Beer Talk and Bacon Baps…

By Dawn Hopkins

The 4^th Norwich City of Ale 2012 meeting was held on 24^th November at the oldest pub in Norwich (the building dates back to 1249), The Adam and Eve, on Bishopgate.  As usual there was a fine turn out of local publicans, brewers, CAMRA representatives and beer aficionados, to discuss the finer details of the festival. The added bonus was the wonderful (and much appreciated) bacon baps provided by Landlady Rita McCluskey!

And so…

Invitations to take part in the festival have been sent out to breweries and pubs – it is hoped that as many as possible will sign up by the New Year, with an ‘Early Bird’ incentive.

This year 31 city pubs took part – can we make it 50 next year?

A sub-group have already met to discuss the itinerary of the ‘Beer & Travel Writers’ Preview Weekend in January (pubs, beer, breweries, food & more beer!), and invitations have been sent out.  We are very pleased indeed to have already had acceptances from Mark Dredge, Pete Brown, Jeff Evans, Tim Hampson, Darren Norbury and Adrian Tierney Jones (but we would like some ladies along too!).

Several breweries have confirmed they will be sponsoring events held at St Gregory’s Hall during the festival – Wolf Brewery will be sponsoring the ‘Barrel of Laughs’ Comedy night, Norwich Bear Brewing Co will sponsor the Pub Quiz Grand Final and Woodforde’s the Political Debate.

The Political Debate will be an ‘Any Questions’ style format with questions from the audience to the panel focused on pub, brewing and licensing issues.  We have still to confirm the panellists, but have had a positive response from local politicians as well as a Shadow Minister, and are hoping for a local celebrity chairperson too!

A number of other ideas were also discussed: a local Norfolk Wherry Skipper giving talks during the festival; a beer swap trip, with a video blog to our twin towns of Koblenz and Rouen; and a festival Treasure Trail.

The next meeting will be held on 5^th January – mmmm, Full English?!

Beer Festival Banter…

By Dawn Leeder

Phil Cutter and I manned the City of Ale stand at the 34th Norwich Beer festival last week talking to anyone and everyone about Norwich City of Ale. It was amazing how many people had actually heard about City of Ale. Not a single soul professed ignorance of City of Ale 2011; a few had been unable to make it, but the vast majority had been there and some had been there AND got the T-shirt! Many said they would be taking part in 2012, some said that they were away for 2011 but had rearranged stuff now they knew the dates, some even seemed to be arranging their summer around the City of Ale event!

One bloke said that it was time to prove beyond any doubt that Norwich was the capital of real ale….and prove the other cities wrong…..that’s a real challenge, but it’s certainly achievable.

We’re really grateful to Norwich CAMRA for letting us take space at the Festival. Together we can surely prove that Norwich is the indisputable UK Capital of Real Ale.

Phil & Dawn at Norwich Beer Festival

And news from the latest meeting…

A draft itinerary has been drawn up for the Beer & Travel Writers’ Preview Weekend – let’s just say they are getting spoilt!

Events held at St Gregory’s during the festival were discussed including a ‘Political Debate’ on matters relating to pubs and brewers, as well as talks, a quiz finale, comedy show and auction.

The Fusion Gallery at The Forum has been secured for the festival to display a mixture of Norwich heritage, pub and brewery footage.

The idea of a ‘Twinning Town Beer Swap’ was discussed – a beer swap between Norwich Breweries & those in Koblenz and Rouen.

As usual fantastic ideas and fantastic commitment from those attending the meeting – the next one will be on November 24th.