This year marks the 180th anniversary of the birth of Bullards beers and to mark the occasion brewing is set to return to Norwich city centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Bullards Brewery are returning to Norwich on their 180ty anniversary. Chairman Russell Evans at The Coachmakers in Norwich which is one of the pubs giving away free beer to celebrate. L-r, Ryan Finney, John Bullard, Russell Evans. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2017Bullards Brewery are returning to Norwich on their 180ty anniversary. Chairman Russell Evans at The Coachmakers in Norwich which is one of the pubs giving away free beer to celebrate. L-r, Ryan Finney, John Bullard, Russell Evans. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

The brand was revived two years ago and now the team behind it has announced plans to bring the brewery back into the city, at the site of the Tap House on Redwell Street.

Teaming up with 23 pubs across the county, they are also giving away more than 4,000 bottles of beer to say thank you for the support of their customers since they returned to pubs and bars across Norfolk.

Around £15,000 worth of Bullards Number 3 will be given away in participating pubs, with each being given 180 bottles to hand out.

Work on the new brewery is set to begin next month with a projected launch in March or April.

Eastern Daily Press: bullards workersbullards workers (Image: Archant)

Russell Evans, chairman of Bullards, said more plans are in the pipeline for 2017 as they continue their 180th celebrations.

'When we open on the new site it is not only going to be for the people of Norwich and Norfolk but for everyone who comes to visit the city,' he said. 'It will be a brewery and a tap room in the city centre where you can drink straight from the tank. We are selling tank-fresh beer and you can't get fresher than that.

'There will be a brewery installed on the ground floor where people can drink, and upstairs will be converted to an eating and drinking area.

'We are looking to have it opened some time in March or April of this year, but certainly in time for the City of Ale festival. We are going to be doing something significant for the City of Ale this year with a special Bullards brew.

Eastern Daily Press: bullards cooper page 10 of pubs bookbullards cooper page 10 of pubs book (Image: Archant)

'Kicking it off to celebrate 180 years of Bullards we have selected 23 pubs across Norfolk to give away 180 bottles of Bullards free of charge.

'We wanted to say thank you to the people of Norfolk who have taken the brand in so well since we launched in April 2015.

'There will be plenty of other things launching in the second half of the year but the key thing we are doing is bringing back Bullards Number One, which hasn't been brewed in quite some time. That is the main beer being distributed to the 23 pubs, and people can buy a pint of that to get their bottle of Bullards Number 3.

'I worked on the brand in the mid 1980s so I have very fond memories of it, and I have been amazed at how receptive people have been.

'What we have done is brought a 180-year-old brand back but brewed really contemporary drinks for the modern palate. It is a fantastic name, great heritage, but with some cutting- edge new products. Of all the brands, Bullards seems to have a huge resonance with people.'

Vouchers will be redeemable from Monday January 30.

Participating pubs

-York Tavern - Leicester Street, Norwich

-The Boars - Bunwell Road, Spooner Row

-Belle Vue - St Phillips Road, Norwich

-Marlborough Arms - Spencer Street, Norwich

-Buck Inn - Yarmouth Road, Norwich

-Rosebury - Rosebury Road, Norwich

-Swan - Church Close, Loddon

-Cock Inn - Denmark Street, Diss

-The Bell, Bawburgh Road, Marlingford

-Darbys - Elsing Road, Swanton Morley - original Bullards pub

-Red Lion - Church Street, Coltishall

-Red Lion - Brook Street, Cromer

-Recruiting Sergeant - Horstead, Norwich

-Buckinghamshire Arms - Blickling Hall - offer available Monday-Friday.

-Parson Woodforde - Church Street, Weston Longville

-Beehive - Leopold Road, Norwich

-Murderers - Timber Hill, Norwich

-Reindeer - Dereham Road, Norwich

-Mulberry Tree - Station Road, Attleborough

-Kings Arms, Hall Road, Norwich

-Coachmakers - St Stephens, Norwich

-Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham

-Erpingham Arms - Eagle Road, Erpingham