Norwich landlord celebrates after pulling one million pints

Phil Cutter celebrates pulling his one millionth pint as landlord of The Murderers pub. The special beer made by Woodforde's brewery.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Phillip Cutter believes he has pulled one million pints during his 28½ years at the Murderers, in Norwich.

And to mark his achievement yesterday, Norfolk brewer Woodforde's has launched a commemorative brew in his honour, called One in a Phillion.

Mr Cutter said: 'It's amazing to think I've pulled my millionth pint and I can honestly say that I've enjoyed serving every single one.

'To have someone like me who has worked in the same place all of his adult life is quite unique these days, and it's nice to have reached this milestone.'

The 44-year-old started working at the Murderers, on Timber Hill, in the late 1980s while he was still a school student.

Back then his main job was to collect glasses, but he also had to pull pints when the pub was exceptionally busy.

He said: 'Over the years I worked my way through the ranks and at 21 I became the assistant manager. I was the general manager at 26 and 11 years ago I bought into the business. It has essentially been my baby for the past 20 years.'

Mr Cutter admitted that he did not know for certain how many drinks he had pulled during his career.

But he believed he had pulled an average of 147 pints every weekday for 48 weeks each year.

He added: 'I would like to think I will be able to pull another million. It has taken me a bit under 30 years to get here, but in another 30 I will be 75 and things might be different.

'Drinking culture has changed massively in the city. People used to come out en-masse from 7.30pm and we would be packed.

'Unfortunately over the course of time a lot of things have affected the pub industry.'

Mr Cutter's commemorative brew is described as a light and zesty golden ale, costing £3.60 a pint.

Rupert Farquharson, managing director at Woodforde's said: 'Pubs are vital to the social fabric of this region so we were naturally delighted to produce this special beer to celebrate a long-standing and highly successful operator.'