Champion Cask Ale of Norfolk 2021

The Norfolk branches of CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale) have declared Mad Wolf, a Red Ale brewed by the Wolf Brewery, of Besthorpe, the Champion Cask Ale of Norfolk 2021.

Described by the judges as having a “Well rounded malty foundation with chocolate and chestnut support. A bittersweet hoppiness provides depth and balance. Full bodied and lasting”, the brew emerged as winner after a difficult year of judging by the Norfolk Taste Panel.

Panel chair Alan Edwards commented: “The last few months have been difficult for both the public and the trade. We have appreciated the efforts made by brewers and publicans to ensure the availability of Real Ale, even when the pubs have been closed.

“The members of the panel have taken every opportunity to taste the many wonderful brews available to the Norfolk drinker.”

Second place overall went to Fusioneer, a dark flavoursome mild described as having a biscuity roast backbone, brewed by Mr Winter’s Brewery, of Norwich. In third place was Lignum Vitae, a strong ale with toffee, orange and banana notes, from the Grain Brewery, of Alburgh in South Norfolk.

Alan added: “CAMRA recently reviewed and revised both the guidelines to beer styles and the actual judging cards used by the panel. This has enabled the beers to be judged against, and where appropriate repositioned into, both traditional and modern styles of brewing.

“This has given a much better fit for many of the beers as well as recognising the new adventurous brews now available. The panel is to be congratulated for embracing the new styles with enthusiasm and seeking out the best of Norfolk brews.”

Eleven of the 40-plus Norfolk breweries are represented in the awards and CAMRA hopes they will encourage landlords to stock the many fine brews available from local breweries and customers to seek out, support their local pubs.

The Norfolk panel is always looking for new members. If you would like to join us, please e-mail tastingpanel@norwichcamra.org.uk -- the greater the number of people contributing tastings throughout the county, the more beers we can taste, giving more breweries the chance to win awards.

Champion Cask Ale of Norfolk 2021 results:

Overall Winners
Winner - Mad Wolf, Wolf, Besthorpe
Runner Up - Fusioneer, Mr Winter’s, Norwich
3rd - Lignum Vitae, Grain, Alburgh

Mild Ales
Winner - Fusioneer, Mr Winter’s, Norwich

Session Bitters
Winner= - Table Bitter, Golden Triangle, Norwich
Winner= - Wensum Ale, St. Andrews Brewhouse, Norwich
3rd - Norwich Bitter, Fat Cat, Norwich

Premium Bitters
Winner - Nelsons, Woodfordes, Woodbastwick

Session Pale Blonde and Golden Ales
Winner - Evolution, Mr Winter’s, Norwich
Runner Up - Golden Jackal, Wolf, Besthorpe
3rd - Lupus Lupus, Wolf, Besthorpe

Premium Pale Blonde and Golden Ales
Winner - Legacy, Lacons, Gt. Yarmouth
Runner Up - White Face, Moon Gazer, Hindringham

Red Ales, Brown Ales, Old Ales & Strong Milds
Winner - Mad Wolf, Wolf, Besthorpe

Session Stouts & Porters
Winner - Vanilla Latte, Mr Winter’s, Norwich
Runner Up - Tombland Porter, St. Andrews, Norwich
3rd - Black Anna, Chalk Hill, Norwich

Strong Stouts & Porters
Winner - Dark Horse Stout, Elmtree, Snetterton

Barley Wines & Strong Ales
Winner - Lignum Vitae, Grain, Alburgh

Speciality Beers
Winner - Honey Ale, Fat Cat, Norwich

Norwich Pub Festival 2021

Missing beer festivals? Try Norwich Pub Festival!

A month-long celebration featuring over 100 local pubs and breweries

This July, over 60 pubs in and around Norwich will be part of a month-long Norwich Pub Festival. It is the first event of this type run by Norwich & District CAMRA and it is designed to get more people back to the pub and enjoying local beers.

Pub Festival organiser Craig Harmer said: “During lockdown we were all missing the pub terribly, and we had to cancel Norwich Beer Festival last October.

“During our online committee meetings, we started talking about how we could help pubs get back on their feet after a difficult year.

“We wanted to plan something exciting for people, as well as supporting our fabulous local pubs and breweries.”

How will it work?

People can visit pubs from within colour-coded zones, mapped out in a festival guide available from participating venues. Each zone will include between 8 and 11 pubs, with a whole month to visit as many as you choose! 

The festival is not about pub crawling, but an opportunity to enjoy and support our local pubs safely and leisurely. 

Anyone who gets a stamp from every pub in a zone can claim a souvenir coloured wristband, and if you collect all colours (one wristband for each zone), you’ll qualify for a special prize to be awarded at Norwich Beer Festival in October!

Each pub is partnered with a brewery and receives a free cask of beer from them. They’ll also have the opportunity to work together to organise promotional events for customers during the festival.

There are over 40 breweries taking part and we want to say a huge thank you to them all for their support.

Getting around

Almost all the pubs taking part are on train or bus routes, and we’ll include public transport details in the festival guide. In Norwich, the central zones are walkable, and the pubs are very close to each other. 

Keep safe!

Please adhere to the latest Covid guidelines and drink responsibly.  If you need to drive or cycle, please keep everyone safe and have a soft drink, you’ll still get your stamp!

Finding out more?

Details of all the pubs and breweries taking part will be included in the festival guide, which you can pick up in pubs from June 21st. An online version will also be available via our social media pages:

facebook.com/NorwichPubFestival

Twitter @NorwichPubFest 

IG @NorwichPubFestival