Plum Porter, from Horseford-based S&P Brewery, has been chosen as CAMRA’s champion cask ale of Norfolk.
Photo courtesy of the Peasants’ Tavern, North Walsham
This is the first time S&P have taken the top award, although their Blackberry Porter won the speciality class in the 2025 awards.
“It’s good to see that us experienced elders can still teach the youngsters a thing or two,” said owner and head brewer Andy Keely.
The beer was described by one of the judges as having “rich, fruity, blackcurrant notes, in both aroma and taste. A vinous maltiness with a dark chocolate edge imposes a mature, lasting memory. Just like a tawny port.”
Production at the brewery commenced in 2013 using a 10-barrel plant. It was constructed upon land once owned by prominent Norfolk brewers Steward & Patteson (1800-1965), hence the name. Locally produced malts are used, as is water from the brewery’s own borehole.
The winning beers were tasted and scored by members of the Norfolk CAMRA Tasting Panel. Panel chair, Alan Edwards, said: “It’s a well-deserved award as Andy has been producing quality cask ales for several years. Norfolk breweries may be small in size, but big on quality, as the awards will testify.”
The runner-up was Woodfordes Wherry, a session bitter from the Woodbastwick brewery. In joint third place were Winter Ash, a speciality beer from the Grain Brewery, in Alburgh, and Sirius Dog Star, a red ale from Attleborough-based Wolf Brewery.
Full results
Session bitters
Winner: Woodfordes, Wherry
Second: Ampersand, Bitter, and Barsham, Oaks
Third: Moon Gazer, Hare Today
IPAs
Winner: Mr Winter’s, Citrus Kiss
Brown ale, red ale, old, and strong mild
Winner: Wolf, Sirius Dog Star
Speciality (flavoured)
Winner: S&P, Plum Porter
Speciality (differently produced)
Winner: Grain Brewery, Winter Ash
