“A Pub for everyday with a Church for every Sunday.”- Describes the city of Norwich perfectly with its 365 pubs. As someone coming from a city with a comparable population and a third fewer bars, this city is quite the treat to visit. Bjórmenningarfélag Ísland was luck enough to visit Norwich for the 70th Delegates meeting of European Beer Consumer’s Union (EBCU).
After arriving in Norwich we headed to a few of the older pubs in Norwich, The Coach & Horses, Lollard’s Pit Pub and Adam and Eve. We had some great cask ales and experienced some great pub culture and atmosphere. After enjoying a few pints we headed to Bier Draak to meet up with the rest of the EBCU group. There we were treated to a workshop by Pete Brown on the effect of music on our taste buds. It was incredible and very educational to experience how different music can draw out different notes of beer.
The morning after we headed to the Crisp Malt facility in Great Ryburgh, Fakenham to have the first of two EBCU meetings. After a general discussion about the status of the Union and voting on board members and new associations joining, we had an interesting and eye opening panel with Pete Brown about climate change and the beer supply chain. The status of agriculture is, as most of us are aware of, dire due to climate change which effects production of food and drink. For beer enthusiasts the effects of climate change will have on the taste, quality, price and other aspects of beers are immense and worrying.
After the climate change panel, we got a tour of the Crisp Malt, a malting company, before heading to Barsham Brewery for some excellent cask. Even though it was a long day, the thought of not visiting a few more pubs seemed like an absolute waste, so we headed to The Mad Cat and The Fat Cat. No cats in sight ,but quite a few wonderful ales. We ended the night at Hop Rocket for a few more ales.
The second meeting was held at the Forum in central Norwich. Some great discussion was had about the future of the EBCU and the status of workshops and projects that the Union has in the works. A short brainstorming workshop produced more great ideas and possible future projects. After the meeting and a nice break, we met up at the White Lion – an excellent place to visit for good food beer and bar billiards. Our group then toured small and micro-sized pubs around Norwich before ending the night
at The Leopard for a few more cask ales – and real Bass Ale from a cask – and said goodbye to our lovely hosts from CAMRA and the other EBCU delegates.
It was a great weekend and the city of Norwich is fantastic! Staying for a few more days would have made the whole trip even better since we didn’t even have time to visit a fraction of the many great pubs that Norwich has to offer as well as restaurants, scenic places that give Norwich a great overall character and atmosphere. Truly a city that beer nerds and lovers need to put on their bucket list.