Norwich City of Ale trails launched for 2023 at Waterfront

The 11th edition of Norwich City of Ale launched at the Waterfront today and will aim to showcase the work of 59 city pubs and 32 local breweries across nine ale trails.

This year the festival will also twin with Leuven Innovation Beer Festival to welcome Belgian brewers to its events.

Eastern Daily Press: Mike Green, front left, from Tindall Brewery; Phil Halls, centre, of the Grain Brewery; David Holliday, second right, from Moongazer Ale; and Dave Cornell, right, from Poppyland Brewery, with three Belgians brewers, at the City of Ale launch Mike Green, front left, from Tindall Brewery; Phil Halls, centre, of the Grain Brewery; David Holliday, second right, from Moongazer Ale; and Dave Cornell, right, from Poppyland Brewery, with three Belgians brewers, at the City of Ale launch (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

City of Ale will run for a month until Sunday, June 25, with a range of different events taking place each day.

Launching the event, co-founder Phil Cutter, landlord of the Murderers in Timberhill, said their Flemish visitors were looking forward to discovering more about cask-conditioned beer, known as real ale, which is not popular in mainland Europe.

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Eastern Daily Press: David Holliday, left, and Phil Cutter, co-chairs of the City of Ale festival at the launch at the Waterfront David Holliday, left, and Phil Cutter, co-chairs of the City of Ale festival at the launch at the Waterfront (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

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Mr Cutter said: “Our festival really supports localism. With the exception of a twinning activity with Belgian brewers from Leuven, all the breweries involved in City of Ale are from Norfolk or Suffolk.

“If I were going to ask anything of pub-goers and drinkers during the festival, it would be to sample, sip and savour beers from those breweries.”

David Holliday, of Moon Gazer Ale, who also organises the festival, echoed Mr Cutter’s words saying it showcased the best the Fine City had to offer.

Eastern Daily Press: John Smith of Wolf Brewery, and Lesley George, Humpty Dumpty Brewery, at the City of Ale festival launch John Smith of Wolf Brewery, and Lesley George, Humpty Dumpty Brewery, at the City of Ale festival launch (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

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He said: “The thing I love about City of Ale, is that it’s a community enterprise, a real labour of love by the pubs and breweries, as well as the organisations that support us.

“It all translates into something different, something fun, something educational, and something inspiring for local people, as well as for visitors to the beautiful, historic city of Norwich.

“Community at its best.”

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich South MP Clive Lewis was among those at the 2023 City of Ale launch event Norwich South MP Clive Lewis was among those at the 2023 City of Ale launch event (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

A host of breweries are taking part, including Boudica, Chalk Hill, Fat Cat, Grain and Humpty Dumpty.

A programme of events will be available in city pubs with trail maps included.

Eastern Daily Press: The new design of glass for the City of Ale festival launch at the Waterfront The new design of glass for the City of Ale festival launch at the Waterfront (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)