Yes, Watney's Red Barrel was brewed in Norwich at the King Street brewery (formerly Morgan's Brewery). [1, 2, 3]
Following the acquisition of Norwich's major breweries by Watney Mann in the early 1960s, the King Street site was significantly modernised to focus on large-scale production of national keg brands. [4, 5]
Brewing in Norwich
- Production Hub: After Watney Mann acquired Morgan's Brewery in 1961 (and later Bullards and Steward & Patteson), they consolidated local production at the King Street site.
- Modernisation: Between 1969 and 1971, the brewery was extensively refitted with "sophisticated equipment" to guarantee the consistency required for national brands like Red Barrel and Starlight.
- Local Distribution: The Norwich plant supplied these keg beers to a vast network of tied pubs across Norfolk and the wider region.
- Closure: Brewing at the Norwich site eventually ceased in April 1985 due to increasing demand for lager that the premises could no longer meet. [1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
Notable Beers Produced at the Site
In addition to national brands like Red Barrel, the brewery was also known for:
- Norwich Bitter and Norwich Mild
- Starlight (a notorious low-gravity keg beer)
- S&P Bitter and Bullards Mild (reintroduced brands) [6, 8, 11]
Are you interested in the specific locations of the pubs in Norwich that served Red Barrel during its peak?
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During the 1960s and 1970s, Watney Mann held a near monopoly on the Norwich pub trade after acquiring local breweries Bullards, Steward & Patteson, and Morgans. Consequently, almost every "tied" house in the city was stocked with Red Barrel, Norwich Bitter, and Starlight. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Below are several notable specific locations in Norwich where Red Barrel was served or where the transition to Watney’s keg beers was most prominent:
## City Centre Pubs
------------------------------
[Thurton George and dragon* 4.5 ⭐ (375)£10–20Pub* Norwich7.9 mi](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1vlk0vgk)
A highly popular central "boozer" that was tied to Watney Mann during this period. It was first licensed in 1808 and remained a staple of the city centre until its closure in 1988; the site is now occupied by [McDonald's](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23452086.archive-memories-norwich-pubs-gone-not-forgotten/).
------------------------------
The Orford Arms (Red Lion Street)
Known as the "heartbeat of the city" in the swinging 60s, this pub and its downstairs venue, The Orford Cellar, were key Watney's outlets while hosting legends like David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.
------------------------------
[The Bell Hotel - JD Wetherspoon* 4.1 ⭐ (4.5K)£10–20Pub* 5 Orford Hill0.7 mi](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1tfn1_pq)
One of the city's oldest hostelries, the [Bell Hotel](http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/pubs/norwich_pubs_today/norwich_pubs_today.shtm) was a major Watney's house before becoming a chain pub in later decades.
------------------------------
[Gardeners Arms* 4.2 ⭐ (191)£10–20Pub* 2-4 Timber Hill0.7 mi](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1tdwtz7l)
This historic pub was actually closed by Watneys in 1970 and used as a charity shop for several years before being saved and refurbished in 1976. [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
## Notable Suburban & Riverside Locations
------------------------------
[The Ship* 4.5 ⭐ (609)£10–20Pub* Norwich12.6 mi](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1x5qs16h)
Formerly a Bullards house, it was taken over by [Watney Mann](https://www.invisibleworks.co.uk/through-glass-norwich-1963-part-2-pubs/) and served Red Barrel until it was closed and demolished in January 1974.
------------------------------
The Canary (Thorpe Road)
Originally a Steward & Patteson pub licensed in 1961, it became a primary Watney's outlet in the late 1960s.
------------------------------
[The New Inn* 4.5 ⭐ (345)£10–20Pub* Norwich6.6 mi](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1tgj_xgr)
One of many rural-edge pubs that "had to exchange its hand-pulled S&P bitter for fizzy Red Barrel" following the Watney takeover.
------------------------------
[The Gatehouse* Pub* The Gatehouse, Dereham Rd1.8 mi](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11bwf5kbvq)
A [Morgans house](https://www.facebook.com/groups/norfolk.history.tales.myths/posts/9561816013834019/) that survived the transition through the 1960s and beyond, remaining a distinctive example of inter-war pub architecture. [5, 7, 12, 13, 14]
## Other Major Tied Houses
Records from the [Norfolk Public Houses](https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/) register list several other locations transferred to the Watney Mann or Norwich Brewery banner during the "peak" years:
* The Tuns (Heigham)
* The Plough Inn / [The Rouen](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1vd94c33) (Farmer’s Avenue)
* [The Berstrete Gates](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11f08cq8bf) (Ber Street)
* The Lame Dog (Queens Road/Surrey Street) – Closed in 1976 and demolished. [5, 15]
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Would you like to explore the history of the Norwich Brewery Company which was formed to manage these pubs after the Watney era?
[1] [https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk](https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norwich/nnorwich/ncnchbry.htm)
[2] [https://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk](https://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?43004-Shut-up-about-Barclay-Perkins-Watney-Mann)
[3] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/lifestyle/23111034.history-king-streets-brewery-giant-norwich/)
[4] [https://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk](http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/pubs/breweries_today/breweries_today.shtm)
[5] [https://www.invisibleworks.co.uk](https://www.invisibleworks.co.uk/through-glass-norwich-1963-part-2-pubs/)
[6] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23452086.archive-memories-norwich-pubs-gone-not-forgotten/)
[7] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23452086.archive-memories-norwich-pubs-gone-not-forgotten/)
[8] [https://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk](http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/pubs/norwich_pubs_past/norwich_pubs_past.shtm)
[9] [https://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk](http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/pubs/norwich_pubs_today/norwich_pubs_today.shtm)
[10] [https://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk](http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/pubs/norwich_pubs_today/norwich_pubs_today.shtm)
[11] [https://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk](http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/pubs/norwich_pubs_today/norwich_pubs_today.shtm)
[12] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/groups/211937906243123/posts/2115485379221690/)
[13] [https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk](https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norwich/cnorwich/nccay.htm#:~:text=Table_content:%20header:%20%7C%20NORWICH%20LICENCE%20REGISTER%20PS,as%20given%202005%20%28from%20Enterprise%20Inns%29%20%7C)
[14] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/groups/norfolk.history.tales.myths/posts/9561816013834019/)
[15] [https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk](https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norwich/tnorwich/ncthu8.htm#:~:text=Table_content:%20header:%20%7C%20NORWICH%20LICENCE%20REGISTERS%20PS,to%201965%29:%20NORWICH%20BREWERY%20%7C%20:%20%7C)
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