E F RE No.175
Winter 2015/16
Chester Walkabout
Boudicca Rises
Norwich Beer Fest 2015
Join Stig in his travels up North
Iceni inuence from new Norfolk brewery
Report and photos, did we snap you there?
Also Inside: Pub News Join CAMRA LocAle Pubs United States trip
Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale
Norfolk Nips | Barman
In this issue: World of Wetherspoon
All not well in the world of Wetherspoon? Wetherspoons are rarely out of the news. As they spread across the country into smaller and smaller towns, it seems like everyone has an opinion, with the latest scheme to come under the microscope being the conversion of the White Hart in Downham to a Wetherspoons outlet. Yet all is not well in the world of Wetherspoon. The latest results for the group show a 25% fall in profit over the last year to 26th July, with then group only making £58.7 million despite a rise in like for like sales of 3.3%. Outspoken founder, Tim Martin knows exactly where the blame lies. First there is the disparity in price between the supermarket prices and those in pubs. One particular gripe is the way VAT is levied, with most of supermarket food being exempt, but food eaten in a pub attracting VAT at a rate of 20%, a situation which it is claimed allows supermarkets to subsidise alcohol sales. I can
see his point, and indeed some countries have a lower VAT rate on food purchased in bars and restaurants in order to help to encourage small businesses, which therefore will increase employment and cut the welfare budget.
3-5
Local Brewery Scoops Awards
5
Stig’s Words
6
The Ed’lines
7
Pub and Brewery News
8-10
Your Membership Details
10
West Norfolk POTY Shortlist
12
Boudicca Brewing Co.
15
Craft Beer Pubs - How Much?
17
Exploring Chester
19-21
Summer Days
23
Exploring Nelson’s County 25-27 Cider Competition Resuts
29
However there is a certain logic to the present system in that everyone has to eat, and therefore VAT is not charged on an essential item such as food. On the other hand, everyone does not have to eat out and steak night down the Lattice House could be considered a luxury, for which there is little reason to exempt from VAT.
38th Norwich Beer Festival 30-35
A couple of years ago Brandon Lewis, then Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government spoke to the CAMRA AGM and categorically stated that any reduction in VAT for pubs was not going to
Join CAMRA
54
Beer Festival Diary
56
Whiteboard
37
Win the Good Beer Guide 2016 41 LocAle
45
Whatpub.com
49
CAMRA Discounts
51
CAMRA Beer Festivals
51
CAMRA News
52-53
Christmas on the Death Star 55-56 Last Orders
59
CAMRA Branch Calendar
61
Contact Details
62
Continued Overleaf Winter 2015 | 3
Norfolk Nips | Barman - continued happen. Still, things have changed and we can all wonder what Jeremy will do if he goes on from being the Labour party leader to a position of real power. The second gripe Tim Martin expressed was the chancellors plan to increase the minimum wage. Many of his staff are on a zero hours contract paying around the legal minimum and it is the view of a landlord friend of mine that they earn every penny of their pay. There are few bar stools in Wetherspoon pubs to discourage the punters chatting to the staff, hopefully giving them time to scoot around and clear tables between serving the customers. Tim claims that it costs the average pub about
85p in wages to serve a pint compared with about 10p in a supermarket. Inevitably under his logic, a rise in the minimum wage will result in higher overheads and possible pub closures, predominantly in the poorer areas of the country. I feel ambivalent about this. Some employees like the flexibility of the zero hours contracts and one of the staff down at the local Wetherspoons was telling me how she can earn more than her salaried boss by putting in long hours. However many people earning low wages have their income topped up by benefits of various kinds and it seems to me that it is wrong that staff should be so low paid that they
have to be subsidised by the state, whilst the companies who employ them bank millions of pounds of profit. It is strange that when benefits are paid to individuals, some elements of the media are keen to portray the recipients as scroungers, whilst if the benefits are supporting company profits by making it possible to employ people at a non-living wage, silence reigns. This article first appeared in the Lynn News and in the intervening time Wetherspoons have announced that they are to sell 34 pubs, including the Lattice House in Kings Lynn.
bar.man@btinternet.com
Local Brewery scoop two Regional Awards Local brewer Grain from Alburgh, near Harleston in south Norfolk have won two very prestigious awards in the 2015 CAMRA ‘Champion Beer of East Anglia’ competition. Grain Porter won gold in the Porters category and Grain India Pale Ale (IPA) won gold in the Strong Bitters category. Warren Wordsworth, Grain Brewery Liaison Officer, presented the awards to co-owners, Phil Halls and Geoff Wright at The Cottage pub in Norwich on Thursday 19th November at a presentation with several local CAMRA members present. Winter 2015 | 5
Stig’s Words It’s that time of year again! What can I say that isn’t a repeat of last year’s missive? Tough question. One thing I will repeat with no apology is use your pub in January and February and hopefully it will still be there in the summer, you know it makes sense! This year has seen some pretty nasty stuff going on in the wider world, so I’m going to give Christmas a rest this year, except to say the Christmas you get what you deserve (hmm heard that somewhere before). In this issue you will, at least I hope you will, read about the famous Norwich beer festival in all its glory, thanks to the Norwich branch for their hospitality, it was excellent as always. Now to some West Norfolk goings on, elsewhere in this issue you will see the four pubs
short listed for our Pub of the Year if you wish to judge them (you must be a member of CAMRA in the W. Norfolk area listings) follow the instructions in Jeff’s announcement. All four are great candidates, and only fractionally lower beer scores eliminated other excellent nominations. We often have publicans ask us “how can I get in the Good Beer Guide? We would like to meet new publicans keen to get to know us, so if you feel you are doing good things for real ale and would like to meet your local branch contact us and invite us over for a branch meeting. We have a small number of active members who cannot be everywhere so bring yourselves to our attention. If anyone would like to join us for our Christmas tour of Norwich the details are on the Whiteboard, page 37 of this issue. We’ve tried to provide some varied and interesting reading on the subject of beer and pubs so I hope you enjoy our contributors efforts, and may I add my thanks to all who have contributed their time and effort to this magazine and Norfolk CAMRA events and campaigning generally. Finally peace and joy be upon you in the New Year, see you out there! Stig (If you are affected or have any opinions on the issues raised in this magazine please let us know, feedback makes it all worthwhile)
6 | Winter 2015
Norfolk Nips | From the Editors
The Ed’lines Well another Norwich Beer Festival has come and gone with nearly 20,000 customers enjoying the many beers and ciders on offer. Even though I was a Nips Editor this year I was as usual in my red overalls as part of the hardworking cellar team. I say hard-working as we had to taste all the beers to make sure they were perfect. We did increase the amount of golden beers this year and yet again they were very popular. They are just the correct beers to offer the new drinkers when they want to try real ale for the first time. Unusually at our Beer Festival we ask our customers to choose their beers and ciders of the festival and a list of winners are inside. Congratulations to Beeston’s Worth the Wait which won Gold and the new Brewery Boudicca Spiral Stout which won Bronze. I'm sure you will remember having drank a number of the winning beers and enjoyed voting for them. As I have mentioned before I welcome your comments and Stig and myself will consider these for the next edition. I have been asked why some of the articles are written under non de plumes – well funny names. Some are written by the Editors but I take on board the issue as some contributors would like to remain anonymous and I agree the choice is theirs. However let us know if you think otherwise. We have an article on the Maris Otter 50 celebrations which we hope you will enjoy. We have been considering having interviews with local Publicans and Brewers which we feel will be of interest to our readers in Norfolk and beyond the shire. If you have any suggestions then please contact us. As the festive season approaches I would like to mention the Christmas Crawls on the 18th and 19th December. I hope you can make some of the Pubs as it is a great way to finish the year. I do seem to have a habit of trying to visit all of them but do have difficulty remembering the outcome. Must be my age.
Finally I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Graham Freeman
Subscriptions We have a growing number of postal subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would like to send my thanks for the kind comments and best wishes from those who have renewed their subscriptions recently. If you would like to join them in receiving the next 4 issues by post, send 10 first class stamps or £6.50 cheque payable to West Norfolk CAMRA, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. The magazine is also viewable online at issuu.com
Calling all Nips Distributors! For those that don’t know me,I’ve just taken on the role of Norfolk nips distribution Co-ordinator for the Norwich and Norfolk branch,and I need your help. I need to know who delivers to what pubs/areas,so we can see which pubs are getting their Nips,and which aren’t. All existing distributors and indeed any who would like to help,can you please let me know either via the Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA website,or direct to me at gannaway6@icloud.com. I’ll keep you all updated as to when each issue is ready for collection,and If required I can run copys out to any who can’t make it to the Fat Cat to collect. So please get in touch and I look forward to hearing from you all. Cheers!
Adam Gannaway Winter 2015 | 7
Pub and Brewery News | Norfolk Nips
Pub and Brewery News News from Norwich & Norfolk Great news this quarter having achieved our first Asset of Community Value listing in July, we have since submitted another 35 nominations, and have nearly a dozen more in the pipeline - a big thank you to everyone who has given us the information we needed! Councils have eight weeks to decide whether to accept a nomination, and list the pub as an ACV, or reject it. Of the thirty-five we’ve submitted, we’ve had 17 back, with 14 being listed - click the List Your Local icon on our website for details - and 2 rejected, both in Great Yarmouth. One nomination, for the Berney Arms, was accepted, and added to the list, but the owner appealed on the grounds that there was no ‘community’ which the pub could serve as an asset to. Broadland District Council, who I must commend for their excellent co-operation and assistance with this and other ACVs, took legal advice, and unfortunately decided that the wording of the ACV rules meant that there must be a ‘local’ community, and removed the pub from the register of assets. However, all may not be lost, as we understand that the pub is under offer from a potential buyer 8 | Winter 2015
who wishes to run it as a pub let’s hope so!
In the county, the Salhouse Bell closed for a refurb September, and re-opened with new landlords in October. Three good ales, including Timothy Taylor’s Golden Best, were on sale when I visited with a stock of Norfolk NIPS recently.
Some interesting developments in Norwich, with Brewdog confirming that they have (as I guessed in the summer!) taken on the old Gundry White’s, Queen St, which may be better known to those of you born after 1960’s as the Hogshead, Indigo, Knowhere or most recently Hideout. No opening dates yet, but it can’t be far off, and it will be good to see that lovely interior as a pub again!
The Ship, South Walsham, is believed to be for sale by the Colchester family, who also own the Black Boys, Aylsham, and the Recruiting Sergeant, Horstead.
Two pubs which have been closed for a while have been bought, we understand, by well-known local businessmen, with Number 12, Farmer’s Ave now to let, as Richard Elkin, the previous lessee, has purchased the freehold of Kings in King St, while Colin Keatley of Fat Cat fame has acquired the Perseverance, in Adelaide Rd
Just to show that miracles can happen, it seems that the Suffield Arms at Thorpe Market, which was closed seven or eight years ago, and converted to residential use, has been bought by Ivor Braka and Sarah Graham, the owners of the nearby Gunton Arms, and will be totally gutted, refurbished and re-opened as a pub in 2017!
The Pig & Whistle, Westlegate, is to let, while the King Edward VII, Aylsham Rd, and the Mitre, Unthank Rd, are both for sale, and the Woolpack Yard closed for a refurb in September
And lastly, some good news from Martham, where the Parish Council nominated both of their pubs as Assets of Community Value over a year ago - I hear that Adnams have sold the King’s Arms, and it is, according to my correspondent ‘becoming a busy pub once again’, with four or five real ales regularly available!
On the plus side, the Maid Marian, on Ipswich Road, has been renamed the Oak Tree, and will be re-opening soon after a refurbishment, and with, we understand, a revamped menu and range of real ales.
News from the West It’s a bit odd being a writer. You work on an article for
Norfolk Nips | Pub and Brewery News hours, composing, deleting, revising until the time comes to press the send button and it disappears into the ether like a chick leaving the nest. From this point you have little idea if anyone likes it, hates it or even reads it, so it is always interesting to have some feedback, so imagine my excitement when a real letter arrived for me to pass on the editor. It was short and to the point with no preliminaries such as ’Dear Sir’ or a return address. Just two points about issue 174. A) There is not an address to which letters may be sent. Not everyone uses the Tools of Satan (ToS) for correspondence. B) Pg 62 – The Berney Arms is not the only pub without road access. There are two on the Thames where deliveries have been made by boat. Get your facts right. Thanks to Simon and Jude for their invaluable comments and in future I for one will try to make it clear that when I am writing in Norfolk Nips, I am not writing about the River Thames. A more surprising communication came from Ron asking if I had heard the rumours that the Lattice House, the Wetherspoon’s pub in Kings Lynn, was up for sale. My immediate reaction was one of disbelief, but a bit of research with the Tools of Satan (I am becoming quite an accomplished ToSer), revealed that the Lattice House is on the list of 34 pubs placed on the market by Wetherspoon’s.
According to CoStar commercial property specialists, the 34 are in strong town and city locations and have an average turnover of £22,000 per week, with over a third of that coming from food. It is expected that they will continue as pubs and that there will be strong interest from existing operators and new entrants. Facing a much more uncertain future are some of the closed pubs around the area. The Wenns Hotel, by Lynn’s Saturday Market, remains empty as I write, though I have heard that work of an unspecified nature is due to start soon. By the bus station, the Lord Kelvin remains closed and drifts towards dereliction. Surely a pub placed at a major (for West Norfolk) transport hub should present a real opportunity? Meanwhile, out in West Winch, the Winch cowers behind its metal curtains. There have long been rumours that the pub was to be sacrificed as part of a housing development, and although the ‘To Let’ sign is still posted outside, my eyebrows may be slightly raised if it ever opens again. I was so worried about its future, especially as it is the only pub in a large and expanding village, that I applied for an Asset of Community Value listing for it, but after a long and drawn out process my application was refused as I could not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the assessors that the pub played a role in the community. The
news that the Rampant Horse at Gayton has followed the Albert Victor in Castle Acre as having been refused planning permission for residential development, but having this overturned on appeal gives me déjà vu again. Better news for the Wash and Tope, up in Hunstanton which is now owned by the Lifeboat Pub Company who run the Two Lifeboats in Sheringham, which is to undergo a major refurbishment. Closing towards the end of September, it should be open about a month before Christmas in its new guise as a family venue offering quality dining. We have been impressed by our visits to a couple of other pubs which have had changes in recent times. The Marshland Arms out on the Smeeth is bright and contemporary and when we called to deliver Nips on a cold and wet midweek evening, the place was buzzing with customers of all ages. There was not a great range of beer, but the food was interesting and good value so this could be a place to watch. Out at Bawsey, the Sandboy seems to have put the uncertainty of recent years behind it and is once again on the up. There were a couple of good beers and a cider on hand pump when we called and, again we had a very pleasant visit.
Continued Overleaf Winter 2015 | 9
Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips John, another of our distributors, was in touch to praise the Gin Trap at Ringstead, which had five beers on offer when he called. With Wherry at £3.30 it is one of the cheaper of the smart North Norfolk pubs and we are heading up there for a meeting after Christmas to see for ourselves. John was also impressed by the Bedingfeld Arms, down in Oxborough which has come from being a closed pub in 2012 to achieving Finalist Status in EDP Norfolk Food & Drink Awards in Front of House category. The proprietor, Catkin Parker is related to the Wells family, so there is a good chance of seeing their beers if you call. At the moment work is taking place on an extension which
will see a private function room open in the New Year. It is good to see that the
Bushel and Strike up in Heacham has a new landlady. Ros has lived in the village for a few years local and is keen on real ale, having in the past run a pub near Cambridge. The plan is to keep IPA and have a couple of guest beers. Further round the coast, Jolly Sailors, at Brancaster Staithe, was awarded the title of UK Best Family Pub 2015 in the Great British Pub Awards run by The Publican’s Morning Advertiser, whilst the Rose and Crown in Snettisham is listed as one of the top ten pubs in
the country in the Good Pub Guide. Pretty much all the local breweries will be producing a seasonal beer for Christmas. My favourite so far is ‘Winter Cock’, brewed especially for the Cock at Wiggenhall St Mary Magdelen by...I’m not allowed to tell you. Go and try it for yourself and see if you can work it out. So, with great beers and great pubs out there, what are you waiting for? Just remember that the pub is not just for Christmas. I am sure your new puppy would like a walk out on a January evening to watch you drink a pint or two. Jeff
Getting your membership contact details up to date In the Norwich & Norfolk Branch we are now EMailing as many members as possible a circular each month informing you of all Branch activities and any other important notices. At present we have around 3,200 members but only E-Mail addresses for about two thirds of you. With so many members it is impossible to post up to date details of Branch activities and occasionally dates or times of activities change at short notice. So to get the up to date information it is important that we have as many of your E-mail addresses as possible. Up dating your contact details via the CAMRA HQ website is easy. All you need do is go to
10 | Winter 2015
CAMRA HQ website on http://www.camra.org.uk and then login by inserting your membership number in the user name box and your postcode in the password box. Once in, click onto ‘My Membership’ then you can see if all your contact details are up-todate including whether your E-Mail address is missing. If anything is out of date such as no EMail address then go to ‘edit my membership information’ and insert any changes that are necessary. By doing this simple operation you will then receive your monthly letter from the Branch informing you of all our activities and contact details of how to participate in any of them.
West Norfolk CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016 Shortlist
The Harte Old Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BS Tel: 01603 742755
The shortlist for our Branch Pub of the Year has been announced. We had nine nominations and the scores on the NBSS beer scoring system were used to choose the four finalists. (http://whatpub.com/) The results are below.
Name Kings Arms Victory Angel Queen Victoria
Location
Average Score
Shouldham Clenchwarton Larling Snettisham
3.87 3.73 3.65 3.64
Coach and Horses Dersingham Chequers Wimbotsham Jolly Sailors Brancaster Peddars Sporle Willow House Watton
3.59 3.54 3.38 3.13 2.67
FREE
ACCESS
Privately owned freehouse and restaurant with a wide selection of real ales, lagers and ciders. Freshly cooked locally sourced food. Child friendly, large beer garden, pool table, easy access from A47, ample parking and on 23A bus route from the city centre. Visit www.thehartenorwich.co.uk to check out the menu and opening times
Therefore the short list is comprised of the Kings Arms, the Victory, the Angel and the Queen Victoria. Any West Norfolk CAMRA Member can take part in the judging. All you have to do is to complete a survey form for each of the four pubs and return them to me at or before our Branch meeting in February. We have a new form this year which can be downloaded from the national CAMRA website, or I can send you a copy. We are also looking for nominations for the branch Cider Pub of the Year. Let me know your selection at or before our next meeting on December 8th which will be at the Peddars in Sporle. News views, questions as always to jeffhoyle@btinternet.com
“The Country Pub On The Edge of Town� Bacton Road, North Walsham NR28 0RA FREE
ACCESS
OPEN ALL DAY FIVE REAL ALES Meals Served
Cheers
Jeff
12noon to 2.30pm and in the evening 6.30 to 9.30pm
Bookings 01692 404800
Norfolk Nips | New Brewery
Iceni Queen Influences New Brewery Venture An iconic part of Norfolk's rich past has proved an inspiration for a new brewing venture in the county. The newly founded Boudicca Brewing Company is taking inspiration from the Celtic culture and artefacts of the Iceni, and their legendary queen. As well as an independent view and a drive to produce really good, distinctive, quality beers, the core parts of the Boudicca Brewing Company’s ethos are sustainability and inclusivity. To that end, the beers are produced from organic ingredients, and vegan. Furthermore, gluten free beers are planned. The Boudicca Brewing Company has been founded by friends Helen and Simon St Ruth and Emma Pinder who are all passionate about real ale, as well as members of the Norwich and Norfolk branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Simon commented “Beer isn't ever going to be everyone's cup of tea, but we are making our beers suitable for as many people as possible”. Head brewer at Boudicca Brewing Company will be Andy Mitchell, a professional and award winning brewer of many years’ experience, and formerly proprietor of Spectrum Brewery in South Norfolk. The decision to produce vegan beers and, therefore, not use isinglass finings, which are made from the swim bladders of fish, was a straightforward one as Andy explains “There's more to it than just the vegan and inclusivity aspects. Isinglass also removes some of the flavour and aroma of a beer. Not using it results in a more flavoursome pint”.
The name Boudicca (pronounced / bu d k /) was chosen in honour of the strong, independent Queen of the Iceni people from the East of England who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in Britain. She led the Iceni to several victories over the Romans before finally being defeated. She was never captured by the Romans, and her fate is unknown. The logo for the Boudicca Brewing Co. features a torc inspired by the golden necklaces which were a sign of status and power in the Celtic world to which Boudicca belonged. Several of these torcs were found as part of the Snettisham hoard discovered in a field in Norfolk. A feature of the torc in the logo is the dragon head design to reflect the long historical link between dragons and Norwich. Not more dragons! The beers will be named after Iceni artefacts and other important items and places in Norfolk’s rich heritage. The first beer to have been brewed is Spiral Stout, named after the common spiral designs found on coins and artefacts from the Iceni period. It's a 4.6% ABV, traditional, full bodied beer with flavours of dark autumnal berries, coffee, dark chocolate and a gentle, lingering dry roast finish with a hint of smoke. Spiral Stout was available at the Norwich Beer Festival and must have been good as the customers voted it Bronze for overall champion beers of the festival. It’s good to have another brewery in Norfolk and I expect it will not be the last.
Winter 2015 | 15
Redherring is a delightful restaurant and wine bar. Situated in the old port area of Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, we are perfectly sited at the mouth of the Broads National Park. We specialise in serving food and wines, 5 real ales, craft lagers, draught Prosecco and specially sourced spirits including over 15 gin varieties. For music lovers we have acoustic music sets friday and saturday evenings FOOD SERVICE TIMES Weds to Sat 12-2:30 and 6:30-9 sun 12-6:30 Tuesday evening 6:30-9 Thai food night
15% OFF
All food purchases with this voucher
Name Email Postcode Terms and Conditions: Coupon does not apply to spend on drinks and cannot be excanged for cash. If you do not wish to receive futher promotions please tick here
Craft beer pubs – How much? Some years ago I penned an article in this magazine about the then new phenomenon of “craft” beers springing up in London. Particularly with reference to the fact that they were keg brews almost exclusively of high gravity and equally high price. The argument to justify this was twofold, firstly that as high gravity beers the alcohol content justified the cost plus the old chestnut that they were “premium” products handcrafted by artisans (whatever that means). I confess at that point I did not foresee the spread of this style being quite so successful outside London with increasing numbers of trendy craft outlets springing up though mostly still in cities. I have been told by drinkers and publicans alike that craft beer is the future of real ale and that there is no conflict for CAMRA members in supporting the “new scene”. First let me say I don’t have a problem with people drinking wherever they wish, but despite attempts to convince me otherwise craft beer is hardly ever real beer. Pasteurised and fizzy, it is not real ale in a bottle! My understanding of CAMRA is that it is first and foremost a consumer organisation dedicated to the promotion of the traditional British real ale style and its consumption in pubs, that is certainly why I remain a member. As I have said freedom of choice in your drinking habits is fine but if you are committed to CAMRA aims then don’t forget that the last
time keg was the “future” for the British pub industry it was the touchpaper that produced CAMRA and the real ale revolution which it has produced. The issue with trendy establishments is that they don’t last (alcopops anyone?) and tend to be high priced as well. Now you may well say that a manufacturer can charge what they like for their product and you would be correct, however the customer doesn’t have to pay it. Now to my main point which is that wherever “premium” craft beers are sold they inevitably sell real ale at a similar elevated price, I recently found myself paying £3.80 for a pint of mild and £4.10 for a porter, these were both fairly run of the mill real ales being sold in a craft beer outlet in East Anglia. The knock on effect is that real ale prices in adjacent pubs tend to go up as well. With many establishments already struggling to attract customers who have access to supermarket beer or Wetherspoon this can’t be a helpful trend. Of course I’m looking at this from the point of view of a consumer, not from that of the industry because CAMRA is a consumer organisation, isn’t it? So think hard about why you joined CAMRA and if you can see any place for pasturised craft products in the future of real ale.Personally I think they are a threat to pub culture as we know and love it, some have called it beer evolution but there are two issues with this, firstly that which is left after evolution is expected to crawl away and die and secondly for beer to evolve it has to be alive in the first place! Stig
Winter 2015 | 17
It’s hard not to grin in Chester I haven’t produced a beer travelogue in ages so here is an account of a recent visit to the ancient city of Chester, a great place for a city break and for a bit if real ale hunting.
Pied Bull
On arrival the b&b was in Hoole Road, a short walk from the Bawn Lodge Hotel housing the Lodge bar home of an ever changing menu of real ales and where bagatelle is played!
Then to Bridge Street and the Brewery Tap, premier outlet for the brilliantly named Spitting Feathers brewery, the tap is an architectural gem. Situated in a restored 17th Century hall built onto the front of a much earlier building it has been sensitively restored and is lit predominantly by candlelight.
The next day started with a visit to the impressive cathedral then lunch at the Pied Bull, which is about as close to the typical British market inn as you could get plus it houses the only micro brewery (also named Pied Bull) within the completely intact city walls hidden in its cellar. Bull themed beers are served including “Matador” and the Excellent “Black Bull”. After an afternoon looking at the amazing black and white two tiered shops called “rows” a term we would be more likely to assign to Yarmouth!
The range of beers (plus a couple of real ciders, Andrea) is extensive backed up by a locally sourced menu. Continued Overleaf Winter 2015 | 19
Chester visit - continued | Norfolk Nips
Above: Brewery Tap, Bridge Street Left: The rows
The ambience is marvellous as the light from the large windows fade and the candles come into their own. My personal favourite SF beer was “Thirst Quencher” but I confess that Roosters Londinium with a great coffee taste was probably my favourite beer of the trip.
the moment it still boasted a good range of real ale at a premium price, the most interesting thing happening that night was salsa lessons in one of the smaller bars. It was packed, particularly with women, but conversely it was the only pub with a bouncer and on one occasion he was needed! Real ales came from the likes of Barngates, Salopian and Pennine.
The next day was spent visiting Speke House near John Lennon Airport, as obviously we hadn’t seen enough black and white buildings yet! Interestingly, evidence suggests that black and white was the favoured colour scheme applied by the Victorians and in fact most timber framed buildings didn’t look like this originally. That evening we visited Telford’s Warehouse, surprisingly a converted warehouse on the canal basin. Very much in the craft beer hip style of 20 | Winter 2015
Two Queens
Norfolk Nips | Chester visit - continued
CROWN FREE HOUSE THE BANNINGHAM
The last day saw return visits to the Pied Bull and brewery tap this was also the day when the Queen outlasted her illustrious forebear Victoria to become the longest reigning British monarch two giant figures of Elizabeth II and Victoria were paraded through the city escorted by Roman soldiers. I spotted them in the morning marching past Café Nero appropriate to say the least! Finally we visited the Cross Keys a traditional tiled late Nineteenth Century city pub with stained glass panels in the windows, an outlet for Joules brewery (the subject of the windows) holders of one of the oldest registered trade marks in history, “Slumbering monk” and “Hair of the dog” were tried.
We are in it!
Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant
5 Real Ales•Great Food•Log Fires BOXING DAY
Kemps Men Morris Dancers 12 noon
Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY
01263 733534
www.banninghamcrown.co.uk
In conclusion every pub visited was distinctive and had its own style; all were worth of your attention. We by no means visited all the promising pubs in Chester and will no doubt return soon.
Winter 2015 | 21
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22 | Winter 2015
Norfolk Nips | Barman up North
Summer Days Back in the golden days of summer we headed north. For once, it was not for football, but instead for the 18th birthday party of the daughter of a former work colleague who now lives near Preston. We travelled up a day early and had time for a few pints with old friends in Chorley. This Lancashire market town was once a centre of cotton production, but these days is probably more famous for Chorley Cakes, flat short crust pastry cakes filled with currents. They are in my opinion far superior to the better known Eccles cakes and when I was young we used to spread butter on them before eating. Just the job for a bit of ballast before a night on the beer, and there are plenty of pubs to choose from in this corner of Lancashire. Our first call was yet another micro pub, a converted shop with room for about four tables and half a dozen hand pumps. These seem to be springing up faster than the weeds in our garden and I look forward to seeing one in West Norfolk. One tip – most of those that I have visited are very loud on account of the hard surfaces and wooden floors. If you are going to open one, include a few soft surfaces to absorb the noise of the conversation. From there it was on to two or three big multi roomed traditional northern pubs with wood panels, glass and tiles. Different styles, but nowhere was the beer over £3 a pint and in some less than £2.50. Saturday dawned and I hopped on the train down to Warrington to watch the Wolves play Leigh Centurions in the Rugby League Challenge Cup. In the past I have been a bit
dismissive of Warrington, but on a bright sunny day strolling through the cultural quarter it looked pretty good. In my time I must have visited well over 200 sporting venues, but I don’t ever remember a cacophony of noise like that which greeted me at the Halliwell-Jones Stadium. Not only was it about the best atmosphere at any sporting event I have ever experienced, but they had cask beer on hand pump. Disappointingly the work of semi fiction that passes for the Virgin train timetable meant I arrived too late to take full advantage. Still, there was always the party. Not quite what I had hoped for on the beer front, though I suppose the 18 year olds had other things on their mind than Tetley Bitter. I did manage to find a few bottles of Staropramen, which tastes especially good when it is a prize for finishing last in the paper airplane competition. The DJ/animator tried to make us oldies welcome and included a quick quiz. With true or false questions you need something seemingly ridiculous that might just be plausible, so I quite liked this one. When the 50p coin was introduced, the treasury added the edges to make it easier to use a wrench to remove it from a Yorkshireman’s hand. Probably false, but you are never quite sure. At least the Yorkshire contingent had their revenge by winning the flappy fish race. I struggled with the dance moves for Oops Upside Your Head and Whigfield’s Saturday Night, but at least I remembered the songs and it gives me time to practise for my next big birthday. I hope I have as good an evening as Kirsty did – but I will be drinking cask beer. A version of this article first appeared in the Lynn News. bar.man@btinternet.com Winter 2015 | 23
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Exploring Nelson’s Own County To celebrate the Norwich and Norfolk Branch 40th Anniversary we decided to have a tour of Pubs that we are unable to easily get to either on a Friday campaigning trip or via public transport. The first stop was The Hunny Bell, Hunsworth.
Hunny Bell, Hunsworth Est 1836 this Pub has considerable character with a welcoming bar with a small snug off to one area. There is a fine dining area and even a barn with wooden beams and exposed brickwork. The beers on offer were Adnams Bitter, Wherry, Greene King Abbot, Scrum Down and Sadlers One Stop Hop. We decided on the latter
and were upset when it hopped off the bar after only one pint. Fortunately the GK Black IPA replaced it and many pints were ordered. The next on the agenda was The Bluebell, Langham. We were surprised this Pub was closed and up for sale. We need to investigate further. As with most CAMRA trips we had a back up plan and that was The Chequers, Binham. This popular 17th Century traditional Pub was the old home of the Front Street Brewery but alas no more. A large fire was quickly surrounded by our party as they sampled the beers on offer. Moongazer Golden, Adnams Bitter, Woodfordes Tap & Go and the new Moongazer Cellerbration at 6.6% was just the warmer we wanted. Into Walsingham next and our party split up to visit the next two pubs. The last time I was in Walsingham was on a pilgrimage from Manchester. Having married a Catholic I was made to come down on the coach. However a few of us spent the time in the pubs as we preferred drinking to praying. We didn’t tell the wives. Back to the present and The Bull Inn. This Continued Overleaf Winter 2015 | 25
Norfolk Nips | Exploring Nelson’s Own County is a quirky and unique Pub frequented by locals, pilgrims, tourists and business people. Lots of religious artefacts on the walls and a welcoming ambiance. We had an appetising meal with the choice of Doombar, Adnams Bitter, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold. Our selection was not difficult with the latter in excellent form.
Blue Boar, Great Ryburgh
The Black Lion, Walsingham The Black Lion has recently been refurbished and re-opened and featured a wood fire burning away in the restaurant area. Wherry and Ghost Ship were in reasonable condition. A local told us King Edward and Henry VIII had stayed there but we didn’t see them.
Last stop was The Blue Boar, Great Ryburgh. A 17th Century listed coaching inn with cosy nooks and crannies welcoming customers since the reign of King Charles II. I hope he paid his bar bill. A large dining area at the rear and mouth watering menus on the boards. Blue Boar Bitter (Winters?) Adnams Bitter, Abbot, and Ghost Ship was complemented by some free chips supplied by the landlord. How kind as we are always a bit peckish. Overall a very interesting outing to pubs I had not visited before. I noted quite a number offered accommodation and the pubs are ideally placed to explore Nelson’s own county.
Graham
Onwards to The Plume of Feathers, South Creake. A village local with a warm friendly atmosphere. There is a large restaurant with home-cooked fresh meals which made us feel hungry. A pity we had just eaten. So the Wherry, St Austells Tribute and Ghost Ship had to do. The Hourglass, Sculthorpe was closed on a Saturday? So The Bell, Hempton was an excellent replacement. A traditional village community pub with views over Hempton Common. Wherry, Doombar, Elmtree Best, Sharps Rise & Tide was an interesting selection which were all tried. Winter 2015 | 27
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Serving a good selection of changing local real ales Also serving home cooked food. Sunday roast 2 courses for ÂŁ9.50. Two main meals for ÂŁ10.00 from our set menu.
- Now Available Christmas Fayre Menu December (Monday and Tuesday lunch times only.)
20th running from 1st New Years Eve d an booking essential e, call in, ring or menu now availabl ils. email for more deta The Street, Catfield, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 5AA
Telephone: 01692 580128 Email: catfieldcrown@hotmail.co.uk
28 | Winter 2015
Rampant Horse country alehouse & restaurant.
Local Ales • Guest Beers Cider Selection Quiz Nights • Real Fire Rampant Horse 2 Chapelfield, Freethorpe NR13 3LY Tel: 01493 700103 www.rampanthorse.net
East Anglia Cider Competition Results The East Anglian Cider Competition was again held at Norwich Beer Festival this year and, although Norfolk producers did not win the top awards in cider or perry, two producers did well in the competition. Burnards Stray Perry came second in the perry category and Whin Hill Browns came third in the cider competition. The full results are:Cider 1st – Hardings, 3 Peace Sweet 2nd – Pickled Pig, New Seasons Porker 3rd – Whin Hill, Browns Perry 1st - Cambridge Cider Co., President’s Perry 2nd – Burnards, Stray Perry Congratulations are due to all the winners as since the competitions inception, when there were only around 10 entries in total, cider production in East Anglia has increased dramatically. This years competition again attracted record entries with 36 ciders and 14 perries.
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2015 Norwich Beer Festival Report
The 38th Norwich Beer Festival, organised by the Norwich & Norfolk Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), was held at St. Andrew's and Blackfriars' Halls from October 26th to 31st 2015.
Over 200 cask-conditioned Real Ales from Britain's independent brewers were on sale, along with draught and bottled beers from Continental Europe. There were also a large range of traditional ciders and perries, with over 40 varieties from East Anglia, the West Country and elsewhere. This year the Branch and Wolf Brewery donated 100% of the Edith Cavell ale to the Cavell nurses trust. We do not have details of the amount involved yet but you will note the photo opposite of Dawn Collins, Deputy Director of Nursing at the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust and Rob Whitmore, Secretary of Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA. The beer was extremely popular and many thanks to Wolf Brewery for their generous contribution. Many thanks to all our volunteer staff who helped through the week and also to our many customers – we hope you enjoyed your time at this year’s festival. We hope to see you again next October! See pictures of the festival overleaf
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Beers of the Norwich Beer Festival 2015 Each year, drinkers at the festival vote for their favourite beers, ciders and perries. The results of this year’s Beer Of The Festival voting are: Overall Beers Of The Festival 1 Beeston Worth The Wait 2 Brass Castle Bad Kitty 3 Boudicca Spiral Stout Category winners: Mild 1 Great Newsome Holderness Dark 2 Nethergate Black Shadow 3 Moonshine Harvest Moon Mild Bitter 1 Jo C’s Norfolk Kiwi 2 Wolf Edith Cavell 3 Lacons Pale Best Bitter 1 Mile Tree Larksong 2 Jo C’s Bitter Old Bustard 3 Felinfoel Double Dragon Strong Bitter/IPA 1 Green Jack Fruit Bat 2 Adnams Broadside Extra 3 Great Heck Black Jesus Stouts and Porters 1 Brass Castle Bad Kitty 2 Boudicca Spiral Stout 3 Elmtree Winter Solstice Speciality 1 Moonshine Raspberry Wheat 2 Felstar In The Pink 3 Waveney Rocky Myrobalan Golden 1 Beeston Worth The Wait 2 Golden Triangle Simcoe City 3 Green Jack Canary Cider Monk & Disorderly Perry Pickled Pig Wills Perry Foreign Huyghe Delirium Tremens Winter 2015 | 31
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Open from Midday Everyday Choose from our bar menu and specials board for some of the best pub food in the area. Top notch Sunday roasts • Ever changing selection of regional real ales to be sampled. Fifty whiskies and much more on offer!
Check out our website and Facebook page for events throughout the year Our Christmas menu is now available, bookings taken from the 23rd November 6 Church Street, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0PH t: 01953 607907 e: info@greendragonnorfolk.co.uk w: www.greendragonnorfolk.co.uk
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ce on line on the d Norfolk NIPS and Cask For Don’t forget that you can rea org.uk website www.norwichcamra. Norwich and Norfolk Branch ge. pa ok d on the Branch facebo Latest info will also be poste @norfolk_nips Force has a Twitter account And Norfolk NIPS and Cask
West Norf olk Grand Chris tmas Craw l
Saturday 19th December, 11:00 – 19:30
This year the route is:
1100 Fat Cat & Canary (Thorpe Road)
1155 Coach & Horses (Thorpe Road)
1240 Jubilee (Saint Leonard’s Road)
1330 Lollards Pit (Rosary Road)
1415 Red Lion (Bishopg ate)
1500 Ketts Tavern/Virtuoso (Ketts Hill)
1545 The Cottage (Silver Road)
1630 The Leopard (Bull Close Road)
1715 The Plastere rs (Cowgate)
1800 King’s Head (Magdalen Street)
Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA Xmas Crawl
Friday 18th December starting 5pm n, Waterloo Rd 17.00 – 17.30 The Duke of Wellingto Angel Rd 17.30 – 18.00 The Angel Gardens, y Rd 18.00 – 18.30 The Rosebury, Rosebur dalen Rd 18.30 – 19.00 The Whalebone, Mag son Rd 19.00 – 19.45 The Fat Cat Tap, Law e Rd 19.45 – 20.15 The Leopard, Bull Clos Rd r 20.15 – 20.45 The Cottage, Silve ce Street 20.45 – 21.30 The Wig & Pen, Pala sum Street 21.30 – 22.00 The Ribs of Beef, Wen Magdalen 22.00 – 22.30 The Kings Head, Street
gate 22.30 – 23.00 The Plasterers, Cow
1845 Mischie f (Fye Bridge Street)
1930 Take 5 (Tombland)
Contact; Tim Spitzer (07950) 823270. Come along with
us for festive fun & ales in the fair city of Norwich,
Next issue of Norfolk Nips and Cask Force Copy to editors by Friday 29th January On the streets by: Thursday 3rd March
We like to travel and see the world and it’s always interesting to see what types of beer are available to try. Very often it’s just a disappointing over-cold tasteless lager type drink, and a few days into our trip to America’s south west I feared that it was the same old story. We were on a coach trip taking in some of the National Parks and understandably there wasn’t a whole lot of choice at the hotels where we stayed. I was starting to think there wasn’t anything to sample other than the wares of Anheuser-Busch or SABMiller. Beer was a part of colonial life in the US but in 1919 the Eighteenth Amendment prohibited all sales of alcohol and virtually all American breweries were forced to close. With the repeal of Prohibition most beer was produced by these enormous international conglomerates and they still retain their dominance in the 21st century. But as Bob says the times they are a changing.
Despite the goliaths of the industry still holding a dominant position the majority of breweries that have opened in the US over the past three decades have been small breweries and brewpubs. In 1977 there were only two craft breweries in the whole of the United States, but by 2012 that number had risen to 2,751. It is reckoned that they now account for about a tenth of the industry’s revenues.
My first decent pint came when we arrived at Deadwood, South Dakota. This little town is probably best known as the place where Wild Bill Hickock came to an untimely end whilst playing poker (quiz freaks will probably be able to tell you the cards he held – now known as the Dead Man’s Hand). There were two likely hostelries in the town and interestingly both claimed to be the site of the original shooting. I had been advised to try the Kentucky beer in Bar Ten so that’s where I headed. It was 5pm on a Tuesday evening and the place
Our tour moved on and few days later we found ourselves in Jackson, Wyoming. You know – it’s the place Johnny Cash went to after ‘getting married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout’! It’s now probably most famous for being home to Harrison Ford. There we were wandering around this lovely town trying to get used to the temperature being a mere 48 degrees F when we turned a corner and there it was. The wonderful Snake River Brewery was about to make my day. Before entering we obeyed the instructions on the sign and left our dogs and firearms
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was heaving – apparently there is a daily reenactment of this infamous event. I found the beer I was looking for and it was excellent. I then sat back and watched the thespian cowboys run through their routine. I didn’t expect it to last quite as long as it did so I had no choice other than to sample another pint, this time from a local Deadwood brewery. Again it went down a treat and was so refreshing after all those Buds.
Norfolk Nips | United States of Beer Fest) and it’s not difficult to see why. The brewery produces a vast range of beers but at any given time there are about a dozen on tap. I tried a few not knowing what to expect - but the beer was excellent and if I had been in the UK I would have been dashing back to my computer to register a high score on the Whatpub website. We also sampled the ‘Eight Dollar Lunch’ and it was worth every cent, complementing the beer perfectly. The micropub served food right through to 11pm, but according to the brewery ‘Wyoming says when it’s 2am you gotta go home’. outside! It turns out that we had stumbled across Wyoming’s oldest brewery (despite it only being founded in 1994). In the twenty odd years of its existence it has managed to twice be named Small Brewery of the Year at the GABF (Great American Beer
My only previous experience of American ales has been at beer festivals. I have to say it was a very pleasant surprise to find such an active beer scene the other side of the Atlantic. There was only one disappointment for me – the wonderfully named Snake River has got no connection whatsoever with snakes, it is so named because of the river’s meandering course. Oh well the beer was good!
Winter 2015 | 39
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l urse n a h o s n i C f o i 2 t h i s Fre ips Trad ast citize r o i n h e o R & c iday y s Meal ÂŁ8.50 a d n r u f S days evenrgsidye main menu) ever(y12 - 4pm) s e u T n) lo (a
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Main Road, Clenchwarton, King’s Lynn PE34 4AQ 40 | Winter 2015
Win a copy of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2016 All you have to do is identify these five famous beers and their breweries from the pump clips, which have been stripped of information. Good luck! Answers to “Clip Comp, 19 Kemps Lane, Hockwold, Thetford by 15 February 2016.
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Maris Otter 50 | Norfolk Nips
Maris Otter 50 A Festival to Rememeber In 2015 Maris Otter celebrated its 50th harvest which is truly exceptional. Maris Otter is a mainly locally grown barley used to produce top quality malt which is the backbone of many real ales. In the last 50 years many other barleys have come and gone but Maris Otter has stood the test of time to be one of the best. So to celebrate 50 new beers were created especially for the Maris Otter 50th Anniversary festival in Norwich. Brewers from 44 different counties of Britain and 6 countries from across the world provided a birthday beer for the event. Participating breweries ranged from Baird Beer in Japan and Cervezas DouGall’s in Spain to St Austell in Cornwall, Otter in Devon, Eden in Cumbria and I remember a beer from New Zealand. There was a stall from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany which was fascinating and explained the reasons why Maris Otter was created. Many speeches were given telling the story of the Maris Otter from the field to the pint. We even had a speech by Roger Protz who mentioned that in the US a brewer had described the Maris Otter being grown in the high plains of North Norfolk. No idea where they are! The Champion Beer was an excellent beer from Woodfordes called Redcracker. I certainly enjoyed it.
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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 & dinner menus available
Victory Barn Function Room for Weddings and Parties Come & visit Nelson’s local. Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN
01328 738241
Winter 2015 | 43
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44 | Winter 2015
Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolk which are part of the CAMRA LocAle scheme. New entries are in Bold.
Horseshoes, Alby Black Boys, Aldborough London Tavern, Attleborough Crown Inn, Banningham Berney Arms, Berney Arms Chequers Inn, Binham Cock Inn, Barford Kings Head, Brooke Artichoke, Broome Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea Reedcutter, Cantley Crown Inn, Catfield George Hotel, Cley-next-the-Sea Three Swallows, Cley-next-the-Sea Victory, Clenchwarton Muskett Arms, Clippesby Red Lion, Coltishall Ugly Bug Inn, Colton Albion, Cromer Cottage, Cromer Red Lion Hotel, Cromer Royal Standard, Dereham Bob Carter Centre, Drayton Railway, Downham Market Royal Standard, East Dereham Queens Head, Emneth Erpingham Arms, Erpingham Bull, Fakenham Wellington, Feltwell Kings Head, Filby Rampant Horse, Freethorpe Locks Inn, Geldeston Wherry, Geldeston Dock Tavern, Gorleston Mariners Compass, Gorleston Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham Barking Smack, Great Yarmouth Mariners, Great Yarmouth Oliver Twist, Great Yarmouth Red Herring, Great Yarmouth St. Johns Head, Great Yarmouth Fox & Hounds, Heacham
Kings Head, Hethersett Greyhound Inn, Hickling Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling Victoria, Hockering Swan, Hilborough Eagle, Hockham Buck, Honingham White Hart, Hopton Nelson Head, Horsey Brickmakers, Horsford Elm Farm Country House, Horsham St. Faith Live and Let Live, Kings Lynn Star Inn, Lessingham Swan Inn, Loddon Dog Inn, Ludham Fox and Hounds, Lyng Anchor Inn, Morston White Horse, Neatishead Relish Restaurant & Bar, Newton Flotman Railway Hotel, North Elmham Orchard Gardens, North Walsham Adam and Eve, Norwich Angel Gardens, Norwich Beehive (Leopold Rd), Norwich Bell Hotel, Norwich Cellar House, Norwich Champion, Norwich Cottage (Silver Road), Norwich Duke of Wellington, Norwich Earlham Arms, Norwich Eaton Cottage, Norwich Fat Cat and Canary, Norwich Fat Cat Tap, Norwich Fat Cat, Norwich Garden House, Norwich Jubilee, Norwich Ketts Tavern, Norwich Kings Head, Norwich Leopard, Norwich Lollards Pit, Norwich
Lord Rosebery, Norwich Maids Head Hotel, Norwich Murderers, Norwich Plasterers Arms, Norwich Red Lion (Bishopgate), Norwich Reindeer, Norwich Ribs of Beef, Norwich Rose, Norwich Sir Garnet, Norwich Take 5, Norwich Temple Bar, Norwich Trafford Arms, Norwich Vine, Norwich Wig and Pen, Norwich Royal Oak, Poringland Ferry Inn, Reedham Ship, Reedham Kings Arms, Reepham Swan, Ringland Three Horseshoes, Roydon Lobster, Sheringham Windham Arms, Sheringham Chalk and Cheese, Shouldham Kings Arms, Shouldham Goat, Skeyton Peddars Inn, Sporle Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Sprowston Ferry House, Surlingham Lynn Arms, Syderstone Red Lion, Swaffham Pelican Inn, Tacolneston Red Lion, Thetford Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market Queens Head, Thurlton White Horse, Upton Cherry Tree, Wicklewood Willow House, Watton Stag, West Acre Bell, Wiveton White Lady, Worstead Green Dragon, Wymondham The Mill, Yaxham Winter 2015 | 45
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Live Bands, Quiz and Poker Nights Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated Open Mon - Thurs 11-11, Fri -Sat 11-11:30 Sun 12-10:30. Christmas parties catered for, ring or pop in for details.
Mini Beer Festival Every Day! We’re in it!
with over 24 real ales, ciders and continental beers Fresh rolls served daily or bring in your favourite take-away
Free Wi-Fi • Dog friendly
The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340
A popular pub with locals and holidaymakers alike, the Crown Inn is perched right on the clifftop overlooking the beautiful sandy beaches of Sheringham in Norfolk.
FOUR REAL ALES Wednesday Irish Folk Music ursday Folk & Singing Music Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Folk Music
Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN: Mon - urs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11 48 | Winter 2015
Enjoy a meal or snack from our extensive and popular menu.
Five Real Ales always available Every Saturday - Live Local Bands
Monday nights - Pub Quiz with prizes, refreshments and free entry Tel: 01263 823213 crownsheringham@hotmail.co.uk www.crownsheringham.co.uk Lifeboat Plain, East Cliff Sheringham NR26 8BQ
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Brewers of award winning East Anglian ales stouts and porters Our range of Permanent Ales CLIFF QUAY
EARL SOHAM
Classic Bitter Anchor Bitter Tolly Roger Tumblehome Sea Dog
Gannet Mild Victoria Bitter Sir Rogers Porter Albert Ale Brandeston Gold
Our winter seasonal ales Jolabrugg 5.2%a blast of winter chill is warmed up with this golden amber coloured seasonal ale. Old Strong 4.7% A glorious warming chestnut brown ale. Fruit and spice flavours and lots of them. Our January and February Seasonal Roaring Forties 4% Amber coloured ale Crisp full fruity and citrus aroma. with a good balance of malt and hops. Our beers are available throughout East Anglia and also at our brewery shop in Debenham (Unit 1A Meadow Works Business Park Kenton Road Debenham IP14 6RP) For further details contact us on 01728 861213 www.cliffquay.co.uk or www.earlsohambrewery.co.uk
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Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local! The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually on presentation of a Membership Card, discounts are on real ale only unless stated). Full details of all pubs can be found at WhatPub.com St Andrews Brewhouse, Norwich: 10% off their own beers The Whiffler, Norwich: 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers) The Woolpack, Norwich: 10% off real ales London Tavern, Attleborough: 20p off a pint of real ale Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea: 20p off a pint of real ale The Ugly Bug Inn, Colton: £1 off per full pint (no discount on halves, sorry) Albion, Cromer: 10% off real ales, draught and bottled Red Lion, Drayton: 10% off of real ale Oliver Twist, Great Yarmouth: 10% off across the board - please show card before ordering Brickmakers, Horsford: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale
Railway, North Elmham: 10% off B&B and camping The Bell, Norwich: 20% off all food. 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers) Compleat Angler, Norwich: 10% off all real ales Glasshouse, Norwich: 20% off all food. 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers) The Leopard, Norwich: 10% off real ales Lollards Pit, Norwich: 10% off The Pig & Whistle, Norwich: 10% off real ales Plasterers, Cowgate, Norwich: 10% off all real ales (available to all customers on Mondays)
Grange Hotel, Ormesby St. Margaret, Norwich: 10% off all real ales Lighthouse Inn, Walcott: 10% off all real ales Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: 30p off a pint of Buffy’s
If your pub or business offers a discount to CAMRA, but isn’t on this list, please contact pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org .uk and let us know the details (including any restrictions). Please note: We believe the discounts listed are offered at the time of going to press, however pubs may of course withdraw or change offers at any time!
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CAMRA News CASK ALE SALES IS THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR OF THE BEER MARKET This year’s Cask Report – how pubs can profit from cask is supported by Cask Marque, CAMRA and many of the country’s brewers and pubcos. It finds that cask ale is in sustained volume growth, significantly outperforming the on-trade beer market. According to the author Pete Brown, cask is forecast to hit 20% of on-trade beer by 2020, hugely significant when beer accounts for 64% of the average pub’s wet sales. Cask ale gives people want they from pubs – a premium experience that can’t be replicated at home. Cask ale drinkers visit the pub twice as often as the average person. Cask drinkers see the quality and selection of cask ales as a reflection of the overall quality of the pub. And real ale drinkers are keeping pubs’ tills ringing: the cask ale drinker spends £967 a year in pubs, almost double the average person’s spend. However, the report recognises that people have a range of leisure experiences to choose from and are going to the pub less. But when people do go to the pub, they’re looking for something they can’t get at home or from the supermarket. Cask ale can’t be replicated at home, so it’s part of the less frequent but more valued pub experience for a growing number of people.
THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUE New CAMRA research in England has found that pubs benefit from being listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). More than nine out of ten licensees of ACV-listed pubs said they wanted a window sticker to use the status to attract new customers and increase trade. In addition, more than four out of five licensees of ACV-listed pubs believe it has benefited them. People prize their local being listed too and are 52 | Winter 2015
more likely to feel loyal to their pub and use it regularly. And now pubs can show their listing by displaying CAMRA’s This Pub Matters sticker.
WHITE SHIELD’S BACK! Good news for fans of the great White Shield IPA. Burton on Trent’s Worthington brewery has been idle for 18 months but is now to reopen under a new owner. Molson Coors installed the equipment in 2010 but has now sold it to Planning Solutions (PSL), the company which operates the National Brewery Centre museum on the site. PSL’s acquisition means a return to brewing for former Bass brewer Steve Wellington, famed for saving the iconic, bottleconditioned Worthington White Shield. Wellington will once again be brewing both White Shield and Red Shield under licence from Molson Coors. Here’s hoping we see it back on sale pretty soon!
NOTTINGHAM’S ROBIN HOOD - FROM ALMOST OUT TO CHAMP IN 18 MONTHS A Nottingham pub which was derelict 18 months ago has been named National Cider Pub of the Year. The Robin Hood and Little John dates back to 1750. Closed in 2013, the pub was reopened in 2014 through a partnership between Hucknall’s Lincoln Green Brewing Company and Leicestershire’s Everards brewery. Since reopening under the management of Mark and Lorraine Swain, the pub has won Nottingham branch’s Pub of the Year 2015 as well as being named the East Midlands champion and the region’s Cider Pub of the Year. The
Norfolk Nips | CAMRA News pub has become famed for its eight ciders and perries which are always from smaller producers. How often have we heard from pubcos ‘this pub isn’t viable and has to close, to be a convenience store/housing/whatever’? Here’s clear evidence that with the right tenants a pub can revived and come from nothing to a champion in only a few months!
A BUSINESS DEAL BEYOND HUMAN COMPREHENSION After the usual ‘will they, won’t they’ dance, the world’s largest brewer AB InBev has had its offer accepted for the global number two, SABMiller. Keen pub quizzers will know that SABMiller started in 1886 when Charles Glass began making Castle beer for South African miners. It became the biggest brewery in South Africa, but plans to expand overseas were scuppered by the trading restrictions imposed during the apartheid era. However, in the 1990s apartheid ended and the company started buying up overseas rivals and moved its headquarters to London. Among others it bought Grolsch, Foster’s and the Miller Brewing Company.
How all this will pan out is anybody’s guess huge mergers often come unstuck eventually. And there is a definite desire in many parts of the world for something better than anonymous over-priced watery lager.
GREENE KING – BIG IN CHINA When Chinese president Xi Jinping visited the UK last month, David Cameron invited him out to the Plough at Cadsden in Buckinghamshire for a quiet pint – presumably in front of several hundred press photographers. But the contrived photo-op had an unexpected consequence. Cameron’s favourite beer is, we are led to believe, Greene King IPA. The picture of Xi drinking it appeared across China and resulted in an explosion in the demand for anything branded Greene King. Normally around 6,000 bottles of IPA are imported into China each month - at least 80,000 bottles are planned for next month.
AB InBev was formed in 2008 by the merger of Annheuser-Busch (the US maker of Budweiser) and InBev, itself a merger of Belgium’s Interbrew (owner of Stella Artois) and AMBev the Brazilian maker of Brahma. The deal is not expected to have any immediate impact on UK real ale brewing since neither firm produces cask-conditioned beer here. But it’s interesting just to consider the enormous numbers involved. Together, the two companies are worth something like £275bn. The merger is the biggest in UK stock market history and means, if successful, that one in three beers drunk in the world will be made by the new company. This leaves the next largest, Heineken, trailing with a paltry 10% of world sales.
EATON COTTAGE UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048
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“A festival of beers every day” Winter 2015 | 53
PLEASE TURN OVER...
...I have felt your presents!” Beer Festivals Calendar So many Beer Festivals, so little time. For further information, please see What’s Brewing, the CAMRA website, or contact the relevant Branches. December 14 - 30 Railway, North Elmham Christmas Beer Festival January 25 - 30 Vine, Norwich Winter Beer Festival January 29 7th Elysian Winter Beer Festival Membs Free, non Membs £2. Hot & Cold food avail. More info see www.ely-camra.org.uk or email elysianbf@ely-camra.org. January 30 Angel Gardens, Norwich Landlord Ian’s 28th Year anniversary party. Live lusic and free food.
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February 8 - 14 Trafford Arms Valenine Beer Festival 60 Beers, Live Music including hog roast and BBQ February 17-20 CAMRA’s National Winter Ales Festival Located by Pride Park exit of Derby station. 400+ Real Ales, bottled world beers, ciders/perries + mead. More info www.nwaf.org.uk February 16 - 21 Whalebone, Norwich 20th Annual Beer Festival Cask ales on tap and gravity. Live Music, Quiz and BBQ
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Norfolk Nips | Last orders
Steve’s Words As I write this, the last few days have been very cold. The first frosts of the winter have occurred. I wish I could say that I am writing this by a roaring fire with a good pint of real ale in my hand, unfortunately not. At our last meeting we announced the short list of pubs for our Pub of the Year 2016. The four are Victory at Clenchwarton, Kings Arms at Shouldham, Angel at Larling and Queen Victoria at Snettisham. The winner is again to be decided by you the branch members. Simply, request the scoring sheets from Jeff, score all four pubs (All forms to Jeff by the first Tuesday in February) and the pub with the best score wins.
This time of the year heralds the Winter Beer Festivals. In addition to the excellent offering of dark and winter beers, many breweries roll out their Christmas offerings. It never fails to amaze me how they think up some of the names! Enjoy the many offerings. On 16th February, we shall be meeting at Narborough Sports & Social Club to decide which pubs will be in the GBG 2017 all members are welcome. The winner of Pub of the Year will also be announced. This is one of our longer meetings, but really enjoyable. Finally, on behalf of all the members of the West Norfolk Branch may I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers Steve Barker W.N. Chairman
Warren’s Words Our 38th 2015 Norwich Beer Festival has come to its finish and volunteers including myself are just recovering. The final figures have yet to emerge but everything seems to indicate that this year has been a bumper breaking all sales records. Firstly, I would like to thank all those who came to the festival and I hope you all enjoyed our splendid event. Secondly, as Chairman of Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA and on behalf of The Committee, I would I like to thank the 350 plus volunteers who contributed and made this festival such a successful event. I can think of no other organisation who could raise such enthusiastic numbers. Without volunteers this event would not be possible.
website www.norwichcamra.org.uk then from the homepage click onto “Good Beer Guide” and then “nominations”. A list of those pubs already nominated will then appear. If you wish to make any entries you must login by clicking ’here’. Then put in your membership number in the user name box and your postcode in the password box. You may then add your nominations(s) to the list. Please remember that just because a pub is in the current guide it does not automatically mean that it is on the 2017 list and all pubs whether in the current guide or not have to be nominated. So if you are not sure if your favourite pub(s) have been nominated please check on the website so as not to arrive at the February voting meeting and just assume your favourite pub(s) will be on the voting form!
There is now less than a month to go before the deadline for nominations for selection of pubs in the next ‘Good Beer Guide’ (2017). The deadline for nominations or pubs in The Norwich and Norfolk Branch is 31st December so if you know of a pub that merits nomination for the ‘Good Beer Guide’ (GBG) please nominate it. This can be done by visiting our Branch
The autumn ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ is coming to an end and winter is approaching and thoughts are now turning to Christmas. So it is time to take the opportunity to wish all NIPS readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Warren Wordsworth Norwich and Norfolk Branch Chair Winter 2015 | 59
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Norfolk Nips | Dates for your Diary
CAMRA Branch Calendar
Friday 5th February First Friday Five – Red Lion, Adam & Eve, Take 5, Glasshouse, Lawyer. 8.00pm
Tuesday 16th February Branch Meeting & GBG Voting – Venue tbc
Friday 19th February Campaign Trip – up to 5 pubs to the south of Norwich
Friday 26th February
Norwich and North Norfolk Branch Tuesday 8th December Branch Christmas Quiz – Fat Cat Brewery Tap, 8pm
Tuesday 15th December Branch Meeting – Whalebone, 8pm
Wednesday 16th December Beer Tasting Panel – Red Lion, Bishopsgate
Friday 18th December Christmas Crawl around Norwich, see whiteboard for full timetable.
Wednesday 6th January 2016 Beer Tasting Panel – Compleat Angler
Friday 8th January First Friday Five – Surrey Tavern, Pig & Whistle, Lamb, Bell, Murderers. 8pm
Tuesday 19th January Branch Meeting – Angel Gardens, 8pm
Wednesday 27th January Beer Tasting Panel – Wig & Pen
Friday 29th January Campaign Trip – up to 5 pubs in Norwich suburbs
CAMRA Awards Evening – Top of the Terrace, Norwich City FC. 7.30pm
Friday 4th March First Friday Five - Garden House, Mad Moose, Unthank Arms, York Tavern, Eagle. 8.00pm
Tuesday 15th March Branch AGM – Take 5, 8.00pm If anyone has any other suggestions for trips and social events in 2015 or to book seats please contact Michael Phillips on socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk
West Norfolk Branch Tuesday 8th December Peddars Inn, Sporle
Saturday 19th December Christmas tour of Norwich (See listing elsewhere) Tuesday 12th January Coach & Horses, Dersingham, brief meet followed by Dinner.
Tuesday 9th February Gin Trap, Ringstead
Tuesday 8th March TBA (See What’s Brewing) Note: all Tuesday meetings start 8pm and normally include a social
Branch contacts | Norfolk Nips
Contact Details Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Warren Wordsworth Tel: 01603 665557 Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Secretary: Rob Whitmore Email: secretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Social Secretary: Michael Philips Email: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Ian Stamp Email: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk West Norfolk Branch Chairman: Steve Barker email: steve.barker495@btinternet.com
Edited by: Graham Freeman Email: freem_kwak@yahoo.co.uk Chris Lucas Email: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media 01778 382758 Email: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Advertising: For advertising enquiries please contact Jane Michelson on: 01778 382718 jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk
Secretary: Ian Bailey
Distribution: 12,000 copies / four times a year
Contact: Ian Bailey Tel: 01553 766904
Norwich and Norfolk District: Adrian Simpson
Branch websites: www.norwichcamra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk
West Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com
Branch mailing list web page: groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich Published every 3 months by the Norwich and Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale Š N&N CAMRA 2014 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA.
62 | Winter 2015
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