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The Fat Cat (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Fat Cat - BitterExceptional1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - West Coast IPA (superseded by 5.6% version)Exceptional1
Oakham - Green Devil IPAExceptional2
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PorterExcellent1
Fat Cat - Mocca MoggyExcellent1
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Crouch Vale - Yakima GoldExcellent1
Colchester - No. 1Good1
Lacons - Falcon AleGood1
Fat Cat - Marmalade CatGood1
Fyne - AvalancheGood1
Fat Cat - Honey And ElderflowerAcceptable1
Old School (OSB) - DetentionAcceptable1
Nine Standards (now brewed at Settle) - No. 3 PorterAcceptable1
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)Poor1
Swannay (formerly Highland) - Sneaky Wee Orkney StoutNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Bob CatNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Tom CatNot Tried0
Marston's - BassNot Tried0
Gloucester - GoldNot Tried0
Swannay (formerly Highland) - The Duke IPANot Tried0
Oakham - Bishops FarewellNot Tried0
Bluestone (Pembrokeshire) - Tigers Eye PANot Tried0
Salopian - Lemon DreamNot Tried0
Orkney (Sinclair) - Northern LightNot Tried0
Late Knights - Worm Catcher IPANot Tried0
Castle Rock - Elsie MoNot Tried0
Fat Cat - DIPANot Tried0
Elgood's - Black Dog MildNot Tried0
Harviestoun - SchiehallionNot Tried0
Kelburn - JaguarNot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Oakham - Thrill SeekerNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Fat Cat BitterNot Tried0
Orkney (Sinclair) - Latitude Pilsner (Atlas range)Not Tried0
Portobello - Market PorterNot Tried0
Harvey's - OlympiaNot Tried0
Beartown (latterly part of Manning Brewers) - Créme BearleeNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Stout CatNot Tried0
Inveralmond - ThrappledouserNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Honey AleNot Tried0
St Peter's - Fruit Beer GrapefruitNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Milk StoutNot Tried0
Adnams - Southwold BitterNot Tried0
Strathaven - Duchess Anne Light AleNot Tried0
Fat Cat - PorterNot Tried0
Lancaster - JuniperNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Norwich BitterNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Honey CatNot Tried0
Cairngorm - Nessie's Monster Mash (superseded by 4.1% version)Not Tried0
Isle of Skye - Avelanche (aka Blaven)Not Tried0
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterNot Tried0
Credence - Red AleNot Tried0
Yeovil - HopkandiNot Tried0
Oakham - InfernoNot Tried0
Williams Brothers - EbulumNot Tried0
Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version)Not Tried0
Opa Hay's - Red AleNot Tried0
Headstocks - CanaryNot Tried0
Salopian - OracleNot Tried0
Orkney (Sinclair) - Nimbus Blonde (Atlas range)Not Tried0
Woodforde's - Nelson's RevengeNot Tried0
Burton Bridge - Damson PorterNot Tried0
Belhaven - 1719 Pale AleNot Tried0
Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version)Not Tried0
Inveralmond - Ossian's AleNot Tried0
Burton Bridge - Golden DeliciousNot Tried0
Little Valley - Tod's BlondeNot Tried0
Hop Back - Summer LightningNot Tried0
Black Sheep - All CreaturesNot Tried0
Kelburn - Cart BlancheNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old GrowlerNot Tried0
Oakham - CitraNot Tried0
Adnams - BroadsideNot Tried0
Milestone - Green ManNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Meow MildNot Tried0
Burton Bridge - Knot Brown AleNot Tried0
Adnams - Mosaic Pale AleNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Wild CatNot Tried0
Stewart - 80/-Not Tried0
Windsor & Eton - GuardsmanNot Tried0
Rooster's - Baby-Faced AssassinNot Tried0
Timothy Taylor - LandlordNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Wild RiverNot Tried0
Tryst - Raj IPANot Tried0
Titanic - Plum PorterNot Tried0
Green Jack - Mahseer IPANot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESBNot Tried0
Elgood's - Double Dog Strong MildNot Tried0
Williams Brothers - Seven GiraffesNot Tried0
Long Man - Copper HopNot Tried0
Wildcraft - Wild StallionNot Tried0
Greene King - AbbotNot Tried0
Fat Cat - Hell CatNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk
Picture 2. The Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk

Visits Details

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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Fat Cat - Bitter3.80ExceptionalStunningly 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00Excellent
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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20ExcellentPerfect temperature and refreshingly carbonated
Fat Cat - Honey And Elderflower4.30AcceptableServed warm I found this rather too sweet and sickly for my liking
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50Not Tried
Greene King - Abbot5.00Not Tried
Oakham - Bishops Farewell4.60Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Burton Bridge - Damson Porter4.50Not Tried
Burton Bridge - Golden Delicious3.80Not Tried
Little Valley - Tod's Blonde5.00Not Tried
Oakham - Citra4.20Not Tried
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00Not Tried
Fat Cat - Wild Cat5.00Not Tried
Adnams - Mosaic Pale Ale4.10Not Tried
Rooster's - Baby-Faced Assassin6.10Not Tried
Green Jack - Mahseer IPA5.80Not Tried
Wildcraft - Wild Stallion5.00Not Tried
Fat Cat - Tom Cat4.10Not Tried
Bluestone (Pembrokeshire) - Tigers Eye PA4.60Not Tried
Fat Cat - DIPA6.10Not Tried
Oakham - Thrill Seeker4.80Not Tried
Beartown (latterly part of Manning Brewers) - Créme Bearlee4.80Not Tried
Fat Cat - Milk Stout4.60Not Tried
Fat Cat - Norwich Bitter3.80Not Tried
Yeovil - Hopkandi3.80Not Tried
Headstocks - Canary4.00Not Tried
Belhaven - 1719 Pale Ale4.50Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old School (OSB) - Detention4.10AcceptableBit cold. Light brown bitter. Bit reedy.
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30PoorNot 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Lacons - Falcon Ale4.20GoodDsrk brown. Earthy dark chocolate bitter
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Greene King - Abbot5.00Not Tried
Oakham - Bishops Farewell4.60Not Tried
Castle Rock - Elsie Mo4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Harvey's - Olympia4.30Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat5.50Not Tried
Oakham - Inferno4.00Not Tried
Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version)5.00Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20Not Tried
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00Not Tried
Fat Cat - Wild Cat5.00Not Tried
Colchester - No. 14.10Not Tried
Old School (OSB) - Detention4.10Not Tried
St Peter's - Fruit Beer Grapefruit4.70Not Tried
Fat Cat - Hell Cat4.10Not Tried
Fat Cat - Bitter3.80Not Tried
Fat Cat - Honey Ale4.30Not Tried
Lancaster - Juniper4.40Not Tried
Credence - Red Ale5.00Not Tried
Opa Hay's - Red Ale5.00Not Tried
10 Jun 2016 (Ian)
Lovely interior with lots of beers on but few of real rarity
BeerABVScoreNotes
Colchester - No. 14.10GoodGood 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Nine Standards (now brewed at Settle) - No. 3 Porter4.70AcceptableOn gravity. Good porter taste but no condition.
Hop Back - Summer Lightning5.00Not Tried
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50Not Tried
Greene King - Abbot5.00Not Tried
Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version)4.50Not Tried
Marston's - Bass4.40Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Woodforde's - Nelson's Revenge4.50Not Tried
Burton Bridge - Golden Delicious3.80Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler5.00Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat5.50Not Tried
Oakham - Inferno4.00Not Tried
Burton Bridge - Knot Brown Ale4.80Not Tried
Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version)5.00Not Tried
Windsor & Eton - Guardsman4.20Not Tried
Titanic - Plum Porter4.90Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20Not Tried
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00Not Tried
Fat Cat - Wild Cat5.00Not Tried
Fat Cat - Hell Cat4.10Not Tried
Fat Cat - Bitter3.80Not Tried
Fat Cat - Honey Ale4.30Not Tried
Long Man - Copper Hop4.20Not Tried
Fat Cat - Bob Cat5.20Not Tried
29 Mar 2015 (Dosser)
Pubs don't get better than this. Just fab.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - West Coast IPA (superseded by 5.6% version)6.50ExceptionalIt 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 Porter5.40Excellentwicked
Fat Cat - Mocca Moggy4.60Excellent
Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat5.50Good
24 May 2014 (HSB)
11:00 First stop on a City of Ale crawl. Pub soon got busy. Strangely they had gone for a Scottish beer theme when the City of Ale is about Norfolk beers.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Excellent
Fyne - Avalanche4.50Good
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50Not Tried
Greene King - Abbot5.00Not Tried
Orkney (Sinclair) - Northern Light4.00Not Tried
Harviestoun - Schiehallion4.80Not Tried
Orkney (Sinclair) - Latitude Pilsner (Atlas range)3.60Not Tried
Inveralmond - Thrappledouser4.30Not Tried
Strathaven - Duchess Anne Light Ale3.90Not Tried
Cairngorm - Nessie's Monster Mash (superseded by 4.1% version)4.40Not Tried
Isle of Skye - Avelanche (aka Blaven)5.00Not Tried
Williams Brothers - Ebulum5.80Not Tried
Orkney (Sinclair) - Nimbus Blonde (Atlas range)5.00Not Tried
Inveralmond - Ossian's Ale4.10Not Tried
Kelburn - Cart Blanche5.00Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat5.50Not Tried
Fat Cat - Meow Mild4.30Not Tried
Oakham - Inferno4.00Not Tried
Stewart - 80/-4.40Not Tried
Tryst - Raj IPA5.50Not Tried
Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version)5.00Not Tried
Williams Brothers - Seven Giraffes5.10Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20Not Tried
Swannay (formerly Highland) - Sneaky Wee Orkney Stout4.20Not Tried
Fat Cat - Wild Cat5.00Not Tried
Swannay (formerly Highland) - The Duke IPA5.20Not Tried
Late Knights - Worm Catcher IPA5.00Not Tried
Kelburn - Jaguar4.50Not Tried
Portobello - Market Porter4.60Not Tried
Fat Cat - Hell Cat4.10Not Tried
Fat Cat - Bitter3.80Not Tried
Fat Cat - Honey Ale4.30Not Tried
Fat Cat - Porter5.20Not Tried
11 Jul 2013 (HSB)
17:10 Nice sunny day so the outside benches were full leaving plenty of room inside. The gents have had a makeover and the posters have gone.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00ExceptionalA stunning IPA
Hop Back - Summer Lightning5.00Not Tried
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50Not Tried
Greene King - Abbot5.00Not Tried
Marston's - Bass4.40Not Tried
Salopian - Lemon Dream4.50Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Elgood's - Black Dog Mild3.60Not Tried
Fat Cat - Fat Cat Bitter3.80Not Tried
Fat Cat - Stout Cat4.60Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Fat Cat - Marmalade Cat5.50Not Tried
Fat Cat - Honey Cat4.30Not Tried
Oakham - Inferno4.00Not Tried
Salopian - Oracle4.00Not Tried
Green Jack - Mahseer IPA (superseded by 5.8% version)5.00Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20Not Tried
Black Sheep - All Creatures3.50Not Tried
Milestone - Green Man4.50Not Tried
Fat Cat - Wild Cat5.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Wild River4.50Not Tried
Elgood's - Double Dog Strong Mild6.50Not Tried
Fat Cat - Hell Cat4.10Not Tried
Gloucester - Gold3.90Not Tried

[More Visits]

About The Fat Cat

The pub sign. The Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional3
Excellent11
Good16
Acceptable13
Poor1

Website.

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 17 times, seen 121 different beers and tried 36 of them.

Map location

Postcode: NR2 4NA