It’s not long now — the Norwich Beer Festival is returning to The Halls in the city after an absence of two years. It runs from 26th until 31st October.
“We’re looking forward to what promises to be an exciting week,” said festival organiser Craig Harmer, “giving thousands the opportunity to sample beers not usually found locally, whilst soaking up the traditional and unique historic Halls complex”.
The festival will open its doors for a CAMRA members’ preview at 4pm on the Monday, with a public opening an hour later. The locally-famous, collectible dragon-themed glass will be on sale, along with a range of other festival-branded merchandise.
A huge range of cask and key-keg beers will be housed in the St Andrew’s and Blackfriars Halls. The World Beer Bar will be in a downstairs marquee, and cider and curiosity bars will complete the occasion. Hot food will be served throughout, and there is a live music programme, too.
Local beer offered will include Xtreme’s Xanadu, an easy-drinking golden session ale, bittered with Chinook hops, with light summer aromas from Willamette and Columbus. Diplomat Brewery is offering Victory, a full-bodied beer with a rich biscuit and toffee malt base, balanced by traditional English hops.
From further afield comes Monty’s Malties, from Montgomery Powys, a gluten-free copper bitter, delivering a toffee richness of a traditional malt-led brew. Greater Manchester is represented by Pomona’s Amen Break, a hazy pale ale. Its name is a nod to the iconic 1969 Amen Break drum solo by The Winstons, which laid the foundation for UK rave, jungle, and drum and bass music.
Meanwhile, the Curiosity Bar in St Andrew’s Hall will feature Bewdley’s Topsey Turvey, a limited edition sweeter golden beer, and Crossover Blendery’s Bramble, Thorn & Briar, an oak-aged golden ale, refermented on raspberries and blackberries. You’ll also find Ludlow’s Silent Knight, a smooth creamy stout with overtones of espresso coffee and hints of sweet vanilla.
As Norwich and District CAMRA are celebrating their 50th year, a collaboration with All Day Brewing Company has resulted in the launch of a unique celebratory golden ale. The CAMRA branch have been inviting the public to name via their social media pages, with a beer lover’s hamper on offer to the winner.
Branch chair Lucy Cousins said: “This special anniversary brew is a fantastic way to celebrate 50 years of Norwich and District CAMRA. Working alongside All Day Brewing Company to create a beer that reflects both our heritage and the thriving local brewing scene has been a wonderful experience.”
This year’s festival will support Keeping Abreast, a Norfolk charity providing advice and support to women undergoing breast treatment and reconstruction. Festival-goers traditionally donate unused tokens and spare change, raising thousands of pounds for local causes.
Find out more and buy festival tickets here. The event is not all ticket, though — there will be admission on the door.
