Norwich pub’s beer festival says cheers to year’s charitable events
The Whalebone pub 22nd beer festival. Landlord Steve Fisk.Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
A Norwich pub has launched its charitable activities for the year with its 22nd annual beer festival.
The Whalebone pub 22nd beer festival. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
The Whalebone Freehouse, in Magdalen Road, is serving more than 25 ales on tap and hand pump, with 20p of the price on selected pints going to charity.
Steve Fisk, general manager, started the festival 22 years ago and with him at the helm it has grown year on year.
Mike Lorenz, owner, said: 'This year we've got lots of very different beers, mainly coming from small brewers throughout the country; we've got stouts in there, some German hopped beers and wheat beers. There are some strange-sounding names in there too, such as the Toff in a Shed and the Dangerous Dave.
'We've got a pretty broad selection of all tastes to suit all people.'
The Whalebone pub 22nd beer festival. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
Last year, the pub raised £2,300 for Service by Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV) Norfolk and this year the Whalebone will be supporting Keeping Abreast, a national charity based in Norwich that supports and cares for women who are considering or going through breast reconstruction.
Mr Lorenz, who has owned the pub for 24 years, is confident of exceeding last year's figure.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk zoo keeper abandoned as a baby reunited with mother in ITV show
- 2 Lane of A47 remains shut after serious crash yesterday afternoon
- 3 Queen's Platinum Jubilee flypast rehearses over Norfolk
- 4 Breakup and burglary! Couple's chaos after £101m win on Euromillions
- 5 Hero boxer rescues man who plunged into river to save dog
- 6 Café completely sells out on first week of launching Sunday roasts
- 7 'Mishap' at historic hotel as van crashes into entrance wall
- 8 Boat users given fines over £16k for breaking rules on Norfolk Broads
- 9 Two Norfolk seaside hotels named among the best in Britain
- 10 Norwich man in court over £3.5m whiskey theft
He said: 'I think we can beat last year's sum because our golf society has already made a donation of £300 so it's a really good start and we're aiming to beat that £2,300 this year.'
On top of the extensive range of beers on offer at the festival, there will also be a BBQ cooking up grub to help stave off wintry chills.
The Whalebone pub 22nd beer festival. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
Festival T-shirts are also on sale for £10, with £2 going to Keeping Abreast.
Going forwards, the pub has a host of further fundraisers lined up.
Mr Lorenz said: 'We've got a monthly quiz night and a comedy night coming up in May, we have a wine tasting in April too and a charity golf day run by our own society in Sprowston in August.
'There is also our third German beer festival in September, which is very popular, and all of these events will raise money for Keeping Abreast.'
The Whalebone pub 22nd beer festival. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
The festival opened on Wednesday and will finish on Sunday.
The Whalebone pub 22nd beer festival. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
