Kings Head, Norwich

A traditional city boozer just to the north of the city centre. The pub consists of two bars, front and back. The front bar is basically furnished with a large are for upright drinking and beers listed on a blackboard behind the bar. To the back feels more comfortable with more furniture, better light and most of the handpumps. The barman was a friendly fellow but somehow the place felt cold and lacked atmosphere. It was a chilly lunchtime and there weren't many in but perhaps a lit fire may have helped. Beers on were: Winters KHB and Stormforce, Newby Wyke Orsino, Hop Monster Rakau and Banshee Porter, Buffy's Hopleaf, Humpty Dumpty Little Sharpie, Shorts Farm Two Tone Mild and Woodforde's Nelson's Revenge. A wide selection and the Banshee Porter was in fine condition. There are plenty of pubs worth visiting in Norwich and this is one of them.

Date of visit - April 2013 Close to the City Centre, and in a long street full of independent music and record shops – Magdalen Street – is The Kings Head, a classic, but basic drinkers pub. It’s a well known award winning pub that proclaims itself as keg free. A front bar features wooden settles, tiled floors and is decorated with a number of old photos of Norwich. Of particular interest is a map above the fireplace showing Norwich city centre pubs in 1883/5 when, incredibly, there appeared to be even more than there are today. An old photo shows Magdalen Street flooded. A small corridor leads through to a larger rear room which has subdued lighting and features a bar billiards table. There’s no music, TV or food available – just a good range of real ales in a traditional, welcoming, pubby atmosphere. The friendly barman, Charlie, explained to me that there’s normally 9 real ales on, but that this increases to 11 or 12 at weekends. There’s also a lengthy bottled beer menu, specialising in German and Belgian offerings. On my April visit, and as appears to be always the case, mainly Norfolk beers were on which included Winters Mild and Woodfordes Nelson. Beers were priced between £ 2.90p and £ 3.40p. Unusually, oversized glasses are used. It’s another CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular. It’s central location makes this one a good bet, particularly if time is limited.

This really is a real ale paradise, 13 ales in total, 11 on handpump and 2 on gravity. The pub was busy on our visit and the sevice was fast and friendly. The staff are both knowledgable and welcoming. I went for the Green Jack Orange Wheat, Brandon Rusty Bucket and Tipples Longshore. Looking forward to a revisit.

Really enjoyed our visit to this friendly 2013 Good Beer Guide pub with a superb choice of ales. The ales are split between bars in a front and back room, but are detailed on a board. Enthusiastic about real ales, there is no keg. We enjoyed Brandon Grumpy Bastard and Fat Cat India Pale Ale.