Norwich City of Ale 2015 going strong - as malts behind the beers are explained

Co-founders Dawn Leeder and Phil Cutter, launch this year's City of Ale, with the City of Ale bus at the City Hall. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2015)

Norwich City of Ale festival organisers have capitalised on the Canaries' triumph at Wembley and the Radio One Big Weekend at Earlham Park, with a feel-good atmosphere prevailing in pubs.

And as the 10-day event approaches its finale this weekend, co-chairman Phil Cutter said there had been a strong turnout so far.

'We've seen lots of new people coming through the doors,' said Mr Cutter, who is licensee of the Murderers pub in Timberhill.

'I've been speaking to a few other landlords too and they've seen people from outside the region visiting.

Euan Macpherson, managing director of Crisp Malting Group. (Image: Archant)

'It's about introducing people to pubs they wouldn't usually go in to and the ale trails have worked really well for that.

'It's very gratifying to see, and having so many Norfolk beers on sale is great to see.'

He said that the majority of these ales were brewed with grain from Crisp Malting, which is based in Great Ryburgh near Fakenham.

Malt was one of the region's 'great assets' and the chain from farmer to maltster, brewer to pub helped add millions of pounds to Norfolk's economy.

'It's great to see an event like City of Ale all come together, and on top of the Norwich win on Monday it's brought a great feel to the whole industry,' added Mr Cutter.

He stressed that there were four more days in which to enjoy City of Ale, which concludes on Sunday, but added that the festival 'doesn't really finish'.

'It goes on in pubs throughout the year,' he explained. 'It's something pubs do – welcome people in, sell great beer and put on fantastic events.

'These 10 days are really just a showcase of what we have to offer.

'Pubs are there all year – not just City of Ale week.'

More than 40 pubs are signed up to this year's festival, with 40 breweries contributing a total of 237 real ales.

The event – now in its fifth year – was launched last Thursday with a vintage double decker bus ferrying landlords and brewers from City Hall to a special party at the Narthex, by the Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Earlham Road.

Plenty of special events are taking place until Sunday, including:

Today: The Reindeer pub in Dereham Road is running a free prize draw to win a brewing experience at the Elgood brewery in Wisbech. Request a ticket at the bar from 5pm to 11pm.

Tomorrow: A fish and chips and ale event at the Angel Gardens, in Angel Road.

Saturday: All the award-winning beers from this year's Camra tasting panel will be on tap at the Plasterers Arms, in Cowgate.

For more details, see www.cityofale.org.uk