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
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.
Norwich City of Ale Festival 2012 
I really like the soaund of what’s planned!
Mike Spivey (Norwich CAMRA PPO)