The Ribs of Beef, Norwich

This was the first pub of my recent stay in the city, still with table service in operation as mentioned below. The single knocked through room was carpeted, the seating comfortable.There was clear perspex screens around the entire bar area. I counted 11 handpumps with seven ales on, Woodfordes Wherry, Oakham Citra, Wolf Golden Jackal, Adnams Ghost Ship, Mr Winters Rorschach Stout,Burning Sky Plateau and Nene Vally Heres The Thing, Cider was Rosies Pig and three craft keg beers from The Kernel , Deya and Three Blind Mice. All in all a decent selection. A pub worthy of a visit.

Crossing the river to the city centre, there's a distinct change between the back street pubs that I'd visited so far during a 10 pub crawl (back street locals like the Jubilee, Kings Head, Woolpack Yard) and this one and the Murderers, next on the list. These are pubs where there is still an emphasis on good real ale (there was an Abstract Jungle takeover at the time of my visit) but there's more than a nod towards the needs of other pub goers than beer tourists. Background music and live TV sports had been noticeable by their absence up to this point - not that either were off-putting here, just noticeable. There were eight real ales, by my count, and a real cider too. I wouldn't want to put anyone off, just to expect something different from the other pubs mentioned. Date of visit: 21st February 2018

Ribs of Beef is nicely situated just to the north of the city centre and next to the River Wensum which can be seen from the main bar and the small downstairs terrace. Inside it feels very much a local with both staff and customers seeming to be very familiar with each other. It also has that 'lived in' feeling of a local although in this case I think that it's just the wrong side of comfortable with peeling paint, seats sagging to the point of collapse and a vague whiff of damp mixed with deep frying. The barmaids were excellent - efficient, chatty and friendly and they went a fair way to making the place feel welcoming. Beers on were: Wolf's Golden Jackal and Whiskers, Woodforde's Wherry, Oakham JHB and Bishop's Farewell, Adnam's Ghostship, Boudicca's Prasto Porter, Pheasantry Best and Salopian Darwin's Origin. Prices ranged from £2.80 to £4.00 with most around the £3.50 to £3.70 mark. Not out of kilter with the Norwich average. That's a fair range of largely local beers with one or two stand outs but I wasn't blown away by the range. Both the Porter and Whisker's were in decent nick but I wasn't tempted into a second of either. The food menu lists basic pub grub but the prices are steep. A basic white bread and grated cheese sandwich comes in at £5.50 with chips an extra £2.00 on top. I'd happily slide for a pint or two but only after I'd had a pasty.

Blessed with an attractive riverside location, the Ribs of Beef is a lovely, two level pub with a pleasant terrace overlooking the river. You enter directly into the main bar which is carpeted and has dark wood panelled walls with banquette and low stool seating, predominantly down the right hand side, opposite the servery. The windows are leaded and have nice stained glass panes whilst the walls have been decorated with old sports team and school photos which are worth a quick browse. A large TV was on towards the front of the room, showing the late Premier League kick-off with the commentary clearly audible. At the rear of the room, a raised space offers some comfier looking seating options and to the left of this, stairs lead down to the Wherry Room. This is a fairly basic area, also carpeted, but with pews down one side and standard chairs elsewhere which means it lends itself to being a decent dining room. Two more TV screens were hung here, both turned off on this visit, although the commentary could still be heard, drifting down from the upstairs bar. Doors lead out to the aforementioned terrace – a narrow strip with café style tables and chairs - which seems to catch the sun nicely in the afternoon. The ale range here was much stronger than I’d expected, offering a varied selection which on this visit comprised Wolf Golden Jackal, Letsbe Avenue and Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, Woodfordes Bure Gold, Oakham JHB, Fullers London Pride, Adnams Southwold Bitter, Dancing Duck dcuk and Thornbridge Jaipur. There appeared to be a pretty good bottled range as well, including a few classic continental brews. I tried a pint of the Golden Jackal which was in great shape and went down nicely whilst sat admiring the view. I thought this was a very pleasant pub with a good, lively atmosphere and a varied and well kept selection of ales. The pub is quite versatile with the tranquillity of the terrace contrasting the boisterous main bar and could imagine this place would suit a wide range of customers.

Doesn't look that much from the street, but it has a sensitively-refurbished interior. Main bar and a small raised dining area at the back, plus the Wherry Room downstairs with a tiny riverside terrace. Excellent selection of beers from the nine handpumps, including a fine pint of Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (£2.75) when I visited recently. Overall, well worth seeking out.

A very well run pub with a smart traditional interior. Nine real ales on offer on our visit. I relished the Wolf Brewery, Wolf in Sheeps Clothing. They also serve good food, which is prepared in a small kitchen to the rear of the pub and there is a raised seated area next to the kitchen for dining. There is a chalkboard over the fireplace in the front bar listing their ales. Also there is a small decking area adjacent to the river Wensum.