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The Fat Cat (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Fat Cat - Bitter |  | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - West Coast IPA (superseded by 5.6% version) | | 1 |
| Fat Cat - Mocca Moggy |  | 1 |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | | 1 |
| Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold | | 1 |
| Fat Cat - Norwich Bitter | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Porter | | 1 |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | | 1 |
| Lacons - Falcon Ale |  | 1 |
| Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat | | 1 |
| Winter's - Rorschach Stout | | 1 |
| Colchester - No. 1 | | 1 |
| Old School (OSB) - Detention |  | 1 |
| Nine Standards (now brewed at Settle) - No. 3 Porter | | 1 |
| Fat Cat - Honey And Elderflower | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) |  | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Wild Cat | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Mosaic Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| North Riding Brewery - Azacca | Not Tried | 0 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Hell Cat | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rooster's - Baby-Faced Assassin | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - FC XX | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Honey Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Green Jack - Mahseer IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Incredible Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - Abbot | Not Tried | 0 |
| Long Man - Copper Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wildcraft - Wild Stallion | Not Tried | 0 |
| JW Lees (see also Lees) - Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Bob Cat | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Tom Cat | Not Tried | 0 |
| Abbeydale - Absolution | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Bass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bluestone (Pembrokeshire) - Tigers Eye PA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Crackendale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Castle Rock - Elsie Mo | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - DIPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ossett - White Rat | Not Tried | 0 |
| Woodforde's - Nelson's Revenge | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Thrill Seeker | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burton Bridge - Golden Delicious | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harvey's - Olympia | Not Tried | 0 |
| Beartown (latterly part of Manning Brewers) - Créme Bearlee | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler | Not Tried | 0 |
| St Peter's - Fruit Beer Grapefruit | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Milk Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter (was 3.7%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Lancaster - Juniper | Not Tried | 0 |
| Yeovil - Hopkandi | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Inferno | Not Tried | 0 |
| Credence - Red Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Headstocks - Canary | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burton Bridge - Knot Brown Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Opa Hay's - Red Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Belhaven - 1719 Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burton Bridge - Damson Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | Not Tried | 0 |
| Windsor & Eton - Guardsman | Not Tried | 0 |
| Little Valley - Tod's Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Salopian - Hop Twister | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Broadside | Not Tried | 0 |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Citra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fat Cat - Cougar | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
29 May 2026 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening busy as expected for this popular pub with standing room only in the main bar area however we found a free table towards the rear to enjoy our beers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | | A crisp dry hoppy fare with mild citrus notes and a smooth rounded bitterness. |
| Fat Cat - Norwich Bitter | 3.80 | | A sweet malty bready yeasty fare. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| JW Lees (see also Lees) - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Abbeydale - Absolution | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Honey Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Crackendale | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Tom Cat | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Ossett - White Rat | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Sep 2025 (Andrew)
Bustling but not crowded, so we got a seat quite easily. Really enjoyed my time here, which is unusual as usually it heaving and so far less relaxing
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter's - Rorschach Stout | 4.50 | | |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Salopian - Hop Twister | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Cougar | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Wild Cat | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Green Jack - Mahseer IPA | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Tom Cat | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Norwich Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| North Riding Brewery - Azacca | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - FC XX | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Incredible Pale | 5.20 | Not Tried |
26 Nov 2019 (Archie14)
Finally got to visit this renowned award winning real ale Mecca. Upon entering I instantly could tell why this “legendary” pub was considered to be one of the finest Ale houses in the UK. Today the pub boasted 27 real ales, 21 ciders and a dozen or so keg beers. The pub is run with such passion and expertise, spotlessly clean, full of brewriania and is a proper traditional British pub of the highest order. Unfortunately I was on a strict time limit but I could quite happily spend a long weekend in Norwich just to come in here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat Cat - Bitter | 3.80 | | Stunningly good proper bitter, light hop, malt biscuit, notes and everything a premium bitter should be. |
12 Feb 2019 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon not quite as busy as last night's visit, final pint before heading home so opted for something strong. Beer available similar to what I listed yesterday.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | |
11 Feb 2019 (Magnus Greel)
Easily 15+ years since my last visit and no obvious changes to a well run pub. Busy mid evening we perched alongside the shelf opposite the bar.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold | 4.20 | | Perfect temperature and refreshingly carbonated |
| Fat Cat - Honey And Elderflower | 4.30 | | Served warm I found this rather too sweet and sickly for my liking |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Burton Bridge - Damson Porter | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Burton Bridge - Golden Delicious | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Little Valley - Tod's Blonde | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Wild Cat | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Mosaic Pale Ale | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Rooster's - Baby-Faced Assassin | 6.10 | Not Tried | |
| Green Jack - Mahseer IPA | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Wildcraft - Wild Stallion | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Tom Cat | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Bluestone (Pembrokeshire) - Tigers Eye PA | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - DIPA | 6.10 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Thrill Seeker | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Beartown (latterly part of Manning Brewers) - Créme Bearlee | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Milk Stout | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Norwich Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Yeovil - Hopkandi | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Headstocks - Canary | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Belhaven - 1719 Pale Ale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
11 Jun 2016 (Andrew)
Last stop after hitting a lot of pubs in Norwich. Quite quiet; we got a seat. Beer line up much the same as yesterday.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old School (OSB) - Detention | 4.10 | | Bit cold. Light brown bitter. Bit reedy. |
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | 4.30 | | Not really in good condition. |
10 Jun 2016 (Andrew)
Got here about 3pm. The clientèle appeared to be a handful of builders scattered throughout the pub. It was nice being able to see the pub without it being rammed. We sat at the back and planned the day.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lacons - Falcon Ale | 4.20 | | Dsrk brown. Earthy dark chocolate bitter |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Castle Rock - Elsie Mo | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Olympia | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version) | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Wild Cat | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Colchester - No. 1 | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Old School (OSB) - Detention | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| St Peter's - Fruit Beer Grapefruit | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Hell Cat | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Honey Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Lancaster - Juniper | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Credence - Red Ale | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Opa Hay's - Red Ale | 5.00 | Not Tried |
10 Jun 2016 (Ian)
Lovely interior with lots of beers on but few of real rarity
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester - No. 1 | 4.10 | | Good malty best bitter |
14 Oct 2015 (HSB)
17:00 Busy. We managed to get the last free table. The Gents have undergone a major refit. Very plush.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nine Standards (now brewed at Settle) - No. 3 Porter | 4.70 | | On gravity. Good porter taste but no condition. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Woodforde's - Nelson's Revenge | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Burton Bridge - Golden Delicious | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Burton Bridge - Knot Brown Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version) | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Windsor & Eton - Guardsman | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Wild Cat | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Hell Cat | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Honey Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Copper Hop | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Fat Cat - Bob Cat | 5.20 | Not Tried |
29 Mar 2015 (Dosser)
Pubs don't get better than this. Just fab.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - West Coast IPA (superseded by 5.6% version) | 6.50 | | It was a 6.2% oyster old ale and was my favourite beer. Had to go all the way to Norwich to get it. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Porter | 5.40 | | wicked |
| Fat Cat - Mocca Moggy | 4.60 | | |
| Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat | 5.50 | |
About The Fat Cat
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 3 |
| 13 |
| 17 |
| 13 |
| 1 |
The pub is found in Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4NA.
Long thin pub L-shaped pub. The central bar holds a number of hand-pulls with a large 'gravity' room behind it. CAMRA National Pub of the Year in 1998 and 2004.
We have visited this pub 19 times, seen 131 different beers and tried 39 of them.
Postcode: NR2 4NA