Branch Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year results announced

The Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) have selected The Locks Inn, Geldeston in South Norfolk, as their 2013 Pub of the Year.

The Locks Inn now goes into a head-to-head with the West Norfolk branch’s winner, The Angel at Larling, to determine the Norfolk Pub of the Year, with the victor progressing to the regional level of the competition.

Colin Smith, the landlord of the Locks Inn, said he was “over the moon” that the pub has been recognised for the first time by the Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA, especially after a long winter when the pub suffered flooding on a few occasions.

He commented: “I am particularly pleased that a far-flung pub has been awarded the local branch’s Pub of the Year title this year.

"And I am really delighted with the award because the Locks Inn is a tenanted pub, owned by Green Jack Brewery but serving guest ales, and also with us being a slightly unusual, rural pub that also serves food, and features pub games and regular live music”.

The Norwich & Norfolk Branch Pub of the Year is chosen from the winners of the branch’s Rural and City Pubs of the Year.

The 2013 Rural Pub of the Year was won by The Locks Inn in Geldeston, beating stiff competition from The Artichoke in Broome, The Royal Oak in Poringland and the Sole & Heel, Rackheath.

And the Norwich City Pub of the Year was won for the first time by The White Lion, Oak Street, from three other Norwich pubs shortlisted – The Beehive (Leopold Road), The Plough (St Benedict’s Street) and The Vine (Dove Street).


Cider Pub of the Year

For the second time the branch has awarded a Cider Pub of the Year due to the growing popularity of real ciders and perries and that many pubs are stocking a growing and permanent range. The winner was again The White Lion, Oak Street, Norwich, who won last year’s inaugural award.

They pipped the other shortlisted pubs – The Grange in Ormesby and the Banham Barrel.

The White Lion now goes up against The Railway in Downham Market in the vote to find the overall Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year.