Norwich – Jubilee (Two Julians)
This was the second on our latest perambulation around Norwich pubs and it’s the Jubilee, which opened in 1887 making it a traditional Victorian corner pub. During its time it has been a Bullards, Watney Mann and Courage pub. Named after the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887, although rather oddly, the pub was renamed Hanover House between 1982 and 1987. I didn’t give it much attention until looking at it in this photo, but I rather like the plaque above the door which mentions numerous countries which were under the influence (to give it a drinking phrase) at the time, including Malta, Cyprus, Egypt, Canada, Australia and numerous others.
Back in 1897, the pub was advertising their bowling green (visible in this 1880s map), although that has long since gone and there are now houses on the site.
The beer list, with some interesting keg and cask options and a fair number from Beartown. The pub has quite a modern feel to it in terms of the beer selection and it’s also listed in the Good Beer Guide. There’s a long L-shaped bar, with this bit at the end being where we ordered. At the rear of the pub there’s also a large conservatory and small garden area. The service was friendly, immediate and polite, with the pub feeling busy although rather less, er, vibrant than the King William IV that we had just visited. It’s evident that these two pubs have different customer bases, although it surprised me just how few pubs there are in this area given some recent closures.
I went for the 4.7% ABV Bobby Dazzler from Beartown, stone fruit flavours and a depth of taste, rather decent. Julian went for the Lit from Beartown which he noted on Untappd as “a nice fresh bitter, with distinctive hippiness” which seems reasonable.
What I assume was the pub dog merrily jumping around the place and having a look at what was going on.
I like pubs that offer this willingly when they don’t serve hot food of their own.
I haven’t taken much to this pub on a couple of past visits, but they were some time ago and I thought it was all rather pleasant on this visit with friendly staff, a clean environment and a decent selection of beers. I’m sure that there will be another perambulation this way in the not too distant future and it seems to me a very worthwhile entry into the Good Beer Guide.
