The White Lion is our Cider Pub of the Year for 2015

For the fourth consecutive year, the members of the Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have selected The White Lion pub, on Oak Street in Norwich, as the branch's Cider Pub of the Year.

Pubs within the branch providing the best real cider and perry have been nominated by members and the final voting took place at the recent branch AGM.

Although the White Lion has won the award since the Cider Pub of the Year was introduced in 2012, it is the first time that Landlord Alex Waters has received the Norwich & Norfolk branch’s title although he has worked there for a number of years.

Mr Water said after being given the good news: "We are thrilled to hear that The White Lion has been awarded the Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year. Since taking over from Ben and Becky Ackers in August 2014, we have continued to specialise in providing a diverse range of quality real ciders from all parts of the country, with an emphasis on Norfolk cider”.

He continued: "We sell ciders from Jonty's, Crone's, East Norfolk, Harleston, Burnard's, the Norfolk Cider Company and Whin Hill, as well as 10-15 ciders from the West Country, Wales, Essex and elsewhere. We also sell lots of good real ale and home cooked, locally sourced seasonal British food.

"We are passionate about what we do here and would like to thank the Norfolk and Norwich branch CAMRA members for voting for us and continuing to drink at The White Lion."

The White Lion now goes into a head-to-head with the West Norfolk branch’s winner, The Railway Tavern in Downham Market and also the Wortwell Bell which was Mid Anglia’s winner, with the overall Norfolk victor progressing to the Regional level of the competition.

Warren Wordsworth, the Norwich and Norfolk Branch Chairman said: “I would like to congratulate The White Lion for winning Norwich & Norfolk Branch’s Cider Pub of the Year for an impressive fourth year in a row.

"The White Lion is a great pub, which actually was closed for quite a number of years but reopened in September 2008, and now has an excellent choice of ciders and perries which has helped raise awareness of local producers and the variety of these traditional, natural drinks available at pubs. I wish The White Lion and Mr Waters luck in the future rounds of the competition”.

The White Lion will be presented with the award certificate in the near future.