Issue 163 of Norfolk Nips & Cask Force

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Trafford Arms Celebrating 20 years of serving our community during 2013

Date for your Diary

20th Valentine 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

V S

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Vote for Beer!

Save the Pub Group to their communities as a focus for community, social, sporting and charitable activities. This is why the Group is profoundly concerned that much loved and valued pubs across the country are being closed, for many different reasons, when often they don’t need to; and why they demand greater Government support and better legislation.

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: Ian Bailey Tel: 01553 766904

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

Twitter: Norfolk_nips

In difficult financial times when pubs are closing at a rate of 12 per week, when beer duty continues to rise, and when developers are doing away with well run community pubs against the wishes of local communities, wouldn’t it be great to know that there is a group of over 100 Parliamentarians fighting for licensees, brewers and pub-goers? Well, there is! There are now 128 MPs and Lords in the Save the Pub Group, and with each new member, there is a new voice championing the cause of the nation’s ale- and pub-lovers.

The group believe that traditional British pubs, which provide an environment for sociable and controlled drinking, are hugely important

The Save the Pub Group, with the support of CAMRA, gives MPs help and guidance in support of campaigns against pub closures in their constituency, but mostly campaign on a number of key issues affecting pubs and beer.

Currently, the group are calling for: • changes to planning law to properly recognise the importance of pubs to communities, and to better protect pubs faced with closure & redevelopment; • a change in the law to outlaw the practice of restrictive covenants, whereby companies are selling pubs on the basis that they are prevented from being a pub, thus denying communities pubs simply to benefit the commercial interests of the company; continued overleaf

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: norfolknips2@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

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NORFOLK NIPS | Save the Pub Group continued • local communities to have the right to buy pubs that are planned for closure, with improvements to the Localism Act provisions, and to support the Pub is the Hub scheme.

• reform of the current ‘beer tie’ model, as operated by some of the big pubcos, which makes it impossible for many licensees to make a living, and which leaves many pubs which could be successful if free of tie unviable. The Group held a high profile reform rally as well as a meeting with big pubco bosses to hold them to account; • fairer levels of beer duty, scrapping the duty escalator and pushing for a lower duty on all draught ale and/or real

ale, lobbying Europe to allow this; • the Government and local authorities to do more to support community pubs including via taxation and rates, based on the community value of such pubs and for less complicated regulatory and licensing systems and frameworks; the Government to look at supermarket beer pricing, to stop below cost selling in the off trade and create a more level playing field between the on and off trade; Mike Benner, National Chief Executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, reckons that “the Group is invaluable in helping to build Parliamentary support for CAMRA’s key campaigns to

protect pubs. I hope that CAMRA members up and down the country will encourage their MP to join the Group, and support their important work in protecting the future of Britain's valued community pubs.”

The Group ask you all to write to your local MP (who can be found at www.parliament.uk) and ask them to join the Group, to support its work, and to fight for pubs, brewers and beer-lovers across the country.

Beyond that, the Group asks you to keep supporting your local CAMRA branch- and keep visiting the many wonderful real-ale pubs!

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Chairman’s Letters

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Words from the West Another successful Norwich Beer Festival enjoyed by many of the West Norfolk members is now over, so our thoughts turn to Christmas. Very soon we shall be enjoying the plethora of winter ales brewed for the festive occasion. Many of these tend to be on the strong side, probably to ward away the evil spirits of the long dark winter nights!

The petition to the Government exceeded the 100,000 target and the debate has been held in Parliament. Although not attended by many MP’s they found in favour of stopping the automatic increases in

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beer duty. We can only hope that the Government will take notice of this in the next budget to give some welcome relief to the licensed trade.

Everyone has been informed about the voting for West Norfolk Pub of the Year. Please contact Jeff Hoyle or go to the CAMRA website for the necessary forms. We would like as many members as possible to visit all four pubs , score all of them and submit the results to Jeff or bring them along to the Meeting at Narborough Sports and Social Club on Tuesday 19th February 2013, where the winner will be announced.

At the same meeting,the selections will be made for the Good Beer Guide 2014, so if you know of a pub that is worthy of inclusion, let us know, it can then be surveyed and considered for inclusion.

To sign off. On behalf of of the West Norfolk Branch, may I wish all members and readers a happy Christmas and an enjoyable New Year. Here’s to drinking more real ale in 2013.

Cheers Steve Barker W.N. Chairman

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NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Letters

Power to the Drinkers!

Recent developments in Parliament have shown the power of the drinker when we all get together and campaign over important issues. I have written previously about the Beer Duty Escalator and that CAMRA was asking you to sign the e-petition to raise over 100,000 signatures. Well you did it and on 1st November there was the debate with 58 MPs from all parties unanimously backing the call on the Government to review the Beer Duty Escalator and present back before the Budget 2013. I would prefer to have it scrapped altogether as it’s damaging the beer and pub industry.

To keep up the momentum we will have a mass lobby on 12th December where we expect 1000+ CAMRA members, publicans, brewers and beer drinkers to meet with their MP. During our Norwich Beer Festival we had coverage about the beer duty on the Radio, TV, Newspapers and the publicity can only help to increase the pressure on the Government. In fact we had 2 local MPs attending the Beer Festival and we hope to discuss various issues with the Community Pubs Minister when he is available.

won awards and the presentations night will be something special. We had new beers on offer and I hope these will be available in our local pubs during the winter months. Enjoy seeking them out.

Graham Freeman

Competition Winners The winners of the Competition in the Autumn Edition of Norfolk NIPS were Mandy Payne and David Reynolds, who both won Rover Tickets for The North Norfolk Railway.

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

Talking about the Beer Festival what a great time was had by all. We were privileged to have the Lord Mayor and Sheriff at the opening and also Dr Chris Bruton who talked about CAMRA beginnings and the Good Beer Guide of 1972. It was certainly a blast from the past for some of our mature customers. I thank all the volunteers who helped us make the Beer Festival a great success. I saw a lot of new people who had come to work for the first time and were enjoying the experience. They said it was a lot of fun and would come again next year as they had made new friends at the Festival. I also congratulate the Brewers who

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Words from the Editors

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Stig’s Ruminations welcome. Also included some of our well travelled branch members activities.

May I congratulate Norwich branch on an excellent beer festival and thank them for their hospitality at our recent branch liaison meeting at the Fat Cat, good to meet the Mid Anglia guys there as well.

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

As you may have noticed the cover is somewhat different for this issue, there just so many photos of pubs in the snow, so I decided that we would try to have a bit of a Victorian theme to this issue.

The Victorians invented what we think of a traditional Christmas and pretty much came up with what we think of as a typical pub or brewery.

There’s a pub crawl round King’s Lynn in 1885 and a little Christmas story in Victorian vein. I hope you enjoy them.

We also have our first contribution from the Mid Anglia sub branch which is partially in Norfolk, welcome!

I’ve reported our AGM results elsewhere, and our Christmas pub crawl will be on Saturday 15th December in Norwich all

The next branch liaison meeting will be at the Stuart House Hotel, King’s Lynn on 2nd February 2013. You can also find details of our Facebook page.

Finally can I thank everyone involved in the production and distribution of this magazine which is reaching a large audience in Norfolk and further afield, without your contributions be they articles, or just getting it out there, no realistic campaigning on a large scale (beer fests aside) would be possible! A very Happy Christmas to our readers and to everyone a happy New Year!

Subscriptions and West Norfolk Branch information We have a growing number of postal subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would like to send my thanks for the kind comments and best wishes from those who have renewed their subscriptions recently.

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

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

All are welcome at these meetings so if you wish to add your name to my mailing list, send your email address to jeffhoyle@btinternet.co.uk.

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The Ed’lines Seasons Felicitations to you all!

What a year this has been. The year when it finally dawned on me that being the Editor was actually a full time job, only the Branch forgot to mention that.

Fortunately, it’s a job that I enjoy, but I couldn’t do it without a lot of support. So thanks to the Production/ Advertising team – Dan and Chris S and fellow Editor Chris, (who edited this special edition), Tony Miles and his willing Band of Distributors who deliver NIPS to far flung

NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

parts of Norfolk in all weathers and not forgetting all those who have contributed articles, photos and suggestions. Plus the pubs and breweries and individuals, who have given me their time and supplied prizes for the Competitions.

Norfolk NIPS has a growing reputation, but I am still surprised and delighted to receive compliments about the magazine when out of the county. And yes, it is now a magazine, it can no longer be

called a newsletter according to CAMRA. I enjoyed working at the Beer Festival again this year, and split my time between Stewarding; and working as NIPS Editor, being based on the Merchandising Stand. Being a Steward is always interesting – you meet some great people and hear some fascinating stories. One day, perhaps, I will write The Diary of a Steward at The Norwich Beer Festival!

Cheers!

Some Victorian beer statistics King’s Lynn The earliest figures I can find for King’s Lynn indicate that at the height of the Victorian age in 1892 Lynn had 180 Licensed houses this means one in twenty three houses in Lynn could sell beer!

By 1903 at the end of Victoria’s reign this figure had fallen to 158 licensed houses.

Four years after the end of the Great War in 1922 there were 75 left. There was, of course a clampdown on drinking during the 14-18 war, with the introduction of opening hour restrictions. The trend it seems continues…

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

being recorded, at its peak Norwich contained in 1878 593 pubs, this fell back to an amazing 572 in 1890! This is just pubs the beerhouses remained at a level between 40 & 50 during the same period. 75% of the pubs were in the hands of 7 breweries.

On the subject of breweries in 1836 there were 27 in the city by 1858, 12 remained and this fell to 7 by 1875. You can already see the seeds of the takeovers asset stripping and closures that continue amongst large breweries to this day.

Thank goodness for the late 20th Century explosion in micros. Of course we will never know what the beer quality was really like during the 19th Century, but it was certainly safer than the water!

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

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Pub and Brewery News Pub News The lease on the Earlham Arms, Norwich, has been taken over by Chris Couborough’s Flying Kiwi Inns, and will re-open after a £100k refurb, with a wider range of beers than their other pubs (which generally stock ales from sister company Jo C’s).

New tenants moved into the Leopard, Norwich on October 15th.

Norwich Tap House has opened in the old Country & Eastern premises on Redwell St., in Norwich, following a long planning dispute.

Although no real ale is stocked, they do have ‘‘craft’ keg beers from UK brewers such as Magic Rock and Thornbridge, and a very extensive list of foreign bottled beers (plus Becks Vier and Guiness!).

After 18 months Enterprise have found tenants for the Edith Cavell in Tombland, Norwich, which has been refurbished and renamed Cavell’s.

The Garden House at Fakenham is currently closed but will re-open in late 2012 as a Wetherspoons.

The Cock in Dereham has re-opened as Lolitas, a tapas bar - whether any real ale is 10

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available is unknown, but stranger things have happened!.

The following pubs have closed since the last edition of NIPS (please let us know if we’re wrong!): Crown, Diss; Chequers, Bressingham; Garden House, Hales; Gordon, Thorpe, Norwich (which closed and re-opened soon after); Griffin, Thorpe, Norwich; Royal Oak, Catton, Norwich; Duke William, Harleston; King’s Head, North Elmham (lessee has moved to the Bull, Litcham). Green Man, Rackheath. Fox and Hounds, Lyng (licensee has bought the Ratcatchers, Cawston).

August was a bad month for Great Yarmouth pubs, following a poor summer season. Although the Blackfriars Tavern, Sportsman and Suspension Bridge are open again, the Crystal is closed and up for sale, and the Star & Garter, Flints, Croppers and the Earl of Beaconsfield have all closed, as has the Fastolfe Arms in Gorleston.

Planning applications have been submitted to convert the Constitution, Norwich and the Railway Tavern, Holt into housing, and the application to convert the Branford Arms, Norwich into flats, previously turned down for not including suffiicient affordable housing, has been re-submitted to

include a £20,000 contribution to the building of said housing elsewhere (this on a development costing over £800,000!). The figures submitted with the application suggest that the development will cost as much as the flats will be worth once built, and the developers will lose the £280,000 they paid for the building, so I'm not quite sure why they want to carry on with the development, given they admit they could reduce their losses by selling the building for £150,000 as a pub!

CAMRA oppose all three applications, but without opposition from local residents we’re unlikely to succeed I’m afraid.

Ian

The Vine (above photo) recently celebrated its 4th Birthday.

Brewery News Woodfordes have just announced that Norfolk NIP has been brewed as a limited

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NORFOLK NIPS | News from the West edition. Only 4,000 individually numbered bottles are available of this beer, which is based on the original 1929 Steward and Patteson recipe. It has been matured and will continue to develop in the bottle.

They are a different shape to those used last year, having been sourced in Italy.

Wolfe Brewery’s Poppy Ale Still Appeals!

To coincide with the launch of this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Wolfe Brewery have announced an extension of their support for the Charity, through sales of Poppy Ale. Poppy Ale was launched last year at The Murderers, an event which was reported in NIPS 159 Winter 2011.

It will be available throughout the UK during November, with proceeds from the sales going to The Royal British Legion for the Poppy Appeal.

Wolfe Brewery are in the process of relocating to a new site in Besthorpe, which will open next Spring. Sales Manager John Smith promises that this will different, offering a “new experience.” We hope to have more details in the next issue.

News from the West I recently made my lecture circuit debut with a talk on ‘The Lost Pubs of Lynn’, and spent a couple of mornings walking around town, taking pictures of former licenced premises. There was no shortage of material. Some locations I chose date back many years, but it is still a shock to calculate how many have gone in the 32 years I have lived here. Many still are empty and give the illusion that they might one day be resurrected, but as the days go by, it seems more and more unlikely. The Queens is still boarded up with no obvious sign of work commencing.

Cobblestones is in the process of being transformed into a funeral parlour. The Wildfowler remains empty and is becoming more overgrown. The Jolly Farmers has acquired a metal fence which seems to be more to protect passers-by from falling masonry, than a sign of any work taking place. Antonio’s wine bar remains empty, as does the Hogshead. There is a for sale sign on the London Porterhouse, and I received an email from Fleurets adver-

tising the Maltings Cue Club, but please check as these may have changed hands by the time you read this. Out in the villages the Kings Arms at Shouldham is closed and for sale, and the House on the Green at North Wootton has been empty, although I have heard that the gardeners have been attending to the grounds recently, possibly a sign that things are about to happen. In Gayton the Rampant Horse is closed as I write, but again I have heard rumours that it will reopen. It is not all bad news.

In Lynn the mysterious South Gates Bar, formerly O’Tools and before that the Prince Of Wales is now the Ciao International Bar and Club and seems to be trying to attract a crowd for televised sport. The Glendevon hotel has a sold sign on the outside, and I believe that the Norfolk Harvester may still be operating despite having planning permission for change of use.

Meanwhile, the Dray and Horses at Tottenhill is up and running again, as is the Sandboy at Bawsey. The former landlord from the Rampant Horse at Gayton has taken on the Sandboy and obviously it will take a while to build up trade to its former level, but he is realistic and focused. Two beers were on the bar when we called, both on top form, with the promise of more to come when as turnover increases. The Woolcontinued overleaf

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NORFOLK NIPS | News from the West continued pack at Terrington St John is now under much more settled ownership and there is an application to turn the barn at the front of the pub into business units and invest the profit into the business. We called in recently and although there was only one beer available it was in excellent condition. We also ventured out to Sporle to have a look at the Peddars Inn, formerly the Squirrels Dray and the Chequers. There is no food on a Tuesday, but the menu looked enticing and the two Adnams beers were well worth the trip. Another place with excellent Adnams is the Berney Arms at Barton Bendish, and the lunchtime specials menu is amazing value for top quality food.

Out at Clenchwarton, the Victory goes from strength to strength. Three beers, including guests are regularly available, with the promise of a fourth if demand justifies it.

We went out for their beer festival and whilst the men enjoyed their pints, the ladies were given a tour of the new kitchen and saw the proposals for a new conservatory.

Our Recent Branch meeting was at the excellent club at Narborough, where we are always well treated with interesting beers and a little snack, and it reminded me that clubs can be a forgotten part of the real ale revolution. I was asked to run a charity quiz recently at the Golf Club in Middleton.

Being more of a football and

rugby league man myself, it was my first visit, and I was well pleased to find Hookey available on the bar. Like many special interest clubs, such as the Ouse Amateur Sailing Club in Lynn, social membership is available for those who just want a pleasant place to drink and socialise.

Meanwhile we hear that there is new brewery, the Two Rivers Brewery open at Denver, near Downham Market. Some members have spotted the bottled beers in the local area, but we have no reports of any on draught so far.

Jeff

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A Victorian Tale

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What the Dickens!

T’was

a day of deep snow and a hard cold Easterly, as, dear reader your scribe has come to expect in these early years of our dear queen’s most glorious reign.

I had taken the London Mail upon the Norwich turnpike, hoping to meet with a carousing group of friends (Some of them not unlike the more colourful of my own characters, whom it would appear are some times as real to yourselves as to myself, I modestly suggest).

The turnpike was it usual mud splattered test of man and beasts’ endurance but initially good time was made. It seemed that arrival in the fair city home of over five hundred ale houses and inns (Of vastly varied quality it has been reported) would be expedited within the day, I pulled a blanket around my legs and thought of a time when circumstances led perforce to a younger self riding on top of the coach turning as blue as Mr. Wedgewood’s excellent ceramic achievements. Little did your guide through this tale suspect how soon this would seem a state of affairs to be earnestly wished for…

I had drifted into fitful sleep when a fierce jolt brought me to my senses. As my eyes opened, the eyelids stiff as old parchment, a bright white light shone into the cabin of the coach. I could see nothing beyond it and at first thought myself transported to paradise by some unfortunate happenstance along the road to a Christmas rendezvous! A silhouette appeared in the light the air filled with mist. Was this an angel dear reader?

It spake thus; “Olroight owt of ve coach we’s broaked a wheel and can’t lift the axle wiv such fine fowks a yersewves in it!, A strange angel indeed!

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The small group of fellow travellers stood at the side of the highway waiting for the two coachmen to make good on their promises to be underway in “no time at all”. I found the company of a clergyman’s wife and a retired army surgeon somewhat tire some, the topic of conversation covering such broad fields as knitting, crochet and the efficacy of a good tourniquet in the Crimea. The snowfall that had caused the bright and very briefly heavenly vision seemed to ease a little; I determined to explore a little to see if I could find shelter in some wayside farmhouse or inn.

As I trudged through the snow I felt that the whole world around me had been born anew under sheets of white silk which veiled the trees and smothered the muddy road in a perfect undisturbed whiteness. Twas as if no soul had ever passed this way before, let alone any of man’s horse drawn inventions. I strode on for some distance searching without success for sign of mankind or even my esteemed audience an indication of beasts of the field.

The snow grew heavier, becoming blinding; I resolved to turn back whence I came. Turning on the reciprocal in what was now a manifest blizzard I could see no more than half a furlong and in that distance no indication of my passing was discernable. My situation was now somewhat perilous, it seemed to continue back along the turnpike would be prudent, if only I could make it out, if not perhaps a meeting with an angel may be of great likelihood. I forged through the biting cold of the snowfall which had lost all semblance of a magical veil and seemed more a potential shroud for your reluctant explorer. I knew time had passed and that by now I should be stumbling over the repaired stagecoach or else have been overrun by its headlong progress.

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Now in a state of some desperation I stumbled over leaving a perfect cast of myself in the deep snow, as I levered my shivering being from the soft white coffin, gathering my cloak about me tighter I heard the sound of voices ahead of me, not only voices but happy, jolly voices, and I believed music!

“Gord rest ye merry gen’lemen let nuffink you dismay, for Jeezuss Christ our savior was born on Christmass Day…” I staggered my way towards the happy bucolic cacophony, and through the blizzard appeared a single lamp hanging above the door of a small inn, it was so covered in deep snow that it appeared to be iced like a seasonal fancy in a fashionable London coffee house, the inn was long and low with what I discerned must be a thatch which almost touched the ground, each gable end surmounted by a tall chimney, very old and belching spark filled smoke.

Even had I not been in distress how could I resist such a tempting sight on Christmas Eve dear friends? Pushing in the holly decorated portal’s guardian timbers I found myself privy to a scene of old fashioned Christmas, the folk inside twere unaware of any of the fashions of recent times and dressed as if no London trends ever reach this far.

The raucous singing continued and two huge roaring fires blazed at each end of the scene folk danced wildly and consumed large quantities of ale from tankards some of which it appeared were carved from finest oak. There was ner a sign of the newly fashionable Christmas tree, but as the fire warmed me through, I forgot London and my group of comrades in Norwich and gratefully took a tankard of mulled beer, heated by a poker from one of the huge hearths which seemed to be growing larger. Most of the honest folk were too embroiled in their wassail to take but a little notice of the snowy intruder in their midst, but I was kept supplied with ale and occasionally enticed to join a dance, some of which I learnt in my boyhood.

drew my cloak over my head and fell into a dreamless slumber.

When I awoke it was decidedly colder and the bright white light had performed an encore, I was being shaken quite hard and as the cast fell from my eyes I saw a familiar silhouette, not of course an angel but once again the coachman!

“Thank the lord your Olroight young sir, he said we sorta lost hope wen you ditun come back!”

I replied “I was, I admit freely somewhat, er, lost but I sheltered in an ale house I found for the night and know not how it is that you find me outside on Christmas day.”

“But Sir…” Spake the shabby coachman.

Before he could say more I surmised “It is fortunate that you could not make repair and return’d this way this fine morning to discover me.”

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

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

Mayhap I will dear reader; I have an inspiration forming from the ether already.

Merry Christmas, and God bless us every one.

Boz (Stig) (With apologies to Charles Dickens)

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

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West Norfolk Editorial Feature

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A Victorian pub crawl in King’s Lynn If you were a thirsty traveller arriving in King’s Lynn in 1885 you would have found it a very different place to today. With the help of O.S. maps from the archive collection of the True’s Yard museum (itself incorporating the old Naval reserve pub), lets follow in the footsteps of a visitor making his way into town from Gaywood.

After walking through the fields and over Dodman’s Bridge, just outside the old town walls is the Spread Eagle, with its extensive pleasure gardens. By the turn of the century these will be built on and become Archdale Street. Passing the Hob in The Well, and the Sandringham, we come to the Duke of Edinburgh on the corner of Blackfriars Road, long gone, but acknowledged by the name of the new housing on the site, Edinburgh Court.

A glance to our right reveals a large maltings, but we are headed straight on past the Blue Lion, which was known to many as the Hanging Chains due to the steelyard and chains on the front of the building, used for lifting wagons.

Before we reach the junction with Railway Road we pass the Crab and Lobster, shortly to be renovated and renamed the Lynn Arms (in 1886). Amongst the buildings knocked down when the new road leading to the north was built, was a post office flanked by the Apollo and Fox and Hounds. Nearby is the Sun Inn, the starting point for a number of horse drawn carriers serving the local villages. Next door, the Anchor and Hope and Carpenters face each other across the street. On we go, past the 16

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Swan and the Eagle. Now Bar Red, the Eagle was rebuilt after being bombed in the Second World War. We are now at the corner of Albert Street where the Black Dog and Norfolk Arms jostle for room with the Bird In Hand. On to the major intersection with Broad Street, where the Star Inn (later the Grosvenor) was once the starting point for the stagecoach service to London. Departing at 4 in the morning, three days a week, it was timed to reach London at 8 the same evening. Opposite is the famous Flowerpot, recently enlarged by absorbing the Angel next door. A third corner is now the occupied by Snappy Snaps, but this used to be a chain library. Our traveller would see the Sugar Loaf.

Across the street and a couple of doors down stands Fiddaman’s Hotel, once the Wheatsheaf, and there is just space to squeeze in the Vine and Green Dragon before we reach the High Street.

Most of these are now gone, although some of the buildings can be recognised, but even in Victorian times some must have been pining for lost locals. Examination of other records show about another 20 pubs that once existed on Norfolk Street, dating back to 1452. Looking on the bright side, we have also gained a couple of pubs in recent times, so let’s hear it for Dr Thirsty’s and Chicago’s.

CA

Jeff

Fri

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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 12pm Sundays: 12noon to 10.30pm

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

91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182

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Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs

| NORFOLK NIPS

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

Anchor, Morston

A flint walled cottage built c.1820 and licensed since at least 1836. It has been modernised and extended over the years but the original bar and small rooms on the right are little changed. It is Grade II listed and has been run by the Temple family since 1899. From the front door in a small room down two steps on the right is the original bar which retains an old bar counter and also on 18

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the left wall old lower bar back shelving.

A photo on the wall shows there was old shelving on the left and right, and glazing above the left shelves so the old looking back fitting at the rear is modern. The room has old dado panelling with bare benches attached to it at the front including around the bay window. Old scrubbed top tables add to the atmosphere as does the log fire in the modern fireplace.

A doorway to the right leads to the snug, a bare wood floored small room with a Victorian tiled and cast-iron fireplace. At the rear right is another small room that was the private living room in the past and has a Victorian tiled, castiron and wood surround fireplace and old wall cupboards. Up to 2000 there was a flat roofed extension that looked like it had been added by

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NORFOLK NIPS |

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

Watneys/Bullards in the 1960s - now a flint walled one has replaced it. On the left is a modern bar, a large dining room and also the sales point for the year-round Temples Seal Trips by boat to Blakeney Point - see www.sealtrips.co.uk for sailing times etc. or ring 01263 740791. Note the old glass confectionary display still in use and the Bullards Brewery framed poster over the fireplace.

Anchor, The Street, Morston NR25 7AA. Coasthopper Bus hourly from Kings Lynn or Cromer. It opens from 9am in the morning selling breakfasts, coffee and beer! Meals are served from 12 to 3; 6 to 9. Pub speciality is Norfolk Mussels in 4 flavours. A knitting club meets from 10am to 12pm on Wednesdays.

Phone number is 01263 741392. Website www.morstonanchor.co.uk. On sale are Winters Golden and two other real ales from local breweries.

Harte, Old Costessey Rebuilt in 1931 by Bullards brewery - the date and an anchor symbol can be found just under the rooftop. Despite closures and refurbishments there is much to admire internally. The front door leads to a lobby with screen that indicates the present public bar was originally two separate rooms (possibly two rooms and an off sales?) and confirmed by the two impressive fireplaces. The bar counter front looks like the original as it matches the wood in the front continued overleaf

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

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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!

Winter Beer Fest

www.vinethai.co.uk

Monday 28th Jan to 2nd Feb 2013

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NORFOLK NIPS | Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs continued The Baronial Hall room at the Harte, Costessey

The exterior of the Harte, Costessey by Ann Silverthorne

me

The servery with the original counter screen with its diagonal motifs but the top is a replacement and the bar back fitting is modern.

The two huge fireplaces have Tudor arch shaped stone surrounds with a 1930s brick interior then a row of three classic 1930s brick patterned features in a timber strip and above are three Masonic shields – the RGC one refers to R G Carter the builders of many pubs for Bullards Brewery. On the left through a wide doorway is a splendid high ceilinged Baronial hall-style dining room where the 1930s brick fireplaces chimney breast reaches the ceiling; it has a parquet floor. The rear area of the pub has all modern fittings including a reproduction of the original public bar counter front. Originally built with outside toilets, the present gents’ and ladies’ on the front right was formerly a small smoke room. The former separate function room at the rear is now an Indian takeaway, a separate business.

Harte, Townhouse Road, Old Costessey, Norwich NR8 5BS. Bus 23A every 30 mins. from Norwich City Centre. It is closed Mondays; open Tue to Thu 12 to 3; 5.30 to 11; Fri to Sun 12 to 11.

Meals are served from 12 to 2.30 and 6 to 9 Tue to Sat; Sun roasts from 12 to 5. Phone number is 01603 742755. Website www.thehartenorwich.co.uk. 2 to 3 real ales are on sale and are usually from Adnams and Norfolk breweries.

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

If you require photographs of your pub interior / exterior you can contact Mick on 01733 390598 or email m.slaughter45@ntlworld.com to discuss your requirements.

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West Norfolk Trip to Bruges

| NORFOLK NIPS

Bruges With no exotic excursions planned this year, it was decided to keep closer to home, so Claire and I both visited Bruges during the week via the excellent Eurostar. We were installed in our hotel in a just a few hours and decided to start our “beer holiday” as soon as we unpacked. The hotel was just 15 minutes from the atmospheric Markt so not far to stumble back.

Armed with our “Around Bruges in 80 Beers” guide we came across Cambrinus which was absolutely packed with diners and no seats at the bar for drinkers. We left there and went round the corner to the wonderful Café Red Rose, surprisingly not in any guide. Wonderful atmosphere (for couples especially) we tried the beer tasting tray with 4 beers varying from 4% to 11% and at only 9 Euros was good value – best beer on the tray was the hoppy Poperinge Hommel Bier. One more beer each from the generous beer list (about 100 on offer) and we left some 3 hours later for some fries in the

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

Next day, after a pleasantly warm sunny stroll, we started at De Bron which is a vegetarian café south of the city centre – they sold an organic beer from Dupont called Biolegere which a 5% was pleasantly refreshing for a midday drink. We booked a brewery tour at De Halve Maan (Straffe Hendrick) Brewery which was thoroughly entertaining wonderful to see the traditional tower brewery in its entirety. The guide was very funny and very animated with the whole tour taking about 45 minutes.

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

@ da

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NORFOLK NIPS | “Fat Cat” of Bruges – ‘t Brugs Beertje - a definite must visit because the atmosphere and ambience is like no other pub in Bruges. We had 3 beers each and sat at a table by the window thoroughly enjoying some great beer such as Chouffe Houblin IPA, Smiske Extra, De Dolle

sie the

oll, afé c % We

Our last day in Bruges and we went further afield visiting some bars further out from the tourist throng, starting at De Bron once gain for another wonderful veggie meal (Claire is a Vegan and so was delighted to find this place) washed down with a glass of Hoegaarden Grand Cru. We then walked westwards and found the hostel bar Bauhaus and tried a Delirium Tremens in there! Past a couple of windmills we found the bar Windmolen with a great view of one of those windmills – great little bar packed with eccentric intricacies and definitely a locals bar!

h

es

the

Above: BrugesMarkt

Right: ‘t Brugs Beertje

Brewers Export Stout and Lefebvre Hopus. Next was De Garre nearer the market square down a very narrow alley and up some steps.

The service in here was a bit pushy and there were many “loud” tourists – Claire tried the house beer – Tripel De Garre and thought it tasted like beer with a double vodka thrown in.

Still the actual bar was quite unique and hopefully if we return we could enjoy it better. Last bar of the day was the aforementioned Cambrinus with its encyclopedic beer list of some 400 beers. I plumped for a Rochfort 8 and suddenly became very sleepy!!

Next was a pub claiming to be the oldest in Bruges – Vlissingen – We sat on a high table and they served beer in their touristy “We Are The Oldest Pub In Bruges” instead of a brewery glass which was a little, erm, touristy. Beer was good of course being Orval and Westmalle Tripel so no real worries. Next was Comptois Des Arts nearer the north of centre and delightful atmospheric bar serving some really rare beers – we tried Rochefort 10 (which at 11.2% made me feel sleepy again!), La Chouffe on draught, Viven Porter and the very American extreme hop taste of Viven Imperial IPA. Across the road was the underground ‘t Poatersgat where I tried the great Belgian beer – De Ranke XX. Finally we revisited the Café Red Rose for a final sample of the brilliant Poperinge Hommel Bier on draught.

Nige

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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

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 24

| WINTER 2012

email: californiatavern@btconnect.com Tel: 01493 730340

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Craft Beer – What is it?

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

Senior Citizen Menu served Mon-Fri: 12-2pm £5.95 Full menu served daily lunchtime & evening Monthly 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

The term “Craft Beer” has cropped up a few times now in earlier editions of Norfolk NIPS, usually referring to beers brewed in the USA, etc or micro Brewers in the UK. But what exactly does the term mean, and is it important that CAMRA has an approved definition? Apparently so.

At this year’s Members’ Weekend & AGM in Torquay, Motion 15, put forward by CAMRA Directors Christine Cryne and Keith Spencer, was carried to help give CAMRA some direction of the topic of ‘Craft Beer’.

The motion stated: This Conference believes that CAMRA policy should recognise that Craft Beer is beer with a distinctive flavour brewed by artisans. As a consequence, most real ales are craft beers but not all craft beers are real ale and CAMRA’s communication should reflect this.

CAMRA say that they will continue to only support real ale, but they are aware that denigrating keg craft beer is unproductive and may put off people from joining CAMRA. It doesn’t help that the Industry has failed to come up with a standard definition, nor is there any attempt to promote clear labelling. If you walk into a pub, and there is a distinct lack of real ale, might you be tempted to try a beer with a distinctive flavour, e.g blackcurrant or coffee, brewed by a local brewer, even if it was only available in keg form?

It is, of course, all about choice, something that CAMRA prides itself on promoting. We can promote real ale by concentrating on its positive attributes – depth of flavour and complexity, etc, but are we missing a point here?

This is about beer in casks, but what about bottled beers? When no real ale has been available, I have drunk the bottled versions of beers that I like, seldom bottle conditioned. Are these craft beers too? Where on earth do you draw the line?

Your views are welcome.

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

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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 ar e Y e h t f o b Pu 8 2006 & 200 The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JE

www.kingsheadnorwich.com

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NORFOLK NIPS | Three ‘fests in a weekend!

“And they’re off..!”

Members of the Norwich and Norfolk Branch attended three very different Beer Festivals in three days in October.

It started with the 6th Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival on Friday 5th October. We travelled by train to London for an event that was meticulously planned by Social Secretary Michael Philips. Then it was on to Waterloo via the Waterloo and City line (when did they stop running those green tube trains?) before catching the slow train to Ascot. The magnificent racecourse was only a short walk away and we quickly found the Beer Festival in the iconic grandstand. No tokens here, but vouchers each worth ½ pint. All beers, ciders and perries were priced at £1.50 per pint.

The event was run by the Berkshire South East Branch of CAMRA in association with Fullers.

There was plenty of choice on offer here, with over 190 beers, and 30 ciders and perries available on bars spread throughout the complex.

They have a regional themed bar here, and this year it was the turn of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. I was delighted to find that Isle of Skye Black Cullin (one of my desert Island pints) was on. The glasses were unlined heavy duty plastic, and it quickly became apparent that different servers had contrasting views on what constituted a ½ pint measure!

We had a great view of the racing and the food outlets were good and reasonably priced.

All too soon, it was time to head back to the station. When we got to Waterloo, some craved another pint and went in search of a nearby pub, but hunger got the better of me. I remembered a large buffet on the station, which was

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

We all met up again at Stratford for the train home. It would appear that one of the party that went to the pub near Waterloo had a slight mishap when he forgot that another word for escalator is moving staircase!

Unfortunately, the train was full when it arrived from Liverpool Street and there was no sign of our seat reservations, so some of us were quietly ushered into the 1st Class accommodation.

After a rest on the Saturday, it was off to a new, old favourite – the Whitwell and Reepham railway station, who were hosting another of their popular Beer Festivals. A smaller, but interesting selection awaited us there. This is a little gem and certainly worth a visit if you have not been there before. They have their own house (or should that be Station) beer – Whitwell Wobbler.

Whilst there, it was mentioned that The Bob Carter Centre in Drayton was holding a Real Ale weekend and would make a good last stop on the way back to Norwich. Ron, the Bar Manager, was enjoying a quiet moment in his office when Michael knocked on his door and said “Excuse me, but I have a coach with 20 people on it outside and we would like to come in for some of your real ale.” Leaping to his feet, Ron said that they would have to form an orderly queue, and of course, being CAMRA members, we did. Six real ales were on including some excellent ones from Old Slewfoot and Humpty Dumpty and it was a great way to round off the weekend.

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

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

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

A range of organic juices is also available.

Tel: 01379 687687 Mobile: 07500 067 544

www.crones.co.uk The latest addition to our range, our ‘Dutchie Original’ has already picked up an award on its first outing.

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

All our ciders are free of sulphites

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NORFOLK NIPS | Cider News

There is a good cider pub near you!

rustic variety from Somerset’s Tricky Cider Company. These change about once a month.

However, Paul notes that a lot more effort has to go in to obtaining stock directly from some cider producers than when dealing with breweries, both in making initial contact and in arranging deliveries.

The George and Dragon at Newton by Castle Acre is one of 780 pubs to have received accreditation from CAMRA for regularly selling real cider.

The George and Dragon has built up a reputation for good food with a genuine focus on local suppliers contributing to a frequently changing menu. A trip to Lincolnshire was about to take place to find both sausages and real cider, reflecting the aim to source good quality produce. However, a South African dish is also usually on offer, reflecting Sarah’s heritage, along with a selection of South African wines.

The George and Dragon is positioned just outside of Castle Acre on the A1065 between Swaffham and Fakenham. Along with the church, it forms the heart of a tiny hamlet of a farm and a few cottages and it would be easy to pass by at speed on the way to somewhere else.

That is what many on their way to or from the North Norfolk coast do, but they are missing a treat.

Paul and Sarah Sykes have run this free house for 5 years and they enjoy the freedom to support local breweries. Alongside their own Newton Bitter, brewed by Elgoods there are 2 guest beers and customers are invited to make their own recommendations.

Since the end of 2011 they have also focused on offering real cider from a selection of producers, both from East Anglia and further afield. Among those well received by customers have been local offerings from Whin Hill and a

The George & Dragon is open 11to 3 and 6 to close every day except Sunday evenings and Monday lunchtimes. More information about food, drink music and events can be found at www.newtongeorge.co.uk More information about real cider and perry is at www.camra.org.uk/cider

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Norwich Beer Festival 2012

| NORFOLK NIPS

The 35th Norwich Beer Festival The doors have finally closed on another successful event. Those who still claim that there is no demand for real ale and ciders and perries, must be disheartened.

It was opened by the Norwich Lord Mayor, Ralph Gayton, accompanied by the Sheriff, John Jennings at the Trade Session on Monday.

Special guest, Dr Chris Bruton from CAMRA held aloft copies of the 1972 and 1975 Good Beer Guides. The 1972 edition (the first) had only one pub in Norfolk (The Red Lion in Cromer) and the 1975 edition had only one pub in Norwich (The Wildman).

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

Festival Organiser, Martin Ward, said: Judging from the feedback I have received the festival can be classed a success. However we did have to compete with two football matches, Halloween, and fireworks. Comments on the beer range have been most positive. Everyone seems very happy with the range of styles from light golden beers to the traditional autumnal porters and stouts. Big thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts, he added.

Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue, the Branch Charity, did very well, raising over £3,500 from the collecting tins and spare tokens donated by visitors. Paul Webber, Vice Chair, said that they were surprised and grateful for 30

| WINTER 2012

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

Martyn Herbert, Pubs Officer – North Cotswold Branch, presented the award for the Beer of their Festival to Chris Riches of The Fat Cat Brewery for Marmalade Cat. The Beer of the Festival was won jointly by Bloomers ( Brewed by Winters to celebrate Norwich in Blooms 25th Anniversary) and Muldon’s Blackberry Porter.

The Foreign Beer of the Festival was Arabier, from De Dolle Brouwers. Getting the beer here was a real coup for the Festival as it is rarely available in keg form – and we had two of them!

Bar Manager Keith explained that they only brew at weekends, for the family, it is a hobby.

Truly Craft Beer!

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NORFOLK NIPS |

Beers of the Festival 2012 Each year, drinkers at the festival vote for their favourite beers, ciders and perries. This year's Beer Of The Festival Gold award was jointly won by Bloomers, a 4.0% golden ale from Beeston Brewery, Norfolk, and Blackberry Porter, a 4.8% dark beer from Mauldon's Brewery, from Sudbury, Suffolk. The bronze award went to Green Devil, from Oakham Ales, of Woodston, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

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

The category winners were:

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

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

Best Hous Public eA Nor w ward ic Bloom h in 2011

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

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

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

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

17 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ 01603 667423

as l m iva Dec t is t t hr Fes 31s C er – c Be e th 16

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

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

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

Cider – Apple Cottage, FTJ. Perry – Olivers, Perry.

Foreign Beer – De Dolle Brouwers, Arabier.

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

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

The Great L It’s not that often that we travel to Merseyside and when we do we arrive in the minibus an hour before kick-off and leave fairly soon after the end of the game, hoping to have come away from either Goodison Park or Anfield with at least a point. But then a good friend of ours lent us a book entitled ‘The Great Liverpool Pub Crawl’ by Mike Chapple. We were fascinated with the vast variety of pubs in the City and decided that we really must pay a visit.

We decided to base ourselves in Southport just an hour away on the bus, and that’s where we had our first pleasant surprise. There’s not a lot of real ale pubs in the town (other than the two Wetherspoon’s), but attached to the Scarisbrick Hotel where we were staying is Baron’s Bar which has a selection of half a dozen beers. I sampled the Clifton Ale and Triumph Stag from Cottage Brewing in Somerset, both were well kept and went down very well – especially at just £1.90 a pint!

Next day we set off as daytrippers to Liverpool.

We went on the bus using our passes kindly given to us by Her Majesty’s Government and so we didn’t need a ticket to ride. Our intention was to visit the fab four (pubs that is).

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 34

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You can’t visit Liverpool without sampling the Cain’s so where better to start than at the brewery itself. Affectionately referred to by the locals as the ‘terracotta palace’ the brewery has a rich history dating back to 1850 when it was established by an Irish immigrant Robert Cain.

More recently the business fell on hard times and was saved from closure in 2002 by the Dusanj brothers and is now one of the most modern breweries in the country.

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

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NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk on Tour

t Liverpool Pub Crawl a beautiful oak bar it is a classic Victorian Ale House. Recently I’ve got into the habit of using the National Beer Scoring System (NBSS) and the Cain’s best bitter got one of the highest scores that I’ve awarded a beer so far. The locals were very friendly although we did struggle a bit to understand everything they said – some of this was due to the strong Scouse accent, but no doubt the excellent beer played its part! It was time to move on and we were told that we really had to visit the ‘Philly’ and to make sure that we didn’t miss the toilets!

The Roscoe Head

The Brewery Tap The Philharmonic Dining Rooms to give the pub its full name, is situated on Hope Street between the two cathedrals. This Grade 2 listed building was a favourite of John Lennon who once said that ‘the price of fame was not being able to have a pint in the Philly’. Originally styled as a gentleman’s club this place is a delight to explore. We had lunch in the Grande Lounge, accompanied by a pint of excellent Harviestoun’s Wild Hop IPA. Of course we had to have a look around at the Brahm’s and Lizst room (get it?), and those gents’ toilets. There is actually a sign outside warning you that you’re quite likely to meet some female sightseers inside, and sure enough I did!

Next stop was our grail. There are only seven pubs that have made every edition of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and The Roscoe Head is one of them. It’s been in the same family for several decades. Tucked away in a back street it wasn’t particularly easy to find, but it was well worth searching for. The pub has three dinky little rooms all served by a central bar area. As soon as we arrived the landlady saw my hesitation in deciding which of the many real ales to try, and she recommended that I had three one-third pint samplers (all for £2.90). The Bonkers Conkers, Organ Morgan and Simcoe were superb but my favourite was the latter from the Liverpool Organic Brewery. I noticed that the Bonkers Conkers which is brewed by Greene King under the Westgate Brewery label was going down particularly well with the locals who says beers don’t travel well? We were invited by some regulars to join them for a chat and another pint and this left us little time for the last of our fab four. That was probably no bad thing – don’t forget we had a one hour bus ride to get back to our hotel. We only had to break the journey once! And then waiting for us was the Baron’s Bar in Southport...

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Norwich and N orfolk Branch Christ mas Crawl Friday 14th D ecember

Fat Cat 17:00 Alexandra 17:4 5 Reindeer 18:15 - Plough 18:45 - Ribs of Beef 19 :30 - King’s Head 20:00 - Plaster ers 20:30 - Cot tage 21:00 Kett’s Tavern 21:30 - Jubilee 22:00 Norwi ch & N o rfolk Branc Fat Cat & Can h ary 22:30

Twitte r : Nor folk_n ips New e d’s ema il: norfo l k nips2

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CAMRA k l o f r o West N k page. o o b e c a F ra am orfolk-C N t s e W Search:

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Next issue of Norfo lk

Nips and Cask Fo rce Copy to editors by Monday 4th FEB RUARY On the streets by: Friday MARCH 7t h

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Beery dates for your diary

Beer Festivals 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

4th - 8th December Pig’s Ear Beer & Cider Festival Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road Hackney 200-plus beers. Unique Festival Brews. E.London Bar celebrating 9 excitingly new local Micros.

Renowned cider, bottled + foreign beer bars 16th - 31st December Christmas Beer Festival

The Railway, North Elmham 11th - 12th January 2013 4th Elysian Winter Beer Festival

Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely Cambridgeshire 60+ beers and ciders.

Foreign Beers.

18th - 19th January 2013 24th Exeter & East Devon Beer Festival Exeter City FC, St James Park Stadium Way 66 winter ales + 12 ciders/perry event details 17th - 19th January 2013 17th Cambridge Winter Ale Festival University Social Club, Mill Lane, Cambridge With a wide range of beers from pale to dark colours and high to low ABV's from national 38

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| NORFOLK NIPS and five local breweries .

A brilliant arrangement of foreign beers and ciders, includingspecially made inhouse mulled cider.

25th - 26th January 2013 Salisbury Winterfest XVI

20th - 23rd February 2013 Chelmsford Winter Beer & Cider Festival King Edward Sixth Grammar School, Broomfield Road Chelmsford 180+ beers with emphasis on winter brews; also cider + Belgian beers

Castle Street Social Club Scots Lane, Salisbury 21 different seasonal real ales + 2 ciders

21st - 23rd February 2013 Liverpool Beer Festival Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt Brownlow Hill, Liverpool

28th January - 2nd February 2013 Winter Beer Fest

200+ real ales plus ciders + perry.

Food and entertainment

The Vine, Norwich

21st - 23rd February 2013 30th Luton Beer & Cider Festival Hightown Community Sports & Arts Centre, Concorde Street Luton

11th - 17th February 2013 20th Valentine Beer Festival

Trafford Arms, Norwich Raising money for the Magdalene Group Jigsaw Project

6th - 8th February 2012 23rd Battersea Beer Festival Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) Grand Hall Entrance, Town Hall Road, Lavender Hill 150 kils of beer from around the country, traditional ciders and perries, country wines and continental beers

7th - 9th February 2013 31st Fleetwood Beer Festival Marine Hall, The Esplanade Fleetwood 100+ real ales from UK breweries, mainly micro's + ciders and perries and a world beer bar, featuring bottle beers from around the globe.

At least 110 real ales, ciders + perries and foreign bottles beers

21st - 23rd February 2013 Stockton Ale & Arty Beer Festival Stockton On Tees 80+ real ales, cider, perry

1st - 2nd March 2013 4th Chappel Winter Beer Festival East Anglian Railway Museum Chappel & Wales Colne Station Near Colchester 60 beers plus cider

6th - 8th March 2013 29th London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London 70+ real ales plus great range of imported beers, ciders and perries

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From the Archives |

NORFOLK NIPS

From the Archives I thought that this being the season of good will, I’d look back at some of the Christmas Editions in the archives, to see if I could find a little Festive Cheer for you all. Fat Chance!

Neil was the overall winner, downing his yard in 1 minute 15 seconds. It was hoped to repeat this in the future, when more contestants might be prepared to demonstrate a “lack of shyness”.

Let’s start with Issue No. 34, Christmas 1987.

The festive message on the front cover warned of a takeover crisis that was looming. It reported that in the 1988 Good Beer Guide, there were only 50 of the independent, traditional pub owning Breweries left. Takeovers had resulted in the formation of Brewery Groups, such as Vaux, Greenhalls, Boddingtons and the Barclay Brothers Group, which comprised Camerons, Tolly Cobbold, Melbourns and Paines. Even more worrying, apart from the new trend in non-brewing “leisure” companies, was that the “Big Seven” were picking off breweries, including some from the Groups. If that wasn’t bad enough, overseas Breweries, such as Elders IXL of Australia had taken over Courage, meaning that Fosters Lager would soon be on sale in most Courage and Watney Houses. All this, it was pointed out, would result in loss of beers, pub and brewery closures – in short, less choice and higher prices. Bah Humbug!

Issue No. 58, December 1991 reported on its front page that 3,000 publicans went on the March at the Tory Party Conference in Blackpool, in protest against Government policies which were driving them out of their pubs. This was the loophole created by switching tenancies to long leases, which meant that publicans were no longer protected by the Landlord and Tennant Act.

If you managed to get beyond the front page, you will have read that the Green Dragon in Wymondham was described as being “the least spoiled pub of its type in the whole of Norfolk.”

Watneys wanted to make some changes – install a bar or two, but the locals objected, so they shut it for two months, complaining of “low trade” whilst looking for new tenants. The highlight of the October Branch meeting at the Ferry Boat was a Yard of Ale Competition. It was reported that Brenda downed 2 ½ pints of Greene King IPA in 2 minutes 54 seconds.

Issue No.52, December 1990 warned of the uncertainty about the future of some Norfolk pubs on the front page. Brent Walker had “temporarily sold” some, including The Jolly Farmers in North Creake, to Standard Charter Bank. Details were about to be released on the “pubs for breweries” swap affecting Courage and Watney’s. It was estimated that Watney’s control in Norfolk would increase from 50% to 63%. Bass was to sell six Norfolk pubs, but no details were available.

By comparison, Issue No.112, December 2000 was a ray of golden winter sunshine. It’s front page announced the Winter Ale Trail 2001, visiting 30 real ale pubs. Cinema City was offering half price tickets to CAMRA members, and new arrangements had to be put in place for County Campaign trips because they were oversubscribed – and Peter Wells was claiming 48 pints to the mile! (Apparently, this was not his personal capacity, but how much water it took his 1918 Sentinel Steam lorry to get from A to B!)

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A selection of our Award winning Norfolk ales

December Special

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

NEW Permanent fruity red ale

4 bottle gift packs available from the Duke of Wellington

We wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a New Year

www.wolfbrewery.com

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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CAMRA Branch Calendar |

NORFOLK NIPS

Norwich and North Norfolk Branch West Norfolk Branch Friday 14th December Our Christmas crawl in Norwich.

Starts at The Fat Cat at 17:00 Full details are on the Whiteboard Tuesday 18th December Branch Meeting and Quiz The Railway, North Elmham Please join us for this Festive favourite.

2013 Tuesday 15th January Branch Committee Meeting (TBA) Friday 1st February First Friday Five Visiting five pubs in Norwich (TBC) Tuesday 19th February Branch Meeting and GBG voting meeting.

Venue to be confirmed. Please make sure that you attend to vote for the pubs that you think deserve to be in the GBG.

All Branch Meetings start at 8pm.

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Brief meeting 7-30 pm (Xmas meal) The Bell Saham Toney Saturday 15th December 2012 Christmas crawl 11-00 am Angel Gardens Norwich (Contact T. Spitzer 07950-823270) Tuesday 8th January 2013 Branch meeting Stuart House Hotel, King’s Lynn Saturday 2nd February 2013 Norfolk branch liaison meeting 1200 Stuart House Hotel, King’s Lynn Tuesday 12th February 2013 Branch meeting - Pedder’s Sporle Tuesday 19th February 2013 GBG selection meeting - Narborough Village Club Tuesday 12th March 2013 Branch meeting Ship - Brandon Creek

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

Chairman Steve Barker Vice Chairman Bruce Ward Secretary Ian Bailey Treasurer Jim Fergusson Deputy Treasurer June Parsons (new) Membership Secretary Jeff Hoyle Press & Publicity Bruce Ward Pubs Officer Mandy Stratton (new) Pubs Preservation Officer Jeff Hoyle Nips Chris Lucas Webmaster Nige Nudds Cider Andrea Briers Branch Contact Ian Bailey (new) Public Affairs Officer Jeff Hoyle Appointment of Auditor Ros Harre was the sole candidate, so elected unopposed.

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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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Obituary

| NORFOLK NIPS

Rod Dent RIP details of routes are published in our branch newsletter Norfolk Nips.

Rod and his ex-wife Sarah were the editors of the newsletter Norfolk Nips between 1988 and 1995. The first article Rod wrote for Norfolk Nips was in 1987 regarding the opening of Reindeer Brewery. Rod prided himself on adopting a campaigning approach for the cause in his editing, towards promoting topical issues of the time such as Norfolk’s independent breweries, saving pubs from closure, consumer choice, guest ales in tied pubs and longer Sunday pub opening hours.

Please raise your glass to Rod Dent, who sadly passed away in September 2012. The chances are if you are a regular at the Beer Festival, Rod served you your glass. Rod was the Glasses and Tokens Stall Manager for several years during the 1990’s, a job which he always carried out with professionalism, commitment and courtesy. Those of us who worked with him will miss his dry and quiet sense of humour.

Rod served on CAMRA committees and for several years attended the National CAMRA Annual General Meetings in Sheffield, Llandudno and Portsmouth amongst other places.

Rod’s proactive input into the Norfolk and Norwich branch of CAMRA went far beyond the many hours he put into the Beer Festival. Rod has the accolade of thinking up our monthly social outing the First Friday Five pub crawl and coorganised the routes for the first few years back in 1993.

Rod was instrumental in arranging for Woodfordes Brewery to re-brew an old Norfolk favourite, Steward and Pattesons Norfolk Nips beer in 1992 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Norfolk Nips publication. This proved to be a very successful and popular event.

This is an idea that was so popular that it continues to be a well attended event to this day. All are welcome and

Other than real ale, Rod had a passion for live music and he could often be found at the Norwich Arts Centre where he

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could enjoy both his hobbies at once. Rod was on first name terms with the singer Hazel O’Connor, with whom he is pictured and whom he saw many times at Norwich Arts Centre as well as at international venues.

We have lost a good colleague, CAMRA campaigner and friend, who devoted a lot of his time to the local branch and will be greatly missed. Rod leaves us with many legacies and happy memories. As Rod wrote in 1989 “Norfolk Nips is written and produced by a consumer organisation interested in choice for the Norfolk pub goer. It shows that Norfolk has a concerned and active branch of CAMRA and gives the consumer the chance to say what he or she thinks about pubs and breweries”.

Cheers Rod.

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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 ÂŁ1.00

Attleborough’s only Good Beer Guide pub 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 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

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

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

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NORFOLK NIPS | City of Ale

City of Ale Update It’s been a very busy year for City of Ale organisers. City of Ale 2012 began, not in May as usual, but back in January with a Beer Writers’ Weekend designed to generate advance publicity for the main event. Six beer writers were invited to a reception at the Forum where they were welcomed by the Sheriff and a big party of publicans, brewers and beer lovers.

They were billeted free of charge in various hotels and guest-houses arranged by VisitNorwich. 22 pubs in total were visited over the weekend, some on foot and some courtesy of the City of Ale bus kindly provided by Eastern Transport Collection. All in all, a very positive picture of a thriving city of ale was conveyed and a number of blogs and articles ensued.

“Norwich is a city of superlatives” Jeff Evans, Inside Beer “Thanks, City of Ale, for the chance to be so inspired” Susannah Forbes, Drink Britain “Well done Norwich. City of Ale preview was brilliant.” Tim Hampson, British Guild of Beerwriters “Norwich takes Real Ale Capital title” Darren Norbury, Beer Today City of Ale 2012 ran for ten days from May 31st - June 10th; it was put back a week from the previous year in order to take advantage of the double Jubilee bank holiday weekend. 35 breweries - the same number as last year and 45 pubs, a 45% increase on last year, took part.

There were 240 beers on offer. 192 events were held, also up on last year, and including a number of heritage events such as guided walks and talks. There was a multimedia display of Norwich's fabulous brewing and pub heritage running daily on the big screen in the Fusion gallery at the Forum and the popular Brewers’

Market returned to Millennium Plain featuring a dozen or so stalls with local ales to try and buy.

20,000 programmes were distributed free of charge, among the pubs and all round the city.

St Gregory's church provided the hub for the event; with the bar stillage kindly provided by CAMRA, stocked with local ales donated by all the breweries and staffed by volunteers, it hosted the launch and closing parties with other events such as the political debate and pub quiz attracting a large audience.

Norwich City of Ale is a not-for-profit organisation with the mission to promote Norwich, nationally and internationally, as the UK City of Ale and in that respect it is becoming increasingly successful. City of Ale 2012 achieved over 90 articles in local and national press, including four front pages in the Norwich Evening News and features in two of CAMRA's influential publications.

City of Ale featured in CAMRA's 101 Beer Days Out edited by Tim Hampson who came on the Beer Writers' weekend and also took part in the political debate. The Good Beer Guide 2013 also ran a section on Norwich ‘City of Ale’ with a city centre pub crawl featuring six City of Ale pubs and stating that “The ‘City of Ale’ has a fine choice of places to drink”, praise indeed.

Here's hoping that City of Ale 2013 will be even bigger and better. We’re “going green in 2013” with a new bottle green logo celebrating all that is good and wholesome about local pubs serving local beers made from local ingredients.

Those dates for your diary: 23 May - 2 June 2013.

Publicans and brewers who wish to find out more can email info@cityofale.org.uk Cheers!

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

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Alby Aldb Attle Binh Bro Can Catf Cley Clen Clip Cro Cro Dray Dow Dow Ears Filby Gel Gel Gor Gor Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Hea Het Hic Hilb Hol Hop Ken King Lod Lud New Nor Nor 48

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NORFOLK NIPS | LocAle Update

Update Norwich & Norfolk Branch LocAle Pubs - Pubs in bold are new since the list was last published in the Autumn 2011 issue of NIPS. Alby, Horseshoes Aldborough, Black Boys Attleborough, London Tavern Binham, Chequers Broome, Artichoke Cantley, Reedcutter Catfield, Crown Cley, George & Dragon Clenchwarton, Victory Clippesby, Muskett Arms Cromer, Cottage Cromer, Red Lion Drayton, Bob Carter Leisure Centre Downham Market, Railway Downham Market , White Hart Earsham, Queens Head Filby, Kings Head Geldeston, Ferry Inn Geldeston, Locks Inn Gorleston, Dock Tavern Gorleston, Mariners Compass Great Yarmouth, Barking Smack Great Yarmouth, Mariners Great Yarmouth, Red Herring Great Yarmouth, St Johns Head Great Massingham, Dabbling Duck Heacham, Fox & Hounds Hethersett, Kings Head Hickling, Pleasure Boat Hilborough, Swan Holt, Railway Tavern Hopton, White Hart Kenninghall, Red Lion Kings Lynn, Live and Let Live Loddon, Swan Inn Ludham, Dog Newton by Castle Acre, George & Dragon North Elmham, Railway North Walsham, Orchard Gardens

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

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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

We are in it!

THE BANNINGHAM CROWN FREE HOUSE Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant

5 Real Ales • Great Food Open Log Fires Boxing Day Kemps Men Morris Dancers From 12 noon

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

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 TAPAS NIGHT first Thursday of the Month QUIZ NIGHT last Thursday of the Month 50

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NORFOLK NIPS | Book Review

Last Orders at the Walnut Tree Shades by Jude Gudgin For 25 years, Chris and Jude Gudgin (aka the Grumpy Old Git behind the bar and the Skinny Bird in the Restaurant) ran the Walnut Tree Shades.

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

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

There are some cracking stories - If you frequented the pub during their time there, you never know – you might be in it! There is only one way to find out!

Last Orders at the Walnut Tree Shades Jude Gudgin Published by Jude Gudgin ISBN 978-0-9570806-0-7 Ever fancied running a pub? Standing behind the polished bar, admiring the inglenook fireplace and the overhead beams, with welcoming locals who appreciate your ready wit and buy (and pay for) enough beer and food to keep you in the manner to which you would like to be accustomed?

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

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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

~

Accommodation available

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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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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

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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

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

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West Norfolk Trip

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Mid Anglia Beer Tasting Tour According to organiser John Harvey’s master plan we were supposed to leave the Yaxley Cherry Tree at 11.30 hours precisely. The best laid plans and all that. At 11.30 the coach was present and all prospective drinkers....bar two.

Frantic phone calls followed to no avail until finally two rather red faced and somewhat flustered figures hove into view. ‘We could have sworn it was only half an hour across those fields’. Generalissimo Harvey certainly could have sworn but welcomed the sheepish pair aboard through a death’s head grin. Trip departs: 11.45 sharp.

From then on all went like clockwork as the planning slotted into place. All credit to the Generalissimo who had put much time into making it so and bore the yoke of being responsible for 16 drunks - sorry,’ tasters’ – nobly all day.

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First stop was the Rumbrugh ‘Buck’ where we received a warm welcome from landlord Gary was rightly proud of his historic pub serving Woodforde’s Nelson’s Revenge, Wolf Golden Jackal and Bristol Acer. Conversation and beer flowed freely over a splendid buffet lunch served courtesy of Leonardo; a much appreciated gesture indeed. All too quickly we had to return to the coach casting wistful glances over our shoulder at the Buck. Mutters of ‘could‘ve settled in there for the day’ bore testimony to this lovely pub and the warm welcome we received there. The tireless Generalissimo checked us on board. Indeed it was remarkable how his counting ability remained unimpaired as the tasting gathered pace throughout the day.

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

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NORFOLK NIPS | the coach, only to tumble out again as we had found ourselves packed in the small reception area like sardines. The Generalissimo again brought order to chaos by paying our entry fees from his brown envelope and our eager band entered the brewery proper. Our host had a dry sense of humour and gave our attentive group an interesting tour. The export market for St Peter’s beer was truly amazing. Customers around the globe for St Peter’s bottled ale with a particularly strong market in Mr Putin’s Russia.

British manufacturing may be struggling but we can still show the world how to drink fine ale!

After the tour we were introduced to the range of St Peter’s bottled beers. 90% of the brewery’s production is bottled through a state of the art Italian bottling machine. A huge variety was poured for us to be sipped in frustratingly small sampling glasses. Ruby, Honey, Organic and Golden to mention but a few. All were distinctive, quality products and our little group were rarely unanimous in their verdicts. No uniform blandness here: these ales had flavour aplenty.

The Generalissimo’s watch was ticking so once again we tumbled back onto the coach waking our tolerant and pleasant driver who had been dozing in the sunshine. A lovely chap. There’s nothing worse than a grumpy coach driver but our man simply could not be faulted. The patience of job is a phrase that springs to mind.

After mixed advice on directions from 16 enthusiastic ‘tasters’ we arrived at our next destination, the Broom ‘Artichoke’ by some miracle.

A large range of beers was on sale at this excellent venue. The motorcyclists among us settled onto ‘Easy Rider’ a golden brew which was easy on the palate but between us our happy band sampled virtually all that was on offer from session beers to the fruity ‘Blackberry Porter’.

The Generalissimo gently reminded us that the schedule wouldn’t allow another six rounds of tasting so once again after packing all 16 of us in the gents simultaneously we boarded our coach, the stairs of which somehow seemed harder to negotiate each time...

And so to the Green Dragon, our final call before an (extremely) merry return to the Cherry Tree in Yaxley.

The Green Dragon brew pub gave a warm welcome but our already somewhat hazy minds were further confused by been shown round the Green Dragon brewery by the head brewer of Green Jack. We got the ‘Green’ bit but much scratching of heads ensued from coming to terms with Jacks and Dragons. Eventually our addled intelligences worked out that the Green Dragon was run by Rob but he had entrusted his good friend and former colleague Tim Dunford from the Green Jack brewery to show us around.

After the tour a sampling of the produce – this time in pint glasses from the bar: and splendid it was too.

The Generalissimo mustered his - rather ragbag by this time – troops who once again attempted to enter the Guinness book of records for number of people in a urinal at any one time before falling up the steps of the coach. Farewell to our driver and many profuse thanks to Generalissimo John Harvey saw us enter the Yaxley Cherry Tree for one (or two) to round off a splendid day. A wonderful time was had by all.

A branch trip to remember!

Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year With the surge of interest in cider production and consumption in our county the Norfolk branches of CAMRA are holding a Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year competition next year and you can help us with this search.

If you know of a Norfolk pub that sells good quality real cider enthusiastically throughout the year please nominate it either by completing the online form (www.camra.org.uk/ciderpotynominationform) or by contacting Andrea Briers on andrea@briers.myzen.co.uk or calling 01553 766904. The closing date for nominations is 20th January 2013.

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

NORFOLK NIPS | Discount Scheme

The Red Lion, Drayton: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint real ale London Tavern, Attleborough: 10% off all real ales Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: 30p off a pint of Buffy’s (see wicklewoodcherrytree.co.uk/what.php) If your pub or business offers a discount to CAMRA, but isn’t on this list, please contact pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk and let us know the details (including any restrictions)!

Please note: We believe this is correct at the time of going to press, however pubs may withdraw or change offers at any time!

Earle Arms Heydon

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

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)

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EATON COTTAGE UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048

Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits

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

“A festival of beers every day”

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Beer fit for a Norwich Hero The evening of 28th August 1912 was a disastrous one for Norwich. Torrential rain resulted in devastating floods which swamped the streets of Coslany and Heigham. The City was cut off as the fast flowing waters, up to 4 feet in places, destroyed bridges and flooded roads and railway lines.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. In this case it was George Brodie, a 48 year old fish porter, who lived in Sawmills Yard, off Oak Street. For four hours, he carried women and children from their flooded homes to higher ground, from where they could be transported to safety. His wife Annie begged him to stop and rest, but he said that there still more children to be got out.

Sadly, he seemed to lose his footing in the darkness, and was swept away by the current, witnessed by fellow rescuer Herbert Nelson, who was unable to come to his aid.

His body was found in the morning. It was thought that he had suffered a heart or asthma attack.

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

They agreed, and you can now raise a glass to George Brodie at the pub by drinking a pint of Norwich Hero, a 3.8% ale. The pump clip design features the small memorial statue by James Owens, taken from a photo, as the original has been lost.

It is hoped that a Blue Plaque in memory of George Brodie may be erected in Oak Street.

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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.

EASTER BEER FESTIVAL Friday 29th March to Tuesday 2nd April 2013 Music all weekend with Tosh and Friends 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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