Greene King Cellar Management Course
Kelsey in the Maids Head Bar with her Cellar Management Certificate
We are incredibly proud of our Food and Beverage Supervisor, Kelsey, who has successfully completed the Greene King Cellar Management Course.
The Maids Head Bar over the Centuries has been providing warm hospitality and serving great beer. Kelsey says that much goes in to being able to serve a good pint. Many real ale drinkers visit the Jacobean Bar both for its quirkiness but particularly for the range of local beers always on offer. Kelsey prides herself on now being able to manage the cellar to ensure that both customers and Hotel guests are guaranteed the perfect pint.
Kelsey tells us ” the temperature that the beer is stored at can have a serious affect on the quality of the beer. The cellar should always be kept between 11 and 13 degrees Centigrade. I learnt how to properly “tap and tilt” a barrel of ale which was a new skill. A barrel can be tapped 2 hours after it has arrived, but must then sit to settle for 48 hours before serving. This means you must always plan ahead”
The Greene King Cellar Management Course covers everything from delivery, to storage, cleaning of lines to serving and health and safety in order to serve the perfect pint. The course comes complete with a comprehensive manual.
Since taking on the responsibility for the Maids Head Bar, Kelsey has made many changes and introduced many new lines. She has worked with Greene King to produce our own Maids Head Ale. Along with our own lager, named 1287, the year the first mention of the inn – the Murtle Fish Tavern, appeared in the Norwich court records. Read more about the history of the Hotel here.
In addition to the Maids Head Ale, Kelsey also promotes other local breweries by a rotation of Guest Ales, including Woodfordes, Humpty Dumpty Brewery and Wolf Brewery. These beers will all feature during the City of Ale Festival, along with a new beer from Mr Winter’s Brewing Company called Twin Parallel.
Not only does Kelsey like to champion local beers, but she also has completely rearranged the Back Bar. Kelsey is passionate about championing local distillers so you will now be able to enjoy gins from Gyre and Gimble and Bullards along with the highly popular Norfolk Gin in the beautifully designed bottles. Vodka from Whatahoot and Rum from Norfolk Rum, along with Whisky from the English Whisky Company, including their cream liqueur, NOG whisky.
Kelsey is deservedly proud of the achievements she has made since attending the course. Kelsey says “I love managing the Maids Head Bar and working with all the amazing local suppliers so that our guests get the best Norfolk experience possible when visiting our fine City”.
The historic Maids Head Bar is open daily from 10.00am – 11.00pm for both customers and guests alike. You can also enjoy a bite to eat from our Casual Dining Menu. Guests may also like to enjoy a drink in the comfort of the armchairs in the lounge,or in the sheltered Courtyard found nestling in the heart of the Hotel.