The 10th Norwich City of Ale festival is almost here running from Thursday 26 May to Sunday 26 June.

“During the two-year pandemic break from events,” says Phil Cutter, co-founder of City of Ale and licensee at the Murderers, “our beer week has miraculously turned into a beer month. That gives people more time to get round the 51 amazing pubs on the trails, and to sip and savour beers from the 27 fabulous local breweries involved.”

There are seven trails, each with seven or eight pubs. The trails are based on the coinage introduced by tradespeople in the 17th century, when coins from the Royal Mint were in short supply.

“The trails focus on the gems of pubs in the city and the amazing selection of beers from the region, but they are not only about that,” said Cutter.

“They are also about getting people to explore our wonderful city, with its winding alleys, historic buildings, great arts scene and famous market. There’s something for everyone here.”

A Festival of Champions at the Waterfront in Norwich on Thursday 26 May will launch the City of Ale month. All the beers on the bar that night will be award-winners – and they will all come from breweries in the region. “It’s a party of champions. Come along and taste for yourself,” said Cutter.

Tickets for the Festival of Champions are available from the Waterfront:- https://www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk/ents/event/10926/. Beer writer and former editor of the Good Beer Guide Roger Protz will open the Festival.

Norwich City of Ale was the first beer week of its kind: a city-wide beer festival taking people into pubs rather than concentrating them into a marquee, town hall or single event venue.

The aim was, and remains, to help pubs thrive and to see the beers from the region being sampled and celebrated. The model has now been replicated across the country, with some great ones by CAMRA branches including Stockport Beer Week. “CAMRA members are very welcome indeed to Norwich at any time,” says Phil, “but particularly during our City of Ale Festival, to take part in the trails.”

For each completed trail there’s a metal badge on the theme created by Norfolk designer Caz Jones. https://www.cityofale.org.uk/ale-trails