Issue 162 of Norfolk Nips & Cask Force

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No.162

Autumn 2012

HERE COMES THE NORWICH BEER FESTIVAL 2012!

Also inside:

E E R F

PUB AND BREWERY NEWS • GOOD BEER GUIDE 2013 FRAMEWORK TO SAVE COMMUNITY PUBS BEER LEGENDS • CAMRA AGM • BEER FESTIVAL CALENDAR

Newsletter of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

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Trafford Arms Christmas menu now available

Date for your Diary

20th Beer Festival Monday 11th to Sunday 17th February 2013 Raising money for for the Magdalene Group Jigsaw Project

Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms -

61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466 www.traffordarms.co.uk traffordarms@btconnect.com

N h

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New policy will help save Pubs The Queen’s Head in Hempnall is the latest in a long line of pubs to be closed and sold for housing. Lost to the community forever. Others have become supermarkets, a deed which does not require planning consent. You sense that CAMRA’s focus is changing.

The battle for real ale is won, but drinkers’ rights are what we must fight for now. We want a decent pint, at a fair price, in a good local pub.

Quality is in our own hands, if you think that the pint in front of you is less than perfect – say so. The others require a bit of effort from all of us. If you do not want the price of beer to escalate every single year – then sign the e-petition. Is your local in danger of closing – what can you do?

Maybe there is an answer – CAMRA’s Local Planning Advisor Paul Ainsworth explains: The National Planning Policy Framework – not words likely to get anyone's pulse racing are they? Yet this new document is a powerful weapon in the battle to protect our beleaguered pubs.

Over recent years, we've lost huge numbers of pubs through conversion to housing and other uses that need planning permission. When Councils consider planning applications, they must take into account

not only their detailed local policies but also the broader national policies. Until March 2012, those national policies occupied a legion of documents totalling over 1000 pages. Some policies were vaguely helpful to pubs, albeit mainly rural ones.

The new Framework sweeps away this complex set of rules, replacing them with just 52 pages of policy guidance.

Thanks to intensive lobbying

by CAMRA, this new guidance includes national policies which are potentially very helpful to community facilities like pubs.

Most importantly, Councils are told to “guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services” which specifically includes community pubs. What’s also crucial is that these rules apply to all pubs, urban and rural.

Councils must have in place,

by March 2013, local planning policies consistent with the Framework; in the meantime, Framework policies should generally be applied.

So what does all this mean if your local is threatened by an unwanted planning application? You should object to the Council, of course, but when doing so, make sure to refer to the relevant policies in the Framework. If you can show that loss of the pub would

Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Graham Freeman Tel: 01603 687495 Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Secretary: Warren Wordsworth Tel: 01603 665557 Email: w.wordsworth@ntlworld.com Social Secretary: Michael Philips Email: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Ian Stamp Email: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk Branch Chairman: Steve Barker email: steve.barker495@btinternet.com 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 2012 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA.

Edited by: Mike Baldwin Email: michaelbaldwin8@gmail.com Chris Lucas Email: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media Email: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Distribution: 12,000 copies / four times a year Norwich and Norfolk District: Tony Miles nips.distribution@gmail.com West Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com Advertising: For advertising enquiries please contact Jane Michelson or Chris Shilling on: 01778 420888 / 421550 jane@shillingmedia.co.uk Front Cover: Sampling local ales in Blackfriar's Hall at the 2011 Norwich Beer Festival

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

A great real ale pub in the centre of the City Exceptionally good Thai Food lunchtimes and evenings

We are in the Good Beer Guide 2013 The ONLY Thai Restaurant for Norwich in THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE!

www.vinethai.co.uk

ng s, i k ta king e r o a We as bo serve m to re t s i Chr l now table! cal your

NORFOLK NIPS | New Policy to help pubs - continued reduce the local community's ability to meet its day-to-day needs, then the Council should refuse the application.

CAMRA has produced an advice note on the best wording to use and this can be found, along with much other information on planning issues, at www.camra.org.uk/nppf or if you would like any of these documents posted to you then please phone CAMRA’s Campaigns Officer Claire Cain on 01727 798 454.

The Framework is already making an impact. Councils in Cambridge and the Fylde have used it to refuse planning applications to convert pubs to houses. In those cases, the applicants have appealed against the refusal and, in each case, the Government inspector, considering the appeal, has dismissed it largely because approval would run counter to Framework policies.

Sadly, not every development adversely affecting pubs needs planning consent – conversion

to a restaurant or a shop for instance. CAMRA is campaigning hard to get planning law changed in these areas. In the meantime, the new Framework is very much a step in the right direction.

If you have any issues regarding a campaign to save a local pub in your area please contact CAMRA’s Local Planning Policy Advisor Paul Ainsworth on paul.ainsworth@camra.org.uk or go to camra.org.uk/nppf

Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA’s Rural Pub of the Year 2012 Presentation The presentation of the Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) award for 2012 Rural Pub of the Year to The Green Dragon, Wymondham took place on Tuesday 12th June.

The certificate was presented

by Graham Freeman, N&N CAMRA Chairman to the joint licensees, David Bear and Justin Harvey.

David and Justin have only been in the pub for eighteen months and are delighted with receiving the Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA award. They have also been nominated for South Norfolk District Council ‘Community Pub of the Year’ which they are hoping to do well in and they said “it would be wonderful if we could win that award as well”.

© Warren Wordsworth 2012

me

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Joint Landlords David Bear and Justin Harvey with Graham Freeman, N&N CAMRA Chairman The Green Dragon is a 15th C timbered building, which miraculously survived The Great Fire of Wymondham in 1615. You can see just how close it came to being destroyed by the charred timbers at the front of the

building. It used to belong to the nearby Abbey and it is rumoured that monks used to frequent the premises via a secret tunnel. The pub is in Church Street, near the Abbey and the Mid Norfolk Railway Station.

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Chairman’s Letters

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Words from the West At last, we have some hot weather. The Olympics have come and gone, Team GB managed a good crop of medals to go with the good crop of seasonal beers on the Olympic theme.

I enjoyed an extremely pleasant Sunday afternoon at Whin Hill Cider with members from West Norfolk and Norwich Branches, for the presentation of the Perry award for East Anglia. An excellent buffet, with a few glasses of the very best of Whin Hill products were enjoyed by all. A well deserved award. It was good to meet Mark and Lisa Jarvis who have taken over from Jim and Pete and best of luck for the future.

The Beer Festival at Stuart House Hotel lived up to its

usual high standard an excellent range of beers on offer at reasonable prices. This always raises a good sum of money to fund the Lions charitable work and is well worth supporting.

The presentation of third place in the East Anglian Cider competition was awarded to The Railway Arms at Downham Market. It was a very enjoyable evening, with many regular customers and other Camra members in attendance. When in Downham, this pub is especially worth a visit as the beers and ciders are all gravity dispensed and in excellent condition.

ever increasing duty levied by the Government of the day.

The E-petition that CAMRA has set up now has in excess of 80,000 signatures, and only need 20,000 more to have the Commons Debate. Please go to the CAMRA website to sign up and help achieve this very worthy aim.

The West Norfolk AGM is to be held at Narborough Sports and Social Club on Tuesday 14th October, please join us. At his meeting the four choices for the Branch Pub of the year will be announced, all nominations in advance to Jeff Hoyle please.

Cheers

It is regrettable that in all parts of the country pubs seem to be closing at an alarming rate, this is certainly not helped by the

Steve Barker West Norfolk CAMRA Chairman

West Norfolk CAMRA Pub of the Year Selection Procedure Nominations These will be accepted from any CAMRA member living within the West Norfolk Branch area of affiliated to the branch. They can be submitted in person at a branch meeting or other event, by email to jeffhoyle@btinternet.com, or by post to Jeff Hoyle, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG Short List The nominations must be submitted by the Branch AGM, normally the second Tuesday in October. At this time a short list of no more than four pubs will be complied. If more than four nominations have been received, the short list will consist of the four pubs which have the best average score on the NBSS system over the period of December to the AGM. Any CAMRA member can enter scores on the NBSS system

for any pub in the country. See the CAMRA website for details.

Selection The result will be decided by members visiting the pubs and filling in scoring sheets as used in the national CAMRA pub of the year competition. Any West Norfolk branch member or affiliate can participate in the judging, but must visit and score all the short listed pubs for their scores to be used. To request a copy of the judging form and guidelines, contact me as above. Completed forms should be returned by any of the methods above at or before the branch Good Beer Guide selection meeting, which is normally held towards the end of February. It is hoped that the result will be announced at this meeting.

Jeff Hoyle

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NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Letters

Beer Festival Bonanza Well I'm not sure we can call this summer memorable with all the rain and little sunshine.

However what has struck me is the considerable amount of Beer Festivals that are available to us in the Norfolk area. Many Pubs and Village Halls are now offering a great range of local beers & ciders and some other beers from far and wide. I recently visited the Ranworth Beer Festival and had a very relaxing evening sampling the beers, although under constant attack from the midges. Maybe they liked my northern blood with a head on it.

For some reason beer and steam trains seem to go together and my trip to the North Norfolk Railway Beer Festival was the usual welcoming and enjoyable journey. They are going from strength to strength and are promoting Real Ale and Cider in a popular area of our County. Well worth a visit.

On the other hand the Mid-Norfolk Railway Beer Festival is just getting on track and I wish them well. The train trip up to Wymondham coincided with a call in at the Green Dragon Beer Festival where I had to do more sampling.

We receive many enquiries on how to set up a Beer Festival and we are always willing to assist in promoting Real Ale & Ciders. We can usually advertise a forthcoming Beer Festival in the Norfolk Nips and on our branch website if given enough notice. Further afield I made my usual trips to Ipswich and Peterborough Beer Festivals to research beers for our own Norwich Beer Festival. I found some and hopefully they will be available when it starts on 29th October to 3rd November 2012. As usual it will be held in St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls and if you would like to volunteer please contact us early so we can make arrangements for you to attend. I know you will enjoy the experience. If you are unable to help as staffing then I hope you can help by drinking

our 220+ Real Ales, 40+ Ciders and Perries, 100+ Bottled Continental Beers, but not all in one session.

Finally I would like to thank Ian Stamp, Pubs Officer and his Campaigning Team who recently carried out a beer census of all the Pubs in the city centre. We found 254 Real Ales were available and again enhance our claim to Norwich being the Real Ale Capital of Britain.

This bodes well in the run up to the 2013 National CAMRA AGM being held here next April.

Graham Freeman Chairman Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA

Traditional English Inn Recently refurbished and re-open after three years Selection of three Real Ales all the time including ‘The Red Lion Ale’

Senior Citizen Menu served Mon-Fri: 12-2pm £4.95 Full menu served daily lunchtime & evening Monthly Quizzes Monthly Live Entertainment from local artists Opening hours Mon-Fri 11-3pm & 5-11pm, Fri & Sat 11-midnight & Sunday 12-10:30pm Food served Mon-Sat 12-2pm & 6:30-9pm Sun 12-8pm

Please call for more details 01842 829728

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

Free House, Restaurant and Live Music venue Great ales by Woodfordes, Greene King, Elgoods and Mauldons available Excellent Food, very popular Sunday Carvery, you will need to book!

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

Function room • Kids adventure trail

Have you been to California? www.californiatavern.co.uk

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email: californiatavern@btconnect.com Tel: 01493 730340

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NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

The Ed’lines Welcome to the eagerly awaited autumn edition, bursting at the seams with all that you need to know and want to read! Thanks to all those who have contributed.

However, yet again some copy has had to be held over for the next issue!

We are, of course, looking forward to the 35th Norwich Beer Festival in October. I will be working there again this year, so please take the opportunity to say hello and tell me what you like, or don’t like about this magazine.

In this issue, Pub Post-its makes a welcome return.

However, times and methods

of communication are changing – fast. Time was when the editor would receive a hand written note or postcard about a pub, then it was e-mails. Now it is more likely to be a posting on facebook or twitter. No matter how you do it, if you want to tell fellow readers about a pub that you have visited, let me know. We now have a twitter account @norfolk_nips. But please bear in mind that whilst twitter and facebook are immediate, we have a three month lead time!

We also have the first in a new series of articles, where we seek the views of those unsung heroes who have contributed so much to the Norfolk Beer

Scene and have some fascinating stories to tell. This idea was suggested to me by a reader on a CAMRA trip. Roger and Anthea Cawdron are first up and you can read what they have to say on page 27.

It has been a golden summer (even the sun shone once or twice) but sadly not for some in the pub trade. Pubs are still closing and you sense that there is worse to come.

CAMRA’s new initiative will help, but the message is clear – use your local pub or lose it!

The White Horse at Upton found a way, and you can read their story in the next issue.

Enjoy!

Stig’s Words As the wettest summer in many years come to a close, autumn beckons and no doubt loads of sunshine!

The Euros, Olympics and Paralympics have passed into history, leaving some great memories, but doing little for trade in pubs, shops or most other places of business.

Autumn is a good time for beer enthusiasts with Norwich Beer Festival in October plus a bit further a field Oktoberfest.

Bockbiers will be coming out in Northern Europe and in Britain beers of mellow fruitfulness become the order of the day as it cools down, however there is still time for a few hoppy ones in the late sun!

There’s little I enjoy more than autumn colours on the leaves of trees surrounding a beer garden brought to life by a golden sun. Hopefully there is plenty of variety for you to read whilst you enjoy the autumn

with this issue, Travels worldwide by branch members and some optimistic news about local pubs.

Thanks as always to those who contribute to making this a good read, contributions always welcome. Also news of a new system for selecting West Norfolk’s pub of the, year please see within.

A pleasant autumn to all!

Stig

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Pub and Brewery News Pub News Starting with the bad news, we have to report the closure of the Railway at Coltishall, the Ship at Bacton, and the Swan at Gressenhall – all temporary we hope. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the Suffield Arms at Gunton, which has been sold at auction and will not re-open.

The Cricketers Rest, Norwich; and Cat & Fiddle, Norwich have all been closed for a while, but nothing is known about their future – if you have any information, about these or any other pubs in Branch area, please contact me atpubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk. However the White Lion, Somerton, which had been closed for a while, has re-opened.

The eagerly-awaited opening of the Fat Cat and Canary (formerly the Mustard Pot) in Thorpe Road, Norwich happened just in time for the City of Ale in May/June, following a major refurb. Colin Keatley’s third pub in the Fat Cat group is run along the same lines as the other two, with a wide choice of regional and national ales alongside the excellent Fat Cat range of beers.

Also in Norwich, Lauren Gregory, lessee of the Bird10

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cage in Pottergate has bought the freehold of the Sir Garnet Wolseley, which has been closed for over a year, and after a major refurbishment, reopened it as the Sir Garnet, with two ales on handpump on the bar (Brains and Timothy Taylors) and two more on stillage behind (from local brewers Golden triangle and Tipples).

The Garden House at Fakenham has been bought by Wetherspoons, the Rampant Horse, at Freethorpe has reopened under new management, and the George Hotel in East Dereham has been bought by a local businessman and is being refurbished prior to re-opening.

The Star in Fakenham has reopened. The new landlords, business partners Stuart and Carrie, have over ten years experience in the trade and are keen to develop the pub's potential. Greene King IPA is on at present at £2.50 per pint for a limited period. Woodforde's Wherry will join it later.

In other news, real ale is on sale at the new Appleyard’s Café in Exchange Street, Norwich – just a firkin (of Yetman’s at the time of our visit) on stillage in the cafe, but good to see real ale making an appearance outside the traditional pub environment. And the Cherry Tree at Wicklewood have

advised us that their opening hours have changed since we surveyed the pub for the Good Beer Guide – this will inevitably happen occasionally given that we do the surveys in January and February, and the Guide is published in August. The current hours are 5-11pm Mon-Thu and Sat, 3-11pm Sat and 12-11pm Sun. Lastly, you may know that the Norfolk branches of CAMRA maintain a Pub Database at http://www.norwichcamra.o rg.uk/pubdb. While we try hard to keep it up to date, the speed of change in the industry, and the large area we have to cover – more than 800 pubs! - makes this a massive task. With the national CAMRA Members’ Weekend and AGM coming to Norwich next year, we’d like to ensure that the information we have is as up to date as possible, so if you can spare a few moments, please check out your local pub, and let us know if we need to make any updates – you can email them to me at pubsofficer@ norwichcamra.org.uk, as mentioned above.

Brewery News Blackfriars Brewery in Great Yarmouth, which was recently purchased by a drinks distributor, JV Trading, has closed, with the retirement of founder and previous owner Bill Russell due to ill health, after nine

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NORFOLK NIPS | News from the West years. Blackfriars Yarmouth Bitter was a past Beer of the Festival, and we wish Bill and his family all the best.

The future of the brewery is uncertain, but JV Trading own the rights to the Lacon’s name, and were in the process of trial brewing using Lacon’s recipes and yeast, with a view to reviving the name. Latest news is that the first beers may be available by the end of the year.

Norfolk’s stock of breweries remains undiminished, however, as Poppyland Brewery, based in Cromer, released their first beer on June 30th. Owner Martin Warren, previously a researcher at Norwich Museum, intends to release one-off, small batches of “really extraordinary” bottled ales. The first two (brewed in Elveden while the ex-Allen’s Garage in West St., Cromer, is converted into a brewery) certainly fit the bill: Poppyland Pilot is a 5.8% American IPA, and Out of the Blue a 7.1% saison, brewed with Belgian yeast and Hallertau Hersbrucker hops and spiced with elderflower.

Wolf Brewery will now be supplying Poppy Ale and Prairie Gold to ten Sainsbury’s Supermarkets in the South East, Including Attleborough. This follows The Sainsbury’s Great British Beer Hunt, where customers tasted and voted for their favourite beers to find the best local beers in the country.

The Brewery will soon be moving to new premises, but remaining in Besthorpe.

News from the West What a pleasure it was at our Branch Meeting in July to see how the Victory at Clenchwarton has been transformed from a struggling pub with an uncertain future to a thriving village local with three beers and grand plans for the future. Look out for Chris’s article or better still, visit the pub for yourself. Wayne isn’t the only landlord to transform a local pub. We were very impressed with the Old Bell at Saham Toney when we called in, and hope to hold a branch meeting there later in the year.

Other pubs which are up and running again include the Bedingfeld Arms at Oxborough, about which we have had good reports, and Harry tells us that the Squirrels Dray at Sporle (formerly the Chequers) has reopened as the Peddars Inn, selling ‘fine local cask ales’, which is confirmed

by Michael, who scored the Adnams Flame Runner at 4/5.

Not such good news for the Winch at West Winch which is once again closed, even before the ‘new management’ sign was down. Further down the road at Tottenhill, the Dray and Horses has been closed when we have passed recently.

In Kings Lynn there are the long standing empty pubs such as the Jolly Farmers, Hogshead, Wildfowler and Antonio’s Wine Bar. Work has not yet started on the transformation of the Queens Arms into a community centre,

and Cobblestones (formerly the Princess Royal) is awaiting a decision on an application to turn it into a funeral parlour. I have opposed this on CAMRA’s behalf, but more in hope than expectation. Just out of town, at Bawsey, the Sandboy is still closed and up for let.

Up at Old Hunstanton, the Neptune is the latest coastal pub to receive the Sunday Colour supplement treatment.

Jay Rayner reviewed the food for the Observer, and whilst he was generally enthusiastic about the food, did comment that the price of £160 for two with wine is a tad expensive.

I have rarely been in since the days when retired West Indian pilot, Henry, used to run an excellent locals pub. I doubt that you can still call in just for a drink any longer, so head round the corner to The Ancient Mariner if you are in the area. Contrast the price of the Neptune with the Chalk and Cheese in the converted school house at Shouldham, where I recently had an excellent sandwich for under a fiver washed down with one of the Elgood’s dog decathlon specials at £2 a pint, in very comfortable surroundings.

Out at Congham, the Anvil is now being run by Karl and Cath Long, who also run the London Porterhouse in Kings Lynn. Landlord and Batemans were on the bar when Les called, and good value food is an added attraction.

Jeff

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Norfolk Brewhouse

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Over the Moon with the new brewery The Norfolk Brewhouse, a new 10 barrel brewery in north Norfolk started brewing this summer - fulfilling a long term ambition for owners Rachel and David Holliday.

Located in north Norfolk in a renovated barn, the beers are all brewed using chalk filtered water from the brewery’s own well. Along with some pretty nifty, state of the art brewing

equipment shipped in from Canada.

Equipment which incidentally allows them to brew a craft lager called StubbleStag – which recently appeared in cask at The Trafford Arms and Plasterers.

The brewery brews three ales called Moon Gazer - a reference to the hares which live on the

farm. Moon Gazer Golden, Amber and Ruby are a range which covers light citrus ales to the more robust chocolate bitterness of ruby ale.

The ales have been well received by pubs across Norfolk.

To find out more: www.norfolkbrewhouse.co.uk Facebook: Norfolk Brewhouse

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

Norwich’s oldest pub Norwich City of Ale Festival Best Pub Award 2011 Open 11am -11 pm Mon to Sat 12 noon - 10.30pm Sun Food served 12 noon - 7pm Mon to Sat 12 noon - 5pm Sundays Best Hous Public eA Nor w ward ic Bloom h in 2011

17 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ 01603 667423 12

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FOUR REAL ALES Wednesday Irish Folk Music Thursday Folk Mixed Music Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Celtic Folk Music

Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN: Mon - Thurs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11

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.uk use

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DUKE of WELLINGTON TRADITIONAL REAL ALE HOUSE CHRISTMAS BEERS 14 REAL ALES GRAVITY SERVED AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT available all year round from our glass fronted tap room DECEMBER THANK YOU to all our customers old and new for supporting our 2012 beer festival!

Try our new range of Belgian Bottled Beers!

Enjoy your favourite takeaway with a pint of real ale and friendly company!

6 MORE ALES ON HAND PUMP

REAL LOG FIRE IN WINTER Wednesday Special (12 Noon – 11pm) FOUR guest ales, changing every week, just £2.00 per pint!

Just order your food to be delivered to the pub or bring it in and we provide plates, knives, forks and environment.

We even have the menu’s available - Indian, Chinese, Fish and Chips etc.

CAMRA Good Beer Guide Listed Open Monday to Thursday:

12noon to 11pm Friday to Saturday: 12noon to 11pm Sundays: 12noon to 10.30pm

Come and enjoy our Tap Room with a selection of Belgian bottled beers, Budvar, Erdinger and Riegele all on Draught.

91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182

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CAMRA News

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National Cask Ale Week Cask Ale Week will this year run between Friday 28th September and Sunday 7th October.

The campaign is organised by Cask Marque (with support from CAMRA) and aims to: • Encourage non-real ale drinkers to try real ale for the first time • Encourage inexperienced real ale drinkers to try more varieties of real ale • Encourage experienced real ale drinkers to visit real ale pubs throughout the week • Encourage non-real ale pubs to stock real ale for the first time • Encourage pubs to organise a number of real ale events to encourage more real ale trade CAMRA are expecting thousands of pubs to come on board to help raise the profile of Britain’s national drink. Visit the Official National Cask Ale Week website.

Try before you buy “The theme and the strapline are aimed to attract people back into pubs,” says Paul Nunny, director of Cask Marque, “as well as to get people sampling cask ale, our national drink.

They should provide a great platform for breweries and pubs to talk about what differentiates cask ale from the other beers on the bar and from ale on the supermarket shelves,” he says.

“By making Cask Ale Week into a real celebration, an extension of all the 2012 activities, between us all we can make a real impact.”

The Caskfinder App, which has 50,000 uses a month, will also be used to drive trade into pubs participating in Cask Ale Week, and prizes for pubgoers using the highly successful World’s Biggest Ale Trail will be doubled during the Week.  Beer Sommeliers Beer sommeliers will be helping to launch Cask Ale Week with tutored tasting sessions. They and 14

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members of the British Guild of Beer Writers will be conducting tutored cask ale tastings in pubs throughout the week.

Greene King Pub Partners Three hundred-plus Head Brewer’s Cask Club sites will be using the “Try Before You Buy” theme and third pint glasses and paddles to create interest and encourage drinkers to try cask ale. Lots of Greene King pubs will be hosting cask ale festivals and some will be hosting “Meet the Brewer” nights.

Punch Taverns Nearly 1,000 Punch Taverns pubs up and down the country will be taking part in a Free Pint promotion. CAMRA members will be able to download their voucher for a pint of cask ale from the www.freedrinkspubs.co.uk website.

Marston’s Marston’s are rallying over 2,000 pubs across their entire pub estate as well as free trade customers to get involved with Cask Ale Week. The brewery will be supplying ‘Only in Britain, Only in Pubs’ kits to pubs and encouraging activity ranging from beer festivals to tutored tastings.

Ian Ward, Ale Category Marketing Manager for Marston’s Beer and Pub Company said: “Cask Ale Week is a fantastic idea that allows pubs to highlight their unique point of difference in the leisure sector.” Festivals will focus on persuading guests to try new and different cask ales and bar staff will be recommending “try before you buy” on all cask ales.

Great British Beer Festival Around 47,500 people attended the event this year, a record for Festivals held at Olympia.

The GBBF was back at Olympia this year because the Olympic Volleyball had taken over Earls Court. Fears that numbers would be down because of high accommodation costs and travel difficulties, caused partly by London Underground refusing to reopen the Olympia Branch, were unfounded.

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Coniston Brewery won the accolade of Champion Beer of Britain with its Number 9 Barley Wine. Silver was won by The Green Jack Brewery of Lowestoft for their Trawlerboys Best Bitter.

Where will the GBBF be in 2013? Earls Court was due to be demolished after the Olympics and it is not clear whether or not there are other suitable venues available. Where should it be? Send your suggestions to the Editor.

Have you signed the e-petition yet?

CAMRA’s online petition needs 100,000 signatures to get the Beer Escalator debated in Parliament. At the time of going to press, a further 15,000 are needed urgently. If you have not done so, please sign today. No computer?

Use the facilities at your Library or get a family member or friend to help,

SUMMER 2012 | 15

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West Norfolk on the Buses

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West Norfolk CAMRA on Tour 2012 I organize the West Norfolk branch’s annual Xmas pub crawl, and thought maybe a summer jaunt would be nice, but with a difference. So, putting my creative juices in full flow mode I came up with the idea of using public transport out of Norwich to visit some pubs we wouldn’t normally get to, using the Anglian Bus company. And here is the story of our day!

Our small group assembled in St Stephens Street at bus stand C, including some members of the Norwich branch, caught the 1125 (which was 5 minutes early) Anglian Bus to Bungay, we bought a day ticket which cost just 7 pounds.

Took about an hour to get to Bungay and our first stop (bus stopped right outside!), the Green Dragon, home of the Green Jack brewery, most started with Green Jack Chaucer, but you could also have the brewery’s Bridge Street Bitter, Gold, and Strong Mild. Nice pub with character, and a piano, you hum it I’ll play it, ha ha! Back on the bus for a short ride to Broome and The Artichoke, landlord JC & missus were out but the staff were very friendly, we took the chance of a light lunch to go with our superb ale, I had Elmtree Burston Cuckoo and Hop Back Taiphoon (both delish); other ales on handpump and gravity included Adnams Bitter, Elgoods Black Dog, Nethergate Lightning, and Abbeydale Absolution (think there were some Fat Cat beers too).

Thanks to Pete & Phil we squeezed an extra pub to our itinerary, this was the Mermaid Inn at Hedenham, and what an excellent pub, in fact my pub of the day! Three brilliant local ales, Tindall Summer Loving, Winters Going for Gold, and Adnams Flame Runner (an Olympic theme I 16

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sense, hmm! Yoda Ed!), the Mermaid is a class pub full of atmosphere and a unique character. Back to the schedule and the Royal Oak at Poringland, they don’t usually do food but a BBQ was out back so some nice burgers and hot dogs were enjoyed, as well as some good ales. I had Triple FFF Moondance, just one of eight real ales which I failed to note down (sorry!), mind you the handwriting was getting slightly dodgy by now. Wonder why?! Then it was back into the fair city of Norwich (come on you Yellows, let’s be havin’ ya!), arrived back a little after 5, myself and Nuddsy popped into the Champion for a swift one, only three on of which we had Bateman’s XB (also Summer Swallow & Woodforde’s Wherry), the XB was good. One more stop and the Bell Hotel by Castle Mall, one of the better Wetherspoon’s outlets, good pint of Lancaster Decathlon Gold (they also had Hobgoblin, Adnams Gunhill, Brains SA, and Kelham Island Pale Rider). Some of the group headed off to a gig at the Waterfront, and others (like me!) headed home, a great day out.

Thanks to all who came along and made the day a brilliant one, I think everyone enjoyed the day, thanks also to the very friendly and helpful Anglian Bus drivers. I’m glad it all came together so well. I got some good exercise too, due to other commitments my mate Stig couldn’t make it (and he put as much effort into the planning of this crawl as I did), so to save taxi fares I walked to and from Brandon train station.

My legs and feet felt it next day!!! See you all on the next event. Cheers!!!

Timbo.

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GOOD BEER GUIDE 2013

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The GBG is 40!

Good Beer Guide Digital A new version of the highly successful Good Beer Guide Mobile app will be launched for Apple and Android™ compatible devices. This new evolution of the app will go live on 13th September 2012 and will incorporate a basic version which will be free to download and allow limited ‘near me’ searches and restrict available functionality without a paid subscription.

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2013 ISBN: 978-1-85249-290-8 Pages: 944 RRP: £15.99 Editor: Roger Protz.

The Guide is Britain’s best-selling and fully independent beer & pub guide and has updated listings for 2013 - this 40th edition features over 1000 pubs that did not appear in last year’s Good Beer Guide • It is a beer lover’s best friend, featuring 4,500 pubs from around the UK all nominated and reviewed by CAMRA members.

• The easy-to-use listings are grouped geographically so you can find a friendly watering hole wherever you are • The ‘Breweries Section’ lists over hundreds of breweries of all over the nation of all shapes and sizes, and tasting notes and a Beer Index help you to find and enjoy your perfect pint Available to CAMRA members for as little as £10 (online www.camra.org.uk/shop) or £11 mail order.

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Once the basic version is installed, a 12 month subscription can be purchased in app for just £4.99 and will allow access to enhanced searches by pub name, postcode and street address and will provide a greater number of pubs for the user to browse full listings of when looking for a pint. Detailed information on all UK real-ale breweries and their key beers will also be made available. Subscribers will also be able to record the pubs they have visited and input their own review notes using their unique subscribers account. *Please note the new version of the app supersedes earlier versions and cannot be installed from within earlier versions. In order to retain any existing user notes or data purchased prior to 13th September 2012, users should NOT delete earlier versions of the app from their phones. *CAMRA will also be releasing an e-book edition of the Good Beer Guide 2013 that will be available on numerous platforms, including Kindle, iPad and numerous e-pub compatible devices.

Point of interest (POI) files for Tom Tom, Navman and Garmin satellite navigation systems will also be available.

Find out more about all of these formats at www.camra.org.uk/gbg

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NORFOLK NIPS | GOOD BEER GUIDE 2013

Competition Time

The North Norfolk Railway goes from strength to strength, and following the successful Beer Festival in July, they are offering Complimentary Rover Tickets for two lucky readers. These are for four people to travel free of charge on the Poppy Line, and are valid up to the end of October 2013.

To win, simply answer the following question:

Which popular television series filmed an episode on the Poppy Line forty years ago, in 1973?

Please send your answer with your name and address to the editor Michael Baldwin at michaelbaldwin8@gmail.com Congratulations go to Graham Smith of Great Yarmouth who won the competition in the last issue. The answer to the question was Bateman’s Brewery.

Please note that we do not collect personal details for any reason whatsoever, other than to verify the entries and know where to send the prize.

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NORFOLK NIPS | Post-its

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?

Kings Arms, North Walsham A large old inn on the corner by the market cross. The central island bar has three hand pumps and the KA bitter (£2.80) is brewed especially by Bees Brewery of Walcott and was delicious. Check out the lounge upstairs with its high ceiling and immense mirrors.

Black Swan, North Walsham Situated through an archway off the market place the building is a stand alone classic boozer full of racing enthusiasts but not ale drinkers. The two handpumps included Wherry (£3) but it was not top notch. A shame as it is obviously a thriving local.

Bluebell, North Walsham The country pub on the edge of town as it declares itself proved to be a welcoming watering hole with five handpumps of which two were from Norfolk.

Woodfordes Once Bittern (£3.40) was excellent.

An old photo of a S&P dray outside the King of the Belgians was notable. Where was it taken?

Barking Smack, Great Yarmouth An historic 19th century pub on Marine parade, it offers a large range of Grain beers (£3.10-£3.40) and Crones cider (£3.50). Simple wooden decor and a great photo of a 1952 refit with Lacons mild and bitter on the bar. Next door the Marine, Great Yarmouth has had a modern refit and has reopened as a family pub with games room and beer garden (with a resident Netherland dwarf) at the rear. Two beers (£3) on offer and a striking tropical fish tank mounted above the fire place.

Another 19th century classic with a Dutch double pantiled roof is the Theatre Tavern.

This tiny pub by the market place is open again and selling Adnams and Smiths cask at £2 50.

Troll Cart, Great Yarmouth was full on a sunny Saturday with its £2 range of real ales and punters were entertained by the Puppet Man, on tour?

Ormesby Grange, Great Yarmouth is trading again, with six exotic ales available at £2.75. A beautiful imposing building with interesting history on the walls.

Sadly the Suspension Bridge had closed again when the above tour was conducted.

Tibenham Greyhound has a remote rural location on the mighty river Tib. A contemplative May evening was disrupted by the arrival of a large troupe of morris dancers. They were kitted out in green and yellow and thus perfectly complemented the laburnam tree in flower outside the saloon’s bay window. A roaring fire warmed the cockles by the bar which sold four beers at £3.20, two from Suffolk, one from London and one from Yorkshire.

Kings Arms, Martham Since my last visit when the current Landlord took over some twelve to Eighteen months ago, hard work and dedication in the cellar to produce an excellent pint of bitter has paid dividends by winning Adnams "Best Kept Cellar" award. The bitter is now served at the correct temperature and in perfect condition, with the prices ranging from £3.10 to £3.40, including guest ales. Both he and his wife, with the help of their chef, have now turned their enthusiasm into providing the finest of meals. The 26 cover restaurant is bright with a warm atmosphere, and crisp white linen table cloths give it that extra touch of class. Prices are also very attracContinued overleaf

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The King’s Head KEG FREE HOUSE

Open 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday 12.00noon - 10.30pm Sunday

Run by enthusiastic drinkers and CAMRA members.

E WE AR IN IT!

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

rfolk o N A R M A C r a e Y e h t f o Pub 8 2006 & 200 The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JE

www.kingsheadnorwich.com

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NORFOLK NIPS | Post-its - continued

The pub with no bar, ales direct from cask.

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

Tongue twizzling food, and great value.

Huge garden and children’s play area.

Shooting parties, lunch & dinner menus available

Victory Barn Function Room for Weddings and Parties Come & visit Nelson’s local.

Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN

01328 738241

Come and visit this converted Victorian school where you will be transported into an eclectic world with a touch of the Scottish highlands.

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

Wood-fired oven baked pizzas and other tasty local dishes available ~ Farm shop and antiques gallery

~

tive with a Sunday Lunch costing from £6.25 to £9.75 for a three course, plus various other dishes including Steak & Kidney Pie, fish courses and vegetarian options, all at reasonable prices. Lets hope that they can soon add an award for recognition of their catering.

Lion Inn, Somerton At long last, after a two year closure, it's good to see a pub re-open, and after a facelift the Lion is back in business. It now has two real ales, (Woodforde’s Wherry at £3.00 per pint and “Nelsons” Revenge), with a possible third being added as trade and demand permits. After only a weeks trading (Re-opened 14th July), things look good as several “Old and New” customers are filling the seats in a comfortable pub that now offers a friendly greeting. Food, although limited at present, will I’m sure attract the holiday boating people from the near-by Staithe. Lets hope that they continue to supply good beer and company, with a long time stay, and not a five minute wonder. Good Luck.

White Horse, Chedgrave Popped in to this lovely local village pub after a family visit in Beccles. It was a sunny evening so we started off in the garden with a very well kept pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. The pub was quite busy with diners and the Olympics closing ceremony was about to start on the telly in the bar.

We decided to stay for food as the pub was dog friendly and allowed well–behaved dogs in the bar. The food was nice but a little on the pricey side. The staff were very friendly even though they were busy. A pleasant country pub and recommended for the atmosphere, well kept ale and it’s dog friendly.

Accommodation available

~

Quality rooms and award winning breakfasts provide a restful night’s stay. www.bed-and-breakfast-west-norfolk.co.uk /contact_chalk_cheese.asp

Telephone Andrew on 01366 348039 for reservations and more details

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West Norfolk

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What’s cooking Time was, when you went into one of those posh pubs that served food, it was wise to ask which beer they used in the kitchen. That would be the one which was not selling very well, probably with good reason. You could then choose something else, safe in the knowledge that you had avoided the worst of the ones on the bar. Things are different these days. Pub food has become respectable and is often good quality, and cooking with beer is more about adding flavour rather than using up the dregs. I was reminded of this when the bar wife pointed out a query in her Sainsbury’s magazine. Katie wanted to know whether she should use lager, bitter or stout when making batter. The team’s answer confirmed what many real ale drinkers instinctively know. Lager contributes little in terms of taste, whereas stout and bitter add depth and flavour. However, to make batter we recommend a light fizzy lager as the idea is to lift the batter from the bubbles rather than to add flavour’.

So there you are. If you want depth and flavour choose beer, but if bubbles are your thing, go for lager. Sound advice, but rather compromised by the suggestion that you choose something that you will enjoy drinking with you meal, as few recipes call for a whole bottle in the cooking. If the price of fluffy batter is having to drink a half bottle of fizzy lager, I might stick with pies. Worryingly, the next question in the magazine is ‘Can you suggest an alternative to lard?’

For the cooks who like their beer, salvation is at hand with a recipe in the Guardian for Barley, Beer and Oregano Flatbread. (Not a dish that was popular in the terraced streets of Lancashire when I was young). Dan Lepard’s instructions call for ‘a good flavourful sort of beer, rather than lager’. Proof if it were needed that the middle classes are at last embracing beer culture.

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As for the bar wife, her culinary adventures sometimes involve cooking pork in cider, but I think her use of alcohol is mainly in puddings.

These are often livened up with the contents of the mysterious bottles of spirits and liqueurs that lurk at the back of the pantry. Are we the only ones with a collection of bottles which were either won in a raffle or brought back from abroad, whose destiny is to languish unloved and untouched until called upon to perk up a fruit salad?

As for cooking with beer, the bar wife did spend a year in Belgium in her younger days, where she worked at a conference centre. She says that she can cook a wonderful “Carbonnade a la Flamande”, which is a beef and beer stew and looks fantastic. Enthusiastically, I suggested we head down to Beers of Europe to buy some authentic Belgian beer for the recipe.

‘Great’, she said. ‘You had better invite a few people around. The recipe serves 200.’ bar.man@btinternet.com

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In the 2012 CAMRA G ood Beer Guid e

Cask Marque accredited

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

Enjoy a meal or snack from our extensive and popular menu

A fine selection of real ales • Heated smoking area Live bands every Saturday from 9:00pm Extensive outside seating area overlooking the sea Tel: 01263 823213

email: crownsheringham@hotmail.co.uk

Lifeboat Plain, East Cliff, Sheringham NR26 8BQ

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www.crown-sheringham.co.uk

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NORFOLK NIPS | Beer Legends

Beer Legends advice they would give to someone wanting to run a pub for the first time? Work for a good licencee in the first place, was the answer, then you will need a good business plan based on sound data – do your history, Roger advised.

This is the first of a new series, where we interview people who have made the Norwich and Norfolk Beer scene what it is today.

First up is Roger and Anthea Cawdron, now of The Ribs of Beef in Norwich. I caught up with them recently, in the pub, which was surrounded by scaffolding.”We are having the roof done”, Anthea explains. Apparently being able to do it is one of the joys of owning a freehouse.

Roger and Anthea have been married for 44 years and during that time, the list of pubs that they have managed or owned is impressive – Fishers Free House, The Adam and Eve, The Mischief, The Black Horse, The George and Dragon, The Bridge House and Catton Old Hall, a B & B.

I wondered what they thought that the biggest challenges facing the industry today where?

“The Big People” Anthea replied. Roger nodded, “Government legislation and the Beer Escalator Tax” added. “ Not many people are aware that it is 1p per pint on a 3.2% alcohol beer, but it really mounts up, the stronger the beer” he said.

Roger thought that CAMRA was a very useful vehicle for promoting beer and pubs and also praised The City of Ale Festival. “That was very good in the 1st year” he mused, “but this year there was too much going on at the same time, with the Jubilee, etc, but the organisation was good” he added.

I was beginning to wonder how they found time to relax and how they unwound in their spare time? Their eyes light up. “The water”, hey exclaimed, “we love rowing on the river at Thorpe. “ We love spending time with the grandchildren and have a caravan on a good site with a good pub, of course”, chimed Anthea.

At one stage in the 80’s, they had five pubs at the same time. I asked if there was a common theme to the pubs, but Roger said that the individual managers meant individual styles. It did enable him to go for bulk buying and the Norwich Inns Buying Group was formed.

I thought that they must have seen a lot of changes since they started in the 70’s and they both agreed. Anthea mentions the licencing hours, selling food and wine and Roger points out the sheer variety of cask ales now available, and the fact that they now sell water, unheard of in the 70’s. Mind you, he remembers selling Martini Dry with ice and lemon then!

OK, where next I asked? The USA is a natural draw for them as their son lives there, and they would love to run a real ale pub in New York.

Roger remembers that in a restaurant in Houston, Texas, they came across the sign for The Mischief, by John Crome, based on an original by Hogarth.

Anthea remembers selling her first drink on 4th January 1972. It was a Mann’s Brown, which cost 9d. On that first night they took £60, not bad when the annual rent was £150.

The beer was good, so was the conversation and the ambience, but it was time to leave.

“Any last thoughts?” I asked? “Keep Calm and have another beer!” laughed Anthea.

With all their experience, I asked them what

Good advice.

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COAST ROAD, WALCOTT, NORFOLK NR12 OPE Telephone

(01692) 650371 FREE HOUSE

Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMORE

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

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

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THE ANGEL INN FREEHOUSE

NORFOLK CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2010!

Open all day every day Excellent home cooked meals available from our award winning kitchen Large Beer Garden with play area En-suite accommodation Camping and Caravanning available Larling, Norfolk, NR16 2QU (17th Century former coaching inn)

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

CAMRA Member’s Discounts With the price of the pint in your hand set to escalate for the foreseeable future, it’s reassuring to know that you don’t always have to pay the full price.

There are Pubs which offer discounts to CAMRA Members on production of a valid Membership Card. Discounts do vary, but finding out which Pubs offer what is not easy.

The Norwich and Norfolk Branch want to compile a list of those in Norfolk that do. Details from the list will be published in future editions of Norfolk NIPS and Cask Force and the list will be forwarded to CAMRA HQ, who are setting up a nationwide scheme. This will mean that wherever you go, you will able to find a decent pub and save some money too.

So, if you are a Licencee who does, or wishes to offer such discounts, or a Happy Drinker who knows a Pub that does, then please let us know. Contact Ian Stamp pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk or any Committee Member.

Downham Market Pub Celebrates Regional Award Members joined locals at the Railway Arms in Downham Market on the 16th August to celebrate their success in coming third in the East Anglia Regional Cider Pub of the Year Competition.

The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 50 bottle conditioned ales from 15 Norfolk brewers.

We are located on a beautiful arable farm close-by Wells-next-the-Sea, which provides much of the malt used in brewing the ales we sell.

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

Tel: 01328 710810

The Railway Arms, which regularly sells cider from nearby producer Pickled Pig, who are based at Stretham near Ely, was one of 25 pubs in the East Anglia Regional Cider Competition. The small cosy bar on the platform at Downham Market Station also sells two beers and is one of the towns entries in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide.

Ian and Lesley Ann Pinches, who have been running the Railway Arms for nearly three years said "'We are very honoured to receive this award and wish to thank our customers and our cider and beer suppliers for supporting us. Particular mention should be given to Elgoods, The Small Beer Company and of course, Charles Roberts at Pickled Pig, but there are many others as well. We care passionately about our ciders and beers and we are pleased that so many people from far and wide appreciate our efforts"

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Victory at Clenchwarton

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“England expects ever pub to do its duty”

The Victory in Clenchwarton sails into clear seas.

A few weeks ago West Norfolk branch had our monthly meeting a the Victory in Clenchwarton just North of King’s Lynn, after the meeting the landlord introduced himself and told us a little about the rebirth of the pub.

This sounded like a story worth telling, so I returned later in the month to get the details.

The first person I spoke to was local resident Mary, in the restaurant. Her view of the renewed pub was, “The best thing that’s happened to Clenchwarton in years.”

A good omen I think you’ll agree!

After salmon on samphire with hollandaise sauce and desert all home made, it was time to hear the story…

Wayne was looking for a pub to run when he was offered the Victory, he decided to look around. The pub had been 30

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closed for two weeks over Christmas and had not been left in good order; it was dirty and hardly heated. Wayne decided to take a punt and take it on; he admits his first thought on starting to sort out the mess was “What HAVE I done?”

After general clearing up it was decided to open as soon as possible, repainting took place with local help whilst trading.

There were no clocks in the pub; one with a nautical theme was found by local Clive. There were some HMS Victory related items in the pub and store sheds, a ship model was kindly restored by more local help and a nautical theme is followed in decorating the pub with items coming by local donation.

The donations took on a new pace when it came to sorting out the garden with all the plants being donated! The heating has been improved dramatically making the Victory much more comfortable.

Wayne decided the language in the bar was a bit too “nautical”, so he has installed a swear box which has cured the problem and raised £40 for the RNLI in the first two months! If £500 can be reached a local has kindly agreed to match it.

The improvement in the bar has led to a wider section of the village community using the bar from families to young people. A quiz is held on the first Wednesday of each month in support of the village PTA. Wayne’s wife, Beata is from Poland and Polish cakes are a

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NORFOLK NIPS | Hawian Trip feature of quiz nights, apparently Polish gherkins and cheese and ham kievs are also popular. The regulars make up a tasting panel for the new menu items, trialed on the bar.

Wayne works from a tiny kitchen not much bigger than a cupboard which has had as many as nine people working in it! In spite of this the menu of locally sourced foods has changed three times since the pub re-opened…

Wayne come from a baking family and hopes to bake more when a larger kitchen is installed.

Elgood’s seem delighted with the progress at the Victory and are helping out with improvements such as new double glazing and re paint of the exterior plus improved car park lighting. The beers are from the Elgood’s range plus guests through the brewery, well looked after by Wayne and Beata.

Wayne feels that making the pub a hub for village contacts of all kinds both business and social.

I think this is a good example of what can be done, with the right ideals making good business sense.

The most amazing thing about the rebirth of the Victory is that all this has happened in only eight months!

Stig

A TRIP TO THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

CAMRA members Craig and Sandi Forcum who have lived in Thetford, are now residing in Hawaii, Lt. Colonel Craig Forcum was based at USAF Lakenheath but was posted to USAF Pearl Harbor. Craig and Sandi invited some CAMRA members to visit prior to their departure. This opportunity was taken up and four of us flew out for a holiday on the sun. Craig and Sandi live in an original house (pre 1942) on the military base at Pearl Harbor and that is where we all stayed.

Their hospitality was second to none, catering for all our needs even borrowing a six seater truck for transporting us to various locations on the island.

Our first treat was an amazing array of American bottled beers to drink at our leisure. Craig is also renowned for his collection of single malt whiskies, of which we tried a few.

We were also privileged to visit many sights that only mili-

tary personal would have access to. There are nineteen bases on Oahu and most have bars with discounted prices.

Happy hours are popular around Honolulu and Craig did his best to locate most of them. One in particular was the Yard House close to Waikiki beach which featured over one hundred beers on tap. No real ale I’m afraid, all were gassed and very cold.

During our two week stay we saw most of the spectacular sights of our island (Oahu) and also managed to visit Kauai island (helicopter trip included) and also the Volcanic Big island but this ended by our helicopter flight being cancelled due to bad weather. We did lots of fabulous other stuff much to numerous to mention or perhaps for another time.

But overall our fortnight stay was brilliant thanks to our superb fantastic hosts, again if you do read this many many thanks.

Bruce Ward

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The 35th Norwich Beer Festival - a word from the Organiser

As I write this, advanced tickets for the 35th Norwich Beer Festival have just gone on sale, as usual I'm expecting these to go rather quickly even in these austere times. As organiser for the last few years, I have been constantly surprised by the popularity of the festival and how much buzz in brings to the city for the month of October.

This year we have taken a long look at our range of beers and come into this festival with a clean slate, although its early days in the ordering process, expect some new breweries and new beers. No pesto beer though...

With the venue we have, we really can't change too much, but we try to tinker and enhance what we already have, trying to improve the running and organising of various sections, so its easier for us and provides a better experience for you our customers. This year 32

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we aim to continue our Beer and Cider tastings which were very successful last year and gathered quite a few plaudits from customers and organisers alike.

staffing team of Sadie and Jane whom I'm sure will do a fantastic job (see http://www.norwichcamra.org. uk/festival/staffing.htm for further details).

We also will be bringing back the half pint tankard which was extremely popular with our visitors, I did look at trying out a pint tankard in similar vein to the half pint but after consultation with our suppliers, just couldn't find anything remotely suitable, perhaps next year.

As usual, I'd like to give my thanks to all those who have put their name forward to help out, it is appreciated and the festival wouldn't work without you.

Martin Ward Norwich Beer Festival Organiser

Planning has been going on since the latter days of the last festival, and this year we bring back our excellent caterers Natural Nosh with their fantastic commitment and flexibility, which is much appreciated.

Although the festival is still a couple of months away, there is still time to volunteer, lend a hand, serve a pint. For further details please contact our new

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NORFOLK NIPS | Norwich Beer Festival 2012

Tutored Tastings at the Beer Festival Do you enjoy drinking real ale, cider or perry but want to know a little more about how it’s made, what the main ingredients are and how they contribute to the flavours and aromas we all love?

If so, you’ll want to book a place at one of the Tutored Tastings we’re running for the second year at Norwich Beer Festival later this year. And this year we’ve added an evening tasting to the four lunchtime events, and included a foreign beer tasting with the opportunity to try both draught and bottled Belgian beers, which kicks of the programme on Tuesday at 12:30.

taking centre stage on Thursday, all hosted by experts in the field.

The same evening sees the first of the three real ale tastings, with a Tour of Norfolk hosted by Stephen George of the award-winning Humpty Dumpty brewery. Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes will see two further real ale tastings, with Real Cider and Perry

Priced at £12 per person for the real ale and cider and perry tastings, and £15 per person for the foreign beer tasting (reflecting the much higher price of the beers), all tastings include ‘fast lane’ free entry to the beer festival and 6-8 samples. And there’s a £2 discount for CAMRA members.

For more information and to apply for tickets, please see the Branch website at www.norwichcamra.org.uk, or write to CAMRA BFT, 45b Bethel St, Norwich, NR2 1NR.

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Capital of Ale Survey Saturday June 30th saw the second UK ‘Capital of Real Ale’ survey of Norwich pubs, designed to show that the variety of real ales on sale in Norwich exceeds that of any other city! Last year we found an amazing 215 different real ales, out of a total of just under 500 on sale. This year’s survey had the added spice of a challenge from the York branch of CAMRA, who, miffed by claims from Sheffield to the title, had decided independently to hold their survey on the same day.

Fortunately the rain which had been dampening spirits ever since the drought was declared in April held off for most of the day, allowing our 40 plus surveyors a dry run around the city’s pubs. As organizer, I started the day being driven round several of the outlying pubs I hadn’t wanted to ask people to walk to (driven by a non-drinking partner of course – thanks Oli!) Fortunately thanks to the number of volunteers who so selflessly (!!) gave up their time, there weren’t too many of these, and by 3pm we’d set up campaign HQ in the Reindeer on Dereham Road, where Scott looked after us all wonderfully.

As volunteers started to return, the forms were piling up – I really need to get a better data entry system sorted for next year! But with a lot of help from the team, we finally came up with the numbers for 2012 – and had to go back and 34

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re-check because we couldn’t believe what we were seeing!

259 seemed too good to be true, and it was, but after close scrutiny we were able to announce the result at around 10:30pm - over 550 beers in total, and 254 different ales, a massive total which was enough to beat off a very strong challenge from York who finished on 247.

This has since been beaten by Sheffield, who conducted their survey in July and recorded 310 different beers, but from a much larger area and population – on both counts over twice the size of Norwich – which we believe justifies calling Norwich the UK Capital of Real Ale! Unsurprisingly Woodforde’s, Greene King and Adnams were the breweries whose beers were in most pubs, with Woodforde’s in 46 pubs, 39 of which stocked Wherry. 19 local breweries were represented. The Fat Cat had most beers in total, 31, and surprisingly, there were 167 beers which were only on sale in one pub! The average price of a pint came out at £3.09, up 14p from last year thanks Mr. Osborne - and the average ABV exactly the same at just over 4.2%.

I should also mention real cider and perry, which showed a huge increase on last year, with 38 different varieties out of 55 in total (30 more than last year), in 21 pubs, up from

15 in 2011 - although the arrival on the scene of the White Lion, which has just been awarded East Anglian Cider Pub of the Year, made a major contribution.

So a big thank you to all the team, and to the brewers, publicans and bar staff for your fantastic efforts which make Norwich such a Fine City for real ale!

Norwich and Norfolk Branch Membership up again!

Latest figures announced by Membership Secretary David Rackham show that the Branch now has 2,571 members. Of these, 1,820 are male and 740 are female. We also have 274 Young Members (18 – 30) and 3 “others”.

David has also revealed that our oldest member is 88 years young!

Numbers are set to rise again in October when we welcome new Members who join at the Beer Festival. Talking of which – why not beat the queues this year and join before the Festival and get free admission into the bargain?

Simply fill in the form printed within this magazine or contact your Branch Membership Secretary.

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ask Force folk NIPS and C or N ad re n ca u yo Don’t forget that ebsite Norfolk Branch w d an h ic w or N e on line on th ra.org.uk www.norwichcam ge. anch facebook pa posted on the Br be so al ill w o Latest inf Twitter account Force now has a sk Ca d an PS NI And Norfolk @norfolk_nips

The 35th No rwich Beer F estival St Andrew’s and Blackfria r’s Halls, No rwich Monday 29th October – Sa turday 3rd No vember Beat the que ues – join CA MRA now!

Next issue of N orfolk Nips and Cask Force Copy to

editors by Mond ay 5th Novembe r On the streets by: Friday DECEM BER 7th

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Beery dates for your diary

Beer Festivals 20- 22nd September 21st Letchworth Garden City Beer & Cider Festival The Gallery, Station Road Letchworth Garden City SG6 3BL festival.staffing@camranorthherts.org.uk www.camranorthherts.org.uk 50+ real ales including local brews. Excellent selection of cider, perry + foreign beer including draught foreign beer.

26 - 29th September St Albans Beer Festival Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD www.stalbansbeerfestival.com Up to 350 real ales in all plus cider perry, bottle conditioned beers and large range of foreign beers from all over the world.

Daily breweriana auctions, quiz on Saturday with superb prizes.

27 - 30th September 3rd Amber Valley Beer & Cider Festival Midland Railway, Butterley Station, Ripley DE5 3QZ nigelheathcote@live.co.uk www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk 100+ beers, ciders, perry + fruit wines.

Coincides with Steam Gala Event Sat + Sun, Trains every ½ hour.

28 - 30th September 2nd Oulton Broad Beer Festival Wherry Hotel, Bridge Rd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft NR32 3LN 50+ Draught Ales, Ciders, Wheat and Fruit beers • Live Music.

Contact: www.wherryhotel.com 28 - 30th September Folk ‘n’ Beer Festival Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich www.maddermarket.co.uk 38

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| NORFOLK NIPS 28 - 30th September Strictly Norfolk White Horse, Overstrand A weekend of Norfolk Food and Real Ales Contact: 01263 579237 29th Sept - 2nd October White Lion Beer and Cider Festival White Lion, Oak Street, Norwich Celebrating the first year of Ben and Becky being at the pub.

30+ Ales • 30+ Ciders and Perries 3 - 6th October 35th Bedford Beer & Cider Festival Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1SL Contact: www.northbedscamra.org.uk About 110 power-cooled real ales, 40 ciders + perries and a range of draught and bottled foreign beers.

10 - 13th October Nottingham “Robin Hood” Beer and Cider Festival Nottingham Castle Top of Friar Lane, Nottingham NG1 6DH Contact: festival@nottinghamcamra.org www.beerfestival.nottinghamcamra.org/ A record breaking one thousand different cask beers, plus over 200 different real ciders and perries, mainly sourced from the smaller producers.

25 - 27th October St Ives Booze on the Ouse Beer Festival St Ivo Recreation Centre Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU Contact: festival@huntscamra.org.uk

55+ cask beers over 3 days, plus real cider, perry and bottled foreign and British beers.

25th Oct - 4th November Murderers 7th Beer Festival 2 - 8 Timberhill, Norwich Over 50 Ales.

Contact: 01603 621447 www.themurderers.co.uk 26 - 30th October Royal Oak, Poringland Autumn Beer Festival www.poringlandroyaloak.co.uk

1 - 3rd November 1st South Woodham Ferrers Hullbridge Road S Woodham Ferrers CM3 5LJ www.maldonanddengiecamra.org.uk 30 Beers, plus Cider - up to 5 beers from Crouch Vale Brewery.

1 - 4th November Old Bell, Saham Toney Beer Festival Contact: 01953 884934 www.theoldbellsaham.co.uk 8 - 11 November Erpingham Arms, Erpingham 3rd Beer Festival• 25 Real Ales www.erpinghamarms.com 9 - 11th November 1st Annual Beccles Beer Festival Contact: www.becclesbeerfestival.co.uk 30th Nov - 1st December The Pennoyer Beer Festival Pennoyer Centre, Station Rd, Pulham St Mary IP21 4QT Ales from Yorkshire, West country and the best of local breweries www.pennoyers.org.uk

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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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From the Archives |

NORFOLK NIPS

From the Archives Issue no. 111 Oct/Nov 2000 Looking forward to the 23rd Norwich Beer Festival, Beer Festival Organiser Alan Edwards explained why some “favourites” would be missing that year.

The CAMRA AGM that year had passed a resolution that instructed Branches not to promote real ales that share their names with keg, smooth or other versions.

Alan said that the Norwich Branch was happy to comply, although some drinkers may be disappointed that Boddingtons, Tetley, Brains Dark and Everard’s Tiger would not be making an appearance.

He went on to add that there would be a number of beers from very new Breweries on offer. Alan felt that the established Breweries had the edge on the new micros, because of their experience and Quality Control procedures, but each had to be judged on their own merits. Consistency should be the aim for all.

Quality should not be confused with taste, he added, pointing out that although we may not like the taste, that does not mean to say that the beer is not top quality.

Alan referred to the work of CAMRA’s trained Taste Panels, whose reults can be found in the

latest Good Beer Guide on sale at the Festival.

Why not buy the Guide and compare your opinions of the beers with the descriptions in the guide, he suggested.

Issue 112 announced that the Beer of the Festival was Chalk Hill CHB, which also won the Bitter category. The Chalk Hill Brewery was set up in 1993 behind the Coach and Horses pub in Norwich and at the time of writing, it was the sole remaining Brewery in Norwich.

Elgoods won the Mild category with Black Dog Mild and their Wenceslas Winter Warmer won the Strong Ale category.

Other winners were: Best Bitter – Triple FFF Dazed and Confused Premium Bitter – Lidstones Rwalpindi IPA Old/Stout/Porter – Reepham Velvet Stout Speciality Beer – Green Jack Orange Wheat Cider – Sam’s (matured in oak vats in premises closed by Bulmers) Perry - Troggi

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26 St Leonards Road Norwich NR1 4BL 01603 618734

A real gem, well worth a visit.

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

ENJOY THE AUTUMN WITH A FINE ALE IN OUR BEER GARDEN

Heathlands Community Centre, Woodbastwick Road, Blofield Heath, Norwich, NR13 4QH Tel: 01603 714164 Mob: 07818466473 www.heathlandscommunitycentre.org.uk Registered Charity: 303909

3rd Winter Beer Festival 15th to 18th November 2012 • 12 Real Ales Light snacks available at each session

ENTERTAINMENT:

SESSION TIMES:

Thursday Evening - Blofield Heath Jammers Saturday Evening - Live Music with

THURSDAY: 5pm until late FRIDAY: 5pm until late SATURDAY: 2pm until late SUNDAY: 12 noon until late

Kay & Colin, Musical Duo Offering 12 real Ales, and 2 Ciders, plus Fully Licenced Bar offering a range of Lagers, Bottled Beers, Wines and Soft Drinks.

AUTUMN 2012 | 41

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CAMRA Branch Calendar |

NORFOLK NIPS

Norwich and North Norfolk Branch Tuesday 18 September Branch Meeting, Humpty Dumpty Brewery, Reedham, 8pm - Coach available from Norwich Come and join us for this popular event. The Good Beer Guide 2013 Licencees Packs will be available for distribution.

Thursday 27 September 35th Beer Festival Planning Meeting, Take 5, Norwich, 8pm Last chance to have your say in the running of the Festival this year.

Friday 28 September Campaign Trip visiting 5 county pubs to the North of Norwich - Booking Essential Sunday 30 September Branch Store tidy-up. Come and visit our Beer Store and help get everything shipshape for the Festival!

Friday 5 October Ascot Races and Beer Festival (up to 200 beers) – Booking Essential Friday 5 October First Friday Five (route tba) Our monthly jaunt around five pubs in Norwich.

Check the Branch website or facebook for details.

Saturday 13 October Possible social event / brewery visit Sunday 21 October 6th Beer Festival Planning Meeting, Take 5, Norwich, 8pm Your very last chance….

Sunday 28 October Beer Festival Set Up Mon 29 Oct - Sat 3 Nov 35th Norwich Beer Festival @ St Andrews Hall This is it – what we have all been waiting for!

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Sunday 4 November Beer Festival Take Down Help is wanted to pack everything away and clear the halls. Please come along and lend a hand – the more the merrier!

Friday 9 November First Friday Five (route tba) Coach pick-ups: 6.47 p.m. junc. Southwell Rd./Grove Rd.; 6.55 junc. Old Palace Rd./West End St.; 7.02 junc. Mile Cross La./Eversley Rd.; 7.06 Sprowston Fire Stn.; 7.10 Heartsease (Harvey Lane bus stop); 7.15 Norwich Railway Stn. (Thorpe Rd. bus stops).

Please contact Michael Philips, our Social Secretary to obtain further details or to book a seat on the coach on 07851 923 554 or socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk.

CAMRA Members who have registered their e-mail address with the Branch will receive a monthly update on this list. If you would like to take advantage of this service, or have not received the latest e-mail, please contact the Membership Secretary, David Rackham, at pugs1985@googlemail.com

West Norfolk Branch All Branch Meetings start at 8pm.

Thursday 4th October, 1pm True’s Yard, Lynn, talk by Jeff Hoyle “Lynn’s Lost Pubs” Tuesday 9th October Narborough Social Club, AGM Tuesday 13th November Red Lion, Hockwold, Branch meeting Tuesday 11th December Bell, Saham Toney, Branch Meeting Saturday 15th December Christmas tour of Norwich

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GOLDEN STAR COLEGATE • 01603 632447

H Up to six real ales H Fantastic evening menu H Sunday roasts H Bar billiards H Live music H Weekly quiz H Free wi fi

www.goldenstarnorwich.co.uk AUTUMN 2012 | 43

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Beer Tech

| NORFOLK NIPS

Ladies and Gentlemen – Welcome to The Theatre of Pour!

Regular readers will know that in earlier editions of this magazine, we have looked at the North v South Divide and the problems in getting real ale into Hotel and Theme Bars.

In the 21st Century, there has to be a better way, we argued.

Well maybe, just maybe, we have stumbled on the solution.

OK, perhaps stumbled is not the right word, I hadn’t had a drink at that point, but popped into The Otter in Thorpe Marriott. Taking up my customary position in front of the handpumps, I opted for a pint of Greene King IPA. Imagine my horror when the Landlady took two steps to the left and proceeded to pour me a pint from the shiny chrome offering on my right. My protestations that it had to be real ale were met with a warm reassurance that I would get my wish.

And indeed I did. This new piece of kit was worthy of closer inspection. It is made by Angram Ltd of North Yorkshire and was commissioned by Greene King as part of the multi million pound rebranding of Greene King IPA. The new handpumps, or to give them their correct name “The New Greene King IPA Illuminated Branding Stems” certainly have some interesting features.

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Will traditional cask customers notice the difference, will they approve?

Angrams Operations Director Mark Carrington certainly thinks so. The pump has a smaller footprint than traditional handpumps and the sleek modern designs would certainly be at home in a modern chrome plated hotel or themed bar.

Theatre of Pour The first thing that you notice is the high swan neck. If, like me, you have stood patiently at the bar waiting to be served, whilst the bar person is pouring a pint of frothy lager for someone else, you can’t help but notice that it is often served at eye level. This is deliberate. This is what Mark Carrington calls The Theatre of Pour. The customer observes that a clean glass has been selected and can only marvel as the golden coloured liquid fills the glass, foaming with about as much added gas as is required. Watching it pour is relaxing, it makes you feel good and you can anticipate the full flavour of a refreshing pint served at just the right temperature. Who am I kidding?

But think about it, my pint is then served in a glass I have not had the opportunity to

inspect and it is also served below counter height. My beer is presented to me as a fait accompli. No wonder some do not complain if their pint is less than perfect. With this new stem, I too can now enjoy the theatre.

North or South In issue No. 160, Cask Marque’s Annabel Smith discussed the difference in

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NORFOLK NIPS | beers in the north and south of the country and the effect that sparklers can have on the taste.

She suggested that, where it was possible, to ask for two halves of the same beer, one poured through a sparkler and one without, then see which you liked best.

I doubt that many would, in all honesty, ask a landlord to fiddle around with a sparkler for two halves. Pints, maybe.

But here is the interesting second feature on these stems.

The swan neck incorporates a valve, which acts as a sparkler.

It can be turned on or off with the flick of a wrist. A small notice on the stem says “North or South – you decide”. I have,

I prefer Greene King IPA northern style.

Expect to see this device on other Greene King Beers, Old Speckled Hen and Old Golden Hen. This is clever marketing. As a Brewery expands its network of operations throughout the UK, you have to be able to offer what the customer wants. One answer is to tinker with the brew to produce a southern beer for a northern drinker and vice versa. Or how about one beer and let the customer decide – North or South, Left or Right?

Angram say that this, and their other new products, some of which have interchangeable

branding opportunities, will reenforce cask ale as a premium product and appeal to a wide audience.

It’s an interesting thought, but what do real ale drinkers in the East think?

"Want to save money?

See page 23

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Try our Award Winning Norfolk Ales

The Wolf Brewery will soon be moving to: Decoy Farm, Norwich Road, Besthorpe, Norfolk, NR17 2LA Telephone: 01953 457775 E-mail: info@wolfbrewery.com

Available All Year Round

Available in bottles and 36 pint polypins on-line at www.wolfbrewery.com or from our brewery shop

Up to EIGHT ever changing Cask Ales Good covered smoking area 10 mins walk from railway station

Ales from ÂŁ2.00 a pint!

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

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NORFOLK NIPS | Correspondence

A warm welcome from Rob and Fawnda to...

E GREYHOUND T• H THE STREET, TIBENHAM NR16 1PZ • An old Fashioned, traditional country pub.

Serving a selection of Real Ales and Fine food.

Children’s play area and large car park.

OPENING TIMES Mon: 12 - 3pm and 6.30pm - midnight Tues: 6.30 - midnight.

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

Friday: 12 - 3pm and 6.00pm - midnight.

Sat and Sun: 12 midday -12 midnight.

Carvery lunch Sunday afternoon 1pm - 3pm.

Booking advisable 01379 677676.

Camping space & Electric hook ups for Caravans available Dog Friendly For up and coming events see or website the-greyhound tibenham.co.uk

Tel: 01379 677676 smithrjsmith@btinternetcom

Pint Rage?

Dear Editor, I have a Woodfordes glass which states CE PINT, The other day I poured a bottle of beer into a Woodfordes glass, it took all the beer and produced a nice 10mm head. For the second bottle I tried to fill the glass as full as I reasonably could and still there was beer left in the bottle.....mmm? I discovered that the first bottle was 500ml while the second was a Pedigree at 568ml.

Having drank the beer I washed the glass and measured out a pint in our kitchen jug, pouring this into the pint glass, it took the full pint but only when it was absolutely level with the rim of the glass only avoiding spilleage by the surface tension on the water.

In conclusion I was short changed at the beer festival I picked the glass up from as all pints were poured within 10mm from the rim with no head.

Secondly how many pint glasses are out there like this where beer is poured with a head so a proportion of your paid for beer and £1.20 tax is foam.

I am aware some glasses have a pint line which sounds fair to me which allow space for the head.

Surely this is nothing new! What is happening here?

Kind Regards Bruce Vaughan Editor’s Reply: Dear Bruce, Firstly, the Woodforde’s glass that you have is a brim measure glass, i.e you have to fill it up to the brim to get a full pint. This means that any head that appears on top is part of the measure. If your beer is served to you in this fashion, you can ask for a top up if you consider that there is too much froth and not enough beer.

After all, as you say, you are paying for both beer and froth. A pint is 568ml, so your glass would easily accommodate a 500ml bottle and I would expect some beer left in the 568ml bottle, owing to gas/fermentation.

Secondly, the Norwich CAMRA Beer Festival has used over sized lined glasses for the last five years for this reason. You get a full measure of beer, with a head on top, and is easier to handle. Volunteers at the Beer Festival expect to be given an oversized glass to fill, so if you are using a brim measure glass of your own, then please tell the bar staff, who will then fill your glass to the brim.

Cheers! 

AUTUMN 2012 | 47

Ed.

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Brewery News

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Bloomers –Norwich in Bloom’s 25th Anniversary Ale Norwich will be judged as one of only five cities nominated for the Best City category of the Britain in Bloom competition.”

Bloomers launch at the Assembly House – Friends of Norwich in Bloom celebrate the launch Norwich in Bloom’s 25th Anniversary Ale, Bloomers, was launched on the 10th July at The Assembly House and is proving to be a very popular brew! Bloomers is a refreshing blonde ale, 4.0% ABV, and was eagerly taken by 17 of the best real ale pubs and bars in Norwich.

The Beehive pub in Leopold Road was one of the first pubs to offer Bloomers, and it sold out fast! Beehive landlord, Alex Kerridge, was very pleased with the popularity of Bloomers. She said “We put the beer on hand pump on Tuesday and it was gone by Wednesday! It was great. Can I order another one?” she added.

Bloomers is brewed by Mark Riches, of independent local brewery, Beeston Brewery, and was named to recognise the contribution of the many volunteers (Bloomers) who have worked so hard over the last 25 years to help make Norwich a blooming city.

“We were initially aiming for Bloomers to be available until early August,” said Pam Keten of The Friends of Norwich in Bloom, “when 48

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“Considering Bloomers’ popularity, we will have to consider making it available in pubs and bars on a more regular basis, and hopefully making an appearance at the 35th Norwich Beer Festival to be held at St Andrews and Blackfriars Hall from Monday 29th October to Saturday 3rd November. The Friends of Norwich in Bloom would especially like to thank Norwich Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for supporting the Bloomers launch”, Pam added, “and local firm CIM Signs and Graphics for providing the artwork for the ale launch and organising the promotional flyers.”

For further information, please contact The Friends: Bloomers 25th Anniversary Ale Organiser – Pam Keten 07904 584555 email pamketen@talktalk.net Competition Organiser/Secretary – Julie BrociekCoulton 07786 694325 jewills064@aol.com or visit www.norwichinbloom.co.uk

2012 Diary Future Activities: Saturday 6th October Britain in Bloom Awards Ceremony - St. Peter Port Guernsey Monday - Friday 3rd - 7th October Friends of Norwich in Bloom Schools Giant Pumpkin Competition Judging Friday 19th October Friends of Norwich in Bloom Presentation Evening, The Assembly House - Theatre Street 7.00pm - 9.00pm

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Cologne and the Eifel Mountains

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Kolsch und Zwickelbier, not so Eifel after all!

I went on a bus tour earlier this year which took in Cologne and the Eifel mountains, opportunities for beer tourism were limited but a couple of visits did transpire.

The main target of the Cologne visit was the enormous Dom, a twin towered leviathan of a Cathedral visible from thirty Kilometres away!

other parts of Europe, only beer produced in Cologne can be called Kolsch as the name is regionally protected like Champagne. Research indicated that in the limited time a visit to the Malzmuhle brewery at 6 Heumarkt would produce a classic example of a Kolsch brauhaus not of the four giant manufacturers.

The bar was re-built after the wholesale destruction visited on the city by allied bombing during world war 2 only the doorframe remains original!

The cities most famous beer style is Kolsch. First brewed in the city in 1906 the beer got it’s name in 1918, however it was not as popular as more traditional German brews until the 1960’s when a boom in sales saw Kolsch became the dominant beer of Cologne.

Since the 1980’s sales have begun to decline but the style has spread to America and 50

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The beer has a clean, some would say bland taste but is very refreshing served in 2l glasses by blue uniformed waiters called “Kobes”. The name come from a tradition going back to the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostella, the German route was through Cologne. Santigo is St James in English, Jakobus in German, Kobe is a German diminutive of Jakobus applied to the landlords who provided the hospitality to the pilgrims.

The blue uniform comes from the same tradition. The Kobes serve your beer from a special glass holder called a Krantz and keep replacing your glass unless you leave some or cover it with a beer mat. A score is kept on the beer mat from which the bill is calculated.

Kobes are famous for their sense of humour and knowledge, when asked what happens if someone “loses” the beer mat our waiter replied “Simple, we charge for a hundred beers!” A highly recommended experience.

We also visited Monschau in the Eifel, famous for its black and white timber framed houses. On exiting the bus park I spotted Brauerei Museum on a sign pointing away from the town centre, in for a Pfennig…

We discovered the Felsenkeller Brauhaus and Museum just up the hill. The brewery stopped producing beer on site in the 1990’s but all the plant and memorabilia was still present. Only German was spoken, but I managed and we looked around, the

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Rainer near Aachen, and sold in the excellent bar, food is also top notch. I have checked the website for the museum and it seems production of both beers is being re-started at the museum from September, so it now has everthing!

I did manage to get down into the town for a few photos as well.

Stig.

Above: Monschau Brauhaus museum Felsenpils beer was produced from 1924.

In order to keep the beer cool in the summer allowing a different fermentation technique the ice from the mountains was gathered during the winter and packed into cooling Kellars dug into the mountainside! The unfiltered Zwickelbier is now brewed by Privatbrauerei

We are in it!

THE BANNINGHAM CROWN FREE HOUSE Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant

EATON COTTAGE

5 Real Ales • Great Food

UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048

Sheltered Patio and Gardens

Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits

For information on Real Ales available on the bar NOW go to yourround.co.uk

All Sky Sports • A traditional pub Good covered outside areas Doggies welcome

Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY 01263 733534 www.banninghamcrown.co.uk

“A festival of beers every day”

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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 • Late Night Opening 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 16th 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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Earle Arms Heydon

Traditional Norfolk freehouse and restaurant

Three Real Ales always available Good Food • Real Fires

01263 587376 Satnav: NR11 6AD (Just off B1149 Holt Norwich Rd) AUTUMN 2012 | 53

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CAMRA AGM 2013

| NORFOLK NIPS

Help Required for CAMRA National Members Weekend and AGM 2013 the same as our annual beer festival. The formal conference will take place in St Andrews Hall with Blackfriars Hall being used as a ‘beer ex’ selling local beers.

Many NIPS readers are probably aware that the venue for next year’s CAMRA National Members weekend and AGM is going to be in Norwich. It will be held over the weekend of Friday 19th – Sunday 21st April 2013 with the venue being St. Andrews and Blackfriars Halls,

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Arrangements for this event have already commenced and we are looking for volunteers who can help make this event a great success. Can you help in the following areas – staffing the members bar in Blackfriars, glasses stall, stewards and hospitality for guests, tellers (during conference sessions),

hosts for brewery trips, information and general support.

If you feel you are able to and would like to volunteer for any of these jobs, or have any queries or questions about the Members Weekend, please contact me on w.wordsworth@ntlworld.com.

Help in any of the above areas however small will be very much appreciated.

Warren Wordsworth, Local AGM 2013 co-ordinator.

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A to Z

| NORFOLK NIPS

Letter E It could stand for “excellence” or even “everything”, but that does not do Norfolk justice, so let’s go for “eclectivity!”

It’s the eclectic mix, that broad range of all that there is to celebrate in the beer scene in the fair county of Norfolk. It’s the number of real ale pubs and breweries and the wide range of quality real ales on offer. There is so much to be proud of, as visitors from other parts of the UK will discover when they come to Norwich for the

2013 CAMRA AGM and Member’s Weekend.

Let them discover Norfolk Pub of the Year The Fat Cat with it’s 31 beers found during the 2012 Survey or delight in Woodforde’s beers, although they may miss the Admiral’s Reserve or Tinseltoes which are coming soon. And there are many, many more delights in Norfolk, far too many to do them justice here. You know who you are – please take a bow!

That was quick, and there is a bit of space left, so let’s do the next one, which is:

F for Fakenham Until I started delivering Norfolk NIPS to the pubs there, I have to confess that I had no reason to visit Fakenham, except for the odd day out at the races.

Most visitors, I suspect, go there for the regular Thursday market, which overfills the market place.

Despite having two major supermarkets at hand, the town appears to have kept a good mix of local shops,including an old fashioned sweet shop – Sweets ‘n’ things, (run by Lisa Smerdon and Glen Mallett), who were behind the first Fakenham Beer Festival, and pubs.

If the Norfolk Orbital Railway succeeds in its objectives and brings the railway back to Fakenham, linking the Mid Norfolk and North Norfolk Heritage lines, some visitors may alight there and go in search of a decent pint, perhaps.

And there is real choice here. As reported elsewhere in this issue, the oldest pub in the town, The Star, in Oak Street, which featured in an earlier edition of this magazine, has reopened. With it’s large secluded garden to the rear, this will make a great family pub, which will offer two real ales. In the market square, The Gallery Bistro offers the opportunity to eat inside or dine al fresco. There is always one real ale on offer, sometimes Hobgoblin.

Wolf Brewery’s award winning Poppy Ale was on when I visited. Just off the market place is The Bull, which is probably the jewel in the crown. No less than five real ales and a real cider on offer here, plus great food. Down by the river is The Wensum Lodge, a small hotel on the river, which offers one 56

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real ale – Elgoods Cambridge on my last visit.

Walk along the riverbank, or down the road to the racecourse and you will come across The Fakenham Sports and Leisure Centre, which also featured in an earlier edition of NIPS. Two real ales, Woodforde’s Wherry and a guest, sometimes Sharp’s Doombar.

If you have had enough of the town, retrace your steps, cross the road, walk passed the cottages and you are in Hempton, where The Bell awaits with three real ales – John Smith’s Cask is the regular here, plus two guest ales.

Further afield, there is The Henry IV, on Greenway Lane, a Greene King Hungry Horse establishment, which has Abbot as it’s regular plus one other from the Brewery, and right on the outskirts next to Morrisons is The Running Horse, a Marstons pub.

Eight handpumps here, with three beers on at a time.

There is good and bad news. The Crown, a former 3 star hotel in the Market Square, stands empty and neglected and The Rampart Horse Inn on Holt Road does not have real ale.

But Wetherspoons will be here next year sometime as they have bought The Garden House, opposite The Bull in Bridge Street. Just for the record, I found 18 real ales and one real cider on my last visit.

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Freshly-cooked food A range of ales • Beer Garden Situated beside Rockland St Mary staithe, The New Inn is a traditional country pub offering a warm welcome in a relaxed and informal setting.

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

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

Families, children, dogs and walking clubs all welcome.

Visit www.newinnrockland.co.uk or our page to keep up to date New Inn Hill, Rockland St Mary

Tel: 01508 538403

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The

Willow House 2 High St, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AE Tel: 01953 881181

Pub, Restaurant and Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Norfolk A selection of great real ales served including constantly changing guests

Food Available from a la carte cuisine to bar snacks. Serving times are Mon - Sat: Noon - 2pm and 7 - 9pm Sun: noon - 2.45pm

Bed and Breakfast Room rates from £55.00 per night Pets welcome by arrangement

www.thewillowhouse.co.uk

Michaela and Rik welcome you to

The Kings Arms 22 Hall Rd Norwich NR1 3HQ

Tel: 01603 766361

Everchanging 13 Real Ales, Cider and Mild.

Fruit Beer also served Eat yo ur takeaw ay in the p ub - plate s a nd cutler y provid ed!

BEER GARDEN • Popular Quiz Night last Wednesday of every month

Se

Texas hold-em poker played Thursdays and Sunday 8pm start

em Ci ost Food served: 11.30 - 2pm Monday -Fri 12-30- 3pm Sunday t o (H y ’s m f N o o Aw me atch rwi See www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk ay and es ch for details !)

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NORFOLK NIPS | Local Feature

The Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History Situated on the Hempton Road, just opposite The Wensum Lodge and a short stroll away from The Bell and The Bull, this museum is a little gem. Many small towns had works for the production of “town” gas but this is the last remaining example of an English small horizontal retort hand-fired Gasworks. Established as a Museum in 1987, it is now laid out as it would have been in the 1960’s. The technology though is Victorian. When established in 1846, the works produced gas “of an unusual purity” for street lighting. It closed in 1965, when it was serving 500 homes and employed 8 men. It was using three railway wagons of coal per week, but as there was no siding, the coal had to be delivered from the Railway Station.

The front of the Museum is the showroom, which has a fascinating collection of gas appliances including cookers from the early 19thC to the 1960’s. You can watch the short video on the early days and the discovery of the method for removing impurities from gas to create what some called “the flame of Hell itself”.

Gas is produced in enclosed chambers, known as retorts. Fakenham had fourteen of them, each 3.3m long. They held about 250 kilos of coal each, which had to be loaded evenly from the back, hard work for the stokers and hot too as the furnaces reached 800 C and some of the retorts were above head height. When the doors were closed, air was cut off, so the coal did not burn, but decomposed in the heat. The resulting gases escaped via an ascension pipe, and what was left in the retorts was coke. Some of this was re-used and the rest sold in bags.

The dirty brown gas cooled, and as it did so, tar was formed and collected in pits, and in Fakenham this was sold for road building and used for waterproofing the buildings on site.

The raw gas was then condensed, which removed the ammonia present, which in Fakenham was dumped as waste. The tar pit and liquor tank held coal tar at the bottom and the ammonia liquor on top. Handpumps at different depths pumped both out as and when required. Tar surrounds the pit from when the works were in operation and the remaining tar was removed from the pit in 2003 as it was a source of ground contamination.

Now relatively clean, the gas was pushed around the rest of the site by a pump known as an Exhauster. This had a small Lister petrol driven engine, but there was also a gas engine, made in 1910. Just to be on the safe side, an electric motor was available as back-up.

The Livesey Washer removed further ammonia and the Purifiers extracted the hydrogen sulphide. Now it could be metered and passed into the Gas Holder or Gasometer for use.

The museum also holds galleries on the history of Fakenham, including the Printing Industry, which was the main employer in the town for many years, and also National Hunt Racing and memorabilia from the two World Wars and the association with the USAF and RAF bases at West Raynham and Sculthorpe.

The Museum is open Thursday, Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10.30 – 3.30 until the 29th September. Group visits can be arranged at other times by calling 01328 863507. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

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CAM RA NO CITY RWICH PUB YEAR OF THE 2011

OPE N1 TO 11PM 2 SUN TO FRI 10.3 0AM - 11P M SAT

UP TO 10 CASK ALES PLUS TRADITIONAL CIDERS AND PERRIES BELGIAN BEERS • BAR BILLIARDS • SATURDAY BRUNCH 10.30 - 2.30 SUNDAY ROASTS 12-3 • HOT SNACKS AVAILABLE ALL DAY EVERY DAY

LIVE MUSIC every Friday & Sunday JAZZ JAM SESSION every Monday QUIZ NIGHT last Monday of the Month TAPAS NIGHT first Thursday of the Month

KINGS HEAD HOLT 6 BRILLIANTLY KEPT REAL ALES PLUS 8 NEW ALES ON OUR ALE WALL Including the ever popular Adnams Bitter, Broadside and Woodfordes Wherry.

Proudly providing 3 guest ales (143 in one year and rising!)

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!

3 stylish, comfortable, yet affordable B&B self-catering single or double rooms.

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 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!

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NORFOLK NIPS | Reindeer Norwich

The Reindeer sets out to unite real ale drinkers and real food lovers New Licencees Dan and Katie Searle outline their visions of the future for this Elgood’s pub.

It’s had a colourful past and siblings Dan & Katie Searle have no doubts that they still have their work cut out. ‘There is something genuinely satisfying about returning a struggling pub to it’s former glory, in terms of keeping it open at least”, says Dan, who talks lovingly about his passion for the trade. “A fresh approach is required to meet the growing expectations of our customers and to keep people interested” adds Katie. The pair already run the Rumsey Wells, and they have managed to offer something different at the Reindeer.

Whilst the Rumsey Wells has a reputation for entertainment from DJ’s to bands and even an art gallery, the Reindeer has a greater focus on the food and beer selection. “We have always

Angel Gardens Free House

This independently run freehouse has been under the ownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on the north of the city near to Waterloo Park.

Homecooked and speciality meals Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef with years of experience.

Up to SEVEN reasonably priced Real Ales including THREE guest ales Monthly Quiz & Darts • Live Music on Saturdays

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

01603 427490

email: ikwarren-angel@tiscali.co.uk www.norwichinns.com

wanted our next venture to involve food, something that allows us to showcase really great British cooking in an informal and unpretentious environment,” comments Dan. There is always a large selection of guest real ales (7-10) alongside the brewery staples from Elgoods in Wisbech.

There is also a good selection of draught beers from around the world (12), including America, Germany, Belgium and of course the UK. Only British produce is used for the new menu. Ingredients are sourced locally, where possible, and are seasonal. There is a strong focus on dishes to share and the introduction of forgotten recipes that will serve to deliver the communal spirit of traditional pubs and pay homage to great British cuisine. “In order to deliver this the team here is hugely important” comments Katie.

The London Tavern Free House

Great real ales, fine wines and spirits.

Food Served: Monday- Friday 11am - 5pm Saturdays 11am - 3pm Sundays 11am - 3pm Evening meals on request Roast Dinners Sundays 12-3pm Chilled bar rolls made daily only £1.00

Attleborough’s only Good Beer Guide pub 2010, 2011 & 2012 Camra Discount Scheme & Local Ale Parking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing, Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415

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2

T c

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Award Winning Real Ale Pub We Don’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 serve morning coffee from 11am, children are welcome.

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

Nick, Delia And The Team would love to see you soon.

Autumn Beer Festival Friday 26th October to Tuesday 30th October Music Friday Night with Tosh and Friends Music Saturday Night with Murphys lore A dream of a pub situated in the village of Poringland on the B1332 road to Bungay.

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007 Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007 14 years in the Good Beer Guide!

The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside.

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

www.poringlandroyaloak.co.uk Tel: 01508 493734

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