E FRE No.173 Summer 2015 The Beehive wins City and Branch of the Year 2015 Read more on page 5!

The Railway Arms wins Pub of the Year 2015 See Page 57

Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

Norfolk Nips | Campaigning In this issue:

Get behind the industry 3

Norwich & Norfolk POTY 5

Stig’s Words 6 Let’s get behind The Ed’lines 7 Pub and Brewery News 8-12 the beer industry Man - How Much?? 15 CAMRA members vote for Beer 16 a more inclusive campaign Cider POTY 17 Black Horse Rampant 19 Members of CAMRA, Europe’s is about the promotion and largest beer consumer group, championing of real ale, and The Albion - End of an Era 20 have reinforced the organisa - providing a choice for drinkers, tion’s positive approach to rather than outright opposition In Memory of Wolfe 22-23 campaigning for beer and to other types of beer. Correspondence 23 by passing a series of progres - sive motions at its annual CAMRA chief executive Tim Green Dragon wins the Rural! 25 conference. Page said: “It was clear from the debate in the hall that the From the Archives 27 More than 1,200 CAMRA majority of members think that Key Keg debate 29 members attended the confer - criticising drinkers for not ence in Nottingham between choosing real ale is counter- The Rant 32 18-19 April and debated and productive. voted on 20 motions about Going to Gorleston 34-37 issues affecting the beer and CAMRA’s inclusive and Bar Man - Philosophy of 39 pub industry, as well as supportive attitude to the beer CAMRA’s future campaigning. and pub industry was also Norfolk’s champion 42-43 shown when members clearly Decisions were taken to voted to continue support for LocAle 45 support the practice of serving wider beer industry campaigns Great British Beer Festival 46 real ale from ‘key-kegs’ and to such as Cyclops and “There’s a recognise cider with whole fruit beer for that”. A truly Norfolk ale 48 and spices as ‘real’ were passed, CAMRA Discounts 51 whereas motions that advo - CAMRA will also help promote cated CAMRA distancing itself beer in non-traditional venues CAMRA Beer Festivals 53 from wider beer industry initia - and pubs and bars unable to tives were rejected. serve cask, with members Join CAMRA 58 agreeing two measures to Last Orders 59 Members clearly voted in refocus CAMRA’s Real Ale in a support of an inclusive Bottle scheme: the continued CAMRA Branch Calendar 60-61 approach to the beer industry, promotion of “high quality Contact Details 62 reaffirming that the Campaign Continued Overleaf

Norfolk Nips | City Pub of the Year Norwich & Norfolk Branch Pub of the Year

We are pleased to announce that the well deserved winner of the City Pub of the Year and the overall Branch Pub of the Year 2015 is The Beehive on Leopold Road in Norwich.

Of course no pub is a great pub, as in this case, without its colourful customers, a great landlady in Alex Kerridge and of course very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Alex comes from a back - ground of and real ale many more being on cask from where this all started off in her the outside bar / garden area. Let’s get behind early career at the Reindeer on the beer industry Dereham Road in Norwich. The other things that make continued this pub special are its regular Alex runs a great house now Saturday BBQs that help local bottle-conditioned beers” and at the Beehive which has been charities, Monday night Folk the mounting of a campaign to a pub since 1922. Prior to that night, the extremely popular encourage pubs to "identify the pub was a local shop on the Wednesday Quiz Nights, the and market bottle-conditioned corner of two Victorian Terraces. community sport and social groups that use the bars and ales and bottled real cider and perry clearly.” For the 7 years, Alex has been the upstairs function room and landlady she has worked to its great lunchtime food menu. On cider and perry, CAMRA transform this real community Oh and of course the recently members decided that the pub into the award winning introduced Pie Day Friday! On Campaign needed to recognise excellent venue it is today. Why occasions you can catch sport changes in the cider market has it won? Well, 7 hand on TV, but it’s not in your face and the growth in popularity of pumps with a strong focus on and you can still enjoy the great authentic flavoured and smaller local breweries goes a experience this pub gives you. perries. long way to guarantee that 75% of the beers are local. So there is not much to stop The Conference voted to From there you can understand you checking out this great adopt a motion changing why there will always be a good Norwich pub then. Say hello to CAMRA’s definition of real cider choice of real ale, be it from the Alex and her staff, enjoy the and perry to remove the two regular house beers or the ambiance and retro style of the criteria that “no added flavour - 5 guest ales! pub and chat to the locals! A warm and friendly welcome ings to be used” and to allow “pure fruits, vegetables, honey, Of course when the Beehive assured, oh and of course - hops, herbs and spices, but no puts on its beer festivals the fantastic beer! concentrates, cordials or number goes up and with a Rob Whitmore essences” to be added. Beer Festival looming in July Branch Secretary (2nd to 5th) you can be sure of

Summer 2015 | 5 Stig’s Words

The leaves are on the trees the birds are singing, luck in the next (regional) stage! We have also but the wind is still bloomin’ freezing! This could presented our Pub of the year award to the Coach be a description of an English spring or a and Horses at Dersingham for the second year pessimistic out look on life in general. running! A great achievement against excellent opposition. Congratulations to Sheila and her Although the economy is picking up the situation team. The Coach and Horses will now compete in the pub world, especially for smaller pubs is not with the Norwich branch choice for the county that good. Some rely on tourist business to keep POTY 2015. them afloat, some on the number of people using a town centre and some on the sheer confidence Narborough Social club has been awarded our of the local community. We have examples of the Club of the year award for its beer range and effect of these factors all over Norfolk. In this issue I quality not to mention its downright friendliness, have found both ends of the stick in one town, so just show your CAMRA membership card and you’ll read inside… be welcome (Another good reason to join us).

On a lighter note some of our west Norfolk estab - The season of beer festivals is starting to roll inex - lishments have been getting awards. orably down hill to land on summer greens all over Whin Hill Cider in Wells is just outside our area East Anglia, so hopefully I’ll see some of you sitting but are long term friends of the branch so congrat - in the sun enjoying the light reflecting through a ulations go to them for winning the East Anglian well crafted pint, assuming of course it stays in the Perry award. glass long enough!

The Railway at Downham Market has won both Cheers our branch and Norfolk Cider pub of the year good Stig Norfolk Nips | From the Editors The Ed’lines

Five years ago, I agreed to become the Editor of retirement – Dougie and Bernie from the Duke this wonderful magazine, on the understanding of Wellington and Chris and Glynis from the that I would do it for a fixed term of five years. Trafford Arms are also looking for pastures new. The time has now come and so this is my Good luck to them. last issue. I would like to place on record my sincere It has been a wonderful experience, and one of thanks to everyone who contributed, offered the best jobs that I have ever had. Norfolk NIPS tips and suggestions, and even criticised. You are and Cask Force is a well-loved and much holding the result in your hands, a magazine of respected magazine which is read the world which I am immensely proud. over, since the digital version has been available. Good luck to the new Editor, Graham I have visited many fine pubs and breweries Freeman, who incidentally gave me the job all and met some wonderful people. It would those years ago. appear that I am not alone in announcing my Please give him your wholehearted support and copy and photos and letters and suggestions...Time for a beer.

Cheers! Mike Baldwin

able to include them in our future editions.

As Summer approaches please go out into our many Norfolk Pubs and have an enjoyable expe - rience. However don’t forget to tell us about it. The face and name are the same but my job is Graham Freeman not the same. Yes I'm back. For some reason I have decided to be re-activated and wanted to help out as the new joint Editor with Stig. I hope Subscriptions he will be gentle with me. We have a growing number of postal I take this opportunity to thank Mike Baldwin subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, for his many years of service and his help in and I would like to send my thanks for the kind making Norfolk Nips & Cask Force one of the best comments and best wishes from those who newsletters around. Well what comes next? I do feel we should concentrate more on local issues have renewed their subscriptions recently. as we do need to remember our focus is to If you would like to join them in receiving the promote Real Ale & Cider in Norfolk. This is next 4 issues by post, send 10 first class where I would like your help. I'm looking for any stamps or £6.50 cheque payable to West items you would like to see in the Nips. Norfolk CAMRA, 91 Tennyson Road, Please send us your ideas and we will give Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. them our consideration and hopefully will be

Summer 2015 | 7 Pub and Brewery News | Norfolk Nips Pub and Brewery News News from Norwich rant, without planning permis - It doesn’t matter if the pub sion. This is in addition to the sells real ale or not - we’re & Norfolk existing protection an ACV happy to list any pub at risk listing gives, preventing sale Just because a pub is a bit Lots of news this edition, some without giving the local run down, doesn’t mean it good, some bad, and quite a community a chance to bid. deserves to close or be lot of it happening in Norwich. And what’smore, a recent legal converted - there are plenty of judgement means that CAMRA examples of pubs ‘coming back But first, I’d like to mention a branches can submit ACV from the dead’ under new pub well outside our area, nominations in their own right, management Carlton , in Maida without the need to collect 21 Vale, London . Ninety-four local signatures! We don’t expect you to do years old, and the only building anything more than tell us in the street to survive WWII In response to this change, about the pub (unless you bombing, the pub was the CAMRA intend to step up want to of course!). We will do summarily demolished by it’s massively their activity in this all the leg-work. owners, shortly after they’d area. Norwich & Norfolk been denied planning permis - Branch have an objective to list Back to the usual subject of sion to convert it to flats, and 100 pubs this year, and WE this column, and starting with days before it was to be listed NEED YOUR HELP to identify news from Norwich. as a building of historical the pubs most in danger, and interest. It wasn’t failing, it was those which would be most We have probably lost the just more valuable to the sorely missed. Typically, but not Bread & Cheese, Adelaide owners as flats than as a pub. exclusively, these will fall into St to housing. The planning Conversion required planning one or more of the following application was due to be permission for change of use, categories: heard at the start of May, with but as the law stands, once a the last pub in the village, objections from residents based pub is demolished, there is no area or suburb on the size of the development ‘use’ to change, and therefore and its effect on parking, but pubs in ‘sought after’ loca - not on the loss of the pub, no planning permission tions which make them worth required!* which was believed to be more as flats trading adequately prior to *Beyond that required to build have gardens / car parks / closure in January. I have to say on any empty site. open space which could be it is disappointing to see that developed the Norwich Society “welcome” This disgraceful behaviour is owned by pub companies / the conversion of the pub, fortunately rare, but highlights large breweries despite it being on their Local the need for better protection List of important buildings due of pubs - a major campaigning So if you know of such pubs, to, among other things, its issue for CAMRA in recent please let me know at pubsof - importance to the community years, which has resulted in an [email protected], or “for over 150 years”. important change in the law: write to the Editor. from now on, any pub which is Nearby, the Perseverance , listed as an Asset of Commu - A couple of important points: also on Adelaide St , closed nity Value (ACV) can not be Don’t wait until the pub is again only a few months after demolished, and can not be for sale (or worse!) - it will be re-opening. However at time of converted to a shop or restau - too late! writing it is believed to have 8 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Pub and Brewery News been sold for continued use as Brewdog are serious about a Three new outlets for real ale a pub - watch this space. new bar in Norwich - adverts have been discovered by my Several other pubs have for staff have been spotted, but informants! Dereham has a changed hands, with the Lord we’re still not sure where, new build Marston’s pub, the Rosebery , on Rosebery although Hideout on Queen St Greenstone , opening ‘soon’. Road sold to Redwell has ‘Let’ signs up and wouldn’t The Lawns Hotel , Holt now Brewery (although the B&B need an awful lot of work, or has two ales usually available - accommodation is retained), any serious planning consent. a Moongazer from Norfolk and the Trafford Arms , Brewhouse and an Adnams Grove Rd, sold by long-time Outside the city, celebrity beer at my correspondent’s landlord, and ex-Sheriff of chef Marco-Pierre White’s four visit. And the Fritton Arms , Norwich Chris Higgins, to Nick Norfolk pubs have all been put Fritton on the Somerleyton De’Ath, owner of the up for sale. The Chequers and estate now also stocks beers Unthank Arms and part- the Lifeboat , both at from Greene King and local owner of the Lawyer . Thornham ; the Wayford breweries. Bridge Inn , Wayford The Cottage , Silver Road , Bridge ; and the Acle Bridge Following a very pleasant visit has been bought by Grain Inn , Acle Bridge , were in the to the Golden Triangle Brewery and given a very hands of administrators brewery in Barford , where we stylish makeover, including a following the companies which were treated to an energetic new copper-topped bar on the owned them failing last year. re-enactment of a brew day by right as you enter, with lots owner and brewer Kevin more space, expensive wood From the northern and Tweedy, we crossed the road to panelling, exposed brickwork, southern extremes of our area, the Cock , which has been brand new solid wood floors - news of two previous Branch transformed in the last couple oh and six handpumps Pubs of the Year. In the south, of years by owner Marvin dispensing mainly Grain beers, the iconic Geldeston Locks Shalders, and is now a lovely and an array of taps on the Inn is no longer owned by traditional pub, with light walls back bar for other craft beers. Green Jack Brewery. However and dark wood and a real fire, award-winning landlord Colin plus three handpumps - and is Greene King have opened a Smith is staying on, and will no longer painted orange! new Hungry Horse outlet, the maintain a wide range of beers, Fieldfare , on the Broadland featuring several from Grain . The Erpingham Arms , Business Park in Postwick . And up on the north coast, the Erpingham , re-opened in late Interestingly the premises Windham Arms , Sher - April, the White Lodge , licence application was spelled ingham has been taken over by Attleborough re-opened in “Hungary” Horse, although the people who have the Robin March, and we hear that the having opened there’s Hood in the same town. Dog , Swardeston , may also no goulash or other East-Euro - have re-opened. pean dishes on their extensive Along the coast, the White menu! Horse , East Runton , has However, on the debit side of been renamed the Dozy the account, we believe the Work is still progressing at Dormouse - apparently in Feathers at North Walsham what we can now stop calling affectionate tribute to the land - is closed and for sale, Greens “ex-Delaney’s” - the St lord’s wife! - and has been / The Forge at Aylsham is Andrews Brewhouse , in St refurbished in the modern closed and to let; the Mill , Andrews Street . which we style. And the White Horse , Newton Flotman has been expect to open very soon, with on Blakeney ’s High St has had sold, and the Fox & Hounds , planning consent for an on-site a major refurb by owners micro-brewery. It seems Adnams. Continued Overleaf Summer 2015 | 9 Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips

Great Moulton , is closed and such as hand pumps painted and the notices it is being for sale by auction. with hunting scenes. The Gin refurbished and may well be Trap had a display of man traps reopen by the time you read In April Tacey and David hung from the ceiling which this. Also being refurbished is Moore celebrated 2 years at would probably fallen foul of the Dray and Horses at the Railway Tavern the new regulations if the Tottenhill, though I have heard Framingham Earl . The focus motion had been passed, and various rumours as to what the is serving great value quality it took a bit of persuasion the final outcome may be, and it is pub food, national and locally satisfy the landlord, Brian, possible that this will not sourced cask ales, lagers, , noted for his outspoken and reopen as a pub. spirits and soft drinks in a uncompromising views, that it friendly environment. The was not a serious proposal. Up for sale after the owning Railway Tavern is also building company had financial prob - an enviable reputation as a life Brian built the place into a lems are the Lifeboat and its music venue. Sky Sports has fantastic pub, and we look sister pub, the Chequers at been recently added. forward to it returning to its Thornham. A colour supple - former glory once again, ment favourite, the Lifeboat is For more information about although one correspondent one of the best known pubs in pubs in the Branch, please visit writes to tell be that he called the area, so should create some www.whatpub.com/nor, where in at 7.25pm one evening interest. The Chequers was, for you can also report any errors, attracted by the sign promising many years named the Old omissions and update directly food all day. After ordering his Coach House and used as a to me via the ‘Submit Update’ drinks and asking for a menu kind of overspill for people option. he was then told that they staying in the Lifeboat, but were not doing food, so more recently has been although he was impressed by promoted in its own right, the range of four cask beers, he reverting back to its original News from the West will not be in a hurry to return. name. Hopefully there will be enough trade for three pubs to Good news from Ringstead Another pub that has reopened survive in the village, given that where the Gin Trap has is the former Ostrich at South it is popular with tourists. The reopened after being taken Creake, now called the Plume difficulty may be attracting over by local resident Annelli of Feathers . Punch enough custom out of the Taylor, who has had the pub are reported to have helped summer season when the completely refurbished, with the £100,000 refurbish - second home owners make including three letting rooms. ment and are working fewer visits. Both are listed as The locally sourced food is alongside the new operator, ‘offers invited’. proving popular. The Gin Trap Paul Vials. The grade II listed was one of our key advertisers building has been repaired and In Terrington St John, there is when we launched the West redecorated and there are three a mysterious planning applica - Norfolk CAMRA magazine Cask letting rooms. It is hoped that tion in for the Woolpack , to Force around 25 years ago. the attached barn will soon be construct three 4 bed dwellings available to host events. with attached garages, Unfortunately this was also however I cannot discover if the time when a motion was The Marshland Arms out this means that the pub itself is put forward to the national on the Smeeth, near Wisbech under threat as the West AGM seeking to ban pubs from was closed for refurbishment Norfolk Planning Site gives me the Good Beer Guide which in when we swung by in March, any way supported hunting, but according to the website Continued Overleaf

10 | Summer 2015 Spring 2015 | 11 Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips an error message when I guess is a satisfactory solution Pub attempt a search. for the building. I recently came across a channel 5 televi - Preservation We hear that the Dolphin in sion programme about the Thetford is currently closed and tragic events at the pub which After sounding opinion indeed it is being advertised on did not make for comfortable amongst West Norfolk the Enterprise Inns website if viewing. I also wonder about committee members you fancy taking it over, so the the accuracy of the programme intention seems to be for it to when the makers use stock I have applied in the name of continue as a pub (Currently footage of the Norfolk Broads the branch for an ACV for the being run by the landlady of the to illustrate a West Norfolk Winch in West Winch. This pub green Dragon. ED) , unlike the village. has been chosen as a test case Bridge in Thetford which is Jeff because it is the only remaining now reported to be Zaks Amer - pub in the village and I have ican Diner. Two more pubs Just In! heard rumours from a local advertised on the Enterprise The Jolly Brewers pub and resident that it is shortly to close site are the Swan in East restaurant in Shouldham and be demolished. Harling and the Flintknap - Thorpe has a new owner in pers in Brandon, which as far Julie Wales who has over 20 as I know are still trading. years experience in the busi - Coach & Horses ness and is the owner of the I have been asked to give a Celebrate Summer nearby Foldgate Inn at Strad - mention to a couple of beer sett. Food will be served every festivals coming up. The Coach and Horses at Ders - day and there will be a live Kings Arms at Shouldham , ingham have announced a music night once a month. have a festival on the weekend Summer solstice Cider festival to No news on the beer, yet but of 4th – 6th September and food and produce is being be held Sunday 21st June, the Chequers at Wimbot - sourced from named local 2015. Music all day and Kings sham are in action on 28th suppliers, so lets hope that the Morris men at 2.00 pm. -30th August, where there is same attention to detail and Also a beer festival 16th - 18th anticipated to be an appear - quality is reflected on the bar. ance by the classic motor cycle October, 15 - 20 beers. The grand opening was sched - club. uled for 15th May, so it should have settled down by now and As reported in the last issue, be well worth a look. Wetherspoons have submitted a planning application to turn Went past the Dray and the White Hart in Downham Horses Tottenhill on Friday into one of their outlets. Objec - and it looks like it is now some tions have been lodged, and kind of restaurant, but have not we await the decision of the been able to find any details. committee. May not yet be open. Up at Snettisham the Compasses has been empty for several years since the murder of the landlady. The Coop has submitted plans to turn it into a store, which I

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Norfolk Nips | Bar Man

Unfair Trading Regulations 2008’. This resulted in the repeal of the Price Marking (Food and How Drink Services) Order, which specifically covered price lists and their display. Now there is ‘a general obligation to give sufficient information much??? to customers at the point of sale, so that they are not misled on prices.’ Clearly the best way to do this is to display a price list, but you could If a pint of beer in a pub costs £3, then a half argue that if the prices are in line with what would cost £1.50, right? Well no, actually. would be generally expected in the area, it Many pubs charge over half the price of a pint would be very difficult to bring any kind of when purchasing a half measure. Is this fair? It action against a publican for failing to display was a topic of discussion at the recent CAMRA prices. On the other hand, if you bought a pint AGM in Nottingham and opinion was divided. for £4, what would be the reasonable expecta - tion for a half a pint? £2.20 might be OK, but Some felt that it is obvious that you should pay what if it was £2.60? Some might argue half as much for half the quantity, and to charge (and indeed did in Nottingham) that this is not more than this is both sharp practice and an reasonable. This is covered by a section of the encouragement to drink larger measures which act detailing ‘misleading omissions’. This is when is probably a bad thing, especially in Scotland a trader leaves out important information to where the drink drive limits have been cut from mislead you into buying something that you 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of may not have bought if you had been given all blood to 50 milligrams. the facts. I can find a case of an oil firm being prosecuted for delivering oil to homes without a Others hold that the price you pay for a pint is quote and then charging higher than expected not just for the drink, and if you buy a half you prices, but none of a pub being prosecuted. expect the same effort for the serving staff as if you were buying a pint. A half pint glass cost I doubt that Trading Standards would have the just as much to wash, you are occupying a chair time or inclination to take on a case of over - and want the same heating and lighting and charging by a few pence in these straightened entertainment, such as the football on TV as times. Maybe the requirement to display a price those who buy a pint. If you go to a super - list should have been spared from the bonfire of market, the unit price of almost everything is red tape. greater if you buy in smaller amounts, so why should beer be different? [email protected] First published in the Lynn News The consensus seemed to be that it was OK to pay a little more, for instance to round the price up to a sensible number so the customer was not charged £1.57 for example, but big differ - ences were unacceptable, such as some London pubs quoted which charge 50 or 60p extra for a half. Anyway, if you are that worried it is always possible to check the price list before making a decision. Except that it isn’t.

I was under the impression that all pubs have to display a price list, but this is no longer the case. It certainly used to be, but the law was changed by the ‘The Consumer Protection from Summer 2015 | 15 Beer experts gain accreditation Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA are pleased that two of their long standing members have been awarded Beer Sommelier accreditation by the Beer Academy. Mark and Cheryl Cade have long had an interest in beer and hope that this award will enable them to pursue their new careers in the industry organising tours, tutored tastings and other beers related events in Norfolk and beyond. Cheryl and Mark will also continue their work at the Norwich Beer Festival with Cheryl co- managing the Foreign and Bottled Beer Bar alongside Keith Loney. They will also be organ- ising the tutored beer tastings at the Norwich Beer Festival and hope to continue the good work that Ian Stamp has begun.

Cheryl (a committee member) is part of a group of women in the area championing the image of ladies enjoying the delicious tipple of beer.

So what is a Beer Sommelier? A Beer Somme- lier specialises in the service and knowledge of beer. This knowledge includes an under- standing of styles, brewing, ingredients, and brewing, glassware, beer service, draught systems, beer tasting and food pairings. Cheryl and Mark were assessed on their beer knowledge and sat a one to one exam that involved blind tasting a number of beers (yes it was hard work!) to evaluate styles and flavours and to indentify a number of faults that can occur in beer.

If you would like more information about what they do and how they promote local and interna- tional beers take a look at their website www.thirstconsultants.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter. They are always happy to chat about beer.

16 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Norwich & Norfolk branch Cider Pub of the Year 2015 Result! Four in a row for The White Lion For the fourth consecutive year, the members of the Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA have selected The White Lion pub, on Oak Street in Norwich, as the Cider Pub of the Year. Pubs within the branch providing the best real cider and perry had been nominated by members and the final voting took place at the recent branch AGM. Warren Wordsworth, the Norwich and Norfolk Although the White Lion has won the award Branch Chairman said “I would like to congratu - since the Cider Pub of the Year was introduced late The White Lion for winning Norwich & in 2012, it is the first time that Landlord Alex Norfolk Branch’s Cider Pub of the Year for an Waters has received the Norwich & Norfolk impressive fourth year in a row. The White Lion is branch’s title although he has worked there for a great pub, which actually was closed for quite a a number of years. Mr Waters said after being - number of years but reopened in September given the good news “We are thrilled to hear 2008, and now has an excellent choice of ciders that The White Lion has been awarded the and perries which has helped raise awareness of Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA Cider Pub of the local producers and the variety of these tradi - Year. Since taking over from Ben and Becky tional, natural drinks available at pubs. I wish The Ackers in August 2014, we have continued to White Lion and Mr Waters good luck in the specialise in providing a diverse range of quality future rounds of the competition”. real ciders from all parts of the country, with an emphasis on Norfolk cider. ” Norwich Beer He continued “We sell ciders from Jonty’s, Crone’s, East Norfolk, Harleston, Burnard's, the Norfolk Cider Company and Whin Hill, as well Festival as 10-15 ciders from the West Country, Wales, We are promised some changes for the 38th Essex and elsewhere. We also sell lots of good Beer Festival this year. Worry ye not, it will real ale and home cooked, locally sourced still be in The Halls and will be held during seasonal British food. We are passionate about the October Half Term week. More will be what we do here and would like to thank the revealed in the next issue, but there is an Norfolk and Norwich branch CAMRA members important change regarding the facilities. for voting for us and continuing to drink at The White Lion.” In St Andrew’s Hall, the Ladies will be the Gents and the Gents will be the Ladies. The White Lion now goes head-to-head with Doors will be blocked off and new walls and the West Norfolk branch’s winner, The Railway partitions built – you have been warned! Tavern in Downham Market and also the Wortwell Bell which was Mid Anglia’s winner, Please check the Branch website, or speak with the overall Norfolk victor progressing to to a Committee Member if you wish to the Regional level of the competition. volunteer.

Summer 2015 | 17

Norfolk Nips | West Norfolk Black Horse Rampant

The Black Horse in Thetford was for several years Red Lion (Wetherspoon) with clashing beers. a regular in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide , and then due to various factors, including a change The atmosphere is helped by the fact that all of management, it dropped out. sectors of the local community use the black Horse, and all ages, including old Thetfordians. In 2014 Terry and Pam Gillman were looking to move from the Green Dragon to a pub that Terry has introduced a number of traditional had more potential to be shaped to their ideas. board and dice games which have proven a big The owners of the Black Horse approached hit with customers, “Shut the box” anyone? them and after some initial doubts they decided to arrive at a deal. There are occasional live music sessions and a quiz night on the last Wednesday in a month. The pub was from personal memory a bit dark On the community theme the pub has 5 darts inside and the food side had slowed significantly, and 2 crib teams and kit sponsors Thetford to be fair the beer was fine. As well as writing for Rovers. The is also a very pleasant and editing the west Norfolk part of this maga - feature, some people don’t realise it is for visitors zine, I also help to distribute it locally. So when I use as it looks almost too nice! dropped in to deliver NIPS after the takeover I was immediately impressed by the change, I know Terry and Pam are in the Black Horse for heavy curtains had gone and light allowed into the long run and wish them continued success. the bars, the atmosphere was much lighter as well with obvious chatter between hosts and customers. Terry and Pam had already begun to make the Horse their own.

The beer quality had gone up a notch, still served through the three pumps they inherited with the pub. This was only the beginning; a varying menu of good honest home made food was (and still is) on offer, all excellent in my opinion. Considering the fact that the Wether - spoons is very close by with its mass feeding at low prices, you would think Terry and Pam had taken on a challenge but the food is in great demand and the eating area is often pretty full. To give another reason for the foods popularity regular Dan Bailey describes it as “bangin’” nuff said!

This is a beer magazine so back to the real ales, Terry has installed five handpumps now and uses all of them beers range from the regular IPA, Wherry and St Austel Tribute to Mauldons and Bellhaven all turned over quickly and in superb condition. Terry has an arrangement with Wood - fordes that they don’t supply the Horse and the

Summer 2015 | 19 End of an Era | Norfolk Nips The Albion Thetford, end of an era

There are always pubs that seem as if they will The arrival of the Wetherspoon Red Lion with go on forever, it would be hard to find a better attendant cut price beer shortly afterwards did example than the Albion. not help Amanda’s situation as she was tied to GK’s wholesale prices and although many regu - Run by the same family since 1969 originally lars said they would continue to support her by John and Eunice Middlebrook and for the last they slowly moved to the Red Lion. She told me 20 years by their daughter Amanda, the Albion she was having a hard time two years ago, then has always been essentially the same, a proper a visit during last year she revealed that a group small town local surviving on wet sales and a of builders from a holiday project had helped to strong sense of community. When you visited keep the Albion afloat through that winter. there were some real characters, I remember a chap named Richard who always sat in the same So I was taken aback to discover that GK had place in the bar, with plenty of tales of local sold the Albion last June to Hawthorn Leisure personalities from the surrounding villages, he and that due to beer supply problems and late was a contemporary of and knew my own invoicing for lease payments Amanda had recently departed next door neighbour Rose and decided to give up the lease as of this between them they knew pretty much everyone September! She told me that no help had been in the area! Both gone now, they don’t really offered with her payments and that bad beer make people like them anymore. supply continues today.

The Albion never offered more than a cheese Amanda has spent most of her life in and toastie but you could bring in food from else - around the pub and although she is putting a where. Prior to the arrival of Wetherspoon in brave face on it, the prospect of leaving must Thetford the Albion always had the cheapest really hurt. If you are any good as a publican you beer in the town yet featured in the Good Beer have to invest quite a bit of yourself in a pub but Guide for many years without a break. The pub the Albion is much more than just a pub to was in the Greene King portfolio and served Amanda its her life history. their range to a very high standard. I know she will miss the community spirit, A refurbishment was carried out a few years banter and company of her regulars, but maybe ago, with an extension to the length of the bar not the 24-7 commitment. I believe there are and a refit of the drinking area which resulted in plans to break free and travel in the future, the loss of what had been Richards traditional sounds like a great idea. Whoever takes on the position. One difficulty with this refurb was that Albion will have a hard act to follow. the cost of fixtures and fittings fell to Amanda, who was after all on a rolling three year lease! Bon voyage Amanda, you’ll be missed!

20 | Summer 2015

In Memory | Norfolk Nips Wolfe Witham

I've had the privilege of knowing Wolfe Witham for the past 30 years, There’s more to him than beer and brewing and being 6ft 8. Wolfe was a family man, with his partner Sonja by his side, Alex Kerridge, his step daughter and his stepson Paul, who brewed the beers, both worked for Wolfe in the Reindeer, went on to produce the many award winning ales at Wolf brewery. He made a point of visiting every pub he sold Wolf ales to, pop in for a drink with the landlord/lady and a chat, He believed in the personal approach, and he could get suggestions from his clients too. Also in this way he became very well known in the Norwich pubs.

He was a stickler for detail, I recall him telling me that once in the Reindeer, an elderly woman came up to him, the week he opened the restaurant there, and told him she never went to pubs, but as she came past the pub each morning on the bus and saw him regularly watering the hanging baskets, she thought if he theatre company which performed amongst cared so much about the outside of his pub, he others “three men in a boat”, at an event at must take the same care inside, with the food Mannington Hall, Wherein Wolfe, and two and drink. So she had brought her husband in others, appeared in a canoe like boat, with no for the first time. He often mentioned that, bottom, which they wore strapped over their when discussing people's perception of a busi - shoulders. Intending to walk around the lawn ness, keep it personable, its a people centred pretending to be on water. Lord Walpole, came business. I think many pub owners could do well along and said, why don’t you use the moat, its to heed that advice instead of putting faceless only four feet deep so they duly did, after about managers behind their bars, who have no real ten minutes into the play, and safely walking vested interest. along the moat. They didn’t see a hidden sink - hole and suddenly there were only two men in Socially he would hold centre stage, a story - the boat. teller. Wolfe told me in his own inimitable animated manner of one time, he moved house In the Reindeer pub, he still managed to keep for the Bonzo Dog Dooda Band front man Viv up his love of theatre. He was encouraging of Stanshal, Laden with furniture, and piano, they local theatre company, “Great Escape”, and drove down Bayswater Road in an flatback truck. hosted a week of theatrical events for Comic Wolfe heard the honky tonk of the piano, looked Relief . It was a typically generous offer. in the mirror and there was Viv Stanshall sitting at the piano, naked. He loved peoples reactions Some of you may have noticed that Wolfe had to his tales. very long strong fingernails on one hand, this was because he was a proficient self taught Before the brewing trade, Wolfe was in a classic flamenco guitarist, and needed long nails,

22 | Summer 2015 However Sonja his partner pointed out to me worldly wise. but wholly human.. you remem - that they were fake fingernails stuck on with bered him, many respected him, everyone superglue which was often all over the kitchen looked up to him, You had no option. He table. I can recall a few occasions when He always managed to be noticed besides his played in public, not long after Alex Kerridge height, his inimitable conversational manner, took over the Beehive. Wolfe, myself and others laced with wit, and jocularity made him a person had been cooking, and brought pies and people would go over to talk to, someone they sausage rolls. Wolfe, brought a Spanish tortilla, enjoyed being with. which incidentally he was pretty good at cooking, and once won a blind tasting of I miss him very much, as I am sure many Spanish tortillas against a Spanish friend. readers who know him will also do, so lets raise Encouraged by beer and food, Wolfe brought in a pint and to use Wolfe's old tag line “drink his classical guitar, and wearing a ridiculously more beer! Cheers.” silly hat sporting a stuffed cloth Seagull played flamenco to an astounded group of regulars, who had no idea he could play. Alex, had a look of consternation on her face, saying “ I don’t think I’ve got a license for music yet” suffice to say a good time was had by all. Correspondence Always creative, he had poems published in the EDP , and even wrote a novel once. Dear Editor, Wolfe's humour was eccentric and surreal, I read with interest the article on soft drinks in much of it influenced by the goon shows, he pubs in the last issue. Do I want to pay an was recently writing a play intended for radio, inflated price for a cheap sweet fizzy drink? NO! which featured a group of people, who appeared to be trapped in a strange place.. it What I really want is something that I can turned out that they had been turned into enjoy, something with a bit of flavour that Is chickens. He was a member of the Mardlers satisfying. radio theatre company, and played a curmud - geonly old man , called Wolfy, who sat in the Peter Tinniswood in his books about the snug and moaned about the corrupt politicians, Brandon family from up North refers to the rising price and declining quality of food, Temperance Bars who would dispense restrictive pub legislation and the decline of “foaming pints of Sarsaparilla.” That’s more standards. This was of course a fictional char - like it. A pint pulled from a handpump. Pour acter…and nothing like the Wolfe we knew. that into a jug with a handle and I would be well pleased. He was generous, sociable, and spontaneous, I recall one evening bemoaning the end of the I have to admit that I would rather drink a Mussel season, he suggested we drive to Calais, filter coffee than endure some of the fizzy for lunch the next day, where mussels were still offerings. Fentiman’s is one company that in season. So we were up at 4.30am, passports produces decent alternatives, but in tiny at the ready, and drove to Dover, crossed the bottles. channel, ate delicious Mussels in Boulogne, and drove back the same day. He was always game A pint of Fentiman’s Dandelion and Burdock for an adventure. from that redundant handpump in the middle, anyone? Wolfe of course was a character, A larger than Yours, life character a loving family man, at the same Disgruntled of Dereham time, irascible, supportive, grumpy, likeable, exasperating, amusing, funny, sage, erudite, and

Summer 2015 | 23

Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA Rural Pub of the Year 2015 | Norfolk Nips The Green Dragon wins again!

If that does not show you why the award has been won then also check out the great Bank Holiday weekends (May 22-25th and August 28th-31st) when they hold the ever growing and popular Ale, Cider, and Music festivals. They put on lots of great beers and ciders and an atmosphere that's hard to beat.

The bursting awards cabinet is down to “a lot of things”. Ales, nice, friendly staff home cooked food and desserts, and the history of the building has been kept too. Justin has more plans for the Green Dragon to become even better, check it out to watch the improvements The winner of the Norwich and Norfolk Branch being made made! So if you are wondering Rural Pub of the Year 2015 is located in the heart where to go – then we definitely recommend of Wymondham. The Green Dragon is a medieval our Rural Pub of the Year, the Green Dragon in public house dating back to the 14th century and Church Street Wymondham. See you there! is one of the oldest pubs in the country with a rich history that lives on every day. Cheers! Rob Whitmore It is the third time in six years that this popular 14th century tavern has picked up this accolade, with a further five wins in the South Norfolk Community Pub of the Year competition as well. Many community and charity events pour out of Green Dragon now and are all well supported. Landlord Justin Harvey said: “It’s great - it’s really nice for us to get recognition for what we do and it’s good for the town and bringing extra people in.”

Apart from great real ale, local and national, a lovely customer environment, the Green Dragon with historic roots, still meets and exceeds customer needs today! It’s great on a quieter EATON COTTAGE day and also when its bustling, which it often is! UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048 But you will always find space in the labyrinth of rooms and outdoor space. Food is available of Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits course so whether you are looking to wash All Sky & BT Sports • A traditional pub down great ales with some honest British pub grub, a light bite, or something more adven - Good covered outside areas turous, the Green Dragon has the answer. Doggies welcome “A festival of beers every day”

Summer 2015 | 25

Norfolk Nips | From the archives

From the Archives Another trawl through our files looking at the burning issues of the day

Issue No.152 Spring 2010 The weather featured heavily in this issue, A5 72 pages, full colour throughout there had apparently been some stuff called on gloss white coated paper. snow. One correspondent reported on the Editors – Warren Wordsworth/ Mike delights of delivering NIPS in blizzard conditions Baldwin. and a visit to the Beeston Brewery was followed by a swift retreat to warmth of The Bull at It was Pub of the Year time again and it was Litcham, where Mark Riches had arranged for announced that the two Branch pubs which more Beeston Brewery beer to be available. would go head to head to decide the overall Worth the Wait, apparently. Norfolk Pub of the Year were The Mariners Tavern in Great Yarmouth and The Angel, Andrea Kirkby described a North Norwich Pub Larling. Crawl. A few years previously this had been a barren wasteland, but that had all changed The previous edition had sported a photo of thanks to the Wig and Pen, King’s Head, White Graham Freeman wearing a Humpty Dumpty Lion, Cottage, Cider Shed, Whalebone and The Brewery t-shirt at the Acropolis in Athens. In Duke of Wellington. response, reader Richard Dixon submitted a photo of himself and two Barmen wearing Our first regular Competition asked readers to Woodfordes t-shirts in a bar in Baja California in name ten pub signs from photos supplied by Mexico. No real ale though. Maurice Bobbitt.

In Pub News, it was reported that The Consti - And finally, tribute was paid to Nicholas Frank tution, The Woodside, The Walnut Tree Shades Stimpson who had recently passed away. and The Cross Keys in Dilham had all closed. However, The Cottage, The Reindeer and The Mermaid in Hedenham had all reopened. The Ferry Boat in King Street, Norwich, which had been shut for three years had been purchased from Greene King by Deepdale Backpackers& Camping of North Norfolk, who planned to open it as a hostel. Open from Midday Everyday Fresh home cooked food to be found on our bar and specials menus Ever changing selection of local ales and fifty whiskies to be sampled

Upcoming Events

Real Ale, Cider, and Music Festivals during the summer bank holidays, May 22nd till the 25th and August 28th till the 31st, Pub Quiz every Thursday, DragonFest open mic nights, and much more!

Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated through the summer. Norfolk Nips | Beer Debate Criteria for Key Kegs

Motion 15 This Conference instructs the National Executive to investigate a labelling scheme for naturally conditioned Key Keg beer which would allow customers to iden - tify which beers, at the point of sale, conform with the CAMRA criteria for real ale.

One of the most interesting Motions at the AGM beer is squeezed out. Care has to be taken to concerned the use of Key Kegs, or Cask Kegs, ensure that the beer is not frothy and has the right which is the version used for beer. amount of head on it, but this is controllable.

Basically, it’s beer in a bag. Ah, I hear you say, The Cask Kegs are non-returnable, so the we’ve been there before, Panther Brewery have Brewery does not have to worry about missing been doing it. It’s a great way to get real ale into casks and the bowls have gone to be used as – an establishment that struggles with it because goldfish bowls! The debate at the AGM was they do not get the turnover. The Beer lasts getting somewhat heated, with the main point longer because it is not contaminated with air. of contention being – is this real ale?

So how does it work? The brewery fills the bag CAMRA has looked into these and says that it is with beer and puts it into a goldfish bowl real ale and that should be good enough. True, shaped container, which is then enclosed. the method of dispense could be confusing and, yes, there may have to be a label saying In order to serve the beer, air or gas is intro - “CAMRA says this is real ale”. But if it gets real duced into the bowl, but not into the beer! It ale into new places and attracts new fans, then goes between the bowl and the bag, so that the isn’t it worth it?

Under New Ownership and newly decorated inside Live Bands, Quiz and Poker Nights Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated Open Mon - Thurs 11-11, Fri -Sat 11-11:30 Sun 12-10:30. Mini Beer Festival Every Day! We’re with over a dozen real ales and ciders in it! Fresh rolls served daily or bring in your favourite take-away Free Wi-Fi • Dog friendly

Summer 2015 | 31 The Rant | Norfolk Nips Getting Fruity!

In Germany they have this Purity Law, which able). In Nottingham, I ordered Root Beer from basically says that only barley, hops, yeast and a local Brewery. Root Beer is my drink of choice water can go into the making of a beer. To the when driving on the other side of the pond. uninitiated, this would mean that all German Sadly, it tasted nothing like Root Beer. beers look and taste alike. But we know that this In France, I discovered Picon, an orange is not so. Depending on the variety of hops and flavoured aperitif that you add to beer. It what you do with the barley, you can get a certainly adds colour and flavour to your myriad of different tastes and beer styles. everyday lager.

But what about apples? The quality of the crop But what I really love is the chocolate and varies from year to year according to growing coffee flavoured beers. conditions and so will the taste of any cider or perry. Little wonder that the major Anybody know if there producers of commercial ciders add is a Bournville Porter? chemicals to ensure a consistent, if not bland product. The latest notion has been to introduce other fruits into the mix to produce flavoured ciders. And this is not just the main brands, smaller producers are doing it as well as the CAMRA AGM in Nottingham heard.

And for beer? Her indoors still raves about the Cherry Bomb ale that was at the Norwich Beer Festival a few years ago. Not my cup of tea I have to admit, but one of my all-time favourites comes from a well- known East Anglian Brewery. It’s a porter, a style that I love, but at the end of the process, concentrated blackberry juice is added. Pure nectar, in my opinion.

Flavoured ciders, flavoured beers – is this just pandering to the Nation’s sweet tooth? I know someone who says that all beers taste the same, though admittedly they only drink Bitter and that is what they ask for in the pub. You would be hard pushed to find someone who thinks that Woodforde’s Wherry and Cherry Bomb, for example, taste the same. (Editor’s Note: Other beers are avail -

32 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Please support our advertisers

Summer 2015 | 33 Ice Cream, D e

Did you know that Gorleston has the second largest population in Norfolk. Only Norwich has more people living there. Welcome to the seaside! That is one of the pleasant things about Norfolk, you are never far from it. Gorleston has a superb beach and wonderful views out to the North Sea.

Welcome to the Gorleston Cluster There are six pubs all very close together around the harbour's mouth. They can provide between them a range of priced food, accommodation, characterful pub decor, superb views and all with great Real Ale. Almost all buses that run through Gorleston stop at the town centre. From there leaving the Library on your right go down Baker Street and follow the road around, another 400 yards and there you are. Look out for the three local breweries ales (Green Jack from Lowestoft, Lacons and Tombstone from Yarmouth). You are sure to find them represented here.

“The Country Pub On The Edge of Town” Bacton Road, North Walsham NR28 0RA FREE OPEN ALL DAY ACCESS FIVE REAL ALES Lets start at the NEW ENTERTAINER (NR31 6PG) on Pier Plain. Although this is deceiving in that Meals Served it's not new and it's no where near the pier, it is 12noon to 2.30pm closer to the town centre. But its been in the Good and in the evening 6.30 to 9.30pm Beer Guide 10 of the last 11 years. Averages 5-8 Real Ales plus 5 draught ciders. The range tends to be Bookings 01692 404800 varied including some dark beers. A quaint, odd, thin triangle wedge shape of a place. Frequented by

34 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Going to Gorleston ckchairs, Prom and Beer!

a wide variety of customers. Originally named the Suffolk Hotel but that was before Gorleston moved to Norfolk. The door is at what appears to be the back. Take care coming out, traffic comes from both sides.

Leaving there go right then right again or left then left again. Either will bring you facing No 1 (NR31 6DA) . This used to be Peggotty's and before that The Ship. Good food served (5 stars on Trip Advisor) and 4 Real Ales from various breweries. This was a Killet's Brewery House before 1792 when it was taken over by the Gorleston based Bells Brewery ending up with S&P some evidence of which you will see outside.

Leave there and you are faced with a big deci - sion. In front of you is a five finger junction. Turn right or far right and you will be back at the Entertainer, not a bad choice. But lets be adventurous and go either left or straight on up the hill. I toss a coin and its left towards the river. About 100 yards down there on the right was the LIFEBOAT TAVERN . You can see which Green circles are pubs, Red stars are food building it was and I dare say the boys from the like one cold night in December 2013 during RNLI (around the corner left) might just have the tidal surge. I was here then and leant over paused there on their way home to refresh the concrete wall to your left and could touch themselves. Good for them. It closed on my the water which was running fast inland looking 17th birthday so I dont apologise for not having like cold black oil. Now turn and look behind been there. It’s still shut now and so our haven is you at all the houses that would have been the KING WILLIAM IV (NR31 6PH) unsurpris - under water but for that most necessary wall. ingly known around here, as the King Willy) Look too at the quay on the opposite side. I saw which is another 100 yards on. They are keen to lorries axle-deep standing next to the silos. bring Real Ale into their pub and deserve to be See if you can spot the port traffic lights that tell supported. Usually a local brew or two. This was ships in the harbour that it is safe to leave. If a Bullard’s house back in 1839. Inexpensive, they are on green then go to the next pub but straight forward food provided. Nice beer be on the look out for a ship going out. If they garden and over the road great views of the are on red then be on the look out for a ship harbour's mouth. coming in. Either way dont miss the old Victo - rian lighthouse positioned right opposite the Leaving there and turning right you can walk harbour's mouth which was once a life saver for alongside the river and around the bend of the local fishermen. Carry on past the sadly closed harbour's mouth. As you go look at the level of the river as it is now and consider what it was Continued Overleaf

Summer 2015 | 35 Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips The California Tavern California Road, California, Great Yarmouth NR29 3QW Free House, Restaurant and Live Music venue

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Have you been to California?

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The Farmer’s The Ancient Arms Mariner Inn ‘The pub on the hill’ ‘The pub by the sea’

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Terms and Conditions - Coupon valid All food only when £25 or more is spent on Name food, cannot be exchanged for cash, purchased does not apply to spend on drinks cannot be used in conjuction with 50% any other promotion, not valid for when you Email parties in excess of 8 people. Valid OFF spend £25 until 28th August 2015. Postcode If you do not wish to receive further or more promotions please tick hereQ

36 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Going to Gorleston - continued

BELLE VUE to arrive at the PUB ON THE Leaving by the main entrance and turning PIER (NR31 6PL). This is a gastro pub/hotel right you walk gently down hill. More views of which provides a wide range of food and a the harbour's mouth to your right. Houses built couple or three Real Ales. Nothing exciting but on the cliff side. Gardens on the other side of well kept. Fine views north and south from the road. About half way down is the ODDFEL - different bars. LOWS ARMS (NR31 6DG). Oddies is a well set out and comfortable pub with two bars, a From the main entrance turn left and follow pleasant rear patio that faces west and always the road around until you are looking at the four rotating real ales that are bitters between glorious sands and you see a row of small shops. 3.5-4.5% ABV. It's in this years GBG. No food Here will be found chips, bingo, slot machines, but real music. buckets and spades, kiss-me-quick hats and REALLY excellent ice-cream. Refresh yourself here Carry on down the hill and you are back at before you take on the steps to the top of the No1 and the Entertainer. It’s tempting to start cliff. With the shops at your back go right and again! However within easy staggering distance right again or, if your inclination goes that way are further three pubs all selling Real Ale for your left and left again. Either way it's a climb. This pleasure. The Albion on Lowestoft Road (NR31 will be rewarded by a drink or meal in the CLIFF 6SH), the Mariners Compass on Middleton HOTEL (NR31 6DH). This is a busy place which Road (NR31 7AJ) and the Dock Tavern on has regular specialty evenings and you can often Dock Tavern Lane. (NR31 6PY). If you feel more get special offers to stay. But strictly speaking energetic then The Short Blue , The Three you dont want to actually linger at the bar no Tuns or best of all the Ferry Boat Inn await matter how pleasant it is. The great thing about further up river. the Cliff is to be sat outside on the terrace. It has wonderful views of the river and the beach. The It’s grim in Gorleston, but I must not weaken best to be had in any pub this side of Norfolk. Now where next ...... Again the choice of beer is uninspiring but it is reasonably well kept.

Summer 2015 | 37 Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips deston Locks Gel Locks Lane, Geldeston Inn NR34 0HW Tel: 01508 518414 e Locks Inn are pleased to annouce we are now a Waveney Valley Freehouse so expect an even better range of beers & cider e Locks Inn is one of the county’s best loved pubs. Perfectly situated on the banks of the river Waveney at Geldeston near Beccles on the Norfolk / Suffolk border. A pub full of character, one of our biggest attractions is our large expansive garden area, where children can play and you can relax.

We serve a range of traditional gastro pub dishes daily.

SATURDAY JUNE 13th - LOCKSTOCK All day folk, folk-rock and roots music festival noon to 1am Go to www.geldestonlocks.co.uk for more information on our events, parties and music line-up

38 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Bar Man The philosophy of advertising

A recent philosophy night down at the Kings Some people do. I have spoken to several land - Arms in Shouldham (last Tuesday of each lords who keep it as a regular beer because the month) took consumerism as its theme. Do we customers buy it. Is it the best on the bar? Prob - buy too much stuff, and is advertising partly to ably not, so why pick it? Maybe you have seen it blame? The assembled crowd seemed to feel advertised on TV, or associate it with the that they only ever buy what they need and England rugby team. Perhaps it’s on the beer - were adamant that they were impervious to mats and bar towels in the pub or are you advertising, but on reflection I am not so sure. attracted by what they call their new ‘branding stem’ (the chrome coloured hand pumps intro - Ask yourself these questions. Do you ever buy duced into many of their pubs). Perhaps the stuff to replace things that are not broken or name is on the front of your replica football shirt worn out, and if so why? Secondly, given a or they sponsor the stadium where your team choice, why do you not always buy the cheapest plays or the league they play in. One way or available? When you buy a beer, what influences another it is likely to be familiar, and especially if your choice? Do you go for the one with the you are a stranger to the pub or a newcomer to gold foil round the top of the bottle which buying bitter, you won’t make a fool of yourself makes it look a bit classier? Perhaps you by ordering it. consciously or subconsciously remember an advertising slogan, ‘the pint that thinks it’s a Why did James Bond suddenly acquire a taste quart’, ‘probably the best lager in the world’, for Heineken in Skyfall’? Did the reported $45 ‘refreshes the parts that other beers cannot million payment have something to do with it? reach’. All empty words which either have no Immune to advertising? None of us are, and it’s real meaning or are demonstrably false. not just beer. Try doing a little research on how supermarkets maximise their sales. The smell of Maybe you think that your choice is better fresh baked bread, enhanced lighting near the quality, and are willing to pay more for it, veg to make it look bright and clean, sweets at soothed by the thought of it being ‘reassuringly child height by the checkout, cold air circulating expensive’, but would you trust your taste buds near the chiller cabinets. See if you can find out enough to put them to a test in a blind tasting? how much they charge companies to display Even top wine experts are fooled by the £2.99 their products at eye level. Lots of questions and bottle of plonk slipped into the test, or perhaps as Olivia always says at the Kings Arms, there are there is no story to report when they do pick it out. no right answers. Hopefully though, there is something for you to think about, preferably We would be naïve to think that the way that down the pub over a beer. advertising works is that we watch something on TV and then rush out to buy it. I think it is a [email protected] lot more subtle than that. Imagine that you walk into a pub and see six hand pumps on the bar First published in the Lynn News. all selling bitter, which is what you fancy. One of them is Greene King IPA, so will you choose it?

Summer 2015 | 39 Please support our advertisers | 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

40 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Please support our advertisers

e Mariner Th GREAT YARMOUTH s Under new ownership Shaun Underdown is back at the helm of the Mariners, Shaun is no stranger to success having won Norwich & Norfolk’s Branch Pub of the Year 2010.

The pub has undergone a refurbishment and is now back on the map with 10 ales and 5 ciders on offer. The pub is backed by Waveney Ales and Cider to give the most diverse choice of ales. Local brews, national brews, regional large and small expect to amazed with the variety and choice. If you like real ale, and visiting Great Yarmouth, you should visit the Mariners Tavern. Beer Festival Waveney Ales Starts Tuesday 1st September will be interested in supplying equipment and beer for any beer festival. please call and will last 7 days Darren on 07733797976 50 ales and 10 Ciders for more information. Food, music and lots more!

Summer 2015 | 41 Champion Beer of Norfolk | Norfolk Nips Kett’s Rebellion succeeds as Top Norfolk Beer for 2015

Woodforde's Brewery has claimed the top prize scooping the overall top places . In contrast our in the Norwich and Norfolk Campaign for Real smaller concerns are well represented by the Ale's (CAMRA) Taste Panel. The trained tasters Golden Triangle, Lacon's and Grain Breweries. have sampled 44 different beers, hailing from 14 We can rightly be proud of the number of the breweries all over Norfolk, and submitted a total breweries and beers they produce. There is of 2014 taste cards from the tastings held at something for everyone in the brews they offer”. various pubs over the last year. Neil Bain of Woodforde’s Brewery said he was Alan Edwards, Chair of the Tasting panel ‘absolutely delighted’ upon hearing the news described the winning beer as having “decent from Mr Edwards. The Woodbastwick based depth of flavour, well balanced and malty on the brewery, which is Norfolk’s largest, also claimed palate with a lovely sweetness coming through. the Bitter award with its Wherry. Great Yarmouth Subtle hops are there to provide contrast”. based Lacon's Brewery’s Affinity won the Golden He also said that “it is pleasing that the awards Ale category. The Speciality category was cover a variety of our 30-plus Norfolk breweries. topped by Blonde Ash from Grain Brewery from Our largest producer can be proud that two Alburgh, South Norfolk and the Golden Triangle beers, including the flagship Wherry Best Bitter, brewery from Barford took the Strong Bitter took the top awards in their categories before award with Hop Lobster.

42 | Summer 2015 Mr Edwards continued “however, what is of concern is that these beers are not as widely available as either the brewers or CAMRA would like. With more breweries starting every year, continual pub closures and domination by pub chains, large and small, the opportunity for a brewer to sell their beer at a realistic price is increasingly restricted. The panel is charged with tasting as many local brews as possible. However only 14 breweries products were sampled as, despite visiting many local hostelries, many remained disappointingly elusive. Brewer and Landlord need to work together to ensure their - mutual survival in the face of the voracious national and international conglomerates. We at CAMRA are willing and able to continue to further our relationships with, and efforts in support of, our dynamic local industries.” Full Results are: Best Bitter & Champion Woodforde’s, Woodbastwick Kett’s Rebellion Tel: 01603 720353 Bitter & runner up Angel Woodforde’s, Woodbastwick Wherry Gardens Tel: 01603 720353 Free House Strong Bitter & third This independently run freehouse has been under the ownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on Golden Triangle, Barford the north of the city near to Waterloo Park. Hop Lobster Tel: 01603 757763 Homecooked and speciality meals Sunday roasts from 12-8pm Golden Ale Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef with years of experience. Lacon's Brewery, Yarmouth Great Affinity Up to NINE reasonably priced Real Ales Tel: 01493 850578 and SIX real ciders Speciality Beer Live Music on Saturdays Grain Brewery, Alburgh Blonde Ash Now showing Sky Sports Tel: 01986 788884 Taking part in the Woodfordes Ale Trail June to Sept

Porter & Stout 96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT Grain Brewery, Alburgh 01603 427490 Porter www.norwichinns.com Tel: 01986 788884 email: [email protected]

Spring 2015 | 43 Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips

Brewers of award winning East Anglian ales stouts and porters Our range of Permanent Ales CLIFF QUAY EARL SOHAM Classic Bitter Gannet Mild Anchor Bitter Victoria Bitter Tolly Roger Sir Rogers Porter Tumblehome Albert Ale Sea Dog Brandeston Gold Current Seasonal Full Steam Ahead A 4.1% pale straw coloured beer brewed with a bag of malted wheat and just a hint of crystal malt. Hopped with a blend of English target hops and Czech Agnus hops, for a spicy flavour and floral citrus aroma. Our beers are available throughout East Anglia and also at our brewery shop in Debenham (Unit 1A Meadow Works Business Park Kenton Road Debenham IP14 6RP) For further details contact us on 01728 861213 www.cliffquay.co.uk or www.earlsohambrewery.co.uk

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 44 | Summer 2015 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 Kings Head, Hethersett Lord Rosebery, Norwich Black Boys, Aldborough Greyhound Inn, Hickling Maids Head Hotel, Norwich London Tavern, Attleborough Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling Murderers, Norwich Crown Inn, Banningham Victoria, Hockering Plasterers Arms, Norwich Chequers Inn, Binham Swan, Hilborough Red Lion (Bishopgate), Norwich Cock Inn, Barford Eagle, Hockham Reindeer, Norwich Kings Head, Brooke Buck, Honingham Ribs of Beef, Norwich Artichoke, Broome White Hart, Hopton Rose, Norwich Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea Nelson Head, Horsey Sir Garnet, Norwich Reedcutter, Cantley Brickmakers, Horsford Take 5, Norwich Crown Inn, Catfield Elm Farm Country House, Temple Bar, Norwich George Hotel, Cley-next-the-Sea Horsham St. Faith Trafford Arms, Norwich Three Swallows, Cley-next-the-Sea Live and Let Live, Kings Lynn Vine, Norwich Victory, Clenchwarton Star Inn, Lessingham Wig and Pen, Norwich Muskett Arms, Clippesby Swan Inn, Loddon Royal Oak, Poringland Red Lion, Coltishall Dog Inn, Ludham Ferry Inn, Reedham Ugly Bug Inn, Colton Fox and Hounds, Lyng Ship, Reedham Albion, Cromer Anchor Inn, Morston Kings Arms, Reepham Cottage, Cromer White Horse, Neatishead Swan, Ringland Red Lion Hotel, Cromer Relish Restaurant & Bar, Newton Three Horseshoes, Roydon Royal Standard, Dereham Flotman Lobster, Sheringham Bob Carter Centre, Drayton Railway Hotel, North Elmham Windham Arms, Sheringham Railway, Downham Market Orchard Gardens, North Walsham Chalk and Cheese, Shouldham Royal Standard, East Dereham Adam and Eve, Norwich Kings Arms, Shouldham Queens Head, Emneth Angel Gardens, Norwich Goat, Skeyton Erpingham Arms, Erpingham Beehive (Leopold Rd), Norwich Peddars Inn, Sporle Bull, Fakenham Bell Hotel, Norwich Sprowston Manor Hotel & Wellington, Feltwell Cellar House, Norwich Country Club, Sprowston Kings Head, Filby Champion, Norwich Ferry House, Surlingham Rampant Horse, Freethorpe Cottage (Silver Road), Norwich Lynn Arms, Syderstone Locks Inn, Geldeston Duke of Wellington, Norwich Red Lion, Swaffham 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 Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham Fat Cat Tap, Norwich Queens Head, Thurlton Barking Smack, Great Yarmouth Fat Cat, Norwich White Horse, Upton Mariners, Great Yarmouth Garden House, Norwich Cherry Tree, Wicklewood Oliver , Great Yarmouth Jubilee, Norwich Willow House, Watton Red Herring, Great Yarmouth Ketts Tavern, Norwich Stag, West Acre St. Johns Head, Great Yarmouth Kings Head, Norwich Bell, Wiveton Fox & Hounds, Heacham Leopard, Norwich White Lady, Worstead Lollards Pit, Norwich Green Dragon, Wymondham The Mill, Yaxham

Summer 2015 | 45

Norfolk Nips | Please support our advertisers

Tel: 01362 638466

Saturday 4th July Sunday 5th July Live music acts, Real ales, curry CHARITY FIREWALK, live bar, cakes & free children’s music with LEE VANN & real bouncy castle. Headlining band ales. If you fancy a fire walk Against All Odds. Raising funds you must be registered by 2pm for Myeloma UK and donate a minimum of £25 Cut out and to charity. Raising funds for bring for a Little Heroes charity FREE pint over Tickets available from the Fox at Lyng & The Tuddenham Lodge the weekend! Main Road, North Tuddenham NR20 3DJ www.thelodge-tuddenham.co.uk

Summer 2015 | 47 A Special Brew | Norfolk Nips Creating a truly Norfolk ale for City of Ale

Norfolk is world renowned as one of the top regions for growing malting barley, but two local brewers have created a one-off celebra - tory ale to truly promote Norfolk in a glass – and introduce some other iconic Norfolk ingredients on top of the barley.

Moon Gazer Norfolk Harvest ale is a collabo - ration between The Norfolk Brewhouse, based in Hindringham and Cromer’s Poppyland Brewery. The beer appeared at the fifth anniversary City of Ale festival.

David Holliday of The Norfolk Brewhouse explained the importance to involving local growers in the project: “We wanted to brew a beer which would allow us to feature the people involved in the whole chain of the brewing industry from grower to brewer – to show the personalities involved, and in so doing highlight how important beer and Director who was only too happy to oblige: agriculture is to the rural economy of Norfolk.” “When David calls you from the Norfolk Brew - house and opens with; ‘you can say no if you “The fact that people have already gone the want’ you know he is hatching a plan which extra mile to help make this possible demon - normally is hard to say no to.” strates what a great community there is out there.” “We take great pride in working with so many Norfolk growers and brewers that the The extra mile which Holliday refers to is that opportunity to be part of an ale which presents of local Maltster Crisp Malting – one of the the people behind the beer was an opportu - country’s foremost producers of malted barley nity not to miss.” who distribute malt all over the world and batch produce malt in serious quantities – “We knew we had some excellent Maris Otter usually 200 tonnes at a time (that’s enough to malt coming in from Church Farm, in make 2.78million pints of beer). Heacham (which is owned by G W Harrrold and Partners) and it was a case of corralling This celebratory ale required a batch size for that delivery and using only that barley in our just 3,000 pints, but the need to name the separate pilot plant. It certainly wasn’t an precise farm on which the barley was grown everyday occurrence but was great to be part meant a way had to be found to isolate malt of.” from just one field. As to the other Norfolk ingredients these Step in, Euan Macpherson, Crisp’s Managing include Norfolk mint and honey.

48 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Please support our advertisers

e fish onal Cours Fresh raditi 2 tizen ips T st nior ci & ch Roa se 8.50 friday unday Meal £ ery enu) ery S ys ev main m ev - 4pm) esda longside (12 Tu n) (a (afternoo

Main Road, Clenchwarton, King’s Lynn PE34 4AQ

Summer 2015 | 49 Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips

50 | Summer 2015 Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local! The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually on presentation of a Membership Card, discounts are on real ale only unless stated). Full details of all pubs can be found at WhatPub.com The Woolpack, Norwich: 10% off

Grange Hotel, Ormesby St. Margaret, Norwich: 10% off all real ales

Lighthouse Inn, Walcott: 10% off all real ales

London Tavern, The Bell, Norwich: 20% off Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: Attleborough: all food. 50p off a pint (with 30p off a pint of Buffy’s 20p off a pint of real ale your CAMRA vouchers)

Green Gate, Compleat Angler, If your pub or business offers a Caister-on-Sea: 20p off a Norwich: 10% off all real ales discount to CAMRA, but isn't pint of real ale Glasshouse, Norwich: 20% on this list, please contact Albion, Cromer: 10% off off all food. 50p off a pint [email protected] real ales, draught and bottled (with your CAMRA vouchers) .uk and let us know the details (including any restrictions). Red Lion, Drayton: 10% off The Leopard, Norwich: of real ale 10% off Please note: We believe the discounts listed are offered at Oliver Twist, Great Lollards Pit, Norwich : the time of going to press, Yarmouth: 10% off across 10% off however pubs may of course the board - please show card withdraw or change offers at before ordering The Pig & Whistle, Norwich : 10% off any time! Brickmakers, Horsford: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of Plasterers, Cowgate, real ale Norwich: 10% off all real ales (available to all customers on Railway, North Elmham: Mondays) 10% off B&B and camping The Whiffler, Norwich: 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers)

SumWmINeTrER 2 20014 5 | 51 | Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips

A popular pub with locals and holidaymakers alike, the Crown Inn is perched right on the clifftop overlooking the beautiful sandy beaches of Sheringham in Norfolk.

Enjoy a meal or snack from our extensive and popular menu.

Five Real Ales always available Every Saturday - Live Local Bands Monday nights - Pub Quiz with prizes, refreshments and free entry Tel: 01263 823213 [email protected] www.crown-sheringham.co.uk Lifeboat Plain, East Cliff Sheringham NR26 8BQ 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

52 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | CAMRA Beer Festivals CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar So many Beer Festivals, so little time. For further information, please see What’s Brewing, the CAMRA website, or contact the relevant Branches.

JUNE 2-6 JULY 9-12 Thurrock Beer Festival Festival of Beer & Brewing Stowmarket, Ipswich and East Suffolk Branch JUNE 11-13 Braintree Real Ale Festival JULY 23-25 North West Essex Branch Bishop’s Stortford Beer Festival Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival Herts and Essex Borders Branch North Hertfordshire Branch Ipswich Beer Festival AUGUST 11-15 Ipswich and East Suffolk Branch Great British Beer Festival www.suffolkcamra.co.uk/ipswich/beerfestival London, UK JUNE 13-14 AUGUST 25-29 Beer In The Gibberd Garden Peterborough Beer Festival Herts and Essex Borders Branch Peterborough and District Branch JULY 7-11 AUGUST 26-29 Chelmsford Summer Beer & Cider Festival Clacton-on-Sea Real Ale & Cider Festival Chelmsford and Mid-Essex Branch Tendring Branch

West Norfolk CAMRA Cambridge Pub Tour - Saturday 4th July

1100 Kingston Arms (Kingston Street) 1615 Elm Tree (Orchard Street) 1200 Geldart (Ainsworth Street) 1700 Hopbine (Fair Street) 1250 Devonsire Arms (Devonshire Road) 1745 Saint Radegund (King Street) 1330 Live & Let Live (Mawson Road) 1830 Maypole (Portugal Place) 1430 Cambridge Blue (Gwydir Street) 1930 The Regal (Regent Street) 1530 Free Press (Prospect Row) 1915 Flying Pig (Hills Road)

Join Us! For details contact: Tim Spitzer (07950) 823270.

Summer 2015 | 53 Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips

54 | Summer 2015 IT AIN’T HALF HOT MUM so try our range of local and regional ales, imported lagers and great freshly prepared food

OFF 10% TH OD WI FO CHER VOU ut HIS ugho T e thro ailabl av & July Rampant Horse June

Get on down to the... Rampant Horse country alehouse & restaurant. 2 Chapelfield, Freethorpe NR13 3LY Tel: 01493 700103 www.rampanthorse.net

Summer 2015 | 55 Please support our advertisers | Norfolk Nips

56 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | West Norfolk ed Cider apple blossoms in Norfolk

With spring upon us and everything starting to come to life the blossom which will become next year's cider and Perry is appearing. It is also the time when the juice that was pressed last autumn is ready to drink and starts to appear in our pubs and at our beer festivals.

It therefore seemed an ideal time to present the East Anglia Perry award, which was judged at Norwich Beer Festival last October, to Whin Hill Cider at Wells-next-the-Sea. Chris Rouse, the East Anglia Regional Cider Co-ordination joined local branch members on a sunny Sunday to help Mike and Lisa Jarvis celebrate their success (pictured opposite). Wortwell, the White Lion in Norwich, and the Railway Arms at Downham Market. As always Of course, producers need somewhere to sell there were some tough decisions as they were their produce. We are seeing an increase in pubs all very good pubs but there has to be a winner selling real cider and Perry and the Cider Pub of and the Railway Arms, a previous winner of the the Year competition is a good way recognising national competition, was judged to be this pubs which are doing this and promoting the year’s Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year. product. This year all three branches that cover Norfolk entered a pub into the Norfolk Cider The Railway Arms tries to promote local Pub of the year competition and judges visited products where possible and it is the Bell at currently one of the few outlets for ciders from one of Norfolk newest producers, the Downham Cider Company, which is run by Stephen Manton. Their cider is called Downham Tickle, a name which was an idea from the owner’s daughter and Ian Pinches, the landlord of the Railway Arms.

Why not take the opportunity to visit some of the pubs selling real cider and perry and give it a try.

Summer 2015 | 57 58 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Last orders Warren’s Steve’s Words As announced in the last edition of NIPS our Words Pub of the Year is the Coach & Horses at Dersingham. They have won this award for the Norfolk is one of the largest counties in England and although largely rural many of its inhabitants live in second year in succession; it was a closely urban areas. I am reliably informed that it contains fought contest, with a small number of votes over six hundred villages of various sizes and between all five contenders. It was really character. A century or so ago most people living in pleasing to see that Shelia the Landlady was as these many villages lived and worked mainly in enthusiastic as ever to receive the award. The agricultural employment in their own village and picture in the Lynn News & Advertiser featured seldom ventured far beyond their villages or homes. Shelia and her team and yours truly presenting In those days most of these communities had their the award. own church, school, post office, shop and last but certainly not least their own village local pub. How Once again, the Railway Arms has won different nowadays. Norfolk Cider Pub of the year. It is heartening to see that a venue that has won the award Although we still have our six hundred plus villages several times still keeps up the high standards there is little work to be had in these communities required to compete in following years. Good and most people living in them now commute to luck in the Area competition. urban areas to work. Many of these villages have lost most of their amenities which also in some cases Narborough Sports and Social Club have also includes their village local pub. been awarded the Norfolk Club of the Year; let Now summer is close at hand and there is little me tell you a bit about the club. When the more tempting than to-go-a-visiting our lovely new Village Hall was built in the Village, it was country side. What can be more relaxing than to decided to build an extension to house the leave the hustle and bustle of urban life and take to Social Club as well. They always have two real the roads and lanes and find a picturesque village ales on tap from local and national breweries. with a gem of a pub? They have been keen supporters of our branch for some time. Anyone who is passing Narbor - How lovely it is to sit outside of a long summer’s ough on the A47 is more than welcome to call evening and sup a pint of real ale. How nice to be in, just show your Membership Card and you with friends and family. And as a bonus most pubs will be afforded a warm welcome. serve anything from a snack to a full dinner. The recent news is the Election results. I hope Nominations for pubs (in Norwich & Norfolk that the present Government will continue the Branch) to be included in CAMRA’s National Good good work of reducing the Beer Duty. We await Beer Guide (GBG) 2017 are now open by logging with interest any other development, so please onto http://www.norwichcamra.org.uk/gbg/, so continue to lobby your MP to support any also while you are visiting these pubs please remember if you really like them then nominate reforms. One pleasing aspect of the election is them for possible inclusion in the next GBG and that Greg Mulholland the Liberal Democrat MP please score the quality of your beer you drink via has been re-elected, for many years he has CAMRA’s ‘What Pub’ website. supported CAMRA and promoted many campaigns.

Warren Wordsworth Enjoy the summer. Norwich and Norfolk Branch Chair Cheers Steve Barker W.N. Chairman

Summer 2015 | 59 CAMRA Branch Calendar

Norwich and North Norfolk Branch

Friday 5 June First Friday Five - Rushcutters, Buck, Rivergarden, Town House and Fat Cat and Canary

Wednesday 10 June Beer Tasting Panel - Ribs of Beef, 8pm

Tuesday 16 June Branch Meeting - Locks Inn, Geldeston, 8pm

Saturday 20 June The Ha rte Summer Social - Bermondsey Mile, visit 6 micro - Old Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BS Tel: 01603 742755 breweries within 1 mile of each other

Thursday 25 June Beer Festival Planning Meeting - Take 5, 8pm

Friday 26 June Campaign Trip - Sheringham / Cromer - trip by train

FREE Friday 3 July ACCESS First Friday Four - Rose Tavern, Mulberry, Eaton Privately owned freehouse and restaurant with a Cottage, Beehive (Beer Festival) start 7.30pm wide selection of real ales, lagers and ciders. (30 minutes earlier)

Freshly cooked locally sourced food. Saturday 11 July Child friendly, large beer garden, pool table, easy Provisional Date for Beer Festival Summer access from A47, ample parking and on 23A bus Barbecue route from the city centre. Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July Visit www.thehartenorwich.co.uk to North Norfolk Railway Beer Festival - no official check out the menu and opening times trip planned.

60 | Summer 2015 Norfolk Nips | Dates for your Diary

Tuesday 21 July West Norfolk Branch Branch Meeting - Wicklewood Cherry Tree, 8pm Tuesday 9th June Friday 31 July Willow House, Watton Campaign Trip - pubs to the north west of Norwich Sat 4th July from 11.00am Cambridge, tour of pubs. Friday 7 August Starts 1100 Kingston Arms First Friday Five - Quebec, William IV, Jubilee, See separate details in this issue. Lollards Pit and Virtuoso Tuesday 14th July Tuesday 18 August Anmer Social Club Branch Meeting - venue tbc Sunday 26th July Thursday 27 August Red Lion, Hockwold Walk at 11 Beer Festival Planning Meeting - Take 5, 8pm Lunch at 12.30.

Friday 28 August Tuesday 11th August Campaign Trip - pubs to the south of Red Lion, Swaffham Norwich Note: all Tuesday meetings start 8pm and Friday 4 September normally include a social First Friday Five - Coach & Horses Thorpe Road, Compleat Angler, Prince of Wales, Edith Cavell, Wig and Pen

Tuesday 15 September Branch Meeting - Humpty Dumpty Brewery, 8pm Friday 2 October The pub with no bar, Ascot Races and Beer Festival - travel by train, depart Norwich 08.30 return Liverpool Street ales direct from cask. 20.30 Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events. If anyone has any other suggestions for trips Tongue twizzling food, and great value. and social events in 2015 or to book seats Huge garden and children’s play area. please contact Michael Phillips on [email protected] Shooting parties, lunch & dinner menus available Victory Barn Function Room for Weddings and Parties Come & visit Nelson’s local.

Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN 01328 738241 Branch contacts NORFOLK NIPS | Contact Details

Norwich & Norfolk Branch Edited by: Chairman: Warren Wordsworth Mike Baldwin Tel: 01603 665557 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Graham Freeman Email: [email protected] Secretary: Rob Whitmore Chris Lucas Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Social Secretary: Michael Philips Design & Production: Email: [email protected] Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media 01778 382758 Pubs Officer: Ian Stamp Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Advertising: West Norfolk Branch For advertising enquiries please contact Chairman: Steve Barker Jane Michelson on: email: [email protected] 07732 393 621 01778 382718 Secretary: Ian Bailey [email protected] Contact: Ian Bailey Distribution: Tel: 01553 766904 12,000 copies / four times a year Branch websites: Norwich and Norfolk District: www.norwichcamra.org.uk Adrian Simpson www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk West Norfolk District : Branch mailing list web page: Ros Harre [email protected] groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich Published every 3 months by the Norwich and Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2014 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA.

62 | Spring 2015