Just some photos,

 

NFFC

Forest needed somebody to play alongside the formidable Larry Lloyd in central defence. And Taylor had a very different future in mind for Burns. “I visualised Kenny turning into a Scottish Bobby Moore.” “He was as skilful as Moore and certainly more ruthless.” At his first training session, he was waiting to find out where he would be playing when trainer Jimmy Gordon started reading out the team. “Middleton, Anderson, Barrett, Lloyd, Burns…” Burns looked around and realised his name had been called immediately after Larry Lloyd. He was playing centre-half. “That was the first I knew about the new partnership with big Larry.” Burns discovered he preferred defending to chasing around up front, and alongside Lloyd he formed one of the most intimidating centre-half partnerships in English football. Forest began the 1977/78 season with a 3-1 victory away at Everton, with Burns and Lloyd keeping the opposition forwards under control. They went on to win the First Division title in their first season back in the top flight, as well as the League Cup. And the player Clough had been so reluctant to sign was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1978. Burns later helped Forest win consecutive European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Years afterwards, Clough was asked about the Scottish defender he had turned into one of the best players in Europe. “The ugliest player I ever signed was Kenny Burns.” “He had no teeth.” “I used to play centre-forward and to have beaten someone with the ball, and then seen Kenny Burns looking at me, I’d have given him the ball.” #football

Yes, this story is an accurate account of one of English football's greatest tactical reinventions. In the summer of 1977, Brian Clough (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F014n_k&q=Brian+Clough) and Peter Taylor (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F09835r&q=Peter+Taylor) signed Kenny Burns (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F0cbmzp&q=Kenny+Burns) from Birmingham City for £150,000 and immediately converted the prolific striker into a title-winning centre-half alongside Larry Lloyd (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F04l74y&q=Larry+Lloyd).

The Undercover Scouting Mission

• The Reputation. Burns arrived at Nottingham Forest with a "bad boy" image for drinking, fighting, and heavy gambling. Even Birmingham's chairman warned Clough against signing him.

• The Dog Track Investigation. Determined to check the rumours, assistant manager Peter Taylor went undercover in a flat cap and dark glasses to follow Burns at Perry Barr greyhound track. Taylor discovered Burns was only placing modest £10 and £20 bets and was far more disciplined than his reputation suggested.

• The Flower Show Test. Before finalizing the move, Clough tested Burns's temperament by telling him to shave, buy a decent coat, and meet at a garden centre in Long Eaton. Burns went along quietly with an exhibition naming sweet peas after Clough, passing the manager's test of character.

The Tactical Masterstroke

• A Surprise Position. Burns had scored 19 league goals for Birmingham City in the 1976–77 season and assumed he was signed to lead Forest's attack. Without warning him, Taylor and Clough placed him in central defence during his very first training session.

• A "Scottish Bobby Moore." Taylor saw that Burns possessed the ball-playing composure, reading of the game, and physical ruthlessness to thrive as a sweeper-style defender.

• The Defensive Wall. Paired with the towering Larry Lloyd (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F04l74y&q=Larry+Lloyd) and backed by new goalkeeper Peter Shilton, Forest conceded just 24 goals across 42 First Division matches in 1977–78.

Honours Won at Nottingham Forest (1977–1981)

Following his positional switch, Burns became the cornerstone of Forest's golden era:

Season Major Trophy / Individual Honour

1977–78 First Division Championship, Football League Cup, FWA Footballer of the Year

1978–79 European Cup (1–0 vs Malmö FF), FA Charity Shield

1979–80 European Cup (1–0 vs Hamburger SV), European Super Cup

Would you like to explore more about Brian Clough and Peter Taylor's Miracle Men, or look at other famous positional conversions in football history?

Older Trip

Olde Trip (often associated with Hardys & Hansons Olde Trip) is a classic 4.3% ABV British cask and session bitter currently brewed by Greene King. [1] (https://www.greenekingorders.co.uk/products/draught-Beer-and-Ciders/Cask-Ale/Greene-King/179081_Firkin-Olde-Trip-43-(9gl)), [2] (https://camra.org.uk/beers/hardys-hansons-olde-trip-session-bitter-3538)

Key Details

• ABV: 4.3% [1] (https://www.greenekingorders.co.uk/products/draught-Beer-and-Ciders/Cask-Ale/Greene-King/179081_Firkin-Olde-Trip-43-(9gl))

• Style: English Bitter / Session Ale / Premium Ale [1] (https://untappd.com/b/greene-king-hardys-hansons-olde-trip/31497), [2] (https://www.beer-genius.co.uk/brand_information.aspx?Id=25), [3] (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/203/48906/)

• Origin/Heritage: Originally brewed by Hardys & Hansons at the Kimberley Brewery in Nottinghamshire, taking its name from Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham—widely claimed to be England's oldest inn. [1] (https://www.greenekingorders.co.uk/products/draught-Beer-and-Ciders/Cask-Ale/Greene-King/179081_Firkin-Olde-Trip-43-(9gl)), [2] (https://www.facebook.com/bellinnpanfield/posts/this-weeks-guest-beer-olde-tripolde-trip-is-a-classic-british-cask-ale-bitter-br/1566466105483286/)

• Appearance & Flavor: A dark copper or ruby-colored ale with a rich toffee, caramel, and malty aroma, balanced by fruity notes and a clean, robust hop bitterness on the finish. [1] (https://www.greenekingorders.co.uk/products/draught-Beer-and-Ciders/Cask-Ale/Greene-King/179081_Firkin-Olde-Trip-43-(9gl)), [2] (https://hywelsbiglog.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/beer-review-hardys-hansons-olde-trip/), [3] (https://www.beer-genius.co.uk/brand_information.aspx?Id=25)

• Ingredients: Brewed with pale and crystal malts, paired with hop varieties like Pilgrim, Goldings, and First Gold. [1] (https://www.beer-genius.co.uk/brand_information.aspx?Id=25)

• Availability: Widely featured as a cask or draft option across select UK pubs and Greene King stockists, as well as notably on tap at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. [1] (https://camra.org.uk/beers/hardys-hansons-olde-trip-session-bitter-3538), [2] (https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/nottinghamshire/ye-olde-trip-to-jerusalem/our-beers), [3] (https://untappd.com/b/greene-king-hardys-hansons-olde-trip/31497)

Are you looking to find where to buy or drink a pint of Olde Trip near a specific location, or do you want food pairing recommendations?

What changes has H&H version from Kimberly Brewery, to Greene King from Bury St Edmunds 

When Greene King (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F046j_d&q=Greene+King) acquired Hardys & Hansons (H&H) in 2006 and closed the historic Kimberley Brewery (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F11qmx5x229) in Nottinghamshire, they moved production of Olde Trip to their Westgate Brewery (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fhkb%2FCg4KCGxhbmd1YWdlEgJlbgoTCgR0eXBlEgtMT0NBTF9QTEFDRQoyCgtlbnRpdHlfbmFtZRIjd2VzdGdhdGUgYnJld2VyeSBpbiBidXJ5IHN0IGVkbXVuZHM%3D&q=Westgate+Brewery) in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. [1] (https://www.wivenhoehistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GreeneKing_July07.pdf), [2] (https://www.thecaterer.com/news/greene-king-to-close-kimberley-brewery-after-hardys-hansons-takeover), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdHBuMXR0cxgK)

While Greene King stated they conducted "brewing trials and taste-profiling" to match the original beer, real ale drinkers, CAMRA members, and beer reviewers noted several distinct changes in how the beer is made and how it tastes. [1] (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/203/48906/), [2] (https://www.wivenhoehistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GreeneKing-May07.pdf), [3] (https://redbarrel.livejournal.com/861.html)

Key Brewing & Sensory Changes

• Water Chemistry (Liquor): Brewing in Kimberley used local Nottinghamshire water, whereas Bury St Edmunds uses water drawn from Suffolk's chalk aquifer. In traditional British brewing, regional water mineral content heavily dictates mouthfeel and hop bitterness, giving the new version a distinctly "Suffolk" or standard Greene King character. [1] (https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/09/09/greene-king-ipa-gets-a-major-makeover), [2] (https://www.wivenhoehistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GreeneKing_July07.pdf), [3] (https://redbarrel.livejournal.com/861.html)

• Yeast Strain & Fermentation: Moving production to Westgate Brewery (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F11b8z2x_7_) introduced Greene King's house yeast and fermentation vessels. Reviewers frequently note that the Bury St Edmunds version carries signature Greene King yeast esters (subtle pear drop, banana, or pineapple notes) that were not present in the original Kimberley brew. [1] (https://www.beer-genius.co.uk/brand_information.aspx?Id=25), [2] (https://redbarrel.livejournal.com/861.html)

• Hops & Ingredient Standardization: Greene King's current specification for Olde Trip lists Pale and Crystal malts, brewing sugars, and Pilgrim, Goldings, and First Gold hops (with Challenger and Goldings dry-hop notes). Notably, this exact malt and hop lineup mirrors the core recipe used for Greene King's flagship Old Speckled Hen, leading many enthusiasts to point out that Olde Trip was adapted to fit Greene King's standardized supply chain rather than maintaining H&H's bespoke Kimberley hop bill. [1] (https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/638198/old-crafty-hen-clone-), [2] (https://www.beer-genius.co.uk/brand_information.aspx?Id=25)

• Flavor & Mouthfeel Shifts: Drinkers familiar with the original H&H version report that the Kimberley brew had a richer, deeper roasted malt body and a firmer, more rounded bitterness. The Bury St Edmunds version is widely described as lighter-bodied, slightly sweeter upfront with more pronounced toffee/caramel notes, and having a thinner mouthfeel with a sharper, "dustier" hop finish. [1] (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/203/48906/), [2] (https://www.beer-genius.co.uk/brand_information.aspx?Id=25)

• Format & Distribution: Under H&H, Olde Trip was primarily a regional Nottinghamshire and East Midlands staple. Greene King phased out widespread bottled distribution over time, focusing primarily on 9-gallon cask firkins distributed nationally through their wider pub estate. [1] (https://www.greenekingorders.co.uk/products/draught-Beer-and-Ciders/Cask-Ale/Greene-King/179081_Firkin-Olde-Trip-43-(9gl)), [2] (https://nottingham.camra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2005-2011/ND-Dec-06-Web-Version-77.pdf), [3] (https://redbarrel.livejournal.com/861.html)

Would you like to explore independent Nottinghamshire breweries that carry on the traditional East Midlands brewing style, or check where Olde Trip is currently served near you?

Olde Trip is no longer a permanent fixture across Greene King’s national estate, meaning it is guaranteed on tap at its namesake pub in Nottingham and only appears as a rotational cask guest ale in Norwich and the wider UK. [1] (https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/nottinghamshire/ye-olde-trip-to-jerusalem), [2] (https://camra.org.uk/pubs/olde-trip-to-jerusalem-nottingham-central-162681)

Because cask lines rotate weekly depending on what pub managers order from the Greene King trade catalogue, there is no live public tracker showing which Norwich pub has a firkin tapped today.

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Where You Are Guaranteed to Find It

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (Nottingham) (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F07l75j&q=Ye+Olde+Trip+to+Jerusalem+%28Nottingham%29)

4.6(9.0K) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · Nottingham

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (Nottingham) (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F07l75j). Located at 1 Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham, this historic inn keeps Olde Trip on its permanent handpumps alongside a stronger 5.6% Old Ale variant. [1] (https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/nottinghamshire/ye-olde-trip-to-jerusalem/find-us), [2] (https://camra.org.uk/pubs/olde-trip-to-jerusalem-nottingham-central-162681)

Best Places to Check in Norwich

In Norwich, your best chance of finding Olde Trip on a guest handpump is at managed or tenanted Greene King houses that regularly rotate cask ales from the Bury St Edmunds brewery:

The Woolpack Inn (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1hc39hx75&q=The+Woolpack+Inn)

4.3(1.4K) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · 9 Golden Ball St · 0.5 mi

• Location: 9 Golden Ball St, Norwich NR1 3EH

• Details: City-centre Greene King pub featuring rotating cask ales alongside hearty pub classics.

Compleat Angler (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1thgg95y&q=Compleat+Angler)

4.1(1.9K) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · 120 Prince of Wales Rd · 0.2 mi

• Location: 120 Prince of Wales Rd, Norwich NR1 1NS (opposite Norwich Railway Station)

• Details: Large riverside Greene King venue with multiple handpumps stocking regular and seasonal Greene King casks.

The Coach & Horses (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tgq5xw7&q=The+Coach+%26+Horses)

4.6(862) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · 51 Bethel St · 0.7 mi

• Location: 51 Bethel St, Norwich NR2 1NR

• Details: Traditional Greene King pub praised by local ale drinkers for well-kept cask lines and rotating guest beers. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSECoOCgwvZy8xaGMzOWh4NzUYCg), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGhnZzk1eRgK), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGdxNXh3NxgK)

How to Spot It Locally

• Call Ahead. Give the bar team at any of the Norwich pubs above a quick ring before visiting to see if a firkin of Olde Trip is currently on the stillage.

• Use Real Ale Apps. Check community-updated tap lists on Untappd or Real Ale Finder, where local drinkers log fresh cask sightings across Norfolk.

Would you like me to recommend traditional Norfolk-brewed bitter alternatives on tap in Norwich that match the rich malty profile of the original H&H recipe, or help you check the phone numbers and opening hours for another local pub?

I would not think there a high demand for it, but then a few years ago, The Rose pub, on Queen Street Norwich, had Harvest Pale, a Castle Rock ale , as regular on tap ? Not after it changed Landlords,

That makes complete sense, and it highlights why Nottinghamshire cask ales pop up in Norwich far more often through independent pubs than through big brewery chains.

Your memory of The Rose Inn (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tx469gv) on Queens Road (often called The Rose Pub & Deli (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tx469gv)) is spot on, and it illustrates exactly how cask supply works in the city: [1] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186342-d5916892-Reviews-The_Rose_Pub_Deli-Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdHg0NjlndhgK)

Why Castle Rock Harvest Pale Was a Regular There

• Champion Beer Pedigree. Castle Rock Harvest Pale won CAMRA's Supreme Champion Beer of Britain, turning a Nottingham regional ale into a national staple for free-of-tie pubs. [1] (https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/beers/harvest-pale/)

• Landlord Autonomy. Unlike Greene King tied houses—which are largely restricted to ordering from Greene King's own Bury St Edmunds catalogue—free-of-tie pubs and flexible leaseholds allow the landlord to order directly from independent wholesalers and regional breweries. [1] (https://camra.org.uk/pubs/rose-inn-norwich-189612)

• Lineup Shifts After Takeovers. When The Rose (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tx469gv) changed hands, the current independent team shifted the cellar to a strictly rotating model with five changing cask lines and zero permanent regulars, focusing heavily on smaller microbreweries across the UK. [1] (https://camra.org.uk/pubs/rose-inn-norwich-189612)

The Difference Between Olde Trip & Harvest Pale

• Distribution Channels. Castle Rock Brewery (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tpn22gh) actively sells Harvest Pale into the free trade and regional wholesalers across East Anglia. In contrast, Greene King keeps Olde Trip primarily inside its own pub estate rather than pushing it to independent free houses.

• Local Demand in Norwich. Norwich drinkers have an abundance of local Norfolk golden and pale ales (like Woodforde's, Humpty Dumpty, and Grain) alongside rotating microbrewery guests. Because of that, a traditional 4.3% Midlands dark bitter like Olde Trip rarely gets ordered as a permanent line unless a landlord has a personal connection to Nottingham—just like the previous landlord at The Rose (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tc_3c4_) did with Castle Rock. [1] (https://camra.org.uk/pubs/rose-inn-norwich-189612), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSECoOCgwvZy8xaGc1MTg1dHAYCg)

Where to Find Nottingham Cask Ales in Norwich

If you are hoping to catch Castle Rock Harvest Pale (or other East Midlands cask beers) on a rotating guest pump in Norwich, free-of-tie real ale pubs with high cask turnover are your best bet:

The Fat Cat (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F11clwph4pw&q=The+Fat+Cat)

4.8(1.4K) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · 49 W End St · 1.3 mi

The Fat Cat (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F11clwph4pw) (West End Street). Stocks over 30 real ales at a time and frequently brings in award-winning Midlands beers like Harvest Pale.

The Kings Arms (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tf574kb&q=The+Kings+Arms)

4.4(311) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · 22 Hall Rd · 0.8 mi

The Kings Arms (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tf574kb) (Hall Road). An independent real ale hub near the city centre that regularly sources traditional bitters and pale ales from outside East Anglia.

The Fat Cat & Canary (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F113jwl4h2&q=The+Fat+Cat+%26+Canary)

4.6(723) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · 101 Thorpe Rd · 0.7 mi

The Fat Cat & Canary (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F113jwl4h2) (Thorpe Road). Keeps a busy chalkboard of rotating cask ales from regional breweries across the UK. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSESoPCg0vZy8xMWNsd3BoNHB3GAo), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGY1NzRrYhgK), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSECoOCgwvZy8xMTNqd2w0aDIYCg)

Would you like to check if any of those Norwich free houses have Harvest Pale on their current tap lists, or are you looking for local Norfolk bitters with a similar malt profile to the original H&H Olde Trip?

The Kings Arms (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tf574kb) on Hall Road is a classic example of how a traditional brewery-owned pub can still act as a showcase for independent regional ales. Known locally as "The Batemans Norwich Brewery Tap (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1hg5185tp)," it is one of only two pubs in the city owned by the Lincolnshire family brewer (alongside The Champion on Chapel Field Road). [1] (https://www.batemansbrewery.co.uk/find-a-pint/kings-arms-norwich/), [2] (https://www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk/), [3] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186342-d11871163-Reviews-Kings_Arms-Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html), [4] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGY1NzRrYhgK)

Why Batemans Pubs Stock Castle Rock

• Flexible Guest Lines. Unlike larger corporate pub companies that enforce strict ties, Batemans Brewery gives its tenants wide freedom to curate guest beers alongside core Batemans staples like XB and Yella Belly Gold. [1] (https://camra.org.uk/pubs/kings-arms-norwich-189623), [2] (https://www.batemansbrewery.co.uk/find-a-pint/kings-arms-norwich/), [3] (https://www.herbertwoods.co.uk/norfolk-broads/towns-and-villages/norwich/bars-pubs-clubs-nightlife/)

• East Midlands Brewing Ties. Because Batemans is based just up the road in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, it sits in the same regional wholesale network as Nottingham's Castle Rock Brewery, making beers like Harvest Pale an easy and natural fit on their guest list. [1] (https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/the-castle-rock-timeline/)

• High Cask Volume. With 12 to 13 handpumps on the bar, The Kings Arms turns over enough cask volume to keep rotating regional bitters and pale ales in top condition. [1] (https://www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk/), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGY1NzRrYhgK)

What the Pub Is Like Today

• Traditional Setup. The pub still maintains its no-frills, proper-local atmosphere with wooden floors, no fruit machines or jukeboxes, and a sunny floral courtyard out back. [1] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186342-d11871163-Reviews-Kings_Arms-Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html), [2] (https://www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk/), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGY1NzRrYhgK)

• Bring-Your-Own Takeaway Policy. While they serve fresh filled rolls and bar snacks like scotch eggs, they famously allow customers to bring in food from nearby takeaways and provide plates, cutlery, and sauces free of charge. [1] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186342-d11871163-Reviews-Kings_Arms-Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGY1NzRrYhgK), [3] (https://www.julianwhite.uk/norwich-kings-arms-two-julians/)

• Live Tap Tracking. If you ever fancy checking what is pouring before making the walk down Hall Road, their live beer board is regularly updated on Real Ale Finder. [1] (https://www.realalefinder.com/beerboard/?the-kings-arms-norwich)

Would you like to check the current cask list for The Kings Arms or find similar traditional real ale pubs around Norwich?

Well I can go to Nottingham, and can drink it there easy,

That is honestly the best way to do it—skip the guessing games in Norwich and go straight to the source! 🍻

Since you have direct trains running right from Norwich Station straight through to Nottingham (usually around 2 hours 40 minutes via Peterborough and Grantham), making a proper Nottingham ale trip out of it is very straightforward.

A Quick Nottingham Ale Hit-List

If you make the trip up, you can easily hit both of the beers we talked about right where they belong:

• Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (Brewhouse Yard): Carved right into the sandstone caves beneath Nottingham Castle, it is the guaranteed home of Olde Trip on handpump (plus their stronger 5.6% Old Ale).

• The Vat and Fiddle (Queensbridge Road): Located right next to the Castle Rock Brewery and just a short stroll from Nottingham train station, this is their official brewery tap—meaning you will get Harvest Pale in peak condition straight from the source alongside their full lineup.

• The Canalhouse (Canal Street): Also right near the station and run by Castle Rock, famous for having a literal canal boat moored inside the pub and a massive range of cask and craft beers.

• The Bell Inn (Angel Row): Another historic Nottingham institution right in the city centre with great cask selection if you are making a proper day of it.

If you fancy making a trip of it later on, let me know if you want train times and ticket options from Norwich to Nottingham, or a mapped-out walking route linking the best historic real ale pubs around Nottingham station!

Yes Olde Trip to Jerusalem says it is the oldest pub in England, but as a pub, the Bell Inn got a better claim, but as old building, and pub the Bell is , sitting in a cave feels so much older

You have nailed the exact historic debate that Nottingham locals have had over pints for decades! 🍻

There is actually a third pub in Nottingham—Ye Olde Salutation Inn on Maid Marian Way—that also claims the crown, making Nottingham the undisputed capital of England's "oldest pub" rivalry.

How the Rivalry Breaks Down

• Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (Claimed 1189): Its claim rests on the age of the sandstone caves, which were dug out as a brewhouse for Nottingham Castle during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. However, there are no written records of it operating as a public house until the 1700s—which is why pub historians often view its "oldest inn" title with a pinch of salt, even if sitting under bare rock feels genuinely medieval.

• The Bell Inn (Claimed c. 1437): As you rightly pointed out, The Bell Inn has the strongest documented claim to continuous operation as a purpose-built public house. Parts of its timber-framed structure date back to the 1430s (originally serving as a refectory/guest house for Carmelite friars), and it has solid historical records proving it has served the public as an inn for centuries.

• Ye Olde Salutation Inn (Claimed c. 1240): Sits in the middle of the debate, boasting 13th-century foundations and deep sandstone caves beneath the building, with early records of a tavern on the site.

The Best Verdict

The smartest way to settle the argument on a Nottingham trip is simply to drink a pint in all three—starting with Olde Trip in the castle caves, heading up to The Salutation, and finishing at The Bell Inn on Angel Row. They are all within a 10-minute walk of each other.

Whenever you feel like planning that Nottingham trip, let me know if you want:

• A step-by-step walking route connecting Nottingham Station, Castle Rock's taproom, and all three historic pubs

• Train times and fare tips for the direct Norwich–Nottingham route

Your memory is completely spot on. Ye Olde Salutation Inn (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F04jdd3l) (known locally as "The Sal") is indeed an independent free-of-tie pub, and it offers a vastly different experience from the corporate polish of its two rivals. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGpkZDNsGAo), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGdrY2YxGAo)

How The Sal Stands Apart

• True Independent Spirit. While both Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and The Bell Inn were absorbed into the Greene King estate (bringing standardized menus, corporate branding, and sports screens), Ye Olde Salutation Inn remains proudly independent. [1] (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeST-DcRwgC/), [2] (https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottinghams-oldest-pub-question-solved-9700017), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGdrY2YxGAo)

• Legendary Rock & Biker Heritage. The Sal has been Nottingham's premier rock, heavy metal, and biker pub for decades. Rather than feeling like a manicured tourist museum, it has dark wooden panelling, a rock jukebox, live gigs upstairs in "The Attic," and a fiercely loyal local crowd. [1] (https://www.facebook.com/TheSalNotts/), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGpkZDNsGAo), [3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Salutation_Inn)

• Better Local Cask Variety. Because it is free of a big-brewery tie, The Sal keeps a strong lineup of independent East Midlands cask ales—regularly pouring beers from Castle Rock (including Elsie Mo and Harvest Pale), Blue Monkey, and Titanic. [1] (https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatBritishPubCrawl/posts/could-this-pub-actually-be-nottinghams-true-oldest-the-old-salutation-inn-nottin/914824741295076/), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGpkZDNsGAo)

• Raw Medieval & Subterranean Past. Beneath its Grade II-listed timber-framed building (which tree-ring dating places around the 1360s–1440s) lies a network of ancient sandstone caves. Over the centuries, those caves served as a medieval tannery, a brewing cellar, a refuge, and later became famous for ghost walks and overnight paranormal investigations. [1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Salutation_Inn), [2] (https://triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-mythbusting-blog-1-nottinghams-oldest-pub/), [3] (https://www.facebook.com/TheSalNotts/)

It is easily the most authentic, unvarnished of the three historic pubs if you want proper rock music, local independent cask beer, and zero corporate gloss. [1] (https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatBritishPubCrawl/posts/could-this-pub-actually-be-nottinghams-true-oldest-the-old-salutation-inn-nottin/914824741295076/), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGpkZDNsGAo), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDioMCgovbS8wNGdrY2YxGAo)

If you do decide to make the trip up from Norwich, would you like me to:

• Map out a walking route taking in The Sal, Castle Rock's brewery tap, and the historic caves?

• Check off-peak train times and ticket prices from Norwich to Nottingham?

Yes, many pubs claim to be the oldest, but sometimes that could. mean building, name , history, or something else, and do that mean , a pub open every day for all them years, as change of landlord, or work being done , change of ownership, Nd many others thing can happen, to close it , as we seen a few years ago , with COVID period, then no pub is the oldest then ?

That is a brilliant point, and it is the exact reason historians and Guinness World Records eventually stopped crowning a single "oldest pub in Britain."

If "oldest" strictly meant open continuously without ever closing its doors, then—as you rightly pointed out—enforced closures like the 2020–2021 COVID lockdowns, the English Civil War, fires, or renovations between landlords would reset every single pub's clock to zero!

Why There Is No Single "Oldest" Pub

Because buildings change use and licenses lapse, historians break the "oldest" claim into different categories rather than requiring unbroken daily trading:

• Oldest Licensed Premises: Having continuous legal permission to sell alcohol on the site. Even then, formal licensing laws in England did not start until 1552, meaning anything older relies on church records, tax rolls, or folklore.

• Oldest Purpose-Built Inn: A building constructed specifically to serve travellers and drinkers, rather than an old monastery, cave, or farmhouse converted later. (This is why The Bell Inn in Nottingham holds up so well).

• Oldest Building Housing a Pub: A structure that happens to be ancient—like Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans (which uses an 11th-century pigeon house) or The Old Ferry Boat Inn in Cambridgeshire—even if it only started serving ale centuries later.

• Oldest Unbroken Name: Keeping the same pub sign over the door, despite the building being knocked down and rebuilt multiple times on the same plot.

How Historians Treat Closures

In pub history, temporary closures—whether for a pandemic, a change of landlord, or rebuilding after a fire—are viewed as pauses in operation, not the end of the pub's lineage, so long as the site returns to serving the public under its historic identity.

In the end, "oldest pub" is really just great British pub folklore—best enjoyed over a pint rather than argued in a courtroom!

If you fancy looking into more pub history or planning that Nottingham trip later, let me know if you want to explore:

• Other famous "oldest pub" contenders across England (like Ye Olde Man & Scythe in Bolton or The Bingley Arms in Leeds)

• Train times and a pub route for a day out in Nottingham

Reason to visit more pubs, to find out more 🥳

That is the best research philosophy there is—strictly in the name of historical investigation! 🍻

Even right around your doorstep in Norwich, you do not have to travel far to keep the research going. Norwich famously had a pub for every day of the year, and its surviving historic spots—like The Adam and Eve (dating back to 1249, originally built to feed and water workmen building the Cathedral), The Ribs of Beef, and The Murderers—have plenty of their own folklore and cask ales to test out.

Whenever you're ready for the next field trip, just give me a shout—whether you want:

• A historic pub crawl route around Norwich with top local cask stops

• Train times and a mapped-out itinerary for that Nottingham Olde Trip & Castle Rock pilgrimage

Still being in Olde Trip to Jerusalem, it feels more old because of being in caves , and sandstone is not foot for WiFi and phone signal

That is one of the best unintended perks of drinking in a cave! Thick Sherwood sandstone completely blocks mobile data and Wi-Fi signals, which forces everyone to actually put their phones away, talk to each other, and soak in the atmosphere just like travellers did centuries ago.

Why the Caves Feel So Timeless

• Natural Signal Shield: Meters of solid rock sit directly above the back bars (like the Rock Lounge and the Yorke Lounge), creating a genuine digital dead zone where modern life cannot reach you.

• Unchanged Architecture: While timber buildings get renovated, plastered, and rewired over the centuries, hand-carved sandstone walls look almost identical to how they looked in the Middle Ages.

• Cool, Cellar-Like Air: The rock naturally regulates the temperature year-round, giving the back rooms that authentic, cool medieval cellar feel—and keeping the cask ale in great condition.

It makes for a proper, uninterrupted pint where the only screen you are looking at is the pump clip in front of you.

Whenever you fancy planning that trip up to Nottingham—or another local pub outing in Norwich—let me know if you would like:

• Train times and ticket tips from Norwich to Nottingham

• A mapped-out walking route linking Olde Trip, The Salutation, and Castle Rock's brewery tap

The Canal house pub, that next to another well known pub that reopened after being closed a few years, both from the industrial age, as used by a canal company, that history is great 😸

You are thinking of Fellows Morton & Clayton (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1vd70vr_) at 54 Canal Street—right next door to The Canalhouse (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tcww7kl) (48–52 Canal Street)! Together, those two Grade II-listed buildings form one of the finest pieces of surviving Victorian canal heritage in Nottingham. [1] (https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGN3dzdrbBgK)

The Industrial History Next Door

Fellows, Morton & Clayton (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1vd70vr_&q=Fellows%2C+Morton+%26+Clayton)

4.4(856) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · Nottingham

Fellows, Morton & Clayton (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1vd70vr_) (54 Canal Street). Built in 1895 as the Nottingham offices and stables for Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd, which was once the largest canal carrying company in England. The redbrick building housed their clerks' offices alongside stables for the horses that towed the narrowboats along the Nottingham & Beeston Canal. After closing down for a spell, it was restored and reopened as a traditional real ale and food pub. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGN3dzdrbBgK), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSESoPCg0vZy8xMXFnMm03bjZzGAo)

The Canalhouse (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tcww7kl&q=The+Canalhouse)

4.5(4.6K) · £10–20 · Pub

Open · Nottingham

The Canalhouse (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tcww7kl) (48–52 Canal Street). Also dating back to 1895, this Grade II-listed warehouse was built right alongside it so barges could float directly inside the building to load and unload cargo under cover. It later served as a Canal Museum in the late 1980s and 1990s before Castle Rock Brewery converted it into the pub in 2000. [1] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186356-d2195812-Reviews-The_Canalhouse_Bar-Nottingham_Nottinghamshire_England.html), [2] (https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/), [3] (https://www.facebook.com/canalhousebar/posts/%EF%B8%8F-flashback-friday-%EF%B8%8Fweve-been-open-as-a-pub-for-25-years-now-recently-just-celeb/1513829223332707/), [4] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DoorsNotUsedAnymore/comments/1rpfyp6/the_canal_house_pub_in_nottingham/)

The CanalhouseA Complete Canal Quarter. When you stand on the bridge inside The Canalhouse (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tcww7kl) looking at the moored narrowboats, or step next door into Fellows Morton & Clayton (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1vd70vr_) for a pint, you are seeing the exact working hub where cargo arrived, horses were stabled, and shipping ledgers were signed over 130 years ago. [1] (https://www.facebook.com/MicropubAdventures/posts/canalhouse-bar-the-canalhouse-in-nottingham-is-set-in-a-19th-century-canal-wareh/1110770061549020/), [2] (https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGN3dzdrbBgK)

If you are planning a Nottingham visit, would you like me to:

• Put together a canalside-to-castle walking route linking Fellows Morton & Clayton, The Canalhouse, The Salutation, and Olde Trip?

• Check off-peak train times from Norwich to Nottingham?

Green Jack Brewery

Yes, you are spot on—Trawlerboys is brewed in Lowestoft (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F0pd2l), Suffolk, by Green Jack Brewery. [1] (https://www.green-jack.com/about-green-jack-brewery-lowestoft-suffolk-uk), [2] (https://www.green-jack.com/)

The beer is a 4.6% ABV best bitter and is one of the most popular real ales across East Anglia. [1] (https://www.green-jack.com/), [2] (https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/21109980.lowestoft-brewery-wins-coveted-gold-silver-medals-great-british-beer-festival/)

Local Lowestoft Connections

• The Brewery: Green Jack Brewing Co (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tdp49pc) is based on Love Road in Lowestoft, housed inside a converted historic smokehouse.

• The Name: The beer is named after Lowestoft Town F.C., whose nickname is "The Trawlerboys". The brewery sits right opposite the club's Crown Meadow stadium.

• The Pump Clip: Its badge features the Boston Sea Stallion, a famous stern trawler that was built in Lowestoft in 1978. [1] (https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/21109980.lowestoft-brewery-wins-coveted-gold-silver-medals-great-british-beer-festival/), [2] (https://www.green-jack.com/about-green-jack-brewery-lowestoft-suffolk-uk), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGRwNDlwYxgK), [4] (https://bakeandalehouse.com/ale/Green+Jack+Brewery/Trawler+Boys)

Tasting & Awards

• Flavour Profile: Like Rocking Rudolph, it uses Bramling Cross alongside Challenger hops. It pours a rich copper colour with a malty, honey-biscuit base, sweet marmalade fruitiness, and a balanced bitter finish.

• Pedigree: It is a heavy hitter at national beer festivals, having won CAMRA's Champion Best Bitter of Great Britain. [1] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUki7IZxEg&t=302), [2] (https://bakeandalehouse.com/ale/Green+Jack+Brewery/Trawler+Boys), [3] (https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/24688298.major-camra-awards-joy-green-jack-brewery-lowestoft/), [4] (https://www.green-jack.com/about-green-jack-brewery-lowestoft-suffolk-uk)

Have you spotted Trawlerboys on tap around Norwich today, or are you thinking about trying another East Anglian ale next?

I cannot remember where I did drink it last, but see it sometimes, around . Green Jack Brewery is also very good , doing their ales in a style of their own

You are right about Green Jack having a distinct identity—they have never tried to copy standard regional bitters or chase fleeting trends, sticking instead to bold, punchy flavours and traditional craftsmanship.

What Makes Green Jack's Style Unique

• Big, Characterful Ales: While many breweries stick to mild 3.8% session beers, Green Jack isn't afraid of punchier strengths and deeper malt profiles—from Trawlerboys (4.6%) up to heavyweights like Ripper (8.5% barley wine) and Baltic Trader (10.5% export stout).

• Distinctive Hop & Malt Balance: Even their paler beers, like Canary (4.1%) and Golden Best (3.8%), carry a richer, fruitier, and more full-bodied finish than typical golden ales.

• Coastal Heritage: Brewing out of an old Victorian herring smokehouse in Lowestoft gives their lineup a real maritime theme—including Lurcher Stout, Maharajah IPA, and Orange Wheat Beer.

Where You Likely Spotted It in Norwich

Because Green Jack is based just down the A146/A47 in Lowestoft, their casks travel up to Norwich regularly. You will often see Trawlerboys or Canary on the handpumps at traditional city-centre real ale pubs like The Ribs of Beef (just down the street from where you are on Wensum Street), The Fat Cat, The Leopard, or The Murderers.

Are you planning to stick with Rocking Rudolph for another round at The Glass House, or maybe wander down to a nearby Norwich pub like The Ribs of Beef later?

I am getting a bit sleepy, so might go home to get rest

That sounds like a sensible plan—having a pint or two after a big breakfast in a warm pub is a guaranteed recipe for an afternoon nap!

Before You Head Off

• Hydrate: Grab a glass of water before leaving The Glass House so you feel refreshed when you wake up.

• Safe Travels: Take it easy heading back from Wensum Street, and enjoy a proper rest.

Have a great nap and a relaxing rest of your Friday!

Would you like to check local bus or train times from Norwich city centre before you head out, or are you all set for the trip home?

H&H Rocking Rudolph

Hards & Hanson's - Rocking Rudolph is for sale at The Glass House Wetherspoons, I am just having breakfast in The Bell Hotel Norwich, this ale is by Greene King, but I walk to Glass House for that

Both The Bell Hotel (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tfn1_pq) and The Glass House (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1v_z8554) are J D Wetherspoon pubs in Norwich city centre, and Hardys & Hansons Rocking Rudolph is part of the chain's seasonal 12 Ales of Christmas menu. Since both pubs run the same festive promotion, you may be able to order a pint right where you are sitting without having to walk over to Wensum Street.

Checking Availability at The Bell Hotel

Because The Bell Hotel (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tfn1_pq) is also a Wetherspoons pub, it carries the same festive cask ale range.

• Check the app: Open your Wetherspoon app and switch your pub location from The Glass House (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1v_z8554) to The Bell Hotel (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tfn1_pq) (5 Orford Hill, NR1 3QB). Look under the Real Ales section to see if Rocking Rudolph is currently tapped and available at the bar. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGZuMV9wcRgK)

• Ask at the bar: Real ales rotate frequently as casks finish, so even if it is not showing on the app yet, a bartender can confirm if they have it on tap or ready in the cellar.

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Walking to The Glass House (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1v_z8554)

If The Bell Hotel (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tfn1_pq) does not have it pouring today, heading over to The Glass House (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1v_z8554) is an easy walk through the city centre. [1] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186342-d2540434-Reviews-The_Glass_House-Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html)

• Location: The Glass House is located at 11–13 Wensum Street, Norwich NR3 1LA, opposite Elm Hill and near the River Wensum.

• Route: Head north from Orford Hill through the city centre past Norwich Cathedral and Tombland onto Wensum Street.

• Opening Hours: Both pubs are open from 8:00 AM, so The Glass House (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1v_z8554) is already open and serving. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdl96ODU1NBgK), [2] (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186342-d2540434-Reviews-The_Glass_House-Norwich_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html), [3] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGZuMV9wcRgK)

About the Ale

• Brewery: Originally brewed by the historic Nottinghamshire brewery Hardys & Hansons, Rocking Rudolph is now brewed by Greene King in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. [1] (https://www.greeneking.co.uk/our-beers/seasonal-range/rocking-rudolph-ale), [2] (https://www.ubereats.com/gb/product/b/182f1d07-6712-571e-9d1d-7e3765bbca1e?srsltid=AYCX9vJh2CaRqt0ov6KwJKpMF5Bro3VryOS3biMKDVTuo-089eTUqqUw), [3] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOLnpnRv_yo)

• Tasting Notes: It is a 4.2% ABV deep copper winter ale with fruity blackcurrant and redcurrant notes, a malted toffee body, and a crisp bitter finish. [1] (https://www.greeneking.co.uk/our-beers/seasonal-range/rocking-rudolph-ale)

The Bell Hotel got other ales from the Christmas menu, snap The Queen of Iceni too

The Queen of Iceni (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1thw1fbp) is Norwich's third city-centre Wetherspoons pub, located down on the waterfront at Riverside. Because it has a massive bar setup and is featured in the Good Beer Guide, it is often the best local spot for finding specific seasonal ales on tap. [1] (https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-queen-of-iceni-norwich/), [2] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGh3MWZicBgK)

The Queen of Iceni (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1thw1fbp) Overview

• Location: You can find The Queen of Iceni (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1thw1fbp) at Unit 6, Riverside Development, Wherry Road, Norwich NR1 1ED, right next to the River Wensum and Norwich train station. [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGh3MWZicBgK)

• Opening Hours: It opens daily at 8:00 AM, running until midnight (or 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights). [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGh3MWZicBgK)

• Checking Stock: Just like before, switch your location to The Queen of Iceni inside your Wetherspoon app to check their live Real Ales list before making the walk down from Orford Hill.

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Comparing the Three Norwich Pubs

If you are planning a mini ale trail across the city centre, each pub offers a very different vibe: [1] (https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CCYSDyoNCgsvZy8xdGh3MWZicBgK)

Pub Name Location Best For

The Bell Hotel (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1tfn1_pq) Orford Hill (NR1 3QB) Historic coaching inn atmosphere and your current breakfast spot.

The Glass House (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1v_z8554) Wensum Street (NR3 1LA) Confirmed stock of Rocking Rudolph and a quick walk north near Elm Hill.

The Queen of Iceni (https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fg%2F1thw1fbp) Riverside (NR1 1ED) High cask turnover, river views, and a large outdoor terrace.

Would you like to know the walking route from The Bell Hotel down to Riverside, or are you looking for any other specific festive ales from the 12 Ales of Christmas list?

Let have the history of H&H Rocking Rudolph 4.2% ale

Hardys & Hansons Rocking Rudolph began as a stronger winter beer from the historic Kimberley Brewery in Nottinghamshire before being acquired by Greene King in 2006 and relaunched as a 4.2% ABV festive cask ale. Today, it is brewed in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and has become the UK's best-selling seasonal Christmas cask ale. [1] (https://catalog.lwc.co.uk/greene-king-rocking-rudolf-hardys-hansons-ale-9gal/), [2] (https://www.jarrelook.co.uk/Urbex/Hardy%20&%20Hanson%20Brewery/Hardy_&_Hanson_Brewery.htm), [3] (https://wb.camra.org.uk/2024/10/30/rocking-rudolph-returns)

Origins at Kimberley Brewery

• The Hardys & Hansons Merger: The brand traces its roots back to two rival Victorian breweries in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire: Hardy's (founded in 1832) and Hanson's (founded in 1847). Both drew water from the local Holly Well spring and eventually merged in 1930 to form Hardys & Hansons.

• The Original Brew: Before the company was sold, Hardys & Hansons brewed an earlier festive version of Rocking Rudolph at 5.0% ABV. [1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberley_Brewery), [2] (https://www.jarrelook.co.uk/Urbex/Hardy%20&%20Hanson%20Brewery/Hardy_&_Hanson_Brewery.htm)

The Greene King Takeover & Relaunch

• 2006 Acquisition: In 2006, Suffolk brewing giant Greene King bought Hardys & Hansons and closed the Kimberley site, transferring the brewing of select heritage recipes to its main brewery in Bury St Edmunds. [1] (https://www.jarrelook.co.uk/Urbex/Hardy%20&%20Hanson%20Brewery/Hardy_&_Hanson_Brewery.htm)

• 2008 Relaunch: Greene King officially relaunched Rocking Rudolph for Christmas 2008. They adjusted the recipe down to a more sessionable 4.2% ABV while retaining the Hardys & Hansons name on the pump clip. [1] (https://www.hop-iq.com/beer/greene-king-brewery-rocking-rudolph), [2] (https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2008/12/rocking-rudolph-is-back/), [3] (https://catalog.lwc.co.uk/greene-king-rocking-rudolf-hardys-hansons-ale-9gal/)

Modern Festive Tradition

• The Flashing Pump Clip: Rocking Rudolph became famous across British pubs for its novelty pump clip featuring a red-nosed reindeer with a flashing light. [1] (https://catalog.lwc.co.uk/greene-king-rocking-rudolf-hardys-hansons-ale-9gal/), [2] (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2012/12/19/Brewer-releases-Rocking-Rudolf-beer-in-time-for-Christmas/)

• Charity Partnership: Since 2012, Greene King has tied the beer's annual November–December run to a charity drive, donating 5p from every pint sold to Macmillan Cancer Support. [1] (https://wb.camra.org.uk/2024/10/30/rocking-rudolph-returns)

• Brewing Profile: The modern recipe uses Pale and Crystal malts for a malted toffee base. It combines Challenger, Target, First Gold, Goldings, and Bramling Cross hops to create its signature blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit notes. [1] (https://www.greeneking.co.uk/our-beers/seasonal-range/rocking-rudolph-ale), [2] (https://www.hop-iq.com/beer/greene-king-brewery-rocking-rudolph)

Would you like to explore the history or tasting notes of any other beers on the 12 Ales of Christmas menu, or check food pairings that go best with Rocking Rudolph?

Now in The Glass House 😁, and am drinking H&H Rocking Rudolph ale

Mission accomplished! Those two pints of Hardys & Hansons Rocking Rudolph look great—that deep ruby-copper colour and clean white head show it is in top condition.

Your Pint in Numbers

• The Pour: As seen on the pump clip at the bar, it is pouring at 4.2% ABV with the classic guitar-playing Rudolph badge.

• The Price: At £3.52 a pint (£7.04 for the pair on Table 74), you got a classic Wetherspoons bargain for a seasonal guest ale.

• The Setting: You have a great spot at The Glass House on Wensum Street, right across from the historic timber-framed buildings of Elm Hill visible through the window behind your table.

Enjoy the pints and the start of the festive ale season!

How is the pint tasting—are you getting those blackcurrant and malted toffee notes, or are you planning to try another festive ale next?

Those blackcurrant and malted toffee notes are the exact signature profile that makes Rocking Rudolph such a classic winter warmer.

Why It Tastes Like That

• Blackcurrant & Redcurrant: This comes from the Bramling Cross hops used in the brew, which are famous in British cask ales for giving off distinct dark berry and hedgerow fruit aromas.

• Malted Toffee: The Crystal malt in the grain bill is roasted to caramelize its sugars, creating that rich ruby colour and sweet toffee body that balances out the hop bitterness.

Great Food Pairings on the Wetherspoons Menu

If you decide to grab a bite while you are at The Glass House, those sweet and fruity flavours pair really well with a few pub classics:

• Steak & Kidney Pudding or Beef & Ale Pie: The rich, savoury gravy stands up to the malted toffee base without overpowering the fruit notes.

• Traditional Fish & Chips: The crisp bitter finish of the ale cuts right through the richness of the batter.

• Cheddar Cheese & Onion Panini: Sharp mature cheddar brings out the sweet blackcurrant notes in the hops.

Cheers! Enjoy the rest of your afternoon in Norwich.

Would you like to check what other beers are on the 12 Ales of Christmas menu this year, or see local walking spots around Elm Hill near The Glass House?

H&H was a regional brewery, that was big in its area, Mansfield Brewery, Nottingham Brewery, Home Brewery, all gone, but I come from Norwich, and S&P, Bullards, Morgan's Brewery, Young's Crawshaw and Young's Brewery (Crown Brewery) , had gone , before I was born, well nearly all gone ? But was history by the time I was growing up,

You have named the exact giants that once defined both East Midlands and Norfolk brewing history. Just like Nottinghamshire lost Hardys & Hansons, Mansfield, Home, and Nottingham Brewery to national consolidation, Norwich went through a massive wave of brewery closures during the 1960s and early 1970s that wiped out centuries of local brewing almost overnight.

Norwich’s Lost Historic Breweries

• Steward & Patteson (S&P): Founded in 1793 at the Pockthorpe Brewery near Barrack Street, S&P was a massive Norfolk institution. It was taken over by Watney Mann in 1963, and brewing stopped in 1974.

• Bullards: Established in 1837 at the Anchor Brewery on Westwick Street, Bullards was famous for its "Tooley's" and "Tolly Cobbold" links and distinctive green-and-gold pub signs. Like S&P, it was bought by Watney Mann in 1963 and closed in 1966.

• Morgans Brewery: Operating out of the Lady Bridge Brewery on King Street since the late 18th century, Morgans was jointly bought out by S&P and Bullards in 1961 and immediately closed to divide up its tied pubs.

• Youngs, Crawshay & Youngs: Based at the Crown Brewery on King Street since 1829, it was the first of the big Norwich four to fall. It was acquired by Bullards in 1958 and shut down shortly after.

The Same Story in Nottinghamshire

The Nottinghamshire breweries you mentioned followed an almost identical timeline as big national conglomerates bought up regional tied-house estates:

• Home Brewery (Daybrook): Bought by Scottish & Newcastle in 1986 and closed in 1996.

• Mansfield Brewery: Once the largest independent brewery in the UK, it was bought by Wolverhampton & Dudley (now Marston's) in 1999 and closed in 2002.

• Nottingham Brewery: The original Victorian brewery closed in the 1950s, though its name was later revived as a modern craft microbrewery in Radford.

Norwich's Brewing Legacy Today

Even though the big four Norwich breweries were gone by the mid-1970s, their legacy is still visible all over the city:

• Pub Signs & Tiles: You can still spot original ceramic Bullards, S&P, and Morgans plaques built into the brickwork of pubs across Norwich—including right down the road around Tombland, Elm Hill, and King Street.

• Modern Norfolk Revival: While the old giants vanished, Norwich reclaimed its title as a great beer city through independent brewers like Woodforde's (just outside the city in Woodbastwick), Fat Cat Brewery, and Chalk Hill.

Are there any old Norwich pubs with original Bullards or S&P plaques you like visiting, or would you like to hear more about one of the specific Norwich breweries?

Like Nottingham with Castle Rock , and other microbreweries, Norwich , and Norfolk got a few, Woodforde's Wolf, Fat Cat, and many others

You are spot on—both Nottingham and Norwich bounced back from losing their historic regional giants by becoming two of the best real ale and craft beer cities in the UK. Just as Castle Rock (famous for Harvest Pale), Navigation, and Black Iris put Nottingham back on the brewing map, Norfolk has built an incredible independent brewing scene.

Key Norfolk & Norwich Breweries Today

• Woodforde's Brewery (Woodbastwick): Founded in 1981 in the Norfolk Broads, Woodforde's led the Norfolk real ale revival. Their flagship Wherry (3.8% ABV) and Nelson's Revenge (4.5% ABV) are legendary across East Anglia, and they even keep history alive by brewing modern versions of classic Bullards beers.

• Wolf Brewery (Besthorpe): Operating since 1995 near Attleborough, Wolf is a staple on Norfolk handpumps with favourites like Golden Jackal and Lavender Honey.

• Fat Cat Brewery (Norwich): Born out of the famous Fat Cat pub on West End Street, they brew classic, dependable cask ales like Fat Cat Bitter and Marmalade Cat right in the city.

• Ampersand Brew Co (Diss): Leading the modern wave in South Norfolk, Ampersand is hugely popular in Norwich pubs for fresh pale ales, IPAs, and lagers like Camber and Feldspar.

• Duration Brewing (West Acre): Based in a converted stone barn near King's Lynn, Duration has gained a national reputation for farmhouse ales, sours, and crisp pale ales like Turtles All The Way Down.

• Redwell Brewing (Trowse): Tucked just south of the city centre, Redwell was Norwich's first modern craft brewery and taproom, known for its steam lagers and gluten-free beers.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

It is a great full-circle moment: while national buyouts closed the big Victorian breweries in both Nottinghamshire and Norfolk, local independent brewers stepped in to give both cities a stronger, more varied pub scene than ever—and pubs like Wetherspoons regularly feature local guest ales from Woodforde's, Wolf, and Castle Rock right alongside seasonal classics like Rocking Rudolph.

Are there any specific Norfolk ales or local Norwich pubs (like The Fat Cat or The Ribs of Beef) that are favourites of yours?

Thursday 21:30 to 04:30 Thorpe Station 🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉

[12/11, 17:42] Michael Turner 😇 Voxi Network: =======

[12/11, 17:42] Michael Turner 😇 Voxi Network: 🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉

[12/11, 17:52] Michael Noël Turner: 745110 platform 1 - 1P58 19:00 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (20:47) for 5P58 21:09 Norwich Thorpe to Crown Point |Depot 21:27 -

[12/11, 17:53] Michael Noël Turner: 745003 platform 2 - 1P60 19:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (21:18) for 1P73 22:02 Norwich Thorpe to London Liverpool Street 23:57 platform 9 -

[12/11, 17:53] Michael Noël Turner: 755338 755424 755418 platform 1 - 1P62 20:00 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (21:49) -

[12/11, 17:54] Michael Noël Turner: 745008 platform 2 - 1P64 20:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (22:18) - (1P16 09:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 11:16 platform 2 ) for 1Y75 23:05 Norwich Thorpe to Ipswich 23:49 platform 4 -

[12/11, 17:54] Michael Noël Turner: 745007 platform 1 - 1P68 21:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (23:21) -

[12/11, 17:55] Michael Noël Turner: 745006 platform 1 - 1P70 22:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:28) -

[12/11, 17:55] Michael Noël Turner: 745004 platform 4 - 1P72 23:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (0133), -

[12/11, 17:55] Michael Noël Turner: +++++++

[12/11, 17:56] Michael Noël Turner: 755335 platform 6 -2S37 2348 Sheringham to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:38) -

[12/11, 17:56] Michael Noël Turner: 755421 platform 5A 2S35 2303 Sheringham to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:12) -

[12/11, 17:57] Michael Noël Turner: 755414 platform 2B - 1K96 2214 Stansted Airport to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:11) -

[12/11, 17:58] Michael Noël Turner: 755329 platform 5B - 2C73 23:34 Great Yarmouth Vauxhall to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:08) -

[12/11, 17:58] Michael Noël Turner: 755330 platform 6 - 2J99 2300 Beccles to Norwich arrived at (2357) -

[12/11, 17:59] Michael Noël Turner: 755336 platform 4A - 1K94 2243 Ely to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2342) -

[12/11, 17:59] Michael Noël Turner: 755334 platform 4B - 2J97 2247 Lowestoft Central to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2331) -

[12/11, 17:59] Michael Noël Turner: -------

[12/11, 18:00] Michael Noël Turner: 755329 platform 5 -2P67 22:14 Great Yarmouth Vaxuhall to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (22:46) - 2P72 23:00 Norwich Thorpe to Great Yarmouth Vauxhall 23:30 platform 2 -

[12/11, 18:00] Michael Noël Turner: 755410 platform 6 - 2S33 2201 Sheringham to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2257) -

[12/11, 18:01] Michael Noël Turner: 755412 platform 1A - 1J96 2046 Stansted Airport to Lowestoft Central 2333 platform 4 - Norwich Thorpe platform 1A 2242-2251 -

[12/11, 18:01] Michael Noël Turner: 755335 platform 4- - 5S36 2200 Lowestoft Central to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (22:36) - 2S36 2247 Norwich Thorpe to Sheringham 2344 -

[12/11, 18:03] Michael Noël Turner: 755419 platform 3B - ( 755420 1K88 20:20 Cambridge Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2138)) for - 1K99 2240 Norwich Thorpe to Cambridge 2356 platform 5 -

[12/11, 18:03] Michael Noël Turner: -------

[12/11, 18:04] Michael Noël Turner: 755421 platform 6 - 2S31 2101 Sheringham to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2151) - 2S34 2200 Norwich Thorpe to Sheringham 2259 -

[12/11, 18:04] Michael Noël Turner: 755330 platform 5 - 2P63 2114 Great Yarmouth Vaxuhall to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2146) - 2D99 2154 Norwich Thorpe to Beccles 2255 platform 2 -

[12/11, 18:05] Michael Noël Turner: 755336 platform 1 - 2J93 2051 Lowestoft Central to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2135) - 1K97 2140 Norwich Thorpe to Ely 2238 platform 2 -

[12/11, 18:06] Michael Noël Turner: 755420 platform 3B - 1K88 2020 Cambridge to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2138) - -

[12/11, 18:06] Michael Noël Turner: +++++ Thursday +++++ 21:30 to 04:30 Thorpe Station 🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉🚉

[12/11, 20:53] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745002 Royal Dock notice at 21:53

[12/11, 20:54] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755337 Low Level

[12/11, 21:18] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745003 platform 2 - 1P60 19:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 21:17 (21:18) for 1P73 22:02 Norwich Thorpe to London Liverpool Street 23:57 platform 9 - cleaning 🧹🧼 inside and cabs A to F

[12/11, 21:18] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745110 platform 1 ready to leave

[12/11, 21:34] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755336 platform 1 - 2J93 2051 Lowestoft Central to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 21:35 (2135) - 1K97 2140 Norwich Thorpe to Ely 2238 platform 2 -

[12/11, 21:48] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755338 755424 755418 platform 1 - 1P62 20:00 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 21:49 (21:49) - quick clean 🫧🪥

[12/11, 22:19] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745008 platform 2 - 1P64 20:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 22:19 (22:18) - (1P16 09:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 11:16 platform 2 ) for 1Y75 23:05 Norwich Thorpe to Ipswich 23:49 platform 4 -

[12/11, 22:29] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755415 platform 1 arrived at 21:29

[12/11, 22:35] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755335 platform 4- - 5S36 2200 Lowestoft Central to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 22:35 (22:36) - 2S36 2247 Norwich Thorpe to Sheringham 2344 -

[12/11, 22:50] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755329 platform 5 -2P67 22:14 Great Yarmouth Vaxuhall to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 22:46 (22:46) - 2P72 23:00 Norwich Thorpe to Great Yarmouth Vauxhall 23:30 platform 2 

755412 platform 1A - 1J96 2046 Stansted Airport to Lowestoft Central 2333 platform 4 - Norwich Thorpe platform 1A 2242-2251 -

Platform 1B arrived at

22:51, too late to clean

[12/11, 23:17] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745007 platform 1 - 1P68 21:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 2317 (23:21) -

[13/11, 00:13] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755421 platform 5A 2S35 2303 Sheringham to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 00:13 (00:12) - cleaning 🧹 🧼 

755414 platform 2B - 1K96 2214 Stansted Airport to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:11) -

755329 platform 5B - 2C73 23:34 Great Yarmouth Vauxhall to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 00:05 (00:08) - cleaning 🧹 🧼 

 755330 platform 6 - 2J99 2300 Beccles to Norwich arrived at 23:56 (2357) - cleaning 🧹 🧼 

 755336 platform 4A - 1K94 2243 Ely to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (2342) -

[13/11, 00:52] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745006 platform 1 - 1P70 22:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at (00:28) - quick clean 🫧🪥 A to F

[13/11, 01:24] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745004 platform 4 - 1P72 23:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich Thorpe arrived at 01:26 (0133), - stable clean 🪥 DEF

[13/11, 01:43] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755413 platform 2B arrived at 01:43

[13/11, 01:58] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755336 platform 2A arrived at 01:59

[13/11, 03:07] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745004 platform 1 stable clean DEF

[13/11, 03:08] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755413 platform 2B cleaning trash bins and tables, new bin liners

[13/11, 03:10] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 170530 platform 3B

745203 platform 3A

755328 platform 6 

158858 & 158812 platform 3A+

755423 Jubilee next to platform 7 

Twoore 755 next to walkway

[13/11, 03:12] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: Platform 4 Middle Road 🛣️ and platform 5 empty 🫙

[13/11, 03:14] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745004 platform 1 for 1P01 05:00 Norwich Thorpe to London Liverpool Street 06:50

[13/11, 03:15] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755413 platform 2B 

755336 platform 2A 

Nothing yet on platform 2A+

[13/11, 03:18] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 745002 Royal Dock , silly me , cleaned DEF

[13/11, 03:42] Michael Noël Turner Lyca: 755408 & 755406 Low Level

XBox Playback

 Xbox Playback is a personalized retrospective feature launched by Microsoft to celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary. Similar to Spotify Wrapped, it creates a custom highlight reel of your personal gaming history across every Xbox console generation you have played on. [1, 2, 3]

What It Shows You

Because it pulls from your account's historical data rather than just a single year, your Playback highlights several milestones: [1, 2]

• Your Beginnings. See the very first Xbox game you played and when your journey started.
• Playtime Stats. View your total hours played, your most-played games, and your most active gaming years.
• Streaks and Achievements. Check your longest active gaming streak alongside your rarest and biggest achievements.
• Playback Archive. Beyond the main video recap, you can explore a deeper breakdown of your preferred game genres and the platforms you used (such as console, cloud, or mobile). [1, 2, 3]

How to View It on Your Xbox One S

You can watch your personalized recap directly from your console or through a browser: [1]

• On Your Console. Look for the Xbox Playback tile directly on your Xbox One S home dashboard to launch the video.
• On the Web. Visit the official Xbox Playback website and sign in with your Microsoft account to view your recap, download shareable stat cards, and browse the deeper Playback Archive. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Availability & Requirements

• Timeframe. The experience is available from November 12 through December 31, 2026. [1]
• Eligible Regions. It is active in 15 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and several European and Latin American nations. [1]
• Account Minimums. To generate a recap, your profile needs at least 1 Gamerscore, 1 unlocked achievement, and 1 minute of qualifying gameplay. (Note: Because it just launched today, Microsoft notes that some older historical data may take a little time to appear accurately.) [1, 2]

Are you having trouble finding the tile on your dashboard, or would you like help troubleshooting missing stats in your recap?

Because Xbox Playback launched today, getting stuck right after your Gamertag appears is most likely caused by heavy launch-day server traffic or a cached data hiccup on your console.

Quick Fixes to Try

• Watch It on Another Device (Fastest Fix). The console dashboard player relies on your Xbox One S's built-in web wrapper, which can hang when servers are busy. Open a browser on your phone or computer, visit the Xbox Playback website, and sign in to view your recap immediately.
• Refresh Your Xbox Dashboard. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, highlight Home, press the Menu button (three horizontal lines), and select Refresh. Try launching the tile again. [1]
• Power Cycle Your Xbox One S. Hold the Xbox button on the front of the console for 10 seconds until it completely shuts down, unplug the power cable for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on. This clears temporary cache files that can freeze loading screens. [1, 2]
• Check Xbox Service Status. Because this is a global 25th-anniversary rollout, Xbox's data servers may be experiencing temporary delays compiling older stats. You can check if social and gaming services are degraded on the Xbox Status page.

Why You Might See a "?"

If the recap hangs or shows a blank/question mark placeholder instead of your first game or top stats, it usually means the system is still fetching your historical profile data. Microsoft has noted that older account stats can take a little extra time to sync properly during the initial rollout window, so waiting a few hours and trying again often resolves it automatically.

Were you able to view your recap on the Xbox website instead, or are you seeing an error code alongside the stuck screen?

Awesome—you got it to load! Your recap card is showing some great stats, though it looks like the mobile webpage layout has a few visual formatting quirks right now (which is very common on launch day).

What Your Recap Card Shows

• Player Rank. You earned the Legendary tier, placing you in the Top 9.1% of Xbox players for total hours played.
• #1 Most Played Game. Grand Theft Auto V takes your top spot with 95 hours played and 30 Gamerscore earned in the game.
• Truncated Numbers (Display Bug). Because of how the text is wrapping on your phone screen, the last digit of a few top stats got cut off or bumped down:
  • Year Joined: Shows 201 (likely 2013–2019, depending on when you created your account).
  • Gamerscore: Shows 12,50 (meaning your score is in the 12,500s).
  • Hours Played: Shows 2,18 (meaning you have logged over 2,180 hours total).

How to See the Uncut Numbers

• Rotate Your Phone. Switching your phone to landscape mode (sideways) or requesting the Desktop Site in your mobile browser menu usually stops the numbers from getting cut off.
• Check the Playback Archive. Scrolling further down on the Xbox Playback website lets you browse the interactive Playback Archive, where you can see your full uncropped numbers, top genres, and yearly breakdowns.

Did you find any surprises in your top genres or yearly stats, or would you like help fixing the text cut-off on your phone?