David and Rachel Holliday, of the Norfolk Brewhouse

 

There’s a beer battle in Norfolk this month as two brewers go head to head as part of the East of England Co-op’s Producer of the Year awards.

The Norfolk Brewhouse has been shortlisted for the 2019 competition, along with Woodforde’s Brewery. The pair are two of six contenders from across the East, with two food producers from Essex and two from Suffolk also vying for public votes. One from each area will be crowned county winner before one is picked as overall champion.

Roger Grosvenor, joint chief executive of the East of England Co-op, said: “We are thrilled that two beer producers have been singled out in Norfolk — it really puts the county on the map for our brewers.

“These are easily two of Norfolk’s most interesting beer producers, and it will be a difficult decision to make, but we are asking the public to pick just one of these incredible businesses to represent their county.”

David Holliday, who runs The Norfolk Brewhouse with his wife, Rachel, said: “This is a beautiful county, full of great artisan producers, and we are proud to be part of that.”

 

Bain Bullock Woodfordes

 

Woodforde’s Brewery is run by Neil Bain and Bob Bullock (pictured above), and is Norfolk’s largest brewery. Bullock said: “Woodforde’s have always insisted on using locally grown and malted Maris Otter barley, which has helped support the local farmers. Our water comes from beneath our feet.”

The vote opens today (January 21) and runs until Thursday, February 21.

More than 28,000 votes were cast in 2018, when Maldon-based Wicks Manor — famed for its premium pork products — was crowned Producer of the Year.

Joining the drink producers in the running for the title this year are Choose Spice, which operates from the Suffolk Food Hall in Wherstead, and The Cake Shop in Woodbridge, Suffolk, along with jam producer Thursday Cottage in Essex and sandwich-maker Raynors.

Shoppers are encouraged to vote for one producer per county and, in return, those who vote will have a chance to win £500 of vouchers to use in East of England Co-op stores.

To find out more about each of the shortlisted producers and to vote, visit www.eastofengland.coop/poty2019