Norwich – Rose (Two Julians) (Rose Inn / Rose Tavern)
Next up on our little Two Julians visit around Norwich was the Rose on Queen’s Road. The pub was first opened in 1855 and it became a Bullards pub at the end of the nineteenth century, then Watney Mann in 1967, Courage in 1972, Adnams in 1984 and then free trade in 2003 (thanks to https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norwich/rnorwich/ncrot9.htm for this). Julian talks fondly of the former look of the pub’s exterior, but I’m too young to remember it, although George Plunkett has a photo of the side of the building from 1934.
Firstly, it took me a little time to clear up the historic record of what this pub is actually called, as this has made it hard to link old newspaper articles with the correct pub. It’s historically the Rose Tavern, but is currently called the Rose, Rose Pub & Deli or the Rose Inn, I assume to differentiate it from another pub with a similar name in the city. Today, any mention of the Rose Tavern is likely referring to the one on Rupert Street. As some extra excitement, this pub is listed in the Good Beer Guide.
Just as a total aside of very little consequence other than it interested me, this is an early brand deal arrangement back from November 1912:
“STRONG NORWICH EVIDENCE.
ZAM-BUK RESCUES CHILD FROM WET DISFIGURING ECZEMA.
There is a ring of real gratitude about a Norwich mother’s account of the cure by Zam-Buk of her daughter’s shocking eczema. Florence Hicklin is the 14-years-old child of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nicholls, of the Rose Tavern, Queen’s Road, Norwich. To a “Norwich Mercury” reporter the mother said:—
“The eczema started with small itchy places on Florence’s head. The disease spread rapidly, weeping sores breaking out all over her scalp and completely covering her face. The child suffered great pain in her head and eyes, and she was so ashamed of her awful disfigurement that she flew to a vacant room whenever visitors were shown in.
The itchy wet sores ravaged Florence’s skin frightfully, though I persevered carefully with the treatment specially recommended by a chemist. I also took the child to the hospital. On my way home from the hospital one day I bought a box of Zam-Buk and determined to give the balm a thorough trial.
When I started with Zam-Buk Florence’s head and face were in an awful condition. Within a few days, however, there was a marked change. The balm worked like magic through the crusts of sores, destroying the disease and soothing my child’s awful itch and pain, and I reproached myself for not having tried Zam-Buk earlier.
Keeping carefully to the Zam-Buk treatment I got my reward by seeing all Florence’s disfiguring sores cleared away and replaced by new skin. The girl is now quite free from disease, and has a much healthier and clearer skin than ever she had before I used Zam-Buk. I am deeply grateful for this splendid cure.”
There is only one Zam-Buk, and that is the highly refined preparation sold only in sealed packages bearing the trade mark “Zam-Buk” on the outside. It is prepared from certain valuable herbal extracts by scientific processes which are known only to The Zam-Buk Co., by whom they were discovered and perfected. A box of Zam-Buk retains its wholesomeness for any length of time, and it is guaranteed free from lard and all animal fat or impurity; its healing strength never varies. Of all chemists, at 1/1½ and 2/9 per box.”
And, I’m intrigued to see that Zam-Buk is still produced and is being sold in a number of South Asian countries. Anyway, I’m glad that Florence’s skin cleared up. There must have been something of a local fight as the Yarmouth Independent (the name of the newspaper, not the current Great Yarmouth MP) reported in February 1936 that Florence Freezer (a rather memorable name) had assaulted Dora Harvey, the landlady of the Rose Tavern. However, Freezer’s address was given as 233 Queen’s Road, which is also the address of the pubs, it all sounds like something of a drama.
The events list and I do know how good the Weird Pancakes are, so that’s always recommended.
I had just picked up my new glasses and hadn’t gotten used to taking them off to see what photos I had taken, so there are some which are slightly sub-optimal in terms of quality. Anyway, here’s the keg options with a suitably blurry element to it. The beer selection is well curated and most beer styles are represented here.
The real ales. The service was prompt and polite, although we were the only customers throughout our visit and so we were unlikely to be left waiting long to be served.
Cheeseboards, as the pub has a deli counter, and Good Beer Guide books from over the years.
These images really aren’t great, but my new phone arrives this week so expect some sharpening up on quality. Well, maybe. I’m surprised, just as it’s a little unusual, by how many high tables there are in the pub, but that’s not a complaint, as they’re my personal preference to sit at in terms of comfort.
This is the only bar billiards table that I haven’t played on in Norwich (and I’m pleased to note that I was an early player on the new table at the Artichoke so that one is ticked off my list). My team of the Serengeti plays there next week as a friendly against the Rose, but I’m not in Norwich to join them, but one day I’ll get to play there (although I’ve been saying that for years)…..
I went for the Make it Pacific Sunrise beer from the formidable Brew York brewery. A hoppy, light, fluffy little number. Julian went for the Hop Stash from Nene Valley, which he was suitably impressed by but the brewer has made it impossible to add with any accuracy to Untappd as the pump clip doesn’t mention which hops are in it and there are numerous versions. The beers were both well-kept and at the appropriate temperature, so no issues there.
The beer list and I like how well placed this is so it’s easily possible to see the options available. The Rose did have their beers listed on Untappd which makes things easier, but it does come at quite a price and I can understand why they don’t. I also rather like that they’ve made it clear that 1/3 measures are available, it’s rare that pubs selling craft beer don’t allow this, but it’s helpful for it to be pro-actively mentioned.
The pizza list and I know from past experience that the quality is high.
Overall, I’ve visited here a fair amount over the years, with the service always being friendly and attentive. It must be a little challenging for them as they’re away from the main drag of Norwich city centre pubs and it would be easy to overlook them, but it’s definitely worth making the effort to get here. There’s real ale, craft keg, cheese boards, pizzas and bar billiards and that to me sounds like a rather lovely combination of things. I have nothing negative to note about the pub, it’s a comfortable and well-run venue, with the beer quality being high and its position in the Good Beer Guide as entirely justified IMO.
