The Norwich and District branch of CAMRA has announced five awards. The winners of some categories will go forward to challenge for countywide Norfolk awards.
The White Lion, Norwich
The White Lion has been voted the 2024 Norwich city pub and overall branch pub of the year, having scooped the same two accolades in 2023. The Ploughshare, in Beeston, is district pub of theyear.
“We have the fantastic support of a great team and some fantastic breweries and cider producers and, of course, our wonderful customers,” said the White Lion’s Oscar Gerdes. “Thank you all again, and keep an eye on our Facebook page for details on our presentation party.”
The Ploughshare is a community-owned pub dating back nearly 500 years. There has been an alehouse on the site since 1585. In 2016, villagers gathered together to rescue the pub from the brink of redevelopment, which they succeeded in doing three years later.
“My team and I have worked extremely hard to provide great quality beers and ales, including some from our local brewery, Beeston Brewery,” said manager Gemma Drew. “We pride ourselves on our friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and to receive recognition from Norwich and District CAMRA is a real privilege and makes all the hard work worthwhile!”
Cider pub of the year is the Fat Cat. Renowned for its ales, the pub has an equally good selection of ciders, as recognised by the CAMRA voters. General manager Will Keatley said: “It’s a real pleasure to win this award for the first time. Being predominantly known for our selection of real ales, it’s a welcome surprise to be recognised for our cider range, too.”
The White Lion will now go forward to the Norfolk Pub of the Year competition, and the Fat Cat will go forward to the Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year competition, to be announced in May.
The Norwich club of the year winner is Aylsham Social Club, which is also host to a variety of sports and hobby clubs. “We are both surprised and delighted to have won the award,” said bar manager Dan Brown. “For over a year we have been expanding and promoting our range of real ales, and to see our hard work pay off is a great feeling.”
Ian Stamp, Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA branch chairman, said: “I would like to congratulate the four winners. With the demands of the last few years still weighing heavily on the industry, it is fantastic to celebrate our very best pubs and clubs, and I hope more people will visit and enjoy them and the local ales and ciders they carefully manage and serve.”
