City-wide beer festival has started in Norwich for 2024

For the first time, the festivities will be taking to the streets for 11 days with more than 40 city pubs taking part.

With historic venues St Andrew's and Blackfriars' Halls - known collectively as the Halls - undergoing a huge revamp, festival organiser Lucy Cousins for Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA worked out a plan to take the festival city-wide.

She said: "The Halls closing for renovations caused us a problem.

"We had to think about how we could support pubs and breweries, bring people together, and do something for charity - all without one large venue to do it in. 

Pubs will be hosting their own mini festivals for one year only (Image: Denise Bradley) "We did look at other big venues but there was nowhere we felt was suitable. 

"We also felt that us putting this out into pubs was a chance to try something different.

Lucy Cousins has organised the Norwich Beer Festival for 2024 (Image: Denise Bradley) "Lots of pubs are running with their own themes and events until November 3 and there is a map and timetable in our brochure to help people plan."

The Beehive is hosting a mini-beer festival until October 27 as well as The Fat Cat and Mad Cat, which is hosting a weekend celebration of Scottish beer.

Castle Social will be hosting a world beer pop-up between October 31 and November 3, with more than 500 bottled beers to sample.

Crowds had already started gathering at Redwell Brewing Co. for the festival on Friday lunchtime (Image: Denise Bradley) Redwell Brewing Co. is hosting a keg and cask festival between October 25 and 27.

For the weekend, the brewery and taproom will be serving up 40 different beers between four onsite bars - including from Dennis the converted fire engine - as well as foodie pop-ups from Slice and Dice, Rollin Embers and Donut Kill My Vibe.

READ MORE: Plans revealed for Norwich Beer Festival as it moves city-wide

Sam Brown only took over the running of Redwell in May, and this is the biggest event at the site under his ownership.

Sam Brown will be running events at Redwell Brewing Co. all weekend (Image: Denise Bradley) He said: "We already have more than 500 people booked to come over the weekend.

"It's really exciting and we can't wait to host our own little event for Norwich Beer Festival."

Each pub taking part will be raising money for a charity of their choice over the duration of the festival. 

Find out more at norwich.camra.org.uk.

The Halls is closed this year for a major renovation (Image: George Thompson, LDR)