The beer festival logo is widely used to promote the Festival on souvenir glasses, pin badges and clothing and so the merit of each entry, an impressive number of more than 70 this year, were carefully deliberated before the winner was selected by the Beer Festival Planning meeting attendees.
The 2014 winner is James Woodrow, from Thorpe Hamlet, who was so delighted on hearing the good news about his entry he proclaimed “Oh! I think I shall have a pint of Old Stoatwobbler!”.
He adds, “When the Festival glass is available, I think I shall have another one!”.
The legendary Old Stoatwobbler is a strong black stout which was originally brewed by Spectrum Brewery, which has sadly now closed, but the secret recipe has been passed to Beeston Brewery who continue to brew the 6% beer.
James has visited the Norwich Beer Festival every year since it started in 1977 and has entered the annual competition since it was first introduced in the early Eighties.
In fact his first attempt, which he admitted was “a hasty effort, drawn on the back of a beermat whilst being given a lift home in a rather wobbly bus, probably didn’t occupy the judges for long!”.
Now James has achieved his ambition, only time will tell if he continues to enter the competition again next year!
Martin Ward, the Festival Organiser, said that James’ design stood out because of the rare depiction of the building in which the Beer Festival takes place, as well as the nice shape of the dragon, which is the only design requirement given to entrants.
James wins £100 and also a selection of merchandise featuring his logo, including the glass, as keepsakes.
The 37th Norwich Beer Festival runs from Monday October 27th to Saturday November 1st 2014, at St. Andrew's & Blackfriars' Halls, Norwich.
