The Fat Cat Brewery was opened on 26 September 2005 by Roger Protz, editor of 'The
Good Beer Guide', and Beer Drinker of the Year 2004. That moment was the culmination
of a long-held ambition of Colin Keatley, Landlord of 'The Fat Cat', CAMRA's Pub
of the Year 1998 and 2004. Colin had bought 'The Wherry' on Lawson Road earlier in
the year, and transformed it into 'The Shed', a popular pub and music venue run by
Ryan Burnard, but Colin's main interest was the space on the premises he had set
aside for the Brewery. He had already assembled the team that would be working there,
and the brewery had gained a huge boost when Ray Ashworth, formerly of Woodforde's,
agreed to take part in the project as the brewery's consultant. Ray was hugely successful
at Woodforde's, and won the brewing world's highest accolade, Champion Beer of Britain,
with two of his beers, Norfolk Nog and Wherry. The day-to-day brewing was to be done
by Mark Winter, son of David Winter, of Winter's Brewery.
With a first-rate team assembled, work began on the first brews. Two beers were to
be available at the brewery's launch, Fat Cat Bitter and Top Cat. After several test
brews were trialled at the Fat Cat, the favourite candidates were chosen after collating
hundreds of feedback cards from customers. Both of these brews have proved exceptionally
popular, and have been sold ever since at the Fat Cat and its sister pubs. Since
the launch, many seasonal brews have come and gone, and two more beers have become
permanent fixtures on the Fat Cat Beer lists: Marmalade and Honey Ale. New brews
are constantly in development, for the latest news on these, please visit the news
section.
An exceptional year for the brewery was confirmed when the 2006 Norwich Beer Festival
awarded third prize in the 'Strong Bitter' category to Fat Cat Marmalade, the first
award the brewery has achieved. By the end of 2006, the Fat Cat Brewery has also
started selling four of its beers; Fat Cat Honey Ale, Fat Cat Wild Cat, Fat Cat Marmalade
and Fat Cat Stout Cat, in 500ml bottles.
Click here to see The Fat Cat Brewery Photo Gallery >
Fat Cat Bitter
A light a fruity session beer
Fat Cat Honey Ale
Brewed using real Norfolk honey.
Fat Cat Wild Cat
2009 Gold Medal winner. “strong beer” category Norwich Beer Festival
Fat Cat Marmalade
Award winning beer. Sweet initial flavour with a bitter aftertaste.
Fat Cat Stout Cat
Award winning beer. Sweet initial flavour with a bitter aftertaste.
(See
full list)
