Norfolk Nips and Cask Force issue 163

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V S

Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms - 61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466

www.traffordarms.co.uk [email protected]

Raising money for for the Magdalene Group Jigsaw Project

Trafford ArmsCelebrating 20 years of serving

our community during 2013

Date for your Diary20th Valentine Beer FestivalMonday 11th to Sunday 17th February 2013

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In difficult financial times whenpubs are closing at a rate of 12per week, when beer dutycontinues to rise, and whendevelopers are doing awaywith well run community pubsagainst the wishes of localcommunities, wouldn’t it begreat to know that there is agroup of over 100 Parliamen-tarians fighting for licensees,brewers and pub-goers? Well,there is! There are now 128MPs and Lords in the Save thePub Group, and with each newmember, there is a new voicechampioning the cause of thenation’s ale- and pub-lovers.

The group believe that tradi-tional British pubs, whichprovide an environment forsociable and controlleddrinking, are hugely important

to their communities as a focusfor community, social, sportingand charitable activities. This iswhy the Group is profoundlyconcerned that much lovedand valued pubs across thecountry are being closed, formany different reasons, whenoften they don’t need to; andwhy they demand greaterGovernment support andbetter legislation.

The Save the Pub Group, withthe support of CAMRA, givesMPs help and guidance insupport of campaigns againstpub closures in theirconstituency, but mostlycampaign on a number of keyissues affecting pubs and beer.

Currently, the group arecalling for:

• changes to planning law toproperly recognise the impor-tance of pubs to communities,and to better protect pubs facedwith closure & redevelopment;

• a change in the law to outlawthe practice of restrictivecovenants, wherebycompanies are selling pubs onthe basis that they areprevented from being a pub,thus denying communitiespubs simply to benefit thecommercial interests of thecompany;

WINTER 2012 | 3

Norwich & Norfolk BranchChairman: Graham FreemanTel: 01603 687495Email:[email protected]: Warren WordsworthTel: 01603 665557Email: [email protected] Secretary: Michael PhilipsEmail:[email protected]

Pubs Officer: Ian StampEmail:[email protected]

West Norfolk BranchChairman: Steve Barkeremail: [email protected] Secretary: Ian BaileyContact: Ian BaileyTel: 01553 766904 Branch websites:www.norwichcamra.org.ukwww.camra.org.uk/wnorfolkTwitter:Norfolk_nips

Branch mailing list webpage:groups.yahoo.com/group/CAMRA_Norwich

Published every 3 months by the Norwich,Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of theCampaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA2012 Norfolk Nips is produced and distrib-uted by members of the branch in theirown time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nipsare not necessarily those of the editor or ofCAMRA.

Edited by:Mike BaldwinEmail: [email protected]

Chris LucasEmail: [email protected]

Design & Production:Daniel Speed - Orchard House MediaEmail: [email protected]

Distribution:12,000 copies / four times a yearNorwich and Norfolk District: Tony [email protected] Norfolk District : Ros Harre [email protected]

Advertising:For advertising enquiries pleasecontact Jane Michelson or ChrisShilling on: 01778 420888 / [email protected]

Vote for Beer! Save the Pub Group

continued overleaf

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NORFOLK NIPS | Save the Pub Group continued

• local communities to havethe right to buy pubs that areplanned for closure, withimprovements to the LocalismAct provisions, and to supportthe Pub is the Hub scheme.

• reform of the current ‘beertie’ model, as operated bysome of the big pubcos, whichmakes it impossible for manylicensees to make a living, andwhich leaves many pubs whichcould be successful if free of tieunviable. The Group held ahigh profile reform rally as wellas a meeting with big pubcobosses to hold them toaccount;

• fairer levels of beer duty,scrapping the duty escalatorand pushing for a lower dutyon all draught ale and/or real

ale, lobbying Europe to allowthis;

• the Government and localauthorities to do more tosupport community pubsincluding via taxation andrates, based on the communityvalue of such pubs and for lesscomplicated regulatory andlicensing systems and frame-works; the Government to lookat supermarket beer pricing, tostop below cost selling inthe off trade and create a

more level playing fieldbetween the on and off trade;

Mike Benner, National ChiefExecutive of the Campaign forReal Ale, reckons that “theGroup is invaluable in helpingto build Parliamentary supportfor CAMRA’s key campaigns to

protect pubs. I hope thatCAMRA members up anddown the country willencourage their MP to join theGroup, and support theirimportant work in protectingthe future of Britain's valuedcommunity pubs.”

The Group ask you all to writeto your local MP (who can befound at www.parliament.uk)and ask them to join the

Group, to support its work, andto fight for pubs, brewers andbeer-lovers across the country.Beyond that, the Group asksyou to keep supporting yourlocal CAMRA branch- and keepvisiting the many wonderfulreal-ale pubs!

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6 | WINTER 2012

Another successful NorwichBeer Festival enjoyed by manyof the West Norfolk members isnow over, so our thoughts turnto Christmas. Very soon weshall be enjoying the plethoraof winter ales brewed for thefestive occasion. Many of thesetend to be on the strong side,probably to ward away the evilspirits of the long dark winternights!

The petition to the Govern-ment exceeded the 100,000target and the debate has beenheld in Parliament. Althoughnot attended by many MP’sthey found in favour of stop-ping the automatic increases in

beer duty. We can only hopethat the Government will takenotice of this in the nextbudget to give some welcomerelief to the licensed trade.

Everyone has been informedabout the voting for WestNorfolk Pub of the Year. Pleasecontact Jeff Hoyle or go to theCAMRA website for the neces-sary forms. We would like asmany members as possible tovisit all four pubs , score all ofthem and submit the results toJeff or bring them along to theMeeting at Narborough Sportsand Social Club on Tuesday19th February 2013, where thewinner will be announced.

At the same meeting,the selec-tions will be made for theGood Beer Guide 2014, so ifyou know of a pub that isworthy of inclusion, let usknow, it can then be surveyedand considered for inclusion.

To sign off. On behalf of ofthe West Norfolk Branch, may Iwish all members and readers ahappy Christmas and an enjoy-able New Year. Here’s todrinking more real ale in 2013.

Cheers

Steve BarkerW.N. Chairman

Chairman’s Letters | NORFOLK NIPS

Words from the West

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Recent developments in Parliament haveshown the power of the drinker when we allget together and campaign over importantissues. I have written previously about the BeerDuty Escalator and that CAMRA was askingyou to sign the e-petition to raise over100,000 signatures. Well you did it and on 1stNovember there was the debate with 58 MPsfrom all parties unanimously backing the callon the Government to review the Beer DutyEscalator and present back before the Budget2013. I would prefer to have it scrapped alto-gether as it’s damaging the beer and pubindustry.

To keep up the momentum we will have amass lobby on 12th December where weexpect 1000+ CAMRA members, publicans,brewers and beer drinkers to meet with theirMP. During our Norwich Beer Festival we hadcoverage about the beer duty on the Radio,TV, Newspapers and the publicity can onlyhelp to increase the pressure on the Govern-ment. In fact we had 2 local MPs attending theBeer Festival and we hope to discuss variousissues with the Community Pubs Ministerwhen he is available.

Talking about the Beer Festival what a greattime was had by all. We were privileged tohave the Lord Mayor and Sheriff at theopening and also Dr Chris Bruton who talkedabout CAMRA beginnings and the Good BeerGuide of 1972. It was certainly a blast from thepast for some of our mature customers. I thankall the volunteers who helped us make theBeer Festival a great success. I saw a lot of newpeople who had come to work for the firsttime and were enjoying the experience. Theysaid it was a lot of fun and would come againnext year as they had made new friends at theFestival. I also congratulate the Brewers who

won awards and the presentations night willbe something special. We had new beers onoffer and I hope these will be available in ourlocal pubs during the winter months. Enjoyseeking them out.

Graham Freeman

Competition Winners

The winners of the Competition in the AutumnEdition of Norfolk NIPS were Mandy Payneand David Reynolds, who both won RoverTickets for The North Norfolk Railway.

The answer was Dad's Army, who filmed TheRoyal Train Episode there in 1973.

Power to the Drinkers!

NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Letters

WINTER 2012 | 7

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8 | WINTER 2012

As you may have noticed thecover is somewhat different forthis issue, there just so manyphotos of pubs in the snow, soI decided that we would try tohave a bit of a Victorian themeto this issue.

The Victorians invented whatwe think of a traditionalChristmas and pretty muchcame up with what we think ofas a typical pub or brewery.

There’s a pub crawl roundKing’s Lynn in 1885 and a littleChristmas story in Victorianvein. I hope you enjoy them.We also have our first contri-

bution from the Mid Anglia subbranch which is partially inNorfolk, welcome!

I’ve reported our AGM resultselsewhere, and our Christmaspub crawl will be on Saturday15th December in Norwich all

welcome. Also included someof our well travelled branchmembers activities.

May I congratulate Norwichbranch on an excellent beerfestival and thank them fortheir hospitality at our recentbranch liaison meeting at theFat Cat, good to meet the MidAnglia guys there as well.

The next branch liaisonmeeting will be at the StuartHouse Hotel, King’s Lynn on2nd February 2013. You canalso find details of our Face-book page.

Finally can I thank everyoneinvolved in the production anddistribution of this magazinewhich is reaching a large audi-ence in Norfolk and furtherafield, without your contribu-tions be they articles, or justgetting it out there, no realisticcampaigning on a large scale(beer fests aside) would bepossible! A very HappyChristmas to our readers and toeveryone a happy New Year!

Words from the Editors | NORFOLK NIPS

Stig’s Ruminations

Seasons felicitations from the production team: From l to r - The righthonourable Chris Lucas (Stig), the slightly caddish Daniel Speed, the illustrious Chris Shilling and the downright rogueish Michael Baldwin!

Subscriptions and West Norfolk Branch informationWe have a growing number of postal subscribersto Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would liketo send my thanks for the kind comments andbest wishes from those who have renewed theirsubscriptions recently.

If you would like to join them in receiving thenext 4 issues by post, send 10 first class stamps toor a cheque for £6.50 payable to ‘West Norfolk

CAMRA’ toNorfolk Nips and Cask Force, 91Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG.I also send out occasional emails to members withdetails of forthcoming meetings and Branchevents.

All are welcome at these meetings so if you wishto add your name to my mailing list, send youremail address to [email protected].

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Seasons Felicitations to you all!What a year this has been. Theyear when it finally dawned onme that being the Editor wasactually a full time job, only theBranch forgot to mention that.Fortunately, it’s a job that Ienjoy, but I couldn’t do itwithout a lot of support. Sothanks to the Production/Advertising team – Dan andChris S and fellow Editor Chris,(who edited this specialedition), Tony Miles and hiswilling Band of Distributorswho deliver NIPS to far flung

parts of Norfolk in all weathersand not forgetting all thosewho have contributed articles,photos and suggestions. Plusthe pubs and breweries andindividuals, who have given metheir time and supplied prizesfor the Competitions.

Norfolk NIPS has a growingreputation, but I am stillsurprised and delighted toreceive compliments about themagazine when out of thecounty. And yes, it is now amagazine, it can no longer be

called a newsletter accordingto CAMRA.

I enjoyed working at the BeerFestival again this year, andsplit my time between Stew-arding; and working as NIPSEditor, being based on theMerchandising Stand. Being aSteward is always interesting –you meet some great peopleand hear some fascinatingstories. One day, perhaps, I willwrite The Diary of a Steward atThe Norwich Beer Festival!

Cheers!

NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

The Ed’lines

WINTER 2012 | 9

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King’s Lynn

The earliest figures I can find for King’s Lynnindicate that at the height of the Victorian agein 1892 Lynn had 180 Licensed houses thismeans one in twenty three houses in Lynn couldsell beer!By 1903 at the end of Victoria’s reign this

figure had fallen to 158 licensed houses.

Four years after the end of the Great War in1922 there were 75 left. There was, of course aclampdown on drinking during the 14-18 war,with the introduction of opening hour restric-tions. The trend it seems continues…

Norwich

Norwich during the Victorian age seems to havebeen slightly more stable with in 1845 557 pubs

being recorded, at its peak Norwich containedin 1878 593 pubs, this fell back to an amazing572 in 1890! This is just pubs the beerhousesremained at a level between 40 & 50 during thesame period. 75% of the pubs were in thehands of 7 breweries.

On the subject of breweries in 1836 there were27 in the city by 1858, 12 remained and this fellto 7 by 1875. You can already see the seeds ofthe takeovers asset stripping and closures thatcontinue amongst large breweries to this day.

Thank goodness for the late 20th Centuryexplosion in micros. Of course we will neverknow what the beer quality was really likeduring the 19th Century, but it was certainlysafer than the water!

Stats from, “Norwich pubs and breweries past andpresent” F & M Holmes. Plus the very usefulwww.norfolkpubs.co.uk

Some Victorian beer statistics

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Pub News

The lease on the EarlhamArms, Norwich, has beentaken over by Chris Coubor-ough’s Flying Kiwi Inns, andwill re-open after a £100krefurb, with a wider range ofbeers than their other pubs(which generally stock alesfrom sister company Jo C’s).

New tenants moved into theLeopard, Norwich on October15th.

Norwich Tap House hasopened in the old Country &Eastern premises on RedwellSt., in Norwich, following along planning dispute.Although no real ale is stocked,they do have ‘‘craft’ keg beersfrom UK brewers such as MagicRock and Thornbridge, and avery extensive list of foreignbottled beers (plus Becks Vierand Guiness!).

After 18 months Enterprisehave found tenants for theEdith Cavell in Tombland,Norwich, which has been refur-bished and renamed Cavell’s.

The Garden House atFakenham is currently closedbut will re-open in late 2012 asa Wetherspoons.

The Cock in Dereham hasre-opened as Lolitas, a tapasbar - whether any real ale is

available is unknown, butstranger things have happened!.

The following pubs haveclosed since the last edition ofNIPS (please let us know if we’rewrong!): Crown, Diss;Chequers, Bressingham;Garden House, Hales; Gordon,Thorpe, Norwich (which closedand re-opened soon after);Griffin, Thorpe, Norwich; RoyalOak, Catton, Norwich; DukeWilliam, Harleston; King’sHead, North Elmham (lesseehas moved to the Bull,Litcham). Green Man, Rack-heath. Fox and Hounds, Lyng(licensee has bought theRatcatchers, Cawston).

August was a bad month forGreat Yarmouth pubs,following a poor summerseason. Although the Black-friars Tavern, Sportsmanand Suspension Bridge areopen again, the Crystal isclosed and up for sale, and theStar & Garter, Flints, Crop-pers and the Earl ofBeaconsfield have all closed,as has the Fastolfe Arms inGorleston.

Planning applications havebeen submitted to convert theConstitution, Norwich andthe Railway Tavern, Holt intohousing, and the application toconvert the Branford Arms,Norwich into flats, previouslyturned down for not includingsuffiicient affordable housing,has been re-submitted to

include a £20,000 contributionto the building of said housingelsewhere (this on a develop-ment costing over£800,000!). The figuressubmitted with the applicationsuggest that the developmentwill cost as much as the flatswill be worth once built, andthe developers will lose the£280,000 they paid for thebuilding, so I'm not quite surewhy they want to carry on withthe development, given theyadmit they could reduce theirlosses by selling the buildingfor £150,000 as a pub!

CAMRA oppose all threeapplications, but withoutopposition from local residentswe’re unlikely to succeed I’mafraid.

Ian

The Vine (above photo)recently celebrated its 4thBirthday.

Brewery News

Woodfordes have justannounced that Norfolk NIPhas been brewed as a limited

| NORFOLK NIPS

Pub and Brewery News

10 | WINTER 2012

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edition. Only 4,000 individuallynumbered bottles are availableof this beer, which is based onthe original 1929 Steward andPatteson recipe. It has beenmatured and will continue todevelop in the bottle.They are a different shape tothose used last year, havingbeen sourced in Italy.

Wolfe Brewery’s Poppy AleStill Appeals!

To coincide with the launch ofthis year’s Royal British LegionPoppy Appeal, Wolfe Breweryhave announced an extensionof their support for the Charity,through sales of Poppy Ale.

Poppy Ale was launched lastyear at The Murderers, anevent which was reported inNIPS 159 Winter 2011.

It will be available throughoutthe UK during November, withproceeds from the sales goingto The Royal British Legion forthe Poppy Appeal.

Wolfe Brewery are in theprocess of relocating to a newsite in Besthorpe, which willopen next Spring. SalesManager John Smith promisesthat this will different, offeringa “new experience.” We hopeto have more details in thenext issue.

News from the West

I recently made my lecturecircuit debut with a talk on‘The Lost Pubs of Lynn’, andspent a couple of morningswalking around town, takingpictures of former licencedpremises. There was noshortage of material. Somelocations I chose date backmany years, but it is still ashock to calculate how manyhave gone in the 32 years Ihave lived here. Many still areempty and give the illusionthat they might one day beresurrected, but as the days goby, it seems more and moreunlikely. The Queens is stillboarded up with no obvioussign of work commencing.Cobblestones is in theprocess of being transformedinto a funeral parlour. TheWildfowler remains emptyand is becoming more over-grown. The Jolly Farmers hasacquired a metal fence whichseems to be more to protectpassers-by from fallingmasonry, than a sign of anywork taking place. Antonio’swine bar remains empty, asdoes the Hogshead. There is afor sale sign on the LondonPorterhouse, and I receivedan email from Fleurets adver-

tising the Maltings CueClub, but please check asthese may have changed handsby the time you read this. Outin the villages the Kings Armsat Shouldham is closed and forsale, and the House on theGreen at North Wootton hasbeen empty, although I haveheard that the gardeners havebeen attending to the groundsrecently, possibly a sign thatthings are about to happen. InGayton the Rampant Horseis closed as I write, but again Ihave heard rumours that it willreopen. It is not all bad news.In Lynn the mysterious SouthGates Bar, formerly O’Toolsand before that the Prince OfWales is now the Ciao Interna-tional Bar and Club and seemsto be trying to attract a crowdfor televised sport. The Glen-devon hotel has a sold sign onthe outside, and I believe thatthe Norfolk Harvester maystill be operating despitehaving planning permission forchange of use.

Meanwhile, the Dray andHorses at Tottenhill is up andrunning again, as is theSandboy at Bawsey. Theformer landlord from theRampant Horse at Gayton hastaken on the Sandboy andobviously it will take a while tobuild up trade to its formerlevel, but he is realistic andfocused. Two beers were onthe bar when we called, bothon top form, with the promiseof more to come when asturnover increases. The Wool-

NORFOLK NIPS | News from the West

WINTER 2012 | 11

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WINTER 2012 | 13

pack at Terrington St John isnow under much more settledownership and there is anapplication to turn the barn atthe front of the pub into busi-ness units and invest the profitinto the business. We called inrecently and although therewas only one beer available itwas in excellent condition. Wealso ventured out to Sporle tohave a look at the PeddarsInn, formerly the SquirrelsDray and the Chequers. Thereis no food on a Tuesday, butthe menu looked enticing andthe two Adnams beers werewell worth the trip. Anotherplace with excellent Adnams isthe Berney Arms at BartonBendish, and the lunchtimespecials menu is amazing valuefor top quality food.

Out at Clenchwarton, theVictory goes from strength tostrength. Three beers,including guests are regularlyavailable, with the promise of afourth if demand justifies it.We went out for their beerfestival and whilst the menenjoyed their pints, the ladieswere given a tour of the newkitchen and saw the proposalsfor a new conservatory.Our Recent Branch meetingwas at the excellent club atNarborough, where we arealways well treated with inter-esting beers and a little snack,and it reminded me that clubscan be a forgotten part of thereal ale revolution. I was askedto run a charity quiz recently atthe Golf Club in Middleton.Being more of a football and

rugby league man myself, itwas my first visit, and I was wellpleased to find Hookey avail-able on the bar. Like manyspecial interest clubs, such asthe Ouse Amateur Sailing Clubin Lynn, social membership isavailable for those who justwant a pleasant place to drinkand socialise.

Meanwhile we hear that thereis new brewery, the TwoRivers Brewery open atDenver, near DownhamMarket. Some members havespotted the bottled beers in thelocal area, but we have noreports of any on draught sofar.

Jeff

NORFOLK NIPS | News from the West continued

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14 | WINTER 2012

T’wasa day of deep snowand a hard coldEasterly, as, dear

reader your scribe has come to expect in theseearly years of our dear queen’s most gloriousreign.

I had taken the London Mail upon the Norwichturnpike, hoping to meet with a carousinggroup of friends (Some of them not unlike themore colourful of my own characters, whom itwould appear are some times as real to your-selves as to myself, I modestly suggest).

The turnpike was it usual mud splattered testof man and beasts’ endurance but initially goodtime was made. It seemed that arrival in the faircity home of over five hundred ale houses andinns (Of vastly varied quality it has beenreported) would be expedited within the day, Ipulled a blanket around my legs and thought ofa time when circumstances led perforce to ayounger self riding on top of the coach turningas blue as Mr. Wedgewood’s excellent ceramicachievements. Little did your guide through thistale suspect how soon this would seem a state ofaffairs to be earnestly wished for…

I had drifted into fitful sleep when a fierce joltbrought me to my senses. As my eyes opened,the eyelids stiff as old parchment, a bright whitelight shone into the cabin of the coach. I couldsee nothing beyond it and at first thoughtmyself transported to paradise by some unfortu-nate happenstance along the road to aChristmas rendezvous! A silhouette appeared inthe light the air filled with mist. Was this anangel dear reader?

It spake thus; “Olroight owt of ve coach we’sbroaked a wheel and can’t lift the axle wiv suchfine fowks a yersewves in it!, A strange angelindeed!

The small group of fellow travellers stood atthe side of the highway waiting for the twocoachmen to make good on their promises tobe underway in “no time at all”. I found thecompany of a clergyman’s wife and a retiredarmy surgeon somewhat tire some, the topic ofconversation covering such broad fields as knit-ting, crochet and the efficacy of a goodtourniquet in the Crimea. The snowfall that hadcaused the bright and very briefly heavenlyvision seemed to ease a little; I determined toexplore a little to see if I could find shelter insome wayside farmhouse or inn.

As I trudged through the snow I felt that thewhole world around me had been born anewunder sheets of white silk which veiled the treesand smothered the muddy road in a perfectundisturbed whiteness. Twas as if no soul hadever passed this way before, let alone any ofman’s horse drawn inventions. I strode on forsome distance searching without success for signof mankind or even my esteemed audience anindication of beasts of the field.

The snow grew heavier, becoming blinding; Iresolved to turn back whence I came. Turningon the reciprocal in what was now a manifestblizzard I could see no more than half a furlongand in that distance no indication of my passingwas discernable. My situation was now some-what perilous, it seemed to continue back alongthe turnpike would be prudent, if only I couldmake it out, if not perhaps a meeting with anangel may be of great likelihood. I forgedthrough the biting cold of the snowfall whichhad lost all semblance of a magical veil andseemed more a potential shroud for your reluc-tant explorer. I knew time had passed and thatby now I should be stumbling over the repairedstagecoach or else have been overrun by itsheadlong progress.

A Victorian Tale | NORFOLK NIPS

What the Dickens!

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Now in a state of some desperation I stumbledover leaving a perfect cast of myself in the deepsnow, as I levered my shivering being from thesoft white coffin, gathering my cloak about metighter I heard the sound of voices ahead of me,not only voices but happy, jolly voices, and Ibelieved music!

“Gord rest ye merry gen’lemen let nuffink youdismay, for Jeezuss Christ our savior was born onChristmass Day…”

I staggered my way towards the happy bucoliccacophony, and through the blizzard appeareda single lamp hanging above the door of a smallinn, it was so covered in deep snow that itappeared to be iced like a seasonal fancy in afashionable London coffee house, the inn waslong and low with what I discerned must be athatch which almost touched the ground, eachgable end surmounted by a tall chimney, veryold and belching spark filled smoke.

Even had I not been in distress how could Iresist such a tempting sight on Christmas Evedear friends? Pushing in the holly decoratedportal’s guardian timbers I found myself privy toa scene of old fashioned Christmas, the folkinside twere unaware of any of the fashions ofrecent times and dressed as if no London trendsever reach this far.

The raucous singing continued and two hugeroaring fires blazed at each end of the scene folkdanced wildly and consumed large quantities ofale from tankards some of which it appearedwere carved from finest oak. There was ner asign of the newly fashionable Christmas tree,but as the fire warmed me through, I forgotLondon and my group of comrades in Norwichand gratefully took a tankard of mulled beer,heated by a poker from one of the huge hearthswhich seemed to be growing larger. Most of thehonest folk were too embroiled in their wassailto take but a little notice of the snowy intruderin their midst, but I was kept supplied with aleand occasionally enticed to join a dance, someof which I learnt in my boyhood.

As I grew warmer and more confused andamiable I ventured to a settle in the corner and

drew my cloak over my head and fell into adreamless slumber.

When I awoke it was decidedly colder and thebright white light had performed an encore, Iwas being shaken quite hard and as the cast fellfrom my eyes I saw a familiar silhouette, not ofcourse an angel but once again the coachman!“Thank the lord your Olroight young sir, he

said we sorta lost hope wen you ditun comeback!”

I replied “I was, I admit freely somewhat, er,lost but I sheltered in an ale house I found forthe night and know not how it is that you findme outside on Christmas day.”“But Sir…” Spake the shabby coachman.Before he could say more I surmised “It is

fortunate that you could not make repair andreturn’d this way this fine morning to discoverme.”

“But Sir,” he reiterated “It is Christmas Eve stilland you wuz lorst for only two Hours, the onlyale house ever next this part of the road wuz thePhoenix, but it burned down Christmas 1810and you sit now in the lee of its ruins.”

I told this little tale to my companions in aNorwich tavern, their response was in the vein of;“An excellent fiction for the festive season, perhapsyou should think of a ghost story pertaining toChristmas as the subject for a future work.”

Mayhap I will dear reader; I have an inspirationforming from the ether already.Merry Christmas, and God bless us every one.

Boz (Stig)(With apologies to Charles Dickens)

WINTER 2012 | 15

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If you were a thirsty traveller arriving in King’sLynn in 1885 you would have found it a verydifferent place to today. With the help of O.S.maps from the archive collection of the True’sYard museum (itself incorporating the old Navalreserve pub), lets follow in the footsteps of avisitor making his way into town fromGaywood.

After walking through the fields and overDodman’s Bridge, just outside the old townwalls is the Spread Eagle, with its extensivepleasure gardens. By the turn of the centurythese will be built on and become ArchdaleStreet. Passing the Hob in The Well, and theSandringham, we come to the Duke of Edin-burgh on the corner of Blackfriars Road, longgone, but acknowledged by the name of thenew housing on the site, Edinburgh Court. A glance to our right reveals a large maltings,but we are headed straight on past the BlueLion, which was known to many as the HangingChains due to the steelyard and chains on thefront of the building, used for lifting wagons.

Before we reach the junction with RailwayRoad we pass the Crab and Lobster, shortly tobe renovated and renamed the Lynn Arms (in1886). Amongst the buildings knocked downwhen the new road leading to the north wasbuilt, was a post office flanked by the Apollo andFox and Hounds. Nearby is the Sun Inn, thestarting point for a number of horse drawncarriers serving the local villages. Next door, theAnchor and Hope and Carpenters face eachother across the street. On we go, past the

Swan and the Eagle. Now Bar Red, the Eaglewas rebuilt after being bombed in the SecondWorld War. We are now at the corner of AlbertStreet where the Black Dog and Norfolk Armsjostle for room with the Bird In Hand. On to themajor intersection with Broad Street, where theStar Inn (later the Grosvenor) was once thestarting point for the stagecoach service toLondon. Departing at 4 in the morning, threedays a week, it was timed to reach London at 8the same evening. Opposite is the famous Flow-erpot, recently enlarged by absorbing the Angelnext door. A third corner is now the occupied bySnappy Snaps, but this used to be a chainlibrary. Our traveller would see the Sugar Loaf.Across the street and a couple of doors downstands Fiddaman’s Hotel, once the Wheatsheaf,and there is just space to squeeze in the Vineand Green Dragon before we reach the HighStreet.

Most of these are now gone, although some ofthe buildings can be recognised, but even inVictorian times some must have been pining forlost locals. Examination of other records showabout another 20 pubs that once existed onNorfolk Street, dating back to 1452. Looking onthe bright side, we have also gained a couple ofpubs in recent times, so let’s hear it for DrThirsty’s and Chicago’s.

Jeff

West Norfolk Editorial Feature | NORFOLK NIPS

A Victorian pub crawl in King’s Lynn

9

CA

Fri

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DUKEof WELLINGTONTRADITIONAL REAL ALE HOUSE

91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182

14 REAL ALES GRAVITY SERVEDavailable all year round fromour glass fronted tap room

6 MORE ALESON HAND PUMP

REAL LOG FIREIN WINTER

CAMRA Good Beer Guide ListedOpen Monday to Thursday:

12noon to 11pmFriday to Saturday: 12noon to 12pm

Sundays: 12noon to 10.30pm

Come and enjoy our Tap Room with a selection of Belgian bottled beers, Budvar,

Erdinger and Riegele all on Draught.

Enjoy your favourite takeaway with apint of real ale and friendly company!Just order your food to be delivered to the pubor bring it in and we provide plates, knives,

forks and environment.

We even have the menu’savailable - Indian,

Chinese, Fish and Chips etc.

Wednesday Special (12 Noon – 11pm)FOUR guest ales, changing every

week, just £2.00 per pint!

CHRISTMAS BEERS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT

DECEMBERTHANK YOUto all our customers old and new for supporting our 2012 beer festival!

Try our new range of Belgian Bottled Beers!

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18 | WINTER 2012

A flint walled cottage built c.1820 and licensedsince at least 1836. It has been modernised andextended over the years but the original bar andsmall rooms on the right are little changed. It isGrade II listed and has been run by the Templefamily since 1899. From the front door in a smallroom down two steps on the right is the originalbar which retains an old bar counter and also on

the left wall old lower bar back shelving. A photo on the wall shows there was oldshelving on the left and right, and glazing abovethe left shelves so the old looking back fitting atthe rear is modern. The room has old dadopanelling with bare benches attached to it at thefront including around the bay window. Oldscrubbed top tables add to the atmosphere asdoes the log fire in the modern fireplace. A doorway to the right leads to the snug, a barewood floored small room with a Victorian tiledand cast-iron fireplace. At the rear right isanother small room that was the private livingroom in the past and has a Victorian tiled, cast-iron and wood surround fireplace and old wallcupboards. Up to 2000 there was a flat roofedextension that looked like it had been added by

Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs | NORFOLK NIPS

This series of articles highlight the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 yearsor so. Here we feature two pubs that although refurbished and extended still retain little alteredfeatures and / or rooms.

Anchor, Morston

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Watneys/Bullards in the 1960s - now a flintwalled one has replaced it. On the left is amodern bar, a large dining room and also thesales point for the year-round Temples Seal Tripsby boat to Blakeney Point - seewww.sealtrips.co.uk for sailing times etc. or ring01263 740791. Note the old glass confectionarydisplay still in use and the Bullards Breweryframed poster over the fireplace.

Anchor, The Street, Morston NR25 7AA.Coasthopper Bus hourly from Kings Lynn orCromer. It opens from 9am in the morningselling breakfasts, coffee and beer! Meals areserved from 12 to 3; 6 to 9. Pub speciality isNorfolk Mussels in 4 flavours. A knitting clubmeets from 10am to 12pm on Wednesdays.Phone number is 01263 741392. Websitewww.morstonanchor.co.uk. On sale are WintersGolden and two other real ales from local brew-eries.

Harte, OldCostesseyRebuilt in 1931 by Bullards brewery - the date

and an anchor symbol can be found just underthe rooftop. Despite closures and refurbishmentsthere is much to admire internally. The frontdoor leads to a lobby with screen that indicatesthe present public bar was originally two sepa-rate rooms (possibly two rooms and an offsales?) and confirmed by the two impressive fire-places. The bar counter front looks like theoriginal as it matches the wood in the front

WINTER 2012 | 19

NORFOLK NIPS |

Pictures clockwise from bottom Left: The exterior, the Snug. the rear room and the fireplace in the bar of the Anchor, Morston

continued overleaf

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We are in the Good

Beer Guide2013

The ONLY Thai Restaurantfor Norwich in

THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A great real ale pub in the centre of the City

Exceptionally good Thai Foodlunchtimes and evenings

www.vinethai.co.uk

The Smallest Pub in Norwich • Open Monday - Saturday • Families welcome

WinterBeer FestMonday 28th Jan to 2nd Feb 2013

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screen with its diagonal motifs but the top is areplacement and the bar back fitting is modern.The two huge fireplaces have Tudor arch shapedstone surrounds with a 1930s brick interior thena row of three classic 1930s brick patternedfeatures in a timber strip and above are threeMasonic shields – the RGC one refers to R GCarter the builders of many pubs for BullardsBrewery. On the left through a wide doorway isa splendid high ceilinged Baronial hall-styledining room where the 1930s brick fireplaceschimney breast reaches the ceiling; it has aparquet floor. The rear area of the pub has allmodern fittings including a reproduction of theoriginal public bar counter front. Originally builtwith outside toilets, the present gents’ andladies’ on the front right was formerly a smallsmoke room. The former separate function roomat the rear is now an Indian takeaway, a separatebusiness.

Harte, Townhouse Road, Old Costessey, NorwichNR8 5BS. Bus 23A every 30 mins. from NorwichCity Centre. It is closed Mondays; open Tue toThu 12 to 3; 5.30 to 11; Fri to Sun 12 to 11.Meals are served from 12 to 2.30 and 6 to 9 Tueto Sat; Sun roasts from 12 to 5. Phone number is01603 742755. Websitewww.thehartenorwich.co.uk. 2 to 3 real ales areon sale and are usually from Adnams andNorfolk breweries.

Text and photographs by Mick Slaughter ofCAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group.

WINTER 2012 | 21

NORFOLK NIPS | Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs continued

If you require photographs of your pub inte-rior / exterior you can contact Mickon 01733 390598 or email [email protected] todiscuss your requirements.

The Baronial Hall room at theHarte, Costessey

The exterior of the Harte,Costessey by Ann Silverthorne

The servery with the original counter

me

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West Norfolk Trip to Bruges | NORFOLK NIPS

BrugesWith no exotic excursions planned this year, itwas decided to keep closer to home, so Claireand I both visited Bruges during the week viathe excellent Eurostar. We were installed in ourhotel in a just a few hours and decided to startour “beer holiday” as soon as we unpacked. Thehotel was just 15 minutes from the atmosphericMarkt so not far to stumble back.

Armed with our “Around Bruges in 80 Beers”guide we came across Cambrinus which wasabsolutely packed with diners and no seats atthe bar for drinkers. We left there and wentround the corner to the wonderful Café RedRose, surprisingly not in any guide. Wonderfulatmosphere (for couples especially) we tried thebeer tasting tray with 4 beers varying from 4%to 11% and at only 9 Euros was good value –best beer on the tray was the hoppy PoperingeHommel Bier. One more beer each from thegenerous beer list (about 100 on offer) and weleft some 3 hours later for some fries in the

Markt. We decided to try the tacky looking @The Pub but it was surprisingly good and had adecent beer list – I tried the sour but moreishOude Kriek Boon and we chatted to any Aussieguy who was on a “beer pilgrimage” and by thetime we left it was almost 1.30am.

Next day, after a pleasantly warm sunny stroll,we started at De Bron which is a vegetarian cafésouth of the city centre – they sold an organicbeer from Dupont called Biolegere which a 5%was pleasantly refreshing for a midday drink. Webooked a brewery tour at De Halve Maan(Straffe Hendrick) Brewery which was thor-oughly entertaining wonderful to see thetraditional tower brewery in its entirety. Theguide was very funny and very animated withthe whole tour taking about 45 minutes.

Included was a glass of the unfiltered BrugsesZot (Bruges Fool) and at 6.50 Euros this wasgood value. From here we made our way to the

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“Fat Cat” of Bruges – ‘t Brugs Beertje - a definitemust visit because the atmosphere and ambi-ence is like no other pub in Bruges. We had 3beers each and sat at a table by the windowthoroughly enjoying some great beer such asChouffe Houblin IPA, Smiske Extra, De Dolle

Brewers Export Stout and Lefebvre Hopus. Nextwas De Garre nearer the market square downa very narrow alley and up some steps. The service in here was a bit pushy and

there were many “loud” tourists – Claire triedthe house beer – Tripel De Garre and thought ittasted like beer with a double vodka thrown in.Still the actual bar was quite unique and hope-fully if we return we could enjoy it better. Lastbar of the day was the aforementionedCambrinus with its encyclopedic beer list ofsome 400 beers. I plumped for a Rochfort 8 andsuddenly became very sleepy!!

Our last day in Bruges and we went furtherafield visiting some bars further out from thetourist throng, starting at De Bron once gain foranother wonderful veggie meal (Claire is aVegan and so was delighted to find this place)washed down with a glass of Hoegaarden GrandCru. We then walked westwards and found the hostel bar Bauhaus and tried a Delirium Tremensin there! Past a couple of windmills we found thebar Windmolen with a great view of one ofthose windmills – great little bar packed witheccentric intricacies and definitely a locals bar!

Next was a pub claiming to be the oldest inBruges – Vlissingen – We sat on a high table andthey served beer in their touristy “We Are TheOldest Pub In Bruges” instead of a brewery glasswhich was a little, erm, touristy. Beer was goodof course being Orval and Westmalle Tripel sono real worries. Next was Comptois Des Artsnearer the north of centre and delightful atmos-pheric bar serving some really rare beers – wetried Rochefort 10 (which at 11.2% made mefeel sleepy again!), La Chouffe on draught, VivenPorter and the very American extreme hop tasteof Viven Imperial IPA. Across the road was theunderground ‘t Poatersgat where I tried thegreat Belgian beer – De Ranke XX. Finally werevisited the Café Red Rose for a final sample ofthe brilliant Poperinge Hommel Bier on draught.

Nige

WINTER 2012 | 23

NORFOLK NIPS |

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Above: BrugesMarkt Right: ‘t Brugs Beertje

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24 | WINTER 2012

The California TavernCalifornia Road, California, Great Yarmouth NR29 3QW

Free House, Restaurant and Live Music venue

Great ales by Woodfordes, GreeneKing, Elgoods and Mauldons available

Excellent Food, very popular SundayCarvery, you will need to book!

Live music every Friday and SaturdayWhatever your preference, you will not witness finer bands for free.

Function room • Kids adventure trail

Have you been to California?

www.californiatavern.co.uk email: [email protected] Tel: 01493 730340

COAST ROAD, WALCOTT,NORFOLK NR12 OPE

Telephone(01692) 650371

Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMOREFREE HOUSE

OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pmFood available all day until 10.30pm10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership card

www.lighthouseinn.co.uk

FOUR REAL ALES & CIDER

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Craft Beer – What is it?The term “Craft Beer” has cropped up a few timesnow in earlier editions of Norfolk NIPS, usually refer-ring to beers brewed in the USA, etc or microBrewers in the UK. But what exactly does the termmean, and is it important that CAMRA has anapproved definition? Apparently so.

At this year’s Members’ Weekend & AGM inTorquay, Motion 15, put forward by CAMRA Direc-tors Christine Cryne and Keith Spencer, was carriedto help give CAMRA some direction of the topic of‘Craft Beer’.

The motion stated:

This Conference believes that CAMRA policy shouldrecognise that Craft Beer is beer with a distinctiveflavour brewed by artisans. As a consequence, mostreal ales are craft beers but not all craft beers are realale and CAMRA’s communication should reflect this.

CAMRA say that they will continue to only supportreal ale, but they are aware that denigrating keg craftbeer is unproductive and may put off people fromjoining CAMRA.

It doesn’t help that the Industry has failed to comeup with a standard definition, nor is there anyattempt to promote clear labelling. If you walk into apub, and there is a distinct lack of real ale, might yoube tempted to try a beer with a distinctive flavour,e.g blackcurrant or coffee, brewed by a local brewer,even if it was only available in keg form?

It is, of course, all about choice, something thatCAMRA prides itself on promoting. We can promotereal ale by concentrating on its positive attributes –depth of flavour and complexity, etc, but are wemissing a point here?

This is about beer in casks, but what about bottledbeers? When no real ale has been available, I havedrunk the bottled versions of beers that I like, seldombottle conditioned. Are these craft beers too? Whereon earth do you draw the line?

Your views are welcome.

The Norwich Tap House in Redwell Street has anextensive range of Craft Beers, both Keg and bottled.

WINTER 2012 | 25

Traditional English Inn

Recently refurbished and re-open after three years

Selection of three Real Ales all the time including ‘The Red Lion Ale’

Senior Citizen Menu served Mon-Fri: 12-2pm £5.95

Full menu served daily lunchtime & evening

Monthly QuizzesMonthly Live Entertainment from local artists

Opening hours Mon-Fri 11-3pm & 5-11pm, Fri & Sat 11-midnight & Sunday 12-10:30pm

Food served Mon-Sat 12-2pm & 6:30-9pm Sun 12-8pm

Please call for more details 01842 829728

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The King’s HeadOpen 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday

12.00noon - 10.30pm Sunday

Keg Free Zone 14 Hand PumpsNorfolk Ales and CiderMild always availableWorldwide Bottled BeersBelgian BeersTelevision-freeBar Billiardswww.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk

KEG FREE HOUSE

The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JEwww.kingsheadnorwich.com

CAMRA Norfolk

Pub of the Year

2006 & 2008

Run by enthusiastic drinkersand CAMRA members.

WE ARE

IN IT!

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Members of theNorwich andNorfolk Branchattended threevery differentBeer Festivals inthree days inOctober.

It started with the 6th Ascot Racecourse BeerFestival on Friday 5th October. We travelled bytrain to London for an event that was meticu-lously planned by Social Secretary MichaelPhilips. Then it was on to Waterloo via theWaterloo and City line (when did they stoprunning those green tube trains?) beforecatching the slow train to Ascot. The magnifi-cent racecourse was only a short walk away andwe quickly found the Beer Festival in the iconicgrandstand. No tokens here, but vouchers eachworth ½ pint. All beers, ciders and perries werepriced at £1.50 per pint.

The event was run by the Berkshire South EastBranch of CAMRA in association with Fullers.There was plenty of choice on offer here, withover 190 beers, and 30 ciders and perries avail-able on bars spread throughout the complex.They have a regional themed bar here, and thisyear it was the turn of the Highlands and Islandsof Scotland. I was delighted to find that Isle ofSkye Black Cullin (one of my desert Island pints)was on. The glasses were unlined heavy dutyplastic, and it quickly became apparent thatdifferent servers had contrasting views on whatconstituted a ½ pint measure!

We had a great view of the racing and the foodoutlets were good and reasonably priced.All too soon, it was time to head back to the

station. When we got to Waterloo, some cravedanother pint and went in search of a nearbypub, but hunger got the better of me. I remem-bered a large buffet on the station, which was

no longer there, so it had to be the Burger King(better than nothing, but a close run thing).

We all met up again at Stratford for the trainhome. It would appear that one of the partythat went to the pub near Waterloo had a slightmishap when he forgot that another word forescalator is moving staircase!

Unfortunately, the train was full when it arrivedfrom Liverpool Street and there was no sign ofour seat reservations, so some of us were quietlyushered into the 1st Class accommodation.

After a rest on the Saturday, it was off to a new,old favourite – the Whitwell and Reephamrailway station, who were hosting another oftheir popular Beer Festivals. A smaller, but inter-esting selection awaited us there. This is a littlegem and certainly worth a visit if you have notbeen there before. They have their own house(or should that be Station) beer – WhitwellWobbler.

Whilst there, it was mentioned that The BobCarter Centre in Drayton was holding a Real Aleweekend and would make a good last stop onthe way back to Norwich. Ron, the BarManager, was enjoying a quiet moment in hisoffice when Michael knocked on his door andsaid “Excuse me, but I have a coach with 20people on it outside and we would like to comein for some of your real ale.” Leaping to his feet,Ron said that they would have to form anorderly queue, and of course, being CAMRAmembers, we did. Six real ales were onincluding some excellent ones from Old Slew-foot and Humpty Dumpty and it was a greatway to round off the weekend.

Michael has said that we will do Ascot againnext year, so look out for further details if youwant a fun day out next October.

“And they’re off..!”

WINTER 2012 | 27

NORFOLK NIPS | Three ‘fests in a weekend!

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Makers of a range of award-winning organic ciders, including our User Friendly, Original, Old Norfolk (East Anglia’s Best Cider 2011),

Special Reserve and our Rum Cask.

Also Norfolk Perry (subject to availability)and ‘Cider Nouveau’ when the seson allows.

A range of organic juices is also available.

Tel: 01379 687687Mobile: 07500 067 544

www.crones.co.uk

The latest addition to our range, our ‘Dutchie Original’ has alreadypicked up an award on its first outing.

This is a two year old traditional Norfolk cider and it is matured in oakcasks. Brewed by a Dutchman in the Dam Green Republic.

All our ciders are free of sulphites

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The George and Dragon at Newton by CastleAcre is one of 780 pubs to have received accred-itation from CAMRA for regularly selling realcider.

The George and Dragon is positioned justoutside of Castle Acre on the A1065 betweenSwaffham and Fakenham. Along with thechurch, it forms the heart of a tiny hamlet of afarm and a few cottages and it would be easy topass by at speed on the way to somewhere else.That is what many on their way to or from theNorth Norfolk coast do, but they are missing atreat.

Paul and Sarah Sykes have run this free housefor 5 years and they enjoy the freedom tosupport local breweries. Alongside their ownNewton Bitter, brewed by Elgoods there are 2guest beers and customers are invited to maketheir own recommendations.

Since the end of 2011 they have also focusedon offering real cider from a selection ofproducers, both from East Anglia and furtherafield. Among those well received by customershave been local offerings from Whin Hill and a

rustic variety from Somerset’s Tricky CiderCompany. These change about once a month.However, Paul notes that a lot more effort has togo in to obtaining stock directly from some ciderproducers than when dealing with breweries,both in making initial contact and in arrangingdeliveries.

The George and Dragon has built up a reputa-tion for good food with a genuine focus on localsuppliers contributing to a frequently changingmenu. A trip to Lincolnshire was about to takeplace to find both sausages and real cider,reflecting the aim to source good qualityproduce. However, a South African dish is alsousually on offer, reflecting Sarah’s heritage,along with a selection of South African wines.

The George & Dragon is open 11to 3 and 6 toclose every day except Sunday evenings andMonday lunchtimes. More information aboutfood, drink music and events can be found atwww.newtongeorge.co.uk

More information about real cider and perry isat www.camra.org.uk/cider

There is a good ciderpub near you!

WINTER 2012 | 29

NORFOLK NIPS | Cider News

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30 | WINTER 2012

The doors havefinally closed onanother successfulevent. Those whostill claim that thereis no demand forreal ale and cidersand perries, mustbe disheartened.

It was opened by the Norwich Lord Mayor,Ralph Gayton, accompanied by the Sheriff, JohnJennings at the Trade Session on Monday.Special guest, Dr Chris Bruton from CAMRA heldaloft copies of the 1972 and 1975 Good BeerGuides. The 1972 edition (the first) had only onepub in Norfolk (The Red Lion in Cromer) andthe 1975 edition had only one pub in Norwich(The Wildman).

A cracking range of beers and ciders andperries and eclectic mix of entertainment(including Pedants Revolt, who danced outsideto entertain the crowds waiting to get in onWednesday evening) delighted customers.

Festival Organiser, Martin Ward, said:Judging from the feedback I have received the

festival can be classed a success. However wedid have to compete with two football matches,Halloween, and fireworks. Comments on thebeer range have been most positive. Everyoneseems very happy with the range of styles fromlight golden beers to the traditional autumnalporters and stouts. Big thanks to all the volun-teers for their efforts, he added.

Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue, theBranch Charity, did very well, raising over£3,500 from the collecting tins and spare tokensdonated by visitors. Paul Webber, Vice Chair,said that they were surprised and grateful for

such a large sum. Thanking everyone involved,he is looking forward to demonstrating the newequipment purchased to us. Any volunteers?

Martyn Herbert, Pubs Officer – North CotswoldBranch, presented the award for the Beer oftheir Festival to Chris Riches of The Fat CatBrewery for Marmalade Cat.

The Beer of the Festival was won jointly byBloomers ( Brewed by Winters to celebrateNorwich in Blooms 25th Anniversary) andMuldon’s Blackberry Porter.The Foreign Beer of the Festival was Arabier,

from De Dolle Brouwers. Getting the beer herewas a real coup for the Festival as it is rarelyavailable in keg form – and we had two of them!Bar Manager Keith explained that they onlybrew at weekends, for the family, it is a hobby.Truly Craft Beer!

Norwich Beer Festival 2012 | NORFOLK NIPS

The 35th NorwichBeer Festival

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Beers of the Festival 2012Each year, drinkers at the festival vote for theirfavourite beers, ciders and perries. Thisyear's Beer Of The Festival Gold award wasjointly won by Bloomers, a 4.0% golden alefrom Beeston Brewery, Norfolk, and BlackberryPorter, a 4.8% dark beer from Mauldon'sBrewery, from Sudbury, Suffolk. The bronzeaward went to Green Devil, from Oakham Ales,of Woodston, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

The category winners were:

Mild – Gold: Dunham Massey, Cherry ChocMild; Silver: Wibblers, Darker Mild; Bronze: Wolf, Woild Moild.

Bitter – Gold: Bishop Nick, Rite; Silver: BristolBeer Factory, Acer; Bronze: Front Street,Binham Cheer.

Best Bitter – Gold: Woodforde’s, Ketts Rebel-lion; Silver: Mauldon’s, Broomstick; Bronze: JoC’s, Bitter Old Bustard.

Strong Bitter – Gold: Oakham, Green Devil;Silver: Green Jack, Trawler Boys; Bronze:Redemption, Big Chief.

Old, Stout & Porter – Gold: Mauldon’s,Blackberry Porter; Silver: Beeston, ASO Stoat-wobbler; Bronze: Titanic, Capuccino Stout.

Speciality Beer – Gold: Elgood's, Taikwon-dog;Silver: Humpty Dumpty, Lemon and Ginger;Bronze: Ole Slewfoot, Dragon Hall Saison.

Golden Ale – Gold: Beeston, Bloomers; Silver:Fyne Ale, Hurricane Jack; Joint Bronze: Elmtree,Maud Maudie; Highlands and Islands, IslandHopping.

Barley Wine – Gold: Humpty Dumpty, StrongWinter Ale; Silver: Green Jack, Ripper.

Cider – Apple Cottage, FTJ.

Perry – Olivers, Perry.

Foreign Beer – De Dolle Brouwers, Arabier.

WINTER 2012 | 31

NORFOLK NIPS |

Norwich’s oldest pub

Norwich City of Ale FestivalBest Pub Award 2011

Open 11am -11 pm Mon to Sat 12 noon - 10.30pm Sun

Food served12 noon - 7pm Mon to Sat 12 noon - 5pm Sundays

17 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ 01603 667423

Best Public House AwardNorwich in Bloom 2011

Christ

mas

Beer F

estiva

l

16th

Dec

– 31

st Dec

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The Great L

34 | WINTER 2012

It’s not that often that we travel to Merseysideand when we do we arrive in the minibus an hourbefore kick-off and leave fairly soon after the endof the game, hoping to have come away fromeither Goodison Park or Anfield with at least apoint. But then a good friend of ours lent us abook entitled ‘The Great Liverpool Pub Crawl’ byMike Chapple. We were fascinated with the vastvariety of pubs in the City and decided that wereally must pay a visit.

We decided to base ourselves in Southport justan hour away on the bus, and that’s where wehad our first pleasant surprise. There’s not a lot ofreal ale pubs in the town (other than the twoWetherspoon’s), but attached to the ScarisbrickHotel where we were staying is Baron’s Bar whichhas a selection of half a dozen beers. I sampledthe Clifton Ale and Triumph Stag from CottageBrewing in Somerset, both were well kept andwent down very well – especially at just £1.90 apint!

Next day we set off as daytrippers to Liverpool.We went on the bus using our passes kindly givento us by Her Majesty’s Government and so wedidn’t need a ticket to ride. Our intention was tovisit the fab four (pubs that is).

You can’t visit Liverpool without sampling theCain’s so where better to start than at thebrewery itself. Affectionately referred to by thelocals as the ‘terracotta palace’ the brewery has arich history dating back to 1850 when it wasestablished by an Irish immigrant Robert Cain.More recently the business fell on hard times andwas saved from closure in 2002 by the Dusanjbrothers and is now one of the most modernbreweries in the country.

The Brewery Tap formerly known as the GrapesInn, is the best place to sample a pint of Cain’s asit is the brewery’s showcase pub. Built in 1896with high ornate ceilings, wooden panelling and

FOUR REAL ALESWednesday Irish Folk MusicThursday Folk Mixed Music

Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Celtic Folk Music

Large garden overlooking the River Wensum

OPEN: Mon - Thurs 12-11Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11

The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340

The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 50 bottle conditioned ales

from 15 Norfolk brewers.

We are located on a beautiful arable farmclose-by Wells-next-the-Sea, which provides

much of the malt used in brewing the ales we sell.

The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB.

Tel: 01328 710810

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a beautiful oak bar it is a classic Victorian AleHouse. Recently I’ve got into the habit of usingthe National Beer Scoring System (NBSS) andthe Cain’s best bitter got one of the highestscores that I’ve awarded a beer so far. The localswere very friendly although we did struggle a bitto understand everything they said – some ofthis was due to the strong Scouse accent, but nodoubt the excellent beer played its part! It wastime to move on and we were told that wereally had to visit the ‘Philly’ and to make surethat we didn’t miss the toilets!

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms to give thepub its full name, is situated on Hope Streetbetween the two cathedrals. This Grade 2 listedbuilding was a favourite of John Lennon whoonce said that ‘the price of fame was not beingable to have a pint in the Philly’. Originally styledas a gentleman’s club this place is a delight toexplore. We had lunch in the Grande Lounge,accompanied by a pint of excellentHarviestoun’s Wild Hop IPA. Of course we had tohave a look around at the Brahm’s and Lizstroom (get it?), and those gents’ toilets. There isactually a sign outside warning you that you’requite likely to meet some female sightseersinside, and sure enough I did!

Next stop was our grail. There are only sevenpubs that have made every edition of CAMRA’sGood Beer Guide and The Roscoe Head is one ofthem. It’s been in the same family for severaldecades. Tucked away in a back street it wasn’tparticularly easy to find, but it was well worthsearching for. The pub has three dinky littlerooms all served by a central bar area. As soon aswe arrived the landlady saw my hesitation indeciding which of the many real ales to try, andshe recommended that I had three one-thirdpint samplers (all for £2.90). The BonkersConkers, Organ Morgan and Simcoe weresuperb but my favourite was the latter from theLiverpool Organic Brewery. I noticed that theBonkers Conkers which is brewed by GreeneKing under the Westgate Brewery label wasgoing down particularly well with the locals -who says beers don’t travel well? We wereinvited by some regulars to join them for a chatand another pint and this left us little time forthe last of our fab four. That was probably nobad thing – don’t forget we had a one hour busride to get back to our hotel. We only had tobreak the journey once! And then waiting for uswas the Baron’s Bar in Southport...

t Liverpool Pub Crawl

WINTER 2012 | 35

NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk on Tour

The Brewery Tap

The Roscoe Head

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Norwich and Norfolk Branch Christmas CrawlFriday 14th December

Fat Cat 17:00 - Alexandra 17:45Reindeer 18:15 - Plough 18:45 - Ribs of Beef 19:30 - King’s Head 20:00 - Plasterers 20:30 - Cottage 21:00Kett’s Tavern 21:30 - Jubilee 22:00 -

Fat Cat & Canary 22:30

West Norfolk CAMRA

Facebook page.

Search: West-Norfolk-Camra

Norwich & Norfolk BranchTwitter: Norfolk_nipsNew ed’s email: [email protected]

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Next issue of Norfolk Nips and Cask ForceCopy to editors by Monday 4th FEBRUARYOn the streets by: Friday MARCH 7th

West Norfolk CAMRA

Christmas pub crawl

Saturday 15th December

1100 Angel Gardens (Angel Road)

1200 Duke Of Wellington (Waterloo Road)

1245 Whalebone (Magdalen Road)

1330 Fat Cat Brewery Tap (Lawson Road)

1415 Cottage (Silver Road)

1500 Wig & Pen (Palace Plain)

1545 Adam & Eve (Bishopgate)

1630 Red Lion (Bishopgate)

1715 Ketts Tavern (Ketts Hill)

1800 William IV (Quebec Road)

1845 Jubilee (Saint Leonards Road)

1930 Coach & Horses (Thorpe Road)

Contact Tim 07950-823270,

Crimbo with Timbo!!!

A

a

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38 | WINTER 2012

Beer Festivals

30th Nov - 1st DecemberThe Pennoyer Beer FestivalPennoyer Centre, Station Rd,Pulham St Mary IP21 4QTAles from Yorkshire, West countryand the best of local brewerieswww.pennoyers.org.uk

4th - 8th DecemberPig’s Ear Beer & Cider

FestivalRound Chapel, Powerscroft RoadHackney200-plus beers. Unique FestivalBrews. E.London Bar celebrating9 excitingly new local Micros.Renowned cider, bottled +foreign beer bars

16th - 31st DecemberChristmas Beer FestivalThe Railway, North Elmham

11th - 12th January 20134th Elysian Winter BeerFestival

Maltings, Ship Lane, ElyCambridgeshire60+ beers and ciders. Foreign Beers.

18th - 19th January 201324th Exeter & EastDevon Beer Festival

Exeter City FC, St James ParkStadium Way66 winter ales + 12 ciders/perryevent details

17th - 19th January 201317th CambridgeWinter Ale Festival

University Social Club, Mill Lane,CambridgeWith a wide range of beersfrom pale to dark colours andhigh to low ABV's from national

and five local breweries . A brilliant arrangement offoreign beers and ciders,includingspecially made in-house mulled cider.

25th - 26th January 2013Salisbury WinterfestXVI

Castle Street Social ClubScots Lane, Salisbury21 different seasonal real ales + 2ciders

28th January - 2nd February2013Winter Beer FestThe Vine, Norwich

11th - 17th February 201320th Valentine Beer FestivalTrafford Arms, Norwich Raising money for the Magda-lene Group Jigsaw Project

6th - 8th February 201223rd Battersea BeerFestival

Battersea Arts Centre (BAC)Grand Hall Entrance, Town HallRoad, Lavender Hill150 kils of beer from around thecountry, traditional ciders andperries, country wines and conti-nental beers

7th - 9th February 201331st Fleetwood BeerFestival

Marine Hall, The EsplanadeFleetwood100+ real ales from UK breweries,mainly micro's + ciders andperries and a world beer bar,featuring bottle beers fromaround the globe.

20th - 23rd February 2013Chelmsford WinterBeer & Cider Festival

King Edward Sixth GrammarSchool, Broomfield Road Chelmsford180+ beers with emphasis onwinter brews; also cider + Belgianbeers

21st - 23rd February 2013Liverpool Beer FestivalMetropolitan Cathedral

CryptBrownlow Hill, Liverpool200+ real ales plus ciders + perry.Food and entertainment

21st - 23rd February 201330th Luton Beer &Cider Festival

Hightown Community Sports &Arts Centre, Concorde StreetLutonAt least 110 real ales, ciders +perries and foreign bottles beers

21st - 23rd February 2013Stockton Ale & ArtyBeer Festival

Stockton On Tees80+ real ales, cider, perry

1st - 2nd March 20134th Chappel WinterBeer Festival

East Anglian Railway MuseumChappel & Wales Colne StationNear Colchester60 beers plus cider

6th - 8th March 201329th London DrinkerBeer & Cider Festival

Camden Centre, BidboroughStreet, London70+ real ales plus great range ofimported beers, ciders andperries

Beery dates for your diary | NORFOLK NIPS

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WINTERN 2012 | 39

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I thought that this being the season of goodwill, I’d look back at some of the ChristmasEditions in the archives, to see if I could find alittle Festive Cheer for you all. Fat Chance!

Let’s start with Issue No. 34, Christmas 1987.The festive message on the front cover warnedof a takeover crisis that was looming. Itreported that in the 1988 Good Beer Guide, therewere only 50 of the independent, traditionalpub owning Breweries left. Takeovers hadresulted in the formation of Brewery Groups,such as Vaux, Greenhalls, Boddingtons and theBarclay Brothers Group, which comprisedCamerons, Tolly Cobbold, Melbourns andPaines. Even more worrying, apart from the newtrend in non-brewing “leisure” companies, wasthat the “Big Seven” were picking off breweries,including some from the Groups. If that wasn’tbad enough, overseas Breweries, such as EldersIXL of Australia had taken over Courage,meaning that Fosters Lager would soon be onsale in most Courage and Watney Houses. Allthis, it was pointed out, would result in loss ofbeers, pub and brewery closures – in short, lesschoice and higher prices. Bah Humbug!

If you managed to get beyond the front page,you will have read that the Green Dragon inWymondham was described as being “the leastspoiled pub of its type in the whole of Norfolk.”Watneys wanted to make some changes – installa bar or two, but the locals objected, so theyshut it for two months, complaining of “lowtrade” whilst looking for new tenants. The high-light of the October Branch meeting at the FerryBoat was a Yard of Ale Competition. It wasreported that Brenda downed 2 ½ pints ofGreene King IPA in 2 minutes 54 seconds.

Neil was the overall winner, downing his yard in1 minute 15 seconds. It was hoped to repeatthis in the future, when more contestants mightbe prepared to demonstrate a “lack of shyness”.

Issue No. 58, December 1991 reported on itsfront page that 3,000 publicans went on theMarch at the Tory Party Conference in Black-pool, in protest against Government policieswhich were driving them out of their pubs. Thiswas the loophole created by switching tenanciesto long leases, which meant that publicans wereno longer protected by the Landlord andTennant Act.

Issue No.52, December 1990 warned of theuncertainty about the future of some Norfolkpubs on the front page. Brent Walker had“temporarily sold” some, including The JollyFarmers in North Creake, to Standard CharterBank. Details were about to be released on the“pubs for breweries” swap affecting Courageand Watney’s. It was estimated that Watney’scontrol in Norfolk would increase from 50% to63%. Bass was to sell six Norfolk pubs, but nodetails were available.

By comparison, Issue No.112, December 2000was a ray of golden winter sunshine. It’s frontpage announced the Winter Ale Trail 2001,visiting 30 real ale pubs. Cinema City wasoffering half price tickets to CAMRA members,and new arrangements had to be put in placefor County Campaign trips because they wereoversubscribed – and Peter Wells was claiming48 pints to the mile! (Apparently, this was not hispersonal capacity, but how much water it tookhis 1918 Sentinel Steam lorry to get from A to B!)

From the ArchivesFrom the Archives | NORFOLK NIPS

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WINTER 2012 | 41

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.

Queen’s Head and Waveney Brewing Company

Traditional Village Pub with a breweryproducing permanent and seasonal

ales on site

Station Road, Earsham, NorfolkTel: (01986) 892623

A selection of our Award winning Norfolk ales

We wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a

New Year

The Wolf Brewery willsoon be moving to:

Decoy Farm, Norwich Road, Besthorpe, Norfolk, NR17 2LA

Telephone: 01953 457775E-mail: [email protected]

www.wolfbrewery.com

NEW Permanentfruity red ale

DecemberSpecial

4 bottle gift packs available from the Duke of Wellington

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Norwich and North Norfolk Branch

Friday 14th DecemberOur Christmas crawl in Norwich.Starts at The Fat Cat at 17:00 Full details are onthe Whiteboard

Tuesday 18th DecemberBranch Meeting and QuizThe Railway, North ElmhamPlease join us for this Festive favourite.

2013

Tuesday 15th JanuaryBranch Committee Meeting (TBA)

Friday 1st FebruaryFirst Friday FiveVisiting five pubs in Norwich (TBC)

Tuesday 19th February Branch Meeting and GBG voting meeting.Venue to be confirmed. Please make sure thatyou attend to vote for the pubs that you thinkdeserve to be in the GBG.

West Norfolk Branch

All Branch Meetings start at 8pm.

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Brief meeting 7-30 pm (Xmas meal) The BellSaham Toney

Saturday 15th December 2012Christmas crawl 11-00 am Angel GardensNorwich (Contact T. Spitzer 07950-823270)

Tuesday 8th January 2013 Branch meeting Stuart House Hotel, King’s Lynn

Saturday 2nd February 2013 Norfolk branch liaison meeting 1200 StuartHouse Hotel, King’s LynnTuesday 12th February 2013 Branch meeting - Pedder’s Sporle

Tuesday 19th February 2013 GBG selection meeting - Narborough Village Club

Tuesday 12th March 2013 Branch meeting Ship - Brandon Creek

CAMRA Branch Calendar | NORFOLK NIPS

42 | WINTER 2012

West Norfolk CAMRA AGM 2012 Voting for New Committee: All post holders were returned unopposed.

Chairman Steve BarkerVice Chairman Bruce WardSecretary Ian BaileyTreasurer Jim FergussonDeputy Treasurer June Parsons (new)Membership Secretary Jeff HoylePress & Publicity Bruce WardPubs Officer Mandy Stratton (new)Pubs Preservation Officer Jeff HoyleNips Chris LucasWebmaster Nige NuddsCider Andrea BriersBranch Contact Ian Bailey (new)Public Affairs Officer Jeff HoyleAppointment of Auditor Ros Harre was the sole candidate, so elected unopposed.

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WINTER 2012 | 43

Apollo Tavern | Northgate Street | Great Yarmouth | NR30 1BP

Good covered smoking area

10 mins walk from railway station

Ales from £2.00 a pint!

Up to EIGHT ever changing Cask Ales

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44 | WINTER 2012

Please raise your glass to RodDent, who sadly passed awayin September 2012. Thechances are if you are a regularat the Beer Festival, Rod servedyou your glass. Rod was theGlasses and Tokens StallManager for several yearsduring the 1990’s, a job whichhe always carried out withprofessionalism, commitmentand courtesy. Those of us whoworked with him will miss hisdry and quiet sense of humour.

Rod’s proactive input into theNorfolk and Norwich branch ofCAMRA went far beyond themany hours he put into theBeer Festival. Rod has the acco-lade of thinking up ourmonthly social outing the FirstFriday Five pub crawl and co-organised the routes for thefirst few years back in 1993.

This is an idea that was sopopular that it continues to bea well attended event to thisday. All are welcome and

details of routes are publishedin our branch newsletterNorfolk Nips.

Rod and his ex-wife Sarahwere the editors of thenewsletter Norfolk Nips between1988 and 1995. The first articleRod wrote for Norfolk Nips wasin 1987 regarding the openingof Reindeer Brewery. Rodprided himself on adopting acampaigning approach for thecause in his editing, towardspromoting topical issues of thetime such as Norfolk’s inde-pendent breweries, savingpubs from closure, consumerchoice, guest ales in tied pubsand longer Sunday pubopening hours.

Rod served on CAMRAcommittees and for severalyears attended the NationalCAMRA Annual General Meet-ings in Sheffield, Llandudnoand Portsmouth amongst otherplaces.

Rod was instrumental inarranging for WoodfordesBrewery to re-brew an oldNorfolk favourite, Steward andPattesons Norfolk Nips beer in1992 to celebrate the 10thanniversary of our Norfolk Nipspublication. This proved to bea very successful and popularevent.

Other than real ale, Rod had apassion for live music and hecould often be found at theNorwich Arts Centre where he

could enjoy both his hobbies atonce. Rod was on first nameterms with the singer HazelO’Connor, with whom he ispictured and whom he sawmany times at Norwich ArtsCentre as well as at interna-tional venues.

We have lost a goodcolleague, CAMRA campaignerand friend, who devoted a lotof his time to the local branchand will be greatly missed. Rodleaves us with many legaciesand happy memories. As Rodwrote in 1989 “Norfolk Nips iswritten and produced by aconsumer organisation inter-ested in choice for the Norfolkpub goer. It shows that Norfolkhas a concerned and activebranch of CAMRA and givesthe consumer the chance tosay what he or she thinks aboutpubs and breweries”.

Cheers Rod.

Obituary | NORFOLK NIPS

Rod Dent RIP

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WINTER 2012 | 45

26 St Leonards RoadNorwich NR1 4BL01603 618734

A real gem,well worth a visit.

Eight real ales to choose from, two ofwhich change regularly.

Two pooltables upstairs.

Pork pies and other light snacksavailable all day.

Hog roast available sundays.

Lovely enclosed beer garden withlarge sheltered smoking area.

Only a ten minute walk from thetrain station and city centre.

Open all day from 12 noon everyday.

Sky Sports and ESPN

Wishing all our customers a very happy Christmas and New Year!

Great real ales, fine wines and spirits.Food Served: Monday- Friday 11am - 5pm

Saturdays 11am - 3pm Sundays 11am - 3pmEvening meals on request

Roast Dinners Sundays 12-3pmChilled bar rolls made daily only £1.00

Attleborough’s only Good BeerGuide pub 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013Camra Discount Scheme & Local Ale

Parking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing,Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415

The LondonTavernFree House

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46 | WINTER 2012

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It’s been a very busy year for City of Ale organ-isers. City of Ale 2012 began, not in May asusual, but back in January with a Beer Writers’Weekend designed to generate advancepublicity for the main event. Six beer writerswere invited to a reception at the Forum wherethey were welcomed by the Sheriff and a bigparty of publicans, brewers and beer lovers.They were billeted free of charge in varioushotels and guest-houses arranged by VisitNor-wich. 22 pubs in total were visited over theweekend, some on foot and some courtesy ofthe City of Ale bus kindly provided by EasternTransport Collection. All in all, a very positivepicture of a thriving city of ale was conveyedand a number of blogs and articles ensued.

“Norwich is a city of superlatives” Jeff Evans,Inside Beer

“Thanks, City of Ale, for the chance to be soinspired” Susannah Forbes, Drink Britain

“Well done Norwich. City of Ale preview wasbrilliant.” Tim Hampson, British Guild of Beer-writers

“Norwich takes Real Ale Capital title” Darren Norbury, Beer Today

City of Ale 2012 ran for ten days from May 31st- June 10th; it was put back a week from theprevious year in order to take advantage of thedouble Jubilee bank holiday weekend. 35 brew-eries - the same number as last year and 45pubs, a 45% increase on last year, took part.

There were 240 beers on offer. 192 eventswere held, also up on last year, and including anumber of heritage events such as guided

walks and talks. There was a multimedia displayof Norwich's fabulous brewing and pub heritagerunning daily on the big screen in the Fusiongallery at the Forum and the popular Brewers’

Market returned to Millennium Plain featuring adozen or so stalls with local ales to try and buy.20,000 programmes were distributed free ofcharge, among the pubs and all round the city.

St Gregory's church provided the hub for theevent; with the bar stillage kindly provided byCAMRA, stocked with local ales donated by allthe breweries and staffed by volunteers, ithosted the launch and closing parties with otherevents such as the political debate and pub quizattracting a large audience.

Norwich City of Ale is a not-for-profit organisa-tion with the mission to promote Norwich,nationally and internationally, as the UK City ofAle and in that respect it is becoming increasinglysuccessful. City of Ale 2012 achieved over 90 arti-cles in local and national press, including four frontpages in the Norwich Evening News and featuresin two of CAMRA's influential publications.

City of Ale featured in CAMRA's 101 Beer DaysOut edited by Tim Hampson who came on theBeer Writers' weekend and also took part in thepolitical debate. The Good Beer Guide 2013 alsoran a section on Norwich ‘City of Ale’ with a citycentre pub crawl featuring six City of Ale pubsand stating that “The ‘City of Ale’ has a finechoice of places to drink”, praise indeed.

Here's hoping that City of Ale 2013 will beeven bigger and better. We’re “going green in2013” with a new bottle green logo celebratingall that is good and wholesome about local pubsserving local beers made from local ingredients.Those dates for your diary: 23 May - 2 June 2013.

Publicans and brewers who wish to find outmore can email [email protected]

Cheers!

Dawn Leeder & Phil Cutter, City of Ale Co-Chairs

City of Ale Update

WINTER 2012 | 47

NORFOLK NIPS | City of Ale

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48 | WINTER 2012

Alby Aldb Attle Binh Bro Can Catf Cley Clen Clip Cro Cro Dray Dow Dow Ears Filby Gel Gel Gor Gor Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Hea Het Hic Hilb Hol Hop Ken King Lod Lud New Nor Nor

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Alby, Horseshoes Aldborough, Black Boys Attleborough, London Tavern Binham, Chequers Broome, Artichoke Cantley, Reedcutter Catfield, Crown Cley, George & DragonClenchwarton, VictoryClippesby, Muskett Arms Cromer, Cottage Cromer, Red Lion Drayton, Bob Carter Leisure Centre Downham Market, Railway Downham Market , White HartEarsham, Queens Head Filby, Kings Head Geldeston, Ferry Inn Geldeston, Locks Inn Gorleston, Dock Tavern Gorleston, Mariners Compass Great Yarmouth, Barking Smack Great Yarmouth, Mariners Great Yarmouth, Red Herring Great Yarmouth, St Johns Head Great Massingham, Dabbling DuckHeacham, Fox & HoundsHethersett, Kings HeadHickling, Pleasure Boat Hilborough, Swan Holt, Railway Tavern Hopton, White Hart Kenninghall, Red Lion Kings Lynn, Live and Let LiveLoddon, Swan Inn Ludham, Dog Newton by Castle Acre, George & DragonNorth Elmham, Railway North Walsham, Orchard Gardens

Norwich, Beehive (Leopold Road)Norwich, Bell Hotel Norwich, Champion Norwich, Cottage (Silver Road)Norwich, Duke of Wellington Norwich, Fat Cat Norwich, Fat Cat & Canary Norwich, Fat Cat Tap Norwich, Jubilee Norwich, Ketts Tavern Norwich, Kings Head Norwich, Lord Rosebery Norwich, Murderers Norwich, Red Lion Norwich, Reindeer Norwich, Ribs of Beef Norwich, Rose Norwich, Take 5 Norwich, Trafford Arms Norwich, Vine Norwich, Wig and Pen Norwich, York Tavern Reedham, Ferry Reedham, Lord Nelson Reedham, Ship Reepham, Kings Arms Rockland St Mary, New Inn Sheringham, Lobster Sheringham, Windham Arms Surlingham, Ferry House Swardeston, Lakenham/Hewitt Rugby Club Tacolneston, Pelican Thurlton, Queens Head Watton, Willow HouseWest Acre, StagWiveton, Bell Wroxham, Brewery Tap Wymondham, Cross Keys Wymondham, Green Dragon

UpdateNorwich & Norfolk Branch LocAle Pubs - Pubs in bold are new since the list was last published in theAutumn 2011 issue of NIPS.

NORFOLK NIPS | LocAle Update

WINTER 2012 | 49

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50 | WINTER 2012

Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant5 Real Ales • Great Food

Open Log FiresBoxing Day

Kemps Men Morris DancersFrom 12 noon

Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY01263 733534

www.banninghamcrown.co.uk

THE BANNINGHAMCROWN FREE HOUSE

We are in it!

THE ANGEL INNFREEHOUSE

NORFOLK CAMRA PUB OFTHE YEAR 2010!

Open all day every day

Excellent home cooked meals available from our award

winning kitchen

Large Beer Garden with play area

En-suite accommodation

Camping and Caravanning availableLarling, Norfolk, NR16 2QU (17th Century former coaching inn)

Tel: 01953 717963www.angel-larling.co.uk

OPEN 12 TO 11PM SUN TO FRI10.30AM - 11PMSAT

CAMRA NORWICH CITY PUB OF THEYEAR 2011

UP TO 10 CASK ALES PLUS TRADITIONAL CIDERS AND PERRIES

BELGIAN BEERS • BAR BILLIARDS • SATURDAY BRUNCH 10.30 - 2.30SUNDAY ROASTS 12-3 • HOT SNACKS AVAILABLE ALL DAY EVERY DAY

LIVE MUSIC every Friday & SundayJAZZ JAM SESSION every Monday

TAPAS NIGHT first Thursday of the MonthQUIZ NIGHT last Thursday of the Month

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Last Orders at the Walnut Tree ShadesJude GudginPublished by Jude GudginISBN 978-0-9570806-0-7

Ever fancied running a pub? Standing behindthe polished bar, admiring the inglenook fire-place and the overhead beams, with welcominglocals who appreciate your ready wit and buy(and pay for) enough beer and food to keep youin the manner to which you would like to beaccustomed?

Hmmm, better read this first. This is the reality,warts and all, the highs and the lows, the goodtimes and the not so good.

For 25 years, Chris and Jude Gudgin (aka theGrumpy Old Git behind the bar and the SkinnyBird in the Restaurant) ran the Walnut TreeShades.

It’s all here, the staff, the chefs, the customers,the Breweries/Pubcos, the music, furry “friends”,the law, the Hazel Grove Womens Guild…

It’s a great read, told in Jude’s own words inher own inimitable style – this is the skinny birdspeaking , no ghost writer here.

There are some cracking stories - If youfrequented the pub during their time there, younever know – you might be in it! There is onlyone way to find out!

Last Orders at the WalnutTree Shades by Jude Gudgin

WINTER 2012 | 51

NORFOLK NIPS | Book Review

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52 | WINTER 2012

The pub with no bar, ales direct from cask.

Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events.

Tongue twizzling food, and great value.Huge garden and children’s play area.

Shooting parties, lunch & dinnermenus available

Victory Barn Function Roomfor Weddings and Parties

Come & visit Nelson’s local.Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN

01328 738241

Come and visit this converted Victorian schoolwhere you will be transported into an eclecticworld with a touch of the Scottish highlands.

Enjoy a a drink from our selection of Real Ales,local ciders or two premium lagers.

~Wood-fired oven baked pizzas and other tasty local dishes available

~Farm shop and antiques gallery

~Accommodation available

Quality rooms and award winning breakfasts provide arestful night’s stay.

www.bed-and-breakfast-west-norfolk.co.uk/contact_chalk_cheese.asp

Telephone Andrew on 01366 348039 for reservations and more details

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54 | WINTER 2012

THE GREYHOUNDAn old Fashioned, traditional country pub.

Serving a selection of Real Ales and Fine food.Children’s play area and large car park.

A warm welcome from Rob and Fawnda to...

• THE STREET, TIBENHAM NR16 1PZ •

Tel: 01379 677676smithrjsmith@btinternetcom

Camping space &Electric hook ups forCaravans available

Dog FriendlyFor up and coming events

see or websitethe-greyhound tibenham.co.uk

OPENING TIMESMon: 12 - 3pm and 6.30pm - midnight

Tues: 6.30 - midnight.Weds and Thurs: 12 - 3pm and 6.30pm - midnight.

Friday: 12 - 3pm and 6.00pm - midnight.Sat and Sun: 12 midday -12 midnight.

Carvery lunch Sunday afternoon 1pm - 3pm.Booking advisable 01379 677676.

Angel Gardens Free House

This independently run freehouse has been under theownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on

the north of the city near to Waterloo Park.

Homecooked and speciality meals Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef with

years of experience.

Up to SEVEN reasonably priced RealAles including THREE guest ales

Monthly Quiz & Darts • Live Music on Saturdays

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

01603 427490email: [email protected]

www.norwichinns.com

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56 | WINTER 2012

According to organiser John Harvey’s masterplan we were supposed to leave the YaxleyCherry Tree at 11.30 hours precisely. The bestlaid plans and all that. At 11.30 the coach waspresent and all prospective drinkers....bar two.Frantic phone calls followed to no avail untilfinally two rather red faced and somewhat flus-tered figures hove into view. ‘We could havesworn it was only half an hour across thosefields’. Generalissimo Harvey certainly couldhave sworn but welcomed the sheepish pairaboard through a death’s head grin. Tripdeparts: 11.45 sharp.

From then on all went like clockwork as theplanning slotted into place. All credit to theGeneralissimo who had put much time intomaking it so and bore the yoke of being respon-sible for 16 drunks - sorry,’ tasters’ – nobly allday.

First stop was the Rumbrugh ‘Buck’ where wereceived a warm welcome from landlord Garywas rightly proud of his historic pub servingWoodforde’s Nelson’s Revenge, Wolf GoldenJackal and Bristol Acer. Conversation and beerflowed freely over a splendid buffet lunch servedcourtesy of Leonardo; a much appreciatedgesture indeed. All too quickly we had to returnto the coach casting wistful glances over ourshoulder at the Buck. Mutters of ‘could‘vesettled in there for the day’ bore testimony tothis lovely pub and the warm welcome wereceived there. The tireless Generalissimochecked us on board. Indeed it was remarkablehow his counting ability remained unimpaired asthe tasting gathered pace throughout the day.

Then on to St Peter’s Brewery. Eager to see ifthe brew lived up to its brewery’s heavenlynamesake we tumbled into the first door from

West Norfolk Trip | NORFOLK NIPS

Mid Anglia Beer Tasting Tour

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the coach, only to tumble out again as we hadfound ourselves packed in the small receptionarea like sardines. The Generalissimo againbrought order to chaos by paying our entry feesfrom his brown envelope and our eager bandentered the brewery proper. Our host had a drysense of humour and gave our attentive groupan interesting tour. The export market for StPeter’s beer was truly amazing. Customersaround the globe for St Peter’s bottled ale with aparticularly strong market in Mr Putin’s Russia.British manufacturing may be struggling but wecan still show the world how to drink fine ale!After the tour we were introduced to the rangeof St Peter’s bottled beers. 90% of the brewery’sproduction is bottled through a state of the artItalian bottling machine. A huge variety waspoured for us to be sipped in frustratingly smallsampling glasses. Ruby, Honey, Organic andGolden to mention but a few. All were distinc-tive, quality products and our little group wererarely unanimous in their verdicts. No uniformblandness here: these ales had flavour aplenty.

The Generalissimo’s watch was ticking so onceagain we tumbled back onto the coach wakingour tolerant and pleasant driver who had beendozing in the sunshine. A lovely chap. There’snothing worse than a grumpy coach driver butour man simply could not be faulted. Thepatience of job is a phrase that springs to mind.

After mixed advice on directions from 16enthusiastic ‘tasters’ we arrived at our next desti-nation, the Broom ‘Artichoke’ by some miracle.A large range of beers was on sale at this excel-lent venue. The motorcyclists among us settledonto ‘Easy Rider’ a golden brew which was easyon the palate but between us our happy bandsampled virtually all that was on offer fromsession beers to the fruity ‘Blackberry Porter’.The Generalissimo gently reminded us that theschedule wouldn’t allow another six rounds oftasting so once again after packing all 16 of us inthe gents simultaneously we boarded our coach,the stairs of which somehow seemed harder tonegotiate each time...

And so to the Green Dragon, our final callbefore an (extremely) merry return to the CherryTree in Yaxley. The Green Dragon brew pub gave a warm

welcome but our already somewhat hazy mindswere further confused by been shown round theGreen Dragon brewery by the head brewer ofGreen Jack. We got the ‘Green’ bit but muchscratching of heads ensued from coming toterms with Jacks and Dragons. Eventually ouraddled intelligences worked out that the GreenDragon was run by Rob but he had entrusted hisgood friend and former colleague Tim Dunfordfrom the Green Jack brewery to show us around.After the tour a sampling of the produce – thistime in pint glasses from the bar: and splendid itwas too.

The Generalissimo mustered his - rather ragbagby this time – troops who once again attemptedto enter the Guinness book of records fornumber of people in a urinal at any one timebefore falling up the steps of the coach. Farewellto our driver and many profuse thanks to Gener-alissimo John Harvey saw us enter the YaxleyCherry Tree for one (or two) to round off asplendid day. A wonderful time was had by all. A branch trip to remember!

WINTER 2012 | 57

NORFOLK NIPS |

Norfolk CiderPub of the YearWith the surge of interest in cider productionand consumption in our county the Norfolkbranches of CAMRA are holding a Norfolk CiderPub of the Year competition next year and youcan help us with this search.

If you know of a Norfolk pub that sells goodquality real cider enthusiastically throughout theyear please nominate it either by completingthe online form (www.camra.org.uk/ciderpo-tynominationform) or by contacting AndreaBriers on [email protected] or calling01553 766904. The closing date for nomina-tions is 20th January 2013.

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The Plasterers, Cowgate,Norwich: 10% off all real ales (availableto all customers on Mondays)

The Red Lion, Drayton: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint real ale

London Tavern, Attleborough: 10% off all real ales

Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: 30p off a pint of Buffy’s (see wicklewoodcherrytree.co.uk/what.php)

If your pub or business offers a discount to CAMRA,but isn’t on this list, please [email protected] and let us knowthe details (including any restrictions)!

Please note: We believe this is correct at the time ofgoing to press, however pubs may withdraw orchange offers at any time!

WINTER 2012 | 59

NORFOLK NIPS | Discount Scheme

Earle ArmsHeydon

Traditional Norfolkfreehouse and restaurant

Three Real Ales always available

Good Food • Real Fires

01263 587376

Satnav: NR11 6AD(Just off B1149 Holt -

Norwich Rd)New Inn Hill, Rockland St Mary Tel: 01508 538403

Freshly-cooked foodA range of ales • Beer Garden

Situated beside Rockland St Mary staithe, The New Innis a traditional country pub offering a warm welcomein a relaxed and informal setting.

Our food is freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients and cooked to order. We have a large selection of ‘All-time favourites’, plus a variety of Chef’s Specials. Our Sunday Menu is very popular.

Cask Marque accredited, we always have 3 or 4real ales on offer.

Families, children,dogs and walkingclubs all welcome.

Visit www.newinnrockland.co.uk or our page to keep up to date

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60 | WINTER 2012

EATON COTTAGE UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048

Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits

All Sky Sports • A traditional pub

Good covered outside areas

Doggies welcome

“A festival of beers every day”

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The evening of 28th August1912 was a disastrous one forNorwich. Torrential rainresulted in devastating floodswhich swamped the streets ofCoslany and Heigham. TheCity was cut off as the fastflowing waters, up to 4 feetin places, destroyed bridgesand flooded roads andrailway lines.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. In this case itwas George Brodie, a 48 year old fish porter, wholived in Sawmills Yard, off Oak Street. For four hours,he carried women and children from their floodedhomes to higher ground, from where they could betransported to safety. His wife Annie begged him tostop and rest, but he said that there still more chil-dren to be got out.

Sadly, he seemed to lose his footing in the dark-ness, and was swept away by the current, witnessedby fellow rescuer Herbert Nelson, who was unableto come to his aid.His body was found in the morning. It was

thought that he had suffered a heart or asthmaattack.

James Owens, a Stonemason of Heigham Road,carved a small memorial to honour this selfless actof heroism. A full size statue was to be commis-sioned, but sadly there were no funds available. Itwas a regular at The White Lion in Oak Street whomentioned this to the Landlord Ben Ackers. Hesuggested to the Milton Brewery, who own the pub,that a commemorative ale might be in order.

They agreed, and you can now raise a glass toGeorge Brodie at the pub by drinking a pint ofNorwich Hero, a 3.8% ale. The pump clip designfeatures the small memorial statue by James Owens,taken from a photo, as the original has been lost.It is hoped that a Blue Plaque in memory of

George Brodie may be erected in Oak Street.

Beer fit for aNorwich Hero

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We Don’t Have a Big Screen TV, Food Or a Juke BoxWe do have 17 handpumps, with Real Ale from far and wide,

2 Real Ciders and 2 Real Ales From gravity, a large car park, large beergarden With heated smoking shelter, darts, pool, quizzes And crib.

We now serve morning coffee from 11am, children are welcome.

The Royal Oak lies at the heart of the community and new customers are always welcome. Come along and get a real

welcome from a real pub selling real ale!!!!!! Nick, Delia And The Team would love to see you soon.

EASTER BEER FESTIVALFriday 29th March to Tuesday

2nd April 2013Music all weekend

with Tosh and Friends

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

14 years in the Good Beer Guide!

44 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7JT

www.poringlandroyaloak.co.ukTel: 01508 493734

Award Winning Real Ale Pub

A dream of a pub situated in the village of Poringland on the B1332 road to Bungay.

The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside.

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Norfolk Nips and Cask Force issue 163

Documents

Transcript of Norfolk Nips and Cask Force issue 163