E F RE No.174
Autumn 2015
London Calling! Norwich and Norfolk branch outing to the Bermondsey Mile.
See Page 20 Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale
Norfolk Nips | Campaigning
In this issue:
Cider Duty Campaigning The last few months have been a very busy and exciting time in the cider campaign. In February the European Commission issued a formal request to the United Kingdom to amend its excise duty legislation and scrap the current tax exemption for Cider and Perry made by very small producers. Since the introduction of cider duty there has been an exemption in place in the UK to help small producers for whom making cider is an integral part of rural culture. The current exemption supports producers who make less than 70hl a year (33 pints a day). Without this exemption many producers of real Cider and Perry would never have started to produce commercially. Should the exemption be withdrawn it would likely cost these small producers up to £2,700 per year out of the £10,000 they may be lucky enough to generate in sales. This means that around 80% would cease commercial production, which would severely reduce consumer choice, leaving just the larger producers supplying to the cider market.
In response, CAMRA launched a petition asking the government to retain the tax exemption, which secured over 26,000 signatures. It was presented to 10 Downing Street in June by CAMRA Representatives and David Warburton MP. Following this, CAMRA secured an invitation to put its case forward to the office of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Taxation and Customs in Strasbourg where CAMRA secured the support of 9 MEPs, including Clare Moody and Anneliese Dodds who helped arranged the meeting with the Commissioner. The good news is that the campaign has made an impact and in the latest Budget the government committed to support small cider producers by retaining the current duty exemption. This is a great step forward and we now work closely with the European Parliament to amend the European Directive so that the UK Government can uphold this commitment within the legal framework. Andrea Briers
Cider Duty Campaigning
3
BLO’s Needed!
5
Goodbye Colin Hunter
5
Stig’s Words
6
The Ed’lines
7
Pub and Brewery News
8-10
Lacons wins World Beer Award 12 Champion Beers of Britain
13
Good Beer Guide 2016
13
A Capital idea?
14-15
Pub of the Year Awards
17
Suffolk Borders CAMRA
18-19
London Calling
20-21
Wensleydale & Beer
25
Cider, Landlord’s Nightmare? 25-27 Barman
29
38th Norwich Beer Festival
30
Whiteboard
37
Delivering Nips
42-43
Whatpub.com
49
CAMRA Discounts
51
LocAle
45
CAMRA Beer Festivals
53
Join CAMRA
54
From the Archives
57
Last Orders
59
CAMRA Branch Calendar
61
Contact Details
62
Autumn 2015 | 3
Norfolk Nips | Brewery Liason Officer
BLOs needed! What’s a BLO? Hello everybody! Some of you might know me already from seeing me around Norwich and Norfolk pubs or working at the Norwich Beer Festival. You may not know, but I am also the Brewery Liaison Coordinator for both Norwich & Norfolk branch and the East Anglia region. My role is to make sure that every brewery in East Anglia has a CAMRA representative, or Brewery Liaison Officer. What is a BLO? Well, a Brewery Liaison Officer’s job is simple - to talk to the brewery to both keep them up to date with what is happening in CAMRA, and to keep CAMRA’s brewery information up to date.
Among other things, we try to maintain a list of their beers, so they can be entered into competitions such as the Champion Beer of Britain, and so that other branches will find their beers when ordering for their beer festival. CAMRA also publish a quarterly report of updates received from BLOs, so branches will know what is happening in each brewery as there are so many! The job is important as the information maintained is used to create the Brewery Section of the Good Beer Guide each year, so it has to be accurate and up to date. If you are a CAMRA member and you would like to help by working with one of the brew-
eries listed below, please get in touch by email to eastanglia.blc@camra.org.uk: Brancaster Fakir Neatishead (at the White Horse) Redwell Shackleton St Andrew’s Brewhouse Tipples You'll only need to contact the brewery three or four times a year, usually via email, so it shouldn't take up much of your time, and you never know you might just get invited to the brewery for a few samples! Cheers, Oli Fernandez
Goodbye Colin Hunter It is with sadness that I have to announce the recent death of Colin Hunter from Great Yarmouth. He was known with fondness as Uncle Albert or Father Christmas in view of his striking beard. I've been told he helped out at many beer festivals including the GBBF but his main contributions to the
branch was his reports from the coast which were essential to the Campaign. Shortly before his death your joint editors and publisher were having a strategy meeting in the Apollo when a voice was heard “So you're Stig then?” It was Colin, still doing his beer research.
Autumn 2015 | 5
Stig’s Words I’ve been pretty busy recently and haven’t been spending much time in pubs. One exception was a meeting with Graham the new Norwich branch editor, Warren N&N chairman and our publisher Dan we visited several Yarmouth ale houses I haven’t been to before and as the balance moved from business to pleasure, I must say it was a most enjoyable day. I also discovered I have at least one fan! Thank you for your kind words sir…(and God bless).
One thing I would like to ask is if there are branch members out there who have a taste for writing and have some beer/ pub related experiences or opinions to share please send them for consideration as we need a deeper sample of our membership contributing to this magazine. It doesn’t have to be serious stuff a funny sign in a pub, tales of bizarre happenings at the local anything that celebrates the pub culture we all enjoy.
I think you will find a lot of Cider related news and articles in this edition, dealing with Real cider issues from several different standpoints, also some of Steve our chairman’s wanderings and even an article with hip “Game of thrones” references from Jeff, plus his usual musings and West Norfolk news.
I have a bit to say about recent craft beer trends and the bandwagon it has become but I’ll save that for a future edition. Now back to an office when the clicking of keyboards sounds like amplified death-watch beetles eating timber only punctuated by the occasional expletive, luckily I don’t actually work there!
Steve has covered the winning of yet more plaudits by The Railway at Downham market and alluded to west Norfolk’s own RD Andrea Briers political manoeuvres, which you will see illustrated by a rather nice photo in Downing Street.
Subscriptions We have a growing number of postal subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would like to send my thanks for the kind comments and best wishes from those who have renewed their subscriptions recently. If you would like to join them in receiving the next 4 issues by post, send 10 first class stamps or £6.50 cheque payable to West Norfolk CAMRA, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. The magazine is also viewable online at issuu.com
6 | Autumn 2015
Cheers
Stig
Norfolk Nips | From the Editors
The Ed’lines Well this is my first attempt at being an Editor and I realise I have a lot to learn. We have had a lot of feedback on possible changes and suggestions to improve the Norfolk Nips and Cask Force magazine. Some I've got to say we will not be able to use. There are libel laws you know. This is our Autumn edition and even though the Summer has not been blessed with continuing sunshine we have been blessed with lots of Beer Festivals. I have visited quite a number and have a few more on my list. Obviously the Norwich Beer Festival from 26th-31st October is the highlight and I look forward to seeing you there. Why not volunteer to help as you will enjoy the experience. You will note we are very keen to register pubs as an Asset of Community Value and we need your help as local knowledge is essential.
There are over 700 registered in England and CAMRA has set a target to list 3000 by the end of 2016. Please contact us as soon as you know a pub is vulnerable. The Berney Arms is a recent example and our Branch Chairman Warren even appeared again on local TV. He will soon be calling himself a Celebrity. At the time of writing I have news that Glynis and Chris Higgins are finally leaving the Trafford Arms and there will be more about this in our next addition. Finally I would like to thank all those of you who sent in articles as it is your newsletter and we all want to share our interest in Real Ale & Cider. Graham Freeman
Autumn 2015 | 7
Pub and Brewery News | Norfolk Nips
Pub and Brewery News News from Norwich & Norfolk Great news - we have our first ACV! The Woodman, Old Catton, was nominated by Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA, and added to Broadland District Council’s list of assets of community value at the end of July. Thanks are due to those who provided the necessary information, and to the CAMRA HQ staff who helped with the forms and legalities! Following tip-offs from various sources, we’ve submitted a further eight nominations, and we’re working on several more, for pubs in all seven district councils in our branch area. But there are still several hundred pubs out there which could be converted to a take-away or mini-mart tomorrow unless it is on the ACV list. So if you’re reading this in a pub, you’ll already have all the information we need to nominate it as an asset of community value - visit our website at norwichcamra.org.uk and click on the List Your Local link to help ensure it stays a pub! Unfortunately, it is too late to save the Bread & Cheese, in Adelaide St, Norwich. Planning permission to convert the pub into flats has been given by Norwich City Council. I’m afraid we missed the applica8 | Autumn 2015
tion when it was submitted in February, although at that time, prior to the recent changes in the law, it would have been far more difficult to nominate the pub as an ACV. Had we done so, it might just have swayed the planning officers’ recommendation. In other Norwich news, Pickle & Relish, previously the Lillie Langtry, on Unthank Road has closed - any news as to why would be appreciated. The new owners of the Black Horse in Earlham Rd tell us that the pub will be closed for refurbishment, but will be re-opening soon with ‘significant’ changes.
others, mostly from local breweries. We have another new brewery with the Neatishead Brewing Company starting up at the White Horse, Neatishead. We understand the plant will be brewing small quantities of interesting beers, primarily for the pub itself, which will sell alongside the keg Lighter Lager, developed with Norfolk Brewhouse. In North Walsham the Feathers is to be converted to a heritage centre, and the Black Swan , having re-opened in February and closed in April, opened again in May with Shani-Leigh Collins in charge.
On the plus side, the: St Andrews Brewhouse, previously Delaney’s, has been completely transformed, and is now serving real ale brewed at the on-site brewery. I haven’t had a chance to visit the Rosebery since it re-opened, but have heard good reports. The beer selection is now even better, with a selection from Redwell / Bullards and regular beers from Golden Triangle. And new landlords Karen and Steve at the Kings Arms in Hall Road have replaced all the beer lines, re-painted the interior, spruced up the loos, and are currently working on improvements to the patio area at the rear of the pub, and flower baskets for the front.
Contrary to what we reported in the last issue, it seems the White Lodge at Attleborough remains closed. However, we hear that the Ram, at Brundall, an ACV listed pub which was saved from the grasp of Tescos, is now owned by Turkish brothers, serving real ale and operating an in-house kebab shop!
The beer range is still extensive, not only featuring ales from Bateman’s but also six or seven
In the Great Yarmouth area, planning permission has been refused (for the second time)
Two county pubs which could have been saved if we had had the legal powers we do now are the Mill, Saxlingham Thorpe, which is now an Indian restaurant, and at Swardeston the Dog has, we believe, been converted to offices.
Norfolk Nips | Pub and Brewery News for the First & Last, Ormesby to be converted to housing, and the famous Berney Arms, the only pub in the country not accessible by road (and which has its own railway halt!) has re-opened with the help of Tim Dunford of Green Jack. Unfortunately a planning application has also been submitted to convert the pub to a house, which we have of course opposed. Wetherspoons have bought the GT Motors site in Gorleston High St, and subject to licensing and planning permissions, will be investing £1.5m in building and fitting out a new site. Good news or bad? What do you think - let us know! And just in as we go to press, the New Inn, Rockland St Mary has re-opened, and is now serving four ales.
News from the West One way of keeping up to date with what is going on in the world of pubs is to periodically check the local planning applications. I was of the understanding that these were in the public domain and open for inspection and comment by anyone. Indeed a summary of the applications is published regularly in the Lynn News, and comments can be lodged on the Borough Council website. In the last issue I made a factual reference to a planning application which was submitted where the location was a local
pub, and as a result I was surprised to find that I am apparently to face legal action for loss of custom, although the person in question has not communicated directly with me, rather confining his remarks to another member of our CAMRA branch. Imagine my delight when I received the latest spam email doing the rounds, which contains documents for my up-coming court appearance! Maybe I have a counter claim for stress. Anyway, I can reveal that planning application 15/00643 /O has been refused and the development, which it seems was never intended to affect the pub anyway, will not be going ahead in the near future, although an appeal is possible. So, I would say get out there and visit the pub and spend lots of money. I was pretty impressed last time I went and said so in a recent edition of Nips, but am a bit wary of naming names now in case I get a visit from the heavies. One way to protect your local pub is to apply for a listing as an asset of community value. I am currently in the process of making an application for a local pub but the process seems to have stalled as I cannot give a list of all the events held there along with the numbers attending. Despite this I would encourage all those concerned about the future of their local to investigate this process, something that maybe parish
councilors might want to do. Don’t wait until your pub is under threat, do it now. I have been contacted by a couple of people who have expressed just such fears. The Black Swan at Little Dunham, which has been closed for a couple of years was due under the hammer on 23rd July with a guide price of £180-220,000 and my correspondent was concerned that it is likely to become a private residence. Meanwhile up in Heacham I am told that the Bushel and Strike is under temporary management as the previous licensees, Mark and Paula have left. This was a great pub when we had a meeting there a few months ago. I’m told that it has been taken on after a short period of closure, and the new couple have started with a couple of cask ales and are looking to have changing guests in the future, so let’s hope it is soon back to its best. It is one of several local pubs that have recently been listed on the Enterprise Inn site, including the Maids Head in Kings Lynn which is ‘under offer’ as I write. Also listed is the Dolphin in Thetford. Check out the Enterprise Inns website for details of rents and potential earnings. Another pub which is looking a bit worse for wear is the Lord Kelvin next to the newly refurbished bus station in Kings Lynn. Seemingly permanently Continued Overleaf Autumn 2015 | 9
Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips closed, it has recently sprouted signs advertising a security company which is protecting the building. Also closed and ceased trading is the RAOB Club on St James Street. Nearby, regarding the Wenns Hotel, notices appeared over a July weekend advising that the council were applying to close the pub for a period of three months under an anti-social behaviour order. The following week the place was being given a good deal of attention by a property management company and as I write it remains closed. Out at Tottenhill, the former Dray and Horses is now Biltons Eating House. It is not clear whether it is possible to pop in just for a drink. Cider continues its bid for world domination and the Coach and Horses at Dersingham, which recently gained its Cask Marque accreditation, had a cider festival in June and now has a dedicated cider hand pump. The Kings Arms at Shouldham, which normally sells two ciders has recently had a ‘Meet the cider maker’ event with Tony Hobbs from Cromwell’s Cider. This included a three course meal and cider tasting, an interesting variation on the more usual beer or wine tasting event. The Marshland Arms out on the Smeeth, near Wisbech is up and running again. It has had a complete refurbishment and has been painted a rather 10 | Autumn 2015
fetching sage green. The menu looks interesting and it was curry night when we visited. A nice chicken curry and a pint for under a tenner went down well. There was only one beer on, Old Speckled Hen, when we visited, but this is changed regularly. For those who don’t like beer, there is a vintage tea room during the afternoons from Wednesday to Friday, but please book before you travel. Even further west, on the very edge of Norfolk the Five Bells at Upwell has been bought and refurbished by local businessmen Christopher Robinson and James Brighty, and is due to open late summer 2015. It will incorporate Joe’s Nose Bag Café which has moved across the road into a part of the pub and should be well established by the time you read this. Not far away is a good old fashioned village Elgoods pub, the Globe which had Cambridge Bitter and Cambridge IPA when we called. The landlord was telling us that he had been in the pub 17 years, which must make him one of the longest serving landlords in Norfolk. Less good news for those living to the west of the river is that both the Red Lion in Outwell and the Woolpack at Walpole Cross Keys are due to become housing after planning permission has been granted for a change of use. In Swaffham, the Kings Arms has been reborn as a bar/bistro. The food is inter-
esting but perhaps a bit unfocussed. We had a tasting board with small samples of everything from fish and chips and mushy peas to pulled pork, cheese and biscuits and pate and lots more besides. The two beers on sale were both from Adnams. Elsewhere in town the Greyhound has been tidied up, the White Hart is now a social club and the Red Lion is advertising half a dozen interesting beers, which is good as we have our August Branch Meeting and Social there. Up on the coast, the Lifeboat at Thornham is apparently attracting interest from a group with a number of other similar style East Anglian pubs, although the website still had the details of the administrators in small print at the bottom last time I checked. Hopefully any offer will include the Chequers, close by in the village. A planning application has been lodged to build 17 houses behind the Winch pub. Basin Topco Ltd has applied to West Norfolk Council to create the development and the application states that “The pub is under new ownership intent on structurally and operationally rejuvenating it so it may continue to serve the community.” Just after the details were published in the Lynn News, a ‘To Let’ sign appeared on the pub. Watch this space! Jeff
Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips
Lacons wins at the World Beer Awards The renowned ‘World Beer Awards’ is the programme that seeks to select the very best internationally recognised beer styles. This annual tasting selects awards and promotes the ‘World’s Best Beers’ to consumers and the trade throughout the world. Lacons Encore was entered earlier this year alongside 700 other beers from around the world, which were all competing for a range of trophies in the four stage awards programme. The competition is nearing its finale with country winners from around the globe announced earlier this week, where Great
Yarmouth Brewer Lacons received the much prized top accolade of the UK’s Champion Best Bitter up to 4.0% ABV with Encore. The craft ale will now compete in the final stage of the competition during September, with the hope of being crowned one of the World’s Best Beers. All entrants were blind tasted and marked by an international judging panel headed by award winning writer and journalist Roger Protz, to an agreed and strictly enforced marking system. Scored on aroma, flavour, appearance/condition, mouthfeel and finish, judges also looked for beers with balance, character, complexity and quality. In addition to this, Lacons also received Bronze Awards for both its Legacy and Affinity ales due to their highly distinguished flavours. Head Brewer Wil Wood commented, ‘We of course regard all our ales as award winners; however we are humbled to be recognised by the WBA’s with 3 titles including the UK’s Champion Best Bitter.’ These awards will shortly be displayed within the trophy cabinet at the Falcon Brewery’s Visitor Centre. Find out more about the World Beer Awards at www.worldbeerawards.com
12 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | Champion Beers 2015
Champion Beer of Britain 2015 CAMRA are pleased to announce this year’s Champion Beers of Britain as follows:
Supreme Champions
Best Bitter
Golden
Gold Tiny Rebel - Cwtch
Gold Tiny Rebel - Cwtch
Gold Kelburn - Jaguar
Silver Kelburn - Jaguar
Silver Highland - Scapa Special
Silver Adnams - Explorer
Bronze Dancing Duck - Dark Drake
Joint Bronze Barngates - Tag Lag Salopian - Darwin’s Origin
Bronze Blue Monkey - Infinity
Mild
Speciality
Gold Williams Brother- Black
Gold Titantic - Plum Porter
Silver Rudgate - Ruby Mild
Joint Silver Kissingate - Black Cherry Mild Saltaire - Triple Chocolate
Bronze Great Orme - Welsh Black
Bronze Hanlons - Port Stout
Bitter Gold Pheasantry - Best Bitter Silver Acorn - Barnsley Bitter Joint Bronze Purple Moose - Madog’s Ale Timothy Taylors - Boltmaker
Strong Bitter Gold Dark Star - Revelation Silver Salopian - Golden Thread Bronze Grain - India Pale Ale
Champion BottleConditioned Beer Gold Harveys - Imperial Extra Double Stout Silver Fyne Ales - Superior IPA Bronze Mordue - India Pale Ale
Good Beer Guide 2016 released! The 2016 edition of the Good Beer Guide has just been published. The Good Beer Guide’s key strength is that a pub can’t buy its way in. The entries are entirely supplied by grass-roots CAMRA members and are not subject to any form of monitoring or approval by anyone else. That is, the pubs are recommended by volunteers with no axe to grind and who are doing it
because they love good beer and pubs. In other words – people like you. With your copy of the GBG under your arm you can go into any GBG pub assured that people who know beer and pubs with local knowledge have decided that it will sell some of the best beer in that area and that you will enjoy the experience. To order your copy, go to www.camra.org.uk/gbg Autumn 2015 | 13
A capital idea? We were up in Bolton recently, and although we avoided the worst of the bad behaviour along the main drag, we did have a close up view of a couple of doormen persuading an unwanted guest to leave a pub in a hands-on fashion. Given the coverage in the columns of the Lynn News about similar incidents recently, it set me thinking about how to persuade people to behave appropriately. I spent most of my working life in education, where pupil discipline was a recurring topic. Over the years lots of different schemes were tried and every so often we would change the forms to be filled in, the reporting process or the list of rules and sanctions, and all would be well until it came to the crunch and they had to be enforced, which meant actually challenging a kid or parent about behaviour. For a system to be effective, someone had to front up and explain that the rules were to be obeyed. I liken it to an episode of Happy Days when Ritchie threatened to punch someone for not doing the right thing, and had been laughed at. The Fonz explained that for threats to be effec14 | Autumn 2015
tive, you had to have carried them out at least once. Contrast that with Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. When he was newly elected to the post of Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, one of his senior commanders Janos Slynt defied his orders. Too late, Slynt thought better of his decision and whimpered his apologies and regrets, but it did him no good as Jon Snow beheaded him for disobedience. I am guessing that there will be a new found determinism for the men of the Nights Watch to follow orders in future. Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating beheading for drunken behaviour on Norfolk Street in the early hours of the morning, but I do think that if the laws were upheld on a consistent basis and the penalties applied, much of the problem could be alleviated. There are a range of options available for dealing with public drunkenness including short term imprisonment, on the spot fines and barring orders. It is also an offence to sell alcohol to someone who is drunk. Given the wonders of modern technology, such as CCTV or just plain observation, it ought to be possible to work out from which bar the drunks emerge. If need be, why not have a
Norfolk Nips | Bar Man few plain clothes Peelers mingle with the crowds in the bar to check if offences have occurred? A fine or temporary closure could then be enforced against offending establishments. In my experience, the severity of the fine is not always the main consideration. The fact that a penalty is applied and enforced establishes who is in charge and encourages respect for the rules. I think most landlords would prefer sensible drinking on their premises and if they don’t, they are probably in the wrong job. I would hope that once drinkers realise that there is a good chance they will be caught and punished for anti-social drunken behaviour, and that landlords know they risk a fine or closure for supplying the alcohol, a new level of acceptable behaviour will be established. So, let’s resist the temptation to keep tinkering with the laws and stick to enforcing what we have at the moment. As Voltaire said of the execution of the British Admiral Lord Byng for ‘’failure to do his utmost” to relieve the siege of the British garrison on Minorca, ‘’it is wise to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others.”
Post Script This article was first published in the Lynn News, and a couple of things have happened since then. Spoiler alert. The men of the Nights Watch were less impressed than I imagined, and the last series ended with Jon Snow being stabbed to death by his own men. Or was he? Rumours suggest the Kit Harrington has been seen in Belfast still sporting his long hair, whilst filming on the next series takes place. Hmm…why would that be? Back in the real world, as reported elsewhere, the Wenns Hotel in Lynn closed suddenly with a notice from the local council displayed saying that they had taken out a three month closure order due to anti-social behaviour. It’s not located amongst the areas usually affected by too much trouble, so I am not sure why this has happened, but if it means that the council are using their powers to deal with problems, it is an interesting development. bar.man@btinternet.com First published in the Lynn News
Autumn 2015 | 15
Norfolk Nips | Pub of the Year awards
Norfolk pubs beaming with pride for 2015 award The presentations have taken place of the Pub of the Year certificates to two Norfolk pubs with the respective landlady and landlord both extremely proud of their awards. The Beehive on Leopold Road in Norwich was voted the overall Norfolk Pub of the Year for 2015 by members of the Norwich & Norfolk, West Norfolk and Mid-Anglia branches of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). The south-city pub was crowned overall Pub of the Year by the Norwich & Norfolk Branch and that was the first time that Landlady Alex Kerridge has been awarded the prestigious title. The Beehive then beat Coach and Horses in Dersingham, and also Mid South Norfolk to be awarded the overall CAMRA Pub of the Year.
Martin Ward, the Norfolk Area Organiser, also commented, “congratulations go to Alex and her team at the Beehive. With a strong emphasis on the quality of the beers and the community focus of the pub, The Beehive emerged the winner after a well fought contest between the other two Norfolk pubs in the competition. A deserved winner.” The Beehive will now progress to the East Anglian Regional level of the competition and will be up against pubs in Bedfordshire (Black Lion, Leighton Buzzard), Cambridgeshire (King of the Belgians, Hartford), Essex (Victoria Inn, Colchester), Hertfordshire (Orange Tree, Baldock) and Suffolk (White Horse Sweffling). The Landlord of the Green Dragon in Wymondham, Justin Harvey, was recently presented with the 2015 Rural Pub of the Year, which they have also been awarded three times before in four years. “Here at the Green Dragon we are delighted to have been voted Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA's rural pub of the year 2015. Having our hard work recognised means the world to us, especially when there is such strong competition. So thank you, and we hope to see you”.
(L to R) Martin Ward (Norfolk Area Organiser), Alex Kerridge (Landlady & Owner) and staff Ms Kerridge said during the presentation of her certificate, “To win Norwich City Pub of the Year, the Overall branch winner and now to be awarded Norfolk Pub of the Year is just overwhelming!” Alex continued, “I really was speechless when I heard the news! Community pubs are invaluable, which is why I have worked so hard in growing The Beehive into the hub of the community, as well as offering an excellent range of local beers while supporting other microbreweriesfrom further afield.”
(L to R) William Chappell (Shift Manager), Warren Wordsworth, N&N CAMRA Chariman, Justin Harvey (Landlord & co-owner), Colin Tickle (Co-Owner) Autumn 2015 | 17
Suffolk Borders Chairman’s Letter | Norfolk Nips
Suffolk Borders CAMRA Branch Banham, New and Old Buckenham, Tibenham, Long Stratton, Hempnall and Earsham. Pubs within our area, in both counties, currently total around 70, depending on closures etc. and 40 or so of these are in Norfolk. We also have nine breweries, four of these in Norfolk and four cider producers, all of which are in Norfolk.
Having been a member of CAMRA for more years than I care to admit and having been an admirer of the Norfolk Nips magazine for much of that time, I have come to the conclusion that perhaps not that many readers will know that much about pubs and breweries in the southern part of the South Norfolk district. For example, how many readers know that there are three CAMRA branches in Norfolk? In early December 2011, a new sub branch was formed. This branch covers an area of South Norfolk and North Suffolk and was formed under the auspices of the existing Ipswich and East Suffolk branch. It was decided to name this branch Mid Anglia. The reason for establishing a new branch was because it was considered that our area to the north and south of the Waveney valley was at the extreme edge of the territory of existing branches in both counties and was therefore somewhat of a no-man’s-land in terms of coverage. Since that day, almost four years ago, our branch has gone from strength to strength. We have been able to extend our area within South Norfolk so that our boundary now includes pubs in parishes such as Kenninghall, 18 | Autumn 2015
Enough of statistics, however, our main achievement really is our annual CAMRA Beer Festival. Given that we are a relatively small branch, admittedly growing, and we have only been in operation for a little under four years, we feel that to have now organised two Festivals and we consider both to have been successful, is a major boost to our branch. Our second Festival, in mid May this year, provided 35 beers and 18 ciders, from local brewers and cider producers all within a 30 mile radius of the festival. We are very conscious that the venue for our festival, being held in Yaxley village hall, is some five miles from the only railway station in our branch area. Buses are also at a bit of a premium so this year we organised a return shuttle bus service from Diss railway station, operated by Bordahoppa buses for a nominal payment. I am not sure that this facility was utilised as much as it could have been but we hope that this will encourage more to travel to the festival in the future. I must add our gratitude to our festival organiser John Harvey, to the committee who assisted him and also those who volunteered. Without all this hard work there would not have been any festivals to enjoy. At the time of writing our membership has increased to 234, according to CAMRA HQ which is very pleasing. It is interesting, however, to note that the number of members on our membership list is around 150 so, unless many are on a dual membership and have a single contact address, there are many members residing in our area who are not receiving any information about us. I fully appreciate that people join CAMRA for different reasons and
Norfolk Nips | Suffolk Borders Chairman’s Letter some are not necessarily interested in what happens in their branch. For example I do know of someone who joined CAMRA solely to avoid queueing to get in to the Norwich Beer Festival! All I can say is that if anyone reading this article lives in the area covered by our Mid Anglia branch and doesn't receive anything from us but wishes to know more about us and to know what we are doing, then please let us know and we can put you on our membership list. It’s as easy as that. Contact details are at the end of this article. One aspect of our branch that we consider to be of value is our Pub Watch scheme, the idea being that a number of members have parishes to cover in which are say 4 or 5 pubs. They keep an eye on these pubs and report back to our pubs coordinator any changes etc. It seems a good system and a good excuse to pop out for a drink or two, all in the sake of research! And, it is of benefit in the issue of pubs being Assets of Community Value. We, as are all CAMRA branches, are currently in the process of nominating any pubs which we feel are under threat. If any readers, living in our area, are interested in being part of the scheme please get in contact with us. We are currently in the process of reallocating some parishes so now would be a good time to do this.
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Our beers are available throughout East Anglia and also at our brewery shop in Debenham (Unit 1A Meadow Works Business Park Kenton Road Debenham IP14 6RP) For further details contact us on 01728 861213 www.cliffquay.co.uk or www.earlsohambrewery.co.uk
Finally, after some technical problems, it seems as if we now have a website that our coordinator Ian Muir is satisfied with and proud of, and I would urge anyone interested in our branch to have a look on the site. There is a lot of useful information there and it can be found at midanglia.camra.org.uk Hopefully some of you are now a little clearer as to what Mid Anglia CAMRA is all about and we look forward to hearing from any of you as to what we can do to provide what our members would like from us. Thanking you. David Williamson Chairman Autumn 2015 | 19
hoppy IPAs with the Session IPA proving popular. I tried the Oatmeal Stout which was rather good but definitely not in a can. Maybe another day. Next up was PARTIZAN which is one of the major breweries in the London craft beer scene having started in 2012. This was a lot smaller and we then realised we may have to spend our drinking time in the road in a cordoned off area. The Pale Ale Cascade was popular but I went for the Atonium 5.0%. We have heard so much discussion about Craft Ale and Real Ale in the last few years and what CAMRA's stance should be that we decided to find out for ourselves. The best way we thought was to drink the beer so our Norwich & Norfolk Branch Summer outing went to visit the Bermondsey Beer Mile in London. Over 20 of us went down and our first stop was FOURPURE. This brewery was founded in 2013 and is an industrial unit near the railway station. We were amazed at its size. They stay true to the principles of brewing, respecting the four core ingredients grain, hops, yeast and water. Hence the name. The beers are available in keg and cans and are exported all over. We even saw some heading out to Norway. They brew 23 barrels twice a day and 12 brews per week. I said it was huge. They have a bar and the beer range were mainly
20 | Autumn 2015
Our Leader took us next to THE KERNEL as it was going to close at 2pm on the Saturday. No reason given but maybe they wanted to go to nearby Millwall Football Club. Founded in 2009 this is the original Bermondsey microbrewery. The Pale Ale and IPAs were again in abundance with the combination of various hops intrigued the brewers in our party. Below: Inside Four Pure Bre wer
y
BREW BY NUMBERS was next and another founded in 2012. The beer styles were from New Zealand and US mainly IPAs again but we were surprised that they also had Porters, Witbier and Saisons. I can’t remember what numbers they were though. They produce their beers using natural ingredients and packaged alive in bottles and KeyKeg. Talking of bottles we went to BOTTLESHOP which had some rare and unusual beers. There was more room upstairs and some of our party got involved in a beer tasting session. Nothing changes. The last stop was ANSPACH & HOBDAY/BULLFINCH just down the road with both breweries sharing the space. The collaboration of the two brewers have produced a classic Porter 6.7% which I have to say was very good. So how was the craft beer tour going? Well it went straight to the SOUTHWARK BREWING CO where we had cask ales on handpull.
This was a welcome sight. I had the Golden Ale 5.2% which was heaven after all the kegged beer. We decided we needed more so then visited the local pubs near Liverpool Street Station so it was a fine ending to our Summer outing. Overall what did we think of the craft beer scene? The breweries were very busy and we spent a lot of time queuing for beer. When we got to the bar we were surprised at the price which ranged from £4.50 to £6.00 pint. Very expensive but not far off the prices I see charged in Norwich. The main aspect we took away was the amount of young drinkers that were trying different types of beer. They were interested in what in we had to say about Real Ale so hopefully we have some new converts. Mad Manc
Autumn 2015 | 21
Wensleydale and beer, the perfect combination!
In March, together with my parents, we drove to a lovely cottage in the Yorkshire Dales at West Witton. Set just above the village in a converted part of the farm, this was an extremely good conversion to a two bedroom rental property. The owners are very friendly and the jar of homemade marmalade was excellent. Down to the beers. In the village, there are two licensed premises. The first is the Wensleydale Heiffer, a gourmet pub. This is a superb pub for food which has won many awards; they also have one or two real ales, always well served. The other pub is the Fox and Hounds. This is truly a village pub, with four beers and a cider always on tap. The food is good honest pub grub. As well as the usual Black Sheep, the rest of the beers are usually from the local area. There are several pubs in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide within a 10 mile radius, not sure whether I have been to them all, but I try my best. The tourist attraction Asygarth Falls is not to be missed, together with a visit to Asygarth Station (opening times vary) which the Wensleydale Railway hopes to extend to in the near future. For a well deserved drink, go to the George & Dragon a quaint pub in the village, about two miles from the beautiful falls.
The current terminus of the Wensleydale Railway is at Redmire, go for a short walk into the village and visit the Bolton Arms, good real ales and food. On the road back to Leyburn is the Three Horseshoes at Wensley, again usually four or five ales, with the emphasis on local ales, a very popular pub, with good food. At Leyburn itself there are several pubs, none of which are in the guide. The Sandpiper is probably the more interesting one, with only Yorkshire beers served and a claim of the best selection of whiskies for those who partake! The Black Swan is very much a local pub, with some horseracing items as it is popular with jockeys from nearby Middleham. Finally the Bolton Arms is at the top of the market place; refurbished a few years ago, it usually has real ales on tap. This is just a small tour round the Dales, use the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and spend a few days, given good weather (not guaranteed) it is a beautiful part of the country. (If it is raining, just adjust the balance of time spent outside or inside a pub! Stig) Steve Barker Autumn 2015 | 23
Norfolk Nips | Chairman’s Letter
We’ve all seen a forlorn tub of cider balanced on the end of the bar – as the licensee tries his hand (again) at selling real cider – probably in the height of summer. It’s fine for a few days, with customers trying the odd pint or two (at 6.5% they daren’t drink too much), but then it starts to turn a little sharp and then quickly becomes unpalatable, resulting in perhaps half a tub of cider being used as drain cleaner. It’s enough to make the cider maker weep – not to mention those who hand-picked the apples! In order to satisfy the demand for cider, The licensee is then enticed into the world of kegged and gassed apple-flavoured fizz. The world of the alcoholic fizzy apple-flavoured squash that is 90%+ of the kegged cider market presents a solution that ticks the ‘cider’ box for many publicans. For many licensees therefore, the selling of real cider poses several problems – not the least of which is the concern that they won’t sell enough, it will go off and they will have to throw it away – which is clearly not what they are in business to do! However, with a basic understanding of a few salient elements, the selling of cider becomes, not a risky sideline, but an easy way to engage
with the rapidly emerging demand for high quality, often locally-sourced products from small scale producers who care passionately about what they make. This is a market I have seen that brings a customer base into pubs who wouldn’t otherwise go there. All that is needed is an understanding of a few basic points – points incidentally that are very well understood by the kegged ‘cider’ producers. Firstly, real cider is produced once a year – around September. Many cider makers keep cider back from previous years production to blend with ‘new’ cider in order to keep consistency and to help give depth and roundness to their product. I know of one cider maker who has got cider he made 15 years ago. It is in exceptional condition. Cider therefore does not need to go off. It simply needs to be kept properly – and that is not at the end of the bar. Please also note that cider does not need to be ‘fizzed’ or pumped full of preservatives in order to be kept in good condition. If looked after properly it will quite happily keep for months, if not years. Secondly, real cider is susceptible to the same Continued Overleaf Autumn 2015 | 25
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Norfolk Nips | Cider article continued elements that will make beer ‘go off’, namely air, heat and humidity. You wouldn’t (I hope!) leave a tub of beer balanced on the end of the bar and expect it to remain drinkable for weeks, the same is true with cider. So, with these two points in mind, we need to transfer theory into practice.
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In my pub, we don’t use pumps – all ciders and ales are gravity fed from the Tap Room – which is air-conditioned (as are most pub cellars, thereby dealing with the heat and humidity problems). This works well for us, but I realise it would pose a problem for many to be going backwards and forwards to the cellar every time someone wanted a pint. There are methods out there to connect ‘bag-in-a-box’ to a pump – thereby providing an easy method to dispense real cider in good condition on a consistent basis. If you do go down this route, make sure you use micro-bore pipes and clean them regularly and frequently to avoid yeast build-up problems in the pipes. We also use a lot of ‘bag-in-a-box’ ciders. Real cider kept in a ‘bag-in-a-box’ in an airconditioned cellar at around 8-10°C will keep for between 6 and 13 weeks, which should be ample time to sell it. Alternatively, there are systems out there to keep tubs and ‘bag-in-abox’ drinks at chilled temperatures, often seen at beer festivals.
EATON COTTAGE UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048
Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits
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Finally, real cider and perry in a ‘bag-in-a-box’ should be readily available from almost any wholesale beer supplier – with one or two ‘brands’ being available nationwide. However, with not more than a few minutes spent on the internet, you should be able to track down a local real cider producer, many of whom will be delighted to supply the local pub trade. Ian Pinches The Railway Arms, Downham Market – CAMRA National Cider Pub of the Year 2013 and one of the 4 finalists in the 2014 competition.
Autumn 2015 | 27
Imagine that the government could come up with a scheme that would promote small businesses, protect the environment and create jobs at a minimal cost. Surely any political party of whatever persuasion would have to have a serious look at such an idea. Well the good news is that it already exists. It is an exemption from paying duty for small cider makers. Any producer that sells fewer than 70 hectolitres (about 12,000 pints or 33 pints per day) per year saves about 40p per pint on tax. This works out at a maximum of about £2,700 per producer. This hardly poses much of a threat to the large companies such as Bulmers when the total volume produced by all the 400 or so small producers combined is, by my calculations, around 100th of 1% of total sales. The benefits far outweigh this tiny share of the market. Many of the small guys make traditional cider from old established apple varieties which are in danger of dying out. Big producers find apples such as Crimson King and Dabinett inefficient to grow and prefer to use bush varieties which are easier to harvest and are planted closer together to increase production. This impacts on the ecosystem and can reduce the diversity and amount of wildlife in the orchards. Big producers tend to use more chemicals on their trees, whilst small cider makers are more likely to be organic producers as interested in the environment as profit. Then along came the EU and decided that this tax exemption scheme was illegal. Taking time out from dealing with the Greek crisis, they set their sights on collecting the less than £1 million of exempted tax, which of course is an illusion as many of the affected cider makers would just give up anyway, thus not paying the duty and also depriving the government of other taxes associated with the sales.
CAMRA’s bunch of hard (APPLE) core cider activists, have campaigned to save the tax exemption. I wrote to all our local MEPs and had a response from UKIP who put me in touch with Jim Carver, MEP for the West Midlands, who has a special interest in the subject, whilst the other parties didn’t reply. A petition was organised by our own West Norfolk member, Andrea Briers who is chair of the APPLE group, which she presented at 10 Downing Street. Andrea was also part of a CAMRA delegation that went to Strasburg to meet with MEPs. Nine of the elected representatives offered their support and organise a meeting with the commissioner in charge. It looks like the efforts have been successful and in the latest budget, government committed to support small cider producers by retaining the current duty exemption. So, jobs in the countryside have been protected, rare varieties of apple trees might survive a few years longer, there are more places for wildlife to exist alongside farmers and a traditional industry dating back hundreds of years is given a helping hand. I’m not really a cider drinker, but I think that is a pretty good outcome. It shows that campaigns can be effective and the benefits of doing something rather than just sitting at the bar complaining. So, cider drinkers everywhere, raise a glass to Andrea and her committee. It might be an exaggeration to say that local girl singlehandedly saves craft cider, but there is little doubt that without APPLE’s efforts, there is a strong chance that the tax exemption would have been removed and our choice of cider would be much diminished. A version of this article first appeared in the Lynn News. bar.man@btinternet.com Autumn 2015 | 29
International Fat Cat
I love Norwich’s Fat Cat Brewery, its pubs and its beers but I recently came across Fat Cat Pale Ale (pictured). This one was a new one on me, -but then I’d never visited the Holy Land before! Israel’s nascent micro-brewing scene is thriving and in Tel Aviv’s Carmel market is the Beer Bazaar, a street stall with three draft taps and bottled examples of all twenty of the new breweries’ products. One draft beer was Srigim Brewery’s Fat Cat, named after a plump local resident that lives in the market. And yes, it was a fine beer, but not yet a challenge to my favourite lewcal beer, Marmalade. Shalom.
30 | Summer 2015
Norfolk Nips | Please support our advertisers
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Autumn 2015 | 31
It’s time for the Norwich Beer Festival!
The Norwich Beer Festival is not far off and this year it is under new management. For those of you who don’t know me my name is Robert Derbridge and I have been working at the Norwich Beer Festival for over 26 years. I started out as a steward and went on to be the chief steward and then the deputy organiser and as from February the organiser. It is not going to be easy replacing Martin Ward as he has done such a fantastic job over the past 11 years. I just hope I can do just as well. There are not going to be many changes this year as why fix what works but I know that the queuing is something that is complained about a lot. My team and I are looking into some ideas to try and speed up getting everybody in as quick as we can this year. I can’t promise they will work but we will do our best. This year’s logo has been designed by 6 nurses and incorporates Edith Cavell in the centre of a red dragon. We chose this design as it is 100 years since Edith was shot for helping hundreds of soldiers escape during World War One and thought this would a fitting way to raise a glass to the brave work she showed saving their lives. As every year the Festival is staffed by volunteers and yes that also includes the stewards and every year we ask if you would be willing to come and help. This year is no different as this
Festival would not run without them. If you would like to volunteer to help at the Festival this year the application form is now on line on our web page at the Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA web site. I’m sure you will find it an enjoyable experience and I look forward to greeting our many customers. Rob Derbridge Norwich Beer Festival Organiser
Norwich & Norfolk Branch Charity 2015 St Edmunds Society (St-Eds) have been adopted as the Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA branch’s charity for 2015 and any funds raised throughout the year will be donated to the Norwich charity. St-Eds is based on Oak Street and delivers construction qualifications and employment skills to young people aged 14+ at risk of social exclusion. As this year's charity they will benefit from money raised through various activities but especially donations from customers at the 38th Norwich Beer Festival. Visit the society’s website at www.st-eds.org Autumn 2015 | 33
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Live Bands, Quiz and Poker Nights Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated Open Mon - Thurs 11-11, Fri -Sat 11-11:30 Sun 12-10:30. Christmas parties catered for, ring or pop in for details.
Mini Beer Festival Every Day! We’re in it!
with over a dozen real ales and ciders Fresh rolls served daily or bring in your favourite take-away
Free Wi-Fi • Dog friendly 34 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | CAMRA News
CAMRA News BADGE OF HONOUR The Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones MP has launched a new campaign to protect England's most treasured community pubs from demolition or conversion to other uses by presenting the first ‘Badge of Honour’ to a licensee - Tina Massie of the Red Lion, Beaconsfield. The presentation was made at the recent Great British Beer Festival. The launch of the initiative comes as new statistics released today show neighbourhood ‘suburban' pubs are bearing the brunt of pub closures. An average of 29 pubs close each week: 17 of them are in this category, compared to nine in rural locations and just three on the high street. This has prompted CAMRA and the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) to launch the joint initiative to protect England's most valued pubs – those listed as Assets of Community Value. The 800 pubs already listed as ACVs will receive the quality mark, which proudly states ‘This Pub Matters'. CAMRA aims to increase that number to 3,000 by the end of 2016 by encouraging more community groups, pub-regulars and CAMRA branches to nominate their local pub and ensure it is protected in the future. To nominate your local pub as an ACV and ensure it gets the protection it deserves visit www.camra.org.uk/listyourlocal.
PINT, OR A HALF?
of the same brew. The survey of 2,000 people also revealed, perhaps unsurprisingly, that most drinkers try new beers at festivals or in pubs rather than at home.
ALL-DAY DRINKING FEARS UNFOUNDED According to a new report, alcohol consumption, rates of binge-drinking and alcohol-related crime have all fallen in the 10 years since the introduction of longer pub opening hours. The study, Drinking, Fast and Slow: Ten Years of the Licensing Act, from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) hailed the 2005 Licensing Act as a success as it had not led to the disastrous outcomes that critics predicted at the time. According to the report, the adoption of what has become erroneously known as 24-hour drinking has seen fewer drink-driving accidents, no rise in alcohol-related A&E admissions and no increase in alcohol-related deaths. In fact alcohol consumption fell by 17% between 2005 and 2013, the biggest decline since the 1930s. Far from provoking a 24-hour drinking culture the Licensing Act has removed some of the constraints on where and when people can have a drink, providing the public with greater choice. The biggest consequence of relaxing licensing laws has been that the public are now better able to enjoy a drink at the time and location of their choice”.
Apparently, half-pints are now the most popular way to enjoy beer. A CAMRA survey revealed 34% of people would rather drink from a half pint glass with 25% favouring a pint glass, the same number as those who drink from a third of a pint glass. CAMRA said the trend seems to indicate that people are now drinking less but are more adventurous about sampling different beers, becoming more open to trying new beers and moving away from drinking pint-after-pint Autumn 2015 | 35
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36 | Autumn 2015
and Cask Force on line on S IP N lk fo or N ad re n ca u Don’t forget that yo norwichcamra.org.uk w. w w e sit eb w ch an Br lk fo the Norwich and Nor anch facebook page. Br e th on d ste po be so al ll Latest info wi ips Twitter account @norfolk_n a s ha e rc Fo sk Ca d an PS And Norfolk NI
The 38th Norwich Be er
Festival
St Andrew’s and Blac kfriar’s Halls, Norwic h Monday 26th – Satu rday 31st October Beat the queues – join CAMRA now!
Next issue of Norfolk Nip s and Cask Force
Copy to editors by Mond ay 2nd November On the streets by: Friday DECEMBER 4th
38 | Autumn 2015
40 this year! You may be surprised but this year the Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA Branch celebrates it's 40th Anniversary. To help us remember the olden days we have decided to have a special party on the 26th September at The Narthex, Cathedral House, Unthank Road starting at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome but you will need a ticket which only costs ÂŁ10 and includes a buffet and a free pint. These can be obtained via the Branch website. Souvenir tankards will be available to purchase. We are hoping for a good turnout with previous Branch Chairman and Brewery Tsars invited. I'm also told there will be cheap beer but not at 1975 prices which was 20p for a pint of bitter and 18p for a pint of ordinary. Do we remember those days? So a great night is anticipated but please don't come in your platforms, flares, kipper ties and white suits. If you are unable to attend we hope you can join us on one of the 2 Anniversary Pub Crawls. On the 10th October we will be having a Super Saturday Seven visiting 7 Pubs in North Norfolk that we are unable to easily get to either on a Friday campaign trip or via public transport. The route will be Hunsworth Hunny Bell Langham Bluebell Little Walsingham Bull Little Walsingham Black Lion South Creake Plume of Feathers Sculthorpe Hourglass Great Ryburgh Blue Boar We will have 2 hours at Little Walsingham for lunch. On the 16th October we will have a Cider Crawl starting at 7.30pm. First stop Fat Cat Brewery Tap, Duke of Wellington, White Lion, King's Head, Plasterers. A special presentation will take place at the White Lion as they have won our Branch Cider Pub of the Year 2015. John Travolta
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Rampant Horse country alehouse & restaurant. Local and regional ales, Imported lagers • Restaurant Outdoor patio area • Quiz nights Rampant Horse 2 Chapelfield, Freethorpe NR13 3LY Tel: 01493 700103 www.rampanthorse.net
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40 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | City of Ale 2015
Norwich ‘City of Ale’ update It was very pleasing to see the Norwich City of Ale was a great success again. Many Pubs participated and we had a Fine Time in a Fine City. There was a good turnout at the launch party with even the Lord Mayor and the beer writer Roger Protz attending. I do believe they all had a good time as I was serving them from the bar. They kept coming back for more. The COA survey results made interesting reading and I have enclosed them here.
Summary of Visitors Of our respondents: 70% were male and 76% were aged between 25 and 64. 75% were aware of Norwich City of Ale. 20% were aware of the Discover Norwich app.
31% said they would drink more real ale during the Norwich City of Ale 61% rated their experience of Norwich City of Ale positively, rising to 85% of those in the pub specifically for the festival. Our respondents thought that: Moon Gazer Norfolk Harvest of The Norfolk Brewhouse and Poppyland Brewery was the single best new beer. Key positives were the variety of real ale and the new pubs to try Key suggested improvements are increased promotion in local towns and businesses, as well as via social media such as Instagram.
24%were in the pub specifically for NCoA. 29% of those from wider Norfolk and 34% of those from other counties travelled to Norwich specifically for the festival. 30% of those who had heard about the festival did so through word of mouth and 25% saw a poster or banner. 38% said they would be visiting more pubs than usual during the festival.
Autumn 2015 | 41
How does Nips arrive at your pub? John tells us why he enjoys delivering this magazine to its readers… My very first delivery job was as a butcher’s boy, back when we had to use those bikes with a large front basket above an impossibly small front wheel. Well, I fell off and the Sunday joints went rolling down the gutter, unwrapping on their way. Recovering my adolescent dignity, I brushed the grit off the meat best I could and carried on delivering while hiding my face from the recipients.
No such need for anonymity nowadays when volunteering to deliver my round of Norfolk Nips to various hostelries. I – or at least the Nips I carry – receive a kind welcome at each place, for the publication is always in demand. This often extends to a chat with whoever is behind the bar about some of the Nips content and a catch up on local gossip and what’s happening with the particular pub. I like to hear what publicans / bar staff have to say and maybe I can relate their interests to CAMRA activity. The pubs I have opted to deliver to (we divvy up the deliveries amongst us CAMRA members) provide me a couple of nice little 4-pub circuits, easily achievable in whatever time I choose, a couple hours or maybe more depending on how long I decide to stay in each pub. What I enjoy about delivering Nips is the diversity of pubs and people at the locations I visit. The pubs on my route run the whole gamut from simple village pubs to fashionable gastronomic ones and while I have my preference it is always good to see the other side of the range and the people that frequent them. In one rural place I visit it is not unusual in shooting season to see a group in breeks and Norfolk weave coats. Others may have clients in boiler suits off their tractors or casual gear from their trade as builders and plumbers. I’ve had conversations in one pub about providing pheasant dinners to the beaters, in another; I made connection with a carpenter for some work on my house! In one local, in conversation I asked an older gent where he lived in the village “well” he says, “You know where the newspaper shop is?”, “yes” I say; “nowhere near there” he says. And when I ask if he lived there all his life he replies “not yit I int”.
42 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | Delivering Nips One of my circuits can fortunately be achieved with the use of buses. Not for the swift half in each pub mind you, I reckon it is good for my cognitive abilities to schedule the visits to fit in with bus timetables. Further, I can practise my silversurfer skills by contributing a beer score in Whatpub.com. (No special expertise needed, CAMRA members just log in and give your opinion on your beer experience.) On driving distribution trips my wife usually accompanies me. Then we can fit in a healthy lifestyle walk in the countryside and have lunch at an old favourite or try someplace new. We have discovered some nice walks and lunches like this. Sometimes if I am in a bit of a rush, I just drop in and offer the Nips to a member of staff, with a word of appreciation that they display them for the benefit of CAMRA and the advertisers. Norfolk Nips are compiled by local volunteers writing the articles, editing the text and delivering the finished product. The publication costs are met by the beer-related advertisers that arrange their ads direct with the publishers. This allows you, dear reader, to receive Norfolk Nips for free on a quarterly basis.
The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340
FOUR REAL ALES Wednesday Irish Folk Music ursday Folk & Singing Music Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Folk Music
Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN: Mon - urs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11
So whether you travel by bus, car, Shank’s pony or butcher bike any CAMRA member can potentially be a volunteer deliverer so if you are interested in an excuse to visit pubs in an area of your choice contact your branch area rep and make your interest known. If you can’t help with deliveries then we are just happy that you take the time to read and enjoy Nips and use the services offered by our generous advertisers. Thank you.
John Parsons
Autumn 2015 | 43
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44 | Autumn 2015
Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolk which are part of the CAMRA LocAle scheme. New entries are in Bold.
Horseshoes, Alby Black Boys, Aldborough London Tavern, Attleborough Crown Inn, Banningham Chequers Inn, Binham Cock Inn, Barford Kings Head, Brooke Artichoke, Broome Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea Reedcutter, Cantley Crown Inn, Catfield George Hotel, Cley-next-the-Sea Three Swallows, Cley-next-the-Sea Victory, Clenchwarton Muskett Arms, Clippesby Red Lion, Coltishall Ugly Bug Inn, Colton Albion, Cromer Cottage, Cromer Red Lion Hotel, Cromer Royal Standard, Dereham Bob Carter Centre, Drayton Railway, Downham Market Royal Standard, East Dereham Queens Head, Emneth Erpingham Arms, Erpingham Bull, Fakenham Wellington, Feltwell Kings Head, Filby Rampant Horse, Freethorpe Locks Inn, Geldeston Wherry, Geldeston Dock Tavern, Gorleston Mariners Compass, Gorleston Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham Barking Smack, Great Yarmouth Mariners, Great Yarmouth Oliver Twist, Great Yarmouth Red Herring, Great Yarmouth St. Johns Head, Great Yarmouth Fox & Hounds, Heacham
Kings Head, Hethersett Greyhound Inn, Hickling Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling Victoria, Hockering Swan, Hilborough Eagle, Hockham Buck, Honingham White Hart, Hopton Nelson Head, Horsey Brickmakers, Horsford Elm Farm Country House, Horsham St. Faith Live and Let Live, Kings Lynn Star Inn, Lessingham Swan Inn, Loddon Dog Inn, Ludham Fox and Hounds, Lyng Anchor Inn, Morston White Horse, Neatishead Relish Restaurant & Bar, Newton Flotman Railway Hotel, North Elmham Orchard Gardens, North Walsham Adam and Eve, Norwich Angel Gardens, Norwich Beehive (Leopold Rd), Norwich Bell Hotel, Norwich Cellar House, Norwich Champion, Norwich Cottage (Silver Road), Norwich Duke of Wellington, Norwich Earlham Arms, Norwich Eaton Cottage, Norwich Fat Cat and Canary, Norwich Fat Cat Tap, Norwich Fat Cat, Norwich Garden House, Norwich Jubilee, Norwich Ketts Tavern, Norwich Kings Head, Norwich Leopard, Norwich Lollards Pit, Norwich
Lord Rosebery, Norwich Maids Head Hotel, Norwich Murderers, Norwich Plasterers Arms, Norwich Red Lion (Bishopgate), Norwich Reindeer, Norwich Ribs of Beef, Norwich Rose, Norwich Sir Garnet, Norwich Take 5, Norwich Temple Bar, Norwich Trafford Arms, Norwich Vine, Norwich Wig and Pen, Norwich Royal Oak, Poringland Ferry Inn, Reedham Ship, Reedham Kings Arms, Reepham Swan, Ringland Three Horseshoes, Roydon Lobster, Sheringham Windham Arms, Sheringham Chalk and Cheese, Shouldham Kings Arms, Shouldham Goat, Skeyton Peddars Inn, Sporle Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Sprowston Ferry House, Surlingham Lynn Arms, Syderstone Red Lion, Swaffham Pelican Inn, Tacolneston Red Lion, Thetford Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market Queens Head, Thurlton White Horse, Upton Cherry Tree, Wicklewood Willow House, Watton Stag, West Acre Bell, Wiveton White Lady, Worstead Green Dragon, Wymondham The Mill, Yaxham Autumn 2015 | 45
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A popular pub with locals and holidaymakers alike, the Crown Inn is perched right on the clifftop overlooking the beautiful sandy beaches of Sheringham in Norfolk.
Enjoy a meal or snack from our extensive and popular menu.
Five Real Ales always available Every Saturday - Live Local Bands
Monday nights - Pub Quiz with prizes, refreshments and free entry Tel: 01263 823213 crownsheringham@hotmail.co.uk www.crownsheringham.co.uk Lifeboat Plain, East Cliff Sheringham NR26 8BQ 46 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | Norwich King Street Group
Local History Research Course 2015-16 This autumn the King Street Group will be running the Local History Research with Mary Fewster as our tutor, the topic being:
‘King Street brewers, pubs and malthouses’. It will be slightly different in format as the intention is to produce a booklet on the subject following the course, making use of the material that has been found by course members. The course will have ten sessions led by Mary or by an outside speaker and the fee remains at £105. There will also be the informal sessions on alternate weeks.
We hope members will be prepared to do their own research with a view to making a contribution to the booklet. Mary will be putting aside time during her sessions to facilitate this. It will be held on Thursdays at the Friends Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane, from Thursday 1st October until 24th March 2016 interspersed within informal sessions when aspects of the course can be discussed with Mary and other course members. Each session will run from 1.15 pm until 3.15 pm. Please obtain more details from the website www.norwichkingstreet.org.uk
Autumn 2015 | 47
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48 | Autumn 2015
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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 50 | Autumn 2015
Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local! The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually on presentation of a Membership Card, discounts are on real ale only unless stated). Full details of all pubs can be found at WhatPub.com The Whiffler, Norwich: 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers) The Woolpack, Norwich: 10% off real ales Grange Hotel, Ormesby St. Margaret, Norwich: 10% off all real ales London Tavern, Attleborough: 20p off a pint of real ale
The Bell, Norwich: 20% off all food. 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers)
Lighthouse Inn, Walcott: 10% off all real ales
Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea: 20p off a pint of real ale
Compleat Angler, Norwich: 10% off all real ales
Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: 30p off a pint of Buffy’s
Albion, Cromer: 10% off real ales, draught and bottled
Glasshouse, Norwich: 20% off all food. 50p off a pint (with your CAMRA vouchers)
Red Lion, Drayton: 10% off of real ale
The Leopard, Norwich: 10% off real ales
Oliver Twist, Great Yarmouth: 10% off across the board - please show card before ordering
Lollards Pit, Norwich: 10% off
Brickmakers, Horsford: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale Railway, North Elmham: 10% off B&B and camping
The Pig & Whistle, Norwich: 10% off real ales Plasterers, Cowgate, Norwich: 10% off all real ales (available to all customers on Mondays)
If your pub or business offers a discount to CAMRA, but isn’t on this list, please contact pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org .uk and let us know the details (including any restrictions). Please note: We believe the discounts listed are offered at the time of going to press, however pubs may of course withdraw or change offers at any time!
St Andrews Brewhouse, Norwich: 10% off their own beers Autumn 2015 | 51
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52 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | CAMRA Beer Festivals
Beer Festivals Calendar So many Beer Festivals, so little time. For further information, please see What’s Brewing, the CAMRA website, or contact the relevant Branches. September 8-12 Chappel Beer Festival Essex Branches September 30-October 3 St Albans Beer & Cider Festival South Herts Branches September 30-October 4 White Lion, Norwich Annual Beer and Cider Festival Oak Street, Norwich October 7-10 Bedford Beer & Cider Festival North Beds Branch
October 30-November 2 Royal Oak, Poringland Autumn Beer Festival www.poringlandroyaloak.com November 17-21 South East Essex CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival Freight House, Bradley Way, Rochford, Essex. SS4 1BU December 1-5 Pig’s Ear Beer & Cider Festival 250 real ales, ciders, perries and bottled beers www.pigsear.org.uk
October 8-10 St Ives “Booze on the Ouse” Beer & Cider Festival Huntingdonshire Branch October 9-10 Kings Lynn Rotary Charity Beer Festival 35 real ales and ciders plus live music. For more information go to:www.kingslynnrotary.org October 16-18 Coach and Horses, Dersingham Beer & Cider festival 20 real ales and ciders plus live music all weekend. Hot snacks and charity raffle. October 26-31 Norwich Beer Festival Norwich & Norfolk Branch. For more infomation see poster on page 30.
CROWN FREE HOUSE THE BANNINGHAM
We are in it!
Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant •5 Real Ales•Great Food• •Sheltered Gardens•
01263 733534
Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY
www.banninghamcrown.co.uk Autumn 2015 | 53
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The Harte Old Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BS Tel: 01603 742755
The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 60 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.
FREE
ACCESS
Privately owned freehouse and restaurant with a wide selection of real ales, lagers and ciders. Freshly cooked locally sourced food.
The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB.
Child friendly, large beer garden, pool table, easy access from A47, ample parking and on 23A bus route from the city centre.
Tel: 01328 710810 www.therealaleshop.co.uk
Visit www.thehartenorwich.co.uk to check out the menu and opening times
al h ourse en s n i C f o i 2 t h i s d e Fr Tra ast r citiz 0 s o p i i n h e o c s R & ay Meal ÂŁ8.5 ay d d i n r u f S y y days evenrgside main menu) ever(12 - 4pm) s e u T oon) (alo (after n
Main Road, Clenchwarton, King’s Lynn PE34 4AQ Autumn 2015 | 55
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56 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | From the archives
From the Archives Another trawl through our files looking at the burning issues of the day
Issue Number 20 - August 1985 Editor Jason Tillyard
RARE BREWS A number of unusual brews of refreshingly varied strength and character have recently been spotted around the area. Over the Whit Bank Holiday week-end the CROWN at Dickleburgh had some splendid McMullens County Bitter from Hertford. Over the same period Norwich's TEN BELLS offered Wem Pale Ale, a light bitter from Shropshire, Hook Norton Best Bitter from Oxfordshire and the distinctive Invicta Best Bitter from Shepherd Neame of Kent. Not to be out done, the WHITE LION, Oak Street, Norwich has been offering such delights as Harveys BB from Lewes, East Sussex, Boddingtons Mild, Theakstons Old Peculiar and the “local Bitter” from Greenall Whitley (Nottingham). Meanwhile THE ROSARY has featured John Brown's Erpingham Bitter, Reepham's real lager and many other exciting guests.
DEMISE OF S & P? Problems with the quality of the new Manchester brewed S&P Best Bitter came to a head recently with the withdrawal of the substandard batch from Norfolk pubs which left many with no Real Ale on sale. These problems were predicted by CAMRA at the time of the shock announcement of the Norwich Brewery closure. Thank goodness we have nothing like that with the excellent S&P Brewery today.
THE AUSTRALIAN FOR WATNEYS Advertising hoardings at a recent England v Australia cricket match made interesting reading with Castlemaine XXXX Aussie No 1 and Fosters Lager produced by Watneys in London. Rumours indicated another lager was going to be brewed in the UK by Wallaby Inc. I wonder if the Aussies had drank Real Ale they might have kept the Ashes. Finally there was mention of a Beer Festival in Norwich – The 8th.
58 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | Last orders
Steve’s Words As I write this, the sunrise has started to get later, to welcome the onset of autumn followed by winter. The Railway Arms has won the CAMRA Regional Cider Pub of the year. The next stage of the competition is entry to the National Competition; hopefully this will be forthcoming as this to the possibility of winning CAMRA National Cider Pub of the Year again. Many of our pubs have had very successful Beer Festivals in the summer with the usual excellent choice and condition of the real ales and ciders. As usual we cannot guarantee the weather, but make the most of it if a little rain appears.
signatures, which was presented to No 10 Downing Street to stop the exemption being outlawed by Brussels. Shortly afterwards a small group took their message to Brussels to lobby our MEP’s which included our own Cider champion Andrea. It will very shortly be the launch of the Good Beer Guide 2016. In West Norfolk, it is always very difficult to choose which of our excellent pubs will be in the Guide. They will be on sale at Branch meetings from October at the bargain price of £9.00 for members. Enjoy the autumn. Cheers Steve Barker W.N. Chairman
The cider campaign collected over 26,000
Warren’s Words I hope NIPS readers have taken advantage of another fine summer that we have enjoyed again this year and will have visited some of our many superb pubs and visited some of the beer festivals in our area and beyond. I recently read the obituary of Reg Drury, a pioneer of real ale. I remember him giving a speech at a CAMRA AGM. Reg, studied brewing at The Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh where he acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in brewing and in 1959 joined Fullers Brewery where he later became their head brewer until he retired in the late 1990s. Although not local to this region his career in the brewing industry had far reaching affects well beyond the London area. He arrived at Fullers at a time during the 1960s when the brewing industry was in a great turmoil with lots of small regional breweries were being taken over by big brewing giants that became known as ‘The Big Six’. Most of these breweries had no time for traditional cask ale and soon converted most of their brewing operations into keg only breweries. Here in Norfolk we know all too well how badly we suffered when Watneys took over most of the brewing and pubs in our area.
The brewers at Fullers, after buying new conical fermenting vessels, were also investigating the possibility of converting all their brewing to keg beer but under the guidance of Reg who experimented with the new vessels by adjusting their shape and brewing temperatures continued brewing in the traditional style and introduced some of Fullers iconic brands, which include Chiswick Bitter, Extra Special Bitter (ESB) and London Pride, the latter of which is widely available in many of the pubs around this region. To those who knew him he was described as showing great patience and charm and would discuss with enthusiasts beer components and their complexities. All real ale enthusiasts owe him a great debt. As the summer season is now ending and autumn nights are drawing in, our thoughts turn to the 38th annual Beer Festival that will be taking part at the end of October. Once again we will be offering a large selection of cask ales, ciders and perrys together with draught and bottled beers from Continental Europe. I would like to thank in advance all our many volunteer helpers who give of their time and without whom there would be no festival. I am looking forward to seeing and meeting as many NIPS readers as possible during Beer Festival week. Warren Wordsworth Norwich and Norfolk Branch Chair Autumn 2015 | 59
Open from Midday Everyday Fresh home cooked food to be found on our bar and specials menus Upcoming Events Beer Festivals May and August Bank Holidays, DragonFest Open Mic nights, Weekly quiz and more Check out our website and Facebook for events through into winter. Christmas bookings now being taken.
6 Church Street, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0PH t: 01953 607907 e: info@greendragonnorfolk.co.uk w: www.greendragonnorfolk.co.uk 60 | Autumn 2015
Norfolk Nips | Dates for your Diary
CAMRA Branch Calendar
Monday – Saturday 26 – 31 October 38th Norwich Beer Festival – St Andrews & Blackfriars Halls Friday 6 November First Friday Five – Champion, Trafford Arms, Kings Arms, Freemasons, Rose – 8.00pm Tuesday 17 November Branch Meeting – venue tba, 8.00pm Friday 27 November Campaign Coach Trip – John Lewis, 7.15pm
Norwich and North Norfolk Branch Tuesday 15 September Branch Meeting – Humpty Dumpty Brewery, 8pm Sunday 20 September Bowls Match v Suffolk Branches – Beccles, 1pm Thursday 24 September Beer Festival Planning Meeting – Take 5, 8pm Friday 25 September Campaign Coach Trip – John Lewis, 7.15pm Friday 2 October Ascot Races and Beer Festival – travel by train, depart Norwich 08.30 return Liverpool Street 20.30. First Friday Five – Woolpack Yard, Playhouse Bar, St Andrews Brewhouse, Wildman, Mash Tun – 8.00pm. Sunday 18 October Beer Festival Planning Meeting – Venue tba, 7.30pm Friday 23 October Beer Festival Staff Get-together venue tba, 8.00pm
Friday 4 December First Friday Five – Earlham Arms, Black Horse, Alexandra Tavern, Belle Vue, Fat Cat – 8.00pm
If anyone has any other suggestions for trips and social events in 2015 or to book seats please contact Michael Phillips on socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk
West Norfolk Branch Tuesday 8th September Victory, Clenchwarton Tuesday 13th October Annual General Meeting at the Chequers, Wimbotsham Tuesday 10th November Angel, Larling Tuesday 8th December Peddars Inn, Sporle (TBC) Saturday 19th December Norwich Christmas crawl. Note: all Tuesday meetings start 8pm and normally include a social
Branch contacts | Norfolk Nips
Contact Details Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Warren Wordsworth Tel: 01603 665557 Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Secretary: Rob Whitmore Email: secretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Social Secretary: Michael Philips Email: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Ian Stamp Email: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk West Norfolk Branch Chairman: Steve Barker email: steve.barker495@btinternet.com Secretary: Ian Bailey Contact: Ian Bailey Tel: 01553 766904 Branch websites: www.norwichcamra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk Branch mailing list web page: groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich Published every 3 months by the Norwich and Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale Š N&N CAMRA 2014 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA.
62 | Autumn 2015
Edited by: Graham Freeman Email: freem_kwak@yahoo.co.uk Chris Lucas Email: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media 01778 382758 Email: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Advertising: For advertising enquiries please contact Jane Michelson on: 07732 393 621 01778 382718 jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Distribution: 12,000 copies / four times a year Norwich and Norfolk District: Adrian Simpson West Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com