No.164 Spring 2013

Specia

l Fest

ival se

ction

* see p

ages 5

3 - 65

Welcome to Norwich.2013 CAMRA Members’

Weekend and AGM

Also inside:THE ANGEL POTY FORWEST NORFOLKBEER FESTIVAL DIARYPUB AND TRADE NEWSAND MUCH MORE!

FREE

Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms - 61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466

www.traffordarms.co.uk traffordarms@btconnect.com

Raising money for for the Magdalene Group Jigsaw Project

Trafford ArmsThank you to all our customers and our fantasticteam of staff for making the 20th valentine beer

festival a great success!

Great Beer, Great Food, Great Atmosphere - situated in a Great City!

The Halls are ready, the beersand ciders have been ordered,Pubs and Breweries are waitingto welcome new friends. Yes,the 2013 CAMRA Members’Weekend and AGM is almostupon us and you can feel theexcitement. At the time ofwriting, over 1,000 CAMRAMembers have pre-registeredand we are on course for arecord attendance for this pres-tigious event, which takesplace from Friday 19th –Sunday 21st April in Norwich.

Many will already have beenhere for the Norwich BeerFestivals, but the Halls will havea different feel about them thistime. The entrance to thevenue is via the doors to TheCloisters, where the Registra-tion desk will be found. StAndrew’s Hall is the mainConference venue and willhave tiered seating facing thestage, as it does for the regularconcerts held there.

The Members’ Bar will be inBlackfriars’ Hall, tantalisingdrinkers with around sixtybeers and eleven ciders andperries. The average strengthwill be about 4.5% in a varietyof styles, so there will be some-thing for everybody; allproduced by local Breweriesand Cider Makers. It will show-case the best that Norfolk andits environs have to offer. Softdrinks and tea and coffee willalso be available, and theCaterers have produced a tasty

menu. Blackfriars’ Hall is alsowhere you will find the CAMRAmerchandising stall, on thestage.

The Branch have organisedsix pub walks, which radiatefrom the Halls in all directions,visiting many of the City’s bestloved real ale pubs. Printedleaflets with pub descriptionsand directions will be at theHalls – you can also find detailson the website. There is also acider crawl which will visit fourpubs, including the East AngliaCider Pub of the Year 2012 –The White Lion. Brewery Tripsare very popular and six havebeen laid on, three each onFriday and Saturday evenings.They are sure to sell out, as willthe Cider Trip which visits twopopular Producers.

CAMRA Members have until22nd March to pre-registerwith CAMRA for the weekendand get the Handbook inadvance. If you are not aMember, then this is theperfect opportunity to sign upand join in the festivities!

For further information:www.agmnorwich2013.org.ukwww.camraagm.org.uk

SPRING 2013 | 3

Norwich & Norfolk BranchChairman: Graham FreemanTel: 01603 687495Email:chairman@norwichcamra.org.ukSecretary: Warren WordsworthTel: 01603 665557Email: w.wordsworth@ntlworld.comSocial Secretary: Michael PhilipsEmail:socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

Pubs Officer: Ian StampEmail:pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk BranchChairman: Steve Barkeremail: steve.barker495@btinternet.com Secretary: Ian BaileyContact: Ian BaileyTel: 01553 766904 Branch websites:www.norwichcamra.org.ukwww.camra.org.uk/wnorfolkTwitter:Norfolk_nipsFacebook:West Norfolk: West-Norfolk-CamraBranch mailing list webpage:groups.yahoo.com/group/CAMRA_Norwich

Published every 3 months by the Norwich,Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of theCampaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA2012 Norfolk Nips is produced and distrib-uted by members of the branch in theirown time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nipsare not necessarily those of the editor or ofCAMRA.

Edited by:Mike BaldwinEmail: norfolknips2@gmail.com

Chris LucasEmail: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk

Design & Production:Daniel Speed - Orchard House MediaEmail: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Distribution:12,000 copies / four times a yearNorwich and Norfolk District: Tony Milesnips.distribution@gmail.comWest Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com

Advertising:For advertising enquiries pleasecontact Jane Michelson or ChrisShilling on: 01778 420888 / 421550jane@shillingmedia.co.uk

Welcome toour Fine City

Chairman’s Bits | NORFOLK NIPS

West NorfolkBy the time you are reading this, spring will be here,hopefully with warmer weather. Very soon weshould be enjoying our Ale alfresco, with allthoughts of the dark winter nights behind us.

It was very encouraging to see the turnout inDecember from all over the country marching onLondon to lobby Parliament. Jeff Hoyle from KingsLynn was amongst those who travelled down andwas fortunate enough to meet up with the local MP,Henry Bellingham MP, who subsequently paidtribute to CAMRA and Jeff in particular for lobbyingMP’s to further the aims of CAMRA.

As you are reading this magazine, the NationalAGM in Norwich in April is looming ever nearer. Thisis an event not to be missed as it is unlikely to beheld as close to us again in the near future. Varioustrips and pub crawls have been arranged to enter-tain the CAMRA members in their free time.

In February, the Norfolk Liaison Meeting was heldat the Stuart House Hotel Kings Lynn, who we thankfor their hospitality. This event was well attendedand a very useful forum for discussion of issuesaffecting the two County Branches and the part ofMid Anglia which falls in Norfolk. To finish, justleaves me to wish you all a Happy Easter and lookforward to many happy hours of drinking Ale.

Cheers,Steve Barker

W.N. Chairman

Got a short pint? If you believe that you have been treated unfairly ina pub, club or bar, you should contact the TradingStandards service by writing to them at NorfolkTrading Standards Service, County Hall, MartineauLane, Norwich, NR1 2UD or faxing them on 01603 222999.

A wide range of consumer information and adviceis also available online from the Consumer Directwebsite at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

12 Farmers Ave, Norwich NR1 3JXTel: 01603 611135

info@number12norwich.co.ukwww.number12norwich.co.uk

NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Totally refurbished, retaining the traditional feel with a contemporary

twist • 3 real ales available Fantastic food • Superb service

“The best ambience in Norwich”

Three Real Ales regularly available

Fresh, home-made foodserved from Tuesday to

Sunday

Locally sourced ingredients

We cater for all dietary requirements including Coeliac,

Vegan and Vegetarian.

Pub Quiz first Wednesday of every month.

All proceeds going to local charities

Victory InnClenchwarton

Main Road, Clenchwarton,Kings Lynn PE34 4AQ

Tel: 01553 775668

Fresh fish

& chips every fri

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(alongside main

menu)

Traditional

Roast every Su

nday

(12 - 4pm)

Sitting here in the Pub enjoying a good beerwith the snow all around outside made me feelhow welcoming and essential our local is to theCommunity.

In a rural County like Norfolk it was heart-warming to hear a local mention that aneighbour had fallen on the ice and another sayhe would go and visit to make sure everythingwas all right. Where could you do this if the localPub has been closed. The Pub is a comfort for allwalks of life and a place to meet your friendsand make new ones. Mardling was something Ihad not heard about before but have sincefound it very enjoyable. Every week 13 Pubsclose for various reasons and we must do all wecan to prevent this happening.

In these austere times I appreciate we only haveso much money to spend but I encourage you tospend as much as you can on beer and ciders inthe Pub. Your custom just might be the help thePub needs to keep the wolves from the door.Now the weather is getting better please visityour local. But what about the Breweries? If thePub closes where are they going to sell theirbeers that they spend so much time and dedica-tion in brewing for us. I sometimes feel that asCAMRA we may not be focusing on the mainissue of keeping the Pub open but gettingdistracted by other aspects like what is Real Ale,Beer Tax and those strange Craft Beers.

As mentioned previously, I did attend the masslobby of Parliament on the 12th December andwas able to discuss matters with my MP. I under-stand over 300 MPs were lobbied (or harassed)by 1200 CAMRA members and we receivednational media coverage. My highlight washaving a pint in the Stranger's Bar. We then hada rally where various MPs spoke to the audienceand we were privileged that the only publicaninvited to speak was our own Dawn Hopkins ofthe Kett's Tavern, Rose and Norwich Bear fame.She did Norfolk proud. Talking of local Brewers

we had a great night at the Beers of theNorwich Festival awards. It was complimentedby the awards for best Beer in a Bottle that hadpreviously been cancelled due to the snow. Itjust showed what a great choice of beers wehave on offer in Norfolk. And finally I would liketo mention the forthcoming Members Weekendand National AGM which will be held inNorwich on the weekend 19th April in StAndrew’s and Blackfriar’s Halls. We already haveover 1000 members pre-registered to attendwhich will be fantastic when they visit our localPubs and Breweries. I know we will all celebratethe event and I look forward to seeing the manyphotos and hearing the stories of this historicoccasion. Preferably when I have a pint in myhand.

Graham FreemanNorwich & Norfolk Chairman

Another One Bites the Dust

SPRING 2013 | 5

NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Bits

4th AnnualGeorge’s Fest

Friday 19th - Sunday 28th AprilOVER 50 ALES, CIDERS

AND PERRIES

MUSIC FROM: Hard Rain, Roop Murphy,The Vagaband, Starbuck, We Ghosts & Lou

and The Diamonds

BBQ and Paella al fresco will be available!

ALSO

9 SILVER RD, NORWICH NR3 4TBTEL: 01603 665535

Welcome to the Spring 2013Edition! In this bumper 72page issue, we celebrate thevibrant real ale scene in Norfolkby highlighting some of theSpring Beer Festivals that aretaking place throughout theCounty. You will find all thedetails in the Special Festivalsection on pages 53 onwards.

In April, Norwich welcomesCAMRA Members from all overthe UK to the 2013 CAMRAMembers’ Weekend and AGM.

Extra copies of this magazinehave been ordered, so thereshould be some available at StAndrew’s and Blackfriars’ Halls.

I must start the year by sayingthank you to Chris (Stig) Lucasfor editing the Winter Edition,while we were recovering fromthe 35th Norwich Beer Festival.It was a brilliant edition with aninnovative front cover thatcertainly got people talking. A tough act to follow, welldone Chris!

I am looking forward to theMembers’ Weekend & AGM. Itwill be the first that I have been

to and should be quite anexperience. I will be there withthe camera and notebook anda full report will appear in theSummer Edition. But we needyour help! Please send in yourphotos, memories and experi-ences and we will publish aselection.

It has been a long timecoming, starting with theHandover meeting at ThePineapple in London, when thebaton was handed to us by theSouth Devon CAMRA Branchlast year. It will finally endwhen we hand over to Scarbor-ough for 2014.

I find that being original whenyou’ve edited a magazine for afew years become increasinglydifficult. You can start with aseasonal reference or grab holdof the tail of a large sportingevent but only so many timesbefore it becomes robotic!

So let’s try something else,the national pastime, with abrief hiccough last year hasbeen gloom and pessimism. Sobad has it become that profes-sional pessimists such as yourstruly just can’t compete! Hereare some reasons to becheerful: The Asteroid missedus! (Please disregard if you livein parts of Russia). Unemploy-ment is going down (Don’t

know how, then neither do thegovernment). The A11 will bedualled before we all collectour pensions (at 85) and mostimportant, real ale is about theonly growing part of the drinksmarket. We have better qualitybeers in more diversity thanever before, new breweriesseem to spring up like mush-rooms from the forest floor!

Some of course have thesame lifespan as a fungus, soget out there and try them.

The National AGM is inNorwich, which gives theCounty as a whole a chance toshine. I hope many of the dele-gates will make it out of

Norwichand visit some of the excep-tional pubs in rural locations.

Jeff Hoyle’s lobbying of his MPhas got him mentioned inHansard, when his MP spoke infavour of the reduction of beerduty in the debate our petitionachieved. So one or tworeasons to take that half fullglass and fill it right up.

Finally a little plug for ourBranch Pub of the Year theAngel at Larling, ideal for astopover en route to the AGM!

NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

Words from Stig

SPRING 2013 | 7

The Ed’lines

8 | SPRING 2013

The Vine in Hopton and TheWhite Horse in Thelnethamhave both just re-opened aftera period of closure.

The Vine – Hopton Landlord Ivor Noble (& Zoe) -ales will be Adnams SouthwoldBitter, Woodforde's Wherry andan ale from a local microbrewery e.g. Old Chimneys,Wolf, Humpty Dumpty etc.(When I visited on 31stDecember this pump had anexcellent Adnams Old Ale on at£2.70)

The White Horse, Thelnetham Landlady Dawn Abel hasworked at the Old BreweryHotel in Reepham and the Buckat Thwaite. Ales will be AdnamsSouthwold Bitter (excellentwhen visited), Woodforde'sWherry and the intention is tohave a third, guest ale fromlocal breweries.

The Railway Tavern, HoltThe plan by owners CapricornEstates Partnership to convertthis pub has been deferred byNorth Norfolk District Council.They wanted to create aground floor shop with twoflats above and two more inthe yard. Planners decided togive tenant Tony Groom timeto submit figures which wouldprove that this “working man’spub” is viable.

The Millhouse, Thorpe StAndrewPoor investment is being

blamed for the demise of thislarge pub. A recent poll for theEvening News showed that79% of respondents wouldwelcome the Co-op taking itover.

The Ram, Brundall.Brundall Parish Council havestarted proceedings to havethis pub listed as a communityasset under the 2011 LocalismAct. This would mean thatTesco’s plans to take over thesite would be delayed. 200villagers attended a recentmeeting to discuss the plan.1,700 had signed a petitionwhich asked for views on Enter-prise Inns plans to lease thebuilding to Tesco, with 90%coming out against the super-market.

The Brickmakers, Horsfordchanged hands in Novemberlast year, with the previouslicensee moving to the Dog inthe same village.

The Marquee, Norwich re-opened in November servingGreene King beers. We visitedthe pub on the January FirstFriday Five and found a warmwelcome and an excellent pintof Old Golden Hen. The land-lord wants to extend the rangeof real ales, as well as addingbottled ales and possibly new-style polypins.

The Wild Man, Norwichre-opened in December 2012following a major refurb. Onthe January FFF we found a

much smarter pub than before,with wood-panelling and morecomfortable seating and threeor four real ales, althoughmuch of the old ‘character’(‘characters’!?) has gone unfor-tunately.

The Earlham Arms,Norwich, has re-opened aftera very nice refurb, under theownership of Chris Coughbor-ough, the ‘Flying Kiwi’. Up toeight ales are available,including (of course) Jo C’sNorfolk Kiwi and Bitter OldBustard at very attractiveprices, plus others from mostlylocal breweries, some ongravity in the cellar - a neattouch is that you can watchyour beer being poured via acamera in the cellar linked upto a big screen behind the bar!At our visit on the February FFFthe food being served (withdifficulty, there were about 40of us) looked excellent, and thebar snacks / tapas were all veryreasonably priced. No realcider at the time of going topress, but watch this space...!

The Mill, SaxlinghamThorpe had re-opened underan experienced landlord whowas very welcoming when wevisited as part of the NovemberCampaign Trip.

The Bridge Tavern,Norwich (in the Riversidecomplex, previously OldOrleans) is offering Moongazerbeers (from Norfolk Brew-house) ast 10% off TO CAMRA

| NORFOLK NIPS

Pub News

members. For details of offersfrom other pubs for CAMRAmembers, please see ourDiscounts List on p68.

The Cherry Tree, Derehamhas re-opened after a longperiod of closure, and hasGreene King ales on the bar. Alittle birdie tells us that theRailway, Framlingham Earlwill be re-opening ‘soon’ (as ofFebruary), initially servingGreene King beers, but not tiedso may increase the range asand when trade allows.

On to the bad news: Castle-gates, Norwich has been soldand converted to a steakrestaurant, the Griffin, ThorpeSt Andrew and the Bear, Attle-borough have closed, as hasthe Green Man, Rackheath, inNovember.

We also understand that theNew Inn at Rockland StMary has closed - this is aPunch pub, and even theexcellent landlords there appar-ently couldn’t make it work.And on the brewing front,Wilbur Wood, previouslybrewer at Oakham and FyneAles, is the new Head Brewer atthe old Blackfriars Brewery,possibly soon to becomeLacons, although the WilburWood name has been seenrecently on pumpclips. Trialbeers have also been releasedunder the Courtyard Breweryname.

Norwich Bear Brewery’splant had been installed at TheRose, Norwich.

If you have any information

about pubs in Norfolk, pleaselet me know at pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk. We haveover 1000 pubs in the county,and as hard as we try, we can’tpossibly keep tabs on all ofthem. So if a pub opens, re-opens, closes, starts or stopsselling real ale, check our data-base, at norwichcamra.org.uk/pubdb and if it’s out of date,please let us know!

De Dolle BrouwersPresentation

In December, Annie & I madethe arduous trip to Belgium tovisit friends, sample some beerand do some Christmas shop-ping. While we were overthere, we made the trip to DeDolle Brouwers at Esen in WestFlanders, to pick up some StilleNacht (12% blonde Christmasbeer) and to present them withthe certificate for Foreign Beerof the 2012 Norwich BeerFestival for Arabier. We alsohad the chance to sample aversion of the 2010 Stille Nachtthat had been maturing in oakfor 25 months - superb.

His 95 year old mother leadsthe brewery tours every Sundayand says that her health andlong life are due to drinking abottle of Arabier a day. Youcan't argue with that!

Keith Loney Foreign & Bottled Beers Manager

News from the West

It has been a tough time forsome of our pubs recently.Bradleys wine bar on theSouth Quay in Kings Lynn hasclosed and I believe that it is upfor sale. A couple of informantstold me about the suddenclosure of the Duck Inn(formerly the Crown) inStanhoe, although we believethat it is likely to reopen.

Greene King seems to have apolicy of selling off pubs in thearea. In Kings Lynn theLondon Porterhouse hasbeen up for sale. The tap roomtittle tattle suggests that thereis a buyer interested with plansto reinstate the racks behindthe bar and once again servebeer by gravity. If this is true itcould once again become areal gem of a pub. Also on themarket is the famous Wenn'sHotel on Saturday Market inLynn. About 18 months agothe area manager for GreeneKing came along to one of ourmeetings and told us of theexciting plans the companyhad for the pub, but these havenot come to pass. Yet anotherGreene King pub on themarket is the Chequers atWimbotsham which, as I write,appears to be under offer.Another former Greene Kingpub is to be found at the SouthGates in Lynn. Once upon atime this was the Prince ofWales, but it has been througha number of different names

Continued Overleaf

SPRING 2013 | 9

NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News

10 | SPRING 2013

Angel Gardens Free House

This independently run freehouse has beenunder the ownership of Ian Warren since

1988 and is situated on the north of the citynear to Waterloo Park.

Homecooked and speciality meals Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef

with years of experience.

Up to SEVEN reasonably priced RealAles including THREE guest ales

Monthly Quiz & Darts Live Music on Saturdays

Beer Garden

2 Bars (with one for Private Hire)Ample Car Parking

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

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

www.norwichinns.comWe are part of the "Norwich City of Ale" ale trail

and Woodfordes Summer Ale Trail

THE GREYHOUNDAn old Fashioned, traditional country pub.

Serving a selection of Real Ales and Fine food.Children’s play area and large car park.

A warm welcome from Rob and Fawnda to...

• TIBENHAM NR16 1PZ •

OPENING TIMESMon: 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.

Carvery lunch Sunday afternoon 1pm - 3pm.Booking advisable 01379 677676.

Dog Friendly

Tel: 01379 677676smithrjsmith@btinternetcom

Camping space &Electric hook ups

for Caravans available

For up and coming events see or website

the-greyhound tibenham.co.uk

| NORFOLK NIPS

and uses before opening as theCiao international sports barlast autumn. This has proved tobe a fleeting incarnation and itis again closed.

It is not all bad news. TheHouse on the Green atNorth Wootton reopenedaround the end of January andis serving good beer from thelikes of Adnams and Wood-fordes, whilst the Winch atWest Winch seems to have putthe uncertainty behind it andto be open regularly. In Lynnboth the Glendevon Hoteland Antonio’s Wine Barhave been sold and are under-going refurbishment. TheGlendevon is to remain as ahotel but to incorporate anIndian restaurant, whilstAntonio’s future is at themoment is unclear. For aclearer insight into what isavailable on the pub scenecheck out the propertywebsites such as rightbiz orFleurets. Many of the pubs forsale do not have names ordetailed locations, but youmight be surprised by howmany you recognise.

Good news also on thebrewing front. John, from WestNorfolk’s newest brewery, TwoRivers at Denver, came alongto one of our meetings withsome samples of his beer whichwere met with universalapproval. At the moment he isonly producing bottled beerand it can be found at placessuch as Dent’s Farm Shop onthe A10, the Chalk and Cheesein Shouldham and Worzalsnear Wisbech. There are plansto produce cask ale in the

future and a few possibleoutlets have been investigatedso keep your eyes peeled. Overin Wisbech there is a newbrewery called the Mile Treebrewery which has beenbrewing since October. Ihaven’t heard of any beerscoming eastwards so far, butonce again, be alert.

CAMRA has put a lot of effortinto persuading the Chancellorof the Exchequer to scrap thebeer duty escalator and thisculminated in a mass lobby ofparliament, where membersfrom all over the country wereencouraged to go down toparliament and arrange tomeet with their M.P. andpersuade him or her to workfor the removal of the escalator.I made the trip and was wellreceived by Henry Bellingham,M.P. for West Norfolk, whotook a lot of interest in thepoints I raised. I am pleased tosay that he attended a debateon the issue of the unfair waythat tenants of some large pubowning companies are treated.Not only did he speak in thedebate to praise the work ofCAMRA, and to help topersuade Vince Cable to intro-duce legislation on the issue,but he also commented on thetax issue and asked to treasuryto consider scrapping the esca-lator as it makes no money andis a big factor in making somepubs unviable.

On planning issues, onceagain an application has beenmade to change the use of theAlbert Victor in Castle Acreto residential use. This wasrefused at a planning meeting Iattended last year. I filed an

objection to the new plan. Formy troubles, I have received aletter from Hutchinson’s plan-ning and developmentconsultants based in Kimboltonin Cambridgeshire, which is atouch tetchy in tone. Itsuggests for example, that myassertions are ‘clearly madewith no knowledge of thecommunity and what it cansustain’, that my comments‘appear to be made as ageneral ‘knee jerk’ reaction toany proposed public houseconversion wherever it may be’and that ‘the emotive objec-tions put forward…detractfrom the credibility of theorganisation I purport to repre-sent.’ Gosh. I remember whenmy photo adorned the wall ofthe nearby Ostrich presenting acertificate for being one of thefew pubs to appear in everyissue of the Good Beer Guide.Now it seems that if I set footin the village they might haveto put the stocks back onStock’s Green.

The consultants anticipatesupport from the ParishCouncil for the latest applica-tion, so it seems that yetanother pub will bite the dust.

SPRING 2013 | 11

NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News continued

Subscriptions To receive the next 4 issues ofNorfolk Nips and Cask Forceby post please send either 10first class stamps or a chequefor £6.50 payable to ‘WestNorfolk CAMRA’ toNorfolk Nips and Cask Force91 Tennyson Road, Kings LynnNorfolk PE30 5NG

12 | SPRING 2013

Beer Legends | NORFOLK NIPS

For the second article in this series, where weinterview people who have made the Norwichand Norfolk Beer scene what is today, I mademy way to The Adam and Eve, to interview RitaMcCluskey.

Rita is well known as the Landlady of this iconicNorwich Pub. She is also a supporter of City ofAle and won several prizes in the first year. Thepub is always a riot of colour in the summermonths with its impressive floral displays and Iwas not surprised to hear that she is now aTrustee of Norwich in Bloom.

But what of the early days? How did it all start?Rita tells me that she has been in the trade fortwenty three years. She worked in Catering atthe West Norwich Hospital, “feeding theDoctors seemed a good idea”, she said, “youhave to look after the men in white coats.”Afterthat she worked at the Newsman’s Social Clubfor Eastern Counties Newspapers and then inmany pubs and hotels, before taking on theAdam and Eve.

It was the total uniqueness that attracted herto the pub, it’s a true one-off, she added, andyou have to agree. The pub had already beenmodernised when she took over, the bars hadbeen installed, but the catering side needed anupgrade. She installed the chillers and fridgesand created the menu. Sipping my half of OldPeculier, I asked her what makes a decent realale pub? Without hesitation, she listed perfectlykept beer, with a good choice of ales on offer,good glassware, branded if possible for thatextra attention to detail. “You also need knowl-edgeable staff, and give a friendly warmwelcome,” she smiled.

Running a pub is hard work and her advice toanyone contemplating doing so was to do theresearch, learn the trade and make sure that youwant to make the commitment. “Have a planand stick to it” she said firmly, “don’t over-stretch.”

“Everyone sells alcohol, but I don’t sell milkand eggs” is what she said in an interview withthe Norwich Evening News when she was askedabout the challenges facing pubs today. Compe-tition from Supermarkets, the uncertain jobsecurity felt by customers, VAT and beer pricesall have an effect on trade.

Rita was full of praise for the Norwich andNorfolk Branch of CAMRA. In addition, the BeerFestival in October always brought in regularvisitors and she was looking forward towelcoming visitors for the CAMRA Members’Weekend and AGM in April.

Rita, who claims that she has no plans to moveon, and never leaves the pub, is clearly enthusi-astic and passionate about the pub and thetrade. “All surviving pubs need support,” shesaid firmly,” to preserve the unique nature ofBritish Pubs!”

I couldn’t agree more.

Rita McCluskey

Subscriptions and Branch informationWe have a growing number of postal subscribers toNorfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would like tosend my thanks for the kind comments and bestwishes from those who have renewed theirsubscriptions recently. If you would like to jointhem in receiving the next 4 issues by post, send12 first class stamps to Norfolk Nips and CaskForce, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk,PE30 5NG. I also send out occasional emails to members withdetails of forthcoming meetings and Branch events.All are welcome at these meetings so if you wish toadd your name to my mailing list, send your emailaddress to jeffhoyle@btinternet.co.uk.

Fellow real ale enthusiasts, Itried the first cask of real ale onthe first day it was introducedto Oahu (13 Nov 2012). Thereis a new bar in Honolulu thatspecializes in good, peculiar,hard to find, etc. beers. Theytypically have 20 brews on tapwith a huge selection ofbottled beers as well. Theyserve a very eclectic selection offood too. For example, we hadFrench fries fried in duck fat,buffalo chicken, deviled eggsand maple syrup cured Amer-ican bacon. All three werepretty good but different.They are really catering for adifferent experience. Here istheir website, www.realgas-tropub.com/ they have aFacebook page too.

Back to the beer, the beermostly rotates around so it is agreat place to stop in becauseyou can always find somethingnew to sample. Their selectionof beers can be almost as inter-esting as their food selection.

For example, they recentlyhad the Belgian brew DeliriumTremens on draft or draughtfor you Brits.

Another interesting thing theydo is have weeks where the fullrange of a brewery on at onetime. When we went down to

try the first local real ale it wasSierra Nevada week. It madefor a fun time. They also had arep from the brewery there toanswer questions, have a quizand give out some prizes!

Now for the real ale, I talkedwith the head man who is incharge of beer ordering, etc.He knew right away whatCAMRA was and I didn't haveto explain that part.

When I asked about a caskbreather he understood thattoo. When I asked about theproper temps he was clear onthat as well. So they are off to agood start. They had two caskson and I had a pint of each.They were both very good,clear, the correct temperatureand tasty! It is hard to explain,but I really miss the British realales. The cold, fizzy stuff wehave over here is good but itcould be so much better.However, American real ale isslowly catching on so there ishope. My concern with the realale they are serving here is thatthey just put on a cask andserve it until it is gone.

They don't have a cellar orrefrigerator to keep thetemperature consistent. Ipressed him about this and hewas planning to get a smaller

reefer installed under the bar tohold his casks. However, thiswould still require him to movethe casks from the main coolerto the small one under the bar.His plan might be to move itearly in the week, let it settle,and then tap it on a Friday forthe weekend crowd.

I told him about the coolingjackets as an option. Obvi-ously, it isn't an ideal setup buthe is trying and is determinedto provide real ale, at least onthe weekends.

I'll just have to go down andsupport him in his endeavor!My only complaint is the driveis about 25 minutes from thehouse and the traffic can bebad. Sandi has been a sweet-heart and will drive me home ifI drive there and back in to theparking stall.

I have one final complaint(That’s two Craig! Stig), theprice of real ale was $8 orabout £4.80. It could be lessexpensive!

I wish they took Wether-spoon's coupons.

Cheers from

Craig in Hawaii

Beer in HawaiiNORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk Editorial

SPRING 2013 | 15

16 | SPRING 2013

A 17th century formerCoaching Inn on the formerA11, this bypassed pub hasbeen in the ownership of theStammers family for most ofthe period since 1913. It retainsa number of fittings from aninter-war refurbishment thattook place in two of its fourrooms. In the public bar on theleft the 1930s bar back hassome modern additions, thebar counter was replaced in1983 and the 1930s brick fire-place has increased in size. Thelounge on the right retains its1930s wood panelled walls, barback fitting, slatted barcounter, distinctive 1930sdoorways and some fixedseating. The inner lobby still

retains the off sales hatch. Thesmall rear Dining Room andBreakfast Room have beenbrought into use and have noold fittings. The Angel wasNorfolk Pub of the Year in2010, holds one of the largestpub beer festivals in Norfolk inearly August, and sells over 100malt whiskies.

Angel, off A11, Larling NR162QU. It opens from 10 toMidnight Mon to Sat; 10 to 11

Sun. Meals are served from 12to 9.30pm (Fri, Sat 10pm).Phone number is 01953717963. Website: www.angel-larling.co.uk. Has a tent andcaravan site. Real ales on saleare Adnams Best Bitter and fourchanging guest beers mostlyfrom microbreweries.

Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 16 | NORFOLK NIPS

This series of articles highlight the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 years orso. Here we feature a former CAMRA Norfolk Pub of the Year and the hotel bar that was a rare outletfor real ale in Norwich when CAMRA was formed in 1971.

Above: Angel, Larling lounge BarLeft: Angel, Larling exterior

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Angel, Larling

© Michael Croxford 2013

SPRING 2013 | 17

NORFOLK NIPS |

Maids Head Hotel, NorwichDating back to at least the

16th century, the red brickexterior dates from the early20th century. There are manyold fittings to admire both inand around the public bar,which is situated at the rear ofthe hotel. There are two rooms– the bar itself and a snugwhich is often laid out fordiners.

The snug is one of the oldestremaining parts of the hoteland was used as a reception inthe past – look for the lettersslot in the wall and note howthe original hotel door fromWensum Street led into thisarea with a flagstone floor. Thetiny snug has panelled wallswhich could be 300 or moreyears old, an old fireplace withDelft tiles, 3 bell pushes, andold fitted cabinets in the wall. Apart glazed partition wall sepa-rates the snug from the barand has two sliding windowsnow permanently open. Themain bar has old woodpanelled walls and the goodcarved wood surround andbrick fireplace which also looksold, but the bar counterappears to be post war and thefine mirrored bar back fitting isa modern addition. Elsewherein the hotel the Oak Room hasfielded panelled walls from the1930s, bell pushes around theroom and 1930s brick fire-place. Look for the decorativeplasterwork cornice throughoutthe hotel and there is a Tudorshaped stone fireplace in thelounge.

Maids Head Hotel, 20 Tomb-land, Norwich NR3 1LB. TheMaids Head Bar is open to non-residents from 10.30am to11.30pm. Meals are served allday. Phone number is 01603209955. Website www.maid-sheadhotel.co.uk The real alesare on sale are currentlyAdnams Best Bitter and Wood-fordes Wherry.

The bar at The Maids Head Hotel

If you require photographs ofyour pub interior / exterioryou can contact Mick on01733 390598 or emailm.slaughter45@ntlworld.comto discuss your requirements.

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The snug at The Maids Head Hotel

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“Take Cou

18 | SPRING 2013

When I were but a lad growing up in the wildsof Northern Hampshire, my beer of choice wasCourage Best Bitter. It was sold in the Couragepubs where I lived and also in Reading near TheBerkshire College of Art, which I attended. It waseverything I wanted in a beer and I lamented itsdemise and replacement with Courage Tavern,in pasteurised keg form. Never mind, there wasalways Inde Coope Double Diamond, YoungersTartan Bitter and of course, Watneys Special. Hohum…

The last time I had a pint of Courage Best wasa couple of years ago in The Dog Inn in Hors-ford. Ah, I hear you ask, but did it taste just asgood? Frankly, after 50 years I hadn’t a clue, butit was in fine knick and certainly drinkable. Ofcourse, I could buy a bottle or two from my localsupermarket and drink at my leisure anytime.But something is not right. The Courage Bestthat I drank all those years ago was brewed inReading, I know, I visited the Brewery and drankit in the Brewery Tap. Now, the brand is ownedby Wells and Youngs and no longer brewed inthat Brewery in Reading.

The point is that the pump clip looks the same,the label on the bottle looks the same, exceptfor the name and address on the back of theneck label.

But it is clever marketing, if it’s aimed at thelikes of me. When I see the distinctive cockereland the brand name it brings back memories oftimes long gone. It is however, misleading, it’sCourage Best Bitter in name only – and it is notthe only beer affected in this way.

It is now common practice by many Brewers touse Brand names of beers formerly brewed else-where, usually in Breweries that they haveclosed. You could argue that this is a goodthing – maintaining famous brands which other-wise would have been lost, but are these beersas close as possible to the originals or pale imita-tions, and does it matter?

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”

A short course at Easton Otley College Norwich

An Introduction to Micro BrewingThis 10 week course will provide a comprehensive overview

of the brewing process and examine the practicalities of establishing a micro brewery. By the end of the course

participants will cover the following:-

• An examination of the theory relevant to the brewing process

• Beer styles, recipe formulation and ingredients

• Process of sitting up a microbrewery, consideration of plant,equipment premises and legal requirements

• Demonstration of quality control procedures

•Visit to a Norfolk Micro Brewery, discussion with staff.

One evening a week (Wednesday) for ten weeks plus one Saturday session visiting a Micro Brewery.

Start Date: May 15th 2013 Cost £300.00 For further details contact: Tel: 01603 616209

introtobrewing1@virginmedia.com

SPRING 2013 | 19

NORFOLK NIPS | The Rant

The Norwich and Norfolk Branch Committeecertainly thinks so, and the following motion hasbeen put forward for discussion at the 2013CAMRA Members’ Weekend and AGM:

“This Conference notes that some breweries areusing brand names of closed or non-existent brew-eries on their pump-clips, while not naming theactual brewery, and that this misleading practice is

also used by CAMRA in the GoodBeer Guide, NBSS and other publi-cations and databases.This Conference instructs the NEto develop and publish a stan-dard for naming of beers inCAMRA publications and data-bases which includes thecommonly-known name ofthe brewery, and to set up aprocess by which disputesregarding beer names canbe resolved.”

It should be an interesting debate, and CAMRAcan take a lead in resolving this issue. You neverknow, I might chuck in my two penn’orth – Ididn’t get where I am today without recognisinga drum that wants beating when I see it!

It’s a common complaint that beers brewedaway from their place of origin do not taste thesame, and the usual given reason is the water.But face facts, unless you brew with water fromyour own borehole, the quality of the water youuse and where it comes from, is determined byyour supplier.

Brewers have to constantly monitor and“doctor” the water to maintain consistentquality, and if you are doing that – why not treatit so that you can replicate water available else-where – soft water that is wanted to produce abeer that is now brewed in a hard water areaand hard water that is wanted to produce a beerthat is now brewed in a soft water area!

Does that make sense? (I think so, keep going,Ed).

So this practice will continue to happen,always has, always will. And the answer? In myview, it’s all down to the marketing again. Takethat Courage Best pumpclip and bottle label forexample. I want to see the cockerel and thename Best Bitter, so I know what it is.

But, if Wells and Youngs added the slogan –“Proudly brewed by Wells and Young to theoriginal Courage recipe”, that, in my view,would do. It would tell me that Wells andYoungs have done their best, they haverespected the beer’s heritage – and that they areproud to do so. Sounds simple, just going toneed a bigger pump clip!

rage” for example...

One of the delights of Kings Lynn that I haverediscovered recently is the Majestic Cinema.Not only is it centrally located, but it is also greatvalue, and so it was that I recently went along tosee Quentin Tarantino’s new film, ‘D’JangoUnchained’. Even when lost in a world ofescapism, a small portion of my brain is stillrooted in the real world, so imagine my surprisewhen I noticed that in a scene set in a saloon inpre-civil war Texas our heroes were helpingthemselves to beer from hand pumps on thebar. I have no idea if this is an authentic recon-struction – I suppose it is possible that handpumps proliferated throughout the ConfederateStates and, like much of America’s brewingheritage, became victim to the rigours of prohi-bition.

It is far from the first scene to feature on eitherthe big screen or TV. Some of the more famouspubs are sets constructed especially for theshow, the Rovers Return in Coronation Streetand the Queen Vic in East Enders being notableexamples. Many, however, use real locations,but care must be taken in sorting fact fromfiction. As a child, the bar wife lived in the housein Swaffham which was used in the TV seriesKingdom. Unlike Stephen Fry, she could not seethe sea when she looked out of the window. Inthe same way, a pub may be shown in a filmfrom the outside, but the interior may be astudio set. An example is the City Barge inChiswick, the exterior of which features in theBeatles film ‘Help’, whilst the interior was amock up filmed at Twickenham Studios. Onethat was a real pub was the White Horse inNottingham, scene of the drinking contest inthe British New Wave film, Saturday Night,Sunday Morning. The building, out in Radford,is one of the few locations used in the film thatstill exist, but sadly it became an Indian Restau-rant in 2011.

There are a large number of websites dedi-cated to film and TV locations, so I can reveal

that The Angel Inn near Oldham was used in‘Life On Mars’, the Wellington Inn in WestGorton in Manchester, which featured as theJockey in ‘Shameless’ closed in 2010 and theVick and Comet in Newcastle from the film ‘GetCarter’ is now an Irish theme bar called O’Neills.

Film location tourism pulls in the crowds formany years after the original production. Parts ofNorth Yorkshire are still ‘Herriot Country’, whilstapparently Holmfirth is known as ‘Little Holly-wood’ on account of it being the location for‘Last of the Summer Wine’. It is surprising thatLynn is not billed as the home of ‘Revolution’.

I am told that many fans like to act out theirfavourite scenes. A visit to the café used in thefilm ‘When Harry Met Sally’ could be an inter-esting experience if a coachload of fans werevisiting at the time. For pubs, you might justabout get away with a re-creation of AlbertFinney’s drinking contest if you could find a pubselling enough pints of mild, but there is not alot I would like to imitate from D’Jango. Indeed,I don’t ever recall a scene set in a saloon in theold west that turned out well. I am surprisedthat they don’t have bouncers on the door, or atleast display stickers advertising their member-ship of the Saloon Watch scheme. Murder onesurly varmint in cold blood and find yourselfbanned from all the saloons in Texas. Thatwould teach you.

bar.man@btinternet.comRead the bar man every Friday in the Lynn Newsor check out the website to see archived copies

| NORFOLK NIPS

20 | SPRING 2013

Bars on Film

“Murder one surly varmint incold blood and find yourselfbanned from all the saloons inTexas. That would teach you.”

I am pleased to reveal that West Norfolk CAMRApub of the year is ………. (The Oscars are on thetelly!) The Angel at Larling!

The Angel has been in and out (and in again)of the ownership of the Stammers family sincethe current landlord’s grandfather bought italmost exactly a hundred years ago.

The current landlord Andrew has run the pubfor most of his working life, he has transformedit into a true real ale Nirvana, seizing it from the

jaws of Norwich brewery who had come to ownthe pub in the intervening years. A true lover ofall things real ale, if ever there was a man in theperfect place Andrew is him. This is reflected inthe quality and choice of beers at the Angel.

The Angel hosts an annual beer festival, everyAugust, which is by far the largest in WestNorfolk. The Angel retains a real feel of the ruralfarming community of which it is the heart.

Since being bypassed by the busy A11, it hasgone from strength to strength, and is mucheasier to pull into!

The home made food is rightly famous andmakes it harder to drive out again as you’llstruggle to fit behind the wheel…

When asked for his reaction to the news thathe had won our branch award he “Was aspleased as punch”, and seemed keen to knowwhich Norwich branch pub he was up againstfor Norfolk pub of the year! As I write this hasnot been revealed but good luck to both.

West Norfolk Pub of the Year©

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26 St Leonards RoadNorwich NR1 4BL01603 618734

A real gem,well worth a visit.

Eight real ales to choose from, two ofwhich change regularly.

Two pooltables upstairs.

Hot pies,pasties and sausage rolls available all day.

Lovely enclosed beer garden withlarge sheltered smoking area.

Only a ten minute walk from thetrain station and city centre.

Open all day from 12 noon everyday.

Sky Sports and ESPN

JOIN TIM IN CELEBRATING 20 YEARS AT THE JUBILEE!

22 | SPRING 2013

SPRING 2013 | 23

Back for its third year, this has become one ofNorfolk’s most popular and friendly beer festi-vals – as well as perhaps the most femalefriendly.

The Dragon Hall Beer Festival concentrates oncelebrating the quality and diversity of Norfolk’sfinest ales from independent brewers in themagnificent surroundings of one of Norwich’sbest-loved historic buildings. The festival issupported by The Fat Cat, CAMRA and TipplesBrewery and features an impressive range ofNorfolk ales and cask conditioned ciders. Thereis a discount on admission for CAMRAmembers. All profits will help towards theupkeep of Dragon Hall which is run by an inde-pendent charity.

The Dragon Hall Norfolk Beer FestivalFriday 3 – Sunday 5 MayTimes: Friday 6 – 11pm, Saturday 12 – 3.30pmand 6 – 11pm, Sunday 12-3.30pmAdmisson: Lunchtimes £5 (CAMRA members£4), Evenings £6 (CAMRA £5), includes £2 beervouchers and souvenir glass.

Dragon Hall, 115-123 King St, Norwich NR1 1QE Tel: 01603 663 922

NORFOLK NIPS | Dragon Hall Beer Fest

Third Dragon HallBeer Festival

Dawn Hopkins, Landladyof The Kett’s Tavern andThe Rose reports on hertwo visits to London:

On Tuesday 5th February, Iattended a Labour Party RoundTable Conference.- I was one ofaround 20 publicans, plusrepresentatives from SIBA(Julian Grocock & Nigel Sadler),CAMRA (Mike Benner &Jonathon Mail), The PublicansMorning Advertiser (MichellePerrett), BII (Phil Dixon), ALMRand others, who met with TobyPerkins (Labour MP for Chester-field) in The Thatcher Room atPortcullis House in Westminsterto discuss pubco regulation. Thedebate was split into 3 groupsand we were asked to choosetwo to join for 30 minutes each- the debates were 'Alternativesto the Free Of Tie option', 'RentReviews' and 'How adjudicationshould work'. I joined in thediscussion on the FOT optionand adjudication.

Not surprisingly, most tiedlessees wanted to be given thechoice of a Free of Tie option,to enable them to buy the beerthey want at the market price,rather than be limited in choiceand paying twice the price offreeholders. Therefore

discussing alternatives provedquite difficult as many lesseessee this as the way forward(and better for the consumerand small breweries too!). The discussion centred aroundwhether lessees could opt forpart tied (i.e. just on soft drinks& wine if they wanted tospecialise in ale) and how thatwould be workable within thepubco model.

As for adjudication it wouldseem that many lessees feelthat they are ‘fobbed off’ bythe pubco grievance proce-dures and that they take toolong, so a time limit was calledfor. Most also seemed infavour of a panel of adjudica-tors that are not in the tradei.e. not working for pubcos orother companies with vestedinterests in the outcome. WithRent Reviews many wereconcerned that they did notget a fair outcome as thevaluers were ‘recommended’by the pubcos, so looked atways to change this.

There is a real feeling of hopeamongst lessees that some-thing may actually change tohelp them run their pubs theway they would like to withoutbeing penalised for doing welland with a choice of what theywant to sell. I was very pleasedto see that these discussionswere conducted with people atthe sharp end of the industry,

and not just their so calledrepresentatives.

As for the BDE lobby inDecember, I was astonishedand very pleased at the turnoutand honoured to be invited tospeak at the rally, alongside thelikes of MPs Greg Mulholland,Andrew Griffiths, Hazel Blearsas well as Colin Valentine fromCAMRA and Duncan Sambrookof Sambrook Ales.

In my speech, I tried toconvey that it was now a myththat only bad pubs wereclosing and only bad publicanswere losing their livelihoods -we have lost many great pubsand publicans (point in case forNorwich - The Rosary & Ian &Nina) and without a seriouschange this will continue - it's ahard life and it's gettingharder! I also pointed out thatwith every price rise we face -be it beer duty, rates, utilities -that we as publicans have topass this on to the consumer,as the alternative is to not beable to invest in our pubs,move forward, employ staff orin some cases even keep themopen. And all of that comesbefore having anything forourselves of course!

(I must have done alrightbecause Greg Mulholland shookmy hand and said it was a greatspeech afterwards, and he is apub hero!)

CAMRA Lobby Day report | NORFOLK NIPS

24 | SPRING 2013

Norfolk Landladymakes a stand!

SPRING 2013 | 25

The Red Lion is a traditional Norfolk Real Ale and Wine Freehouse Pub situatedin the picturesque village of Coltishall on the Norfolk Broads. The pub dates

back to the 17th Century and has recently undergone a major refurbishment. The interior now offers contemporary style décor with many

original, period features that have been retained.

Several locally brewed real ales avaliable Selection of fine wines from Adnams

Unique combination of seating areas to accommodate drinkers who like to stayat the bar, friends wishing to share a bottle of wine by the fire and a top barwhere things can get lively whilst live sport is shown on the television!

Large Beer Garden • Ample Car Parking The Red Lion is managed by Kevin and Sue Gardner who also run the King’s

Head gastro pub down the road in the same village.

A traditional Free House owned by local people from the village offering you awarm welcome and enjoyable stay.

77 Church StreetColtishall, Norwich

NR12 7DWTel: 01603 736644

www.redlion-coltishall.co.uk

Opening TimesMonday - Closed

Tuesday to Thursday: 4pm - 11pmFriday to Saturday: 12noon - 11pm

Sunday: 12noon - 6pm

NORFOLK NIPS |

Try our Award Winning Norfolk Ales

Available All Year RoundAvailable in bottles and 36 pint polyp

on-line atwww.wolfbrewery.comorfrom our brewery shop

The Wolf Brewery willsoon be moving to:Decoy Farm, Norwich Road, Besthorpe, Norfolk, NR17 2LATelephone: 01953 457775

E-mail: info@wolfbrewery.com

The Coasthopper Bus, a good place to be on acold Saturday morning such as the one beforeNorwich beer festival. It was certainly popular. At Hunstanton Cliffs the driver had to check thenumber of passengers already standing beforeletting anyone else board. At Wells the weatherwas no better. It was running down the NorthSea, across the harbour and driving up thenarrow streets of the town. No matter, acrossthe car park, Whin Hill’s Ciderworks beckonedwith something special on offer.

We wondered whether change was afoot. JimFerguson and Pete Lynn, Whin Hill’s foundershad recently sold the cider company to Markand Lisa Jarvis. The cider had always beenpressed at their orchard near Stanhoe, howeveran ancient press had been a feature of theirStearman’s Yard premises for as long as I’d beengoing there. All I’d ever seen it used as was as aconvenient ledge to put a cider glass down on awarm summer’s day when outside seems thebest place to drink. This time was different, thepress had been restored to working order(apparently with surprisingly less work than mayhave been anticipated) and was promised to beback in action for the first time in more yearsthan anybody could remember.

On arrival, having partaken of a particularlywelcome glass of freshly mulled cider, it becameclear what was afoot. Apples from the orchardwere being put through a scratter of similarlyancient vintage. A scratter is the equipment usedto break the fruit up into a coarse pulp. This isdone between toothed and flat rollers, hencethe term cider mill. The scratter was fitted with abelt wheel on the side to drive it; indeed areproduction Victorian poster on the wall adver-tising a similar machine was promoting it asbeing suitable for steam or horse power (andcould be conveniently operated by two boys).On this occasion, it was being hand cranked. Itwas hard work. This being an old and well used

machine its bearings were not at their best. Twovarieties of apple were being pressed. TheBrown’s Apples were large, soft and wentthrough easily. The others, Michelins, were adifferent story, they were small and hard, beingdescribed as bullets; if too many were putthrough, the scratter stopped dead in yourhands. Not much fun. Predictably, everybodythrough the gates was “offered” a chance to givea turn of the handle. Most didn’t keep it up long.

From there the pulp was taken to the presswhere another surprise awaited. Instead of usingconventional nylon ‘horsehairs’ (the porouscloths used to hold the pomace as the juicedrains away), the more traditional straw wasbeing used. This is a very traditional processwhereby each layer of straw used to build thecheese (successive layers of pulp and filtrationmedium) is put together by hand, a laboriousprocess. A recent visit to one of the last strawpressers remaining in the West Countrysuggested that the last straw, so to speak, wasthe introduction of the combine harvesterwhich, apparently, leaves straw too short to beuseful for pressing. Back at Wells, the apple juicegushing from the press was, having had a fewsurreptitious tasters, agreeably tasty. Jim reck-oned that considerably less juice was being

Whin Hill Cider Trip | NORFOLK NIPS

A farewell and a new beg

26 | SPRING 2013

“All I’d ever seen it used aswas as a convenient ledge toput a cider glass down on awarm summer’s day whenoutside seems the best placeto drink. This time wasdifferent, the press had beenrestored to working order...”

inning at Whin Hill Cider

SPRING 2013 | 27

NORFOLK NIPS |

FOUR REAL ALESWednesday Irish Folk MusicThursday Folk Mixed Music

Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Celtic Folk Music

Large garden overlooking the River Wensum

OPEN: Mon - Thurs 12-11Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11

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

Privately owned freehouse and restaurant with awide selection of real ales, lagers and ciders.

Freshly cooked locally sourced food.

Child friendly, large beer garden, pool table, easyaccess from A47, ample parking and on 23A bus

route from the city centre.

Visit www.thehartenorwich.co.uk tocheck out the menu and opening times

Old Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BS Tel: 01603 742755

FREE

ACCESS

The Harte

produced than Whin Hill’s modern belt presswould make from the same apples although theslower process today was allowing more oxida-tion giving a greater depth of colour.

The juice was then transferred to an oak caskto ferment naturally through the winter. On theday, bottles were being sold in advance to raisefunds for Wells Community Hospital. Afterwardsthere was time for an agreeable lunch at TheEdinburgh and a visit to some of the town’spleasing variety of independently owned shops.Following a return to Whin Hill for goodbyes(and another drop of cider), a wait for the nextbus home allowed a first visit to The Albatross, aGood Beer Guide listed pub in the hold of aworking sailing ship. An interesting location butnot for those who have trouble with the

awkward steps down to the hold.

A worthwhile visit seeing the elderly equip-ment restored and in use, if only for specialoccasions. The resultant cider is much antici-pated, this being the only straw pressed cider Iam aware of having been produced commer-cially in the Eastern Counties for many years.

Ian Bailey

The Baum, Rochdale, Lancashirehas been crowned the best pubin Britain by CAMRA, theCampaign for Real Ale.

CAMRA’s National Pub of theYear competition recognises allthe criteria that make a greatpub, including atmosphere,decor, welcome, service, valuefor money, customer mix, butmost importantly, the quality ofthe beer. The building, whichsits next door to the PioneersMuseum, which is the originalCo-op store, has only been apub for around 30 years andwas converted from Morris’sHardware Store in the 1980’s.

Simon Crompton, one of theowners, started work in TheBaum in 1993 and becamemanager in 1994. In 2005,Simon and his wife Heidi, whoco-owns the business, boughtthe pub just two days afterhaving their first child.

On hearing the news, HeidiCrompton said, “We wereecstatic to hear that we hadbeen voted CAMRA’s NationalPub of the Year. We are veryproud of the team that haveplayed an important role in TheBaum’s success and it is a testa-ment to their hard work thatthe consumers have recognisedour pub with this prestigiousaward.”

Heidi continued, “We are afamily run pub with our valuesinfluencing every aspect of thebusiness in relationships withour staff and suppliers. We arededicated to the ‘buy local,shop local’ initiative, alwayswilling to support independentbusinesses. The support fromthe regular customers and localCAMRA members is valued andwe would like to thank everyonefor their continued support.”

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide2013 describes the pub as “Asplit-level hostelry with oldworld charm next door to theworld’s first co-operative store.The Baum has eight hand-pumps, one dedicated to cider,and a large variety of conti-nental bottled beers. Excellentfood includes vegetariandishes, with a tapas menuavailable throughout the week.There is an upstairs dining /function room. The large reargarden, over looked by aconservatory, contains two full-size pétanque pistes.”

The other finalists were:Bridge End Inn, Ruabon, Wales– winner of CAMRA’s NationalPub of the Year last year andthe first Welsh winner of thisaward. Taken over by theMcGivern family in 2009, itsells five different real ales.

Conqueror Alehouse,Ramsgate, Kent – Ramsgate’ssmallest free house, where aleand cider are served straightfrom barrels. It offers a quiet,music and TV free atmospherein which to enjoy a pint or two.

Tom Cobley Tavern,Spreyton, Devon – a formerCAMRA National Pub of theYear in 2006, it sells 14different real ales every week,plus 20 ciders in a pub that is‘part of the community life’.

Converted Hardware StoreJudged Britain’s Best Pub!

SPRING 2013 | 29

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA News

Two places in Norfolk whichperhaps show the wonderfuldiversity in the County.

The first is Great Yarmouth,the County’s largest seasideresort, where you can breathein deeply the bracing air andhave some fun. Like mostplaces in Norfolk though, ittakes some getting to. Yesthere is the rail link and yes,there is an express bus service,but if driving you have tocontend with the Acle Straight– the only road on which I havebeen stuck in traffic and over-taken by a sailing boat on thenearby river! It’s an ancienttown, which relied on thefishing industry before itbecame a seaside resort. You

can catch a glimpse of it’sheritage at The Time and TideMuseum, housed in a formerVictorian Herring CuringHouse, which brings theatmosphere of a 1950’s fishwharf.

Great Yarmouth still has abusy commercial harbour onthe river and there is the newouter harbour, built forcommerce that has yet tomaterialise. Between the

harbourand the wide expansive seafront with its miles of goldensandy beaches and piers, liesthe heart of the town and theHeritage Quarter. Part of themedieval town remains withsome of the old housescrammed in narrow alleys,which were called rows inGreat Yarmouth. Moderndelights include the Sea LifeCentre, the Funfair and theMerivale Model Village, all onthe Promenade.

Norfolk A - Z | NORFOLK NIPS

G is for…

30 | SPRING 2013

Earle ArmsHeydon

Traditional Norfolkfreehouse and restaurant

Three Real Ales always available

Good Food • Real Fires

01263 587376

Satnav: NR11 6AD(Just off B1149 Holt -

Norwich Rd)

By now, you are ready for adrink! There is a Wetherspoonshere, The Troll Cart (NR30 2AF)in Regent Road and no lessthan three pubs in the 2013Good Beer Guide. TheMariners Tavern (NR30 1LN) inHoward Street South was theBranch Pub of the Year, in2010. A bit hard to find, butthis former Lacons pub has upto eight real ales and cidersand perries on offer. The OliverTwist (NR30 2DX) in NorthMarket Road is even harder tofind, tucked away in a cosyback street. The St John’s Head(NR30 1JB) in North Quay, oneof the oldest parts of the townis reputed to be built on landconfiscated from monks of TheCarmelite Order.

Many of the pubs wereowned by Lacons Brewery andit easy to spot their distinctivestyle, with flint walls, decoratedwindows and the LaconsFalcon Crest embedded in thewalls.

The other “G” is GressenhallFarm and Workhouse (NR204DR). This “house of industry”for the poor was built on farm-land in 1776. The Poor LawAmendment Act of 1834 saw itconverted into a Workhouse.Not much fun here then. Costswere kept low by making lifefor the paupers so hard andunpleasant that they didn’twant to be there. Men, womenand children were separatedand were given menial tasks.They did get Health Care andEducation though!

Incredibly, the Workhouse didnot close until as late as 1948,

and it opened as a Museum in1976. The farm still remainsand you can have cart ridesaround it, whilst the house hasbeen converted into Galleries,celebrating the lives of thosewho lived and worked on theland. You can see a 1950’sroom, the Land Girls andLumber Jills Gallery, the EngineRooms, the Transport Galleryand the Workhouse Corridor.

In the grounds you will findthe lovely 1930’s Cherry TreeCottage, the Village Row, withthe Smithy, Grocer and Post-master and the Panhard etLevassor Motor House, whereCharles Roll’s 1899 vintagePanhard motor car has beenlovingly retored.

Time for a pint! Dereham isjust to the South. It has oneGood Beer Guide Pub, TheRomany Rye (NR19 1DL) atypical Wetherspoons, inChurch Street. Other pubs areavailable, as they say on theBBC.

Alternatively, head north onthe B1146 to the crossroadsand turn right. Drive throughthe village and you will findThe Brisley Bell (NR20 5DW)set back from the road, appar-ently miles and miles fromanywhere! Carry on to thecrossroads and you have TheKings Head (NR20 5JB) in frontof you.

But if you are looking for aGood Beer Guide pub, thenhead east on the B1145. Justafter the railway crossing (TheMid Norfolk Railway will even-tually have trains running herefrom Dereham) The Railway

Freehouse (NR20 5HH) is onyour right. This is a popularrural community pub whichhosts the Norwich and NorfolkBranch December Meeting andChristmas Quiz every year.

NORFOLK NIPS |

SPRING 2013 | 31

AttleboroughHeritage GroupThe Attleborough HeritageGroup is holding an IllustratedTalk on the History of PublicHouses in Attleborough andthe Surrounding Area.

Believe it or not, there werearound twenty two pubs inAttleborough, four or five inBesthorpe, five or six in OldBuckenham and seven in NewBuckingham. In addition,research is going on into thesix in Great and LittleEllingham and the six in Rock-lands.

And there may have beenmore. The Group are lookingfor anyone with memories orold photos to build up anarchive and incorporate intothe presentation. They want toknow about the pubs them-selves, their Landlords andLandladies, their customersand the beers and ciders thatthey drank.

If you can help, then pleaseget in touch. Please call 01953455877 or e-mail attlebor-oughheritage@tiscali.co.uk

The talk will be on Saturday23rd March, 19.00 for 19.30at St Mary’s Church Hall, Attle-borough

32 | SPRING 2013

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 farmclose-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

Great real ales, fine wines and spirits.Food Served: Monday- Friday 11am - 5pm

Saturdays 11am - 3pm Sundays 11am - 3pmEvening meals on request

Roast Dinners Sundays 12-3pmChilled bar rolls made daily only £1.00

Attleborough’s only Good BeerGuide pub 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013Camra 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

The LondonTavernFree House

COAST ROAD, WALCOTT,NORFOLK NR12 OPE

Telephone(01692) 650371

Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMOREFREE HOUSE

OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pmFood available all day until 10.30pm10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership card

www.lighthouseinn.co.uk

FOUR REAL ALES & CIDER

Alby, Horseshoes Aldborough, Black Boys Attleborough, London Tavern Binham, Chequers Broome, Artichoke Cantley, Reedcutter Catfield, Crown Cley, George & DragonClenchwarton, VictoryClippesby, Muskett Arms Cromer, Cottage Cromer, Red Lion Drayton, Bob Carter Leisure Centre Downham Market, Railway Downham Market , White HartEarsham, 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 DuckHeacham, Fox & HoundsHethersett, Kings Head

Hickling, Pleasure Boat Hilborough, Swan Holt, Kings HeadHolt, Railway Tavern Hopton, White Hart Kenninghall, Red Lion Kings Lynn, Live and Let LiveLoddon, Swan Inn Ludham, Dog Newton by Castle Acre, George &DragonNorth 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 Poringland, Royal OakReedham, Ferry Reedham, Lord Nelson Reedham, Ship Reepham, Kings Arms Rockland St Mary, New Inn Sheringham, Lobster Sheringham, Windham Arms Surlingham, Ferry House Swardeston, Lakenham/HewittRugby Club Tacolneston, Pelican Thorpe Market, Gunton ArmsThurlton, Queens Head Watton, Willow HouseWest Acre, StagWiveton, Bell Wroxham, Brewery Tap Wymondham, Cross Keys Wymondham, Green Dragon

Update Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolkwhich are part of the CAMRA LocAle scheme.New entries are in Bold.

SPRING 2013 | 33

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA News and LocAle

Elland Brewery 1872 Porter, at6.5 per cent ABV, was crownedCAMRA's Supreme ChampionWinter Beer of Britain 2013 bya panel of judges at theNational Winter Ales Festival inManchester.

The West Yorkshire breweryfirst scooped the country’s topwinter beer award in 2010.

The winning beer is describedin CAMRA's Good Beer Guide2013 as a creamy, full flavouredporter, with rich liquoriceflavours and more than a hintof chocolate.

Nik Antona, CAMRA Director,praised the outstanding qualityof the champion. He said:“Porters should not be

regarded as endangered beers,they are beers for today’sdiscerning drinkers. And on acold day, 1872 Porter is aperfect winter warming beer.

“Elland Brewery 1872 Porteris a fine example of a modernday interpretation of one of thiscountry’s classic beer styles. It’sgorgeous, drinkable, likeableand is highly recommended.”

Yorkshire Brewery bagsrepeat winter beer award

34 | SPRING 2013

“The Country Pub On The Edge of Town”Bacton Road, North Walsham NR28 0RA

OPEN ALL DAYFIVE REAL ALES

Meals Served 12noon to 2.30pm

and in the evening 6.30 to 9.30pm

Bookings 01692 404800

FREE

ACCESS

The Street, Catfield, Great Yarmouth,

Norfolk NR29 5AATelephone: 01692 580128

Serving a good selection of local real ales

Also serving home cooked food

Parties catered for

Open 7 days a week

Voted best

pub Norfolk &

Norwich CAMRA

2012 winter ale

trail

36 | SPRING 2013

Awards Night| NORFOLK NIPS

Awards Nightat The Cottage

On Thursday 24th January, the Norwich andNorfolk Branch celebrated the 35th NorwichBeer Festival by presenting the awards to thewinning Breweries. The Category Winners wereannounced in the Winter Edition of NIPS andmost gathered at The Cottage in Silver Road,Norwich to collect their Certificates.

The Nominated Charity of the Festival,NorLSAR - Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue,were also on hand to collect their cheque for£3,500 from Branch Chairman, GrahamFreeman. They were clearly delighted to receivesuch an amount. Chairman Paul Chamberlainsaid that the money would go to useful equip-ment, such as radios, tents, and display boards forevents, because awareness of who they are andwhat they do is as important as raising money.

Already it has been a busy year for them. Onenight they were training near Thetford whenthey got a callout to look for a missing person inGimmingham, the other side of the County!Fortunately, the missing person turned up safeand sound. They provide this service to thePolice 365 days a year and so far have had 2 callouts and 5 stand byes and it’s not evenFebruary.

Awards were also made on the night towinners of Norfolk Real Ale in a bottle.

The overall Champion was India Pale Ale fromthe Grain Brewery which was the winner of theStrong Bitter Category and Runner up was TheSquirrels Nuts from the Beeston Brewery whichwon the Mild Category.

CAMRA Members’Weekend and AGM 2013When: Friday 19th to Sunday 21st AprilWhere: St Andrew’s and Blackfriars’Halls, NorwichWhat time: Registration desk opens 16.00on Friday, 09.00 on Saturday and Sunday.See www.agmnorwich2013.org.uk for fulldetails

Members can pre-register with CAMRAbefore 22nd March 2013

Norwich and Norfolk Branch

Annual General Meeting

When: Tuesday 21st May 2013

Where: Take 5, Tombland, Norwich (in

the Function Room upstairs).

What time: 8pmCard carrying CAMRA Members only!

2700 members 1934 male 763 female 3 others274 are young members

The Summer issueof Norfolk Nips willbe available: 3rd JuneDeadline for Editorialcopy is 1st May

38 | SPRING 2013

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.

Queen’s Head and Waveney Brewing Company

Traditional Village Pub with a breweryproducing permanent and seasonal

ales on site

Station Road, Earsham, NorfolkTel: (01986) 892623

Chair of the All Party Parlia-mentary Save the Pub GroupGreg Mulholland has, duringCommunity and Local Govern-ment questions on the floor ofthe House of Commons,condemned the British Beerand Pub Associations (BBPA)decision to pursue judicialreview against Cambridge CityCouncil’s supplementary plan-ning policy for pubs.

The BBPA have announcedthat they will pursue judicialreview of Cambridge CityCouncil’s supplementary planningpolicy, which was introduced bythe Council in 2012 to givepubs greater protection inplanning law includingensuring that local communi-ties have a say over the futureof their local pubs, rather thanallowing the large unaccount-able pubcos to sell off theirpubs, even when they areviable, simply to pay off theirdebt or to appease share-holders and creditors, despitethis meaning the loss of a pubvalued by local people.

Greg Mulholland said: “Thedecision by the BBPA to pursuea judicial review into CambridgeCity Council’s ground breakingpubs protection policy is bothextraordinary but alsodisgraceful. The democraticallyelected Council have doneexactly what Ministers envis-aged in the Localism Bill, whichis to build on the NationalPlanning Policy Framework andintroduce local policies to suitlocal needs, in this case to give

greater protection to pubs andto give local communities a sayover their future.

“The fact that the BBPA, theso called ‘British Beer and PubAssociation’ are seeking tooverturn this, despite it beingintroduced by a democraticallyelected council, exposes theBBPA for who they really are,which is the Big Brewers’ andPubco Association who,pretend to campaign for pubswhilst they really simply lobbyon behalf of their pubcopaymasters.

“The BBPA are now preparedto spend thousands of poundsto defend the indefensible rightof some of their members tocontinue to sell viable, wantedpubs and asset strip pubswithout letting the communityhave a say, which is appalling.This stance is anti pub, antismall business and anticommunity”.

“It is time that Councils andthe Government saw throughthe claims of the BBPA to speakfor pubs, they do not, theyspeak for the large pub owningcompanies who often pursuean agenda that is directlydamaging to pubs. It is timethat we had better pro publeadership in the pub industryand time for non pubcomembers to consider theirposition and to evaluatewhether the BBPA are reallyadvancing their interests andthe interest of the Great Britishpub”.

BBPA Challenges Cambridge’sPubs Protection Policy

SPRING 2013 | 39

City of AleUpdate

Planning for the 3rd Festival isalready under way and the Organ-isers are hoping to build on thesuccesses of the first two events.

The new logo has beenlaunched as has the websitewhich will be updated.

Louisa Griffith-Jones MCIPR,Director, LGJ Public Relationshas been appointed as the PRsupremo for City of Ale 2013.

Louisa will be promotingNorwich far and wide with anengaging and informative bi-monthly email newsletterwhich will go out to trade andconsumer journalists, beer-bloggers, CAMRA membersand real ale lovers. Pubs andbreweries are encouraged tosubmit stories for inclusion.Each edition will also feature abeer-writer's take on City of Aleplus news of new pubs, brew-eries and beers and otherreal ale related stories. Theintention is to cementNorwich's reputation as theUK's City of Ale and make it amust-visit destination for beerlovers everywhere.

Email: louisa@lgjpr.co.uk withany news item for inclusion inthe newsletter!

40 | SPRING 2013

So what is a Beer Sommelier? Well the definitionon Wikipedia, admittedly not always the mostreliable source but in this case quite succinct, is:

“A beer sommelier, (sometimes known as a'cicerone') is a professional who works in the alco-holic beverage industry specializing in the serviceand knowledge of beer. This knowledge includes anunderstanding of styles, brewing, ingredients,history of beer and brewing, glassware, beerservice, draught systems and food pairings. Theprofession is relatively new but growing.”(abridged)

I chose to become a Beer Academy Sommelier18 months ago to further my knowledge onfood and beer pairing, an area of particularinterest to me and one that is becoming moreand more common at many venues from localpubs to some more established restaurants.Many people are choosing beer to accompanymeals for a variety of reasons such as; loweralcohol levels, price against wine and finallybecause, very often, it works better with somefoods than wine.

Over the past few years we’ve all seen themany changes and challenges that face thebrewing industry. We are still seeing pubs close,albeit at a slower rate than previously, supermar-kets seemingly have an ever growing share ofthe market and the population has changed itsdrinking habits. However, all is not lost and thereare many positive notes, which we mustconsider, as to where growth lies. One of whichis that more and more licensees are looking todevelop their cask ale sales, this sector has seen

strong growth in recent years. In additionundoubtedly one of the ways forward is to offerbeer, of all styles, as a worthy companion to thefood menu. Indeed “beer cards” and chalkboards with beer details are becoming morecommon sights in pubs.

My own interest in food and beer pairingstarted back in 2002 when in Bruges on a busi-ness trip. I realised that the drink I had enjoyedfor so long was in fact a far better match forsome of the dishes on the menu than anythingfrom the wine list. Over the following months Iexperimented (enthusiastically!) using a coupleof different beer styles with one particular dish ata time. Wheat beers in particular were a greatsuccess I seem to remember and proved veryversatile.

The role of the Beer Academy Sommelier isvaried; we offer advice and guidance to bothoutlet and consumer by helping pair menuitems with beers available at the venue. We areambassadors for the industry helping topromote beer, in all its forms from cask ale tobottled lager and encourage the public to tryvarious styles. We are all knowledgeable peoplewith experience in the trade whether, likemyself, as a brewer or a beer judge or beerwriter. Above all we have a passion for theproduct which we’re keen to pass on andcommunicate to others. After all beer is ournational drink in many ways and there’s somuch more to it than a pint glass on a Friday orSaturday night. The Beer Academy was set up tooffer a range of short courses that would provideeducation to anyone and everyone who wished

Beer Sommelier | NORFOLK NIPS

Being a Beer AcademySommelier by Nigel Sadler“You’re a what?” “A beer sommelier” I reply. That’s how conversations usually start when I chat to people these days. And continue along the lines of “What’s a beer sommelier?” or“What do you actually do then?”

to learn more about beer. These build up knowl-edge over a range of levels thus helping theattendee gain from a step by step approach. Thetitle of “Beer Academy Sommelier” being thepinnacle of achievement and final course in theseries.

So how do you get there and what’s onoffer?First of all there are 90 minute tasting events,usually themed such as Belgian or Americanbeers. These short sessions are the starting pointof the journey so to speak. They offer guidanceon the brewing process, different styles andhighlight tastes and flavours.

There are then 2 different half day courses onoffer. The first “How to Judge Beer” is essentialfor the route to the Sommeliership. This isdesigned to help professionals, enthusiasts andbeginners understand how to assess and judgethe quality and style of a beer. The second halfday course “Beer and Food Matching”, thoughsuited to all, is aimed at retailers who are lookingto generate sales by inspiring and guidingcustomers to choose a well thought out andhighlighted beer and food option. This coursewould help staff, from bar to kitchen, in offeringadvice and preparing menus.

Moving on from these there is the One DayFoundation Course, which incidentally is City &Guilds Accredited to Level 1and therefore gives aqualification on successful completion. Thisagain is perfect for staff training perhaps along-side the BII ABCQ Certificate. It provides a soundknowledge of brewing ingredients and theirimpact on flavour, the basics of food and beerpairing and introduction to beer style character-istics. This course is to be recommended foranyone looking to build a career in thebeer/hospitality trade.

The Two Day Advanced Course builds signifi-cantly on the aspects of the Foundation Course.The range of styles sampled and detailed bycandidates is increased to some 50 beers. It alsointroduces the art of beer tasting and beerassessment. Finally it builds further on the beer

and food matching element. This course will notonly equip candidates with the skills to commu-nicate knowledgeably about beer withcustomers and consumers but will enhance theirprofessional status in the beer sector.

Finally we reach the Sommelier accreditationthe - ultimate award. Having completed theAdvanced Course and How to Judge BeerCourse you are eligible to go forward for thistitle. You will have developed menus, hostedbeer and food events by now in your own right.These are submitted for scrutiny by the chiefexaminer followed by a 90 minute interview andassessment

The journey with the Beer Academy nears theend but the role as a Beer Academy Sommeliercontinues out in the wide world, which Imentioned at the beginning of this article, as anambassador with the knowledge, experienceand communication skills to inspire people. It’s agreat feeling to be able to get people to redis-cover beer, to encourage those who have nevertried it and even be able to start people off onthe same journey I’ve made over the past 18months.

So if you’re looking to improve your own orthe knowledge of your staff and want to betrained by experts look atwww.beeracademy.co.uk or call 020 7499 8144for further details.

BiogNigel Sadler is Commercial Manager ofWibblers Brewery and owns the craft brewingschool Learn2brew Ltd. He qualified as BeerAcademy Sommelier in 2011 and was votedAPPBG Beer Sommelier of the Year 2012.

He is Vice-Chairman of the Society of Inde-pendent brewers (SIBA) and has written blogsfor the BBC Food & Drink website. He is amember of the Chelmsford and Mid-Essexbranch of CAMRA,

SPRING 2013 | 41

NORFOLK NIPS | Beer Sommelier

42 | SPRING 2013

Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant

•5 Real Ales•

•Great Food•

•Sheltered Gardens& Patio•

Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY01263 733534

www.banninghamcrown.co.uk

THE BANNINGHAMCROWN FREE HOUSE

We are in it!

Calling all Publicans – can you helpthe Normandy Veterans Association?

SPRING 2013 | 43

NORFOLK NIPS | Appeal for our heroes

“There are 28,000 Britishdead in Normandy: We haveno right to forget” so saidCorporal Eric Gunton

(1903 – 1978).

Normandy Veterans neverforget, they have been makingtheir way back to visit their fallencomrades in the many WarGrave Cemeteries ever since.

Since 1984, the 40th anniver-sary of the landings, there hasbeen a series of “Final” pilgrim-ages, celebrating the 45th, 50th,55th, 60th and the 65thanniversary, which was thoughtto be the last one possible.

But, in 2014, there will beanother final organisedpilgrimage to celebrate the 70thanniversary. The Norwich andDistrict Branch plan to take part,but need your help.

The 65th anniversary wasfunded by a Government Initia-tive called Heroes Return, thistime they must fund themselves.

With each Veteran being over90 years of age, the Insurancecost is astronomical, plus theywill need carers, first-aiders andother helpers. The total cost is

estimated at around £20,000.The horrors of the D-Day Land-ings have been welldocumented. These veteranshave never received counselling,just left to get on with their lives,and for many, those horrors thatthey witnessed have come backto haunt them.

So, how can you help? The Veterans have launched the70th Anniversary Appeal – TheTeddy Bear Fund Raiser. They arelooking for pubs to take a pack,which includes a Teddy Bear, aPoster, and a book of Raffletickets. Then sell the raffle ticketsat £1 per ticket, make the drawand award the winner the prizebear and then send the proceedsto the NVA Norwich Branch. Allfunds raised will go to fund thisfinal, final pilgrimage. “Theveterans of Normandy deservenothing less.”

Please contact Jack Woods on01603 627706 or e-mail him atjack.aylsham50@virgin.net

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 & dinnermenus available

Victory Barn Function Roomfor Weddings and Parties

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

01328 738241

The BurstonServing tasty food and superb ale.Our food is all homemade, some traditional,

some inspired and locally sourced where possible. The portions are best described ashearty -you certainly won’t leave hungry!

We serve Adnams and Greene King Abbot fromthe cask and two guest local Ales.

We have a beer festival, live music, Steaknights, Buskers nights and lots more

going on throughout the year.

Please take a look at ourwebsite:

www.burstoncrown.com

or call 01379 741257

Drop in and enjoy the warm, friendly,informal atmosphere.

44 | SPRING 2013

SPRING 2013 | 45

Norwich and North Norfolk Branch

Tuesday 19th MarchBranch MeetingThe Grange Hotel and Freehouse, Ormseby,NR29 3QG. Voting for the Branch Pub of theYear at this meeting8 – 10 pm

Saturday 23rd MarchVisit to The Green Jack Brewery and tour of pubsin Lowestoft. Coach departs from John Lewis at12.30

Friday 29th MarchCampaign Coach TripVisiting pubs to the East of Norwich

Friday 5th AprilFirst Friday FiveA pub walk visiting five pubs in NorwichRoute to be advised

Tuesday 16th AprilBranch Meeting8 – 10pm Venue to be confirmed

Friday 19th – Sunday 21st AprilNational CAMRA Members’ Weekend and AGMSt Andrews and Blackfriars HallsPre-register on the CAMRA websiteCard carrying CAMRA Members only

Friday 26th AprilCampaign Coach TripVisiting county pubs to the North of Norwich

Friday 3rd MayFirst Friday FiveA pub walk visiting five pubs in Norwich

Tuesday 21st May

The Branch Annual General MeetingTake 5, Tombland, Norwich8 – 10pm

For events outside Norwich, a coach will beprovided. This is free for Branch Meetings with acharge of £5 for Members and £7 for Non-members for other events.

Coach pick-ups: 6.47 p.m. junc. SouthwellRd./Grove Rd.; 6.55 junc. Old Palace Rd./WestEnd St.; 7.02 junc. Mile Cross La./Eversley Rd.;7.06 Sprowston Fire Stn.; 7.10 Heartsease(Harvey Lane bus stop); 7.15 Norwich RailwayStn. (Thorpe Rd. bus stops).

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

CAMRA Members who have registered their e-mail address with the Branch will receive amonthly update on this list. If you would like totake advantage of this service, or have notreceived the latest e-mail, please contact theMembership Secretary, David Rackham, atpugs1985@googlemail.com

All Branch Meetings start at 8pm.

West Norfolk Branch

Branch meetings (All include social)

Tuesday 12th March Ship, Brandon Creek

Tuesday 9th AprilWilliam IV, Sedgeford

Tuesday 14th May Angel, Larling

CAMRA CalendarNORFOLK NIPS | Dates for your diary

46 | SPRING 2013

SPRING 2013 | 47

A unique Country Pub & Restaurant near Dereham, featuring a fine selection ofreal ales: Adnams Broadside & Best, Beeston Afternoon Delight and Woodforde’s

Wherry, plus guest ales, all served directly from the cask.

Our menu is changed regularly and offers an irresistible selection of fresh, locally-sourced seasonal fare.

(offer ends 30/04/13)

Darby’s Freehouse, Elsing Road, Swanton Morley,Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4NY

Tel:01362 637647

Email: info@darbysfreehouse.com

Web: www.darbysfreehouse.com

Opening TimesMon - Thurs

11.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm

Fri & Sat 11am to 11pm

Sunday12noon - 10.30pm

The King’s HeadOpen 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday

12.00noon - 10.30pm Sunday

Keg Free Zone 14 Hand PumpsNorfolk Ales and CiderMild always availableWorldwide Bottled BeersBelgian BeersTelevision-freeBar Billiardswww.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk

KEG FREE HOUSE

The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JEwww.kingsheadnorwich.com

CAMRA Norfolk

Pub of the Year

2006 & 2008

Run by enthusiastic drinkersand CAMRA members.

WE ARE

IN IT!

From the ArchivesIssue No. 48 April/May 1990On the 6th - 8th April 1990, CAMRA’s NationalConference and AGM, as it was then, came toNorwich for the first time, and issue No.48heralded the event. Members were promisedthe chance to sample over 30 East Anglian RealAles in Blackfriars’ Hall. City pubs were gettingin on the act – The Rosary was having Pitfieldand Premier beers, The St Andrews Tavern washaving a Welsh Weekend, and the Reindeerwere going to have the full range of their home-brewed beers, including the return of theirexcellent stout and a special new mild.

A selection of Manchester beers was availableat The Bystanders Club. They had just had asuccessful Beer Festival in February with beersfrom Ash Vine, Martin, Oakhills, Malton, Molesand Whitby Breweries, not normally seen inNorwich. All beers were £1.00 per pint and itwas hoped to make this a regular event. TheClub had recently changed its Constitution torecognise its long association with CAMRA, sothat CAMRA members were now associatemembers of the Bystanders, entitling them to allthe benefits of full membership.

Bateman’s of Wainfleet had organised a pubtrail for the weekend. Batemans Mild was avail-able at The Reindeer, White Lion, PottergateTavern, St Andrews Tavern, Ribs of Beef and theBystanders Society. XXXB was at the Rosary andThe Jubilee. Members were invited to get theirentry forms stamped and answer questionsabout these pubs, to be in with a chance ofwinning the prize – a night in Wainfleet and atour of the Brewery!

Issue No. 49 reported that the event was asuccess for Norwich as member delegates were“impressed with the welcome afforded them inthe pubs, the efficiency of the staff of StAndrews Hall and the many attractions of ourfine City.” A quarter of the beer ordered wasMild, as it was known that members would gofor low gravity beers. This was borne out as thebest-selling beers were Reepham Dark Mild,Woodfordes New Broadsman and BatemansDark Mild.

It was noted that members were not the sameas Beer Festival drinkers as they were polite andprepared to wait patiently to be served at busyperiods, knew what they wanted and said pleaseand thank you.

As for the Conference debates, it was thoughtthat Whitbread would be worried, and anyonewith an interest in cask-breathers would behappier.

So CAMRA said thank you and bade farewelland set off for Sheffield and then Bristol.

NORFOLK NIPS |

50 | SPRING 2013

By popular request - The Mystery Prize is back!As part of the CAMRA Members’ Weekend and

AGM, Members will be exploring the City’s Pubson six Pub Walks.

Some of the Pubs on the Walks are listed onthe right, in anagram form. In order to win theMystery Prize, all you have to do is solve theanagrams and name the pubs.

E-mail your entries to norfolknips2@gmail.comor post to

Norfolk NIPS 164 Competion, 201Kingswood Avenue, Taverham, NorwichNR8 6GJ. Entries must be received by Friday 3rd May.

Please note that we do not collect readers’details for any purpose whatsoever, other thanto know where to send the prize!

KENT VEST ARTVEIN

DING SHAKEFARM FOR DARTS

GET COATLARGEST DONRE STAPLERSTOIL WHINEHUGE SO EAT

BANKING MOLE

NIPS 164 Competition

SPRING 2013 | 51

NORFOLK NIPS | Competiton

52 | SPRING 2013

Norfolk Pub Beer Festivals - Spring / Summer 2013

Beer Festivals

Spring / Summer 2013

Over the next three months, acelebration of real ale is takingplace in pubs and other venuesacross the county.

Norfolk is rapidly becomingcentre stage for real ale in theUK. With Norwich holding theCAMRA AGM in April whenover 1,000 CAMRA memberswill descend on the city andsurrounding area, inbibing thebeery best our county canprovide, along with spreadingthe joys of real ale andsupporting our pubs.

Then in June the ‘Norwich Cityof Ale’ event returns for its thirdyear. Many pubs in the cityhave teamed up with Norfolk’sfinest breweries to offer upsome of the best real ale in thecountry. Also a huge range ofevents throughout Norwich isorganised. ‘Norwich City of Ale’is becoming a major event inthe city and beyond, attractingvisitors from all over thecountry and from abroad!

During the summer monthsthere are dozens of beer festi-vals being held in pubsthroughout Norfolk. Some ofthese festivals are well estab-lished and some are new thisyear. Some of these festivalsrun over a few days and othersgo on for a week or more!

There are a wealth of attrac-tions at these beer festivals,including beer and foodpairing, hog roasts, live music,children’s entertainment,bouncy castles and even afunfair, many of these festivalsare raising money for charity.

With there never being somany micro-breweries in theUK, not only will you get thechance to sample a variety ofreal ales you may never havetried before - including thosebrewed specially for the occa-sion - you’ll be able to try yourhand at traditional pub games,take part in an ‘ale-trails’ andhistory walks and learn howthis great tasting drink isbrewed.

In the following pages is aselection of pubs which haveadvertised their beer festivalswith us. We have also includeda diary which lists all of theseevents and any others we havebeen made aware of. To get anidea of location, there is also amap included. The numbers onthe map correspond to thenumbers next to the diary list-ings.

A well-run pub can cater forall ages, offering a place wherefriendships can be formed andprovides a convenient stoppingpoint for a family enjoying abike ride on a sunny day. Tohelp you plan your travel toand from these events we havealso included a brief guide tobus and train travel and whereto find further information andtimetables.

So whether you want a quickpint after work, a night outwith your friends or a familyday out with the kids; look in atthe local, you won’t regret it.

SPRING 2013 | 53

29 March - 1 AprilOld Bell Easter Beer FestivalSaham Toney 8 Ales, 2 Cider and Entertainment

29 March - 1 AprilUnion Jack Easter BeerFestivalUnion Jack, Roydon8 Ales, 2 Ciders and entertain-ment

30 March - 1 AprilPie and Ale FestivalRickinghall Village Hall, HinderclayRoad IP22 1HD

29 March - 2 AprilEaster Beer FestivalRoyal Oak, Poringland NR14 7JTMusic all weekend

5 - 7 AprilBeer and Bike ShowRailway, North Elmham

15 - 21 AprilThe Mad Moose Beer Festival2 Warwick St, Norwich NR2 3LD

18 - 21 AprilBest of Norfolk Ales BeerFestThe Murderers, 2-8 Timber Hill,Norwich

19 - 28 AprilCottage George’s FestThe Cottage, Norwich NR3 4TBOver 50 ales, ciders and perries

3 - 5 MayDragon Hall Norfolk BeerFestival115 - 123 King Street, NorwichNR1 1QE

4 - 6 MayThe Oliver Twist BankHoliday Cider FestivalNorth Market Road, GreatYarmouthOver 20 Real Ciders and enter-tainment

22 - 27 MayDove Street Inn Beer FestivalSt Helen’s St, Ipswich

21 - 23 JuneNorfolk Real Ales BeerFestivalJolly Sailors, Brancaster Saithe PE318BJ

27 - 28 JuneCharity Biker Rally & BeerFestivalThe White Lady, Worstead NR289RW

24 - 29 June‘Small but perfectly formed’beer festivalThe Vine, Dove Street, Norwich

4 - 7 JulyThe Beehive Beer BeerFestival and BBQLeopold Rd, Norwich NR4 7PJ over 30 Ales

19 - 21 JulyCrusaders RFC Beer FestivalBeckhithe, Little Melton NR9 3NP20 Ales and Cider from LocalBreweries. Camping and Caravan-ning available

25 - 28 JulyFox and Hounds BeerFestivalFox and Hounds, Heacham

26 - 28 JulyHumpty Dumpty ReedhamBeer Festival Reedham Village Hall & Field, NR133HLReal Ales, Ciders, Live Music, BBQ& entertainment. A family friendlyevent

27 JulyMattishall Beer FestivalSouth Green Park, Mattishall,Dereham NR20 3JYOver 50 Ales, entertainment andHog Roast

26 - 28 JulyWorstead Music & BeerFestivalWhite Lady, Worstead NR28 9RWOver 50 Real Ales and live music

9 - 11 August4th Ranworth Beer FestivalVillage Hall, NR13 6HSOver 20 Ales and Ciders

STOP PRESS!!These festivals were listedat the last minute so areout of date order sorry!

16 - 21 JulyHeathland Community BeerFestivalHeathlands Community Centre,NR13 4QH12 Real Ales, 2 Ciders and loads ofentertainment

22 - 24 MarchFakenham Beer Festival20 plus local ales and entertain-ment

29 March -1 AprilReedham Riverside BeerFestival20 plus ales and live music

24 - 27 MayMay Bank Holiday Beer FestGreen Dragon, Wymondham NR18 0PHLive music every day

20 - 24 June13th Solstice Beer FestivalThe Hill House Inn, HappisburghNR12 0PW

OTHER BEER FESTIVALS23 May - 2 June3rd Norwich City of AleFestivalThroughout Norwich

A Beer Festival is near you!1

2

54 | SPRING 2013

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

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A beer festival is near you!The numbers on the map match the numbers next to the events described on page 54. This map is to show yo

Roydon

West Acre

Gt. Massingham

Little Walsi g

56 | SPRING 2013

Feltwell

Brancaster Staithe

1

2 5

12

17

1

23

ou the general area and is not to scale!

Beer Festivals section

Geldeston

Poringland

Heydon

Tacolneston

North Lopham

ingham

SPRING 2013 | 57

Reedham

3

4

67

89

10

11

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14

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1618

9

20

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2224

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A week long festival celebrating the great tasteof British Real Ale.

Come and enjoy our fabulous food and great atmosphere with a pint or two of proper beer!

We hope to see you soon.

THE MAD MOOSEREAL ALEFESTIVAL15th to 21st April 2013

The Mad Moose2 Warwick StreetNorwichNR2 3LD

T: (01603) 627687madmoose@animalinns.co.ukwww.animalinns.co.uk

£5.00lunches

available

HAPPYHOUR4-7pm

Mon - Fri

30% OFF

Beer Festivals section

SPRING 2013 | 59

Travelling around NorfolkNorfolk is well served by train and bus servicesbetween all the major towns, villages and out ofNorfolk via Kings Lynn and Norwich. There arealso many cycle and walking routes available forthe more adventerous beer hunter or those withfamilies looking for a full day out with someexcercise thrown in.

Greater Anglia and East Midlands TrainsServices run everyday into Norfolk from Ely,Peterborough, Cambridge and Ipswich.

All services pass through Norwich where youcan then go on to the coastal Norfolk towns ofGreat Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer and Sheringham.

Go to www.greateranglia.co.ukor www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk to check times

Heritage Train servicesMid Norfolk RailwayTravelling between Dereham - Yaxham -Thuxton - Kimberley Park - Wymondham Abbey

This volunteer run railway has a variety of locomotives including a fleet of heritage diesels.

Go to www.mnr.org.uk to check times.

The North Norfolk RailwayTravelling between Sheringham - Weybourne -Kelling Heath Park - Holt

The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mileround trip by steam train (vintage diesel trainson some journeys) through a delightful area ofNorth Norfolk designated as being ofoutstanding natural beauty.

Go to www.nnrailway.co.uk/timetable.php tocheck times.

Bus ServicesNorfolk Green run a number of Bus services intoand around Norfolk.

The Coasthopper route sets off from KingsLynn and covers Hunstanton - Wells -Weybourne - Sheringham - Cromer and many ofthe smaller villages in between.

Other services include X8 covering Kings Lynnto Fakenham and Heacham.

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

There is a large map of the routes available fordownload at: www.norfolkgreen.co.uk

The X1 First group service runs into Norfolkfrom Peterborough passing through Kings Lynn,Narborough, Swaffham and several othervillages to Norwich. The service then runs onthrough Acle and Great Yarmouth.

CyclingNorfolk has hundreds of miles of quiet countrylanes and roads to explore. To help you, East ofEngland Tourism has developed a range of Freecircular Cycling Discovery Maps. These are available at:http://www.visiteastofengland.com/things-to-do/Cycling.aspx

The Sustrans National Cycle Network passesthrough Norfolk and is designed to makecycling fun, safe and simple as you cover hugestretches of the UK.

One third of the Network is completely freefrom motor traffic, using old railway paths,forest tracks, country parks and bridleways, andthe rest uses quiet minor roads and traffic-calmed streets in towns and cities. so ifyour having a drink - get out of the car and onyer bike!

60 | SPRING 2013

Heathlands Community Centre, Woodbastwick Road, Blofield Heath,Norwich, NR13 4QH Tel: 01603 714164 Mob: 07818466473.

www.heathlandscommunitycentre.org.uk Registered Charity: 303909

SUMMER FAIR & BEER FESTIVALTUESDAY 16TH TO SUNDAY 21ST JULY12 REAL ALES & 2 CIDERSSESSION TIMES

Tues 16th - Thurs 18th: 7.30pm until late

Friday 19th:5pm until late

Saturday 20th: 2pm until late

Sunday 21st: 12 noon until late.

Entertainment: Thurs: Blofield Heath JammersFri: KC’s Karaoke & Video Disco Sat: The Rob Holmes Band, on the

field, (weather permitting) from 9pm. Sunday: Summer Fair - 12 Noon

Fully Licenced Bar Light Snacks available

Kindly supported by Greenjack Brewery, Lowestoft.

Proud to be providing publishingservices to CAMRA

Print Management Magazine Publishing Services

Digital MarketingWeb Sites and Hosting

Graphic DesignIllustration

Search Orchard House Media

Beer Festivals section

SPRING 2013 | 61

Summer

Beer Fe

stival

Thurs 4th - Sun

7th July

Over

30 be

ers!

62 | SPRING 2013

Introducing the 5th

29th March (Good Friday) to Monday April 1st20+ Ales on every session

Live music every night • All ales locally sourced

Date for your DiaryAugust Bank Holiday

Beer Fest23rd - 26th August 2013

Live Music from ‘The Water Rats’ on Bank Holiday Monday

For further information please call:

4th Norfolk Ale & Music Festival21,22 & 23 June 2013Norfolk real ales • Live music all weekendBeer marquee • Freshly cooked pub food

Exclusively available at the Fat Cat during the CAMRA Members’ Weekend

For all your bar requirements please phone Julie on 07816 070658

64 | SPRING 2013

Beer and

Bike S

how

5th -

7th A

pril

THE WHITE LADY • WORSTEAD

www.thewhitelady.co.uk NR28 9RW (01692) 535391

CHARITY BIKER RALLY MUSIC AND

BEER FESTIVALJUNE 27th - 28th

REAL ALE , FOOD,BIKES AND MUSIC!

WORSTEAD MUSIC &

BEER FESTIVAL26th - 28th JulyLive music and over

50 real ales over 3 daysOPEN ALL DAY

Open 11 Till Late 7 days a week

Newly refurbished bar with up to 9 Real Ales

Large New Restaurant Serving Food 7 Days A Week

5 Luxury Bed And Breakfast All En Suite

Function Room Available To Hire For Weddings

Folk And Quiz Nights check web site for details

Proprietor DENNIS GILLIGAN

A freehouse in the heart of Worstead

Beer Festivals section

SPRING 2013 | 65

The ONLY Thai Restaurantfor Norwich in

THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE!

A great real ale pub in thecentre of the City

Exceptionally good Thai Foodlunchtimes and evenings

Sunday 21st AprilCAMRA AGM, we will be open

from 12 to 6pm. Food served all day

www.vinethai.co.ukWe are part of the

“Norwich City of Ale” ale trail

Small but Perfectly formed Summer

Beer Fest 24th - 29th June 2013.

Small but Perfectly formed Summer

Beer Fest 24th - 29th June 2013.

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

We are in the Good

Beer Guide2013

Mick WattsTerry Walpole writes: “‘Tis with a heavy heart butI must announce the passing of Mick Wattsafter a long illness. . . I know Mick and hisdaughter Emma were involved with Norwichand Norfolk CAMRA and especially involved inthe beer festivals in October over a long periodof time , but not necessarily in the last few years.I remember back in the day when the music wasall week and a ticket only on the Saturday . “

Mick, and his brother Nigel were involvedwith the Norwich Beer Festival for many years.Nigel was in charge of overall security and Mickwas always on the door. Mick was very wellknown, mostly to the folks that he and hisbrother barred from entering the Halls!

He also provided some musical entertainmenton the decks occasionally, before retiring owingto ill health.

Roger JeckellsRoger Jeckells, formerly ofNorwich, passed away peace-fully in Chandler’s Ford,Hampshire, on the 4thFebruary 2013. Roger was amember of Norwich andNorfolk CAMRA branch formany years, distributingNorfolk Nips to outposts in the

north of the county until he moved south withhis wife in 2010. A regular in The Fat Cat,Roger could generally be found there in the lateafternoon with his group of friends and a pint ofstrong ale. Having moved to Hampshire, Rogerpreached with missionary zeal to anyone whowould listen about the wonder of the pubs inhis ‘Fine City’. He will be greatly missed.

NORFOLK NIPS | Obituaries

SPRING 2013 | 67

68 | SPRING 2013

Spring Fair atGressenhall FarmBank Holiday Monday 1st April

Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse hold an AppleDay event every year in October which is verywell attended and popular. It is an autumnthemed event that includes music and dancing,crafts people and cider drinking as well as otherapple related activities. The Spring Fair inApril is the Spring version of Apple Day and thisyear they plan to add a mini beer festival to theevent. Local microbreweries are being invitedto celebrate the great number of small brew-eries in Norfolk.

It will be a colourful and fun event for all thefamily including: music from Klezmerized; mollydancing with the Ouse Washes Molly Dancers;crafts people demonstrating; a marquee full ofstalls-food, gifts, etc; a chapelful of localbrewers; circus workshops; Punch and Judyshows; an April Fools Parade; traditional games;and an inflatable obstacle course.

The Plasterers, Cowgate,Norwich: 10% off all real ales (avail-able to all customers onMondays)

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 contactpubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk and let us knowthe details (including any restrictions)!

Please note: We believe this is correct at the time ofgoing to press, however pubs may withdraw orchange offers at any time!

SPRING 2013 | 69

For more details contact:- Clive and Sue Stockton, The Hill House Inn, Happisburgh, Norfolk NR12 OPW Tel/Fax 01692 650004 Web www.hillhouseinn.co.uk

Hill House Inn - Happisburgh

FREE PRINTED FESTIVAL GLASS AND TASTING NOTES.

Food served all day inc BBQ & our

NEW IN Coffee shop and Carvery

Festival T-Shirts available

Come and join us at the independent festival by the sea. Celebrate the 13th Solstice festival and 4 centuries of the Hill House.

The13th

For 2013: FIVE DAYS

Thursday 20th June to Monday 24th June inclusive

Over 100 Beers & Ciders (and the odd perry) from far and wide,

at competitive pub prices.

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

Family Friendly

CAMPING AVAILABLEOne Off Entry payment of £5.00 to festival validfor the whole weekend. (Numbered wristband).

We Don’t Have a Big Screen TV, Food Or a Juke BoxWe 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 beergarden 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 FESTIVALFriday 29th March to Tuesday

2nd April 2013Music all weekend

with Tosh and Friends

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

14 years in the Good Beer Guide!

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

www.poringlandroyaloak.co.ukTel: 01508 493734

Award Winning Real Ale Pub

A dream of a pub situated in the village of Poringland on the B1332 road to Bungay.

The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside.