Norwich's White Lion is Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year 2017

A crowd gathered at the White Lion pub, in Norwich, in May as Ian Stamp, Chairman of the Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale), presented the Branch Cider Pub of the Year and Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year certificates to the landlord, Alex Waters.
 

Branch Chairman Ian Stamp presents the certificates
to White Lion landlord Alex Waters.

Alex commented: "We sometimes wonder why more publicans don’t offer a wider selection of cider, as it’s proved to be so popular.  We believe in keeping things traditional and The White Lion is a traditional pub where you can try British produce, including ciders, real ales, whiskies and local foods.

"We’re delighted to win these awards again and would like to thank our customers and dedicated staff"

As you step into this time-honoured pub, a warm welcome greets you.  The Oak Street pub has an extensive selection of real cider, as well as real ales and offers speciality beers and home cooked food.

The building itself was originally built in 1558 and has been repaired and extended.  The original White Lion Brewery is recorded from 1830 to early 1840’s.

In 2005, the pub was closed and boarded up, but gladly reopened its doors years later and from 2008 was opened under the ownership of the Cambridge Milton Brewery, under the trading arm ‘Individual Pubs’. 

Voting for the Cider Pub of the Year awards is completed each year by CAMRA members, using a dedicated online scoring system.

The King’s Head in Norwich is Norfolk’s Pub of The Year

Norfolk members of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) have selected The Kings Head, in Magdalen Street, Norwich, as their 2017 Norfolk Pub of the Year.

The Kings Head team with their
Branch Pub of the Year certificate.

 To add to their accolades, the pub has also been awarded the Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA branch's "City Pub of the Year" and overall "Branch Pub of the Year" for 2017. 

Landlords Stephen and Lesley George took over the pub in 2013 and the couple are also owners of the Humpty Dumpty Brewery, based in Reedham.

Stephen said: "We’re delighted the King’s Head has been named Norfolk’s Pub of the Year and Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA branch Pub of the Year for the third time.

"The King’s Head is a special place – a showcase for Norfolk’s many microbreweries, wonderful regulars who are keen to try the wide range of beers in a historic pub setting in the middle of Norwich’s antique and vintage shopping area.

"It’s a place where people engage in the old art of conversation.

"The award reflects the hard work and passion of Alison, Charlie and the whole team, who are all about serving up great real ales in a lovely old pub. We couldn’t be more proud." 

The Manager of the Kings Head, Alison White, also commented that she is delighted to hear of the good news.

The Kings Head is a unique yet traditional City pub offering an ever-changing choice of cask ales and ciders from East Anglian microbreweries.

The historic building has been trading as a licensed public house for over 300 years and, though small from the outside, opens into a welcoming front bar and large friendly back-bar.

The pub attracts ale lovers from all over the region as a home from home place to drink great beer and engage in pleasant banter, without distraction of TV or music. 

Ian Stamp, the Norwich and Norfolk Branch Chairman, said: "Congratulations to the Kings Head on winning this year's Norfolk Pub of the Year, Norwich City Pub and Branch Pub of the Year against very stiff competition!

"The Kings Head is all about beer and conversation.  Stephen and Lesley, Ali and Charlie can be justly proud of the pub and the quality and range of beer they serve, which is obviously much appreciated by CAMRA members and all their regulars."

• The Kings Head now goes forward to the next round of the competition which is the East Anglian regional awards, before potentially entering the Super Regional finals and the National stage of the competition.