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ONE PUB ONLY?
Fat Cat
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
The ground is near the station so a town crawl of Coach and Horses, Adam and Eve and Ribs of Beef. There will be plenty of other choices between these three
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Coach and Horses
|  |  Adam and Eve
Bishopgate, NR3 1R2 T 01603 667423 W www.adamandevenorwich.co.uk
G Rita McCluskey
F Daily specials add to the extensive pie, bakes and fish menu 12 to 7, 12 to 2.30 Sun
CP BM
O 11 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
As the picture shows, this really is a country gem in the heart of the cathedral district, and it is also within easy walk of the ground, station, city centre and river. Probably the oldest pub in Norwich (A.D.1249), I was a touch worried about recommending this pub, because it is just so romantic, old-fashioned and down-right quaint. I then chatted with Rita who told me of the Norwich fans who use the pub, how it already has away fans finding it and, given the proviso that it is small, would be a great place for those who wish to mingle with the best chaps and their wives / girlfriends before the game. Food is important here. The pub has several small rooms, the smallest being down a flight of steps. The bar itself is also on two levels which makes for interesting techniques for getting Rita to know you are in the pub. Rattling the door-latch worked for me.
My visit also coincided with an infamous trial in the nearby courts. It was mildly amusing to write these notes under the suspicious eyes of court witnesses and then even funnier to see their reaction as court officials entered for their lunchtime ale and meal. The cheese and ale soup appeared to be highly recommended. For me it was the Old Peculier that drew my attention as I moved from the toll-gate room into the main bar.
BWV 19.1.06: Adnams Bitter, Greene King IPA, Theakston’s Old Peculier, Wells Bombardier | |  Cider Shed
98 Lawson Rd, NR3 4LF T 01603 413153 W www.theshednorwich.co.uk
G Ryan and Diane Burnard
F Filled rolls and pork pies 12 to 11, 11 to 11 Sat
CP D O
O 12 to 11, 11 to 11 Sat
The Shed is the new kid on the real ale block but a novice it certainly is not. Opened in May 1995, it was a pub in its previous life. It has the traditions of its Banham and Fat Cat connections and a reputation for quality real ale. The building itself has been distinctively refurbished from its 60’s design. The feeling is of a village hall / library / community club / folk club. They have their brewery on site, visible from the bar and it is obvious that live music makes a great impression on those who travel out from town to mix quality ale with their entertainment.
I just loved the place so much I had to return later. The pub continued to throw up surprises. The beautiful rosewood bar was apparently rescued from the shed in Banham from where the pub gets its name. Who, I wonder, lived in Evering Road, Hackney? Three ales rotate around their home brewery selections. Ryan brews the cider which certainly proves popular in the other pubs in this guide. And then there was Jude to make you feel at home when you chat at the bar.
BWV 19.1.06: Adnams Bitter, Broadside, Bateman Rosey Nosey, Elgood’s Black Dog Mild, Green Jack Orange Wheat, Harviestoun Bitter n’Twisted, Fat Cat Black Cat Stout Fat Cat, Santa Paws, Top Cat, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Wadworth The Bishop’s Tipple, Burnard’s Dry and Medium Ciders | |  Coach and Horses
82 Thorpe Rd, NR1 1BA T 01603 677077 W www.thecoachthorperoad.co.uk
G Bob Cameron
F Home-prepared and locally-sourced menu, from rolls to steak and fish specialities 11 to 9, 11 to 8 Sun
CP SK BM
O 11 to 12, 11 to 1 Fri - Sat
This is a deceptively large pub with a great atmosphere. “Visitors to Norwich should not miss out on this ale drinker’s paradise.” (CAMRA 2004) The home of the Chalk Hill micro-brewery offers a full range including a mild and a variety of strengths and styles. “On my visits, it has been absolutely heaving, with plenty from both sides and drinkers spilling onto the outside drinking area, all getting on perfectly well, the way things should be.” (London Clarets) My visits were very different and equally brilliant. One visit found masses of fans eating and sampling quality ales unavailable in their own town. My second trip it was the locals, particularly posties and office workers, on a regular relaxed lunchtime session. How lucky are Norwich fans to have this fantastic brewery tap so close to the ground?
UPDATE: An outside bar is now operating on matchdays. “Drinking Consultants” have set up in the front. It remains truly great.
BWV 21.9.04: Chalk Hill Brewery Tap, Dreadnought, Flintknappers Mild, Old Tackle, Winters Golden, Banham Cider
BWV 19.1.06: Chalk Hill Brewery Tap, CHB, Dreadnought, Flintknappers Mild, Gold, Old Tackle, Theakston’s Best, Burnard’s Cider
UPDATE 2.10.09
BWV 2.10.09 Chalk Hill Brewery Tap, CHB, Dreadnought, Flintknappers Mild, Gold, Old Tackle, | |  Fat Cat
49 West End St, NR2 4NA T 01603 624364 W www.fatcatpub.co.uk
G Colin Keatley
F Rolls and pies when open.
SP SK D
O 12 to 11, 12 to 12 Sat, 12 to 11 Sun
This is the ultimate, permanent street-corner real ale festival in a pub “The only problem is that everyone else thinks it's the best pub in the world.” (London Clarets) It is hard not to agree because this is the model for the future of top real ale houses. The chalk boards tell some of the story but the best tip is to spend an afternoon, watch the ales change and pick a theme for your drinking, ala real ale festival session. Then come again and do it all differently. It was deservedly CAMRA National pub of the Year 1998 and 2004.
UPDATE: Floss was her charming best as she told me of the new Fat Cat ales and Burnard’s Cider. The Fat Cat name continues to expand.
BWV 21.9.04 : Abbeydale Absolution, Adnams Barley Mow, Bitter, Broadside, Regatta, Explorer, Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Enville Saaz Ginger Beer, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Fuller’s ESB, London Pride, Organic Honey Dew, Kelham Island Pale Rider, Mauldons Mid Summer Gold, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Orkney Red McGregor, Ridley’s Old Bob, Spectrum Wizard, Rooster Cream, Timothy Taylor Landlord , Woodforde’s Wherry
BWV 19.1.06: Adnams Bitter, Old Ale, Bateman Rosey Nosey, Burton Bridge Golden Delicious, Top Dog Stout, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Dave Winter’s Tempest, Elgood’s Black Dog Mild, Enville Ginger Ale, Fat Cat Best Top Cat, Stout, Felinfoel Double Dragon, Fuller’s London Pride, Grand Union Honey Porter, Greene King Abbot, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Kelham Island Pale Rider, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Reedham Cherry Porter, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Wadworth The Bishop’s Tipple, Woodforde’s Nelson’s Revenge, Wherry, Rum Cask Ciders | |  Ribs of Beef RECENTLY REFURBISHED
41 Wensum St, NR3 1HY T 01603 619517 W www.ribsofbeef.co.uk
G Rorie Bradshaw
F Wholesome home - made menu with specialities and vegetarian options 12 to 2.30, 12 to 5 at w/e
MP SK P
O 11 to 11, 11 to 12 Sat, 12 to 11 Sun
This two-level pub, next to the river in the centre of town, is perfect for the weekend visitor to town. It is busy at lunchtime, catering for a range of people so wide that you begin to wonder whether real ale is having a greater pull on the young here than in the rest of the UK. The extensive list of real ales is constantly changing and has a true East Anglian flavour in the selection. This is a great pub for a good pub-style lunchtime meal, or as an evening meeting place, for as their website says, “a refreshing pint on the jetty.” The lower level bar has direct access to the river-front. It also has TV screens that are positioned so well that it is possible to watch games from any seat in this excellent pub. While there are many good pubs in town the location of the Ribs is something special.
UPDATE: New chef Alison is in the process of further improving the menu. The pub is still great.
BWV 1.2.05: Adnams Bitter, Burton Bridge Damson Porter, Courage Best, Elgood’s Black Dog Mild, Mauldons White Adder, St. Peter’s Lemon and Ginger, Wentworth WPA, Caledonian 80/-, Norfolk Medium Dry Cider
BWV 19.1.06: Adnams Bitter, Old Ale, Tally-ho! Courage Best, Newby Wyke Black Squall, Oulton Mudford Mild, Thwaites Good Elf, Woodforde’s Great Eastern, Wherry, Norfolk Cider Co. Medium and Dry ciders | | | NORWICH CAMRA | | 
CARROW ROAD
| | LOCAL BREWERY
CHALK HILL BREWERY
82 Thorpe Road,
Norwich, Norfolk,
NR1 1BA
www.thecoachthorperoad.co.uk | | WETHERSPOONS
The Bell Hotel 5 Orford Hill Norwich NR1 3QB Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Glass House 11-13 Wensum Street Norwich NR3 1LA Opening Times: Mon-Sun 9am-midnight
Queen of the Iceni Unit 6, Riverside Development Norwich NR1 1ED Opening Times: Sun-Thu 10am-midnight; Fri/Sat 10am-1am
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