The Norwich & Norfolk branch has been awarded the National Winter Ale Festival (NWAF) by CAMRA, and will run from 21-25 February 2017 at the St Andrew's and Blackfriars' medieval friary halls – the home of the popular Norwich CAMRA Beer Festival.
The national festival will run for three consecutive years in Norwich. There are no tickets for NWAF and admission is by payment on the door. Tuesday 21 February is for CAMRA members only and will run from 5.30pm to 10.30pm (with a preview for Press and Trade in the afternoon). All other days are open to members and non-members alike and opening times will be 12.00noon to 10.30pm 22-25 February.
Alongside the February festival, the CAMRA branch will be organising The Fridge from Saturday to Saturday 18-25 February with special festival beers and events hosted across Norwich’s many pubs and brew houses. Details will be available in participating pubs and on the NWAF Website. For more information on NWAF visit www.nwaf.org.uk.
Rob Whitmore, the festival organiser, said: ‘We are proud to be hosting CAMRA’s National Winter Ale Festival here in Norwich and hope that both CAMRA members and non-members will enjoy the array of ales on offer. There will be the darker ales, more traditionally associated with a Winter festival, plus a large variety of ruby and lighter hoppy ales, as well as perries and ciders’
As always at the national festival, the Champion Winter Beers of Britain will compete to find a winner is each category – Strong Milds/Old Ales, Porters, Stouts and Barley Wines/Strong Old Ales. The overall winner will also be selected and announced at the festival. Local entrants include Adnams, Cambridge Brew House, Green Jack and Milton.
Jenny Bach, Press Officer for Norwich CAMRA added: ‘With reduced or free entry to many local festivals, including NWAF, Norwich, Peterborough and Cambridge, to name a few, might this be a good time to consider CAMRA membership? Current benefits include Wetherspoons vouchers and discounts with National Express, Merlin Group, Red Letter Days and many others, this might just be the perfect present to yourself!’
For more information on the festival, admission prices and The Fringe please visit the website nwaf.org.uk.
