. We are also going impact on the modern palette. We are going to to push the innovation in terms of Hopstar 0.5% have a core range of Golden 3.7%, Red 4.1%, beer which is still bottle conditioned Real Ale. Black 4..5%, and Beast of the East 5.5%. I intend We have spent a lot of time trying to produce an to bring out a new beer at the end of February alcohol free beer that has a good taste to it. I do which will be an American Pale Ale. Our Golden not think anybody else has done this yet. is quite americanesque in the hop variety in terms of the citrous flavour. The new beer I You do seem to have won a few awards would like to make more stoned fruit and a bit over the years? stronger. I want to do seasonals like a Ruby Mild We have a number of awards and hopefully we and Milk Stout. We used to produce a 3.3% can add to them this year as we have updated Mild but I would like something a little stronger the recipes of the beers. I'm sure our customers as we now have the bottling line. The seasonal will like the changes. products will be fun and I can split between cask and bottles when required. What is your favourite Panther beer? Currently I will say the Golden but I do swing How do you choose your ingredients? between the Red as well. As we have updated We are blessed with having Crisp Maltings only the recipes I’m really happy with the finish of 15 minutes away. We use Maris Otter, Wheat both beers which gives a great floral nose. and quite a lot of Rye in our beers which gives them a nice finish. With hops and yeast I kind of What is your favourite Local, National move between what is traditional for the style and International beer? and flavour profile. Our Red is traditional in the Locally I really rate Lacons beers and also grist. I start with English Hops and then finish Redwell who make some really good beers. with some nice American Cascade. We use may Nationally I would say Harviestoun Ola Dubh. varieties of hops, mainly English, Challenger, Internationally I do love German beers but my Goldings etc. I use New Zealand hops for the favourite at the moment is Firestone Walkers Beast of the East and American for the Golden. Easy Jack from California. It is great session beer I use German hops for the Wheat beers. So our that is extremely well balanced. They export a Honey is not too bitter I use a blend of German lot of cans to the UK so look out for it. and New Zealand. The Black is straight English hops. The yeast is a traditional English style Finally is there anything you want to add? which goes into the Black and Red. With Golden I want to say a big thanks to everyone in the we have now introduced American Ale yeast brewery scene in Norfolk and to everyone who with the English so we are trying to push the supported us and continue to do so. We are Golden to the new wave route to possibly intro - trying to put out some new products which we ducing an English Pale Ale. feel they will like. Finally thank to all the publi - cans who continue to keep our beers in good Are you planning any changes to the order and great condition for our customers. brewery? This year is a big change for the brewery with Graham Freeman the only real ale bottling plant in Norfolk. We Warren Wordsworth - Photos were able to get assistance from the EU Rural
Spring 2017 | 19 20 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Bird’s eye view Bird’s Eye View: Blonde Moments
I’m writing this article at the end of January, It’s been a while since hoping that 2017 turns out to be a better year we’ve had overtly sexist than the last. 2016 was a crazy year, for sure. images on our beer But putting celebrity deaths, momentous polit - pumps locally (please tell me if you know other - ical change, and my inexplicable wait gain over wise), and I think nationally we’ve seen a decline the Christmas period aside for a minute, let’s in the offensive marketing of ale. But it still look back to a couple of items of women-related exists. I recently came across Broxbourne beer news that caught my eye in 2016. Brewery’s Cowgirl Gold and Gardener’s Delight (a bottled cider). Both display images that Mallorca brewery Sargantana came out with a many women will find offensive, and let’s be beer aimed specifically aimed at women called… honest, it’s all a bit 1970s, isn’t it? I don’t mind … Woman. Marketed in a very attractive purple a bit of Carry On humour (“Nurse Bell? Ding bottle with the slogan “For you Woman, you’re Dong!”), and I appreciate there is a fine line special”, the beer is a ‘lighter, softer, less alco - between what is funny and what is offensive, holic’ brew for the ladies. Really??? The brewers but marketing based on gender stereotypes that call it an ‘exquisite’ ale. So is it just women that offend, objectify women, and encourage harass - want exquisite beer? Don’t blokes demand that ment have no place in today’s leisure industry. too? And am I such a delicate little flower that I can only sup light, soft beers? (are you having a I did spot a lovely pump clip the other day in laugh?). Sargantana also released a beer called The Beehive, Norwich, for Posh Blonde, a 4.3% Queen especially for the LGBT community. It has golden ale from Grantham’s Oldershaw Brewery. a very nice rainbow design on the label. Lovely. The image featured an elegantly turned-out woman with a fine hat and black gloves. Admit - I was more impressed by the story of the tedly, the woman is a blonde and she is holding Brazilian brewery that launched Feminista Red one of those ‘girly’ stemmed glasses I can’t Ale, a brand that aims to challenge the sexist stand, but hey, it looked classy. And cool. marketing of beer. The packaging is simple, with a symbol for gender equality on the label. The Oldershaw have a whole range of Blonde ales, brewery chose an Irish red ale instead of a and I must say, the pump clips are all very lighter, softer, ‘feminine’ beer usually associated tasteful. Just like their beers. Here in Norfolk we with women (see above!). Founder and creative have some wonderful women in the beer director Thais Fabris explained the thinking industry. Let’s drink a toast to them all. behind it: “The typical Brazilian beer ad shows a semi-naked standard-beauty woman being Cheers! harassed by men. She is either the waitress in The Beer Bird the bar, a girl on the beach, or a prize the men get for drinking that beer. The effects of the Follow me on Facebook: The Norfolk Beer Bird messages we create go way beyond driving My blog: thenorfolkbeerbird.blogspot.co.uk/ sales, they drive behaviour. Grab a feminist beer, join the conversation and make a toast to equality.” I’ll certainly drink to that.
Spring 2017 | 21 Norfolk Nips
Thetford Developments
This is the time of year when CAMRA branches beer prices). This seems to have been achieved go through the selection process for Good Beer with the pub enjoying a lively atmosphere even Guide entries so that the guide can be published on a winter lunchtime. in September. The great advantage a pub like the Albion has Some pubs are perennially included due to a over a Wetherspoon style operation is that its long period of good management and of course local clientele and comfortable size make it an excellent beer quality. However because there excellent place to chat not just with people you are rules about inclusion which state that a know but also with strangers. The interior helps change of management disqualifies a pub from with this as the bar area, which was heavily consideration for inclusion until the new regime refurbished by former owners Greene King has has had a year to establish its continued mellowed in colour from fresh IKEA timber to a commitment to real ale and its previous high darker more traditional feel. In addition new standards (the only exception would be if a pub furniture has been acquired including a set of was passed on to a publican with a previous very nice tables with an Albion Wherry design “track record” at another establishment). on the tops produced by local business Wooden it Bee. Unfortunately in the case of many branches it is very easy to loose contact with pubs which have Ashley, whom I quizzed about the pub, told had to be “deselected” as it were. A good me she had formerly worked at the Albion and example of this is the Albion in Thetford which so had a familiarity with the old regulars, which was in the Good Beer Guide for many years must have helped in attracting them back. having been run by the same family since the seventies. Interestingly the Albion does not provide food but has continued its tradition of providing I reported on the landlady Amanda’s sad menus for local takeaways so you can eat your departure in Nips a couple of years ago. The meal at the Albion. If you want a pub meal they Albion changed hands in September 2015 and is tend to recommend the Black Horse (not far) now run by Andrew, David and Ashley. The and find folk will often return later for a few focus has been initially to regain the lost trade beers. Great efforts are being made to expand caused at least in part by the opening of a the appeal of the Albion beyond its current Wetherspoons in the town centre (one of the customer base with pub sport teams including virtues of the “old” Albion was always its low four darts teams (in fact a new dartboard was
22 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Albion, Thetford being installed during my visit!). There are also As I said it is easy to lose touch with develop - fortnightly quizzes and karaoke alternating with ments at an ex beer guide pub our branches live acoustic music sessions. active membership is small and our area of responsibility covers a third of Norfolk! We do Fundraising events are held and local groups what we can but need members and pub are choosing the pub as a meeting venue, the regulars to help keep us informed. How many latest being LGBT plus Thetford. There are plans more pubs are developing well without our to freshen up the popular outside drinking area knowledge? We can’t visit all the non or ex-beer at the front of the pub and a nice beer garden guide pubs to find out, so keep us informed! already exists at the rear. I’m sure the same is true for the other Norfolk branches. Four real ales rotate through the three hand - pumps which are about to be expanded to six In another Thetford development the Black so real beer is still a priority. Horse is having a St Georges beer festival 21st – 23rd April, 20 beers plus music and a new gable It would appear the team at the Albion have end mural, maybe I’ll see some of you there? combined the traditional pub with a modern inclusive venue for the whole local community, If you are a publican or pub owner in amazing what can be done. the West Norfolk area who has ideas or a policy which will make your pub the I wish them luck in the future and hope that kind of real ale venue which might they will find their way back into the good beer qualify for the good beer guide in future, please contact us we would be guide in due course. happy to meet you!
Spring 2017 | 23 Letters to the Editor
The revitalisation of CAMRA and the status of of ‘craft beer’ still ignites fierce debate. Here are two passionate readers responding to Tim Spitzers letter from issue 179.
I read with alarm on page five of your read it, I found myself thinking: “You really Winter 2016/7 edition the news that out of don’t get it, do you, grandad?” – more all the respondents to the second survey in irony, since I am 64 and quite possibly CAMRA’s “revitalisation” campaign, only older than Tim is. 3% were under 30. This underlines the huge problem CAMRA seems to have now I have no doubt Tim has done a huge in attracting and involving younger beer amount of work over the years on behalf of drinkers, ironic given that the campaign cask ale, and that he is one of the many was founded by four young men in their volunteers to whom CAMRA has a huge mid-20s. debt for all their campaigning efforts. But like too many people, I fear, he has a totally However, any under-30 beer drinker who mistaken understanding of why CAMRA read the rant by Tim Spitzer on page 57 of was founded: to improve beer quality, and the same issue against “craft” beer would nothing else. The concept of “real ale” have immediately decided that if Tim was did not even exist when the original typical of CAMRA members today, then the “Campaign for the Revitalisation of Ale” campaign holds no welcome for them. As I began in 1971. The term “real ale” was invented a couple of years later, and a defi - nition then invented to fit the expression.
“Have we all forgotten the fight against Watney’s Red Barrel and the big national brewers?”, Tim cries. Tim, mate, Watney’s Red disappeared 38 years ago, before very many of today’s craft beer drinkers were born. You would have to be 56 today to have (legally) drunk a pint of it in a British pub. Today’s young drinkers haven’t “forgotten” Red Barrel, they never knew it in the first place: it's totally irrelevant to them, and anyone shouting on about it in the context of modern craft beer is inviting justified ridicule, like some elderly figure shouting: “I fought a war for you, you know!”
Martyn Cornell, Middlesex
24 | Spring 2017 n need to go down a route y Tim Why do we eve to support the response b I went into a bar I would like leading to such confusion? our winter addition on the le of weeks ago. Spitzer in y on the South Coast a coup craft beer. Whilst not andpumps subject of so called previous visit they had 4 h er of years I was On my ctive in CAMRA for a numb e. Instead they had a Craft a of our all now out of us riginal founder members products - 5 from one of the o Beer Section containing 7 ve maintained my tleys and local Branch and ha ndon Breweries plus keg Te also a member small Lo mbership ever since. I was th - all served out of me l the John Smiths Smoo ders Club and attended al he presence of of the Bystan the same fonts. I queried t ls covered last issue. the Craft Beer Beer Festiva Tetleys and John Smiths in as called to Section and the Manager w list and make no apology I am a traditiona r my query. aigned against all answe for that. In the 70’s I camp by the likes of e eg beer whether produced that Craft Beer was any Al k wers He advised me by small Independent Bre K!! Out of Watneys or brewed exclusively in the U to keg even though the rews. It who also converted I tried one of the other 5 b sed the higher interest all Brewers undoubtedly u y - no better than what I sm r Wells. was cold and fizz edients referred to by Pete 1970's. Like Tim, quality ingr campaigned against in the n of Real Ale is written in eems to To me the definitio RA goes down the road it s ged. More if CAM one and must not be chan large numbers of the st tand be heading, I and the general public unders ote with their feet importantly current membership, will v r that comes out of a om Craft that Real Ale is bee en the Trendies move on fr the barrel. How and wh r ndpump or straight from flavoured Gin - or whateve ha lain to Beer to Rhubarb re we going to able to exp sation will be left the blazes a the next fad is - our organi e beer coming out of a r Wells and the public that on rry state. Alternatively Pete real ale but the in a so nical device on the bar is ld, as Tim suggests, form co cal his followers cou it coming out of an identi even got a name one next to their own organisation. I've t Real Ale. eally Average device is no for them - Campaign for R ppery s. We are already on the sli y has ever Product s far as I am aware nobod ve long been a champion A it slope. Harveys ha ft Beer and the apostles for roducing keg defined Cra of cask ale having ceased p ate on the line that seem to concentr ompletely 17 years ago. the time. To beer c supports their argument at size of the Brewery - their some it refers to the re now switching some of ew Dog is Craft They a w do you sort that out? Br to produce 3 new craft ho lson production to keg hey are bought out by Mo market and as far Beer but if t beers to get a slice of that s and maintain the same raft beer is Coor see most of the so called c ase to be Craft as I can brews they ce nned - exactly the l keg, bottled or ca Beer? To some it is loca ned against since products we have campaig uction - that already sake folks prod was formed. For goodness g in Norwich CAMRA rules out Brew Do t is too late. Do you e wake up before i More and more we get th 60’s and 70’s we then? seriously believe that in the n quality - who decides on ional ales and argument o went overnight from tradit of more than one t was a quality? I can think es to the Watneys desert? I and undoubt- breweri pular ale that is well liked of gradual change in po me is drip feed process s good ingredients but to rewery takeovers edly contain production methods and b in quality. As I said - who !! bland and lacking tly what will happen again tried a few so - exac decides? Personally I have Brew Dog and dds called Craft Beers including John Bu is an understate- to say I was not impressed ment. Spring 2017 | 25
Norfolk Nips | Logo competition 40th Norwich Beer Festival needs a logo!
The annual competition has just been launched As always, the most important element is that by members of the Norwich & Norfolk branch a dragon must be included within the design, of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) to find the although abstract is acceptable, also a maximum new logo for the 40th Norwich Beer Festival, five colours (four is preferable), including any taking place from Monday 23th October until black or white parts of the design. The 2017 Saturday 28th October 2017. logo should also celebrate the 40th year of the Norwich Beer Festival. Entrants are asked to The deadline for competition entrants is specify "Adult" or "Under-18" and include their Monday 27th March 2017 and Norwich & name, contact details and age (if under-18) on Norfolk CAMRA are looking for designs to cele - the back of the paper design or within the email. brate the 40th year of the October Festival, with the ‘40’ being a prominent part of the design, as The main winner will be judged by the organ - well as depicting the familiar dragon. ising committee at the planning and will receive £100 along with a selection of merchandising at Launching the logo competition is one of the the festival featuring their logo. There will be first tasks for the beer festival and the winning two runner-up prizes of complementary festival design will be one of the prime marketing tools tickets and also the best under-18 entrant will for the festival and will be featured on the win a book voucher. collectible festival glasses. Emailed entries should be in a computer read - The festival’s team of organisers have already able format (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PDF, Postscript, started to plan the 2017 October Beer Festival GIMP, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator or Corel when 300 volunteers will come together again Draw); no MS Word document files please. to launch the 40th Norwich Beer Festival. Entries (one per sheet or email and with a maximum size A4) can be sent to ‘2017 40th Rob Derbridge, Festival Organiser, said ‘We are Norwich Beer Festival Logo Competition’, hopeful that we will receive an extra large 4 Rectory Close, Newton Flotman, Norwich, number entries for our 40th beer festival. We Norfolk, NR15 1PZ or email to always receive entries on various themes, [email protected] by Monday although they must include a dragon in some 27th March 2017 at the latest please. form, but the entrants can choose a setting or background of their choice. This year we are All entries will become the property of the looking for entries which will also celebrate the Norwich & Norfolk branch of the Campaign for 40th year. We always look forward to having a Real Ale and may be used for display and tough decision in selecting the successful publicity purposes. winner’.
Spring 2017 | 27 Norfolk Nips
The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340
FOUR REAL ALES Wednesday Irish Folk Music ursday Folk & Singing Music Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Folk Music Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN: Mon - urs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11
28 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | From the Archives Issue Number 70 December 93/ January 94
Spring to Life starting a new venture at Tivetshall St Mary Why not spring to life and join the CAMRA Winter called Mardle Hall Brewery. Colin Earthy has Ale Trail. It is really quite simple if you enjoy a drink returned to the Kings Head, Thorpe St Andrew and like to travel around the County then this is for and will be dispensing Flowers Original, you. Visit 25 pubs and get your card signed in each Marstons Pedigree, Wethereds, Boddingtons and Speckled Hen. He welcomes you to the cosy one and win a trail T-shirt or sweatshirt. For the true intimate atmosphere of his charming riverside drinking stalwarts who visit all 40 pubs there is a pub. Grand Prize Draw in April 1994. The city pubs taking part, Trafford Arms, Eaton Cottage, Hog In Armour, Tap & Spile, Reindeer, Red Lion (St It’s arrived – the new Norwich Georges), Steampacket, Horse & Dray, Fat Cat, Real Ale Guide. Rosary, Rose Tavern, Sir Garnet Wolseley, Mustard The third volume of the Norfolk Real Ale Guide Pot, Coach & Horses (Thorpe Road), Freemasons. covering the Norwich area was launched at the Trafford Arms Norwich. The latest edition covers Ed- Does anyone know if Pete Wells did all the 40 all the pubs hotels and bars open to the public pubs? whether or not they sell real ale and will sell at only 1.50 per copy. It was launched at the Steady Pints Trafford Arms, with a picture of Don Dunkin, Chris The Mermaid in Elsing has replaced its Bass with Higgins and Warren Wordsworth (with mous tache) Adnams Broadside. After its chequered identity Beers of The Festival 1993 crisis as the Grocer's Ghost and Franco's the Festival House Norwich has been given back its original Champion – Reepham Velvet Stout name by its new publican Chris Hiles who also runs Class Winners the Oval on Dereham Road. If the Grocer's Ghost MILD – Woodfordes Mardlers thought it could use bouncers to turn away BEST BITTER – Adnams BB customers who were not dressed properly then it is PREMIUM BITTER – Green Dragon Bridge obvious it was going to fail. Good Luck Chris and St Bitter don't forget to put some Real Ales on. STRONG ALE – West Coast Brewery Yakima Grande Pale Ale Forbes Brewery, Oulton Broad has finally BARLEY WINE – Reindeer Storer Strong re-opened as Green Jack Brewing Company by OLD/STOUT/PORTER – Reepham Velvet Stout David Burd and Tim Dunford. Talking of brew - CIDER – Kingfisher Norfolk eries Ken Duval and Rogers Abrahams will be Norfolk Nips
COAST ROAD, WALCOTT, NORFOLK NR12 OPE
Telephone (01692) 650371
FREE HOUSE Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMORE OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pm Food available all day until 10.30pm 10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership card FOUR REAL ALES & CIDER www.lighthouseinn.co.uk
30 | Spring 2017
The Rise of the Machi
One of the dominant themes of the capitalist The technology for serving drinks in cans system is to reduce labour costs. Whilst this and bottles, as well as hot beverages such as may encourage innovation, with the inven - coffee is widely used and accepted. Milk is tion of machines that can replace workers, it’s dispensed in coin operated machines in the tough on those that lose their jobs. Many streets of Ljubljana, which could easily be have tried to hold back the tide, from the converted to contactless. So is the bar of the 19th century Luddites, the miners in the future likely to be populated with machines? Thatcher era to the railway workers currently disrupting services in the south of England, “Automatic beer dispense but all these efforts appear futile. However has several problems. If you one group of workers have so far fared better than most. Service workers are hard to have ever seen a barman replace, and although the supermarkets have struggling with a pump done their best with self-scanning checkouts, spewing foam everywhere, the jobs of bartenders has so far seemed secure, but even here the old ways are under you will appreciate that the threat. technology is not a simple as delivering milk.” Just before Christmas a London bar intro - duced the world’s first contactless self-service Automatic beer dispense has several prob - beer pump. The drinker selects his choice lems. If you have ever seen a barman from the menu, holds his payment card to struggling with a pump spewing the base of the pump and his drink is foam everywhere, you will dispensed into the glass. It looks like it was appreciate that the tech - a one off gimmick to generate a bit of nology is not a simple as publicity for the payment card delivering milk. In fact company, but is the demonstration there a long term pump was limited to future for this idea? serving lager for this It is not the first reason. There is also the machine to age question. A barman dispense can judge whether a drinks. customer is likely ines to be under age. In Japan, where just about everything for tobacco to pornography maga - zines can be bought from machines in the street, this problem is overcome by placing stickers on the machine advising that they are not to be used by under 18s. Some might have reservations as to the effectiveness of such an approach in Britain.
It is also an offence under section 141 of the 2003 Licencing Act to sell or attempt to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk, which explains the calm and welcoming atmosphere on our city streets around midnight on a Friday. Can we expect breathalyser tubes to be attached to the machines to check the sobriety of the purchaser? Perhaps each stag party will employ a teetotaller to order the drinks all night. Despite all these reservations, I can see the machines beginning to make an appearance at pop festivals and the like in the near future, and they may well be combined with other technology which has just been trialled in a branch of KFC in Beijing. Here, facial recognition software checks the customer and, based on the purchasing history of a similar demographic, suggests the most suitable meal. I am pretty sure that I would be offered a pint of cask beer, but I suppose I could keep some moustache wax and a beanie hat in my pocket in case I wanted a glass of overpriced keg ‘craft’ beer.
My main worry would be if someone went to buy a round. Would the bar wife have to wear one of those Jamie Vardy style masks with my image on to avoid coming back to the table with a sweet sherry for me?
An edited version of this appeared in the Lynn News. Jeff Norfolk Nips
34 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips Hove, actually A beery weekend in the city of Brighton and Hove.
I know Brighton quite well. My other half hails from Sussex so we’ve spent a fair bit of time on the south coast in recent years. We’ve found great pubs, some real gems, with favourites being The Evening Star, The Basketmakers and The Mitre. On our last visit, we were staying in Hove, the ‘posh bit’ to the West of the city.
Hove originally developed around the Tavern in Haywards Heath, about 30 minutes impressive Brunswick Square, and in Victorian or so from Brighton. It is a nice bright venue times grew to become the polar opposite of but more of a bar than a pub, certainly a far Brighton. Where Brighton was showy and a cry from The Evening Star in Brighton, the tad seedy, Hove was eminently respectable. jewel in the Dark Star crown. The Lockheart When accused of living in Brighton, Hove resi - has cask and keg beer but it seemed to be dents allegedly replied “Hove, actually”. bottled beers that most punters were drinking Neither of us knows Hove very well, so armed on our visit. To be fair they had an impressive with our CAMRA beer app we went in search selection, not just their own ales but also beers of new pubs, new beers and new adventures. from Magic Rock, Wild Beer, Siren and many more. But pricey! A 330ml bottle of Dark Our first stop, before we’d even reached the coast, was Dark Star’s new pub, the Lockheart Continued >
Spring 2017 | 35 Norfolk Nips
36 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Hove trip - continued
Star’s Revelation would set you back £4.00, a great little place, located along Hayward’s Heath’s trendy Broadway strip. After a couple of pints of Sunburst Golden Ale (4.8%) it was time to head South.
Our first full day in Hove was bitterly cold, so an ideal day to warm up was in the pub. Our first hostelry was the Westbourne, a re-vamped Victorian building with a great selection of local ales. The pub has two bars, one of which, the clocks, small clocks, wristwatches, even a cuckoo Cider Shack, was closed for refurbishment. clock. But none with the correct time! How do Despite this, the pub still served half a dozen they call time I wonder? The venture is run by local ciders from the main bar, along with a Ruth and Ali. We spoke to Ruth who came good range of cask ales. The lovely Josie served across as very passionate about pubs and local us great pints of Downlands Old (4.4%) and ale. As you’d expect, The Watchmakers isn’t a Bedlam Golden Ale (4.2%), together with snacks large pub but it is certainly not cramped. There of parsnip bhajis and cheesy chips, a splendid is room for a microbrewery on the premises, and way to spend our first afternoon by the seaside. plenty of space to sit by the window and watch the world go by. Whilst the winter sun warmed Our next port of call was The Watchmakers us through the windows we supped Long Man Arms near Hove station. I’ve been fascinated Best (4%) and 360 Pale (4.2%) and pondered the reading about micro-pubs but until now hadn’t exciting sausage roll menu, a wonderful pub. visited one. This was a first. The pub has been converted from a washing-machine repair shop, That night we visited The Neptune. A good although in days past the premises did indeed old fashioned proper boozer, a real drinkers pub. house a watchmaker. I guess The Washing- Known to its regulars as ‘The Nep’, the pub Machine Repairman’s Arms just doesn’t have the hosts regular live music nights, more often jazz same ring to it. So the pub’s theme is clocks. and blues by the look of things, with its walls There are lots of them, all over the walls. Big covered with fascinating music-related posters and pictures. We arrived quite late in the evening (The Neptune is open til 1am week nights and 2am Fridays and Saturdays) and found it busy with what seemed to be a crowd of regulars. We could have stayed all night (or at least until 1.00am!), the pub was so cosy, but we had big plans for the following day. After a few pints of really quite wonderful Harvey’s Best (4%) we decided to call it a night, after vowing to return on our next visit down South.
Our second day in Brighton and Hove was a full-on day of culture and shopping. Well, more shopping than culture if I’m honest, but the city is great for both. Shopping in Brighton enabled us to visit one of our favourite pubs; The Evening Star. This is where it all began for the Dark Star Continued >
Spring 2017 | 37 Norfolk Nips
38 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Hove trip - continued
Brulee. Instead, I settled for that excellent session ale, Hophead (3.8%). It went down a treat and set me up for an afternoon of museums and culture. Oh, and more shopping.
For a big beery evening (well it was our last night!) we chose The Mitre. It isn’t in the CAMRA guide but don’t let that stop you visiting. It is another ‘locals’ pub, tucked away in a quiet back street off the London Road; no frills, just a friendly welcome and good beer. It’s a Harvey’s pub so it was Harvey’s we drank. The Best Bitter (4%) was in tip top condition, as was Brewery back in 1994. It’s a basic pub, but Armada (4.5%) and the Old Ale (4.3%). This is massively popular with locals and real ale enthu - a pub we visit often, the beer is always excellent siasts who travel from afar to visit. It is bang and the chip shop along the road is good too. outside the train station so it’s just about possible to get there from Norwich for a And then it was time to come home. Unfortu - lunchtime session! The beer selection is superb; nately, there was no time on this trip to pop in a great range of Dark Star’s own ales as you’d to The Victory or The Basketmakers Arms, expect, together with other interesting beers another couple of pubs that we’ve got to know from near and far, including a great array of well over the last few years, but there’s always bottled and canned beers to take away. It was next time. the middle of the day so not the best time to sample one of my favourite winter beers; Crème The Beer Bird
We are THE BANNINGHAM in it! CROWN FREE HOUSE Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant •5 Real Ales •Great Food • •Sheltered Gardens
Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY 01263 733534 www.banninghamcrown.co.uk Spring 2017 | 39 Norfolk Nips
Subscriptions
We have a growing number of postal subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would like to send my thanks for the kind comments and best wishes from those who have renewed their subscriptions recently.
If you would like to join them in receiving the next 4 issues by post, send 10 first class stamps or £6.50 cheque payable to West Norfolk CAMRA, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. The magazine is also viewable online at issuu.com
40 | Spring 2017 Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolk which are part of the CAMRA LocAle scheme. New entries are in Bold.
Horseshoes, Alby Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling Maids Head Hotel, Norwich Black Boys, Aldborough Swan, Hilborough Murderers, Norwich Crown Inn, Banningham Eagle, Hockham Plasterers Arms, Norwich Chequers Inn, Binham Victoria, Hockering Red Lion (Bishopgate), Norwich Cock Inn, Barford Buck, Honingham Reindeer, Norwich Kings Head, Brooke White Hart, Hopton Rosbery, Norwich Artichoke, Broome Brickmakers, Horsford Ribs of Beef, Norwich Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea Elm Farm Country House, Sir Garnet, Norwich Reedcutter, Cantley Horsham St. Faith Take 5, Norwich Crown Inn, Catfield Live and Let Live, Kings Lynn Temple Bar, Norwich George Hotel, Cley-next-the-Sea Star Inn, Lessingham Trafford Arms, Norwich Three Swallows, Cley-next-the-Sea Swan Inn, Loddon Vine, Norwich Victory, Clenchwarton Dog Inn, Ludham Wig and Pen, Norwich Muskett Arms, Clippesby Fox and Hounds, Lyng York Tavern, Norwich Red Lion, Coltishall Anchor Inn, Morston Royal Oak, Poringland Ugly Bug Inn, Colton White Horse, Neatishead Ferry Inn, Reedham Ship, Reedham Albion, Cromer Relish Restaurant & Bar, Newton Kings Arms, Reepham Cottage, Cromer Flotman Swan, Ringland Red Lion Hotel, Cromer Railway Hotel, North Elmham Three Horseshoes, Roydon Royal Standard, Dereham Orchard Gardens, North Walsham Lobster, Sheringham Bob Carter Centre, Drayton Adam and Eve, Norwich Kings Arms, Shouldham Royal Standard, East Dereham Angel Gardens, Norwich Goat, Skeyton Queens Head, Emneth Beehive (Leopold Rd), Norwich Peddars Inn, Sporle Erpingham Arms, Erpingham Bell Hotel, Norwich Blue Boar, Sprowston Bull, Fakenham Cellar House, Norwich Sprowston Manor Hotel & Wellington, Feltwell Champion, Norwich Country Club, Sprowston Rampant Horse, Freethorpe Cottage (Silver Road), Norwich Ferry House, Surlingham Red Lion, Swaffham Locks Inn, Geldeston Duke of Wellington, Norwich Lynn Arms, Syderstone Wherry, Geldeston Earlham Arms, Norwich Pelican Inn, Tacolneston Dock Tavern, Gorleston Eaton Cottage, Norwich Red Lion, Thetford Mariners Compass, Gorleston Fat Cat and Canary, Norwich Black Horse, Thetford Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham Fat Cat Tap, Norwich Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market Barking Smack, Great Yarmouth Fat Cat, Norwich Queens Head, Thurlton Mariners, Great Yarmouth Garden House, Norwich White Horse, Upton Oliver Twist, Great Yarmouth Jubilee, Norwich Cherry Tree, Wicklewood Red Herring, Great Yarmouth Kings Head, Norwich Willow House, Watton St. Johns Head, Great Yarmouth Lawyer, Norwich Stag, West Acre Fox & Hounds, Heacham Leopard, Norwich Bell, Wiveton White Lady, Worstead Kings Head, Hethersett Lollards Pit, Norwich Green Dragon, Wymondham Greyhound Inn, Hickling Lord Rosebery, Norwich
Spring 2017 | 41 Norfolk Nips Angel Gardens Free House This independently run freehouse has been under the ownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on the north of the city near to Waterloo Park. Up to NINE reasonably priced Real Ales including THREE guest ales and SIX real ciders available. “The Country Pub On The Edge of Town” Showing all SKY and BT Sports Bacton Road, North Walsham NR28 0RA Live entertainment every Saturday FREE OPEN ALL DAY Book now for nday ACCESS FIVE REAL ALES Mothering and Easter Su 96 Angel Rd, Meals Served Norwich NR3 3HT 12noon to 2.30pm 01603 427490 and in the evening 6.30 to 9.30pm Part of the City of Ale www.norwichinns.com 2017 email: [email protected] Bookings 01692 404800
42 | Spring 2017 Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local! The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually on presentation of a Membership Card):
Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: 30p off a pint of Buffy’s
The Ugly Bug Inn, Colton: £1 off per full pint
The Vine, Norwich: 10% off food and drinks (not Early Bird Menu) on Mondays Albion, Cromer: 10% off Red Lion, Drayton: 10% off real ales, draught and bottled The Whiffler, Norwich: Oliver Twist, Great 50p off a pint (with your The Bell, Norwich: 20% off Yarmouth: 10% off across CAMRA vouchers) all food. 50p off a pint (with the board - please show card your CAMRA vouchers). before ordering The Woolpack, Norwich: Brickmakers, Horsford: Railway, North Elmham: 10% off 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of 10% off B&B and camping The St Andrews real ale. Glasshouse, Norwich: 20% Brewhouse, Norwich: 10% Compleat Angler, off all food. 50p off a pint of their own real ales Norwich: 10% off all real ales (with your CAMRA vouchers). If your pub or business offers a Grange Hotel, Ormesby St. Plasterers, Cowgate, discount to CAMRA, but isn't Margaret, Norwich: 10% Norwich: 10% off all real ales on this list, please contact off all real ales (available to all customers on [email protected] Mondays) Green Gate, .uk and let us know the details Caister-on-Sea: 20p off a The Rose, Queen’s Rd, (including any restrictions). pint of real ale Norwich: 15p off pints Please note: We believe the London Tavern, The Rosebery, Rosebery discounts listed are offered at Attleborough: Rd, Norwich: Selected beers the time of going to press, 20p off a pint of real ale at £2.50/pint on Mondays however pubs may of course Leopard, Norwich: 10% off withdraw or change offers at all real ales Lighthouse Inn, Walcott: any time! 10% off all real ales Lollards Pit, Norwich: 10% off
Spring 2017 | 43 Norfolk Nips
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44 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | CAMRA Beer Festivals
CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar
MAR 30-APRIL 1 27-30 APRIL 38th Burton & S.Derbyshire CAMRA Beer & 23rd Reading Beer & Cider Festival Cider Festival 550+ beers & 200+ ciders, foreign beers & English 30+ real ales + 30 real ciders + perries, country wines + wines. Driver’s Bar. Christchurch Meadows, George Street Tel: 01283 814730/ 07974 708132 Caversham, Reading RG4 8BY Email: [email protected] www.readingbeerfestival.org.uk Burton Upon Trent Town Hall, King Edward Place, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire DE14 9JG 27-29 APRIL 41st Farnham Beerex 5-8 APRIL 550+ beers & 200+ ciders, foreign beers & English 15th Maldon Beer & Cider Festival wines. 60 real ales + cider/ perry. 60+ real ales + ciders, food + live entertainment. Plume School, Fambridge Rd, Maldon, CM9 6AB www.farnhamlions.org.uk www.maldonanddengiecamra.org.uk
6-8 APRIL MAY 6th Isle of Man Beer & Cider Festival 60 real ales + cider/ perry. 4-6 MAY Villa Marina Complex, Harris Promenade, Douglas 12th Bexley Beer Fest IM1 2HP 85+ beers, ciders + perries. www.iombeerfestival.com Old Dartfordians Sports Club War Memorial Club House, Bourne Rd, Bexley, Kent DA5 1LW 19-22 APRIL www.bexley.camra.org.uk East Anglian Beer and Cider Festival 100+ real ales/ ciders including East Anglian 22-27 MAY + selected UK award winners. 44th Cambridge Beer Festival Apex 1 Charter Square, 1 Charter Square, Bury St 200+ ales, 80+ ciders & perries, plus foreign beer, Edmunds, IP33 3FD. wines & meads. http://westsuffolk.camra.org.uk Jesus Green, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB4 3BD www.cambridgebeerfestival.com 26-29 APRIL 41st Newcastle Beer & Cider Festival 25-27 MAY 120+ cask ales, ciders/ perries, hot/cold food. Lincoln Beer Fest Entertainment Sat. 100+ real ales plus cider, perry and international Northumbria University Students Union bottled beers. Sandyford Rd, Newcastle Upon Tyne Lincoln Drill Hall, Free School Ln, Lincoln, LN2 1EY Tyne And Wear NE1 8SB. www.lincolncamra.org.uk www.cannybevvy.co.uk 26-28 MAY 27-30 APRIL 1st Beer & Cider By The Sea - Eastbourne 23rd Reading Beer & Cider Festival 60 + Real Ales, 30+ Ciders/ Perries + range of foreign 550+ beers & 200+ ciders, foreign beers & English bottled beers, wine & cocktails. Live music entertain - wines. ment on all sessions. Christchurch Meadows, George Street www.visiteastbourne.com/beer-festival Caversham, Reading RG4 8BY www.readingbeerfestival.org.uk
Spring 2017 | 45
S e G r G R N o
I T o IN E T S M R M IS E P M L F n S ! h
U T R o S U J S E / E E O y
Y b F B o
R A R t
E A o
E D E h
B P IN N F
Something for everyone at a Norfolk beer festival As the winter months disappear and the sun which runs from Hunstanton to Cromer. Along starts to shine its time to start planning your the routes are a wealth of country pubs, some of beer-based excursions for the spring and which are offering beer festivals, other events summer of 2017. and accommodation. Why not plan a trip and include a visit to some of these venues. Norfolk is a hive of fantastic beer festivals from Combining a healthy dose of exercise with a those held in the humble village hall, commu - sociable beer or two, the best of both worlds! nity centre or rugby club like Ranworth, Walsham, and Crusaders to the massive city- In the following pages is a selection of pubs and wide event that is the Norwich ‘City of Ale’. other venues which have advertised their beer With Norwich also now being the home of the festivals with us. We have also included a diary National Winter Ales Festival for the next three which lists all of these events and any others we years, the city is firmly on the map as a destina - have been made aware of. To get an idea of tion for the discerning drinker. location, there is also a map included. The numbers on the map correspond to the numbers The locations are as varied as the sizes, fancy next to the diary listings. seeing out the summer solstice at a 16th century pub by the sea? Check out the Hill House A well-run pub can cater for all ages, offering a Happisburgh. For steam enthusiasts the North place where friendships can be formed and Norfolk Railway hosts it’s beer festival in July. provides a convenient stopping point for a family enjoying a bike ride on a sunny day. Norfolk has some amazing walks such as the So whether you want a quick pint after work, Peddars Way, which stretches from Knettishall a night out with your friends or a family day out Heath Country Park and follows the route of a with the kids; check out Norfolk, you won’t Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on the regret it. north Norfolk coast, and the Norfolk Coast Path 46 | Spring 2017
Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips
48 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Beer Festivals Travelling around Norfolk Norfolk is well served by train and bus services off from Kings Lynn and covers Hunstanton - between all the major towns, villages and out of Wells - Weybourne - Sheringham - Cromer and Norfolk via Kings Lynn and Norwich. There are many of the smaller villages in between. Other also many cycle and walking routes available for services include X8 covering Kings Lynn to the more adventerous beer hunter or those with Fakenham and Heacham. families looking for a full day out with some excercise thrown in. X5 and X6 services from Fakenham to Norwich covering many villages including Little Snoring, Abellio Greater Anglia Erpingham. Aylsham and Mile Cross. Services run everyday into Norfolk from Ely, Peterborough, Cambridge and Ipswich. There is a large map of the routes available for download at: www.stagecoachbus.com All services pass through Norwich where you can then go on to the coastal Norfolk towns of The X1 First group service runs into Norfolk Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer and from Peterborough passing through Kings Lynn, Sheringham. Narborough, Swaffham and several other villages to Norwich. The service then runs on Go to www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk to through Acle and Great Yarmouth. Check out check times. www.firstgroup.com for more details.
Heritage Train services Cycling and Walking Mid Norfolk Railway Norfolk has hundreds of miles of quiet country Travelling between Dereham - Yaxham - lanes and roads to explore and is a brilliant Thuxton - Kimberley Park - Wymondham Abbey county for cycling, whether you’re after a relaxing Sunday pedal or something a bit longer. This volunteer run railway has a variety of locomotives including a fleet of heritage diesels. Information on routes such as Marriotts Way and Go to www.mnr.org.uk to check times. Peddars Way are available from the Norfolk County council web site at www.norfolk.gov.uk. The North Norfolk Railway Travelling between Sheringham - Weybourne - The Sustrans National Cycle Network passes Kelling Heath Park - Holt through Norfolk and is designed to make cycling fun, safe and simple as you cover huge The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile stretches of the UK. round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map on some journeys) through a delightful area of /national-cycle-network North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty. One third of the Network is completely free Go to www.nnrailway.co.uk/timetable.php to from motor traffic, using old railway paths, check times. forest tracks, country parks and bridleways, and the rest uses quiet minor roads and traffic-calmed streets in towns and cities. so if Bus Services your having a drink - get out of the car and on Norfolk Green run a number of Bus services into yer bike! and around Norfolk. The Coasthopper route sets
Spring 2017 | 49 Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips
50 | Spring 2017 Beer Festival Listings
1 24-26 March 11 28 May 22 21-23 July Fakenham Gin & Beerfest North Walsham RFC Rugby 10th Annual Reedham Beer Fakenham Community Centre Sevens & Beer Festival Festival Norwich Rd, Scottow NR10 5BU Reedham Village Hall and Playing 2 14-17 April Fields. NR13 3HL Easter Beer Festival 12 1-4 June Royal Oak, Poringland NR14 7JT Collabfest 23 3-4 August Tel: 01508 493734 A selection of totally unique, Angel Inn Beer Festival one-off casks. Go quick before Larling NR16 2QU 3 12-14 May they run out! Plasterers Arms, Tel: 01953 717963 Aylsham Round Table 12th Magdalen St, Norwich Anniversary Beer Festival 24 4-5 August Aylsham Old Cinema, Cawson Rd, 13 9-11 June North Walsham Beer Festival Aylsham Kings Head Beer Festival 50 beer and ciders for around Kings Head, North Rd, Hemsby Norfolk 4 21-23 April NR29 4LR The Scout Hut, Midland Road, Beer and Banger Fest North Walsham Black Horse, Thetford 14 16-18 June 01842 762717 8th Ale & Music Festival 25 11-13 August Jolly Sailors, Brancaster Staithe Ranworth 8th Beer Festival 5 28-30 April PE31 8BJ Ranworth Village Hall, Broad Road Wymondham and District 01485 210314 NR13 6HS Ex-Services Social Club Beer Festival 15 15-19 June 26 25 August 23 real ales and 3 ciders Solstice Beer Festival Duke of Wellington Summer 9 Friarscroft Lane, Wymondham Hill House, Happisburgh Beer Fest NR18 0AT 01692 650004 Duke of Wellington, Norwich 01603 441182 6 14 April 16 29 June-2nd July Easter Beer and Music Beehive Summer Beer 27 25-28 August Festival Festival Green Dragon Summer Beer Geldeston Locks, Waveney Beehive Freehouse, 30 Leopold Rd, Festival www.geldestonlocks.co.uk Norwich NR4 7PJ Green Dragon, Wymondham www.greendragonnorfolk.co.uk 7 25-29 May 17 5-9 July FEM.ALE Festival Beer And Music Festival 28 15-16 September Beer and music festival celebrating Kings Arms, Norwich Jolly Sailors 1st Cider women in the beer industry. 01603 477888 Festival Plasterers Arms, Magdalen St, 12 ciders, 2 bands, BBQ & hay bales Norwich 18 11-16 July Jolly Sailors, Brancaster Staithe Heathlands 7th Summer PE31 8BJ 8 26-28 May Beer Festival and Fair Green Dragon Spring Beer Blofield Heath NR13 4QH 29 STOP PRESS! Festival Just before print we heard about Green Dragon, Wymondham 19 14-16 July the The Great Yarmouth Beer www.greendragonnorfolk.co.uk Poppyline 16th Beer Festival & Cider Festival which will be North Norfolk Railway annual beer 9 26-29 May festival. Held at Sheringham Station held 18 - 21 May and will GrainFest feature around 50 real ales, craft Local Ales and Live Music 20 15-16 July beers and ciders. every day Catfield Crown Beer Festival More info here: Geldeston Locks, Waveney The Street, Catfield, Great www.stgeorgestheatre.com www.geldestonlocks.co.uk Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 5AA Tel: 01692 580128 10 25 May-4 June City of Ale 2017 21 21-23 July Norwich City of Ale is a ten-day 9th Crusaders Beer Fest celebration of local pubs, breweries Crusaders RUFC, Beckhithe and real ale taking place 01603 880663 throughout Norwich. cityofale.org.uk
Spring 2017 | 51 A beer festival is near you!
14 28
Brancaster Staithe
1
4 Great Ellingham
23
Larling
52 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Beer Festivals The numbers on the map match the numbers next to the events described on page 51. This map is to show you the general area and is not to scale!
19
11 24 15 3
13 20
25 29 Ranworth 10 12 26 22 17 18 21 16 7 Reedham 5 8 27 2
Poringland
6 9 g Geldeston
Spring 2017 | 53 Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips
54 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Beer Festivals
Spring 2017 | 55 Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips
56 | Spring 2017
Norfolk Nips
Serving a selection of changing local real ales Also serving home cooked food. Sorry no food Monday evenings Sunday roast 2 courses for £9.50. Two main meals for £10.00 from our set menu. (Monday and Tuesday lunch times.) oughout the d theme nights thr Various events an ents. or all upcoming ev . See our website f year Night March 17th: Race Night April 1st: Spanish Night May 20th: Italian British June 10th: Best of : Beer Festival July 15th and 16th
The Street, Catfield, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 5AA Telephone: 01692 580128 www.catfieldcrown.co.uk
58 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Last orders Steve’s Words Christmas and the New Year are now but a distant The Ouse Amateur Sailing Club is shortly to be memory. However, the Winter Ales Festival at run as a separate entity to the sailing side. I am Norwich will be the highlight of February. When sure this club will go from strength to strength you are reading this it will all be over, but I am sure with its new found independence. that it will have been a huge success. The Revitalisation Project will be discussed at the This last week or so it has been light leaving for Members Conference in Bournemouth in April via work in the morning and only just dark when several discussion groups for everyone to get finishing. This is a sure sign that Spring will be with involved. To me it is vital that CAMRA does not lose us shortly. its way by trying to be all things to everyone. Stay focussed on the core values of campaigning. It seemed that writing my piece last time contained quite a lot of doom and gloom. This Support for pubs, but also recognise that bars update shows a much brighter picture for the area. and cafés now play an increasing part in our life. Support for real ale, but recognise that cider and The Railway at Downham has closed for good, perry, together with craft beer although a smaller the train company are in the process of finding part of CAMRA all stand together and excellence of new tenants. Ian and family have started a new all is a worthy and necessary aim. venture in Tottenhill and are planning a second new venture. Enjoy the spring. Keep drinking.
The Lord Nelson is still closed, but Greene King is planning to refurbish it prior to reopening in the Cheers Spring. Steve Barkern W.N. Chairman
Spring 2017 | 59 Norfolk Nips
60 | Spring 2017 Norfolk Nips | Dates for your Diary CAMRA Branch Calendar
Norwich and North Friday 5th May First Friday Five – 8.00pm start Birdcage, Norfolk Branch Garnet, Walnut Tree Shades, Wildman, Cinema City. Thursday 16th March Branch AGM – 8.00pm Take 5. Saturday 13th May Mild Month Crawl – Start noon Fat Cat, Tuesday 21st March Alexandra, Reindeer, Plough, White Lion, Midweek Stroll – Noon Reindeer, Micawbers, Angel Gardens, Duke of Wellington, Fat Cat Ten Bells, Plough, Mash Tun & Gin Palace. Brewery Tap, Leopard, Plasterers, Kings Head.
Saturday 25th March Wednesday 17th May Brewery Awards Evening – From 6.30pm Epic Midweek Stroll – Noon Rushcutters, Buck, Studios, Norwich. Rivergarden, Town House, Fat Cat & Canary.
Friday 31st March Thursday 18th May Campaign Trip – 7.15pm Castle Meadow Branch Meeting & Social – Venue tba visiting up to 5 pubs. Booking essential. Friday 26th May Friday 7th April Campaign Trip – 7.15pm Castle Meadow First Friday Five – 8.00pm start Queen of Iceni, visiting up to 5 pubs. Booking essential. Hotel Nelson Bar, Compleat Angler, Red Lion, Adam & Eve. West Norfolk Branch Thursday 13th April Midweek Stroll – Noon Glasshouse, Lawyer, Tuesday 14th March Ribs of Beef, Kings Head, Plasterers. Stag, West Acre
Saturday 15th April Tuesday 11th April Trip to visit Mid-Anglia branch pubs 11.15am Old White Bell, Southery from Castle Meadow. Tuesday 9th May Friday 21st April Hero, Burnham Overy Staithe Lunchtime Coach Trip depart Castle Meadow 11.00am. Tuesday 13th June Friday 28th April Ostrich, Castle Acre Campaign Trip – 7.15pm Castle Meadow visiting up to 5 pubs. Booking essential. Note: All Tuesday meetings start 8pm and normally include a social. Branch contacts Norfolk Nips | Contact Details
Norwich & Norfolk Branch Published every 3 months by the Norwich and Chairman: Ian Stamp Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Email: [email protected] Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2017 Norfolk Nips is produced and Secretary: Rob Whitmore distributed by members of the Email: [email protected] branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not Social Secretary: Michael Philips necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA. Email: [email protected] Edited by: Pubs Officer: Ian Stamp Graham Freeman Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Chris Lucas Press Officer: Jenny Bach Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media West Norfolk Branch 01778 382758 Chairman: Steve Barker Email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Advertising: Vice Chair: Nige Nudds For advertising enquiries please contact Orchard House Media on: Secretary & Branch Contact: Ian Bailey 01778 382718 Tel: 01553 766904 [email protected] Distribution: Treasurer: Jim Fergusson 12,000 copies / four times a year Deputy Treasurer: June Parsons Norwich and Norfolk District: Membership Secretary: Jeff Hoyle Adam Gannaway 07720 512453 Press and Publicity: Ros Harre [email protected] Pubs Officer: Claire Harvey West Norfolk District: Pub Protection Officer: Jeff Hoyle Ros Harre [email protected] Webmaster: Nige Nudds Cider: Andrea Briers
Branch websites: www.norwichcamra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk
Branch mailing list web page: Branch Facebook Page: facebook.com/groups/NorwichCAMRA
62 | Spring 2017 “Not just a Pub!”
EASTER BEER FESTIVAL Fri 14th - Mon 17th April REAL ALE • REAL W.E.L.. COME • REAL FOOD Serving Main Meals, Bar Meals and Sandwiches Food is available 7 days a week Check out our website for opening times and menu
FOR BOOKINGS Tel 01508 493734. Visit us online at www.poringlandroyaloak.com 44 The Street, Poringland NR14 7JT