A popular beer festival which is attracting crowds of revellers is helping to showcase the Norwich pub scene - so punters can enjoy the finest ales all year round.

Eastern Daily Press: David Holliday of Norfolk Brewhouse and Martin Warren of Poppyland with their same recipe IPAs. Picture: Frances BraceDavid Holliday of Norfolk Brewhouse and Martin Warren of Poppyland with their same recipe IPAs. Picture: Frances Brace (Image: Archant)

The City of Ale festival is the largest of its kind in the country.

However co-chairman Philip Cutter said that although it is an annual festival, it celebrates something that revellers in Norwich can get everyday.

Landlord of The Murderers Mr Cutter, 47, said: 'It's a great showcase of what we have to offer.

'All the things about beer and ale on offer at the festival we know about in Norwich but in terms of the wider country, I think City of Ale shows what Norwich has to offer.

Eastern Daily Press: Ben Richardson of Waterstones with beer writers Pete Brown Roger Protz and Adrian Tierney-Jones. Picutre: Frances BraceBen Richardson of Waterstones with beer writers Pete Brown Roger Protz and Adrian Tierney-Jones. Picutre: Frances Brace (Image: Frances Brace)

'I don't think it's any different from what pubs do for the rest of the year. What City of Ale does is focus everything on to this fine city that we have and as a publican in Norwich I'm proud of what I do in supporting local businesses with local brewers and local malters that grow their barley in the fields of North Norfolk.'

The largest ever City of Ale returned on May 24 with events, trails and talks taking place at 48 pubs around the Fine City with more than 100 events until June 3.

Father of three Mr Cutter added: 'When it comes to other publicans and businesses we want to support each other.

'The wonderful thing with the City of Ale is it isn't about who can make the most money or who can have the most customers. It's about celebrating what we have to offer and making the wider-public aware of what we do.'

The City of Ale was launched in 2011 by Dawn Leeder and Mr Cutter as the first beer week in the country. It has since been replicated in other cities such as Manchester, York and Bristol.

'We take for granted the pubs that are on our doorstep and are always there,' Mr Cutter added.

'In the last 30 to 40 years so many pubs have closed that these things are being wiped from our memories and is something I would like to support in the future years and celebrate pubs that are no longer.'

For full details of all the pubs taking part and events, go to cityofale.org.uk