Issue 152 of Norfolk Nips & Cask Force by Norwich & District CAMRA

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Fest Spec * se ival ial e pa se ges ct 42 ion - 58

& CA SK FO RC E No.152

Spring 2010

Norfolk CAMRA Pubs of the Year Named!

Also inside: BREWERY TEES ON TOUR NORFOLK’S TRUE HERITAGE PUBS part 5 PUB AND TRADE NEWS PUB POST–ITS NORTH NORFOLK PUB REVIEWS

E E R F

Newsletter of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

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Mariners is named Branch Pub of the Year

he Mariners pub in Howard Street, Great Yarmouth, as featured on our front cover is Norwich & Norfolk’s Branch Pub of the Year 2010. It is the first time a pub in the Yarmouth has won this award. This friendly warm and welcoming back street community local beat off competition from around a dozen pubs to win the award.

It has been owned by Shaun Underdown for the past five years who also owns The Mariners Compass in Gorleston and has recently purchased the Mariners Rest in Lowestoft. The pub brings to the Yarmouth public a wide range of real ales concentrating particularly on beers from local breweries such as Woodforde’s, Wolf, Green Jack and Norfolk Square. The pub also sells a range of real ciders. The Mariners will now go into a head to head competition with the winner from West Norfolk Branch, The Angel at Larling to determine the overall CAMRA Norfolk Pub of the Year. Warren Wordsworth

Brewery tee’s on tour n response to the photograph of Branch Chairman Graham Freeman wearing Humpty Dumpty Brewery t-shirt taken at the Acropolis in Athens featured in last NIPS, Richard Dixon of Spixworth has submitted us with the following photo that features himself (in the middle) with two barmen, taken in Tequila’s Bar and Grill La Paz, Baja California in Mexico.

He states “I spend some time working for an airline and this was my local. I took a few Woodforde’s t-shirts to give away! No real ale of course but

a nice a dark bottled beer called Indio from the Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma of Guadalajara would go down well with a tequila chaser!”

Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Graham Freeman Tel: 01603 687495 Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Secretary: Carolyn Jones Tel: 01603 865505 Email: secretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Social Secretary: Tim MacDonald Tel. 01603 865505 Email: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk Branch Chairman: Phil Buffham Secretary: Ian Bailey Contact: Bruce Ward Tel: 01485 609107

Branch websites: www.norwichcamra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk

Branch mailing list web page: groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich Published every 3 months by the Norwich, Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2009 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Edited by: Mike Baldwin & Warren Wordsworth Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Chris Lucas Email: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Tamoko Design Email: dan@tamoko-design.co.uk Distribution: Norwich and Norfolk District : Tony Miles jabbamiles@gmail.com West Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com Advertising: For advertising enquiries please contact Chris Shilling on: Tel: 01778 421 550 Mobile: 07736 635916 Email: chris@shillingmedia.co.uk

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NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Letters

Too much Winter Olympics? s I write this there is still snow on the ground. Although it looks pretty it puts people off visiting pubs thus resulting to a loss of trade. However when the snow finally melts hopefully people will get out more as it's essential that we support our Pubs and Local Breweries. I expect most of us will be planning our exciting ventures and we will try and keep you updated of forthcoming events.

I have good news in that we now have a new Editor for Norfolk Nips, Mike Baldwin. I trust you will be gentle with

him. Our Branch gets stronger and we will shortly be making a presentation to our 2000th member, so watch out for further details. In March our new Branch Committee is elected and we have to decide our future campaigning strategy. I've been concerned by the excessive rate increases imposed on our Pubs and I intend to focus on this if I’m re-elected. Some of us will be attending the National AGM in the Isle of Man to represent our Branch and we will report back to you later. You will have noted the recent publicity surrounding

The Ferryboat and the plans to reopen as a backpackers hostel. We have been strongly campaigning for a Pub on this site and we intend to be fully involved in developments. Finally, our congratulations go to The Mariners Tavern in Great Yarmouth which is our Branch Pub of the Year 2010. It's very encouraging to support a Pub which has promoted real ale and hopefully this will raise the overall profile in the Yarmouth area. Well done. Graham Freeman Chairman Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA

Breweries & Beer festivals ew Year, new brews, Beeston brewery has added three new brews to its list. Sterling, Dry Road and Squirrel’s Nuts. Whilst the Fox and Hounds at Heacham has added three to its list - Warrior, Apache and Huron, with three more in the pipeline over the next three months.

Its a busy time at the moment for our committee members, with the good beer guide surveys, price surveys and pub of the year to be sorted out .With only 28 pubs from our region able to into the GBG .And with more candidates then last year, there is obviously going to be some

disappointed landlords and some good pub’s excluded. Last year saw more beer festivals in our area. Than previous years and I hope this trend continues. And hopefully we’ll see the snow disappear before Easter, when there are several festivals in our area. Including union jack, Roydon and fox & ounds Heacham, followed a week later by the Stag at West Acre and the Black Horse Thetford at the start of May. A beer festival involving west Norfolk branch and Wissey valley brewery is being discussed possibly for September in Downham.Fox and Hounds Heacham and Stuart House Kings Lynn have

fests in July, Coach & Horses Dersingham and the Wash & Tope Hunstanton are in September, Weatherspoons will have festivals through all their pubs. Globe - Kings Lynn and Lattice House - Kings Lynn being two in our area. Angel at Larling end of July The start of August and August bank holiday will see the Union Jack and Fox & Hounds again. There will obviously be others and would be please to hear of them. I hope to see you at some of them and hope you enjoy the selection of ales Finally, congratulations to the Angel at Larling on winning the West Norfolk pub of the year award. Buff Chairman W.Norfolk camra

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DUKE of WELLINGTON TRADITIONAL REAL ALE HOUSE 14 REAL ALES GRAVITY SERVED available all year round from our glass fronted tap room

6 MORE ALES CAMRA Good Beer Guide Listed

ON HAND PUMP

CAMRA Norfolk Pub of the Year 2003

Welcoming

Diary Date:

REAL FIRE

Summer Beer Festival August 27th- Sept 4th Open Monday to Saturday 12noon to 11pm Sundays 12noon to 10.30pm

5 Jus t 1 l k e s wa mi nu t t h e f rom re ent Ci t y C

Come and enjoy our Tap Room with a selection of Belgian bottled beers, Schneider Weiss, Erdinger and Dunkel.

91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182

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NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

A Period Of Madness! he last few weeks seem to have compressed the normal fairly even spread of CAMRA duties into a time of chaos in the West Norfolk branch.

We have had GBG surveys to complete, a selection meeting to decide on the pubs to be included, nominations for Pub of the Year in West Norfolk, voting on the nominations and voting on regional beer of the year (a short pause to catch breath). I have had to participate in the, frankly, arduous process of visiting loads of pubs doing surveys, then voting on the results of two competitions (not quite there on beer of the year), which has required the consumption of yet more real ale. Then to add insult to injury I have been forced to visit our POTY, the Angel at Larling

where I was obliged to sample yet more of the accursed stuff! If this keeps up I am going to start enjoying it! It has been a busy period for the branch, with the marvellous problem of enough eligible pubs for the GBG to provoke a real debate on the qualifiers! What a good sign that such a healthy increase in good real ale pubs has occurred in our area, although overall many pubs are still being lost. Travelling around the area reminds you what is at the core of a good pub - good beer, good atmosphere and good company. Personally, I like a pub where you feel comfortable no matter if you arrived by shanks’s pony or limousine, young, old or somewhere in between!

I am delighted to hear that Mike Baldwin has become editor on behalf of the Norwich branch and would like to say welcome to the production team; I look forward to meeting you soon. Two final points; Firstly I would like to thank all the branch members for their efforts in providing copy for this ever improving magazine, we couldn’t produce it without you! Secondly I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Nick at the Artichoke, one of the great characters of the Norfolk real ale scene. I’ll miss chatting to him both at the Artichoke and before that in the St. Andrews Tavern. God speed, Nick. Chris Lucas Editor - West Norfolk Branch

The Ed’lines aving spent all my working life in the Print and Paper Industry and having a passion for Real Ale, becoming Editor of Norfolk Nips is, well, an opportunity too good to miss.

The newsletter has certainly changed over the years and is, in my view, possibly the best free read in Norfolk.

Could it be even better? Of course it could, and some new features will be introduced, starting with the Prize Competition in this issue. Future articles will include the Distribution of Nips and how you can help get this fine publication into even more pubs.

But what would you like to see in Nips? – (Please bear in mind that we would not wish to see Nips only available on the top shelf!). Let me know. Time for a beer Cheers! Mike Baldwin Editor - Norwich and North Norfolk branch CAMRA

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Pub News

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Pub News The Constitution, Constitution Hill has recently closed as has The Cock Inn along with Blue Moon Brewery at Barford, (see Brewery & Trade News) which closed in January.

landlord who took over in November lasted just 18 days. The pub’s new bosses are Michael and Dawn Dormer who previously ran The Rose Tavern in Rupert Street.

It is sad to report that The Woodside, Thorpe St Andrews that was featured in last NIPS “Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs” has closed and is on the market for sale freehold with an asking price of £400,000. It would be a great shame for Norwich to lose a pub like this as the interior is one of the few examples left of an early post war Bullards pub.

The Mermaid, Hedenham is reported to have at last reopened again after a long period of closure.

The Walnut Tree Shades in central Norwich is closed at the moment. There is apparently, as reported in local media a dispute between the landlord and the owning pubco over rent payments.

An application has been lodged to South Norfolk District Council to convert The Queens Head in Hempnall, which closed over a year ago into a private dwelling. The Mustard Pot in Whinburgh, near Dereham which has been shut for almost a year has been reopened as a Mexican themed pub and restaurant by new landlord Phil Tye.

The Cottage on Silver Road as reported in last NIPS was reopened in December now being owned by Mauldons Brewery in Sudbury. See “A North Norwich Pub Crawl” on page 32 for more details.

The Ferryboat in King Street Norwich, which has been closed since July 2007 has been purchased from Greene King by Deepdale Backpackers & Camping of North Norfolk. They intend to reopen it as a hostel with ensuite rooms, family rooms and a few dorms. They will offer canoe hire, cycle hire and a café as part of their facilities. Their press release also states that they intend to run a small real ale pub on the site as well.

The Reindeer, on Dereham Road, Norwich, a pub that has a recent history of opening and closing reopened again at the end of January. The previous

The Leopard, Bull Close Road, Norwich has reopened in February after a period of extensive internal refurbishment. According to their press

The Cross Keys at Dilham has closed and been put on the market for sale freehold with an asking price of £250,000.

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release “Out has gone the pool table, fruit machine, smooth beers and dreary decor. In has come a tasteful refurbishment sympathetic to a real ale pub with a brand new bar housing four real ales and continental beers, open fire and a new licensee with over 20 years experience”. The Locks Inn at Geldeston is hosting a large number of events in the next few months. These include “May Fayre”Sunday 2nd May including maypole and Morris dancing plus a hog roast. Sat 12th June, an all day music festival featuring folk/roots based bands. They are also having regular music sessions on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons throughout April May and June. See pub website for more details http://www.geldestonlocks.co.uk/

Brewery and Trade News Barford Cock and Blue Moon Brewery Closes In a seeming never ending succession of pub closures, a particularly sad occasion took place on the 18th of January when Peter Turner called it a day at the Barford Cock in the light of the current difficult trading conditions for small businesses, and the licensed trade in particular. It is a great personal

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NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News disappointment to me as I have already noted in a Pub Post-it in a previous edition of Norfolk Nips the Barford Cock contains my favourite pub room in South Norfolk and is the home of one of my favourite beers, Blue Moon Hingham High. Personal feelings aside, the loss of Peter from brewing and pub running is a large one indeed. For those younger readers of this magazine it is probably worth looking back over Peter’s long career.

Barford until roughly two years ago when he decided to concentrate on the pub side of the business and contracted out brewing of the Blue Moon beers to another stalwart of the Norfolk brewing scene, Dave Winter based in Norwich. On behalf of the Branch I would like to wish Peter best wishes for the future and, perhaps selfishly, hope he is soon tempted back to brewing so I for one can continue to enjoy his Blue Moon beers, especially Hingham High. Michael Croxford

His first brewing venture in Norfolk was back in 1981, with one of the first micro-breweries in the county, when he founded the Star Brewery in Duke Street, Norwich, to supply the adjacent Golden Star and the free trade. Unfortunately, this ceased brewing in the following year when it was sold on and renamed the Tap Brewery which continued until 1984 when it too closed. Peter’s next Norfolk brewing venture was the Blue Moon Brewery at Seamere, Hingham which started in 1997 and closed in 2002 when operations were transferred to the Barford Cock. Peter’s regular beers were Easy Life, Sea of Tranquillity, and for winter the fantastic Hingham High which recently won East Anglia Beer of the Year. Peter continued brewing at

Fox Brewery - Buff reported details of a recent conversation with Mark. No conclusion could be reached as some people were not at the meeting who could have answered. Fox have 3 new beers: Warrior 4.4%, Apache 3.8% & Huron 4.1%. They expect 3 more over the next 3 months. Changes in brewing personnel are also reported.

Woodforde’s win CAMRA award Woodforde’s ‘Admiral’s Reserve’ has been named CAMRA’s “Champion Strong Bitter of East Anglia”. This beer which is a 5% tawny coloured strong beer with a distinctive nose and flavour of sweet malt and rich fruit has been declared winner of the Strong Bitter category of CAMRA East Anglian beers award 2009. Elgood’s launch new beer

Wisbech brewer Elgoods are to launch a new beer, Snakeslayer, a black stout brewed at 4.5% in March. The Norfolk Ale Shop, situated in the village of Ringstead (Near Hunstanton) has come to our notice as stocking over sixty local ales alongside country wines and rooms of collectables and art. Please see the advert for opening times.

News from the West It seems that the ‘must have’ accessory for any pub these days is a big banner that says ‘Under New Management’. Around Kings Lynn these have been seen at the Woolpack, the Bentinck and the Mayden’s Head. I haven’t visited any of these yet, but there appear to be handpumps in the Maydens Head, so it could be worth a look. Out of town, the Crown at Middleton was taken over in November and it is steadily gaining a reputation as a place to eat. We went out there for their ‘Cuban Evening’ and despite them having no record of our booking, they fitted us in and we had an excellent meal. Some of our party tried the Mojitos (hoping, perhaps for the inspiration to try the Salsa lessons) but I preferred to drink the Woodfordes Wherry. I never used to be a great fan of this beer, but it seems to be getting better and better. Does anyone know if they have Continued Overleaf

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THE ARTICHOKE FREEHOUSE at Broome

Up to 8 Real Ales (4 on gravity) 3 Belgian Fruit Beers Outstanding selection of Scottish malt & Irish Whisky Opening Hours 12pm to 11pm weekdays & Sunday 12pm to 12am Friday & Saturday Closed Mondays (Except Bank Holidays)

Lunchtime Meals

162 Yarmouth Road, Broome, Bungay NR35 2NZ Tel: 01986 893325

12pm to 2.30pm weekdays 12pm to 4pm Sundays

Evening Meals

On the 580 and 588 Anglia Bus routes

6.30pm to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday (Booking is advisable)

NORFOLK CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2009 Beer garden and ample parking

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NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News continued changed the recipe? Maybe my taste buds are maturing. Also close to Kings Lynn is the Dray and Horses in Tottenhill, which has had a bit of a makeover and has been mentioned as worth a visit. Also been refurbished is the Red Cat at North Wootton. We are told that this has helped to double the trade and that the beer is very good. It is a bit out of the way, but they do have a website which includes a map. Just east of Lynn is Bawsey Sandboy. Well known for its food and salsa lessons, the landlord seems to be increasingly keen on his beer. There is always a good selection and we hear that there are plans to hold a beer festival – dates to be decided. Yet another place where you can try Salsa is the Queens Arms, an Elgoods pub in Kings Lynn. Sadly the beer suffers from what the landlord described as ‘gas assisted’ hand pumps. If you want to try a good pint of Elgood’s the Victory in Clenchwarton can usually oblige and I hear that it is also often available at the Live and Let Live in Lynn. There are now over 600 small breweries in the country, with over thirty of them in Norfolk. I suggest that one of the reasons for this is that Wetherspoons champion these microbreweries, and we are fortunate to have two fine but contrasting examples in Kings Lynn. The Lattice House

must be one of their finest old buildings and unusually was a pub before they took over. The current management team are very keen on their beer and have been along to out meetings to share their vision and address some of the criticisms that our members have voiced. I think they have done a fine job and if you want a quiet pint in town this is an excellent choice. Across the Market Place is the Globe. Bigger, louder and probably with a younger age profile amongst the customers, this is perhaps more of a choice for a party night, yet they sell beer good enough to be listed in the Good Beer Guide. Just round the corner is probably the most interesting pub in Lynn. The Crown and Mitre You could spend hours looking at the various artefacts that decorate the pub, many connected with ships and trains. Five or six interesting beers were on the pumps when we called in and plans for a brewery on the premises seem to be advancing. In January we struggled through the ice and snow to a meeting at the Railway Arms on Downham Market station. This was my first visit and it was wonderful to sit in front of the roaring fire on a cold night. As well as trying the beer, have a look at the book room, and just for once hope your train is late. Finally, places with a less certain future. There are signs outside the Fenman opposite

the station in Lynn offering the pub up for sale. This has been a popular pub for many years and should be a good investment. Out in West Winch the lights have gone out at the Sportsman. Famous for its carvery, it has been the only pub in the village since the Cock turned into a restaurant. Lets hope it opens again soon. Also still dark is the New Inn on Wootton Road in Lynn. At least the building still exists, and as the reopening of the Grimston Bell shows, this means that there is still a chance something can be done. Lattice House - Lynn Along with a series of brewery trips, they expect a visit from Nethergate Brewery (from whom they had various beers on) on the 13/14th April. Albert Victor - Castle Acre Currently closed but due to reopen on Saturday (13th) under a recent barmaid. Rampant Horse - Gayton trade poor, only IPA on tap. Crown - Downham trade links with Jenyns Arms, Denver & Foldgate, Stradsett. 5 beers on tap. Compasses - Snettisham recently raised £600 for Tapping House. Bedingfeld Arms Oxborough up for sale, £600k. Great Dane’s Head Beachamwell, £495k, both of these seem serious.

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Pub Post Its

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Pub Post-its As always, remember that these post-its are subjective and reflect the personal experience of our correspondents. Please feel free to email your post-its in to norfolknips@yahoo.co.uk - and if you really like the pub, why not nominate it for next year’s CAMRA Good Beer Guide? Bicycle Shop Bicycle Shop (17 St Benedicts St). Basement bar has Adnams Bitter and sometimes Broadside on gravity. Normal range of cafe food and drink on the ground floor but includes two or three changing bottles of brewery conditioned beer eg St Peter's Organic and Shepherd Neame's Bishop's Finger. Friendly service in cafe and bar. Star - Lessingham. With the “Doom & Gloom” of the present Pub trade, it's good to see a change of ownership turning the business around, as at the Lessingham Star. As with the previous owner, the Buffys Bitter, (£2.45 pint), Adnams and Woodforde’s Wherry were all in excellent condition, this with a warm welcome from the hosts Sue and Mike are bringing in the customers. The food operation is now under-way after a re-vamp on the restaurant and the employment of a new chef. Crown Catfield. Three constantly changing “Real Ales”, and the regular Greene King IPA, all of which are usually in good condition, along with some tasty Italian food can be enjoyed at the “Crown” in Catfield. This small but cosy pub is run by friendly hosts Nando and Pauline and maybe near closing time you will receive another very warm welcome from the loveable Labrador dog called Max. Dray & Horses 2 ales and friendly. Rose & Crown - Snettisham ‘fine’. Crown & Mitre - Lynn ‘very good’.

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Crown - Middleton ‘very good’. Angel - Larling ‘very good’. Crown, Fakenham Still closed, reports of local concern.

Ten years on he Fox & Hounds at (Heacham) are celebrating ten years since the arrival of Mark. Briston and his partner Marie. When they arrived at the pub they were told by the outgoing landlord that they would never sell real ale there.

Two years later not only were they selling real ale but they started the fox brewery, since then they have built a new brewery and have recently added two new conditioning tanks to cope with the large increase in order for their bottled beer and are looking at some more fermenting equipment. As Chinnook hops have become unobtainable this beer has been replaced with “Warrior” 4.4% pale ale. Also there are two other new brews available from the fox they are “Apache” a 3.8% light ale and “Huron” a 4.1% dark malty beer. Over the next three months mark intends to produce three more new ales. Ninety minute IPA. A stronger follow up to his sixty minute IPA. A coffee stout and an imperial IPA. The fox over the years has won several awards for their beer and has recently won East Anglian Best Beer in its category for Grizzly. Congratulations to the fox and here’s to another ten years.

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CELEBRATING THE VERY BEST OF 40 INDEPENDENT PUB BREWERS. (25 ALES PERMANENTLY ON SALE)

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The Mermaid Inn Church Street, Elsing Dereham,NR20 3EA Tel: 01362637640 Email: the.mermaid@zen.co.uk

Great Pub Food Menu Try our famous Steak and Kidney Roly Poly with thick beer gravy. We cook our own Ham in real ale, we can't cook it quick enough!

REAL ALE SHOP BLOFIELD Visit the shop at Blofield Leisure Centre, 58 Yarmouth Road, Blofield, Norfolk, NR13 4LQ Or

INFLATION BUSTER MON - FRI ONLY £4.95!

Freehouse, Freehouse, Real Real Ales, Ales, Real Real Food, Food, Real Real Welcome! Welcome! Look us up in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2010 or the CAMRA Good Pub Food Guide. We have internet café facilities!

Visit our brewery shop at 7 Estcourt Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 4JQ

Tel: 01493 854484 email: beer@norfolksquarebrewery.co.uk www.norfolksquarebrewery.co.uk

Queen’s Head and Waveney Brewing Company Traditional Village Pub with a brewery producing permanent and seasonal ales on site Large beer garden, traditional games, lunchtime menu and a good selection of real ale, spirits and soft drinks Listed in the Good Beer Guide every year since 2000.

Station Road, Earsham, Norfolk

Tel: (01986) 892623

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NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk POTY

West Norfolk Pub of the Year

am pleased to reveal that West Norfolk CAMRA pub of the year is…….(Rustling of envelope)

The Angel at Larling! The Angel has been in and out (and in again) of the ownership of the Stammers family since the current landlord’s grandfather bought it in 1913. The current incumbent Andrew has run the pub for most of his adult life eventually wresting control of the pub

from Norwich brewery he transformed it into a bastion of real ale. As he said to me at Norwich beer festival, last year, “I do it because I still love it”. The Angel hosts an annual beer festival, every August, which is by far the largest in West Norfolk.

Andrew has always been a beer enthusiast and this is reflected in the quality and choice of beers at the Angel. Although very popular with diners from near and far, the Angel retains a real feel of the rural farming based community of which it is the heart. Since being bypassed by the busy A11, it has gone from strength to strength, and is much easier to pull into!

When asked for his reaction to the news that he had won our branch award he reacted as only a lifelong canaries fan could, he was, “over the moon”. I think you can see that quite clearly in the accompanying photo! The Angel will now go forward to compete for the Norfolk pub of the year, with the Mariners at Yarmouth, good luck to both.

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NORFOLK NIPS | Norfolk CAMRA Branch Calendar

Norwich CAMRA Branch calendar 16 March Branch AGM. Only Card carrying members admitted. Venue Take 5, Tombland Norwich. 8pm. 26 March Campaign Coach Trip 2 April First Friday Five - Kings Head, 8pm then Mischief, Ribs of Beef, Slug & Lettuce, Steam Packet 16-19 April CAMRA National AGM Douglas Isle of Man. 20 April Branch Meeting 25 April Beer Store Clean & Tidy session.

29 April Beer Festival Planning Meeting, White Lion 8pm 7 May First Friday Five Dyers Arms, Magdalen Road, Whalebone, Lord Rosebery, Angel Gardens, Duke of Wellington 18 May Branch Meeting 4 June First Friday Five Coach pick-ups: 6.47pm junc. Southwell Road/Grove Road; 6.55pm junc, Old Palace Road/West End Street; 7.10pm Heartsease Roundabout, (Harvey Lane side); 7.15pm Norwich Railway Station, (Thorpe Road bus stops).

Please contact Social Secretary Tim MacDonald E-mail socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk or 01603 865505 in advance if you wish to board the coach on any part of the above route. For updates on the social calendar check www.norwichcamra.org.uk with the full branch events calendar. You do not have to be a member to come on the Branch meetings, coach trips or the First Friday Five. If not a member why not attend any of these and if you enjoy them then perhaps you may wish to join!

Cask ale and bottled beer available to drink in over

200 WOLF BREWERY PUB OUTLETS, local TESCO supermarkets or visit our Brewery Shop Please telephone

01953 457775 for direct orders

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Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 5

| NORFOLK NIPS

This series of articles highlights the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 years or so. This issue features two pubs with a connection of both suffering enemy action as well as an open/close story – one that is open, but may close in the coming years; the other was closed in 2008 but I am delighted to report that when it reopened in 2009 its historic interior had been preserved.

Duke of Connaught, Norwich

The lounge bar of the Duke of Connaught, Norwich ucked away off the Dereham Road in Norwich and not far from the Fat Cat you will find the Duke of Connaught at the corner of Livingstone Street and Speke Street. The original Duke of Connaught was an end of terrace pub that was destroyed by enemy action in 1942. The pub was rebuilt as a single storey building by Steward & Patteson in 1954 and has been little changed since it opened. The brewery

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purchased the house at 60 Grant Street for use by the tenants and even though the front door of the pub faces Speke Street both the pub and the house are on the same set of deeds with an address of 60 Livingstone Street! The public bar on the right retains its original bar back with cupboards and drawers, and the original bar counter, which has been re-covered with new Formica panels and a new Formica top added over the original red

one, which can still be seen on the flap for staff access to the servery. The bar back fitting continues through to the lounge on the left but the present counter is a replace-

The exterior of the Duke of Connaught, Norwich

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NORFOLK NIPS | ment for the original quarter circle one which had a pink Formica top! Another good reason to pay a visit to this pub is to sample the range of Winter’s Brewery beers on offer – the Duke of Connaught seems to operate as the brewery tap. However, don’t delay seeking out this ‘timewarp’ pub as on his retirement landlord Paul Waller tells me the pub is likely to be demolished – he holds planning permission to convert the pub to building plots – unless, he says, anybody comes along to buy it as a pub!

The Duke of Connaught, 60 Livingstone Street, Norwich NR2 4HE is open Mon to Fri from 7.30 to 11; Sat 12.30 to 4; 7.30 to 12; Sun 12 to 4; 7.30 to 11. No food is served. Real ales on sale are Winter’s Bitter and Winter’s Golden on handpump occasionally joined by the other regular Winter’s beers Revenge or Storm Force which are served from a polypin. Winter’s Mild, the 2009 Champion Beer of Norfolk, is sold on an air pressure pump. Phone number is 01603 629805.

The Duke of Connaught, Norwich acts as the brewery tap for Winter’s Brewery of Norwich

Dunstable Arms, Sheringham n Sheringham the Dunstable Arms on the Cromer Road (A149) re-opened in February 2009 after a closure of seven months and a sprucing-up by licensees Paul Andrews and Diane LangleyTompsett. I am delighted to say the only change they made is the cutting of a doorway between the public bar on the

Right: The unusual 1930s brick bar at the Dunstable Arms, Sheringham Below: The exterior of the Dunstable Arms, Sheringham

left and the saloon bar on the right – previously you could only access each bar via its own front door. The Dunstable Arms was re-built in 1931 in Tudor-style with a veranda to designs by Buckingham and Berry of Norwich for Steward & Patteson. It has three rooms and still retains many original features. On the left is an extension added in 1945/6 in a Continued Overleaf

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The Real Ale Shop Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, NORFOLK NR23 1SB ON THE B1105 FAKENHAM- WELLS RD

The pub with no bar, ales direct from cask. Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events.

Tongue twizzling food, and great value. Check our website for

Tuesday Lunch QUIZ - 60 questions & a bowl of soup £4.95 Live music every Thursday from 8.45pm. All details on the website.

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

01328 738241

Over 50 bottle conditioned real ales from 15 Norfolk brewers who all use Branthill Farms famous malted barley.

TEL: 01328 710810

www.therealaleshop.co.uk

South Norfolk’s Best Kept Secret

The Pelican Inn Tacolneston 01508 489 521

Four Local Real Ales on Hand Pump

Bottled Norfolk Real Ales In our New ‘Real Ale Shoppe’ Special Discounts to CAMRA Members

WINNER OF THE SOUTH NORFOLK ‘PUB OF THE YEAR AWARD’ 2009 /2010. 20

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Alfresco Dining for 60 people New Outside Summer Bar & Grill With 3 Beer Festivals a Year

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NORFOLK NIPS | Heritage Pubs continued

Above: The lounge at the Dunstable Arms, Sheringham – a partition used to separate it into two rooms Right: The 1930s floor to ceiling fireplace in the club room, now dining area, of the Dunstable Arms, Sheringham similar style to the original (the pub is reported to have been damaged by enemy action in 1940). On the right is the saloon bar with its original counter, fireplace and parquet floor. When built a wooden partition separated the saloon bar from the rear ‘club room’ (wording from the original plans - ask if you want to see them). You can still see signs of where the partition ran, and when it was removed in the early 1980s the timber was reused for the present bar back fitting in the public bar. The former club room, now a dining area, is in "Tudor hall" style with a high ceiling and exposed timber beams. It has a magnificent full height chimney breast in brick and

tile. The public bar retains its original bar counter, unusually of brick, a brick fireplace, timber frieze, parquet floor and some fixed seating. A brick arch from 1945/6 links the public bar with the left hand room, which was converted in the early 1980s from the off sales and a previously private room and has no old fittings. The Dunstable Arms is situated at 27 Cromer Road NR26 8AB and open from 11.30am (12 Sun) every day. Freshly prepared food is served lunchtimes and evenings every day and there is a carvery on a Sunday from 12 to 6. The real ales on sale are Adnams Best

Bitter, Adnams Broadside and a guest beer, which could be from an independent or micro brewery. Phone number is 01263 824825 and the pub is ‘children-friendly’. Text and photographs by Mick Slaughter of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group. If you require photographs of your pub interior / exterior you can contact Mick on 01733 390598 or email m.slaughter45@ntlworld.com to discuss your requirements.

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West Norfolk visit Norwich

| NORFOLK NIPS

There’s snow business like pub crawl business! est Norfolk CAMRA went to Siberia for our 2009 Xmas pub crawl, or at least it felt like it! Nah, Norwich as usual, the ice and snow meant a tricky drive for Nige (train next time?!), it took us 40 minutes to get to Thetford from Feltwell, mind you we stopped and got some very picturesque photographs. Stig was with us, he was due to travel to Austria early Sunday morning for a holiday, reckon we had more snow here!

Having eventually arrived in Norwich and parked up, taxi’d from the rail station to our first pub of the day (only half hour late, not bad!), The Whalebone, a superb venue to start with a good choice of ales, I plumped for Adnams Pale Champion. A good group to start of around ten or eleven, including some Norwich CAMRA members, fresh from their own shindig the night before. A short slither to the Duke Of Wellington, landlord Dougie has turned his establishment into a fine ale house with an impressive beer list (some handpump, some gravity), I went for a LocAle (geddit?) in Wolf Golden Jackal (possibly my fave Wolf ale, though Straw Dog runs it close). Is it a bird, is it a plane, or is it Eddie The Eagle?! Nope, ‘tis the 22

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Cidershed, more hardy souls joined the group, Fat Cat ales and guest beers, had an old favorite in Kelham Island Pale Rider. And a big surprise for yours truly, the branch presented me with an engraved beer tankard, to thank me for my nine years as Chairman which came to an end at our AGM last October, I was gobsmacked! Thanks Peeps! Next a slippy stroll to the bottom of Mousehold Heath and the Heath House, our first visit to this roomy pub and I think everyone liked it, supped Elgood’s Festive Feelgood as myself, Nige, and Jeff had a mini pool match (honors even). A downhill slalom along Silver Road brought us to The Cottage, recently bought by Mauldon’s Brewey, we were greeted by TEN handpumps, not only Mauldon’s but guest ales as well, we were all pretty impressed, I enjoyed Silver Adder and Black Adder (bend over Black Adder!), my pub of the day. Myself and Stig were tad late leaving after the others, aso we missed the Ketts tavern, but I hear it was very good. And away to the Adam & Eve, Norwich’s oldest pub and also haunted I believe, a few of our American friends joined us here (which gave us a total of about 30 or so on the

day, good going everyone!), I continued the Mauldon’s theme with Mole Trap. Was I drunk or was someone wearing a kilt?! A short wee walk along to the Wig & Pen (cold wee?!), where we were greeted by the news that Norwich City had beaten promotion rivals Huddersfield Town 3-0, go Canaries! Celebrated with a drop of golden Oakham JHB, real ale champers! Onwards ever onwards, once more into the breach dear friends, alas poor Yoda he is green as well, sorry readers, waxing lyrical there! The Ribs was next, Grain Bitter proved a top drop, also top were the lovely young ladies behind the bar, bootiful. Some headed home or hotel around this time, whilst a few of us got all Thai’d up (groan!) at The Vine, JHB again and Wolf Coyote, this small pub has been transformed into a superb Thai restaurant/bar, my spicy pork and rice was delicious, give it a go soon. Myself and Pete ‘Disco’ Wells (explanation later!) popped into the Belgian Monk for a spot of something different, Belgian beer (obviously), Ter Dolen Blonde, Blonde’s have more fun! We found a few of the remaining crawlers in the Steam Packet, another recently Continued Overleaf

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NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk visit Norwich - continued reopened pub after a spell on the sidelines, it hadn’t changed much, had some Wherry, then it was me and Pete again, keeping to the schedule we headed off Riverside way to a very packed Queen Of Iceni (big Wetherspoon’s place). Now, it may have been the cold outside, it may have been all the ale he’s supped during the day, but Pete ‘Disco’ Wells did his best John Travolta “Grease” impression and proceeded to boogie away with the pretty young things, I didn’t know where to look!!! I know, drink my Wolf Granny Wouldn’t Like It, but would Granny like Pete’s dancing?!

Following Dancing With The Girls we hikes up the hill to the Coach & Horses, nice Gold ale, and singing Xmas carols with a packed house ended the night off in style. But the fun wasn’t over , oh no, “Disco” fell over in the snow so we got a taxi back to Chez Wells, another Belgian beer (Corsondonk?), and air guitar in Pete’s kitchen ‘til 3am! Crikey, I was cream crackered!!! After a good few hours kip, well rested, a bright cold morning greeted us. We felt like breakfast, a bus eventually turned up after an hour’s wait, we headed back to a much quieter Queen Of Iceni for a

nice big fry-up, Disco Pete had some ‘hair of the dog’ (more ale), I just had a cup of tea. We met Nige in the Coach & Horses, he’d been on the Norwich Ice Sculpture Trail, we had a pint of CHB, said goodbye to Pete (back on the diet mate!), and made our slow way home. Oh, Stig and Jackie made it to Austria for theie Xmas holiday. Many thanks for all those who turned out in tricky weather conditions, I reckon it was one of our best crawls ever. Get ready, the next one is already planned! Cheers!!! Tim

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NORFOLK ALE SHOP REAL ALE REALISTIC PRICES OVER 60 ALES ON SALE FIND US INSTORE AT THE GENERAL STORE 41, HIGH STREET, RINGSTEAD. PE36 5JU. NEAR HUNSTANTON. Telephone; 01485 525270 Email. generalstore41@aol.com.

OPEN SEVEN DAYS 8am -5.30pm. EXCEPT TUES/WED/SAT CLOSING AT 1pm.

01603 625891 www.thewigandpen.com

6 St Martins Palace Plain, Norwich NR3 1RN

This warm and friendly 17th century Freehouse is to the north side of Norwich cathedral. Owned by Craig & Lynne McLaren since 1993. ‘The Wig’ as its affectionately known, has built a reputation for fresh, fast, affordable British cuisine.

• Good Ale • Good Food • Heated smoking area • Comprehensive Outdoor Dining Area Sky & ESPN Sports TV • Late Night Opening • Real Fire Look out for our Cask Marque Plaque. This guarantees beer quality in the Wig & Pen and the opportunity to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.

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For the 13th successive year, the Wig & Pen has been included in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide. We are very proud of this achievement.

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NORFOLK NIPS | Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth at Christmas Time running under the entire area of the pub and a separate tradesman’s entrance. The pub is easy to locate on the 1885 OS map on the wall next to the photos of Yarmouth’s herring fleets. So, all is not lost, good beer is

visit to Great Yarmouth is often accompanied by feelings of apprehension; which pubs have closed since the last visit? Unfortunately the fears proved to have some grounding. Croppers Bar and the Haven Bridge are again closed (after recent positive mentions in Nips) as is the Dukes Head. More dramatically the Gallon Pot (GBG regular situated on the corner of the market place with its Lacon’s leaded windows and cask and tankard frieze) is also closed at the moment, though its sister taverns on the market place, the Feathers and the Market Tavern are still trading.

More permanently closed, the Ship has lost its Lacon’s side window and bar, apparently destined to become a clinic. The front of the Talbot has been rebuilt to remove any clue that it was once a great free house. More worryingly the Dolphin has been boarded

up so long that the fabric of the pub, roof and beautiful decorated brickwork is deteriorating fast. Even the golden mile is suffering with both the Marine and the Barking Smack closed. The Elephant and Castle, with its Lacon sign isn’t just closed, its carved wooden frontage has been ripped away. What a sad reflection of Great Yarmouth’s brewing heritage. Time to cheer up with a beer, so off to the Bricklayers, a corner local with its name on a huge tiled plaque, ex-Lacons of course. The new landlord is promoting real ale at £2 a pint, the Thwaite’s Bad Elk was seasonably excellent. Onto the Red Herring round the corner, an oasis of calm and normality for the real ale enthusiast (except for the freeform jazz on the piano courtesy of the landlord’s children). The Herrin’ always has six beers on. It was purpose built with a cellar

available but it needs you to come and drink it to keep the pubs open. Start at the Tudor Tavern which I noticed had reopened as I left for home and ask for cask.

Got a short pint? If you believe that you have been treated unfairly in a pub, club or bar, you should contact the Trading Standards service by writing to them at Norfolk Trading Standards Service, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2UD or faxing them on 01603 222999. A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

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The City’s favourite local

The Ribs A GENUINE FREE HOUSE

9 Cask Ales - 6 Lagers and Local Cider Global Bottled Beers - Award winning Wines Brand new look and hi tech cellar Riverside seating and smoking area • Delicious home cooked lunches

Wensum Street, Norwich NR3 1HY

Tel: 01603 619517

www.ribsofbeef.co.uk

Quiz Monday evenings - Blues Nights 1st Sunday of each month Sunday Roasts 12 noon- 5pm

Book a table for four or more people for Sunday Roasts & receive a Complimentary bottle of house wine. COAST ROAD, WALCOTT, NORFOLK NR12 OPE Telephone

(01692) 650371 FREE HOUSE

Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMORE

OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pm Food available all day until 10.30pm 10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership card

FOUR REAL ALES & CIDER www.lighthouseinn.co.uk 28

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NORFOLK NIPS | Brewery Visit

On a Cold Winter’s Night tion since the road in question is the pub free one from Wells to Fakenham, bypassing the apparent dens of iniquity of Walsingham off which is the lane leading to Branthill Farm on which, coincidentally, much of the barley which ends up in Beeston beers is grown.

hen the snow of Christmas/ New Year had melted, although the thermometer still remembered it, an intrepid group of West Norfolk CAMRA members fulfilled an invitation to visit Beeston Brewery.

Mark Riches (better known to some of our readers as the contents of a red boiler suit working the cellar at Norwich Beer Festival these last few years), the brewery’s owner, had asked us across to sample some recent additions to his range of beer. Unfortunately, breweries, apart from their small office area, do not come heated so, truth to tell, at temperatures such as these the taste buds are not what they can be in a warm pub. Nevertheless we did our best. Starting with the weakest, Squirrel’s Nuts, a dark mild at 3.5% alcohol which had done well at last October’s Norwich Beer Festival and has also been

spotted around a number of local pubs. It came over as a good supping mild with plenty of character which will go well as a quick lunchtime drink or will last the pace for a longer session. Next came Stirling, a full bodied red bitter at 4.5% abv. Specifically commissioned for The Real Ale Shop at Branthill Farm so available in bottles, the name comes from the nearby North Creake wartime airfield. A well drawn contemporary picture of the bomber of that name (leading to aircraft talk amongst those who know more of the subject than I do) was discovered in a surviving building on the site. A reproduction of this adorns the label.

The final brew was The Dry Road, an old fashioned IPA at 5% abv. Drinking far too easily for its strength, this beer, made using a single variety hop, again has a Branthill connec-

For about the first time ever we were pleased to leave a brewery (apologies Mark, nothing wrong with your brewery but you must remember the weather) to sample the hospitality of The Bull at Litcham where Mark had arranged for some much appreciated food and some more Beeston beer. Worth The Wait, as the wag amongst us always says when served the beer of this name. Thanks Mark. Ian Bailey

West Norfolk Branch Diary 27-8th March Theakston’s Brewery etc. Meet 11.30 at the Black Sheep brewery, Masham. 24th April Cambridge crawl, Starting 1030 at the Red Lion Histon. 13th April Stag, West Acre 11th May, White Hart, Downham Market. 17th July (provisional), Ely crawl

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Distribution - whatever the weather!

| NORFOLK NIPS

Nips In Blizzards! irst Saturday in January and time for a “Nips/Cask Force” distribution run. Could have picked a better day for it, as the weather made driving ‘fun’, snow blew blizzardlike on and off throughout the day. As I was driving it made me concentrate a lot harder than usual, but my traveling companions, Nige and Stig, kept me amused with many a snow themed quip.

Our first stop was the Green Man at Methwold Hythe, a few in on a wintry day in this pleasant pub (food looked good too!), a soft fizzy one for me (Oh, Matron!), the guys went for St Austell Tribute, which was the only ale on (they normally have at least two, sometime three). Then it was out into the snow and away to Downham Market, after some tasty fish ‘n’ chips to warm us up and satisfy our hunger(!), magazine drop number two at a GBG regular, the Crown Hotel, Nige and Stig tried the Theakston’s Black Bull Bitter which was okay, had a sip of it and found it decent but not brilliant, there were six ales on offer, the quality of the real ale at the Crown is usually of a high standard. Then along to a new venue for us, at the town’s railway station is a small pub/café called the Railway Arms, complete with model train 30

| SPRING 2010

running high on the walls, nice fire too, I had a half of Nethergate Three Point Nine, the other two had Elgood’s North Brink Porter, a nice pub if a bit on the small size (but then, they say, size isn’t everything!). We decided to give the Live & Let Live a go, a pub that used to be in the GBG years ago, it’s next to Tesco’s, GK IPA and Fuller’s London Pride (which was good so sayeth Nige), another cola for me, pleasant enough pub I thought. And so we left snowy Downham Market, headed back along the A10 to an equally snowy Southery, and one of my fave local pubs, the Old White Bell. A half of Theakston’s Big Elf for me, Peter and Nicola also had a Wadworth Xmas ale called Xmas 6X I think, we played pool and then watched

Reading v Liverpool’s FA Cup 3rd Round tie (Peter’s a Reds fan). So there you have it, come rain, come snow, come shine (when?!), or even hurricanes, nothing stops us spreading the good word! Cheers!!! Grant Holt’s Tackle (Tim again!)

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NORFOLK NIPS | Competition

Do you know your local pub signs? tarting with this edition of NIPS, we will be holding regular competitions. Our first competition is a pub sign quiz. Opposite are ten images depicting signs of local Norfolk pubs.

Please complete a) The pub’s name b) The town/village that it is located in. One mark will be awarded for each correct answer. To enter you may either complete the form below and send in your answers to ‘NIPS Pub Sign Quiz’ c/o 16D Cricket Ground Road, Norwich NR1 3BQ or alternatively E-mail to chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk giving your name and address.

3 6

5 4

Thanks to Maurice Bobbitt for supplying photographs of the pub signs. Entries must be received by Monday 17th May. The winner will be announced in the next edition of NIPS and will receive a mystery prize.

9 10

Pub Name

Town / Village

1. a

2. a

3. a

4. a

5. a

6. a

7. a

8. a

9. a

10. a

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North Norwich

| NORFOLK NIPS

A North Norwich pub crawl Elizabethan ceilings in Norwich. Now take a left along Colegate, with its splendid houses and two fine non-conformist meeting houses, the Octagon and the Old Meeting House, and past two of Norwich’s late medieval churches - a brief architectural history of the city. At the end of Colegate is the Golden Star, a busy characterful pub with Greene King and guests (Big Red from Ossett Brewery or Rev James from Brains on recent visits) and a bar billiards table if you

Above: Wig and Pen hen I moved into “Norwich over the Water” a few years ago, there wasn’t much pub life north of Colegate - not for real ale drinkers, anyway, with a few stalwart exceptions like the Duke of Wellington and the Plasterers. But that’s all changed - so that now you can have a pretty good pub crawl without ever crossing the Wensum back into the city. You might want to have a quick ‘city’ drink before crossing Fye Bridge at the Wig & Pen, which always has a good selection of well kept ales. Then it’s straight up Magdalen Street to the King’s Head - though noting that the splendid King of Hearts has bottles from St Peter’s Brewery

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King’s Head in its excellent, and inexpensive, café. If you’re starting at lunchtime, it's worth popping in to the King of Hearts not just for the café, but to see the art collection, a lovely medieval courtyard, and two of the finest

fancy a game. It has an illustrious place in Norwich beer history as the home of Pete Turner’s first brewery and pub in the days when Watneys was still the name of the game and real ale was hard to find.

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NORFOLK NIPS | North Norwich from outside East Anglia, and very little from outside Norfolk. But when you’ve got almost 30 breweries in the county, and when there are usually ten ales on, in excellent condition, including a stout or a porter and a mild, you can’t really complain. There’s also a good selection of foreign beers, including real lager, Belgian ales, and specials. No cooked food, but excellent pork pies. Besides, you’ve got a chance to play bar billiards. Again! Cider Shed Cross over Duke Street and keep going along Colegate, past the splendid flint flushwork of St Miles, till you find yourself on Oak Street where you’ll turn right to find the White Lion. This is another illustrious pub in Norwich ale history - it was here that Colin Keatley set up shop before eventually moving on to the justly famed Fat Cat (but that would have to be another pub crawl...) Until a couple of years ago, the pub belonged to Enterprise, was boarded up, and looked very sad indeed now Milton Brewery of Cambridge has stepped in and things are looking up again. It’s a proper old style pub, warm red tiles on the floor, lots of woodwork and a pub piano, and if you’re feeling hungry by now and the hour is appropriate you might consider investigating the excellent, and good value, menu as well as the ales.

From here, up to the inner ring road, take a right along it, and follow the pedestrian link to come out on to Magdalen Street. The King’s Head has already been branch pub of the year twice. You could, if you wanted to, define it in terms of negatives; no keg, no fizzy lager, no muzak. You could, if you wanted to, say that it has a rather limited selection of real ales - that is, almost nothing

Go up Magdalen Street now, up to the traffic lights at the end of the street and turn right, take a left fork along Silver Street to come out on Silver Road just below The Cottage. This pub has just been taken over by Essex-based Mauldon’s Brewery, so their ales (including the celebrated Black Adder, recently seen from the wood!) are a star attraction, but there’s also a good list of other ales including some rarities. With Clive and Sally Continued Overleaf

Whalebone

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North Norwich continued

| NORFOLK NIPS

(ex Wig & Pen, George at Thurton) now back in Norwich after a detour to Sudbury where they ran the Mauldons brewery tap you would naturally expect the beer to be pretty good. It’s still early days and the pub feels a bit new, but get a good crowd in as we did at the beer festival presentation evening and it buzzes nicely. If you live in Norwich and you haven’t been yet, you are missing out! Up Silver Road, hit the main road and take a right, then right again into Gertrude Road to visit the Heath House, the furthest point north on this trip. I was glad when we visited this pub on a First Friday Five to find two Tipples beers in excellent condition (and they’re damn good ales, too), and a great welcome. It's not a regular stop on the real ale circuit but deserves to be better known - particularly when there’s a beer festival on. Go back to the main road Sprowston Road - and take a left to find the Cider Shed. Now at this point on the pub crawl I have a bit of a problem as when I’m here I really like to drink the Rum Cask cider, but alas, mixing drinks is never a great idea. So this time I’ll have to go for a beer - one of the Fat Cat ales (this is the home of the brewery) or one of the many guests from around the country. The Cider Shed is a huge barn of a place, very different from the intimate, low-ceilinged pubs we’ve mainly visited on this crawl, and if you manage to visit on a 34

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Duke of Wellington day when there’s live music (that's pretty often!) the place can be really buzzing. From the Cider Shed, take Lawson Road towards the Whalebone. Lots of good beer here, with JHB a regular. I’d have to say the Whalebone’s beer festival last year was, I thought, one of the best pub beer festivals I’d ever been to in terms of range and rarities, and in terms of beer quality I think most of the Norwich Beer Festival cellar team would be quite happy with what was served up! Smokers will appreciate the superb facilities in the sheltered, heated garden at the back - for the rest of us there are two bars of different character and a little snug, all in all a nice little pub. From the Whalebone, turn back down Magdalen Road, then take a right almost immediately down Waterloo Road to

our last stop, the Duke of Wellington. (Wellington, Waterloo - obvious really.) A range of ales on handpump and on gravity, Erdinger wheat beer and some Belgian fruit beers on pump, and a chance to play another traditional pub game, Ring-the-Bull. Living in North Norwich, I rarely make it as far as the Fat Cat or even the Belgian Monk these days; there’s just too much going on without ever having to cross the river! Andrea Kirkby

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Angel Gardens Free House

Under same ownership for 22 years

BARRELIEF

MANAGEMENT

Six reasonably priced Real Ales including three guest ales

Home Cooked Food Live Music on Saturdays Beer Garden with heated smoking shelter

2 Bars (with one for Private Hire) Ample Car Parking 96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

01603 427490 email: ikwarren-angel@tiscali.co.uk

www.norwichinns.com 26 St Leonards Road Norwich NR1 4BL 01603 618734

A PUB

Your local Bar Relief to cover for your Holidays or Sickness. Personal Licence Holder. Food Hygiene Certificated. Please Call Brian Mayhew on 01603 301356 or 07714657752 to discuss your requirements email: brmpubservices@aol.com www.brmpubservices.co.uk

A real gem, well worth a visit. A GRE A FOR W T VENUE ORLD ACTIO CUP N!

Eight real ales to choose from, two of which change regularly.

Lovely enclosed beer garden with large sheltered smoking area.

Two pooltables upstairs.

Only a ten minute walk from the train station and city centre.

Pork pies and other light snacks available all day.

Open all day from 12 noon everyday.

Hog roast available sundays.

Sky Sports and ESPN

Looking forward to a ‘MILD MAY’! SPRING 2010 | 35

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Alby Horse Shoes Inn Freehouse Situated on the A140 Norwich/Cromer Road Up to 5 Real Ales including Wherry & Mardlers

Home cooked Food - locally sourced Food Hygiene Rating HHHHH Cosy Woodburner in both bars Margaret & Richard Rushmer look forward to meeting you

01263 761378 We are In it!

www.albyhorseshoes.co.uk

The Railway Freehouse Station Rd, North Elmham

01362 668300 In the current Good Beer Guide, CAMRA members and supporters of local microbrewers

REAL ALES â&#x20AC;˘ REAL FOOD REAL PUB Colin & Julie Smith look forward to seeing you!

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THE ANGEL INN FREEHOUSE

WEST NORFOLK CAMRA Pub of the year 2010 Open all day every day Excellent home cooked meals available from our award winning kitchen Cosy lounge and public bars Five Real Ales including Adnams and 4 guests (including Mild) Large Beer Garden with play area En-suite accommodation Camping and Caravanning available Larling, Norfolk, NR16 2QU (17th Century former coaching inn)

Tel: 01953 717963

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He should have gone to the

EATON COTTAGE, UNTHANK RD, NORWICH 01603 453048

SURLINGHAM OPENING HOURS ALL DAY, ALL YEAR, EVERY DAY FROM 11am-CLOSE FOOD AVAILABLE ALL DAY, FROM 12 TILL 9pm Picturesque riverside walks, RSPB reserve, On Norwich’s doorstep. Moorings available. Open Fire, Real Ales. Good traditional Home Cooked Food,

Main meals from £6.95 All Functions catered for. Live Music, Quiz Nights. Small Children and Dog friendly. You will receive a Warm and Friendly Welcome from Sonia, Andy and All at the Staff at The Ferry Ferry Road, Surlingham, Norwich, Norfolk. NR14 7AR Tel: 01508 538659 Email: surlinghamferry@googlemail.com

Website: www.surlinghamferryhouse.co.uk

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”

Open all day every day, food is served:Monday 12-2 12-2 & 6-9 Tuesday to Sunday

Offering four real ales and excellent food we are sure you will have a great time. 17th Century timber beamed pub. From Norwich & Acle head to Salhouse and at the mini roundabout follow the sign to Wroxham, we are 200yds on the right.

12-3 Sunday for plated home cooked Sunday lunches with homemade Yorkshire puddings and fresh vegetables. Booking advised if dining.

Quiz Nights every Wednesday from 8.30pm Every 3rd Tuesday of the month is Moules &Frites Night A meat raffle is held every Sunday at 4:30 pm. ‘Andy Russell finds plenty of appeal with a family outing to a 17th century pub’ - EDP Eating out October 2009

Tel: 01603 721141 www.salhousebell.co.uk 40

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NORFOLK NIPS | GBG Surveys around King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn Trot hree intrepid pub crawlers visited King’s Lynn to do some GBG surveys and check out some other lesser known public houses and this is what we found.

Our first stop was the Tudor Rose just by the Tuesday Market Place, which is a very old hotel bar with lots of beams and paneled walls. With just the one beer on, which although served very cold was pleasant enough. Onto the Lattice House, which has many student memories and was one of the first places where I discovered Real Ale as a youth. Glad to say JD Wetherspoons have not changed the character of this beautiful building one bit…unlike other pubs of the same chain this one retains the intimacy of smaller drinking areas and is very cozy…the beer is also very good. Next stop was the other Wetherspoons at the Globe which although more traditionally a typical layout for this chain still retained a great character and very helpful and attentive staff and also a good choice of real ales. We decided at this point to visit the Crown & Mitre and what a pleasant surprise this pub is with four superb real ales rarely seen in this part of the UK and wonderful maritime knickknacks and friendly staff. After refreshing ourselves with a hearty plate of fish and chips

each is was time for part two. I requested we stop at the Elgood’s run, Queens Arms on London Road. A quiet scruffy pub with dare I say electric pump fake hand pulls (in the style of real ale hand pumps) not a good sign and we hurriedly drank our pints which were not too good…it is sad that this pub has been neglected and nobody else was left in the pub after leaving. Next was The Live and Let Live where we sat in the back lounge and were faced with three Tom Woods and an Elgood’s beer…not exactly inspiring but better than the previous house. We observed someone barely awake at the bar whose head was nodding forwards and backwards only to wake occasionally to sup his beer. It was fairly jovial apart rom that poor fellow but not exactly where I’d choose to end up on a Saturday night out. Last but not least was the Stuart House Hotel and back to “normality” with decent Wherry and decent clientele (not that I’m a snob or anything!). On the way back home the next day I left my drinking partner at the Lifeboat in Thornham whilst I jaunted up the coast a little way to see my mother for a few moments which lasted an hour and a half…I returned to the Lifeboat where my mate was having a great time and on his 4th pint talking to anyone and everyone. It is great that

these sorts of pubs exist still and actually promote conversation and genuine company. Finally, we stopped at The Rose and Crown in Snettisham which was also excellent and further protracted (in a good way!) the journey home.

The Old White Bell Hi Chris, I have been meaning for sometime to drop a line to try and put an end to rumour. The Old White Bell at Southery has not closed, is not due to close and has no plans to close anytime soon. I have been hearing for a good few weeks now, ok, maybe a few months, that our pub is closing. This is simply not true. Nicola and I have been here for just over 7 years and have no plans, in spite of current market climate, of throwing the towel in. I'm too damn stubborn for a start! This rumour seems to have been heard further and further away and, as you can imagine, can not be good for trade, although I haven't noticed a sharp decline. I just want to set the record straight before my trade does take a nose-dive. Anyway, thank you for reading my rant, and Nicola, and I hope to see you soon. Maybe over the scorching summer we are due! Best regards, Peter Smith.

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Heath House Norwich

Traditional Family Pub

BEER FESTIVAL 21st - 27th JUNE 2010

Ales from near and far • Open from 12 noon every day A brand new beer will be making its debut at the Heath House Beer Festival. RASPBERRY VELVET from tipples brewery Belgian style raspberry beer made exclusively with malt produced from barley grown at Branthill farm North Norfolk. Broadland raspberrys and a specially developed blend of yeast. Raspberry Velvet has been planned by the brewery for Just 1 0m a good while and we are looking forward the Cid ins from er She to the final tasting! d

erved y ood S Pub F to Saturda y a d s e on to o n n d e 2 1 W 9p m ( 6pm to m on Sun) 5p

The Heath House, 99 Gertrude Rd, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 4SG Tel: 01603 406417

2nd ALL NORFOLK 3rd and 4th APRIL 2010 OVER 30 NORFOLK ALES & CIDERS AT LAKENHAM-HEWETT RFC - ADMISSION £2.50 OPENING TIMES Saturday 1200 ‘til 2300 Sunday 1200 ‘til 2100

BBQ-HOG ROAST LIVE MUSIC CAMPING AVAILABLE

beerfestival@lakenhamhewettrfc.co.uk 42

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The New Clubhouse Norwich Road Swardeston Norwich NR14 8DU

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ello and welcome to the Norfolk Nips and Cask Force Pub Beer Festival feature. This year Norfolk is awash with Real Ale festivals and events being held at a pub or hall in a local town or village near you.

With there never being so many micro-breweries in the UK, now is a great time to sample some of the myriad and exciting flavours on offer from this resurgence of British craft brewing and cider making. To help you on your journey we have provided a diary of as many of the events as we could find over the coming three months, included a map of

Norfolk and markers which show each event. To help you plan your travel to and from these events we have also included a brief guide to bus and train travel and where to find further information and timetables. Many of the festivals listed in the diary dates also have advertisements in this section so please refer to these for more detailed information on entertainment, opening times and range of ales and cider on offer. A large percentage of these festivals will be family friendly with outdoor food, entertain-

als 10 stivmmer 20 r Feing / Su Bee Spr

Norfolk Pub Beer Festivals - Spring / Summer 2010

ment and gardens to sit and play in so why not take the kids out for a country walk and fit a pint or two in at the same time. On a final note - the adverse weather over winter will have caused many of our beautiful village pubs to suffer from lack of trade, please make the effort to support these last bastions of our rural drinking heritage through the fairer weather of spring and early summer. Your support is sorely needed or the next time you feel like sitting in a village beer garden in the summer sun - the pub may have been forced to close its doors forever!

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Annual Beer Festival 13th, 14th & 15th August 2010 The Dabbling Duck is a Highly Acclaimed, Award Winning Pub situated in the heart of the unspoilt Norfolk village of Great Massingham. Located only 20 minutes from the coast, Great Massingham with its picturesque village green, duck ponds and local walks is one of Norfolkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-kept secrets.

Phone 01485 520827 www.thedabblingduck.co.uk The Dabbling Duck, Abbey Road, Great Massingham, Kings Lynn, PE32 2HN 44

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A beer festival is near you! 18-20 Mar St Neots Booze on the Ouze Beer Festival. Priory Centre,Priory Lane, St Neots, Cambridge, PE19 2BH 1

25-29 Mar White Lion, Oak Street, Norwich, Beer Festival

26 Mar-5 April Murderers/Gardeners, Timberhill, Norwich Beer Festival

1 - 5 April Beer festival with 8-9 Real Ales Union Jack, Roydon. Music on the 3 - 4 April

Beer Festivals section

7-10 May Cottage, Cromer, Beer Festival, in conjunction with “Folk on the Pier” Festival including live Music Lunchtimes and Evenings 14-15 May Elysian Beer Festival

21-30 May Whalebone, Magdalen Road, Norwich, Beer Festival 24-29 May Cambridge Beer Festival

1 - 4 April Geldeston Locks Easter Beer Cider and Music Festival

26-31 May Dove, Ipswich, Beer & Cider Festival, BBQ & Oompah band. 20

27-31 May Pelican, Tacolneston Beer Festival

2-5 April Angel Swanton Morley Easter Beer Festival - 25 Cask Ales and Ciders

28 May -6 June White Horse, Overstrand, Beer Festival

2-5 April Fox & Hounds Heacham, 10th Easter Beer Festival

28-31 May The Mariners, Yarmouth ‘White Rose’ Beer Festival

2 – 5 April Kings Head, North Lopham Easter Beer Festival

2-9 April Royal Oak, Poringland Easter Beer Festival

3-4 April Lakenham- Hewett RFC, Swardeston Beer & Cider Festival

1-5 June Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival 23

17-21 June Hill House Inn, Happisburgh beer festival

18-21 June Kings Head, Filby, Beer Festival

18-20 June Nelson, Norwich ‘Ready for Summer’ Beer Festival

22-27 June The Vine, Dove St, Norwich. Summer Beer Festival

1-4 July Beehive, Norwich - Annual Beer Festival

25 April Earle Arms, Heydon St Georges Day Beer Festival - Tug of war

13-15 August Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham Beer Festival

21-25 April Bury St Edmunds Beer Festival

11-13 June Jolly Sailors, Brancaster

23-25 April Kings Arms, Norwich Beer Festival to Celebrate St George’s Day.

21-27 June Heath House, Norwich

22-25 April Cottage, Norwich St George’s Beer Festival

23-25 July Crusaders Rugby Club, Beckhithe, Little Melton

April 29-May 3rd White Horse, Chedgrave Beer & Cider Festival including Live Music

23-25 July Reedham Beer Festival

7-10 April Maldon Beer Festival 10

10-11 April Stag, West Acre. Civil war battle re-enactment on April 10th and 11th.

30 April-3 May Black Lion, Little Walsingham

30 April-3 May Kings Head Holt beer festival

1-3 May 1st Thetford Beer Festival, The Carnegie Rooms, Cage Lane, Thetford, IP24 2BA

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A beer festival is near you! The numbers on the map match the numbers next to the events described on page 45. This map is to show you the

15 Little Walsingham

28 Gt.

Roydon

Massingham

5 10 West

Acre

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Beer Festivals section

how you the general area and is not to scale!

21 16

e Walsingham

11 Heydon

5 22

Filby 1

12 13 19 30 2 25 26 27

9 8

Poringland 20 Tacolneston

Geldeston

North Lopham

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on Locks In t s e d l Locks Lane, Geldeston n e G NR34 0HW Tel: 01508 518414

LOCKS EASTER BEER, CIDER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

THURSDAY 1st to SUNDAY 4th APRIL MUSIC:

THURSDAY 1st FOLK SESSION 9pm FRIDAY 2nd - FOLKY FRIDAY WITH CRUMBS FOR COMFORT, WAXIES DARGLE & MURPHY’S LORE - 8.30pm SATURDAY 3rd - RED MECCA - rock/pop classics and anthems from the sixties to today - every song a crowd pleaser - 9pm COUNTRY SUNDAY THE 4th - with BAZ & MARK, THE GUTTER BOYS, THE HENRY BROTHERS & THE RUM BROTHERS 1pm to 8pm OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY FROM 12, ALL SESSIONS FREE ENTRY

CURRIES OF THE WORLD FRIDAY 6pm TO 8.30pm, BARBECUES AND HOG ROASTS OVER THE WEEKEND, FOOD 12 to 2.30pm AND 6 TO 8.30pm EVERY DAY

www.geldestonlocks.co.uk for more information

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Beer Festivals section

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KINGS HEAD HOLT 6 BRILLIANTLY KEPT REAL ALES Including the ever popular Adnams Bitter, Broadside and Woodfordes Wherry. Proudly providing 3 guest ales (143 in one year and rising!)

The

Cottage

CROMER

Traditional Norfolk Free House

Giving everyone a fantastic accompaniment to our ever growing grill menu. So why not try a delicious locally sourced steak cooked to perfection on our char-grill!

Four Real Ales always available including Woodfordes Wherry, Greene King IPA and two ever-changing guest ales

3 stylish, comfortable, yet affordable B&B rooms for single, double or family use

Sandwiches always available Function rooms for hire

Recently re-furbished ‘George’ Lounge with Snugs and quiet corners Come pull up a stool, grab an Ale at ‘The Question mark Bar’ and put the world to rights! Live music throughout Spring, Summer and Autumn Enclosed Courtyard Beer Garden in the heart of the Appleyard

BEER FESTIVAL Friday 30th April - Monday 3rd May To find out more you can visit our website http://www.kingsheadholt.org.uk/, give us a call on 01263 712543, or just come on down and give us a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Open daily 11am-2.30pm & 5.30pm - 11pm

BEER FESTIVAL Fri May 7th – Mon May 10th In conjunction with ‘Folk on the Pier’ 16+ Beers. Live Music Lunchtimes and Evenings

8 Louden Rd, Cromer NR27 9EF (Just 3 mins walk from the Sea)

Hill House Inn - Happisburgh For 2010: FIVE DAYS

Thursday 17th June to Monday 21st June inclusive The Over 100 Beers & Ciders (and the odd perry) from far and wide, at competitive pub prices.

10th

LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT inc. Rock, Traditional Jazz, Rockabilly, Skiffle, Folk and much more.

Family Friendly CAMPING AVAILABLE One Off Entry payment of £4.00 valid for the whole weekend. (Numbered wristband - numbers entered into a Grand Prize Draw).

FREE PRINTED FESTIVAL GLASS AND TASTING NOTES. Food served all day. Festival T-Shirts available

Come and join us at the independent festival by the sea. Celebrate the 10th Solstice festival and 4 centuries of the Hill House. For more details contact:- Clive and Sue Stockton, The Hill House Inn, Happisburgh, Norfolk NR12 OPW Tel/Fax 01692 650004 50

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Beer Festivals section

4th Annual Beer Festival Thursday 1st July (starts midday) to Sunday 4th July (‘til the beer runs out!)

Featuring over 25 East Anglian Beers and Ciders • Charity BBQ Fri, Sat, Sun

6 Real Ales On Handpump Belgian Bottled Beers Lunchtime Menu Quiz night every Wendesday

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riners a M e h T Ale and Cider Houses Now at:

GREAT YARMOUTH

The MARINERS NORWICH & NORFOLK 2010 PUB OF THE YEAR!

‘White Rose’ Beer Festival (Yorkshire’s Finest!) Bank Holiday Weekend Fri May 28th - Monday May 31st 25 Beers + Ciders + entertainment 69 Howard St South, Great Yarmouth NR30 1LN

Tel 01493 332299

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LOWESTOFT THE MARINERS REST Easter ‘Champion of Champions’ Beer Festival Fri April 2nd- Monday April 5th Our FIRST Beer Festival – Approx 20 Beers Rotterdam Rd, Lowestoft NR32 7ES Tel 01502 538813

GORLESTON THE MARINERS COMPASS 8 Real Ales plus a selection of Ciders 21 Middleton Rd, Gorleston NR31 7AJ Tel 01493 659494

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Beer Festivals section

Travelling around Norfolk orfolk is well served by train and bus services between all the major towns, villages and out of Norfolk via Kings Lynn and Norwich. There are also many cycle and walking routes available for the more adventerous beer hunter or those with families looking for a full day out with some excercise thrown in.

Other services include X8 covering Kings Lynn to Fakenham and Heacham.

National Express andEast Midland Trains Services run everyday into Norfolk from Ely, Peterborough, Cambridge and Ipswich.

X5 and X6 services from Fakenham to Norwich covering many villages including Little Snoring, Erpingham. Aylsham and Mile Cross.

All services pass through Norwich where you can then go on to the coastal Norfolk towns of Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer and Sheringham.

There is a large map of the routes available for download at: www.norfolkgreen.co.uk/timetables/

Go to www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com or www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk to check times

Heritage Train services Mid Norfolk Railway Travelling between Dereham - Yaxham Thuxton - Kimberley Park - Wymondham Abbey This volunteer run railway has a variety of locomotives including a fleet of heritage diesels. Go to www.mnr.org.uk to check times. The North Norfolk Railway Travelling between Sheringham - Weybourne Kelling Heath Park - Holt The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty. Go to www.nnrailway.co.uk/timetable.php to check times.

Bus Services

The Coasthopper route sets off from Kings Lynn and covers Hunstanton - Wells Weybourne - Sheringham - Comer and many of the smaller villages in between.

The X1 First group service runs into Norfolk from Peterborough passing through Kings Lynn, Narborough, Swaffham and several other villages to Norwich. The service then runs on through Acle and Great Yarmouth.

Cycling Norfolk has hundreds of miles of quiet country lanes and roads to explore. To help you, East of England Tourism has developed a range of Free circular Cycling Discovery Maps. These are available at: www.visiteastofengland.com/ visitor-information/cycling-discovery-maps2.aspx The Sustrans National Cycle Network passes through Norfolk and is designed to make cycling fun, safe and simple as you cover huge stretches of the UK. One third of the Network is completely free from motor traffic, using old railway paths, forest tracks, country parks and bridleways, and the rest uses quiet minor roads and traffic-calmed streets in towns and cities. so if your having a drink - get out of the car and on yer bike!

Norfolk Green run a number of Bus services into and around Norfolk.

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Mark & Marie offer you a warm welcome to the

Fox and Hounds Heacham Home of The Fox Brewery We are a free house specialising in real ales. The first pub in Heacham to be in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Live Music every Tuesday • Quiz Night Thursday

10th Easter Beer Festival Friday April 2nd to Monday April 5th 35+ Real Ales plus real ciders LIVE MUSIC Friday: Sylvane - Irish Folk Saturday: Hijack Oscar - Blues / Rock Sunday: Hillybilly Cats - Rock & Roll See website for details - www.foxbrewery.com

Tel: 01485 570345 22 Station Rd, Heacham, Norfolk PE31 7EX

OPEN ALL DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK

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The Cottage FREEHOUSE

9 Silver Road, Norwich, NR3 4TB.

Tel: 01603 665535 www.thecottagenorwich.co.uk

Up to ten real ales on handpump Continental draught beers • Bottled Belgian beers Live Music every Sunday from 4pm Tapas every Tuesday from 7pm Lunchtime menu Mon - Fri 12 – 2pm Breakfasts every Saturday from 10.30am Sunday Roasts 12.00 – 3.00pm

OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 11.30am-11pm Sat 10.30am -11pm Sun 12.00-10.30pm

St George’s Beer Festival Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th April Over 40 real ales and ciders

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Beer Festivals section

Earle Arms Heydon

Traditional Norfolk freehouse and restaurant

Sunday 25 April

St Georges Day Tug Of War, plus live band and mini beer festival 3 Real Ales always available Woodfordes Wherry, Adnams Bitter and Black Sheep

NORFOLK ALE FESTIVAL plus Live Music and ‘Fun & Games in the Garden’

Friday June 11th (5pm-Midnight), Saturday June 12th (11am-Midnight) and Sunday June 13th (12-10.30pm)

Big Screen TV for World Cup action

01263 587376 Satnav: NR11 6AD (Just off B1149 Holt - Norwich Rd)

The Kings Arms 22 Hall Rd Norwich NR1 3HQ

Tel: 01603 766361

St George’s Day Friday April 23rd – Sunday April 25th Celebrate St George’s Day with us for the best of the English pub! See

www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk for details Or join us on Facebook! SPRING 2010 | 55

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Beer Festivals section

Simon and Karen welcome you all to their traditional family pub. Great selection of real ales (new Guest ale every Friday) Fine dining and excellent company

Spring Beer Festival Thursday April 29th - Monday May 3rd Up to 20 real ales and ciders offer plus Live Music and Morris Dancing.

We hope to see you there. www.whitehorsechedgrave.co.uk

Phone us on (01508) 520250 to book or for more details

Pig n Falcon - St Neots ALES TO DATE

LIVE MUSIC

220

WED, FRI + SAT

FROM 9/4/09

3 large heated

Huntingdonshire CAMRA

smoking areas

MOST IMPROVED PUB OF THE YEAR

2010

every weekend with up to SUMMEIVRAL ‘Rock and Ale’ 16 Ales & ciders

BEER FEST

see website for details

from £1.85 per pint as at January 2010 Open 10am (11am Sunday) til’ late Monday - Sunday!

www.PignFalcon.co.uk

Tel 07951 785678 – New St, St Neots – PE19 1AE 56

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Beer Festivals section

The Kings Head North Lopham (Near Diss)

400 year old thatched country pub

EASTER

AL SAUSAGE & ALE FESTIV

Fri April 2nd – Monday April 5th 15+ Beers Including Champion Beers of Britain and OVER 50 types of sausage (including Vegetarian and Gluten-free varieties) For full details SEE OUR NEW WEBSITE www.lophamkingshead.co.uk

Real Ales at sensible prices: Woodfordes Wherry & Adnams Bitter plus a rotating guest beer (4% ABV and above) PLUS Aspalls Cyder and a draught keg Mild Home made food, freshly prepared with a selection of Vegetarian and gluten free meals (Served Wednesday to Saturday 12 - 2.30pm & 6pm - 8.30pm and Sunday Lunch 12 noon - 3pm)

Fire l a e R

Opening Times: Monday 5-11pm Tuesday / Wednesday 11.30am - 3pm and 5pm - 11pm Thursday / Friday 11.30am - 3pm and 5pm - 12midnight Saturday 11.30am - 12midnight Sunday 12noon - 10:30pm

Beer amp Garden & le Pa rkin g

The Kings Head, 16 The Street, North Lopham, Diss , Norfolk IP22 2NE Tel: 01379 688007

‘Ready for Summer’ Beer Festival Friday June 18th – Monday June 21st 20+ Beers, focusing on ‘Golden’ Ales from Independent Breweries Live Music + BBQ + Pub Grub • See website for details

10p OFF A PINT - For card carrying CAMRA members 6 Real Ales always available Large Beer Garden and Car Park Music: Folk every Sunday and Thursday Traditional ‘Jam’ Session every Wednesday – all welcome! Regular Live Bands Sunday night Pub Quiz • Sky Sports and ESPN

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NORFOLK NIPS | Beer & Music

Music & Real Ale TRADITIONAL JAZZ Acle Recreation Centre, Bridewell Lane, Acle Real Ales include Adnams Bitter, Theakstons and Tipples Redhead Friday 11th June – Savannah Jazz Band. Tickets/enquiries – Brian Davis 01493 701880 The Brook Hotel (Formerly Quality Hotel), Bowthorpe, Norwich (off Dereham Road) No known sessions this quarter. Enquiries – Rod Playford 01362 680136 King’s Head Hotel, Beccles, Suffolk Adnams Bitter and Broadside plus special house beer Matilda’s Revenge, brewed by local brewery Opa Hays in honour of the resident ghost, and guest beers. Every Sunday evening Red Beans ‘n’ Rice New Orleans Jazz Band (NB. Special guest on Sunday 21st March features Norman Thatcher on trumpet) King’s Arms, Market Place Reepham Adnams Best Bitter, Elgoods Cambridge Bitter, Woodforde’s Wherry and Nelson’s Revenge, Greene King Abbot Ale plus guest beers. Every Sunday lunchtime from 9th May to 5th September (plus Bank Holiday Monday

30th August) in attractive courtyard at rear of pub (weather permitting), the bands alternating through the summer will be: Nene Valley Jazzmen, Climax Jazz Band, Dixie Mix, Norfolk Jazz and Vintage Hot Orchestra. (Phone King’s Arms for more details 01603 870345) Feathers Hotel, Market Place, Holt Sessions here have been discontinued (see Red Hart, Bodham) Red Hart, Bodham (Nr Holt) Adnams Bitter and Broadside First Friday every month – Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Band Marsham Arms, nr Hevingham (B1149 Norwich-Holt Road) Adnams Bitter, plus alternating guests including Adnams Broadside and Woodforde’s Wherry Third Friday every month – Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Band Crown Inn, Banningham (Nr Aylsham) Adnams Broadside, Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale Easter Monday 5th April (1.30 to 4.30 pm) – Simon Nelson’s Dixie Mix Bank Holiday Monday 31st May (1.30 to 4.30 pm) Norfolk Dixieland Jazz Band (Phone 01263 733534 for

further details) George and Dragon, Newton by Castle Acre Elgoods Cambridge plus local guest beers Second Tuesday every month – Black Bowler Hat Jazz Band (Also folk music on first Thursday every month) Bridge House, Norwich SAT 27 TH march NORWICH HOT RHYTHM CLUB 20’s jazz, 30’s dance band, 40’s swing, rhythm & blues,rockabilly, rock n roll, ska & 60’s soul Bell Inn, Hempton (Nr Fakenham) Woodforde’s Wherry, John Smiths Cask and guest beers Fourth Thursday every month – Black Bowler Hat Jazz Band Saturday 20th March – Chris Wigley’s ‘Phoenix Phive’ Northrepps Cottage Country Hotel, Nut Lane, Northrepps (Nr Cromer) Greene King Abbot Ale and IPA Second Sunday every month (Jazz Carvery from 12.00 – 3.00 pm) – Chris Wigley’s Phoenix Jazz Quartet. (Phone 01263 579202 for further details)

Continued Overleaf

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Beer & Music

| NORFOLK NIPS

Dereham Jazz Society, Lakeside Country Club, Quarry Lane, Lyng (nr Dereham) Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen Wednesday 14th April - Barry Tyler’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band Wednesday 26th May – Simon Nelson’s Dixie Mix, featuring Simon Nelson on cornet/vocals, Chris Wigley (trombone), Bill Skinner (reeds), Kevin West (guitar/banjo), John Benson (bass), and Tony Wilkins (drums) The Buck Inn, The Street, Flixton, Suffolk Woodforde’s Mardler’s, Morland Original and Adnams

Bitter are the regulars at present, but in addition there are guest beers, and an increased selection in the summer months Every Thursday -Sole Bay Jazz Band

MAINSTREAM / MODERN JAZZ Green Man, Wroxham Road, Rackheath Woodforde’s Wherry, Adnams Bitter, Fuller’s London Pride plus guests Every Tuesday – Full programme consisting of various bands and musicians. For further details, phone Barbara Capocci on 01603

413443, or e-mail b.capocci123@ntlworld.com Dereham Jazz Society, Lakeside Country Club, Quarry Lane, Lyng (nr Dereham) Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen Every Wednesday – Full programme consisting of various bands and musicians in varied styles, which usually includes one ‘traditional’ session each month (See above). For further details phone 01328 863511 or 01362 696741 or visit website www.lakeside-jazz-club.co.uk Keith Chettleburgh

in West Norfolk ocale was created by Nottingham CAMRA in 2007 who wanted to support their remaining brewers following the demise of local brewer Hardy & Hansons. They were quickly followed by York and the Isle of Wight branches. It was then taken on by CAMRA as a national campaign and since then many CAMRA branches across the country have already joined them to promote local beers and breweries.

Norwich and Norfolk Branch launched their LocAle scheme in October at the beer festival 60

| SPRING 2010

and I am pleased to be able to announce that West Norfolk Branch are now issuing LocAle stickers to pubs in their area. To qualify for LocAle you need to sell at least one real ale from within 30 miles ie. 30 miles by road (the shortest distance) radius of your pub at all times. You can sell beers which do not qualify for this scheme as long as at least one of your beers is a LocAle. We will supply a customised list of qualifying breweries for each pub participating in this scheme. The pubs which have already signed up to this promotion

are listed below. If you would like any further information about this scheme, or run a pub and would like to join the list of pubs already taking part please contact me on 01553 766904 or e-mail: RD.EastAnglia@camra.org.uk. Andrea Briers

LocAle Pubs in West Norfolk Railway Arms, Downham Market Live & Let Live, King’s Lynn Sandboy, Bawsey George & Dragon, Newton by Castle Acre Stag, West Acre

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The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head KEG FREE HOUSE

Open 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday 12.00noon - 10.30pm Sunday Run by enthusiastic drinkers and CAMRA members.

Keg Free Zone 14 Hand Pumps Norfolk Ales and Cider Mild always available Worldwide Bottled Beers Belgian Beers Bar Billiards Television-free

olk f r o N A R M CA ear Pub of the Y 8 0 0 2 & 6 0 0 2 Dating from the 14th century, the pub has been restored to a Victorian style. The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JE Telephone: 01603 620468

www.kingsheadnorwich.com

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The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ

Tel: 01603 620340

FOUR REAL ALES Live Music, Friday & Saturday Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN Mon - Thurs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday 12-11

The Shoulder of Mutton ~ Strumpshaw ~

Fine ales and good food served in a friendly atmosphere Real ales include Adnams Bitter and Broadside plus TWO guest ale (mainly from local breweries) Food served 12-2pm and 7-9pm (Mon-Sat), 12-2pm Sundays Pub games include Darts, Pool, Crib and Petanque!

Ian and Jenny look forward to welcoming you.. Norwich Rd, Strumpshaw, Norwich NR13 4NT

Tel 01603 712274 62

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The London Tavern Free House

Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415 Great real ales, fine wines and spirits. Traditional food served daily, pre-booked evening meals, Sunday roasts and Childrens menu. Meals for large parties up to 30 catered for in our funtion room, choice of set menuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Bookings only.

Now selling bottle conditioned beers from The Real Ale Shop in Wells Next The Sea tel 01328 710810

Parking, Disabled facilities, Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Christenings, Funerals, Intimate Weddings / Civil Ceremonies catered for

john@oleslewfootbrewery.co.uk

IN THE GOOD BEER GUIDE 2010

3 Pollard Rd, Hainford, Norwich NR10 3BE

01603 279927

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A Sad Loss

| NORFOLK NIPS

Nicholas Frank Stimp 1962 – 2009 he joined Stevens Howard, a local firm of solicitors, as a legal clerk. It was during this time that he developed his fondness for Norwich pubs, in particular the long lamented Fruiterers Arms, and the Vine, and also his skills as a barman at the Conservative Club and periodically at the Sir Garnet Wolsey.

he pub world of Norwich and South Norfolk was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Nicholas Stimpson on Sunday, 20th December, 2009. Nick was both a popular bar manager, and regular imbiber, at various watering holes in the city and beyond. Short in stature but big in personality; he made his mark with all who had met him.

Nicholas Frank Stimpson, Little Nick or just plain Nick, all affectionate names for him, was born on 2nd December 1962, in Norwich. He was lucky enough to secure a scholarship the King Edward VI Grammar School, or Norwich School. Upon leaving school, 64

| SPRING 2010

Sadly, as like many, Nick became a victim of the recession of the 1990’s and was unfortunately made redundant from the legal profession. During this brief interlude in his life, he became a regular at the St. Andrew’s Tavern, now the Rumsey Wells, which Nicki Howard and I had acquired. In 1996, Nick’s big break came when we needed help in the cellar bar at the St. Andrews and he duly obliged with a stint behind the pumps. He became an instant success with the customers and remained with us until we sold the St. Andrews in 1998. When we moved to and reopened the King’s Arms in 1998, Nick was installed as daytime bar manager, a post he made his own for the six years we ran the pub.

His attention to detail and customer care was an underlying feature in our success as CAMRA East Anglian Pub of the Year in 1999. In 2005, we sold the King’s Arms to Batemans, and Nick remained loyal to the new owners. It just so happened that in 2006, we opened the Artichoke at Broome in deepest South Norfolk, and sure enough, Nick managed to take up our offer as bar manager. The Anglian 588 service provided him with the perfect commute every day from Norwich, getting to know ‘his drivers’ on a personal basis. Indeed, so good a customer was Nick, that in 2007, they rerouted the evening service through Broome village, thus negating the need for Nick to make a trek over Broome Heath in the dark! Most readers of Nips will remember Nick fondly and have many a tale to tell. His amazing ability to remember names was legendary. Even if you were a once a year customer, you can bet your life you would be greeted on first name terms. He applied this knack of memory to horse racing, Kings and Queens, dates in history.

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NORFOLK NIPS | Letter

mpson

Letter to the Editor Monday 25 January 2010

A staunch Conservative, he would often tell of the night he danced with ‘the glorious, blessed, divine Margaret’ at a Tory Ball. He also courageously stood as a candidate in the rock solid Labour ward of Heigham, coming a creditable second. In latter years, apart from the St. Andrews, King’s Arms and Artichoke, his favourite city haunts were the Reindeer, the Fat Cat and the King’s Head, where after a long bus journey he unwound with tales of daring do, or any of his myriad stories. The pubs in Norwich, and especially the Artichoke at Broome, have been enriched and humbled by Nick, and we have all suffered a sad loss, the like of which we’ll never see again. It’s time to say ‘last orders, Nicholas, never to hear his immortal reply ‘one large haddock and a scampi!’ RIP Nicholas Frank Stimpson. Slainte. John Craft

by e-mail

Dear Sirs, The comment by Steve Foyster in the last edition of Nips (that we should tell pubs when and why they don’t get into the Good Beer Guide) is worthy of further debate. Although CAMRA exists to speak for the beer drinker, we cannot do this effectively without doing everything reasonable to engage with landlords. So what should we do? Pubs that appear regularly in the guide will already have an established line of contact with the local branch. The problems start when a new pub is recommended. If the pub is not included, perhaps the branch ought to produce a quick note (verbal or written) as to why the pub didn’t get selected, and ask the person making the original recommendation to act as messenger, failing which I suppose it would be down to the committee to appoint someone. This sounds bureaucratic, and indeed it could be. But if it results in a better and more relaxed relationship between CAMRA and the pubs, then this ought to benefit everyone. More, better quality pubs serving better quality beer increases competition for GBG places, and this will in turn benefit cask beer drinkers. And that’s where we came in! What do others think?

Laurie Bishop Reply from Warren Wordsworth, Branch pubs Officer Within the Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA Branch area there are 500+ pubs that serve real ale of which just over 100 are nominated each year, for possible inclusion in the GBG. Our branch’s allocation is just 77 pubs. An elaborate democratic election procedure determines which of these 100 or so nominated pubs, (all of which are usually suitable) are selected to go in the GBG. There is no other reason why a pub is not selected other than that they failed to obtain the necessary votes at the election.

SPRING 2010 | 65

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The Burston Crown Jonj, Frances, Bev and Steve welcome you to our 16th Century country pub. We offer a fine range of gravity fed real ales, excellent bar and restuarant food every day and a welcoming, warm atmosphere. Every Thursday evening we have a buskerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s night and host live music every alternate Sunday.

www.burstoncrown.com

01379 741257 enquiries@burstoncrown.com

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Packed full of Norfolk’s Finest Real Ales Brewed and bottled on the premises, Local Cheeses, Chutneys, Glazed Hams, and Local Crafts.

Sunday Lunches • Brewery Tours Beer Festivals • Folk Nights If you like Beer and Food - we’re the place to try The Hop and Hog, No 1 The High Street, Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9DA

01366 386658 thehopandhog@btconnect.com

www.norfolkfoodanddrink.co.uk

THE VEGETABLE SHOP 1d HIGH STREET DOWNHAM MARKET Come to the ONLY shop in Downham dedicated to providing REAL ORGANIC FRUIT & VEGETABLES plus a range of Organic Wholefoods,Bread and Eggs. It’s a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE! Shop: 01366 385523 Mobile: 07967 346551 Ring Ian for details of our forthcoming Vegetarian Feast Nights with music, ciders and beer made with local organic barley!

THE ICENI BREWERY For ALL your homebrew needs buy DIRECT from the ICENI BREWERY At 3 Foulden Rd, Ickburgh, Thetford IP26 5HB

Tel 01842 878922/ 07949 488113 Or email icenibrewe@aol.com for details

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The White Hart Inn 7 White Hart Street, Foulden, Thetford, Norfolk IP26 5AW Tel: 01366 328638 19th Century traditional pub with accomodation in the heart of Foulden, just outside Thetford. With Thetford Forest right on the doorstep, this is a great base for discovering the wildlife and outdoor pleasures of The Brecks.

Real ale pub serving value for money pub meals with music and quiz nights. for full details of whats on email:- hartpub@yahoo.co.uk

Child Friendly and dogs welcome. En suite rooms with private entrance available.

The Historical Green Dragon Inn Situated next to the famous Wymondham Abbey

TRADITIONAL HOME COOKED FOOD All food is locally sourced & freshly prepared

B&B ROOMS WITH ENSUITE Available from £45 per night

4 REAL ALES – MEMBER OF SIBA

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

CHOICE OF OVER 25 SINGLE MALT WHISKIES LARGE WALLED BEER GARDEN

MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT – 25TH April BEER FESTIVAL – 28th to 31st May WYMONDHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL - July Further information available on website

OPEN ALL DAY FROM FRIDAY 2nd APRIL 6 Church Street, Wymondham (01953)607907 www.wymondhamgreendragon.com

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NORFOLK NIPS | Ely feature

Ely winter ales s the snow turned to rain, lots of it, make a nice change I suppose! Myself, Stig, and Nige traveled to Ely on the train, to pay a visit to the local CAMRA branch’s 1st Elysian Winter Ales Beer & Cider Festival, at the Maltings right on the river and only a few minutes from the station. And also pop into a few pubs to boot!

The Maltings is venue which hosts plays and films, also has a nice café, one of these rooms hosted the beer festival, which had begun the day before (we went on Saturday). A starter pack costing 9-50 gave you a glass and five ½ pint beer tokens, 32 ales were on the list, but as usual it was a case of going to the bar and checking to see what was actually on, even with reserve barrels they were running out of liquid around 3pm (but were still letting people in), the festival was well attended that afternoon. The beers I tried included Crouch Vale Blackwater Mild (good), Crouch Vale Hurricane (superb), Crouch Vale FPA (good, I see a theme here!), dark Star Sussex extra Stout (nice), Highwood Mill Race (good), Red Squirrel Herts Old (good), Highwood Old Timber (not bad), and finally, Crouch Vale Essex Boys (them again, lovely). As the beer ran out so did we! Headed for the Town House, three ales (one was a Buntingford beer), I had Oakham JHB, a large room pub which I believe has disco’s at weekends. Got the happy news that Norwich City had thrashed Colchester United 5-0, revenge! Onto a refurbished King’s Arms, London Pride and Adnams Bitter the choice here , not a bad pub but too ‘clean’ and lacking in atmosphere for my liking. Feeling peckish, we went to the Ely Fish Bar for some delicious fish ‘n’ chips , cheap too. Back to the pubs then, me my brother Gary in the West End House which is not far from where he lives, ales included Courage Directors, London pride, and Shepherd Neame Spitfire (which we all had, good drop too. We had time for one more stop before the train home, so into the Prince Albert, a Greene King pub with

‘guests’, wonderful pub with tons of atmosphere, and they have XX Mild, also had Hardy & Hanson’s Olde Trippe and Rocking Rudolph. Saying goodbye to Gary us three returned to the train station and home, no time for the Fountain or Cutter Inn (spare us the Cutter! Sorry, couldn’t resist!). The local CAMRA branch’s main beer festival is in May, 14/15th, at Ely City Football Club, the winter ales event was good but maybe a few more beers next year people! Ely has some good pubs which would make a good pub crawl, hmm, I think a plan is forming! Cheers!!! TTFN from Tim! Tim Spitzer

The Lobster

& Stables Restaurant

FRESH FOOD SERVED DAILY n Vegetarian and Vega le ilab ava ns tio op

OPENING HOURS Monday to Thursday 10am to 11pm Friday to Saturday 10am to 1.30am Sunday 12 noon to 12pm

BEER FESTIVALS ON BANK HOLIDAYS 10 Real Ales • Fine Wines • Childrens Menu Baby Changing • Disabled Facilities Large Beer Gardens • Dogs are welcome 13 High Street, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8JP Tel: 01263 822716 www.the-lobster.com

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Cu WA EA 3 rre YS L A L n W on tly W AV LE A oo do df n adw IL S or Pr o A de id rt B ’s e a h 6 LE W nd X he , rr y

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The Royal Oak at Poringland Come and enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday at our

EASTER BEER FESTIVAL April 2nd - April 9th Range of 24 Beers and Ciders available Giant Easter Egg Raffle on sunday for East Anglian Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice

We Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Have a Big Screen TV, Food Or a Juke Box We 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 beer garden With heated smoking shelter, darts, pool, quizzes And crib. We now hold THREE beer festivals a year - having added one over the August bank holiday week end! 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.

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007 Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007 13 years in the Good Beer Guide! 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. Contact us on

01508 493734 New email: theroyaloak@fsmail.net

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FREEMOUSE 49 West End Street, Norwich NR2 4NA 01603 624364

Beer Pub of the Year GOOD PUB GUIDE 2010 - Winner for the 4th time!

Two Times CAMRA National Pub Of The Year (1998 & 2004) Up to THIRTY real ales available all year round

FIFTY BOTTLED BEERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD featuring 25 countries, from Mexico to Mongolia, Jamaica to Japan and China to the Czech Republic

FIFTEEN DRAUGHT CONTINENTAL BEERS INCLUDING 5 FRUIT BEERS NOW IN OUR 20TH YEAR!

ROLLS STILL 60p Part of the Oakademy Scheme of Excellence

TAPPITS & POLYPINS AVAILABLE ALL YEAR! www.fatcatpub.co.uk

Fat Cat Brewery at the Cidershed, Norwich 98-100 Lawson Rd, Norwich NR3 4LF 01603 624364 UP TO 15 REAL ALES INCLUDING THE FAT CAT RANGE:

LIVE MUSIC & ARTS VENUE

01603 788508 www.cidershednorwich.net

Fat Cat Bitter Honey Ale Wild Cat Marmalade Cat Stout Cat

3.8% 4.3% 5.0% 5.5% 4.6%