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FREE
&& CACACASKSKSK FFFORCEORCEORCE No.158 Autumn 2011 WHERRY WELL DONE!
Also inside: NORWICH IS THE CITY OF REAL ALE • PUB NEWS • POST ITS 34TH NORWICH BEER FESTIVAL • ANIMAL CRACKERS • CAMRA NEWS CIDER AND PERRY IN NORFOLK • THE FISHERMANS RETURN
Newsletter of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 2 Tr af ford Arms P h o t o
b y
M i k e
H o l m e s
YOUR PUB, OUR COMMUNITY our nominated charity this year is the Downs Syndrome Society and Norwich Civic Charity Appeal 2011/12 - Big C
Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms - 61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466 www.traffordarms.co.uk [email protected] NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 3
Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Graham Freeman Official – Norwich is Tel: 01603 687495 Email: [email protected] Secretary: Warren Wordsworth Tel: 01603 665557 THE City of Real Ale! Email: [email protected] Social Secretary: Michael Philips
P Email: [email protected] h o t o
b Pubs Officer: Mark Stimpson y
M Email: [email protected] i k e
H West Norfolk Branch o l m Chairman: Phil Buffham e
s Secretary: Ian Bailey Contact: Bruce Ward Tel: 01485 609107 Branch websites: www.norwichcamra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk
Branch mailing list web page: groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich
Published every 3 months by the Norwich, Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2011 Norfolk Nips is It was a tough job, but someone tribute to the publicans and produced and distributed by members of had to do it. A team of willing real ale drinkers across the the branch in their own time. volunteers visited 136 pubs in whole City who demand and Norwich on Saturday 18th get an excellent range of real Edited by: Mike Baldwin June, recording details of the ales and ciders.” Email: [email protected] Real Ales on sale and reporting Chris Lucas their findings to Ian Stamp at So, job done – or is it? Stig Email: [email protected] Command HQ. aka The raised a very valid point the Views expressed in Norfolk Murderers. other day. He reckoned that Nips are not necessarily those Norwich was already the City of the editor or of CAMRA There were an incredible 215 of Real Ale, and did we have to different Real Ales available, prove it? The answer to that Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Tamoko Design which topped recent claims by has to be, yes we did, and now Email: [email protected] Derby and Sheffield and made we have. Norwich The UK City of Real Distribution: 12,000 copies / four times a year Ale, per head of population. But he did have another Norwich and Norfolk District: point, and to prove it we must Tony Miles [email protected] A great achievement, but it’s all look to the bigger picture: West Norfolk District : not just the ales that give Is Norfolk The County of Real Ros Harre [email protected] Norwich the accolade. We now Ale? Advertising: have not one but two Beer For advertising enquiries please Festivals, terrific Pubs, fantastic Front Cover: Princess Anne contact Jane Michelson or Chris Shilling on: 01778 420888 / 421550 cuts the cake to celebrate Breweries, enthusiastic CAMRA [email protected] members, all of which make for Woodfordes 30th Birthday at The Royal Norfolk Show. The Ad space in NIPS is regularly booked up long a thriving real ale scene. before we go to press, so to avoid disappoint - Princess Royal is watched by ment please get your ad space reserved at the Mike Betts and Dennis Nudds. earliest opportunity. The best way is to book a As Ian Stamp said, “ We series of four ads – your message will then be visible all year round and you’ll enjoy a expected to get over 150 ales, Copyright: Woodfordes but 215 is fantastic and a great discount off the regular price August 2011 3 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 4
A great real ale pub in the centre of the City
Exceptionally good Thai Food lunchtimes and evenings
Now taking re in it! Christmas bookings We a
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NORFOLK NIPS Chairman’s Bits | Pubco’ - Good, Bad or Ugly What have the Pubcos ever Lease which prevents the Pub I always remember the enjoy - done for us? On my travels from being used as such after it ment I had at coming down during visiting the Pubs on the has been sold. They restrict the from Manchester to Norfolk City of Ale Trail and others in Pub being sold to a competitor and playing Ringing the Bull for the County, I had an opportunity which guarantees it will close the first time. I initially thought to discuss this with our various forever. Recently the Govern - they said it was Ringing the Bell Publicans. Our Pubs have been ment have decided to review for last orders. suffering from the effects of these restrictive covenants and cheap alcohol sold by super - we can only hope that in the I would like to remind you markets, VAT rises, and with the end there is a ban on the that our 34th Norwich Beer Pubcos increases in rents and deplorable practice. Festival will be held on 24th to beer prices not helping. 29th October in the usual I can only consider their I was encouraged to note that venues of St Andrews and strategy is to make it so difficult CAMRA is campaigning to Blackfriars Halls. This is staffed for the tenants that the Pub will re-introduce traditional Pub by volunteers and without their eventually close. So many times games into Pubs. Research has help we could not have the have we seen the Pub being shown that a way of attracting great Beer Festival that is demolished or sold off as flats under 25 year old drinkers is to known throughout the land. If or shops. It is a short sighted offer free games that have you would like to help we will practice and should be been forgotten over the years. make you very welcome. stopped. The Pub can be a Darts is now a major sport and However there may be a down - viable proposition if supported nearly all the top players side in that you might find by the Pubcos. started to learn the game down yourself working next to me. the Pub. I can count on one Some Pubcos even operate a hand the number of dartboards restrictive covenant in the that are now in our local Pubs. Graham Freeman A Ode to Buff
Who is Buff, where is he? Yet silence reigns, his mates regret, Taken the pledge and drinking tea! the awful lure of Easyjet. This seems a most unlikely fate But fear not beer folk, be elated, As many drinkers, small and great. He’s just on hols, not emigrated! Have seen Phil Buffham stand bestride, He will return, so it is writ His foam topped kingdom far and wide. And with his brand of Norfolk wit, They’ve heard his mantra come to pass, Regale us all with tales of grace, Where’s the handle on my glass? Just hold your breath and watch this space!
Stig
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Words from the Editors NORFOLK NIPS | Words from The Stig
Another issue is upon us. Much beer festivals, some on an summer, there are plenty more has happened since the spring impressive scale. The difficulty in festivals to come, one including the excellent “City of making the diversity of real ale or two are listed in this very Ale” campaign which was not venues more obvious to visitors publication. only highly successful but very to the county is the old bugbear I’d like to extend the thanks of enjoyable as well! Congratula - transport. In fact it is possible to the West Norfolk branch to all at tions to all concerned in visit quite a large number of the Ancient Mariner in Old organising the event and the pubs Norfolk pubs by bus or train, Hunstanton for allowing us to set and breweries who so enthusiasti - bicycles are also an option up a recruitment point at their cally threw their weight behind it. although there is the issue of new festival and personally to The event looks set to become an whether you should drink and thank Bruce and Buff for annual affair, to reinforce ride. Personally, the heart attack manning it single (double?) Norwich’s claim to the title. Of would probably get me first! handed! course those of us from Norfolk already know Norwich is the City As an example, a large part of Also thanks to Andrew of Ale, I contend however that the North Norfolk coast is acces - Archibald at his new venue the Norfolk is the “County of Ale” sible from the appropriately Chalk and Cheese at Shouldham with a staggering assortment of named Coast Hopper bus for hosting a Sunday lunch after breweries and real ale pubs service. So get out there and our recent branch Sunday walk. outside the environs of our only explore the “county of ale” while city. The next task is to establish the weather holds. Good drinking, maybe I’ll see this fact to the rest of the some of our readers at Norwich country! On another note the beer beer festival. festival season is in full swing and N Many of our rural and smaller many real ale enthusiasts will Cheers, town pubs also host excellent have been out and about all Stig
which admittedly tasted good, are within the remit of CAMRA as I can’t see how you could differen - Heresy!!! tiate between these artisanal keg beers and the mass produced stuff we’ve all spent years trying to Whilst in London for the Great British Beer Festival, re-educate drinking folk about. I happened to seek out a very interesting pub which was award winning for its range of real ales Maybe there is a need for some kind of body to but also stocked a large range of pasteurised keg look after the interests of keg consumers but I feel beers most of which I had never heard of. Many many would just not be bothered enough to get were produced in Britain and some were of involved as in a lot of cases choice is not needed, incredible strengths, one was like mocha with they drink the same thing everywhere! brandy in it. The young chap behind the bar held a very different view to many CAMRA members. He It is fair to say that by no means all real ale was of the opinion that as an organisation we drinkers are in CAMRA, but thank goodness ignore many quality products of small breweries enough are so we don’t end up with a standard simply because they are pressurised or served in three or four big brewery real ales on every bar, what we consider a somewhat unnatural way. well at least not yet! What do you think about art house keg beers, are we all just luddites? I don’t really feel myself that these products, Stig (did someone say WITCH!)
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NORFOLK NIPS Words from the Editors | The Ed’lines
Welcome to the Autumn 2011 Keith Chettlburgh, our regular Now we can all look forward to Edition. Since the decision was Jazz Correspondent. Keith’s first the 34th Norwich CAMRA Beer made to increase the size to 72 listings were for NIPS No.44! Festival, which this year will pages on a regular basis, any Thanks Keith for all that you have feature Tutored Tasting Sessions, thoughts that we would be done.A tough act to follow, but if hosted by experts at the struggling for copy are totally anyone is up for the challenge, lunchtime sessions. For only £10 unfounded. So much so, that yet let me know. per person, you get free entry again we are oversubscribed. into the Festival, and all samples. Many thanks go to all those who That was the summer that was You can choose from The Dark have contributed to this excellent – or was it? Weather wise maybe Side (Tuesday) milds, stouts, publication and sincere apologies not, but there was certainly porters and black IPA, Introduc - to those whose articles had to be plenty going on. The first City of tion to Real Ale Styles left out. It was a difficult choice – Ale Festival kicked it off and the (Wednesday) Apples and Pears it’s like trying to pick a team of statistics just announced are very (Thursday) and A Taste of Norfolk eleven players from a squad of impressive. Good to hear that we (Friday). See www.Norwich - thirty.You are looking for a can do it all again in 2012. Then winning formula, but it must be there was the Summer Outing, CAMRA.org.uk or write to BFTT, fresh and balanced. venturing out to the North 45b Bethel Street, Norwich NR2 Norfolk Coast, great pubs, great 1NR for details or to book. Talking of Contributors, with beer, great company! And who this Edition we say goodbye to could forget the visit to Enjoy! Mauldon’s Brewery? NEWS from CAMRA HQ Norfolk NIPS and Cask Force will always let you know what is happening within the Branches. However, we are part of a National Campaign, which is 40 years young this year.Therefore, you may be inter - ested in the following items. Further details can be found in the CAMRA publication What’s Brewing or on the website www.camra.org.uk.
The Good Beer Guide 2012 – Released on 15th as it is? Go online to complete the survey and you September 2011 (RRP £15.99) could win one of three cases of bottled conditioned The Brewery section in the new edition has been ales (12 bottles per case). The winners will be chosen extended by 20pp to incorporate 100 new real ale at random. Brewers and now lists details of 900 Brewers! Deadline is 30th September 2011. 4,500 of the best Real Ale Pubs in the UK are featured. There are plans to launch an eBook edition later this National Cask Ale Week 2011, year and the CAMRA Marketing Team are also 1st – 9th October working on a GBG eNewsletter for CAMRA Members Cask Marque, with the support of CAMRA, will be and a Twitter Feed (@greatpubs) as well. running this event, aimed at encouraging more pubs to stock real ale and more people to try it. Pre-order from CAMRA www.camra.org.uk/shop or phone 01727 867201 to buy at the special online Cask Marque will be urging it’s 7,500 licensees to member price of £10.00, plus postage and packing. promote a “Try Before You Buy” policy. CAMRA is encouraging all licensees to get involved in hosting Membership Survey events, such as Meet the Brewer, etc, to champion What do you think to the current Membership Offer? good beer and recruit new interest in Britain’s Would you pay more for increased benefits or less in National Drink. return for a reduced benefits package? Or is it OK just Autumn 2011 7 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 8
NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News
Winter Ale Trail There will be prizes for the a while now, and has gradually winners. The entertaining format been falling into disrepair. Returns will be the same, but with prob - It seems that it is in too poor a ably fewer pubs this time. state to be worthwhile reno - Many will remember the vating, and a planning Winter Ale Trails which the Further details of both these application has been made to Norwich and Norfolk Branch events will be on the Branch develop the building and turn ran for many years. Website and the next Edition of it into housing. This has not NIPS . been popular with some of the Good News! Sue and Pete locals, who would like to see a Wells have resurrected this News from the West new pub on the site, and along splendid idea and it can now with the local CAMRA branch, be announced that we can all have lodged objections. Victory, Clenchwarton, look forward to a Winter LocAle As always it is claimed that a report in recent Lynn News Trail in the cold, dark months pub here would be unviable. that they expect to reopen on ahead.Details are yet to be Walpole is an expanding village 20th August (still with Elgood’s). finalised, but it is expected that with no amenities. It is just off White Hart, Foulden, 60 LocAle Accredited pubs in the main A17 and managed to looking uncared for, possibly the City and the County will support a very successful pub, not currently trading. Chris (& take part. which featured in the Good others) to keep an eye on. Beer Guide no less that 18 times Buffy’s other pub is reported in Participants that qualify by up to 2005. Not too far away a similar state. Chequers, visiting the required number of is the Woolpack at Terrington Feltwell (see July) is currently pubs will win a prize. It is St John, which spent a long being redecorated with 18th hoped that this will benefit time closed. When it was August a likely date for Pubs (particularly those in rural taken over by Lucille it was only reopening. Jolly Farmers, locations that struggle at this a matter of weeks before the Southery, still advertised as time of the year) and Local place was heaving every night. reopening but no sign of action Breweries. I feel that if it is accepted that a yet. Old White Bell, good pub in a large expanding Southery, still trading whilst village with local demand advertised for sale. Kings More Treasure! cannot be viable, then we Arms, Swaffham has might as well dispense with reopened and is currently Following the successful planning and just close every advertising on KLFM. Fenman, Treasure Hunt in Norwich in rural pub in the country. April, Rupert Eris has decided Lynn has a new landlord, serving (typically) Bombardier to run another one. Next on the list for housing if & Hobgoblin at £2.00/pint. the planners and developers Woolpack, Lynn, also a new This will be in Great Yarmouth have their way are the Red landlord. Bateman’s XB on sale on 5th November. Meet at The Hart at Three Holes, The but not all the time. Mariners Tavern, Howard Street Albert Victor in Castle Acre, Lord Nelson, Braddenham is South, at 1.30 for a 2pm start. The King William in Docking now to be run as an ‘alehouse’. You can enter as a team of four, and The Jolly Farmers in or teams can be made up on South Lynn just for starters. the day. The Woolpack at Walpole Cross Keys has been closed for 8 Autumn 2011 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 9
NORFOLK NIPS Pub News | Fortunately not everyone At East Winch the Carpen - festival, whilst even further believes that rural pubs are ters Arms does serve cask away the excellent Selex club doomed. Down in Shouldham , beer, and it is in the process of in Basildon also ran a beer Andrew who was instrumental being refurbished. It is part of festival where I thought the in starting the Railway Arms the same group as the Ffolkes Yorkshire Terrier was the pick of in Downham has just Arms at Hillington so should the pack. converted an old school house be in good hands. Also doubling into a bar and restaurant. West up are the team from the If you fancy a pub crawl with Norfolk branch organised a Retreat in Kings Lynn who, a difference why not walk the Sunday stroll around we hear, have also taken on the river bank between Downham Shouldham Warren and after - Three Horseshoes at and Lynn. I tagged along on a wards became one of the first Roydon. Still no news, though, sponsored walk recently and as parties to dine there. Despite on the future of the Victory at luck would have it the heavens the kitchen not yet being Clenchwarton or the Queens opened just as we approached completed, they did us proud Arms in Kings Lynn. We hope the Cock at Wiggenhall St with an excellent roast. Soon that both these pubs will Mary Magdalene, open despite the pizza oven will be up and reopen, and indeed when I the ‘To Let’ sign. There was just running for those who like went past the Victory at the time for a very welcome pint of something different. There are end of July it seemed as though Courage Best before the rain beers from Elgood’s, comfort - work was being carried out at stopped and we headed on the able sofas, Sunday papers the premises. St German’s where lunch was along with a village shop and taken at the Crown and delicatessen and an antiques As well as pubs, we have a Anchor , washed down by a shop on site. The Chalk and large number of clubs in our pint of IPA. Better might be to Cheese also does accommo - area and many of these sell reverse the route, add a stop at dation – we had a look at one good beer. Back in May our The Heron at Stow Bridge of the rooms, and they look branch meeting was in the and wait for the return train to extremely comfortable. Social Club at Runcton Holme Lynn in the Railway on Opening hours for the bar are and we were very impressed by Downham station. limited at the moment so both the welcome we received check before you travel. and the quality of the beer – I didn’t make the Norwich Not too far away in Tottenhill, I think that there were three City of Ale event but I did pick Frank and Rachael have taken available including one from up one of the superb on the Dray and Horses . Brains. I have also been to the programmes. The number of There seems to be lots going Conservative clubs in breweries in Norfolk keeps on on with live music Friday nights Downham and Swaffham increasing and I was pleased to and Sunday lunchtime, and recently – to take part in or run try some beer from the new party nights on Saturday, food quizzes, rather than for any Triangle brewery at the Stuart is served through the week and political conviction I might House beer festival. I also had B&B and camping is also add. The Downham club a chat with the brewer who offered. Another pub that has also had Brains alongside Spit - had just made a delivery to reopened is the Crown at fire and in Swaffham, eight Norwich pubs. Look out Middleton, which is now Bombadier and Black Sheep for this excellent ale. My only rebranded as a steakhouse and were on offer. Just over the disappointment with the grill under chef Lucien Stinga. border in Santon Downham programme was the perpetua - No word on the beer at either the Breckland Social Club in tion of the myth that of these two places yet. the forest was selling Adnams Brancaster Jolly Sailors Broadside as a regular along - brew on site. We had a branch side the extra ones in its beer Continued Overleaf
Autumn 2011 9 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 10 AAPPOOLLLLOO TTAAVVEERRNN
The Apollo has been completly revamped nothing of the old interior remains.
We now have EIGHT cask ales and THREE cask ciders!
Open all day from 10am Good covered smoking area 10 mins walk from railway station Ales from £2.00 a pint!
Apollo Tavern | Northgate Street | Great Yarmouth | NR30 1BP NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 11
NORFOLK NIPS Pub News continued | meeting at the pub recently – French lad in the Windham Finally, it has been good to the beer was great, the food Arms . He must have an odd see increasing attendances and excellent and the staff really idea of England. some new faces, at our meet - friendly, but please clear up this On the other hand it is foot - ings. Indeed, at the Grimston misconception. ball close season, which seems Bell we nearly drank the pub to last forever, but I have dry with only one of the three Having lived in the area for adapted quite well. Watching handpumps still standing at the over 30 years now, I thought the England women beat Japan end of the night. Why not that I knew of all the local on a big screen whilst drinking come along and see if we can pubs, but I was surprised to wheat beer in a beer garden in do better next time out? come across two that I was not Munich wasn’t bad, but Rugby aware of. In the back streets of League has really taken the Jeff Swaffham there is a shed like strain. A couple of trips to structure which calls itself the Harlequins RL have been Nips By Post Black Horse and out on the coupled with visiting some of We have a growing number of Smeeth, between Wisbech and the wonderful pubs around subscribers to our magazine, and Lynn is a free house attached to Twickenham. London Skolars I would like to say thanks to a caravan site. I would be inter - are up in the north of the city, those who have sent very nice ested if anyone has any and has fewer decent pubs letters along with their renewals. information about these places. close by, but I did discover the If you would like to receive the Just around the corner from the wonders of Walthamstow. next 4 issues of Norfolk Nips and latter is the Marshland Arms , Don’t mock – the old part is Cask Force by post send 12 first formerly England’s Hope. really nice. Most of the crowd class stamps to the address When we went past it was at the thrilling Skolars v below. looking splendid and adver - Keighley game were seduced tising Real Ale. It is only open by the sports centre bar, selling Norfolk Nips and Cask Force in the evenings, so I can’t John Smiths for £1 a pint. 91 Tennyson Road Kings Lynn, Norfolk comment on the quality, but Behind me in the stands were a PE30 5NG why not go exploring and find group of lads who clearly had out for yourself? had their money’s worth and spent most of the game trying There are good and bad to invent silly songs. My National Beer things about the summer. It’s favourite was the chant of nice that the weather is ‘We’re not scared of Ofstead’. Scoring System pleasant and there are lots of On a return visit a few weeks If you are a CAMRA member why things happening. We went later, things had moved on. not log on to the National Beer up to Bircham Windmill in May The chant was now ‘Were in Scoring System? This can be with a French teenager in tow. special measures, failing school, found through the CAMRA Performing that day were the failing school’. My wife has not website or at the web address Kings Morris and he joined in yet been persuaded to a game, below. the hanky waving with gusto. even preferring to go and look It allows you to rate the quality of As they came off, I overheard at some old ruins whilst I saw the beer when you visit a pub. one of the professionals say to Gateshead Thunder lose The scores are passed on to the another ‘My word sir, you are heavily to Oldham. With her local CAMRA branch who can dancing like a gazelle today’. birthday treat coming up I am then use them to monitor the From there to the excellent going to offer her a choice pubs and this information may Albatross in Wells, and then between games at Batley and be helpful when deciding the on to Sheringham and the Hunslet and see if that does the entries for the Good Beer Guide . steam railway, with just time to trick. lose a game of pool to the http://beerscoring.org.uk/ Autumn 2011 11 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 12
Pub Post Its NORFOLK NIPS | Pub Post-its As always, remember that these post-its are subjective and reflect the personal experience of our correspondents. Please feel free to email your post-its in to [email protected] - and if you really like the pub, why not nominate it for next year’s CAMRA Good Beer Guide ?
We Three Kings...... outsiders are not all that welcome by the Regu - lars. To think I was born and bred in this County. Kings Arms Fleggburgh (Burgh St 1948. Hope they enjoyed their fish and chips- Margaret). This community pub is now a with assetick acid. genuine freehouse offering local beers on up to eight handpumps and four real ciders from pins, Racecourse - Rackheath all at less than £3 a pint. The pub has undergone Two years ago I was full of praise for this house, extensive renovation with a bar, floor and furni - (Nips N0.150 Edition ), with it's very busy Busi - ture of solid oak. There is a woodburner with tiled ness Lunch trade, but sadly you can now only surround and underfloor heating in the ladies for stand at the bar situated in the “Carvery”, with the winter months. Rugby and cricket teams are 40 to 50 diners clinking their cutlery and the sponsored and the darts board and pool table various food smells drifting past your nose. remain. Folk music takes place on Sundays. A Although the Wherry at £2.90 pt. was in good restaurant with an open kitchen is coming soon. condition I’m sure that the atmosphere would have turned the second pint flat. Furthermore Kings Head Filby. A visit following the there were no other “Drinkers” to chat with, and reopening in May had three handpumps although the bar staff were friendly, they were offering Humpty Dumpty, Woodfordes and far to busy dealing with food orders, so it was Elgoods. The Little Sharpie at £3 was fine. The time to leave. pub seems little changed from the previous hosts when the pub briefly gained GBG status. Sole & Heel - Rackheath There is still a public and a lounge bar, the latter Another pub that has changed hands within the laid out for diners. The beer garden is pleasant last eighteen months, (but this time for the and there is free WiFi for those so inclined. better), with a Landlord that has an interest in Real Ale. There are five constantly changing Kings Head Ormesby St Margaret. This has beers available, all of which come direct from become an Indian Restaurant and with the Royal the barrel in the cellar, (which keeps the Bar Oak long converted to accommodation the Staff fit), I chose one from the 'Blue Monkey' village has lost any regal connection. Brewery in Derbyshire, and an excellent choice it was at £3.00 pt. Thankfully the diners here were Cottage, Louden Rd, Cromer. seperated in a different room, and I was able to For years I`ve mistakenly believed this was the chat with beer drinking customers at the Bar. local Conservative Club. That`s upstairs. Probably a few Members downstairs too. But it Iron House, Maddermarket is a proper pub. Very good Nelson’s Revenge I just noticed that The Iron House (was the Iron - and Wherry from Woodforde`s with Admiral’s monger's - opposite Thorns on Maddermarket), Reserve and Sundew lying in wait. while doing excellent coffee and cream scones, Difficult to make conversation with anybody. also has a range of Grain bottled beeers available There was an informal Quiz going on at the bar (Best, Stout, Oak and Harvest Moon). Yet but my deferential suggestion that the "toxic" another place where you can have beer with a acid in Rhubarb leaves was Oxalic was firmly good meal (a very interesting menu including ignored in favour of "assetick”. Would seem pigeon, Cromer crab, and fennel tarte tatin).
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of and
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Beer advertising NORFOLK NIPS | Time Considered As A Helix of Semi-Precious Stones
When Samuel R. Delany wrote his Hugo and Nebula award winning short story with the above title back in the 60’s it is a fair bet that he did not have the lost and lamented brewer Stones of Sheffield on his mind. For me, though, the passage of time can be traced by reference to beer advertising. One of my earliest memories is being on holiday in Rhyl in North on the wall of a pub or hotel as we sailed into Wales. I remember the boarding house we the harbour at Douglas advertising Double stayed at each year, the little wooden chalet on Diamond, with the words of the catchy little the front, but most of all a pavilion on the prom - jingle ‘A Double Diamond works wonders, works enade with a Guinness clock. It featured the wonders...’ famous Toucan, one of the many items based on the zoo theme, which used the line ‘My Good - In 1969 I went on holiday down in ness – My Guinness’, a campaign that was Bournemouth with my Grandparents – Fred followed by other classics such as the ‘Bottle of used to work on the railways and so was entitled Guinness’ tapestry and the Heath Robinson style to a number of free tickets each year, some of calendar from the 70’s which featured imaginary which he used to take the grandchildren on scenes from the brewery. holiday. As we neared our destination I remember being puzzled by the signs by the railway line which read ‘You are now entering the Strong country’ which I later found to be a reference to Strong’s brewery of Romsey, later taken over by Whitbread. Alas, being only 13 I was still far to young to try this mysterious beverage. It was around this age that I began to discover football, which back in Lancashire meant watching the Big Match at 2 o’clock on Sunday afternoon. Every week in the half time break there was an advert, again with a little jingle ‘Beer at home means Davenports’. The words came up on the screen and a little bottle Sometime in the early 60’s my father’s job jumped over them so you could sing along. transferred from Bury to Bolton. I guess because Although Davenports were a Birmingham they had different holiday weeks we could no brewery I guess that they had a home delivery longer catch the Wakes Week North Wales operation in the North West. Special so for a couple of years we went on holiday to the Isle of Man. This involved taking At last I became old enough to try the prod - the ferry from Liverpool, and apart from sitting ucts myself and my first sips were probably behind a stone wall on a sharp bend watching Whitbread keg beer. There were a couple of the TT racers scream around the corner on their brands around at the time ‘Whitbread Trophy motor bikes, my abiding memory is a large sign Bitter – the pint that thinks it’s a quart’ and ‘It’s
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NORFOLK NIPS | Tankard that helps you excel – after one you do thoughtful, they even provide somewhere for anything well’. The latter had a series of beer you to hang your hat.’ mats featuring a wimp called Stanley who could do amazing things after drinking Tankard bitter. So which adverts will become the classics of today? For my money the Peter Kay ones for Fortunately I soon became aware of the real John Smiths are favourite. The ball juggling one thing and became involved with CAMRA. Back where he launches it into the stratosphere in the 70’s Watneys was not all bad. Up in the accompanied by a cry of ‘ ‘Ave it!’ spawned many north they owned the Wilsons brewery in imitators both on the pitch and in the stands at Manchester and we were invited along for a Bury Games. The more recent series where he relaunch of one of their products. However says something outrageous and sits there with a before we got stuck into the tour and the puzzled look on his face and says ‘What?’ for me samples the management showed us some of capture northern life to perfection. their new advertising campaign for Fosters lager. These featured Paul Hogan who had just made it So what we learnt by this idiosyncratic trawl big in this country and no doubt you will through the history of beer advertising? Much of remember some of them. My favourite was the advertising from years ago would not be when he encounters a couple of Japanese allowed today, suggesting as it does that tourists looking at a map who ask him ‘What’s drinking beer is somehow good for you. It strikes the best way to Cockfosters’? ‘Serve it warm, me that when I was a child and had no interest mate’ comes the reply. On the evening they in beer, I remembered more from when I was in also showed us some that didn’t make the TV. an unfamiliar place. I think that the jingles stick in One of them featured a traditional northern pub my mind and finally I put to you my theory that with the old boys playing dominoes in the the better the advertising, the worse the beer. corner. The camera pans round to show a bank of hand pumps as Hogan says ‘that’s very Jeff
4 Real Ales always on offer Pool • Darts • Jukebox Large Beer Garden with children’s play area.
Food served daily from 12-2pm & 6-9pm Tue - Sat 12 - 3pm Sunday
Breakfast served 7am - 2pm Saturdays
1 Norwich Road, Framingham Earl, NR14 7AB Tel: 01508 494811 NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 16
Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 11 NORFOLK NIPS | This series of articles highlight the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 years or so. This issue features a seaside hotel selling a range of real ales and a true community pub. Red Lion Hotel, Cromer
Orna Red
The public bar at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromer 1 1 0 2
r The Red Lion is a Victorian back also has some modern e t h
g hotel overlooking the sea. The additions. A second room has u a l main bare boarded bar on the an old counter front and S
l e
a right retains many of its orig - glazed screen reaching to the h c i inal fittings but there were ceiling, and both rooms have M
© major changes in the 1980s. 1930s brick fireplaces. Look for There is a corner Victorian the decorative bell pushes from vestibule entrance with two the days of table service which doors indicating there was a feature a stork. The left hand separate snug separated by a side of the pub was opened up wood and glass partition - now in the mid 1980s and has a removed. Also, what looks like good Victorian colourful tiled an off-sales near the servery has floor but the counter here is been amalgamated into the modern. The panelling around bar. The counter is definitely the reception area dates from the original Victorian one but c.1985 rather than Victorian the superstructure is a modern times. addition and the mirrored bar
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NORFOLK NIPS | Phone number is 01263 514964. Website: www.redlion-cromer.co.uk;
Children welcome in the bar. Hotel accommodation in 14 en-suite rooms. Real ales on sale are Adnams Best Bitter, Woodfordes Wherry and 4 changing real ales from Norfolk and Suffolk micro breweries Ornate bell push at the usually including a dark beer. Red Lion Hotel, Cromer Two beer festivals are held a Red Lion Hotel, Brook Street, year – in March and as part of Cromer NR27 9HD is open Cromer Carnival week in August. from 10 am (11am Sat, Sun) to Function Room available. 11pm. Meals are served from 12 to 2.30; 6 to 9.30 Mon to The vestibule at the at the Red Fri; 12 to 9.30 Sat, Sun. Lion Hotel, Cromer Crown, New Costessey Built by Youngs, Crawshay & was a separate snug until the Youngs in 1931, it originally early 1980s - note the second had an off-sales shop on the original bar back. The small left, public bar, snug and room on the left was the lounge with a bowling green at off-sales shop and retains an the rear. The main entrance old counter and original brick leads to the bar on the left fireplace. It was accessed via its which retains its original bar own exterior door but in the back, but the counter was 1980s this was blocked up and replaced in the early 2000s. an opening created between The small area near the door the two rooms. The lounge on
Continued Overleaf
Above: The bar back fitting at the Crown, New Costessey
Right: The exterior of the Crown, New Costessey
Autumn 2011 17 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 18 The King’s Head KEG FREE HOUSE Open 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday 12.00noon - 10.30pm Sunday Run by enthusiastic drinkers and CAMRA members.
Keg Free Zone 14 Hand Pumps Norfolk Ales and Cider Mild always available Worldwide Bottled Beers Belgian Beers Television-free Bar Billiards www.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk rfolk CAMRA No ear Pub of the Y 8 2006 & 200 Dating from the 14th century, the pub has been restored to a Victorian style.
The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JE www.kingsheadnorwich.com NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 19
NORFOLK NIPS Heritage Pubs 11 continued | the right also has its original door blocked up and has been renovated at least twice in recent years but it still retains the original brick fireplace. This is a true community pub with the bowling green still in use, and is also the headquarters of the Costessey South Road Pigeon Racing Club, where local pigeon fanciers bring their birds to load onto the lorry. The pub hosts an angling club, two football teams and two hockey teams as well.
Crown, 79 Norwich Road, New Costessey NR5 0EU is open from 12 noon (5pm Tue) to 11pm. No food is sold – just crisps and nuts! Phone 01603 742849. The Crown sells Woodfordes Wherry.
If you require photographs of your pub interior / exterior you can contact Mick on 01733 390598 or email The snug (was the off sales) at the [email protected] to discuss your requirements. Crown, New Costessey Calling all Young Members... Were you at the Beer Festival last year? Did you The Branch has an extensive programme of have a good time? Will you be at the Beer events, but we realise that these are not to Festival this year? If you answered “yes” to these everyone’s taste. David wants to know what you questions, here is another one – “Where have would like to see happening, what type of you been?” events you would be interested in – A Young Persons First Friday Five ( no one over 30 Nationally, CAMRA is trying to encourage allowed) or Introduction to Real Ale Tasting Young Members (18 – 30’s) to get more Sessions perhaps? involved and The Norwich and Norfolk Branch is helping the cause. At the last AGM, David Let him know. Join the Facebook Group – (Pugs) Rackham was appointed as our Young www.facebook.com/groups/141049285967022 Persons Rep and he wants to hear from you. or just search for Norwich and Norfolk Young He has set up a page on Facebook and will be Members and get involved. at the Freshers Week at The UEA in September. You know you will enjoy it!
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COACHDE R&SIN GHHAOM RSES
A TRADITIONAL VILLAGE PUB Homecooked Food, Great Beer Accommodation & Large Beer Garden
Situated between King’s Lynn & Hunstanton one mile from the Royal Sandringham Estate 5th ANNUAL
FRBIDAEY 7EthR - Su nFdaEy 9Sth OTCITOVBAER 2L 011 20 REAL ALES & CIDERS LIVE MUSIC EVERYDAY Selection of Traditional Hot Pies available All Weekend FULL MENU & SPECIALS ALSO AVAILABLE Food Served Everyday12-2pm & 6-8.30pm, Sunday 12-3pm & 5-8pm. En Suite Rooms From £45 77 Manor Road, Dersingham 01485 5403 91 [email protected] NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 21
NORFOLK NIPS Award Winning Pub | The Adam and Eve Dancing which included Pedants’ Revolt, who feature elsewhere in this edition.
Rita is justly proud of what she has achieved. The Adam and Eve is unique and so it should be. Rita says that no two pubs are identical. “It’s like cutting two loaves of bread” she explained, ”they will not be exactly the same.” At this point I have to admit that I am an advocate of LocAle, but a visit to The Adam and Eve for me is not complete without a pint of Theakston’s Old Peculier, which is a regular here, “No screens - No machines!” That was the as is Adnams Southwold Bitter and Wolf Straw message for the TV Satellite Salesman when he Dog, which came in for The City of Ale and has phoned The Adam and Eve recently. Landlady been kept on. Rita McClusky added somewhat mischievously “We don’t do fun here!” Unusually, the Staff get to choose the Guest Ales, Robert selected St Peters Best, Lee went for In truth, screens and machines would be an Elgoods Black Dog Mild, and the Chef chose intrusion here, completely out of place. There is Humpty Dumpty’s Little Sharpie. just a radio playing quietly somewhere. “Just a bit of white noise” Rita explained, “ Being close There are many reasons to visit this delightful to The Law Courts, some conversations are not pub, the River Walk is close by, the Ghost Walks 1 meant to be overheard. start here, and in the summer, there are plenty of seats outside in front of the pub, which is a I caught up with Rita after The City of Ale riot of colour – Rita is a keen supporter of Festival, which had brought considerable success Norwich in Bloom. Oh, and great food and top both to her and the pub. The many accolades notch beers as well. Drop in next time you are in received included the Best Event; Morris the area, you will get a warm welcome here.
Not funny... E Three pieces of string were desperate for a drink himself onto the ground, rolled around vigor - but the pub had a sign outside saying ‘String ously and tied himself up. not served here’. Undeterred the first piece of string entered the bar but was soon back He then went into the bar. The landlord eyed outside having been unsuccessful. him suspiciously and asked him ‘Are you a piece of string?’ As is traditional in these tales, the second piece of string had a go, but with the same result. ‘ ‘Fraid not’ came the reply. Seeing this, the third piece of string hurled
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Thurs 27th - Mon 31st October Come over to the dark side, a festival of all beers dark and delicious NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 23
NORFOLK NIPS Book review | Norwich Pubs and Breweries: Past and Present Frances and Michael Holmes | Norwich Heritage Projects £9.95
This new book, published by Norwich Heritage Did you know that artists John Crome and Sir Projects, gives a fascinating insight into the way Alfred James Munnings painted signs for Pubs that Pubs and Breweries have so richly and Breweries? Or that John Moray-Smith (an contributed to Norwich’s Heritage. Italian prisoner of war in WW1) produced the bas-relief for The Prince of Denmark? It’s not a Beer Guide, the authors (who are CAMRA members) leave that to the experts, but Many of the pubs were no more than a single a well written, informative and humorous room, and the Landlord often had a “day job” account of how we got to where we are today. to makes end meet. No wonder that the quality was variable, but if you lived in a hovel in one of Section One looks at the history of Norwich the yards, it was your only escape from reality. Brewers no longer with us: Youngs, Crawshay Too many pubs? Read here what impact the and Youngs Ltd, Bullard & Sons, Steward and 1904 Compensation Act had. Pattison Ltd, Morgans Ltd, Watney Mann, and even Lacons of Great Yarmouth. Anecdotes, And what modern day Beer Legends are now interviews and some brilliant photos all bring the saying about Watneys. This is a great read, buy it history to life. History is then brought up to date as a Christmas present, buy it for yourself! with an in depth feature on Woodfordes, and a wonderful account by Derek Spanton, a “21st century Drayman”. You can also read here about NIPS 158 Competition the history of Beer Festivals in Norwich, from the To win a signed copy of Frances and Michael Holmes first by The Bystanders Society in 1970 to The amazing new book - Norwich Pubs and Breweries Past Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA Beer Festival and and Present – simply answer the following question: Pub Festivals, the first of which was at The Traf - The Pockthorpe Brewery was home to ford Arms. which Norwich Brewer?
Send your answers to: Section Two, Norwich Pubs, Inns and Taverns Norfolk NIPS 158 Competition presented the authors with something of a 201 Kingswood Avenue dilemma, there was so much material! They Taverham, Norwich NR8 6GJ have solved this brilliantly by using OS Maps for Or e-mail to [email protected] 1844/5 and dividing the City into 8 sections. Entries must be received by Monday 21st November These show the names and locations of 450 hostelries! (Forget “a pub for every day of the Please note: we do not collect names and addresses from year”). Ten common themes were discovered – competition entries for any purpose whatsoever, other than to verify entries and know where to send the prize! Signs and Names, Artists, Entertainment, Coaching Inns, Sporting Links, Pub Games, Congratulations to Chris Raynor, who won the Community and Clubs, Murder and Mayhem, 18 pint Beerbox of Once Bittern, supplied by Norwich Yards and The River. Where a particular Woodfordes in the Summer 2011 Edition. theme is appropriate to a featured pub, a coloured icon indicates this. Autumn 2011 23 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:16 Page 24
Elephant and Castle NORFOLK NIPS | Animal Crackers
Here the English troops marched through the night to outflank the Scots and caught them by surprise. This trek involved the feet of the elephants being wrapped in sacking to muffle their steps, a difficult but worthwhile task as they played a decisive part in the conflict. However some of the elephants escaped in the course of the battle, and took to the nearby Cheviot Hills where they lived as a feral colony.
Over the many hundreds of years since their ancestors left Africa they have evolved. The grey skin of the African elephant filters out much of the strong sunlight in their native land, but in Britain the much weaker sun finds it difficult to It’s a little known fact that when Hannibal’s army penetrate, and therefore a lack of vitamin D, was defeated by Scipio’s, at the battle of Zama, which is derived from sunlight, can lead to the victorious Roman army captured some of osteoporosis. Consequently the modern day the elephants that the Carthaginians famously elephants have a pink skin, which absorbs the employed in battle. The great Roman writer Livy sun’s rays much more easily. It is said by some records how some of these were taken from that the last survivors perished in the harsh North Africa to other parts of the empire for use winter of 1963, but there are still some individ - by the Roman Legions. These included forts on uals who tell stories of leaving the pub late at Hadrian’s wall and indeed the well preserved night after a number of pints and seeing the ruins at Chester’s fort, near Hexham contain pink elephants on their way home. buildings which some scholars believe once housed elephants. Amongst the artefacts in the Lars Torders small museum on site are fragments of ivory carved by bored soldiers posted to this far-flung part of the empire. When the Romans left some of the elephants remained behind and were later used in the defence of the many castles that Subscriptions protected the border from incursions by the Scottish tribes. You can see in the photograph To received the next four issues of Norfolk the entrance to Norham castle, up on the River Nips and Cask Force send 12 1st class Tweed, near Coldstream. Even though it is in ruins it is easy to see how the gate had to be stamps to:- much bigger than a normal castle entrance to allow the passage of these great beasts. This is of Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, course the origin of the pub name ‘Elephant and 91 Tennyson Road, CA Castle’. The end for the use of elephants in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. warfare was the invention of gunpowder and the last great battle in which they played a Thanks to all those who have sent nice Mon significant part was at Flodden Field, close to letters with their renewals. Norham where the Scots were defeated in 1513.
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DUK Eof WELLINGTON TRADITIONAL REAL ALE HOUSE 14 REAL ALES GRAVITY SERVED available all year round from our glass fronted tap room 6 MORE ALES ON HAND PUMP Enjoy your favourite takeaway with a decent pint and decent company! BBQ Weekend IN THE BEER GARDEN Just order your food to be delivered to the pub or bring it in and we provide plates, knives, forks and environment. ns We even have the
olk menu’s available - Indian, Chinese, Fish and Chips etc. Come and enjoy our Tap Room with a selection of CAMRA Good Beer Guide Listed Belgian bottled beers, Budvar, Open Erdinger and Riegele all on Monday to Saturday 12noon to 11pm Draught. Sundays 12noon to 10.30pm 91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182 NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:17 Page 26
Norwich Beer Festival NORFOLK NIPS | 34th Norwich Beer Festival
Greetings to you all, hope you are having a to thank Chameleon Catering for all their hard good summer and drinking lots of quality beer. work over the last couple of years. Again preparation is underway for the 34th Norwich Beer festival which is scheduled to take Finally a big thank you to all our volunteers place at it’s usual venue of St Andrews & Black - and branch members who are helping out. friars Halls in the centre of Norwich in the last Of course if you feel like you help out please get week of October. Which reminds me to say that in touch with us via our website www.norwich - we are very pleased to host the National AGM & camra.org.uk/festival or contact the staffing Members weekend in 2013, more news on this officer Mark Stimpson at [email protected] next year. And last but not least, big thanks to Alex at the As I write, the advanced tickets have gone on Beehive, for hosting the staff summer barbecue, sale, and are going quickly, so get in fast if you Take Five for our regular planning meetings, & want to guarantee entry in the evenings. the Staff/Customers at the Fat Cat, Cottage and Kings Head for inspiration and good beer. Beer and cider selection is ongoing and judging from the feedback that we received from last year’s visitors, I think we did very well Martin Ward in the choice of styles which has lead to some Norwich Beer Festival Organiser 2011(again) minor tweaking of the range, but hopefully, brewers willing, we should have our usual mix to titillate your palate, Including some very special specials (Thanks Ron & Roger) which are likely to go very quickly.
As you know costs have gone up, but we have done our best to minimise the increases and The pub with no bar, bring you a quality pint at a reasonable price. ales direct from cask. The “souvenir” third pint glasses were excep - Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events. tionally popular last year, so this time I have increased the amount available for sale. Tongue twizzling food, and great value. The introduction of third of a pint measure was Huge garden • Summer barbecue also well received, enabling our customers to sample more of their favourite beers. As a change this year we are going to offer half pint Victory Barn Function tankards instead of the traditional straight glass, I hope you will like it. Room for Christmas Parties
On the catering front we have secured the return of Natural Nosh to provide hot and cold Come & visit Nelson’s local. snacks and meals for your consideration. Nosh are no strangers to the festival having been our Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe Norfolk PE31 8HN partners a few years back. I would however like 01328 738241
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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
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Norwich Ale Survey NORFOLK NIPS | City Pubs top the Real Ale Premier League!
However, pubs across the city contributed to the total with 56 pubs selling ales not available anywhere else, from the Maids Head in Catton (Flowers, IPA) to the Bread and Cheese, Adelaide Street (Wolf, Lupus Lupus) and from Otter Ale in the Birdcage to St Austell Tribute in the Cock at Lakenham.
The price of a pint of real ale ranged from £1.70 for a pint of Ruddles Best (3.7%) in the Queen of the Iceni to £3.60 for Adnams Tally Ho (7.2%) in the Fat Cat, with the average price still below the £3 mark at £2.95.
Ian Stamp, Norwich CAMRA member and “We are going to need a bigger laptop” organiser of the survey said “This is an amazing result – we expected to get over 150 ales but 215 is fantastic and a great tribute to the A survey organised by the Norwich & Norfolk publicans and real ale drinkers across the whole branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), city who demand and get an excellent and carried out in the city on Saturday (18th range of real ales and ciders”. Surely Norwich is June 2011), found an amazing 215 different the City of Ale! real ales available, topping recent claims from other cities to the title of UK Capital of Real Ale, per head of population. Other statistics: A team of 26 volunteers visited 136 pubs, of - Total pubs surveyed: 136 which 113 (83%) offered a total of 489 real ales - Total serving real ale: 113 (83%) and 24 real ciders and perries. The total of 215 - Total ales on sale: 498 (plus 24 ciders and different ales beats the numbers achieved perries), 186 from Norfolk Breweries in similar surveys in Derby (161 ales, population - Unique ales on sale: 215 (18 ciders and 240,000) and Sheffield (240, 500,000 – perries - subject to verification) which is a far larger population than Norwich). - Ales on sale in one pub only: 144 - Prices: £1.70 - £3.60, average £2.95 (Norfolk Local ales from 22 of the county’s breweries beers £2.92, non-Norfolk beers £2.97) were on sale with Woodforde’s Wherry taking - Breweries: 98 (22 from Norfolk) the accolade of most popular ale, being - Average ABV: 4.2% available in 43 pubs. The Fat Cat had the most ales on the bar with 31, followed by the Whale - Most Popular Beers (with publicans!): bone (20), Duke of Wellington (16), Fat Cat Brewery Tap (15) and The Plasterers Arms (14). 43 Woodfordes Wherry A dozen pubs visited were serving 7 or more ales. 28 Adnams Southwold Bitter
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23 Fullers London Pride 16 Greene King IPA 14 Greene King Abbott 13 Wolf Golden Jackal The Falcon 12 Adnams Broadside Pulham Market, IP21 4SU Woodfordes Nelsons Revenge 6 Hop Back Summer Lightning ...a REAL pub Sharps Doombar Wells & Youngs Bombardier Oakham JHB ince reopening 18 months ago The Woodfordes Once Bittern Falcon is building a good reputation for ales and ciders which are served straight Woodfordes Sundew S from the barrels at cellar temprature.
Pubs with more than 2 unique ales: Lou and her staff have been awarded a 17 Fat Cat certificate of excellence from Cask Marque 15 Whalebone and a food hygiene rating of 5. 7 White Lion The Falcon is very much a traditional 6 Duke of Wellington drinkers pub with stone floors and wood Kings Head burners, pool table and darts board. There is Plasterers a quiz night every Wednesday and live music every Saturday. Also on Wednesday evenings 5 Bell there is a meet for local motorcyclist from Kings Arms 7pm ( please contact the pub to check this as we 4 Fat Cat Brewery Tap approach winter.) Plough (out of 4!) Bar food is served all day on Fridays, Saturdays Trafford Arms and Sundays and is avaliable to eat in or 3 Coach & Horses, Thorpe Road takeaway. Cottage, Silver road Micawbers Diary of Events Woolpack October Sat 1st The Pure Floyd Show (tickets £6 ) Pubs with most local Ales: Sat 8th Rawedge (rock) 13 The Plasterers Sat 15th Fourplay (classic rock) Sat 22nd Murphys Lore (folk) 12 Fat Cat Fri 28th Halloween fancy dress party with Headspace 10 Kings Head, Magdalen Street 6 Ketts Tavern November Coach and Horses,Thorpe Road Sat 5th Egypt (blues/rock) Sat 12th Sun of Cash (johny cash) 5 Beehive, Leopold Road Sat 19th Andy Robinson band (rock/blues) Fat Cat Brewery Tap Sat 26th After Hours Blues band (blues) Rose, Queens Road 4 Coachmakers Tel: 01379 608897 Jubilee Mob: 07534944242 Duke of Wellington facebook.com/falconpulham Bell Ian Stamp
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NORFOLK NIPS Colonial Craig | From Across the Pond (part 4)
My fellow real ale drinkers, it is with great realize how special your pubs really are. They sadness that I write this chapter. When this goes serve the best beer, in a superb environment to press I will already be far away from the land and you get to spend quality time with your pals of great ale. I diligently tried to stay another and not just the ones you brought with you. year but my employer wouldn’t budge; I was What more could you ask for? Please don’t take even forced out three months earlier than I was your local pub for granted. If you don’t support promised! I have been banished to a small them they won’t be around forever. I plan on island in the middle of the Pacific with a pitiful coming back to visit and I want to find the same (and expensive) selection of beer. Before you great pubs, not a bunch of flat conversions! start to feel too sorry for me, I should mention I am not sure when I will get back to the Old that the island I am on now is Oahu. If you are Country but I have promised Stig that I would scratching your head about the location, let me submit some articles on my travels and the beers give you a hint…the Japanese made an unex - I find. One highlight of my new job is that I will pected visit here back in 1941. Yes, I know it is get to travel frequently. I should be able to drop rough but just remember that I don’t have any you a line now and then about the beers I am real ales to sample; at least none that I have sampling and the breweries I am visiting. I will found just yet. be missing England and the real ales but at least I had the opportunity to live in your wonderful “We are experiencing quite land for almost six years. Life is good! a bit of culture shock now that we are back in the US. Angel I have already noticed a big difference between English Gardens pubs and American bars.” Free House
This independently run freehouse has been under the ownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on My lovely wife and I had a wonderful time in the north of the city near to Waterloo Park. your awesome country. We really appreciate the great hospitality and friendships we made over Homecooked and speciality meals Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef the past few years. We are experiencing quite a with years of experience. bit of culture shock now that we are back in the US. I have already noticed a big difference Up to SEVEN reasonably priced Real between English pubs and American bars. The Ales including THREE guest ales pubs are more of a home away from home. There are many acquaintances at your friendly Monthly Quiz & Darts • Live Music on Saturdays local pub and most of them you consider friends. This isn’t the norm in our bars. We typi - 96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT cally bring our friends with us to the bar and chat only within our group. It is rare to find a 01603 427490 place in the US that has the friendly atmosphere email: [email protected] of a typical pub. As an outsider, I can really see the difference. Many of you probably don’t www.norwichinns.com
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Beer Tasting NORFOLK NIPS | Tasting Panel A well attended Tasting Panel was recently don’t usually involve more than 1/3 pint per treated to a comprehensive tasting of bottled beer!) so most of us took the opportunity to and draught ales at the Ketts Tavern, Ketts Hill, taste a little of each of the new Norwich Bear (as owned and run by Dawn and Kevin Hopkins. in “gis a point ‘a tha bear bor”!) brews: Classic , The bottled ales were from Norfolk Square a 3.8% pale ale; Legend 4.3, slightly stronger Brewery, whose owners, Carlos and Lesley Bran - and darker and reminiscent of London Pride ; quinho, kindly organised the evening, and Platinum , a 5% golden ale; and NPA , a 4.7% performed the pouring and clearing duties we 'Norfolk IPA’, which was probably most people’s usually have to do for ourselves! favourite, although run a close second by the Legend. Carlos was the ideal host, as he also brews the Norwich Bear ales for the Ketts and its sister pub A very pleasant evening - if later than usual! - The Rose, at his brewery in Stokesby, while the and our thanks to Carlos and Lesley, and the new Norwich Bear brewery is installed at The hard-working bar staff at the Ketts! Rose. Following the usual tasting panel proce - dure, we tasted each beer, discussed aroma, flavours and aftertaste, and rated it having been told only the ABV. Beer names were revealed - or confirmed - by Carlos after the marking was complete.
We started with Pi , a light hoppy golden beer Telephone: 01379 898 445 of 3.7%, which was the first beer Norfolk Square Email: [email protected] www.thebellrickinghall.co.uk brewed and very refershing, followed by Scroby , the brewery’s 4.2% pale ale, fuller- The Bell Inn, The Street, Rickinghall, Norfolk IP22 1BN flavoured (the name reflects the brewery's origins in Great Yarmouth). Sunshiny , a 4.5% ale flavored with a light touch of honey, completed a trio of golden amber ales on a sweeter note.
We also tasted B52 , slightly stronger at 4.8%; Square Miled , as the name suggest a dark 4% The Bell Inn is a family owned and run Country Hotel mild which was very popular, and with ample Free Parking and Patio Garden. Winklepicker , Norfolk Square’s 5% porter, • 8 En-suited Bedrooms • The Chimes Restuarant pretty much in the true style, although a little seating up to 30 guests • Private Function Suite sweeter than some other brewers’ versions. • Bespoke menus tailored to suit all functions • Warm & friendly atmosphere • Good selection of ales We would normally not taste more than six beers at a session - apart from most of us having Whether you are visiting us for business or pleasure we will endeavour to ensure your stay with to work in the morning, taste buds are usually us will always exceed your expectations. somewhat jaded after so much work! We are open all day every day However, we were loath to turn down a free Lunch 12:00 - 2:30 • Dinner 6:00 - 9:30 Sunday Lunch served all day 12:00 - 9:00 tasting with the brewer (and bottle tastings
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NORFOLK NIPS CAMRA Calendar | CAMRA Calendar Norwich and North Norfolk Branch Mariners. Howard Street at 1.30 for a 2pm start Saturday 12th November Visit to Adnams Brewery - Booking is essential with Thursday 15th September Michael Philips Visit to Elgood’s Brewery, Wisbech Spaces limited, contact Michael Philips Tuesday 15th November Committee meeting at The Beehive, Leopold Road, Tuesday 20th September Norwich 8pm Branch Meeting At The Humpty Dumpty Brewery, Reedham. 8pm Friday 25th November Campaign Trip South of the City - Wicklewood area Friday 30th September Campaign Trip North of the City (Worstead area) West Norfolk Branch Friday 7th October Tuesday 20th September First Friday Five Albion, Thetford. Visiting five pubs in Norwich. Good Beer guide launch/ social Starts 8pm. Route TBA Sunday 9th October Sunday 9th October Whitwell & Reepham railway festival, joint social Inter Branch Social with West Norfolk Branch with Norwich At Whitwell & Reepham Railway Station Beer Festival Tuesday 11th October Tuesday 18th October Windmill, Great Cressingham, AGM Branch Meeting TBA Monday 24th – Saturday 29th October Tuesday 8th November The 34th Norwich CAMRA Beer Festival Union Jack, Roydon At St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls. Saturday 17th December. Friday 4th November Norwich Chrisrmas Crawl First Friday Five Visiting five pubs in Norwich All branch meetings start at 8pm and include a Starts 8pm. Route TBA. social. Saturday 5th November Treasure Hunt in Great Yarmouth. Meet at The Got a short pint? If you believe that you have been treated unfairly in a pub, club or bar, you should contact the Trading Standards service by writing to them at Norfolk Trading Standards Service, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2UD or faxing them on 01603 222999.
A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
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Saturday October – Monday 24th er 29th Octob olk and Norf Norwich The 34th oined? r Festival t Bee iars Halls. hat and Blackfr St Andrews
Sunday 9th October Don’t Forget! The Inter - Branch Social at Whitwell and Reepham Railway Station.
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Lincoln Visit NORFOLK NIPS |
A “Flick” around Lincoln
Those who know me will be aware that I am a an impressive (12!) range of beers including of complete aeroplane nut so upon hearing course their own Milestone’s beers. recently that the mighty hunter the Nimrod was Having left the 14th Century Dragon I headed about to make its last flights I headed into for the Jolly Brewer with a sense of trepidation darkest Lincolnshire to witness its passing. having been told they had suffered a break in the night before. The pub is close to the art school and has a Bohemian look before you even enter, it was open due to some hard work by the staff and proved to be the kind of no frills eccentric place I tend to like. Decorated by art students some years ago in an Art Deco style it has wonderful coloured windows one of which at the back of the pub had been broken in the
This event spanned two days at RAF Waddington which is just South of Lincoln so I decided to stay in the city overnight and explore its real ale drinking potential. The original plan of attack was to get to the top of the hill upon which sit the Cathedral and castle the let gravity aid my return to my digs.
However when I got off the bus, I discovered that two of the pubs on my list were very close by. First was the Green Dragon which has a downstairs bar level with the river front serving Green Dragon
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NORFOLK NIPS | break in, such a shame. The Brewer proved friendly and the beer quality superb with two excellent local beers on offer out of the six avail - able, plus real perry and cider.
I moved on as they were setting up for live music, a bit later it must have been heaving. A this point I had to climb up to the level of the hilltop I chose the stairs on the side of the hill rather than the rather obviously named street Steep Hill!
Art Deco styling in the Jolly Brewer
Time to return to my digs as I had to go back to Waddington fairly early, with enough beer guide pubs for a return visit, fairly soon I n suspect. With a great array of differing pubs plus the medieval city, one to try for yourself.
Stig
Flick off!
First was the Morning Star which proved to provide the reason for the title of this piece, inside I was greeted by the sight of a Subuteo tournament about to start. The league is called the Lincoln Flickers, and this is serious competi - tion with players polishing the bases of their players before flick off, half the pub was taken up by the tables. You just can’t beat pub culture, just when you think you have seen everything…
The next ale house was the darkly named Strugglers, which is so called because when public hangings took place outside the castle gaol the condemned were taken in to the pub to get drunk so they didn’t struggle on the gallows (shudder). The beer range was again very good and it was standing room only, you couldn’t struggle much even if you tried!
Finally I visited the Bateman’s owned Victoria which wasn’t hard as it is right next door to the Strugglers.
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DRINKING THE YORKSHIRE WAY Norfolk Square Brewery or BY-ECK My wife and I plus the dog set off in our campervan to tour the York - opens Two Brewers Shop shire Moors, a beautiful area which we have visited many times before. Only this time we decided to break the journey from Norfolk and have an evening stop over near Selby, what a master stroke this turned out to be. Our camp site at Riccall, had a pub called the Greyhound Inn and this was our first port of call. Four ales to choose from and I went for Little Valley Moor, Well What The Heck at 5.5% ABV.
The Wheatsheaf, a roadside pub in Burn was my next choice. I could not bring myself to sample the John Smith’s cask ale but I did try Tucked away at the top of Goose Eye - Balmpot, Leed’s - Pale Magdalen Street, next to Two and Osset- Blond. NO Great Heck. Brewers Yard in Norwich is Carlos Next the George and Dragon at Branquinho’s latest venture. West Haddlesey (just down the road) had Golden Angel from Toad Brewery, Doncaster. Our last venue Wander through the front was again only a stones throw door and you realise that this is away, the Wadkin Arms at a cornucopia of bottled beers. Osgodby. With Wensleydale - Rows and rows of bottles vie I spoke to Shop Manager Gold,and Brown Cow - White for your attention. You don’t Peter Darwood who was happy Dragon but no Great Heck. know where to look first – the to show me around. He words “kid” and “sweetshop” pointed out some rare delights, We moved on to the Yorkshire come readily to mind. such as the Chinese Lucky Beer. moors the following day and can There is an ever changing recommend the following pubs. SUDDERBY’S at Malton (great window display which featured Hardly surprising, there are at bottled beer shop as well) American Beers on my visit. present 40 local beers and over BLACKSMITHS ARMS at 100 others from the UK and Lastingham one of our all time around the world, plus ciders He told me that the shop will favourites (brilliant food) and wines! Fortunately they are also hold “Meet the Brewer” NEW INN at Cropton which has arranged in some order, events at regular intervals, its own brewery Norfolk Beers, American Beers, check their facebook page for HORSESHOE HOTEL at Belgium Beers etc. the latest news; Woodfordes is Egerton Bridge up next on 10th September, STATION INN at Whitby As one who dismally failed to SUN INN at Pickering discover the delights of the Not the easiest place to get to CROWN Hutton-Le-Hole Italian Craft Beer scene when in by car, but there is a large My next trip to the Yorkshire moors Rome, I was delighted to “loading only” bay opposite, will definitely be broken at Selby readily find two specimens and you would be loading, but this time on the way there and wouldn’t you? back. Surely we must find some here; the Baladin Nora is defi - Great Heck beers then! nitely one for Christmas. Bruce & Carol Ward
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ldeston Locks In Ge Locks Lane, Geldeston n NR34 0HW Tel: 01508 518414 Summer opening Hours up to 31st October Open all day every day 12 Noon - 11pm Food Served Monday to Friday 12 Noon - 2.30pm and 6pm - 9pm Saturday and Sunday 12 Noon all day through to 9pm
Winter opening hours from 31st October Open urs, Fri, Sat 12 Noon – 11pm Food served urs, Fri, Sat 12 Noon – 2.30pm (Sunday 12 Noon - 5pm) Go to www.geldestonlocks.co.uk for more information on our events, parties and music line-up
73 Oak Street, Norwich NR3 3AQ 01603 632333
An ever-changing selection of five Milton brews and three guest beers. Also serving a variety of fine malt whiskies, a range of Trappist and Fruit Belgian beers and a unique English lager brewed to a Czech recipe. Food coming soon Come and have a tipple at the last of the Oak Street Alehouses FREE www.individualpubs.co.uk/whitelion/ WiFi
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NORFOLK NIPS Interview with a Landlady | The Norfolk Beer Scene A to Z A is for:
Aey Allen, Landlady of The Vine In the first of a new series which looks at what makes the Norfolk Beer Scene so special, I inter - viewed Aey. She celebrates three years at The Vine on 15th November and to mark the occa - sion is donating 10p per pint sold to Children in Need during the week 14th – 19th November. Q. Looking to the future, what is your biggest challenge/concern? Q. Nice selection of Ales, were they A. To keep finding something new. I try to make chosen with Thai food in mind? an improvement every three months. You can’t A. Oh yes, especially JHB. stand still.
Q. You are in The Good Beer Guide and Q. Finally, The Vine is a great place in The Good Food Guide , what is the secret which to unwind, but how do you chill of your success? out when you are not in the pub? A. Good staff and fresh home cooked food, A. Oh, I love a good party! using local produce wherever possible. The beer lines are always flushed through, not just cleaned. The Oakham Brewery says that I serve the best pint of JHB. I’m a fussy person, I like NORFOLK ALE SHOP everything to be neat. It’s altogether. OVER 60 ALES Q. What advice would you give to anyone thinking of taking on a pub? A. Firstly, you must love your job, and practice ALE SALE! your people skills. Take care of people and you will make customers your friends. EVERY WEEKEND
Q. The City of Ale Festival, how was it 20% off ALL BOTTLES for you? FIND US INSTORE AT A. It was good. We had 12 firkins on, people THE GENERAL STORE 41, HIGH STREET, asked how the smallest pub could have so many RINGSTEAD. PE36 5JU. NEAR HUNSTANTON. beers. It brought new customers in on the Bank Holiday Monday, which is usually quiet for us. Telephone: 01485 525270 Q. If you could only have one drink and Email: [email protected]. one meal, what would they be? A. A pint of real ale, definitely - possibly Oakham OPEN SEVEN DAYS Macaw and a dish of Gang Pha (Village Curry). 8am -5.30pm. (This is No. 40 on the menu, which confirms EXCEPT MON/TUES/WED. that Aey loves this dish – Ed) CLOSING AT 1pm.
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Cider and Perry NORFOLK NIPS | The birth of the East Anglian Cider Competition
A few years ago, around the middle of the last decade, three members of CAMRA interested in promoting real cider and perry in East Anglia met in Cambridge, strangely enough in a bar which sold real cider. East Anglia cider was not being promoted much at the time and we wanted to find a way to let people know that cider is produced in the region, not just the West Country and the South East.
After much conversation (and a few ciders) we had come up with the idea of running a cider competition to select the best ciders and perries in the region. Any cider producer based in the region could enter as long as the we would be judging over 20 ciders and have product was not pasteurised or artificially enough perries to run a separate competition. carbonated and did not contain concentrate. Even better there are now nearly 50 cider Norwich Beer Festival seemed the ideal loca - producers in the region. tion, regularly having the largest amount of East Anglia cider in one place at that time. Last year Norfolk did very well with Crones Owld Norfolk winning the cider competition We started small, with around 15 products and Whin Hill’s was judged to be the best being judged in the first year which was not perry. This year’s competition will be judged, bad bearing in mind that we were only aware as usual, on Tuesday 25th October at Norwich of around 20 producers in the region. Over the Beer Festival. If you would like to help with the years, there have been a number of changes, judging, please contact either myself or Chris the main things being the number of entries Rouse on [email protected]. You don’t and, therefore, the number of judges required. have to be a cider expert, all you need to be Entries have grown steadily and I am sure that able to do is appreciate and recognise good we would never have imagined at the start that real cider and perry. The winning products will go forward as regional entries into the National Cider and Perry Championships, which take place at Reading Beer and Cider Festival in May next year. Andrea Briers
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NORFOLK NIPS Cider and Perry | Cider And Perry In Norfolk
Real cider is a long established traditional drink cider with honey which is produced naturally from apples and is cinnamon and cloves sent neither pasteurised nor carbonated. Perry is everyone off to bed similar, produced from pears. In order to ensure content. that traditional cider and perry production continues in the face of serious competition At the moment Russell from their heavily advertised keg competitors sources his apples from CAMRA is actively seeking to support cider and east anglian orchards but perry makers in the UK. Here in Norfolk we have he has also planted 70 a number of active and successful producers trees of his own. Outlets who are making drinks that differ in their nature for the cider are confined from those produced in the West Country and to the east coast at the moment (try the Hickling Welsh Borders. N&N CAMRA will endeavour to Pleasure boat, the Horsey Nelson’s Head and of inform the county about the choice of real cider course the Oliver Twist in Yarmouth, all offer a and perry available by providing information on choice of two) but he also supplies festivals and local cider makers and the outlets (pubs, festivals Stalham Farmer’s market. and farmers markets)where it can be obtained. And the Boy John is coming! It may be early In our inaugural piece we will introduce the days, but the signs are bright for cider with a East Norfolk Trading Company based in Norfolk bite! Martham, and the only commercial cider maker in the Yarmouth area. The cider press is sited in an old agricultural shed on the outskirts of the village, as with so many micro-breweries these days, is well suited for the purpose with its roomy space, ambient temperatures and ease of drainage and cleaning. Russell Watson set up the enterprise two years ago and to date has 2nd Annual Beer Festival produced a number of successful varieties. Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th November Norfolk haymaker (6.5%) is a medium cider with a refreshing zesty flavour. Discovery (7.3%) is 12 Real Ales and 2 Ciders dry and uses 50% Discovery apples. The Oak Aged (7.5%) has been matured for four months Fully licenced bar • Light snacks available in an oak barrel obtained from the malt whiskey SESSION TIMES: industry and the result is a magnificent mix of Thursday: 7.30 until late Friday: 6.00pm until late apple with a smoky aftertaste. Saturday: 2.00pm until late Sunday: 12.00 noon until late.
Russell has also been experimenting with cider ENTERTAINMENT: infused with his own elderflower cordial to Thursday Eve - Live Music with produce sweet Elderflower (7%). All these ciders The Blofield Heath Jammers Saturday Evening - Elvis Revisited were sampled at the Cider Festival held recently Sunday Evening - Fun Quiz in the Oliver Twist in Yarmouth over the Whitsun Heathlands Community Centre, Woodbastwick Road, Blofield Heath, weekend. The Elderflower tasted fresh and Norwich, NR13 4QH Tel: 01603 714164 Mob: 07818466473. flowery with a lingering sweet fruit on the www.heathlandscommunitycentre.org.uk Registered Charity: 303909 tongue. And just for the festival, a delicious hot
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NORFOLK NIPS Festival Diary | Beer Festival Diary
28 September-1 October (Wednesday- Market Square and tram stop (short walk from railway Saturday) St Albans Beer Festival station and Broadmarsh bus station). Alban Arena, Civic Centre - short walk from St Albans City Over 800 cask beers, plus wide selection of ciders and or Abbey rail stations perries mainly sourced from the smaller producers. Up to 350 real ales, plus cider perry, bottle-condi - All Day opening Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11 - tioned beers + large range of foreign beers from all 11pm. See website for details of admission prices and over the world. Live musical entertainment with Co CAMRA discount. Jones plus John Otway on Saturday lunchtime with Live music on Victorian Bandstand (separate from Nine Below Zero in the evening. Open: Wednesday main beer marquee, which is music-free). Hot food 12-11pm; Thursday-Saturday 11-11pm. CAMRA available (except Sunday). members free at all times. Staff needed, email: Contact Nottingham CAMRA on numbers 0785 111 [email protected] Other enquires to 2047 (General) or 0792 541 4726 (Staffing/volun - [email protected] (please put ‘SABF2011’ in subject teers) or 0115 929 7896 (Entertainment - line) or www.stalbansbeerfestival.com. Answerphone available) or festival@nottingham - camra.org. 5-8 Oct (Wednesday-Saturday) 34th Bedford Beer & Cider Festival 24-29 Oct (Mon-Sat) 34th Norwich Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1SL. Beer Festival Town centre venue - 5 minutes from the bus station, 10 St Andrews & Blackfriars Hall, Norwich minutes from the railway station. 200 + real ales (many local ales and specials), 30+ 110 power-cooled real ales, 35 ciders + perries + a ciders and perries, (East Anglia Cider & Perry Competi - wide range of draught + bottled foreign beers. Open: tion Venue), Bottled beer from GB, Europe and further Wednesday 4-11pm; Thursday-Saturday 11.30 -11pm. afield, plus draught foreign beer from mainland Europe. Admission after 5pm: Wednesday £2, Thursday £3, Open: Monday 5.30-11pm; Tuesday-Thursday Friday £5, Saturday £1, paid on door. Free before 5pm 11.30-2.30pm, then 5.30-11pm; Fri 11.30-3pm then and to CAMRA members all times. No under 18s 5.30-11pm, Saturday 11.30-3pm then 6.30-11pm. admitted. Press/trade preview Wed 3-4pm, invited Admission Prices Lunchtime: Tuesday-Thursday £1, guests and CAMRA members only. Hot/cold food and Friday-Saturday £2. Evenings: Monday and Tuesday free soft drinks available at all sessions. Wheelchair £4, Wednesday and Thursday £5, Friday and Saturday access to all floors, evening pass-outs for smokers. £6. CAMRA members FREE at all times, but please join Live entertainers: Wednesday evening - Dr Busker, queue and show valid membership card on entry. Saturday evening - Lost 4 Words. For more details call Over 18s only, no children. Last admissions are 01234 822698 or see www.northbedscamra.org.uk. 30minutes before closing time. Volunteers needed - please email Mark Stimpson, 12-15 Oct (Wednesday-Saturday) 18th Concrete [email protected] or write to Mark: Fest Pint (Milton Keynes) Beer Festival Staffing, 8 Pond Rd, Horsford, Norfolk NR10 3SW. The Buszy, Elder Gate, Central Milton Keynes MK9 1LR Further information please see: (200yds from CMK railway station, above the old bus www.norwichcamra.org.uk/festival/fest2011.htm or station; All bus routes into MK stop there) contact Festival Organiser Martin Ward on 07833 60+ real ales plus cider/Perry. Hot/cold food at all 971894 (M) or [email protected]. sessions. Live entertainment Thursday - Saturday evenings. Admission £3 (free to card-carrying CAMRA 30 Nov-3 Dec (Wed-Sat) 10th Harwich & members) Open: Wednesday 5 -11pm; All other days Dovercourt Bay Winter Ales Festival noon-11pm. Commemorative glass £2 (refundable) Kingsway Hall, Dovercourt For more details see the website 50+ real ales, with an emphasis on dark and seasonal www.mkcamra.org.uk brews, also cider and bottled continental beers. Open: 7-11 Wednesday, 11-11 Thursday-Saturday. 13-15 Oct (Thursday-Saturday) Nottingham Admission £1.50, £2.50 after 6pm Friday, 2pm 'Robin Hood' Beer & Cider Festival Saturday, free to card-carrying CAMRA members at all Nottingham Castle, top of Friar Lane, Nottingham. times. Souvenir 1/2pint tankards available. Further Located in the superb grounds of the castle, close to Old information please see www.tendringcamra.org.uk
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NORFOLK NIPS Pub Beer Festivals | Local Beer Festivals
As most people are aware by now that CAMRA During September & October there are many organizes many beer festivals all over the U.K. more beer fests, which shows how popular real Some branches run more than one each year ale festivals have become amongst drinkers of all (Summer & Winter). Locally we have large (legal) ages! CAMRA beer festivals at Peterborough, Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich & Bury St. Listed below are just a few more local pubs and Edmunds just to name a few. venues that regularly feature beer festivals.
However, there is a growing trend these days Victoria, Hockering . for pubs to run beer festivals of their own. Coach & Horses, Dersingham (7th-9th Oct.) Among the pub festivals recently visited was the Elgoods Brewery, Wisbech (22nd-24th Sept.) Stuart House, Kings Lynn(28th-30th July). This Dabbling Duck, Gt. Massingham was their 14th year and very successful it was Union Jack, Roydon. too. Plus many more in and around Norwich including Congratulations to Keith Barnes and his team The Trafford Arms and The Murderers. at the Ancient Mariner’s (Old Hunstanton) for running their 1st beer festival. Also thanks for allowing West Norfolk CAMRA to be involved. We hope this will be an annual event!
Not only pubs run beer festivals! The North THE ANGEL INN Norfolk Railway ran a great event, despite really FREEHOUSE bad weather. This was their 10th year on the platform at Sheringham station and a rake of carriages provided some shelter for eager drinker's to dry out and not forgetting the health and safety aspect to stop drinker's falling from NORFOLK CAMRA PUB OF the platform on to the track! THE YEAR 2010!
You cannot write about beer festivals without Open all day every day mentioning the Angel at Larling. Their 18th festival had 67 ales & 4 ciders and was Excellent home cooked meals a complete sell out. Congratulations to Andrew available from our award Stammers and his team for making this year one winning kitchen of the best. Large Beer Garden with play area The Fox & Hounds at Heacham run several successful festivals each year. I was privileged to En-suite accommodation be able to do a pre-tasting of some of the 38 Camping and Caravanning available beers on offer for their July bash. Thanks Mark, Larling, Norfolk, NR16 2QU (17th Century former coaching inn) they were all in good nick. Tel: 01953 717963 www.angel-larling.co.uk
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NORFOLK NIPS Why not visit...? | The Fishermans Return, Winterton
If you fancy getting away for the weekend, there are three en-suite rooms available. To the rear of the pub is the separate function room. Built in the 19th C, the Tin Ho’, or timbo as it is called, originally catered for day trippers from Great Yarmouth.
Darrin has only been there for 2 ½ years, having first seen it one Christmas – with the woodburners glowing, his first impression was “Wow!” This is a pub that has only had 4 Land - lords in 100 years, so Darrin and Scott are obviously “new”. By all accounts the pub was a bit run down when they arrived, but it looks This is the second in a series where we look at great now. pubs which are well worth a visit, but maybe in Popular with the locals, holiday makers, dog a remote location or just not on your radar. walkers and twitchers, it’s certainly worth a visit. The Fishermans Return in Winterton certainly fits the bill.
This 17th C. brick and flint built pub is in the 2011 Good Beer Guide and situated in the village, close to the Beach.
Described by Landlord Darrin Winter as a “Country Pub by the Sea”, it’s appeal is immedi - ately obvious and was a welcoming sight when I arrived on a damp summer evening.
There were five Real Ales on handpumps, Woodforde’s Norfolk Nog and Wherry are always available, plus guests – Humpty Dumpty’s Cheltenham Flyer and Sharp’s Own at the time of my visit, plus their own House Beer, Skipper’s Tipple (a Greene King Beer brewed to a Hardy and Hanson recipe).
There were also three ciders, Old Rosie, Black Dragon and Cider Twist with Raspberry. The Ales are not cheap, but were in fine fettle. 8 Keelan Close, Norwich NR6 6QZ There is a good food menu, using local Tel. 01603 787820 Search Winter’s Brewery produce and daily deliveries of fresh fish from [email protected] Lowestoft. www.wintersbrewery.co.uk
@wintersbrewery
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Pedants’ Revolt NORFOLK NIPS | Fancy Dress Drinking (aka Morris Dancing)
Pedants’ Revolt are a Norwich- hot day, the Cheltenham Flyer Hands was my favourite act, based dance group, and we and the Broadland Sunrise followed by Spiers and Boden frequently get the opportunity were given the vote as to the (two members of Bellowhead). to combine the noble arts of beers that refreshed most parts And of course there's the beer dancing and drinking. Here we the best. The Swingbridge tent! I guess there were about are in Norwich outside the Stout, my personal favourite, fifty beers available over the Adam and Eve. was not on, so I tried the Black weekend, some from the local Buffle from Spectrum. A deli - Church End brewery - What We “black up” for the same cious brew, 4.5%, and named the Foxes Hat, a golden beer reason that many dancers did after the brewer's cat. However, with a soft hop flavour and in the 19th C. – to avoid being there is one problem. You can’t finish was particularly recognised by friends or neigh - do justice to the beer if you refreshing in the heat of the bours who might think that we also need to dance, and vice day, and the Stout Coffin was a were begging, or employers, versa. Fortunately, we find fine evening companion in the who would view this as a poor many opportunities to indulge concert tent. excuse for being off work! in more dedicated drinking. If you want to find out more We visited Reedham recently, Several of us attended the about where we dance and to perform at the Humpty Warwick Folk Festival at the drink, visit our website: Dumpty Beer Festival. The end of July, a three-day event http://littlebirdtoldme.info/Ped dancers sampled several of the featuring some of the country’s antsRevolt/ brewery’s beers, and as it was a top folk bands. I think Show of Jon Dimascio
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Open all day every day food is served:- 12-2 & 6-9 Tuesday to Sunday 12-3 Sunday for plated home cooked Sunday lunches with homemade Yorkshire puddings and fresh Offering four real ales vegetables. Booking advised if dining. A traditional 17th Century pub, Superb food using fresh, local, seasonal produce how they used to be Shoot dinners a speciality From Norwich & Acle head to Salhouse and at the mini roundabout follow the sign Popular quiz every Wednesday from 8:30pm to Wroxham, we are 200yds on the right. Meat raffle every Sunday at 4:30pm Tel: 01603 721141 www.salhousebell.co.uk
6 St Martins Palace Plain, 01603 625891 Norwich NR3 1RN www.thewigandpen.com
This warm and friendly 17th century Freehouse is to the north side of Norwich cathedral. Owned by Craig & Lynne McLaren since 1993. ‘The Wig’ as its affectionately known, has built a reputation for fresh, fast, affordable British cuisine.
• Good Ale • Good Food • Heated smoking area • Comprehensive Outdoor Dining Area • Late Night Opening
Look out for our Cask For the 15th successive Marque Plaque. year, the Wig & Pen has This guarantees beer quality been included in in the Wig & Pen and the CAMRA’s Good Beer opportunity to Guide . We are very proud TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. of this achievement.
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Brewery Visit NORFOLK NIPS | Visit to Mauldons Brewery, Sudbury Steve demonstrated that Brewing in single pints didn't work
On Saturday 23rd July, we ventured into deepest they did not like “fruit” beers were impressed; Suffolk, heading for Mauldons Brewery in Ribena will never be the same. If you get the Sudbury. Armed with OS maps, GPS devices and chance to try this, then do so. James takes the the not unreasonable assumption that the coach credit for this, with his flair and enthusiasm you driver knew where he was going, we were confi - wonder what will be next. dent of arriving, which we duly did – early. Following the tour, it was off to The Brewery With the gates open, but no cars in the car Tap, in Sudbury, which had a good selection of park, we opted to park the coach and hope that guest Ales in addition to the Mauldon’s range, someone was there to meet us. To immense available on handpump and gravity. relief all round, we were met by our host, Steve, who was later joined by his son-in-law James. Having thanked our hosts we sadly departed, Three ales on gravity were also waiting for us, calling in at the Essex Branch’s Pub of the Year, Mole Trap, Silver Adder and the new Blackberry The Bell Inn in Castle Hedingham, where we Porter. enjoyed a leisurely pint or two from the casks before calling in at The Angel, Larling on the Steve gave a fascinating potted history of way back to Norwich. Mauldons, which started on a farm in the 18th Century, originally to export wine to Australia. It is easy to see why Brewery Trips are so Greene King bought the farm and the Australian popular, great beer in great company and a link continued when they brewed Fosters. Peter chance to learn more about the Brewing Mauldon was worried that it was not up to Industry. If you have the opportunity to go on scratch, but the Fosters delegation reckoned that one, sign up: but as they say – Book early to although it was nothing like Fosters back home avoid disappointment! in Australia, it was good enough for us!
The Brewery was eventually bought out in March 2000 and has moved from the Addison Road site to the new premises that we were visiting. The kit is Canadian, and Steve admits that there were some teething problems at first, but it is much more efficient than what they had at Addison Road, so much so, that storage space is now a problem!
The ales that we supped were excellent; the award certificates that adorned the walls are testament to proven quality. However, it has to be said that the Blackberry Porter was in a Graham watches out for The Suffolk Branch as we league of its own. Even those who claimed that dash for the pub 56 Autumn 2011 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:18 Page 57
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Simon and Karen welcome you all to their traditional family pub.
We are in
FREE
Great selection of real ales and wines, along with fine dining and excellent company. Trafalgar Beer Festival 20th-24th October Free Fireworks Spectacular Sunday 30th October www.whitehorsechedgrave.co.uk
The London Tavern Free House Great real ales, fine wines and spirits. A large Home-Made selection of traditional food served daily, Main meals, Set menu deals, Light lunches, Specials & Childrens menu. Roast Dinners Sundays 12-3pm Chilled bar rolls made daily only £1.00 The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 50 bottle conditioned ales Attleborough’s only current from 15 Norfolk brewers. Good Beer Guide pub 2010 & 2011 We are located on a beautiful arable farm Camra Discount Scheme & Local Ale close-by Wells-next-the-Sea, which provides Breckland Council Rating Level 5 much of the malt used in brewing the ales we sell. Parking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing, Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden. The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm, Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB. Christenings, Funerals, Intimate Weddings / Civil Ceremonies catered for Tel: 01328 710810 Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415
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Qandu Waeveeneny B’rsew inHg Ceomapadny Traditional Village Pub with a brewery producing permanent and seasonal ales on site Large beer garden, traditional games, lunchtime menu and a good selection of real ale, spirits and soft drinks
Listed in the Good Beer Guide every year since 2000.
Station Road, Earsham, Norfolk Tel: (01986) 892623
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Michaela and Toni welcome you to The Kings Arms H 22 Hall Rd Norwich NR1 3HQ Tel: 01603 766361 Everchanging 13 Real Ales, Cider and Mild. Popular Quiz Night last Wednesday of every month Occasional live Music – see website or phone for details
Food served: Tuesday - Sunday 12noon - 2.30pm with Roast dinner every Sunday Eat your takeaway in the pub - plates and cutlery provided! See all of Norwich City’s matches (Home and Away!)
See www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk for details
The Pavilion THE Three Wells Road, Hindringham, North Norfolk. NR21 0PL Horseshoes Telephone 01328 878487 West End, Norwich Road, Briston, Norfolk. NR24 2JA
Norfolk’s newest freehouse was officially Telephone 01263 861621 opened on 28th August 2011 with North Going back to the original name The Three Norfolk MP Norman Lamb pulling the first Horseshoes (formally The Stracey Inn) will open pint to the delight of a packed bar. within the next few weeks in Briston, North Norfolk’s largest village. The brand new freehouse has been built on the site of the old sports club thanks to a £200,000 Internationally experienced Head Chef Gavin fundraising drive in the village and is serving Mcquire aims to offer a new and exciting Two real ales, draft lager and Aspells cider. dining experience and owner’s Sue Ridgwell and Rob Eustace explained that the emphasis will be The Pavilion is now open six days a week on traditional values, quality service and (closed on Mondays) and will offer a wide exceptional food. Opening seven days a week variety of food both for lunch and dinner and offering food all day from 12 Noon - 9pm. aims to be a community hub both for the village and the wider North Norfolk community. The Three Horseshoes is a freehouse using Adnams brewery serving 3 real ales with guest Licencee Rob Eustace will run it alongside a beers, draft lager and 2 draft ciders. team of local staff and said: “We have done it for the village and we want to put Hindringham 3 ensuite rooms are available • Live music back on the map.”
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NORFOLK NIPS The big question | Handpump v Gravity
It’s a real ale icon, it’s what we look for when we on the bar, but beer is served from the small tap go into a pub that we’ve never been in before. room adjacent to the bar. The Pigs at Edgefield The sight of one, or better still – several of just has the barrel fronts, The Lord Nelson at them - can quicken the pulse and reassure us at Burnham Thorpe doesn't even have a bar! the same time. It’s OK, we can get a decent pint here. So why is this? In my view, there are two very good reasons why gravity is becoming the It ,of course, is the humble Handpump, a method of dispense of choice – quality and symbol of all we stand for. It is incorporated into money. the logo for the 34th Norwich CAMRA Beer Festival and I often wonder why CAMRA did not Firstly quality - I fully accept that some beer adopt it in 1971. But, it is under threat, the styles are best served by handpump and some winds of change are blowing and you have to by gravity, but in the case of the handpump, ask “Has the handpump had it's day?” there are more variables involved -beer lines, swan necks, tight sparklers, etc. Each can have The competition it faces is not new, what is? an effect on the quality of the freshly poured It’s just that more and more pubs are choosing pint. In my view, the greater number of vari - to serve beers under gravity - straight from the ables, the greater the risk of contamination, etc. wood, or temperature controlled aluminium At The Wortwell Bell recently, Branch Members cask more like it. The handpump has many were queuing up not to be first when a new things going for it. It is Point of Sale Marketing beer was put on to an existing line, even though at it’s best, some pump clips are works of art and a bucket load was pulled through first. (I had the their design can keep Marketing, Design and first pint – and jolly good it was too!) Then there Advertising people occupied for a long and is the money – that bucket contained a good expensive time. And, they are “customer facing” few pints and at around £3.00 per pint, that's no providing the ideal opportunity for a spot of small beer. I don’t have a Degree in Difficult banter between Bar Staff and customers. No Sums, so I leave others to work out how much need to to take the order and then turn your profit is lost in the beer lines at the end of the back on the customer or depart for the tap day or when the lines are cleaned. Less waste, room, leaving the customer to hope that they more profit. get what they have ordered. Regardless of how you serve it, nothing can Visitors to The Royal Norfolk Show will have beat good cellarmanship, some pubs get it right, noticed that Woodfordes installed handpumps some don’t. The chances are that we avoid the on their bar this year. You can get a lot of feed - pubs that don’t, which could lead to them back whilst that pint is being pulled. dispensing with real ale because there is no demand or even worse, closing. As part of our But at The Fur and Feathers, the Woodfordes Campaign, we should all be willing and able to Tap, there are three handpumps on the bar, but offer advice where it is needed – and welcome! the beer is served under gravity from dummy barrel fronts behind the bar. There are reasons As for me? Well, I still reckon that Real Ale for this, not least of which is that they sell all straight from the cask tastes best and can thank their beer range at the same time and to do that Sir Isaac Newton for inventing Gravity! with handpumps, they would need a bigger bar. The Marsham Arms is similar, three handpumps I still look for handpumps though ….....
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A no Nor gem
Issu 12t Adm EATON COTTAGE for t UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048 Satu
Fine Real Ales,lagers,wines and spirits Ente All Sky Sports • A traditional pub Ban Fifth Good covered outside areas Tho Doggies welcome wou “a festival of beers every day”
Earle Arms Heydon Traditional Norfolk freehouse and restaurant 3 Real Ales always available from Woodfordes, Adnams and a changing Guest Ale.
01263 587376 Satnav: NR11 6AD (Just off B1149 Holt - Norwich Rd)
62 Autumn 2011 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:18 Page 63 From the Archives
A nostalgic trawl through earlier editions of Guide to the Beer Festival. The Beer Selection Norfolk NIPS has revealed the following process aimed to provide “a taste of beers not gemsfrom 21 years ago: freely available in the area.” This was to encourage smaller Breweries, both local and Issue No. 45, Oct/Nov 1989 was a Special national. Realising that “strange names” sell 12th Norwich Beer Festival Edition. beer, Hop Back Summer Lightning was under Admission was 30p at lunchtime, rising to £1.50 consideration. for the evenings and a whopping £2.50 for the Saturday Party Night. “Festivals Remembered” looked back at earlier events and ran a competition with the following Entertainment featured The Jonathan Wyatt Big questions: “Who pulled the first pint at the 1st Band and also Lee Vasey; with Adrian Lucas and Norwich Beer Festival and what type of beer Fifth Avenue on Saturday Evening. was it?”
Those new to the Festival, or planet Earth, The prize was six bottles of Tolly Final Brew. would have been reassured by The Hitchhikers Any ideas?
This list is believed to be correct at the time of Update going to press,new entries in bold Alby Horseshoes North Walsham Orchard Gardens Aldborough Black Boys Norwich Beehive Attleborough London Tavern Norwich Champion Bawsey Sandboy Norwich Cottage (Silver Road) Binham The Chequers Norwich Gardeners/Murderers Catfield The Crown Norwich Jubilee Clippesby Muskett Arms Norwich Ketts Tavern Cley The George and Dragon Norwich Kings Head Cromer The Cottage Norwich Leopard Cromer Red Lion Norwich Rose Dabbling Duck Great Massingham Norwich Take 5 Drayton Bob Carter Leisure Centre Norwich The Ribs of Beef Downham Market Railway Arms Norwich Trafford Arms Downham Market White Hart Norwich Vine Earsham Queens Head Norwich York Tavern Filby The Kings Head Norwich Wig and Pen Gorleston Dock Tavern Reedham Ferry Gorleston Mariners Compass Reedham Lord Nelson Gt Yarmouth Mariners Reedham Ship Gt Yarmouth Red Herring Reepham Kings Head Gt Yarmouth St Johns Head Thurlton The Queen’s Head Heacham Fox & Hounds Tacolneston Pelican Hethersett The King’s Head Sheringham Windham Arms Hopton White Hart Swardeston Lakenham/Hewitt Rugby Club Kenninghall Red Lion West Acre Stag Kings Lynn Live and Let Live Wiveton The Wiveton Bell Ludham The Dog Wroxham Brewery Tap Lyng Fox & Hounds Wymondham Cross Keys Newton by Wymondham Green Dragon Castle Acre George & Dragon North Elmham Railway Autumn 2011 63 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:18 Page 64
l al ing ow nd sh e a ow om s! N C h e CF gam N ay aw
26 St Leonards Road A real gem, Norwich NR1 4BL 01603 618734 well worth a visit.
Eight real ales to choose from, two of Lovely enclosed beer garden with which change regularly. large sheltered smoking area.
Two pooltables upstairs. Only a ten minute walk from the train station and city centre. Pork pies and other light snacks available all day. Open all day from 12 noon everyday.
Hog roast available sundays. Sky Sports and ESPN
ENJOY THE AUTUMN WITH A FINE ALE IN OUR BEER GARDEN
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NORFOLK NIPS Correspondence | Request from the Sheriff of Norwich Chris Higgins with his other hat
Dear Mike, Please can I ask that all monies from fund raising events are sent to the City Hall by the I realise that in the present economic climate end of January 2012. everyone is struggling and tightening their belts. Asking for money is difficult but I know from All monies can be sent by cheque made nearly forty years of experience how generous payable to “Norwich Civic Charity Appeal” and and innovative the pub trade is at charity fund sent to The City Hall, Norwich, and can I thank raising. you all of from the bottom of my heart for what - ever contribution you make. Having the honour to represent the trade in my Civic Office this year enables me to wear two With very best wishes hats. On the one hand I recognise the struggles Chris Higgins we all face as publicans and brewers, and with Landlord of the Trafford Arms the other I see the fantastic voluntary work done Sheriff of Norwich in the city supported by charitable donations from the very same people.
My role this year brings me into contact with the Civic Charity and this year it is Big C, and in particular the support unit based alongside the hospital which offers support and counselling to the people of Norwich and the wider commu - nity. Each year over 3000 people are diagnosed with cancer at the hospital and the Big C contributes a wonderful support network for both patients and families alike.
I am asking all you wonderful publicans and brewers out there if you could commit to just one effort of fund raising in this civic year to help me show just how fantastic our industry is at supporting and helping the community we serve. It does not matter how small the event, every little helps, and could you please contact Peter Walsh 772436 E-mail: [email protected] at the Evening News, Norwich, so that he can compile a directory of participants and help promote your event.
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12 Ales of hristmas C om Festival fr 19th December
Open All Day Every Day At Least 5 Local Real Ales Always On Tap Food Served Daily Large Function Room With Bar For Hire
Catering For Weddings Birthdays Parties Ect Bed And Breakfast And Camping 10% Discount For CAMRA Members
Station Rd, North Elmham Tel: 01362 668300
Mark & Marie offer you a warm The Gatehouse Pub welcome to the 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ 01603 620340 Fox and Hounds Heacham Home of The Fox Brewery
We are a free house specialising in real ales. The first pub in Heacham to be in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide . Live Music Tuesday • Quiz Night Thursday Modern British Menu now available FOUR REAL ALES Live Music, Friday & Saturday Large garden overlooking the Christmas bookings River Wensum now being taken
OPEN www.foxbrewery.com Tel: 01485 570345 Mon - Thurs 12-11 22 Station Rd, Heacham, Norfolk PE31 7EX Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11 OPEN ALL DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK
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NORFOLK NIPS City of Ale Report | Norwich City of Ale - The First Festival
They started with nothing – ground zero, a launch and final parties were great networking blank sheet of paper – and produced a Festival opportunities with other pubs and brewers and which grabbed the enthusiasm of Real Ale 85% agreed that the ale trails worked well in drinkers nationwide and had Beer Legend Roger getting people into pubs that they would not Protz singing it’s praises and suggesting that normally visit. others should follow their example. Next year? Wait and See! Extensive coverage by national and local media certainly spread the word and helped to make Here are the results announced the Festival the success it was. at the Final Bash: The emphasis was local (including sponsorship) Best Pub: The Adam and Eve and LocAle, which made it even more remark - Best Event: The Adam and Eve able. From the opening night bash at St Gregorys Best Food: The Adam and Eve to the final awards ceremony at Dragon Hall, Best Landlady/Landlord: Rita McClusky there was something for everybody. Many Beer of the Festival: Golden Triangle City completed the Ale Trails and got the T- shirt. Gold Best Mild: Fat Cat Meow Mild The Festival Logo was everywhere, but for me Best Golden/Blonde Ale: Golden Triangle the icon has to be the Eastern Transport Collec - City Gold tion Bus which certainly caught the eye as it Best Bitter/Best Bitter: Adnams Bitter toured the City. It has whetted the appetite for Best Pale Ale/IPA: Grain IPA The 34th Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA Festival Best Old/Strong Ale: No award in October. Best Porter/Stout: Panther Black Panther Best Fruit/Speciality: Not awarded But how successful was it? A post-event survey Best Wheat Beer: Wolf Straw Dog reveals that 80% of publicans sold more beer Best Barley Wine: Opa Hay’s Harald during the 10 day event, 82% agreed that the Godwinson nd Ad17 aBishmopgate,a Norwich NRE3 1RvZ e 01603 667423 Norwich’s oldest pub B est P Multi award winner H ubli ouse c Open 11am -11 pm Mon to Sat Awa Norw rd 12 noon - 10.30pm Sun ich in Bloom Food served 12 noon - 7pm Mon to Sat 2011 12 noon - 5pm Sundays NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:19 Page 68
Beer & Music NORFOLK NIPS | Music and Real Ale It is 22 years since I wrote my first jazz notes for Norfolk Nips. Amadeus Boldwickets Red Hot Peppers Jazz Band were about to embark on their second annual tour of the Norfolk Broads, and I sent what was intended to be a 'one-off' article to Nips to publicise this event. Not only did the article get published, but the Norwich Branch of CAMRA ran a coach trip to the Friday night event at the New Inn, Rockland St. Mary, and a good time was had by all. The editors asked me to write a follow up in the next edition and the rest, as they say, is history!
Over the years I have tried to publicise as many local jazz events as possible, and at the same time let people know what good real ales are available in some of the pubs. However, in the current economic climate, the number of jazz events has dwindled, and only some of the hardy regulars remain. At the risk of being repetitive by listing the same old regular venues each time, I have decided to call it a day, although I will try to inform the editor of any special events which come to my attention, hopefully for inclusion elsewhere in Nips.
So, for the last time, here are some of the individual events which I have heard of, together with some of the regular venues.
TRADITIONAL JAZZ Squadron’ and a guest beer. Beans ‘n’ Rice New Orleans Jazz First Sunday of every month Band (1.00 – 3.30 pm) – Norfolk Acle Recreation Centre Dixieland Jazz Band Marsham Arms , nr Hevingham Bridewell Lane, Acle (B1149 Norwich-Holt Road) Real Ales include Adnams Bitter, Admission free, but lunch The pub has now re-opened after Theakstons and Tipples Redhead bookings advisable on 01603 extensive refurbishment following Friday 18th November 738866. a serious fire last year. A new tap Gambit Jazzmen with special room has been created, which guest from New Orleans, Chris Crown Inn , Banningham stocks a good selection of real Tyle, on trumpet (Nr Aylsham) Adnams Broad - ales served straight from the Enquiries – Brian Davis side, Greene King IPA and barrel. The regular beers feature 01493 701880 Abbot Ale. one each from the Adnams and Sunday 20th November (1.30 – Woodforde’s range, plus a Brook Hotel, Bowthorpe, 4.30 pm) – Norfolk Dixieland selection of guest ales. Norwich (off Dereham Road) Jazz Band. No Real Ale at present Admission free, but phone Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Band Thursday 13th October 01263 733534 for lunch reser - have now resumed their Sammy Rimington’s vations. regular monthly sessions on the International Jazz Band third Friday of each month, Tickets/Enquiries – Fisher Theatre , Broad Street, and there is a possibility of Rod Playford 01362 667811 Bungay, Suffolk other jazz sessions being Adnams Bitter no longer avail - staged at other times. The Diplomat , Ormesby able on handpump as it has Road, Badersfield (Ex RAF become difficult to keep in good Red Hart , Bodham (Nr Holt) Coltishall site Nr Coltishall) condition in a venue which does Adnams Bitter and Broadside NR10 5JZ not have constant turnover. First Friday every month – Real Ales include house beer ‘Six Every Sunday evening - Red Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Band 68 Autumn 2011 | NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:19 Page 69
Bell Inn , Hempton (Nr month (Also folk music on first [email protected] or Fakenham) Thursday every month). www.norwich1.com/jazz.green Woodforde’s Wherry, John Smiths Further details from the pub man.htm Cask and guest beers on 01760 755046. Fourth Thursday every month Dereham Jazz Society , – Chris Wigley’s Jazz Quartet MAINSTREAM / Lakeside Country Club, Quarry Lane, Lyng (nr Dereham) The Buck Inn , The Street, MODERN JAZZ Greene King IPA and Woodforde’s Flixton, Suffolk Wherry Woodforde’s Mardler’s and Green Man , Wroxham Road, Every Wednesday – Full Adnams Bitter are the regulars at Rackheath programme consisting of present, plus a good selection of Woodforde’s Wherry, Adnams various bands and musicians in guest beers Every Thursday - Sole Bitter, Fuller’s London Pride plus varied styles, which usually Bay Jazz Band guests. includes one ‘traditional’ Weekly sessions continue at session each month. Sessions George and Dragon , the Green Man, with the resi - now commence at 8.00 pm. Newton by Castle Acre dent trio now known as the For further details phone House beer Newton Bitter, Simon Brown Trio comprising 01328 863511 or 01362 brewed by Elgoods, plus local Simon Brown (piano), Mike 696741 or visit website guest beers. Harris (bass) and Brian McAl - www.lakeside-jazz-club.co.uk Whilst the music does not fall lister (drums), who will be exactly within the Traditional performing at many of the Jazz category, a Jazz Trio will be events with a special guest Well, that's it from me, so performing fortnightly on Every Tuesday – For further over and out, and keep jazzing Tuesday evenings, whilst a details of jazz sessions at the (and drinking the real ale)! Swing Jazz Quartet will appear Green Man, contact Brian on the last Friday of every McAllister on 01603 614169, Keith Chettleburgh NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:19 Page 70
A Campaign of Two Halves ) DL UG RQ HD EH O WD[ HU QR Z 7EZI &VMXEMR·W 4YFW Join CAMRA Today Complete the Direct Debit form below and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription. W
Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW. Your Details Direct Debit Non DD 2 Single Membership £20 £22 Title Surname Forename(s) (UK & EU) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) Joint Membership £25 £27 Address (Partner at the same address) For Young Member and concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201. Postcode T I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to Email address abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association c Tel No(s) I enclose a cheque for Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership) Signed Date Applications will be processed within 21 days Title Surname Forename(s)
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Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: This Guarantee should be detached Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW and retained by the payer. Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Service User Number The Direct Debit To the Manager Bank or Building Societ y 926129 Guarantee This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building Address societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct FOR CAMRA OFFICIAL USE ONLY Debits. This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society If there are any changes to the amount, date or Membership Number frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Postcode Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance Name of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd to collect Name(s) of Account Holder Postcode a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request Instructions to your Bank or Building Society If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Branch Sort Code Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or your bank detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit or building society, you are entitled to a full and Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank Ale Limited and, if so will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society. or building society Bank or Building Society Account Number - If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign For Real Ale Ltd Signature(s) asks you to Reference You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply Date contacting your bank or building society.Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account. NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:19 Page 71
s Award Winning Real Ale Pub
e We Don’t Have a Big Screen TV, Food Or a Juke Box
1. We do have 17 handpumps, with Real Ale from far and wide, Direct Debit Non DD 2 Real Ciders and 2 Real Ales From gravity, a large car park, large beer S £22 ( garden With heated smoking shelter, darts, pool, quizzes And crib.
£25 £27 ( We now serve morning coffee from 11am, children are welcome.
Postcode The Royal Oak lies at the heart of the community and new
E customers are always welcome. Come along and get a real welcome from a real pub selling real ale!!!!!! Date A Nick, Delia And The Team would love to see you soon. Surname F 10 Beer Festival 28 - 31st October
Live Music: Norwich And Norfolk Fri night Stuart Morrison Pub Of The Year 2007 s Sat night - Tosh & Nick
Norfolk Pub Of The Old Favourites
The Year 2007
A dream of a pub situated in the village of 13 years in the
Poringland on the B1332 road to Bungay. Good Beer Guide!
e . The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside. ct
44 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7JT
www.poringlandroyaloak.co.uk Tel: 01508 493734 NN#158_Layout 1 09/09/2011 09:19 Page 72