The Champion, Norwich

A Batemans house with two bars, not much to distinguish between them. As you enter there are bars to left and right. The lefthand bar has three pulls of Batemans, the one to the right has a wider choice of Batemans on five pulls, the beers included Batemans 5G, XB and XXXB as well as Black Sheep bitter. Old style decor, with white anaglypta over brown tongue & groove, decorated with sporting photos of various champions. A collection of beer and pump clips line the picture rail level of both main bars. The right hand room continues back and there’s a little snug off of it as well. Beer quality is well up to the mark, a worthy GBG entry.

The ale range may not excite anyone looking for the latest in Pale Ales (though Oakham Citra was available), but the prices are hard to fault, with a pint of Bateman's XB and a large bag of Quavers coming in under £5 - the lunchtime time menu having recently finished, somewhat restricting my eating options. Traditional in the fixtures and fittings as well, with wood for the boarded flooring, seats and tables, but it made for a relaxed stop, though I could have done without the pop soundtrack, it being overly intrusive as well as uninteresting. That apart, The Champion's a worthwhile stop just outside the centre.

Facebook page of The Champion - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Champion - www.thechampionpub.com

Facebook page of The Champion - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Champion - www.thechampionpub.com