FREE A Golden Summer? - Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA

No.161 Summer 2012A Golden Summer?Also inside:NORWICH BEER FESTIVAL LOGONORFOLK’S TRUE HERITAGE PUBS PUBAND TRADE NEWSFREENewsletter of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

Trafford ArmsA royal welcome awaits.We are not a ‘virtual pub’REAL Time!REAL People!REAL Ale!Raising money for Big CChris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms -61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466www.traffordarms.co.uk traffordarms@btconnect.com

Hat trick for TheFat Cat, Norwich!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.ukPubs Officer: Ian StampEmail: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.ukWest Norfolk BranchChairman: Steve Barkeremail: barkers@anc.co.ukSecretary: Ian BaileyContact: Bruce WardTel: 01485 609107Branch websites:www.norwichcamra.org.ukwww.camra.org.uk/wnorfolkGraham Freeman, Branch Chair, presents the awards to Fat CatLandlord Colin KeatleyThe Norwich & Norfolk branchof CAMRA (Campaign for RealAle) have selected The Fat CatPub as their 2012 Pub of theYear. It is the third time thatLandlord Colin Keatley’s iconicpub has won. The Fat Cat nowgoes head-to-head with theWest Norfolk Branch’s winner,The Union Jack at Roydon. Thewinner goes through to theRegional level of the competition,where Colin may well facecompetition from his brother,who owns The Fat Cat inIpswich, The Suffolk Branchwinner!At the award ceremony, Colinwas clearly delighted to win.The previous two times that hewon the award, the pub wenton to become CAMRA’sNational Pub of the year.The Norwich & Norfolk Pubof the Year is chosen from thewinners of the Branch’s Ruraland City Pubs of the Year. The2012 Rural Pub of the Year waswon by The Green Dragon inWymondham, beating stiffcompetition from the KingsArms, Reepham and theWindham Arms, Sheringham.And the City Pub of the Yearwas won by The Fat Cat, fromthe other two Norwich pubsshortlisted – The King’s Head,Magdalen Street and The Dukeof Wellington, Waterloo Road.Just as were going to press, itwas announced that The FatCat has beaten off the oppositionfrom The Union Jack andhas now been declared as TheNorfolk Pub of the Year!We wish Colin and The FatCat team well as they progressthrough the next roundtowards CAMRA National Pubof the Year. It’s happened twicebefore...Branch mailing list web page:groups.yahoo.com/group/CAMRA_NorwichPublished every 3 months by the Norwich,Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of theCampaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA2012 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributedby members of the branch in theirown time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nipsare not necessarily those of the editor or ofCAMRA.Edited by:Mike BaldwinEmail: michaelbaldwin8@gmail.comChris LucasEmail: chris-stig@tiscali.co.ukDesign & Production:Daniel Speed - Orchard House MediaEmail: info@orchardhousemedia.co.ukDistribution:12,000 copies / four times a yearNorwich and Norfolk District:Tony Miles nips.distribution@gmail.comWest Norfolk District :Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.comAdvertising:For advertising enquiries pleasecontact Jane Michelson or ChrisShilling on: 01778 420888 / 421550jane@shillingmedia.co.ukFront Cover:Dray image courtesy WoodfordesBrewerySUMMER 2012 | 3

Function room availablefor all occasions including parties, birthdays, christenings, wedding receptions and wakesSUNDAY CARVERYOne course for £5.502 courses for £6.953 course for £8.95ALL EURO 2012GAMES SHOWN LIVEPASSPORT TO VIP AREA AND AFREE MEAL FOR THE FINAL!Collect a ‘passport’ from behind the bar and watch a minimumof 20 games before the final (Games to be signed by a memberof staff, see rules in pub and on back of passport).Prize is an area with tables and seating for 15 will be available atthe front near TV’s and a two course meal provided for the final.Table service for the night will also be included!Live Music most weekendsCheck our web site or Facebook page for whats on.

NORFOLK NIPS | Cider Pubs AwardedWhite Lion Takes Cider CrownThe White Lion in Norwich,has been awarded the titleCAMRA's East Anglia RegionalCider Pub of The Year 2012.The Railway Arms in DownhamMarket has been awarded thirdplace in CAMRA's East AngliaRegional Cider Pub of The Year2012 competition.Ian and Lesley Ann Pinches,who have been running theRailway Arms for nearly threeyears regularly sells cider fromnearby producer Pickled Pigwhich is based in Stretham nearEly. The small cosy bar on theplatform at Downham MarketStation also sells two beers andis one of the town’s entries inIt is run by Ben Ackers andBecky Lakerman-Turner, whohave only been running thepub for 7 months. They regularlyhave over 15 real cidersand perries available fromNorfolk, East Anglia andbeyond.Ben Ackers said “We aredelighted to win this award.Becky has always been a ciderdrinker, volunteering for theWest Norfolk Pub Wins AwardCAMRA’s Good Beer Guide.Ian Pinches said “We are veryhonoured to receive this awardand wish to thank our customersand our cider and beer suppliersfor supporting us. Particularmention should be given toElgoods, The Small Beer Companyand of course, Charles Robertsat Pickled Pig, but there aremany others as well. We carepassionately about our cidersand beers and we are pleasedthat many people from far andwide appreciate our efforts”cider bar at the CambridgeBeer Festival for a fifth consecutiveyear. I have grown toappreciate how popular realcider is from my previous experienceat two other pubs. TheNorfolk and Norwich branch ofCAMRA has been so friendlyand very welcoming to us, andwe'd like to thank them fortheir constant enthusiasm andsupport. We would like tothank our staff who havecommitted themselves fully topromoting real cider andhelping customers with recommendations.”Chris Rouse, CAMRA’sRegional Cider Co-ordinator forEast Anglia said, “it is sorefreshing to see new landlordsgetting into real cider andperry in a big way.”Andrea Briers, CAMRA's EastAnglia Regional Director said,"With the increase in thenumber of pubs selling realcider the competition is gettingtougher each year. Well doneto Ian and Lesley Ann on theirachievement. "The winner of the competitionwas the White Lion in Norwichand second place went to theOdd One Out in Colchester,which was the previous holderof the award.SUMMER 2012 | 5

The King’s HeadKEG FREE HOUSEOpen 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday12.00noon - 10.30pm SundayRun by enthusiastic drinkersand CAMRA members.WE AREIN IT!Keg Free Zone 14 Hand PumpsNorfolk Ales and CiderMild always availableWorldwide Bottled BeersBelgian BeersTelevision-freeBar Billiardswww.norwichbarbilliards.co.ukCAMRA NorfolkPub of the Year2006 & 2008The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JEwww.kingsheadnorwich.com

That is what is happening to theprice of your pint. The Government's“duty escalator” ensuresthat beer duty automaticallyincreases by the rate of inflationplus 2% every year until 2015.So when in George Osborne'sBudget he said there will be notax increase on beer we still endup paying an extra 10p on theprice of our pint. We alreadyhave to pay a third of our pint tothe Government in tax whichmakes us the second highest inEurope. Our beer tax has risen astaggering 42% since 2008. Sowhat can CAMRA members anddrinkers do about it? Well wehave set up an e-petition and wewould urge you all to sign this aswhen we get 100,000 signatureswe can force a high profiledebate in the House ofCommons. The e-petition can befound atwww.camra.org.uk/saveyourpintand we intend to distributeposters and beer matsNORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s LettersUp, Up and UpBut Never Downthroughout Norfolk in the nextfew weeks. I know we can counton your support.I recently attended theMembers Weekend and AGM inTorquay with our team and wewere able to promote thedelights of Norwich and Norfolkfor next years Members Weekendwhich will be held here in April2013. Some delegates evenbooked their Norwich hotelswhilst we were there. We willhave a handover meeting in Juneand then there will be regularupdates on our progress as wewill be looking for your help toassist in this national event.Another key event is the NorwichCity of Ale Festival running from31st May until 10th June. Atpresent I believe 44 Pubs andmany local Breweries are participatingso please give them yoursupport by drinking all theirbeers, ciders and perries. I willcertainly be making an attemptChairman ChangeoverAs winter draws to a close, so thepost of West Norfolk Chairmanhas changed. I have taken overfrom Buff – a hard act to follow,but I will do my best.Spring is officially here, butthe weather does not seem tohave noticed that fact.Everyone is longing for thewarm barmy days to enjoy anexcellent pint of real ale,possibly with the addition ofburnt offerings that masqueradeas a Barbeque! This is just apipedream as I sit here lookingthrough the window at thepouring rain.I would like to bring to yourattention the E-petition thatCAMRA has set up to persuadethe Government to modify itsmyself and hope to see youaround.We recently made a number ofNorwich & Norfolk Branchawards. I congratulate the FatCat on winning our Branch Pubof the Year 2012 and hope itdoes well in the future competition.We also gave an award tothe Green Dragon, Wymondhamfor becoming our Branch RuralPub of the Year 2012. Furthermorethis year we gave our firstever award to the White Lion,Norwich for our Branch CiderPub of the Year 2012. A goodnight was had by all at thepresentations. Well summer willsoon be here and I think there'snothing better than sitting in apub garden with the sun shiningand a pint of Real Ale in yourhand. Enjoy.Graham FreemanChairman Norwich & NorfolkCAMRAposition on Beer Duty, if youhave not signed up please doso. In excess of 50,000 peoplehave already signed, but itneeds 100,000 to have thecommons debate. Go to theCAMRA website to sign up now.Have a very happy real aledrinking summer. CheersSteve Barker - W.N. ChairmanSUMMER 2012 | 7

When some of the contributionsfor this issue werereceived it was still unseasonablycold, this situation haschanged recently and willhopefully lead to Olympicefforts to catch up on oursummer drinking regimes.I have personally beentraining despite the weatherand am ready to go for Gold…Brewer’s Gold, A Limp Pig Goldetc, etc! I have also beenchasing aeroplanes around theUK and Europe recentlyallowing me to check out a fewdifferent venues and vary mynormal beer intake.I confess in Northern Hollandit tended to be beers producedin the south or a nearbycountry with a very similarlanguage!Stig’s WordsTim and I have been to a fewplaces too, highlights includinga summer crawl recce in andaround Norwich involving theuse of one or two busses, noless, plus the excellent DragonHall beer fest and Cambridgeas recounted in this issue.Jeff has contributed one of hisstories from his increasinglypopular “Barman” series in theLynn News, plus a tale of crimeand punishment (No, not thatlong Russian one!).With the departure of PhilBuffham as Chair, Steve Barkerhas kindly agreed to be caretakerChair until the AGM inOctober, in his absence ViceChair Bruce Ward will stand in.Congratulations to all at theFox brewery at Heacham fortheir Tenth Anniversary in thebusiness. Thank you for yourkind invitation to West Norfolkbranch members to attendyour celebration. Also duecongratulations are the goodfolk at The Railway in DownhamMarket for their Third place inthe cider awards, coveredwithin. The Norfolk CAMRApub of the year is the Fat Cat(Free Mouse), well done toboth pubs who achieved thebranch nominations. Now tosee if the cat can win theregional and national competitions!I wish all our readers a goodsunny summer with a shadyplace to watch theJubilee/Olympics/Europeanfootball championship, or justto mardle away a few hourswith a pint.Cheers,StigSubscriptions and West NorfolkBranch informationWe have a growing number of postalsubscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force,and I would like to send my thanks for thekind comments and best wishes from thosewho have renewed their subscriptionsrecently. If you would like to join them inreceiving the next 4 issues by post, send12 first class stamps to Norfolk Nips andCask Force, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn,Norfolk, PE30 5NG.8 | SUMMER 2012I also send out occasional emails tomembers with details of forthcoming meetingsand Branch events. All are welcome atthese meetings so if you wish to add yourname to my mailing list, send your emailaddress to jeffhoyle@btinternet.co.uk.

The Ed’linesAs I write this, sitting at mydesk in the suite of offices onthe top floor of NIPS Towers, Ican see through the panoramicwindows that Norfolk is bathedin glorious sunshine. Before Inip off up to the roof tounwind in the hut tub, may Iwelcome you to this SummerEdition.We’ve crammed a lot inagain, so there is even more toread as you enjoy a cool,refreshing pint of fresh real aleor cider or perry, in yourfavourite watering hole.The last three months havecertainly been hectic, so muchhas happened and the reallygood news is that the nexttwelve months should beexciting times for the real alescene in the County.By the time you read this, the2nd City of Ale Festival will beover and planning will havestarted on the next one. Whatwill they come up with nextyear?The Norwich Pub Surveytakes place at the end of Juneand all the signs are thatNorwich will be confirmedagain as THE City of Ale.We will have reports of thesein the next issue, which willalso look forward to the 35thNorwich Beer Festival. If youhave any suggestions or ideasfor this year, then why notattend a planning meeting atNORFOLK NIPS | Words from the EditorsTake 5? Details of the meetingsare on the Whiteboard.Next year the 2013 NationalCAMRA Members’ Weekendand AGM is coming toNorwich and Norfolk. A greatchance for our wonderful Pubsand Breweries to shine!So, enjoy the magazine andhave a great summer.Visit acountry or riverside pub, orone on the coast or take in aBeer Festival –or two! Whateveryou decide, why not drop us aline and let us know yourfavourites. And don’t forget thecamera!Enjoy!

| NORFOLK NIPSPub and Brewery Newswith sherberty grapefruithoppiness’, won overall championbeer in SIBA (east) and inSIBA’s National 2012 competitionwon bronze award in the‘premium beers’ category.New Developmentsat Grain BreweryGrain Brewery has undergonemany changes since it was firstlaunched back in 2006 by coownersPhil Halls and GeoffWright.Located in the beautifulsettings of South Farm in thesouth Norfolk village ofAlburgh, Grain was originally afive barrel per week plantwhich concentrated brewingmainly their then core beerswhich were Oak, (abv3.8%) asession bitter, Harvest Moon(abv4,5%), a hoppy pale ale,Blackwood Stout (abv4.8%),and ‘Ported Porter’ (abv5.2%)a creamy old style porter.Since then demand for theirbeers has risen sharply as theircustomer base has increased.10 | SUMMER 2012Their range of beers has alsovastly increased and nowincludes around a dozendifferent brews most of whichare sold as cask but some arealso bottled. In the spring of2010 Grain opened their ownpub, the very popular Plough(current 2012 GBG listed) in StBenedicts in Central Norwich.Two of their more popularnewer beers have gone on towin awards at recent SIBA(Society of IndependentBrewers) competitions alongwith numerous local awardsfrom our own Norwich &Norfolk CAMRA. Blond AshWheat (abv4.1%), based on aBelgian ‘witbier’ won silveraward 2011 in the ‘specialtybeers’ category in SIBA (east)competition. Redwood(abv4.8%) described as ‘A richred premium bitter that beautifullybalances roasted maltsThese increases in volume andrange left the capacity of thebrewery hopelessly inadequateso in order to cope with theirincreased demand and diversificationof their product rangethe brewery has just undergonea massive internalupgrade replacing most oftheir existing equipment. Thisnew equipment was deliveredto the brewery last year andinstallation took place inFebruary. By March the newbrewery was up and runningand in April in my capacity asBLO (Brewery liaison Officer) Itook the opportunity to make avisit and see the brewery kit inoperation.Firstly there is the new hotliquor tank that has a capacityof 3,000 litres. The hot liquor isthen mixed with the malt intothe new mash tun.After ‘sparging’ the wort thengoes into copper where it isboiled along with hops. Finallyafter cooling the beer goes intothe large fermenting vessels.This upgrade has increased thecapacity of the brewery byaround three fold. As well asincreasing capacity the newplant is much more economicalon fuel, (propane gas) than the

NORFOLK NIPS | News from the Westprevious plant and is more userfriendly being much easier toclean after each brew.With the installation of the newplant Grain has recentlyproduced another new beer‘316’ (abv3.9%), a golden beerusing American Amarillo hopsto give a light hoppy citrusflavour. A great summer ale andhopefully we will get a goodsummer to enjoy it at its best!NorwichWarren WordsworthThe Bridge House in Norwichhas just been re-launched asThe Lollards Pit.Great YarmouthKings Head in Northgate Stno longer seems to stockNelson’s Revenge. Wolf“Granny Wouldn`t Like It” andthe ubiquitous 4.1% abv Wells“Bombardier” seem in vogue.Probably a Norwich Inns thing,as at Hotel Wroxham andelsewhere. Wetherspoon`s TrollCart at Market Gates keepsfaith with Nelson`s and keeps itwell too. Recent Beer Festivaloffered up some unusual productsfrom as far afield as Norwayand South Africa. Zulu Blondewas particularly good.WroxhamSince my last offering, Woodforde`sseems to have exitedthe King`s Head. Bombardierand GK IPA on offer last visit.Shed still doing its “everyNorfolk Brewery” thing. HotelWroxham majoring on theCharles Wells products,Courage Best and Eagle, withAdnams Broadside. I spottedWolf Golden Jackal on onerecent visit.West End, Feltwell, beerswere well kept on a recent visit.They expect to have a festivalin August.Fenman, Lynn, good beerswere found on a recent visit,remarkably cheap as well.Elgood’s Snakeslayer andHobgoblin were available.News from the WestWhite Hart, Downham Thelandlord’s wife, Theresa, sadlydied last month. He’s currentlycarrying on with little otherchange.Jolly Farmers, Southery,now reopened with IPA andOld Speckled Hen.Old White Bell, Southerywas selling Bateman’s Eggs B.The Landlord (Peter) has saidthat he’ll leave when thepaperwork is completed.Red Lion, Hockwold, alsoreopened 19th March withthree ales including IPA anda house beer which seems tobe Ruddles.Red Lion, Thetford (Wetherspoon’s)is due to reopen in thenext few weeks.Chalk & Cheese,Shouldham, recently had twobeers: Elgood’s seasonal andtwo ciders: Old Rosie andanother Weston’s.Victory, Clenchwarton,Another Elgood’s tied house.The landlord (Wayne) isenthusiastic.Three Horseshoes, Roydonnow has a real ale, Wherry.Old Bell, Grimston,although now open everyevening, the only lunchtime itis open is Sunday.Anvil, Congham was servingLandlord, Abbot and XB recently.Crown & Mitre, Lynn wasbusy when visited one Thursdayrecently. Lynn News’s Bar Mancolumn was spotted on thenotice board. House on theGreen recently hadWadworth’s 6X & Old Peculiar.London Porterhouse, Lynn,reports are that it remains withtheir current managementunder a rolling contract fromGreene King and an agencylandlord is to look after it.Out of BranchWetherspoon’s in Bury (theCorn Exchange) is expectedto open shortly after their Thetfordpub.JeffSUMMER 2012 | 11

Pub News | NORFOLK NIPSThird Fat Cat Pub opensColin Keatley has now opened The Fat Cat andthe Canary. Formerly The Mustard Pot, this is adream come true for Norwich City fans – a FatCat within walking distance of Carrow Road.New Landlord, Christian Hodgkinson, formerlyof The Walpole Arms and Adlards, explainedhow the former Adnams pub has been transformed.It is now much lighter and brighter andhas a more spacious feel than either of the otherFat Cats.Reasurringly, though, the walls are adornedwith pub and brewery signs! There will bearound 17 real ales on offer, either on handpumpor gravity from the tap room, which youcan see from the bar. There will also be cidersand perries and Christian is keen to introducefine wines. The transformation is not quitecomplete as a servery will be constructed tooffer food on match days. This is a Fat Cat pub,so the usual excellent rolls and pork pies will beon offer, plus sausage rolls!There is also another first for the Fat Cat – thispub has a car park!HEMSBY SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUBANNUAL BEER FESTIVALAugust Bank Holiday WeekendStarting Friday 24th until Monday 27th. Open Daily 1200 noon until closeA host of classic and unusual ales from around Great Britain.Ciders available including award winning cider from Hog andVine. Live Music Saturday and Sunday featuring “The WrightStuff” (richardwrightmusic.com)Everyone is welcome to come and join us at our friendly and comfortable Hemsby Sports and SocialClub, Waters Lane, next to Playing Field, NR29 4NH. Tel. 01493 733543 / 07766616952.

Campaigning | NORFOLK NIPSCAMRA NEWS101 Beer Days OutBritain’s brewing boom heraldsnew age of ‘beer tourism’Britain is enjoying a goldenage for brewing, with over 850breweries now operationalacross the country producingover 5,500 different beers. Tocelebrate this remarkableindustry, CAMRA, theCampaign for Real Ale hasreleased a new book, ‘101Beer Days Out’ to showcasehow Britain has beer and brewing experiencesto rival any in the world.CAMRA’s 101 Beer Days Out, by awardwinningauthor Tim Hampson (Chairman of theBritish Guild of Beer Writers), brings together themost exciting ways to take in the nation’s richbeer and brewing culture, whether throughconventional city pub trails and tourist brewerytours, or via more unusual – and eccentricallyBritish – events such as bog snorkelling or theWorld Marble Championships!Listing attractions, events, and venues that aremust visit examples of Britain’s brewing heritageand modern beer scene, the book is burstingwith entries from the Orkney Isles to the southcoast of Cornwall.With an estimated 30 million visitors to the UKin 2012, CAMRA hopes tourists will take theopportunity to experience Britain’s national drink.Tim Hampson, 101 Beer Days Out author, said:‘Beer travel is a new form of tourism. Think aboutwhen you visit a town or region that you’ve not beento before, and the first thing most of us do is seek outthe best pub for a drink or something to eat.‘101 Beer Days Out is much more than a bookabout pubs and breweries and their beers. It is a14 | SUMMER 2012travel book, which can help you explore the lengthand breadth of Britain. It is a history book throughwhich the reader can explore local traditions andheritage. It is a book which weaves all theseelements together to tell the story of beer from thegrain to the glass and its place in British culture.’Great British Beer Festival 7 -11August, Olympia, LondonBritain's Biggest Pub opens its doors for a fiveday festival on Tuesday 7th August. There will beover 800 different real ales, ciders and foreignbeers for the expected 50,000 crowd to try.This fun event is not all about the beer though.There are a variety of different foods fromaround the world and music to enjoy.This event really is a beer drinker's paradise!Call 0844 412 4650 or go togbbf@camra.co.uk for ticketsCAMRA- ‘Beer drinkers rockedby tax man swallowing a thirdof every pint’Consumers fight back as CAMRA urges itsmembers to back e-petition to scrap beer taxescalator. Sign e-petition todayat www.camra.org.uk/saveyourpint“New increases to push up price of a pub pintby 5-10p” CAMRA has lambasted the Governmentfor its careless approach to one of Britain’smost valued institutions, the pub, as a furtherinflation plus 2% increase on beer will bringabout yet more price rises at the bar, and furtherjob losses in the sector.With around £1 on every pint going to theTreasury in beer duty and VAT, CAMRA hasreacted to the news by urging its members andall pub goers to sign an industry backed e-petitionto remove the beer duty

escalator-www.camra.org.uk/saveyourpint. Thee-petition has today been backed by CAMRA, theBritish Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), and theSociety of Independent Brewers (SIBA). With the beerand pub industry supporting almost 1 million jobsand contributing £21 billion to UK GDP, CAMRA hascondemned the Government for imposing punitivesuccessive tax increases, which will impact bothbreweries at production level, and drinkers at the bar.Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:‘The fact Britons are forced to pay over 40% of the EUbeer tax bill, but consume only 13% of the beer sold inEurope, is remarkable. British beer in a pub is so heavilyhit with duty and VAT, the tax man’s whirlwind hikestranslate to him guzzling a third of every pint served, ashadow cast over the beer drinker depriving people ofan affordable night down their local.‘Such high taxes on beer are totally unsustainable, andtherefore CAMRA is launching a consumer fight back in a bidto make the Government see sense. We today urge all beerdrinkers to get behind this new industry-backed e-petition tohelp safeguard the future of the beer and pub industry.’FREE ENTRY!2nd SummerBeer FestivalFri 20th - Sun 22nd JulyOver 20 local ales & ciders plus the regular barJuly 20th open noon - 11pm. Live Music 8 - 10pmJuly 21st Live Music all day &all night. Headline act - Againstall odds. Food stalls, Childrensbouncy castle and much more!22nd July Noon - 11pm - justgood ole beer!Win a Mealfor Two!Register your names inadvance by email tovikki@thelodge-tuddenham.co.ukto confirm your attendanceon the day for a chance towin a meal for two.Main Road, North Tuddenham NR20 3DJ01362 638466 www.thelodge-tuddenham.co.uk3rd Norfolk Ale & Music Festival22,23 & 24 June 2012Norfolk real ales • Live music all weekendBeer garden • Freshly cooked pub foodSUMMER 2012 | 15

Guest Contributor | NORFOLK NIPSWhere Norwich leadsothers will follow...Our Guest Contributor in this Issue is the distinguished Beer Writer Tim Hampson,who puts the case forward for Norwich as THE City of Real Ale!and the region’s brewers, support of the localmedia - Norwich’s Evening News’s Love YourLocal campaign highlights the role pubs play inthe community and warns punters to “eitheruse them or lose them” and a recognition bylocal politicians that pubs matter.When it comes to handing out gold medals forOlympian efforts to promote real ale Norwichshould get a gold medal, maybe two.Not only does the Norwich and Norfolkbranch organise one of the oldest and best beerfestivals in the country but it is now workingactively to help promote the Norwich City of Aleinitiative promoting local pubs and brewers.Norwich is quite a city for beer and fine pubs.Not only does it have one pub which has beennamed the best in the country for selling realale, but it has several others which could all beworthy contenders. This ale and hearty successis down to several factors, the hard work of thelocal branch, the passion of the city’s licenseesCompetitionTo win a copy of Tim Hampson’s new book, 101 BeerDays Out, simply answer the following question:Which Brewery features on the Front Cover?Send your answer to norfolknips@yahoo.co.uk or201 Kingswood Avenue, Taverham, Norwich NR8 6GJ.To arrive by Friday 17th August, please.This collective effort has all helped putNorwich and its pubs and beers on the map. Foryears beer travellers have beaten a path toSheffield, Derby or even Burton upon Trent todrink a wide range of beers. Now beer travellershave added Norwich to the list of must visit aledestinations.If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery thenNorwich should be proud that other citiesaround the country are planning their own Cityof Ale celebrations – London’s starts in July –where Norwich lead others now follow.Tim HampsonTim Hampson is the author of CAMRA’s 101Beer Days Out, which is available from theCAMRA shop and all good book retailers,(www.camra.org.uk/shop) priced £12.99(£10.99 for CAMRA members).Congratulations to David Worsencroftwhose winning entry in theHumpty Dumpty competitionwas drawn out of the hat by SirIan Botham at Coltishall.Please note – we do not collectnames and addresses ofentrants for any purpose, otherthan to verify entries and knowwhere to send the prize.16 | SUMMER 2012

NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk NatterWetherspoons cometh on apaceIn my small corner of South West Norfolk, weare very close to two other counties.Cambridgeshire is about ten miles away andSuffolk about a mile and a half!So the news that new Wetherspoons pubs areopening in Thetford and Bury St Edmunds is ofsome significance to us. The Thetford one willbe the Red Lion on the market square, closed forsome time and infamously a Portuguese pubattacked after England’s failure at the EuroChampionships.This will be a smaller Wetherspoons not alongthe “shop into night club” lines found in largertowns and cities The question which concernsme is what effect will there be on the other realale venues in Thetford?Most CAMRA members enjoy variety and willjust travel individually to obtain it surely thisleads to thousands of miles being travelled toget the range of beers you might find at the FatCat in one day!I was recently told that all most real aledrinkers want is their favourite beer well servedin one pub all the time. If that is the case whatwas the point of the whole movement in thefirst place and why do I hear this at beer festivals,which should be deserted if it is true!On the whole Wetherspoons have widened ourchurch and made many more aware of real alein its infinite variety, so I hope for the bestoutcome, time will tell…Stig.As a member of CAMRA I guess I shouldwelcome a dynamic real ale outlet nearby butnot at the cost of losing local venues due to the“Tesco” effect. I shall put this point to themanagement at the new pub when it opens in afew weeks. Let’s hope that the presence of aWetherspoons just keeps down beer pricesalthough the Albion does a pretty good jobalready.Bury is a different matter. The new venue is thewonderful Corn Exchange which used to hostthe excellent Bury beer festival! This will be alarge pub catering for a wider audience, abastion deep behind Greene King lines.I’d like to have been a fly on the wall at GKwhen the new use of the Corn Exchange wasmade public! Strangely enough I suspect one ofthe major victims may be other food outletstrying to compete with JD’s famously economicmenu…Choice is paramount to me I confess to deepsuspicion of the Locale doctrine which suggeststhat it is environmentally unsustainable to transportbeers out of area.SUMMER 2012 | 19

Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 14 | NORFOLK NIPSThis series of articles highlight the pubs whose interiors have been little altered inthe past 40 years or so. With summer in mind, this issue features a pub in NorthNorfolk and one in the seaside town of Sheringham.Nelson memorabilia. To the leftof the bar there is a small snugwhich was originally a groundfloor cellar. Along apassageway on the right is theVictory Barn, a large roomconverted from a barn in 1996and popular with diners andavailable as a function room.Only available at the LordThe exterior of the Lord Nelson, Burnham Thorpe by Mike JacksonLord Nelson,Burnham ThorpeThe Lord Nelson dates fromc.1650 and was renamed inhonour of the great admiralHoratio Nelson who was bornin the rectory in this village in1758 and is said to have held afarewell party in an upstairsroom before leaving in 1793 totake command of theAgamemnon. From the frontdoor there is an uneven brickfloor passage. Turn left and youfind the splendid small originalquarry tiled Nelson's Bar. Thisstill retains one ancient settlewith an iron arch-shaped rodholding it in place. Sadly, asecond similar settle with ironrodwas removed in 2002when for the first time in thepubs history a bar counter andbar back were installed by carefullycutting a hole in a dividing20 | SUMMER 2012wall. Prior to 2002 all drinkswere supplied by table service.To the right of the passage isthe Ward Room, now a diningroom, which up to the retirementin 1997 of long standinglicensee Les Winter, foundermember of the Nelson Society,contained many items ofThe new bar counterThe little altered public bar at the Lord Nelson, Burnham Thorpe

Nelson is Nelson’s Blood, asecret concoction of rum andspices. The building is Grade IIlisted.Lord Nelson, WalsinghamRoad, Burnham Thorpe PE318HN. It is open from 11.45 to3; 6 to 11 Sun 12 to 10.30; insummer holidays the pub isopen all day. Meals are servedfrom 12 to 2.30 and 6 to 9.Phone number is 01328738241. Website: www.nelsonslocal.co.uk.Real ales on saleare Greene King Abbot Ale andWoodfordes Wherry serveddirect from the cask.Lobster,SheringhamThe Lobster is situated yardsfrom the sea front. A visit isrecommended to see the littlealtered lounge. There appearsto have been a refitting in the1930s when two small roomswere combined and fieldedpanelling to two-thirds heightadded throughout. The barcounter, and most of themirrored bar back with a set ofdrawers, looks like it may datefrom the 1930s as does theTudor arch shaped woodThe wood panelled Lounge Bar atthe Lobster, Sheringhamsurround of the fireplace - thecopper hood may be a 1960saddition. Look for the two raretill drawers in the bar backfitting. The public bar has beenrefitted in recent years but doesretains a ‘Bar’ etched panel inthe door and a parquet floorpossibly of the 1930s. A third‘Garden Room’ may well havebeen a pub room for sometime but looks as though it hasbeen extended back. Service toit is from a hatch in thecorridor. At the rear is a separatepebble fronted buildingnow called the Stables Fish &Oyster Bar and Restaurant.The pub holds beer festivals atevery bank holiday weekendand also organises The SheringhamClassic Car & BikeShow with the 200 cars closingthe high street and sea front,and which raises money forSheringham carnival.Lobster, 13 High Street, cornerWyndham Street, SheringhamNR26 8JP. It is open from 11 to11 (12 Fri, Sat); Sun 12 to11.Meals are served from 12 to 3;6 to 9; On Sat & Sun from 12to 9. Phone number is 01263822716. Website: www.thelobster.com.Real ales on saleare Adnams Bitter, Greene KingAbbot Ale, Sharps Doom Bar,Woodfordes Wherry and a guestbeer. It is ‘dog-friendly’ and childrenare welcome until 9pm.Text and photographs by MickSlaughter of CAMRA’s PubHeritage Group.If you require photographs ofyour pub interior / exterioryou can contact Mick on01733 390598or emailm.slaughter45@ntlworld.comto discuss your requirements.SUMMER 2012 | 21

DUKEof WELLINGTONTRADITIONAL REAL ALE HOUSEBank Holiday BeerFestival 2012Friday 24th August - Saturday 1st September70 Real Ales from across thenation plus cidersBBQ throughout the Beer Festivalplus BBQ June, July and August every Fridayand Saturday starting 6pm weather permittingTry our new range of BelgianBottled Beers!Enjoy your favourite takeaway with apint of real ale and friendly company!Just order your food to be delivered to the pubor bring it in and we provide plates, knives,forks and environment.We even have the menu’savailable - Indian,Chinese, Fish and Chips etc.14 REAL ALESGRAVITY SERVEDavailable all year round fromour glass fronted tap room6 MORE ALESON HAND PUMPWednesday Special (12 Noon – 11pm)FOUR guest ales, changing everyweek, just £2.00 per pint!Come and enjoy our TapRoom with a selection ofCAMRA Good Beer Guide ListedBelgian bottled beers, Budvar,Open Monday to SaturdayErdinger and Riegele all on12noon to 11pmDraught.Sundays 12noon to 10.30pm91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182

Boots & Beer- OxboroughNORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk RambleOn a less than sunnyEaster Saturday we set offon a 5½ mile circularwalk (source Ramblersbooklet - West NorfolkWalkaway-3) starting at Oxborough. Parked onthe ample green beside the newly re-openedBedingfeld Arms, we intended to return with athirst. Along county lanes, cross-field footpaths,open country and historic hedge lined tracks atabout ¾ way around the route we arrived inGooderstone with 15 mins. to spare beforeopening time and so entered Gooderstonechurch. There we read the sad story of a localman, Lord Aymer. In a bit of a brawl after hiswedding ceremony he was killed and Lady Maryde St Paul was a maid, wife and widow all in oneday in year 1343!But wait…. The church clock signalled middayand The Swan had opened. Inside this oldcottage style pub is a traditional warm andwelcoming bar / dining with bright pool / dartsroom behind and large back lawn. Here indeepest Breckland we found Lincolnshire beers,Bateman’s XB, Oldershaw and Newby Wyke‘HMS Queen Elizabeth’ (6%), a wonderfulJubilee special hoppy blond with hint of fruit.Mmm, time for another of those please yourmajesty and note to self to plan a visit toGrantham. The Swan serves lunch only onSundays so a 20 min walk took us back toOxborough.OK, maybe I should have guessed the recentlymodernised and re-opened Bedingfeld Arms onan Easter Sat lunchtime beside National TrustOxburgh Hall is destined to be busy – and it wasso. We are glad to see any pub being wellattended and we resolved to visit another time.Instead we drove to the oft passed-by FoldgateInn at Stradsett where we enjoyed a good lunch- meals all day weekends - and a choice ofGreene King IPA, Speckled Hen and LondonPride in a very nice, comfortable and populartraditional bar / dining room.A couple days later at the local CAMRA groupmeet / social we saw that no-one was scheduledto deliver Nips to Gooderstone Swan so wesigned up and the following Saturday we againparked at Oxborough and opted for the 3 mileround walk (source Norfolk County Councilcountryside access) carrying a Nips delivery tothe Swan at the halfway point. As an individualthat likes to try any beers not previously experiencedNorfolk’s Humpty Dumpty BroadlandSurprise was enjoyed, with an option ofBateman’s XB. Should have been there yesterdaywe were told, for the popular Quiz night. TheSwan holds weekly quiz or music nights.Back at the Bedingfeld Arms the Easterweekend rush was reduced and we found atable in the choice of nicely decorated diningrooms with eclectic furniture. On handpumpwere Adnams Broadside, Wells Bombardier andWells Eagle IPA and our delivery of Nips waswelcomed. A modern selection of lunchtime barfood was available, with a la carte in theevenings I am told.A sad end to this Nips delivery round was thecontinued closure of the Blue Bell at Stoke Ferry.Here’s wishing good fortune to the villageproject to re-open it.J&JSUMMER 2012 | 23

West Norfolk | NORFOLK NIPSHappy Days Are Here AgainSome readers may rememberthis article from the Lynn News,but I felt it deserves a wider audience.Look out for more from theBarman in the Lynn News everyTuesday – also available on theinternet atwww.lynnnews.co.uk/news/columnists/the-barmanI read a column in a localnewsletter recently calledsomething like Mr Grumpygets very Grumpy, which wasvery good, but a bit one sided,so I thought that I would put afew happy things in mine aswell as grumpy things. Just sothat you can tell the differencegrumpy things are marked (G)and happy things (H).Last week I went to a localpub beer festival, which had agood selection of excellentbeer (H), but when I went outthe back I noticed that thetoilets did not have men andwomen markings, so it was abit random which door tochoose (G). It was also interesting,wondering who wouldcome in next (G or H,depending on who it was).Next evening we took somefriends who were staying withus out west onto the Fen, andvisited a pub that was new tome. When we walked in thelocals at the bar mistook us forJehovah’s Witnesses, and gaveus a gentle ribbing (G) I canonly assume that this wasbecause we were not wearingbaseball caps, had no visible24 | SUMMER 2012tattoos and managed to stringtogether a few words withoutswearing. Still, the landladywas pleasant, and the Elgood’sCambridge bitter about asgood as it gets (H).Next day we went down toLondon on the train with ourfriends to go to the Brentford vBury game. Thanks to engineeringworks and the BoatRace crowds, (G), we wererather late reaching the Magpieand Crown in Brentford wherewe were to meet two of the barwife’s nephews who werecoming to the game. The pubwas great, with a fantasticselection of beer and lots ofRobert Rankin* memorabilia(H). However a bottle of watercost £2.20 (G). Quickly passingover the result of the game, weheaded back home and due tothe engineering ended upspending half an hour onCambridge station. There is nowaiting room, and the barwhere you could once get adecent pint is now Marks andSpencer’s, so it meant standingthere in the cold for 30 minutes(G) being entertained by theantics of a hen party (H).When we finally reachedLynn, the ladies went home tosort out supper (H), whilstRoger and I went for a quickpint in the Fenman, oppositethe station. The atmospherewas jovial, the beer £2.00 apint and the Elgood’s GoldenNewt sensationally good (H).So in the final analysis, the (H)s narrowly outnumber the (G) swhich is how life should be.On the other hand this doesnot include the match result.*A local authorbar.man@btinternet.comPhil BuffamUnfortunately Phil Buffam hastaken the decision to resign asChair of West Norfolk CAMRA.This is I understand for personalreasons.I would like to say on behalf ofmyself and the rest of the activemembers, that Phil did a greatjob as Chair. He made goodheadway with recruitment for abranch which does not run itsown beer festival by negotiatingthe presence of CAMRA stands atlocal independent events. Healso, most often staffed thesehimself with the help of others.Phil was always a keen followerof beer events around the areaand produced a lot of informationon them which will be sorelymissed.Personally I’ll miss his humour,and steadfast insistence on a beermug at every venue. He is alsothe only CAMRA member I’veever written a poem about!As Phil is no longer able toattend our meetings, this soundsa bit like an obituary.But he’s out there somewhereat this very moment relishing amug of something hoppy. Hopeto see you around mate, Stig.

The Smallest Pub in Norwich • Open Monday - Saturday • Families welcomeA great real ale pub in thecentre of the CityExceptionally good Thai Foodlunchtimes and eveningsWe arein it!The ONLY Thai Restaurantfor Norwich inTHE GOOD FOOD GUIDE!www.vinethai.co.ukSmall but Perfectlyformed SummerBeer Fest25th - 30th June 2012.

26 | SUMMER 2012

NORFOLK NIPS | Beating Blood CancerBeefy gives it some Humpty!Eventually, we caught up with the great man.With his left knee hidden by a massive ice pack,he sat by the support vehicle chatting andsigning autographs. He signed Lesley’s PumpClip and a copy of Norfolk NIPS. But although SirIan is a cider man, and these days is more intowine (he has his own Wine Company) we couldnot resist the opportunity to ask him to try Giveit some Humpty.He took a large sip, licked his lips andsaid “There’s nothing wrong with that!”Praise indeed!Sir Ian Botham has vowedto carry on walking untilBlood Cancer has beenbeaten. This year, his GreatBritish Walk took in 10venues, from Edinburgh to London. Thisincluded a pleasant “stroll” along the Bure ValleyRailway on 19th April, finishing at the Girl GuideCentre in Coltishall.I was there to meet him, together with David“Pugs” Rackham and Lesley George from theHumpty Dumpty Brewery , which had a stall setup in the somewhat muddy field. They weredispensing their Commemorative Ale for thisevent – Give it some Humpty – in return fordonations to the charity, Leukaemia &Lymphoma Research.We didn’t have long to wait. Sir Ian crossed theline in style. He had set a cracking pace, leavingmost of his supporters some way behind. I wasglad that I had ditched my original proposal tointerview him as we walked!Business at the Humpty Dumpty Dumpty stallwas just as brisk as thirsty walkers made abeeline for the beer after crossing the finish line.If you wish to donate to this worthycause, please go to beatingbloodcancers.org.uk/beefywalk2012.The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licenceoffering over 50 bottle conditioned alesfrom 15 Norfolk brewers.We are located on a beautiful arable farmclose-by Wells-next-the-Sea, which providesmuch of the malt used in brewing theales we sell.The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm,Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB.Tel: 01328 710810SUMMER 2012 | 27

6 St Martins Palace Plain,Norwich NR3 1RN01603 625891www.thewigandpen.comThis warm and friendly 17th century Freehouse is to thenorth side of Norwich cathedral. Owned by Craig & LynneMcLaren since 1993. ‘The Wig’ as its affectionately known,has built a reputation for fresh, fast, affordable British cuisine.• Good Ale • Good Food • Heated smoking area• Comprehensive Outdoor Dining Area • Late Night OpeningLook out for our CaskMarque Plaque.This guarantees beer qualityin the Wig & Pen and theopportunity toTRY BEFORE YOU BUY.For the 16th successiveyear, the Wig & Pen hasbeen included inCAMRA’s Good BeerGuide. We are very proudof this achievement.28 | SUMMER 2012

D is for DraysNORFOLK NIPS | Norfolk A - ZWorking for the Brewery.It was hard going, workingfrom Dawn to Dusk. As ayoungster, you were pairedwith an old hand, who knewthe ropes. In time, you wouldbe that old hand and ayoung’un would have theopportunity to learn from you.But at least you had a summerholiday – in a nice field somewhere.When you retired, if you werelucky, someone would give youa good home, otherwise – itwas off to the Knacker’s Yard!We are, of course, talkingabout the magnificent horsesthat pulled the Brewery drays.In Norfolk they were usuallyeither Shires, distinguished bytheir feathered, white, lowerlegs or Percherons, a cleanlegged horse (no feathering).They were looked after by theBrewery Draymen, who madethe deliveries. They were not aswell paid as the other workersin the Brewery, and workedlonger hours. But the job didhave compensations, free beerat the pubs that you deliveredto. Fortunately, the horsesknew the round and the wayback to the Brewery!Loading the drays, whichwere maintained by theBrewery Carpenters, was easy,because the barrels were puton from a platform the sameheight as the dray, but offloadingwas a different matter.Typically, there were 15wooden barrels in each load,and they could weigh considerablymore by the time that theywere delivered if it was raining.Each dray had a skid, or ramp,which was pulled out fromunderneath. This was made ofwood, reinforced with a metalstrip and was bowed in themiddle. The Barrels would beslid down the ramp, so thatwhen the hit the coconut matat the bottom, they stoodupright. If, by chance, yourolled a barrel down the ramp,there was no way of stopping it!Drays were a common sightand made a fine marketingtool, advertising both theBrewery and it’s beers, as theymade their rounds.However, many horses werecommandeered during TheGreat War and few returned.Motor deliveries began in the1920’s and for a while lorriesand horse drawn drays workedin tandem.Today, you can still see a drayin Norfolk, thanks to DerekSpanton, whose family haveworked with horses for over100 years. In 1988, he boughthis first Shire horse and later adray, which he found in an oldbarn at Worstead. In 1994, hewas approached by RayAshworth of Woodfordes totake the Dray over to theopening of The Billy Bluelightin Norwich.The rest is history.If you want to read moreabout Horses and Drays or thelife of a drayman as recountedby Derek Spanton, then pleasesee Norwich Pubs and BreweriesPast and Present, theexcellent book by Frances andMichael Holmes, who kindlygave permission for material tobe used in this article.SUMMER 2012 | 29

The Rant | NORFOLK NIPSThe Rant – Brought to youby Blogg’s Best BitterWhat is the biggest footballmatch in the world? The FIFAWorld Cup Final? Or perhapsthe EUEFA Champions LeagueFinal? These are the answersyou will get from fans today,but it used to be The FA CupFinal or the final of The FootballAssociation Challenge Cup togive it the proper name. It’s theoldest competition of the sortin the world, with Wanderersbeating The Royal Engineers 1-0 in front of 2,000 fans at theKennington Oval in the firstfinal in 1872.Fans still talk about theromance of the FA Cup, manyhave their treasured memories,and giant killing feats are nowthe stuff of legends.But in recent times, the glosshas worn off. The removal ofunlimited replays until a tie wassettled, replaced by a singlereplay with extra time andpenalties; permission grantedto Manchester United to beexcused to play in a meaninglesstournament in SouthAmerica, etc, etc. have all takentheir toll.But in my view, the biggestculprit has to be the CorporateSponsorship Deals. It may havebeen inevitable, but from 1871– 1993 it was The FA Cup.Nothing more - and certainlynothing less.But all that changed in 1994when it was sponsored byLittlewoods. But at least it wasa British Company, synonymouswith Football. The UKcame to a halt at 5pm on aSaturday as millions tuned in tothe radio or TV to check theirLittlewoods Pools Coupons(other Coupons were available –Ed). But then came AXA, andE.ON after a four year break.You can see where this going,from 2011 – 2014 The FA Cup

will be known as The FA Cupwith Budweiser. They hadsponsored the 2010 World Cupin South Africa. It’s all part ofthe globalisation of fizzy alcoholicrice water in my view. Butit is not just them. As the worldspins in financial meltdown,the Financial Institutions nolonger have the readies formega sponsorship, it seems.Are the major Brewers aretaking over?The main sponsor of theEngland Football Team isCarling; the main sponsors ofthe 2012 Euro Finals in Polandand the Ukraine are Carlsberg.At least in the Ukraine Carlsbergbrew an 8% stout. Willthat be the beer of choice athalf time? Probably not.And it’s not just football, takethe 2012 London Olympics.Official (and the only) BeerSupplier - Heineken!But the good news is thatthey are not just selling “lager”,there will be bitter and cider onoffer. The bad news is that“British Bitter” is rebrandedJohn Smiths Smooth and“Cider” is rebrandedStrongbow. There are no alternativesavailable at any of theOlympic venues!Even at Lords, where theArchery is taking place.Marstons have the franchisethere, but during theOlympics, all references toMarstons and it’s productsincluding Pedigree and life sizecut outs of Matthew Hoggardare to be removed.But these are the LONDONOlympics! Where is LondonPride? The Olympic Organisersshould hang their heads inshame. They say that withoutmajor sponsorships, theseevents would not take place.Hang on, we are supposing tobe showcasing to the world thebest that London and the restof the UK has to offer, surely adeal could have been struck tooffer a “guest beer” at thevenues? London Pride inLondon, Robinson’s DoubleHop in Manchester, etc. Sadly,Breweries in the UK do nothave sufficient financial clout tobid to become a sponsor for amajor event.Is this where IndependentBreweries should cometogether to form a syndicate topromote their beers at events?Could SIBA take the initiative?And of course, there is alwaysCAMRA. CAMRA Branchesmust take the opportunity towork with Real Ale Pubs andBreweries in the areas whereevents are taking place to raiseawareness of what delightsthey can expect to find outsidethe venues. “British Bitter” isNOT the best the UK has tooffer. The Real Ale or Craftmarkets are flourishingthroughout the world, manyvisitors will come and hope tosample some decent Britishales and ciders, they may bedisappointed with what theyare being sold.Surely, CAMRA must bepromoting the Great BritishBeer Festival to visitors to theUK for the Olympics? Probably.the best ticket in town!Pub Survey 2012Hi, and thanks for helping in lastyear's Pub Survey, which really putNorwich on the map nationally!Because it was fun - and becausethe data is actually quite useful,and not just for annoying otherCAMRA branches! - we're doing itall again at the end of June, onSaturday 30th to be precise(although please keep that datequiet for a little while).I hope you'll all be able to helpout again, and join in the eveningparty when we announce theresults - this year we'll be at TheReindeer in Dereham Road fromabout 2pm until we get all theresults in - last year I think it wasabout 9pm. If so, please could youget back to me as soon as possible,and let me know whether you'dlike to do the same pubs as lastyear, or have a change and surveya different area. As last year, therewill be prizes for the closest estimateof the number of uniquebeers (215 last year), so please alsolet me know your guess. Only oneperson can have each number, soget in quick or yours may be gone.If the actual number is equidistantfrom two guesses, e.g. actualnumber 205, two nearest guessesare 204 and 206, then the highestof the two, 206, will be the winner.Thanks in advance for your help!Cheers,IanAn ApologyIn the Spring edition, we stated thatthe telephone box at The Nelson’sHead in Horsey was a smokers’facility. The landlord, John Uff, hasasked me to point out that thiswasn’t the case and could never beso, as it does not conform to currentregulations.Sorry, John, for any inconveniencecaused.SUMMER 2012 | 31

Try our Award WinningNorfolk AlesThe Wolf BreweryRookery Farm, Silver StreetBesthorpe, AttleboroughNorfolk, NR17 2LDTelephone: 01953 457775E-mail: info@wolfbrewery.comAvailable All Year RoundAvailable in bottles and 5 Litre Mini Caskson-line or from our brewery shopwww.wolfbrewery.com32 | SUMMER 2012

NORFOLK NIPS | Competition35th Norwich BeerFestival Winning logoAs usual we had many fineentries from all ages, includingseveral newcomers who pittedtheir designs against ourcompetition regulars. With alarge number of entries, thejudging process was againlengthy and difficult with manylogo designs having significantmerit. After due deliberation, afinal short list of two designswere selected, with one particulardesign really standing outfrom the others.Anthony Miles’ design of adragon on a diamond finallywon through and was declaredthe winning design, aftercareful consideration as to howthe designs could be workedup to promote the festival onits usual range of merchandiseof glasses and t-shirts.Mr Miles was quite shockedwhen he was told that he hadwon. After thinking of enteringthe competition for a fewyears, he finally put pixels ontoscreen and submitted a verytopical design in the year of theQueen’s Golden Jubilee, as wellas it being the branch's 35thfestival making it one of thelongest running CAMRA BeerFestivals in the country.Although planning is at anearly stage, as in previous yearswe aim to provide an exceptionalrange of quality real alesand ciders from not onlyNorfolk, but other outstandingbreweries around the country,plus maybe a few anniversaryspecials!This year's beer festival runsfrom Monday 29th October toSaturday 3rd November at itsusual venue of St Andrews &Blackfriars Hall's, Norwich.For further information aboutthe festival, please see our webpage at http://www.norwichcamra.org.uk/festival/festival.htmContacts:Martin Ward, Festival OrganiserTel: 07833971894e-mail:macros_the_black@ntlworld.comJazz UpdateFirstly, on Saturday 14th July there will be anothersession at the Recreation Centre, Bridewell Lane,Acle, and the band appearing this time will be theYerba Buena Celebration Jazz Band. This isan eight piece 'Frisco Style' band playing manyoriginal Lu Watters arrangements, with the line-upfeaturing several band leaders in their own right,and this return appearance at Acle should prove tobe another popular event.The venue has a good selection of real ales,including Adnams and Theakstons Bitter.Enquiries -Brian Davis 01493 701880.Secondly, following on from their additional shorttour of the area to mark the Queen's DiamondJubilee Weekend, the Water Rats Jazz Bandwill be embarking on their 48th annual week-longtour of the Norfolk Broads on Saturday 21st July,generously sponsored as always by Woodforde'sBrewery. The final itinerary is not yet available, butshould be in the local press in due course, or onthe Water Rats web-site at www.water-rats.co.ukIt is also understood that the Water Rats are againdue to appear at the Reedham Lord Nelson's beerfestival on August Bank Holiday Monday.SUMMER 2012 | 33

CAMRA CalendarNorwich and North Norfolk BranchSaturday 16 Jun 2012Grain Brewery visit – our Summer OutingVisit to Grain Brewery at Alburgh (2pm) thenonwards to Harleston to visit a few pubs. Coachleaves John Lewis bus layby, All Saints Green,Norwich, at 1.15pm. To reserve a place, pleasecontact Michael Phillips, tel 07851923554 oremail socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk.Tuesday 19 June 20:00 - 22:00Branch Meeting(Windham Arms, Sheringham)Our monthly branch business meeting, thismonth at the Windham Arms, 16-17 WyndhamStreet, Sheringham NR26 8BA. There is nocoach to this meeting -- make your own way tothe meeting. Cost of train/bus travel will bereimbursed on the evening.Friday 29 June 19:15 – 23:00Campaign Coach TripA Campaign Coach Trip, visiting pubs outsideNorwich including the 2 at Geldeston. Tickets£5 for CAMRA members, £7 non-members.Booking is ESSENTIAL (as we are using a 24-seatvehicle), contact Michael Phillips, emailsocialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk, tel 07851923 554.Saturday 30 Jun 2012Norwich Beer and Pub Survey 2012Norwich (map)The Norwich Beer and Pub Survey aims to visitall the pubs in Norwich on one day and recordthe beers on ale. If you would like tohelp,contact our Pubs Officer, Ian Stamp -email: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.ukfor more details.Friday 6 July 20:00 – 23:00First Friday Five46 Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St. Andrew (map)Visiting 5 pubs in Thorpe St. Andrew and Thorpe34 | SUMMER 2012Hamlet, starting at the Rushcutters, 46 YarmouthRoad, then the Buck, Rivergarden, Town HouseHotel and finishing at the Fat Cat & Canary.Saturday 7 July 19:30 – 23:00Beer Festival Staff Summer BarbecueAt the Beehive, Leopold Road, Norwich.Tuesday 17 July 20:00 – 22:00Branch MeetingOur monthly business meeting, to be held at theUncle Stuart Brewery, Wroxham Barns, TunsteadRoad, Hoveton, Norfolk NR12 8QUSaturday 21 July 2012Trip to NottinghamVisit to Nottingham for their Beer by Tram Trip.We are hoping to meet up with members ofNottingham branch and visit a number of pubsalong the tram route. This event will be byreturn train between Norwich and Nottinghamand we will endeavour to book Groupsave4tickets where possible. Final details will followbut please could you confirm your interest/availabilityon this date to obtain an indication ofinterest for this event - please contact our SocialSecretary, Michael Phillips on 07851923554 ore-mail to socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.ukFriday 27 July 19:15 – 23:00Campaign Coach TripA Campaign Coach Trip, visiting pubs outsideNorwich along the A11. Tickets £5 for CAMRAmembers, £7 non-members. Booking is ESSEN-TIAL (as we are using a 24-seat vehicle),contact Michael Phillips, emailsocialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk,tel 07851 923 554.Friday 3 Aug 2012First Friday Five (TBA)Visiting 5 pubs in Norwich, route to bearranged.Wednesday 15th August 2012Beeston Brewery VisitDetails to be confirmed

NORFOLK NIPS | Dates for your diaryTuesday 21st AugustBranch Committee MeetingOur monthly business meeting to be held atCounty Hall, NorwichFriday 31st AugustCampaign Coach TripDetails to be confirmed, but is likely to be fivecounty pubs in the Great Yarmouth/Gorleston area.Sunday 2nd September 2012Bowls Match v Suffolk BranchesBranches compete for The Rowly Bowly Cup.To be held at the Caxton Club, Beccles.Coach from the John Lewis layby, All SaintsGreen, Norwich at noon. To book a place,please contact Michael PhilipsTuesday 18th SeptemberBranch Committee MeetingOur monthly business meeting to be held at TheHumpty Dumpty Brewery, Reedham 8pmPhilips to book your seat on the coach and let usknow where you want to be picked up.Pick up points: 6.47pm junction of SouthwellRoad/Grove Road, 6.55pm junction of OldPalace Road/ West End Street, 7.10pm HeartseaseRoundabout (Harvey Lane side) 7.15pmRailway Station (Thorpe Road Bus Stops).For more details and updates, please check thefull calendar on www.norwichcamra.org.ukNEW – Updates on the First Friday Fives can alsobe found at Firstfridayfives.blogspot.comAll Branch Meetings start at 8pm.West Norfolk BranchBranch meetings (All include social)Apart from the AGM, you do not have to be amember to attend any of these events, but ifyou do and you enjoy it, you are more thanwelcome to join. Just come along!However, for coach trips, please contact MichaelThe Crown Inn at Catfield scoops awardFollowing the Winter Ale Trail, organised byBranch members Peter and Susan Wells, a presentationwas made to The Crown Inn atCatfield. The village pub was nominated bythose who completed the task of visiting all thepubs as the Pub of the Trail.Licencees Pauline and Nando Sappia wereclearly delighted to receive this accolade. Theincrease in footfall and sales was very welcomein the winter months and the pub would like tobe involved next year. It will however, be undernew management as Gail and Scott Whittletonare taking over soon (it is still being kept in thefamily, though).Peter and Susan Wells said that they werepleased with the way that the trail had run. The12th June West End, Feltwell10th July Victory, Clenchwarton28th July Trip by public transport around pubsSouth East of Norwich. To be finalised, contactTim (07950-823270) nearer the date for details.response had been good and drinkers hadventured to pubs that they would not otherwisehave visited.Those who attended the ceremony foundsome cracking ales awaiting them – includingHumpty Dumpty’s Jubilee Mild and tasty nibblesmade by Nando.left to right -GrahamFreeman,landlady andlandlord Paulineand NandoSappia.SUMMER 2012 | 35

Beer Festival Planning meetings:When: Thursdays 28 June, 30 August, 27 SeptemberWhere: Upstairs room, Take 5, 17 Tombland,Norwich NR3 1HFTime: 8 – 10pmGreat British Beer FestivalWhen: 7 – 11 AugustWhere: Olympia, LondonTICKETS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROMhttp://gbbf.org.uk/ PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETSTO RECEIVE A £2 DISCOUNT !Norwich BeerFestival StaffSummer BBQWhen: 7.30pm, Sat 7 JulyWhere: The Beehive, LeopoldRd, Norwich

You are not alone!The Norwich and Norfolk Branch2,523 members, of which:276 are under 301,776 are male715 are female-and there are 3 “others”.Next issue of Norfolk Nipsand Cask ForceCopy to editors by Monday August 6thOn the streets by: Friday September 14th

Beery dates for your diary | NORFOLK NIPSBeer Festivals16-17 June4th Gibberd GardenBeer FestivalThe Gibberd Garden, MarshLane, Old Harlow CM17 0NAContact:chairman@heb-camra.org.ukwww.heb-camra.org.uk/gg22-24th June3rd Norfolk Ale & Music FestJolly Sailors, Brancaster StaitheJune 14-16The 8th Braintree RealAle FestivalThe Bocking Arts TheatreBocking End, Braintree CM7 9AANorth West Essex Branchwww.braintreebeerfestival.co.uk25th - 30th JuneSmall but Perfectly FormedBeer FestVine Thai Cuisine, Norwich28 June – 1 JulyThe 16th Festival ofBeer and BrewingThe Museum of East Anglian Life,StowmarketIpswich and Suffolk Branch6th -8th JulySouth East Essex Ciderand Perry FestivalSouth East Essex Branchwww.seecamra.org.uk13th - 15th July 11thAnnual North NorfolkRailway Beer Fest100 brews including cider andperry, Sheringham Station10th – 14th JulyChelmsford SummerBeer FestivalChelmsford and Mid-Essex38 | SUMMER 2012Branchwww.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk19-21 July 2nd Rutland‘Multum in Parvo’ BeerFestivalRutland County MuseumCatmose Street, OakhamLE15 6HWContact:www.rutlandcamra.org.uk20th - 22nd JulyCrusaders Beer FestivalBeckhithe, Little Melton20th - 22nd JulyLodge, North Tuddenham2nd Summer Beer FestivalOver 20 Ales and Ciders26th – 28th JulyBishop’s Stortford BeerFestivalHerts and Essex Borders Branchwww.heb-camra.org.uk26th - 28th JulyStuart House, Kings Lynn15th Kings Lynn BeerFestival10th - 12th August3rd Ranworth Beer andCider Fest20 plus Real Ales and cidersRanworth Village Hall, Broad Rd14th AugustBedingfeld arms, Oxborough16th – 19th AugustIpswich Beer FestivalIpswich and East SuffolkBrancheswww.ipswichcamra.org.uk21st -25th AugustPeterborough BeerFestivalThe Embankment, BishopsRoad,Peterborough PE1 1EFPeterborough and District Branchwww.real-ale.org.uk22nd -25th AugustClacton-on-Sea Real Aleand Cider FestivalTendring Branchwww.tendringcamra.org.uk24th - 27th AugustHemsby Sports and SocialClub annual Beer FestivalWaters Lane, NR29 4NH24th August - 1st SeptDuke of Wellington,NorwichBank Holiday Beer Festival70 Real Ales plus ciders, BBQ4th - 8th SeptemberChappel Beer FestivalEssex Branches24-27th AugustWest End, Feltwell25th - 27th AugustMid Norfolk Railway Real aland Music FestivalDereham Station7th - 9th SeptemberWymondham Rugby Club40th Anniversary SeasonBeer Fest20 Local Ales and Ciders, BBQand Hog Roast

Michaela and Rik welcome you toThe Kings Arms22 Hall Rd Norwich NR1 3HQ Tel: 01603 766361Everchanging 13 Real Ales, Cider and Mild.Fruit Beer also servedBEER GARDEN • Popular Quiz Nightlast Wednesday of every monthTexas hold-em poker playedThursdays and Sunday 8pm startEat yourtakeawayin the pub- plates andcutlery provided!See all of NorwichCity’s matches(Home andAway!)See www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.ukfor detailsFood served: 11.30 - 2pm Monday -Fri12-30- 3pm SundaySUMMER 2012 | 39

From the Archives | NORFOLK NIPSFrom the ArchivesIssue no. 103 June/July 1999“CAMRA believes that consumer power is theway forward in the campaign to persuade pubchains to stock a wider range of real ales”. Talksbetween CAMRA, SIBA, and some of the biggestPubco’s had revealed that retailers were keen tostock a wider range, but that they wanted to besure that there was genuine customer demandfor “little known cask beers from micros andsmaller regional Brewers. The Office of Fairtrading had ruled out statutory action to forcepubcos to stock guest ales.Price was thought to be an issue as Pubco’ssought to drive down costs and went for biggerdiscounts on major brands. Iain Loe, CAMRA’sResearch Manager felt that they had to bepersuaded that there was added value instocking a wider range and that was worthpaying a premium for. But customer demandwas recognised as the key to getting microbreweriesinto Pubco Estates.handpump at all, but a trophy awarded to TheKing’s Head by The publican and BRITVIC forbeing the Family Pub of the Year.Elsewhere in this issue, there was an advert forThe Railway at North Elmham, announcing theirfirst Beef Festival over the August Bank Holidayand one for The Billy Bluelight advertising GoldlightSummer Ale (3.5%) Bluelight Bitter (3.7%)and Lakenham Special Bitter (4.7%) plus “allyour regular Woodforde’s favourites”.The May First Friday Five was reported. Itstarted at The Griffen, then took in The RedLion, The Buck and The King’s Head, beforeending up at The Mustard Pot. There were onlya couple of Adnams beers on in this tied house,but there was “plenty of choice of seats… as itwasn’t very busy”.“CAMRA members have to educate publicansthat there are hundreds of quality real ales beingproduced by small brewers all over the UK andthat there is a demand for them”, said Mr Loe.A fake handpump had been spotted by aneagle eyed CAMRA member at the LetheringsettKing’s Head. But fear not, dear reader was not a

CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2011(NORWICH AND NORFOLK BRANCH)Only NORFOLK Cask AlesHomemade Locally-Sourced Food** Try Our Greek Specials **Function Room available - Licensed Bar • Catering up to 65 people, 35 seated• Ideal for meetings, parties and special occasions • Parking Available01263 822609 or 01263 82600315-17 Wyndham Street, Sheringham Norfolk NR26 8BAwww.thewindhamarms.co.ukSUMMER 2012 | 41

Come and sample our ever changing draught real ales, as well asour wide range of bottled lager and cider.Try our delicious, locally sourced a la carte menu, good qualityclassic bar food and weekly specials.Why not visit us on ‘Real AlesTuesdays’ and pay just £2.60 a pint!... and for something a bit different, join us onFriday 15th Junefor a night ofStand Up Comedy!Book now and wrap up warm on the night.

NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk Cambridge TourSpringtime in Cambridge(A Timbo tour)On a not very spring like day, it was cool andgrey but never mind, the masses assembled inthe university city of Cambridge for a pub stroll(posh way of saying crawl!). Despite a disappointingturn out those who made it enjoyedsome great pubs and some great real ale, here’sthe story of our day, yay!After arriving by train we caught the Citi8 busoutside the station and headed for Histon, pintand breakfast at the Red Lion (as featured onTV!), a nice fry-up washed down with MansionMild and Purbeck Fossil Fuel, two of the eightales on offer. Back into Cambridge (with someF1 style bus driving!) and the Maypole, tuckedin next to a multi-story car park, a fine pub witheight real ales and good food, we tried NethergateFlaming Dame Blonde and BuntingfordImperial Chocolate Wheat (6.8% ABV & fourand a half quid a pint!). Also featured were beersfrom Blackfriars, Milton, Ridgeway and more.Around to Bridge Street and The Mitre, a busyNicholson’s pub which caters for beer lovers aswell as food fans, again a good choice of eightreal ales from which we tried Vicious AmericanWheat IPA and Thornbridge Frank As Apollo(wonder where they got that name from?!),pleasant staff I have to say considering howhectic it was other ales from Adnams, St Austell,and Kirkstall. Next up was the Pickerel Inn whichwas okay but not brilliant, again very busy(I think there was events going on local collegeswhich may have caused the extra customers),5 real ales here from which we had Charles WellsBombardier (Hurah!!!), and Potbelly “A-Limp-PigGold” (geddit?!). As the Pickerel was snowedunder food wise we stopped at Bridges Patisseriefor a ciabatta and a coffee, very nice but a tadexpensive, it is an expensive city. Most pints onthe day were well over three Pounds. On to thetiny pub with a big heart, the Saint Radegund ofcourse, I think five ales on offer but the memoryis slightly vague (can’t think why!), had CrouchVale Golden Duck, bit of a cricket themepossibly. The Hopbine followed, CambridgeCAMRA’s “Most Improved Pub” winner, a brightred outside gives way to warm welcome insideand a choice of around eight ales, couple ofcracking Oakham beers in Citra and Black HolePorter, the Hopbine had some really interestingbeers, a great pub. I was a demon on the pooltable; Twister Tim won 3-1, Rocket Ronniewatch out!!! Where next? The Elm Tree, fine pubwith games and books to enjoy, someonebrought their huge Italian hunting dog in, woof!Beer, oh yes, we had Milestone Tuck’s Tipple andFry’s Ruby Chough (a bird perhaps?) (A memberof the crow family associated with Cornwall whereFrys originate, Ed). One final stop, and the brilliantLive & Let Live, everyone knows this superbbackstreet venue is my fave Cambridge pub,from the usual great choice we double Oakhamedagain, with Midnight Mild and Tranquility IPA(both top notch).Home time, it was a great day out, goodquality real ales and great pubs. Shame thatsome more people couldn’t make it, you missedout, but maybe this article will give you someideas!TimboSUMMER 2012 | 43

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High StakesNORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk Historical FeatureI didn’t know Kings Lynn before 1980, so I amfascinated to learn what the town was likebefore the redevelopment of the 1960’s. InMichael Winton’s excellent book ‘Kings Lynn As ItWas’ there is a picture of the High Streetshowing a decorative wrought iron arch, one offour that traversed the street supporting lights.Next to the arch was the Queen’s Head that wassituated, as near as I can tell from the photograph,somewhere close to the present locationof Primark. It was demolished, along with thearches in July 1960, so there will be plenty ofpeople around who will remember the street asit was, and be able to put me right.I wonder how many spectators went backalong the High Street to the Queen’s Head andraised a glass to justice being done. It would be60 years before the burning of women at thestake (which was considered a more dignifiedform of execution than hanging) was abolished.This was probably the last and maybe the onlyjoint execution ever to take place in TuesdayMarket Place.None of them, however, will be able toremember the events of 1731, when a landladycalled Ann Wright was running the Queen’sHead. She must have been doing well as shehad a servant called Mary Taylor. One nightMary admitted to the premises a fellow namedGeorge Smith who strangled the landlady.Smith was caught and convicted of the robberyand murder of Anne Wright and was sentencedto death by hanging. The servant, Mary Taylorwas also tried on the charge of ‘petty treason’for her act of letting Smith into the pub. Hersentence for this seemingly less serious offencewas to be burned alive at the stake. It wouldseem that Smith had an air of reckless bravadoabout him and Smith was a foolish youngwoman who was his lover.Many executions took place in a field outsidethe South Gates, and it would seem that thiswas the first hanging to take place in TuesdayMarket Place for over 20 years. The burning wasto take place at the same time, so it was clearly ahigh profile case that captured the imaginationof the public. Indeed the accounts for theghastly event include payment for 10 constables,presumably to control the crowd.SUMMER 2012 | 45

NORFOLK NIPSThe East Anglian Cider of the yearaward for 2011Peter Blake and his Hog and Vine cider won thecompetition that was held at the Norwich BeerFestival last October. The presentation wasmade in front of a full house at the Kings Armsin Fleggburgh on a Sunday afternoon in Apriland the celebration continued well into theevening with both local and Welsh cider flowingfreely to the accompaniment of the excellentVagaband.Blakey himself joined the band on tea-chestbass thus demonstrating how country roots ofcider and music make for the perfect hoedown.A special mention also needs to be made ofthe part played by the Kings Arms in hosting theevent. Since its rescue from oblivion by a localman, the last three years have seen renovationand extension of the building and a completerenaissance of life at the pub. It is now resplendentin solid oak with flagstone floors and awood burner for the winter, and a large gardennext to the village church for the summermonths. As well as cider, six hand pumps offer arange of beers with Sunday’s Swallowtail fromHumpty Dumpty a personal favorite.Under the helm of enthusiastic managementthe pub has been brought back from the brinkand transformed into the thriving centre of thevillage. All involved in this success deservehearty congratulations and the pub stands asashining example of the pub as the hub of a localcommunity.Summertime is HereWhat’s to do on a summer’s evening in Norfolk?The quintessentially English thing to do isto take a trip to a beautiful local pub.Sunshine cannot be guaranteed but good beerin convivial surroundings most certainly can.And on a Wednesday evening at certain pubsthe beer comes with more hops than normal,these being provided by Kemp’s Men ofNorwich. Kemps are named after Will Kemp,colleague of Shakespear, fellow shareholderin the globe theatre , Europe’s most famouscomic actor and Morris dancer extraordinaire.We are proud to continue his legacy with energeticand enthusiastic dancing and music,and by raising the beer glass in honour of all theother local heroes who have kept thetradition alive in the intervening years. We shallsalute you all with beer and Morris dancingat the following pubs (7.45pm) this summer:June 20 Wreningham Bird in HandJune 27 Chedgrave White HorseJuly 4 Norwich Playhouse BarJuly 11 on Riverside with Golden StarJuly 18 Neatishead White HorseJuly 25 Surlingham Coldham HallAugust 1 Ludham Dog InnAugust 8 Winterton Fishermans ReturnAugust 15 Coltishall Rising sunAugust 22 Old Buckenham GamekeeperAugust 29 Adam and EveSeptember 5 Wig and PenAnd thank you to our current sponsor, Themighty Beeston Brewery whose beers containexquisite hops that complement our own!Norris Winstone MBE(Win to his mates) was a stalwartof the Morris and a beer drinkerof many year’s experience, R.I.P.46 | SUMMER 2012

One Stop for TraditionalEnglish BeveragesNORFOLK NIPS | CiderThe Wroxham Barns are home to a collection oftraditional craft businesses including theproduction and sale of traditional English beverages.The Norfolk Cider Company is now the oldestestablished cider maker in Norfolk following theclosure of Gaymers and Sons.The Kingfishercider is made only from pure fresh Norfolkapples and the dry sweet and medium versionsthat come in at 7% can be purchased from theApple Shop at Wroxham Barns. The draft cidersare also currently available in the MundesleyShip,the Stalham Grebe and , in Norwich, theKings Head Magdalen Street, the Ribs of Beefand the Trafford.The Norfolk Cider Company produces its cideron a farm near Attleborough but can also beseen pressing apples at agricultural showsthroughout East Anglian the summer, using anoriginal 19century mill and press, when thehead cider maker Stephen Fisher can be seenkitted out in traditional smock and hat. Thismakes for excellent publicity and the companyhas won several awards. It is a past CAMRArunner up and must be congratulated forcontinuing a living traition, making Proper Cider.Do visit the Apple Shop with empty containers,where free samples will help you decide on yourchoice. You can also buy on-line (www.the-Apple-Shop.com).And whilst at the Barns, just opposite the AppleShop, is Uncle Stuartʼs brewery, bar and beeremporium. he brewery is located in a convertedcattle stall and the bar (open daily 10.30am to4.30pm) serves draft Wroxham bitter and oneother, along with a Kingfisher cider. StuartEvansʼ output is mostly bottled. A range of eightis normally available, with labels reflecting localscenes, but a special has been produced in individuallynumbered swing top bottles that isworthy of any collection. Natureʼs Best Extremeis a Belgian style ale that comes in at 11.5%. Aswell as at his own bar his beers have been seenat the Strumpshaw Huntsman and the KingsHead next door to Lingwood railway station.With summer on its way the Barns can providea fun day out - for every member of the family!Makers of a range of award-winning organicciders, including our User Friendly, Original,Owld Norfolk (voted East Anglia’s best cider),Special Reserve and our Rum Cask.Also our Norfolk Perry (subject to availability)Tel: 01379 687687www.crones.co.ukRange of organic juices also availableSUMMER 2012 | 47

26 St Leonards RoadNorwich NR1 4BL01603 618734A real gem,well worth a visit.Eight real ales to choose from, two ofwhich change regularly.Two pooltables upstairs.Pork pies and other light snacksavailable all day.Hog roast available sundays.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 ESPNENJOY THE SUMMER WITH A FINE ALE IN OUR BEER GARDENQueen’s Headand Waveney Brewing CompanyTraditional Village Pub with a breweryproducing permanent and seasonalales on siteLarge beer garden, traditional games, lunchtime menu and a goodselection of real ale, spirits and soft drinksListed in the Good Beer Guide every year since 2000.Station Road, Earsham, NorfolkTel: (01986) 89262348 | SUMMER 2012

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA Pub Heritage GroupBritain’s Real Heritage PubsHow would you describe your ideal Britishpub? Your response might well feature wordslike “unspoilt”, “traditional” and “old”. Yourpub might be an ancient country inn repletewith beams, panelling and inglenook fireplaces.Or perhaps a huge Victorian city pub,all mirrors, mahogany and ornate tiling. Oreven a basic back-street boozer of the kindnow so hard to find. If you enjoy pubs withcharacterful historic interiors, then CAMRA'sPub Heritage Group can help you locateexamples all over the country.The Group is dedicated to promoting andpreserving pubs whose interiors are of historicor architectural importance. Their workconcentrated initially on finding those pubinteriors which are nationally precious, eitherbecause they are essentially intact from whenbuilt or, whilst altered, contain exceptionalfeatures or rooms. The number of such pubsis sadly small – less than 300. The Group hasgone on to record a second tier of interiorswhich are less intact or remarkable but stillhave significant historic or architectural merit– and are therefore also well worth a visit.The easiest way to get information aboutthese “Real Heritage Pubs” (CAMRA's collectivename for them) is to visit the website atwww.heritagepubs.co.uk where you cansearch for the pubs on a county-by-countybasis. CAMRA has also published bookscovering several parts of the country,including Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire andLondon. You may be able to buy these at theFestival products stall or, if not, direct fromCAMRA (https://shop.camra.org.uk)Should you wish to contact Pub HeritageGroup (perhaps to recommend a pub forinclusion as a Real Heritage Pub of just to seekfurther information) please e-mailinfo.pubheritage@camra.org.ukSUMMER 2012 | 49

The Star InnSchool Road, Lessingham NR12 0DNSUMMER BEER FESTIVAL • 17TH - 19TH AUGUST25 Real Ales & 4 CidersBBQ & Hog Roast Available£5 Wristband Admittance(NO REFUNDS GIVEN)Ample parking availableCamping available(Donations accepted for The Happisburgh Lifeboat Appeal)Opening Times:Friday 17th: 6pm - MidnightSaturday 18th: 12pm - MidnightSunday 19th: 12pm - 4pmEntertainment:Friday 17th:Evening: Buster James BandSaturday 18th:Afternoon: Lee Vasey BandEvening: Big Black CadillacSunday 19th:Afternoon: FootfaultersTel: 01692 580510 for more information50 | SUMMER 2012

What a Lovely DayThe 18th May was Elgood’sbrewery media day anddesigned to launch a newwebsite (www.elgoodsbrewery.co.uk).Various peoplewere invited to the visitorcentre to meet the family andstaff. The brewery was establishedin 1795 and still remainsa very family orientated enterprise.Amongst the guests werelandladies and landlords fromtied houses and the free tradeand a number of CAMRAbranches including Huntingdon,Peterborough,Norwich and Norfolk and WestNorfolk. Also present wasRoger Protz (editor of the GoodBeer Guide) and beer writer,and also members of the pressand radio.The day started with coffee,biscuits and a chat withElgood's friendly family andstaff. Brewery trips were availableto those who wanted tosee the brewing process, but Iand a few others took advantageof the beautiful and everchanging extensive gardens,including a walk round themaze. We of course finishedback at the bar to try the beerand inspect the newly designedpump clips. The green roomhad a buffet lunch laid out, anda bottled beer bar wheresamples could be obtained.Not wishing to miss out ontrying some new beers I madefor this bar and first up was anew beer called Warrior, thiswas voted East Anglian Championbottled beer. This beer didnot disappoint at 5.5%,personally I would say it wasthe best that Elgood's haveproduced so far. Several otherbeers were sampled includingBlack Eagle 7.2% which is notavailable in the U.K. at present.Two special beers have beenproduced for the DiamondClub of the YearDo you know of a Club, which promotes RealAle to it’s members? Perhaps you run one or amember? If so, please get in touch with yourlocal Branch (see page 3 for details).Why? Because in addition to the National Pubof the Year, CAMRA also makes an award to theNational Club of the Year.NORFOLK NIPS | Visit to Elgood’s BreweryJubilee, one is only on sale atMarks & Spencers shops, andthe other is Diamond Jubileewhich is based on the DoubleSwan brew. This brew wasreleased as “Lovely Jub-e-lee”for the Portuguese market.Many thanks to Elgood's fortheir wonderful hospitality anda great day out. I shall bereturning for their Beer Festival20th - 22nd September.See you there!Bruce WardWest Norfolk CAMRAto allow CAMRA members who are not Clubmembers to gain admittance for judging.To qualify, Clubs do not have to offer a largenumber of ales, just a couple will do. Qualityand commitment are the most important factorsto consider. Any type of club, whether run bymembers, individuals or organisations, andwhatever it’s affiliations can enter.Clubs are very different to Pubs in law, as theycannot admit the General Public. You have to bea member, so the Club would have to be willingAs a general guideline, if your Club meets theGood Beer Guidelines, it is eligible for Club ofthe Year (COTY).SUMMER 2012 | 51

A warm welcome from Rob and Fawnda to...THE GREYHOUND• THE STREET, TIBENHAM NR16 1PZ •An old Fashioned, traditional country pub.Serving a selection of Real Ales and Fine food.Children’s play area and large car park.OPENING TIMESMon: 12 - 3pm and 6.30pm - midnightTues: 6.30 - midnight.Weds and Thurs: 12 - 3pm and 6.30pm - midnight.Friday: 12 - 3pm and 6.00pm - midnight.Sat and Sun: 12 midday -12 midnight.Carvery lunch Sunday afternoon 1pm - 3pm.Booking advisable 01379 677676.Camping space &Electric hook ups forCaravans availableDog FriendlyFor up and coming eventssee or websitethe-greyhound tibenham.co.ukTel: 01379 677676smithrjsmith@btinternetcomThe pub with no bar,ales direct from cask.Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events.Tongue twizzling food, and great value.Huge garden • Summer barbecueVictory Barn Function Roomfor Weddings and PartiesCome & visit Nelson’s local.Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN01328 738241CAMRANORWICHCITY PUB OF THEYEAR 2011OPEN12 NOON -11PMMONDAY TOSUNDAYUP TO TEN CASK ALES REGULARLY AVAILABLEBAR BILLIARDS • GOOD SELECTION OF MALTSHOT SNACKS AVAILABLE ALL DAY EVERYDAYENCLOSED BEER GARDEN • SUNDAY ROASTS 12-3Charity Treasure Hunt Sunday 15th JulyCider and SausageFestival 10th-12th AugustLIVE MUSIC every Friday & SundayQUIZ NIGHT last Monday of the MonthTAPAS NIGHT first Thursday of the MonthSUMMER 2012 | 53

Norwich’s oldest pubNorwich City of Ale FestivalBest Pub Award 2011Open 11am -11 pm Mon to Sat12 noon - 10.30pm SunFood served12 noon - 7pm Mon to Sat12 noon - 5pm SundaysBest PublicHouse AwardNorwich inBloom 201117 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ 01603 667423Telephone: 01379 898 445Email: info@thebellrickinghall.co.ukwww.thebellrickinghall.co.ukThe Bell Inn, The Street,Rickinghall, Norfolk IP22 1BNThe Bell Inn is a family owned and run Country Hotelwith ample Free Parking and Patio Garden.• 8 En-suited Bedrooms • The Chimes Restuarantseating up to 30 guests • Private Function Suite• Bespoke menus tailored to suit all functions• Warm & friendly atmosphere • Five Real AlesWhether you are visiting us for business orpleasure we will endeavour to ensure your stay withus will always exceed your expectations.We are open all day every dayWe now serve food all day every day including breakfastSunday Lunch served all day 12:00 - 9:00Heath HouseNorwich • Traditional Family PubBEER FESTIVAL18th - 23rd JUNE 2012• Ales from near and far •• Open from 12 noon every day •The Heath House, 99 Gertrude Rd, Norwich,Norfolk NR3 4SG Tel: 01603 40641754 | SUMMER 2012

Simon and Karen welcome youall to their traditional family pub.FREEGreat selection of real ales and wines, along withfine dining and excellent company.Find your favourite local at your favourite local!Last Night of the Promsextravaganza & Beer FestivalThurs 6th- Mon 10th Septemberwww.whitehorsechedgrave.co.ukSUMMER 2012 | 55

Beer in the U.S | NORFOLK NIPSBeer In The U.S -All Cold & Fizzy, Isn’t It?Hand pumps at Mudville 9I already knew that since Jimmy Carter repealedthe laws about brewing there had been anexplosion in “craft breweries” in the USA - therise of the bottled American beers at our ownNorwich Beer Festival gives evidence to this.However, I was unprepared for not only thegrowth in the number of breweries in NewEngland but the depth of knowledge of the folksboth serving and populating the bars. The rangeof beers brewed go from Vienna Reds (such asthe inaccurately named Boston Lager) through amyriad of Belgium style beers to the strong (6%or more) American style IPA’s. Most bars stock arange of light and dark beers and many alsostock a range of bottled beers – the Belgianshaving made huge inroads here. Oddly, Britishbeers and American brewed British-style beersseem to be very much in the minority.From my observations craft beers in the USAare now talked about in bars in the samelanguage as fine wines – some restaurants evendo food and beer pairing events. Most bars haveat least three or four fonts dispensing one ormore local ales. These craft beers are all brewedto traditional recipes (no adjuncts being used)and, although filtered for kegging, are notpasteurised in any way. In the cellar a “g-mix” (amixture of Co2 and nitrogen) is used to bringthe beer to the fonts but as the beer is “real” theamount of gas needed is so small that the endresult is close to drinking a pint of British real ale.As for being cold – all craft beers in the USA atleast in New England) seem to be served atroom temperature.56 | SUMMER 2012

In some bars where they have an enthusiastic beerclientele the brewers have started to cask their beersand hand-pumps have sprouted up alongside thefonts! However, a word of warning here! As manybars are only used to using kegs, the cask beers notlaid down so are often served cloudy. Also bewareparticularly the last few pints from the cask – you’llprobably be served a beer soup with bits and all!Enough of the generalities – what about the bars!To start with New York, the first bar we encounteredwas the “Oyster Bar” in the basement of GrandCentral station. Like many bars, the menu and beerlist are printed out daily with the beers state oforigin being stated too! For those (like me) whoalways want to drink LocAle this was a revelation.Only six or so craft beers listed here but theseincluded beers from Chelsea (a New York brewery wewere to visit later) and beers from Sixpoint and BluePoint (both in New York State). The food was goodtoo!Any visitor to NY can’t fail to come across the pubsof the Heartland Brewery - a sort of USA version ofWetherspoons. At first each bar brewed on thepremises but as they have expanded the beers(including the house guests) are all now brewed “upstate” at their own dedicated plant. Heartland evenhave a pub at the foot of the Empire State Buildingand are all worth a visit as each has differing Heartland“guest” ales alongside the normal range.On the east side of Manhattan and not far fromthe USS Intrepid (a World War 11 aircraft carrier –worth a visit) is the tap of the Chelsea Brewery. Hereyou can sit at the bar with the serving tanks a fewfeet from you, the brewery behind a glass screenand gaze out over the East River. Naturally the fullrange of Chelsea beers are available including thedangerous Wheat Wine at 9.2%! Sadly, this was theonly one of the six or so NY breweries (including thewell respected Brooklyn Brewery) to have a tap.Other bars of note visited in NY, where the “PonyBar”, “Rattle n Hum” the “Waterfront Ale House”(which is actually nowhere near a river!) and the“Ginger Man”. We also visited the famous “BlindTiger” in Greenwich Village but were (on this occasion)un-impressed. In fact the “Peculiar Pub”continued overleafTraditional English InnRecently refurbished andre-open after three yearsSelection of three Real Alesall the time including ‘The Red Lion Ale’Senior Citizen Menuserved Mon-Fri: 12-2pm £4.95Full menu served daily lunchtime & eveningMonthly QuizzesMonthly Live Entertainment from local artistsOpening hours Mon-Fri 11-3pm & 5-11pm,Fri & Sat 11-midnight & Sunday 12-10:30pmFood served Mon-Sat 12-2pm & 6:30-9pmSun 12-8pmPlease call for more details 01842 829728SUMMER 2012 | 57

The Gatehouse Pub391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340 EarleFOUR REAL ALESWednesday Irish Folk MusicFriday & Saturday Live MusicSunday Celtic Folk MusicLarge garden overlookingthe River WensumOPEN: Mon - Thurs 12-11Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11ArmsHeydonTraditional Norfolkfreehouse and restaurantThree Real Alesalways availableGood Food • Real Fires01263587376Satnav: NR11 6AD(Just off B1149 Holt -Norwich Rd)AngelGardensFree HouseThis independently run freehouse has been under theownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated onthe north of the city near to Waterloo Park.Homecooked and speciality mealsPrepared by Ian - a qualified chef withyears of experience.Up to SEVEN reasonably priced RealAles including THREE guest alesMonthly Quiz & Darts • Live Music on Saturdays96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT01603 427490email: ikwarren-angel@tiscali.co.ukwww.norwichinns.comTHE BANNINGHAMCROWN FREE HOUSEWe arein it!Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant5 Real Ales • Great FoodSheltered Patio and GardensFor information on Real Alesavailable on the bar NOWgo to yourround.co.ukColby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY01263 733534www.banninghamcrown.co.uk58 | SUMMER 2012

NORFOLK NIPS | Beerin the U.S - continuedfurther along the same street had a better beerselection and an even greater range of bottledbeers than the “Tiger”. We were also advisednot to miss “McSorley’s Ale House”. Only twobeers (an ale and a porter) but both are servedstraight from the cask and in the true tradition ofa 100 year old ale-house - that is it! No wines,lagers, coffees or soft drinks – just real ale!We thought Boston couldn’t possibly beat NY.Well maybe it didn’t but then it is a muchsmaller city. The day we arrived we were bookedin to the Boston Beer Summit – just join thequeue at 5pm, gain your plastic “third-of-a-pint”mug and drink away! Once you have paid to getin all the beers (50 or so breweries each with 3-4ales) is free although they throw you out at 9! Ican’t see that working over here.Two of the breweries in Boston (Harpoon andSam Adams) both offer free tours daily whichinclude beer samples! We chose to go out toStony Brook to visit the Sam Adams brewery andit was well worth the effort. We were the onlyBrits of the 20 or so on our tour but all werekeen beer drinkers so good conversation ensuedin the sampling room afterwards. Of the bars inthe city, we enjoyed the “Jacob Wirth”, the“Cheers” bar (of TV fame but worth battlingpast the tourists) the “Boston Beer Works” (oneof a chain of brew pubs in the city – we visitedboth), the “Lower Depths” and “Rock Bottom,the latter being a brew pub although thebrewing plant is out in the suburbs. Sadly, wecould find no trace of the Boston-basedCommonwealth Brewery on the internet or onthe ground so can only conclude they haveceased trading.We also ventured across the Charles River toCambridge where, amidst the glass andconcrete of the MIT, we eventually found the tapof the Cambridge Brewing Company. The headbrewer here is a lady and she (along with twoother female brewers, one from Stone and theother from Viking) have got together andproduced a hefty Belgian-style triple calledProject Venus. The results were rather splendidSunset Bar and Cantinabut, like many other bars, because of thestrength it was only being sold in halves! Still itwas still lunchtime...Also on this side of the water we took the T-train (the underground) out to Harvard to the“John Harvard’s Brew House” (where the housedbeer was on cask and served by hand-pump)and south of the Charles River we took the tramout to into the boon docks to visit (amongstothers) “The Squealing Pig”, the “Mission Barand Grill” and (the other side of the road) the“Penguin Pizza Bar” – imagine Domino’s with 30plus fonts (including a hand-pump) and over1000 bottled beers! We also visited the muchacclaimed “Sunset Bar & Cantina” at Brookline.It was here that while enthusing about the beerswe were advised to visit the “original” bar of thesame name in Allston – which of course we did.The place is a shrine to beer! Over 50 beers ondraught some on had-pump and some 2000bottled beers from around the world. Lifedoesn’t get better than this...So next time anyone says to me “beers in theUSA? They’re all cold and fizzy aren’t they?” Iwill just smile and remember all the bars wevisited in ten days in New England.Peter & Susan WellsNB; For addresses of the above bars (and more)go to www.beeradvocate.comSUMMER 2012 | 59

60 | SUMMER 2012FREE HOUSECOAST ROAD, WALCOTT,NORFOLK NR12 OPETelephone(01692) 650371Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMOREOPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKSALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pmFood available all day until 10.30pm10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership cardFOUR REAL ALES & CIDERwww.lighthouseinn.co.uk

Voted bestpub Norfolk &Norwich CAMRA2012 winter aletrailTHE ANGEL INNFREEHOUSEThe Street, Catfield,Great Yarmouth,Norfolk NR29 5AATelephone: 01692 580128Serving a good selection oflocal real ales.Also servinghome cooked food.Small parties catered for.NORFOLK CAMRA PUB OFTHE YEAR 2010!Open all day every dayExcellent home cooked mealsavailable from our awardwinning kitchenLarge Beer Garden with play areaEn-suite accommodationCamping and Caravanning availableLarling, Norfolk, NR16 2QU (17th Century former coaching inn)Tel: 01953 717963www.angel-larling.co.ukHeathlands Community Centre, Woodbastwick Road, BlofieldHeath, Norwich, NR13 4QH Tel: 01603 714164Mob: 07818466473 www.heathlandscommunitycentre.org.ukRegistered Charity: 303909Summer Fair and Beer FestivalThursday 19th - Sunday 22nd July • 12 Real AlesFully licenced barLight snacks availableSESSION TIMES:THURSDAY: 7.30pm until lateFRIDAY: 5pm until late,Family Evening from 6pmSATURDAY: 2pm until lateSUNDAY: 12 noon until late.ENTERTAINMENT:Thursday Evening - Blofield Heath JammersFriday Evening - The Rob Holmes Bandon the field (Weather permitting) from 9pmSaturday Evening - Live Music with Egypton the field (Weather permitting) from 9pmSunday - Summer Fair & Beer Festivalincluding large raffle, side shows, stalls, burger van, thai food, tea &cakes, Pimms tent, bouncy castle, childrens rides, Ice Creams,Classic cars & bikes, dance demo, bottle tombola, and much more.SUMMER 2012 | 61

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Specialists in niche publishing anddesign solutions for the on-trade.We are proud to publish this magazine on behalf of the Norfolk CAMRA branches.Orchard House Media | 01733 211001 | info@orchardhousemedia.co.ukCity of AleUpdateThat’s it! The planning is over and at the time ofwriting the eagerly awaited 2nd City of AleFestival is upon us.The numbers are impressive:45 Pubs taking part35 Breweries supplying beer220 Beers on offer over 10 days150 events taking place across the cityWe will have a full report in the Autumnedition but in the meantime here are somephotos from the launch event.SUMMER 2012 | 63

Freshly-cooked foodA range of ales • Beer GardenSituated beside Rockland St Mary staithe, The New Innis a traditional country pub offering a warm welcomein a relaxed and informal setting.Our food is freshly prepared using locally sourcedingredients and cooked to order. We have a largeselection of ‘All-time favourites’, plus a variety ofChef’s Specials. Our Sunday Menu is very popular.Cask Marqueaccredited, wealways have 3 or 4real ales on offer.Families, children,dogs and walkingclubs all welcome.Visit www.newinnrockland.co.ukor our page to keep up to dateNew Inn Hill, Rockland St Mary Tel: 01508 53840364 | SUMMER 2012

KINGS HEAD HOLT6 BRILLIANTLY KEPT REAL ALESIncluding the ever popular Adnams Bitter, Broadside and Woodfordes Wherry.Proudly providing 3 guest ales (143 in one year and rising!)Giving everyone a fantastic accompaniment to our ever growing grill menu. So why not try a deliciouslocally sourced steak cooked to perfection on our char-grill!3 stylish, comfortable, yet affordable B&B self-catering single or double rooms.Recently re-furbished ‘George’ Lounge with Snugs and quiet cornersCome pull up a stool, grab an Ale at ‘The Question mark Bar’ and put the world to rights!Live music throughout Spring, Summer and AutumnEnclosed Courtyard Beer Garden in the heart of the AppleyardTo find out more you can visit our website http://www.kingsheadholt.org.uk/,give us a call on 01263 712543, or just come on down and give us a try, you won’t be disappointed!SummerBeer FestivalThurs 28th June - Sunday 1st JulyOver 25 East Anglian beersSUMMER 2012 | 65

Open all day every dayfood is served:-12-2 & 6-9 Tuesday to SundayOffering four real alesA traditional 17th Century pub,how they used to beFrom Norwich & Acle head to Salhouseand at the mini roundabout follow the signto Wroxham, we are 200yds on the right.12-3 Sunday for plated home cooked Sunday luncheswith homemade Yorkshire puddings and freshvegetables. Booking advised if dining.Superb food using fresh, local, seasonal produceShoot dinners a specialityPopular quiz every Wednesday from 8:30pmMeat raffle every Sunday at 4:30pmTel: 01603 721141 www.salhousebell.co.ukUp to EIGHT everchanging Cask AlesGood covered smoking area10 mins walk from railway stationAles from £2.00 a pint!Apollo Tavern | Northgate Street | Great Yarmouth | NR30 1BP66 | SUMMER 2012

NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s LetterNorwich and NorfolkBranch Committee 2012Following the recent Branch AGM, the newBranch Committee is as listed below. GrahamFreeman announced that he would serve onemore year as Chairman and then stand down.However, this would mean a new Chairmanbeing appointed immediately before the 2013CAMRA Members’ Weekend and AGM. It wasagreed to defer the Branch AGM for threemonths to avoid changes to the Committeebefore this event.ChairmanGraham FreemanVice-ChairmanMartin WardSecretaryWarren WordsworthSocial SecretaryMichael PhilipsTreasurerChris ThomasPub Preservation OfficerMike SpiveyCommitteeDave Cleverley, Olivia FernandezNIPS EditorMike BaldwinNIPS DistributionAnthony MilesBeer Festival OrganiserMartin WardWebmasterAdrian HennesseySince the AGM, Olivia (Oli) Fernandez hasaccepted the new post of Brewery LiaisonOfficers (BLO) Co-ordinatorContact details are on the Branch website.MembershipDavid RackhamYoung Members Co-ordinatorDavid RackhamPress OfficerEmma PinderPubs OfficerIan StampSUMMER 2012 | 67

A popular pub with locals and holidaymakersalike, the Crown Inn is perched right on theclifftop overlooking the beautiful sandy beachesof Sheringham in Norfolk.Enjoy meals of snacks fromour extensive and popularmenu with a spectacularview of the seafront.Wednesdays and Saturdays - Live Local BandFriday nights - Resident DJ plays your favouriteclub classicsMonday nights - Pub Quiz with prizes,refreshments and free entryTel: 01263 823213crownsheringham@hotmail.co.ukLifeboat Plain, East Cliff Sheringham NR26 8BQThe LondonTavernFree House7th Beer FestivalAugust Bank Holiday WeekendGreat real ales, fine wines and spirits.Food Served: Monday- Friday 11am - 5pmSaturdays 11am - 3pm Sundays 11am - 3pmAttleborough’s only Good BeerGuide pub 2010, 2011 & 2012Camra Discount Scheme & Local AleParking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing,Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden.Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 45741568 | SUMMER 2012

Situated on the edge of Thetford ForestFour regularly changing Real AlesChildren friendly beer gardenLive Music, Karaoke and Disco on monthlyCall for further detailsSteak Night every WednesdayTHEMEDFOOD NIGHTSevery Tuesday andThursdaySENIOR CITIZENSLUNCHES2 courses for £7.50available Thursday36 Hill Street,Feltwell,Thetford,Norfolk,IP26 4AB | 01842 827200Caister Lifeboat’sBeer in the Boat ShedFriday 22 – Sunday 24 JuneFeaturing around 30 Real Ales and CidersIncluding Blackfriars, Humpty Dumpty, Panther, Wolf and WoodfordesMusic, Games and fun entertainment too!At CaisterLifeboat ShedFri night: 6 to 10.30pmSat: 12 noon to 11pmwith The Scratch Band (pm)Sun: 12 noon til we’re dry (or4pm) with Annie’s Jazz FriendsENTRY JUST £5 INCLUDES FIRST PINT• SOUVENIR PINT GLASS £2All profits to Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service70 | SUMMER 2012

Award WinningReal Ale PubWe 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 newcustomers are always welcome. Come along and get a realwelcome from a real pub selling real ale!!!!!!Nick, Delia And The Team would love to see you soon.August Bank HolidayBeer FestivalFriday 24th - Tuesday 28th AugustMusic Friday Night with Murphys LoreMusic Saturday Night with ToshA dream of a pub situated in the village ofPoringland on the B1332 road to Bungay.Norwich And NorfolkPub Of The Year 2007Norfolk Pub OfThe Year 200713 years in theGood Beer Guide!The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside.44 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7JTwww.poringlandroyaloak.co.ukTel: 01508 493734