Surveying a pub for the Good Beer guide is pretty straightforward, and shouldn't (once you're there!) take more than a few minutes. However, it is important we get the details right, so please make sure you check everything with someone responsible at the pub.

Before You Go

The first step is to make sure you've told us you're going to survey the pub, which you can do by clicking 'Survey a Pub' on the left of this page, or by clicking here, and adding the pub to your list.

Next, download the Survey Form with Guidelines and read the Guidelines. If you're surveying more than one pub, you can also download the survey form on its own, from the same page.

PLEASE NOTE that the Survey Forms are designed to cover all possibilities, and the 'lowest common denominator' approach regarding data entry! This means that several fields are not required to be completed, as follows:

The Branch and Branch Code fields are not 'important' - in fact they're not required at all!
The New Entry field will be generated automatically later, so you don't need to know whether the pub was in the previous edition or not.
Permanent Beers used to be known as Regular Beers - please only include real ales which are always available
Changing Beers. Due to GBG requirements changing faster than local IT systems are able, you will not be able to enter anything other than the number of Changing (i.e. non-permanent) beers into the online system.
Cellarmanship and Dispense
- As far as we're aware, return trays are not used in any Norfolk pubs (it's a Yorkshire / Scotland thing). So please don't tick this box unless you're absolutely sure they do (and please let us know!)
- Tick the Misleading Dispense box if the pub does NOT use false or fake handpumps (yes, it's misleading I know!)

Next, take a look at the pub's entry on CAMRA's National Pub Guide. These are the details we already have about the pub, some of which, such as the address, will not have changed, and others which will need checking, such as the pub's website, email, and phone number. These are the details you'll be updating once you've done the survey, so it may be a good idea to print them off and take them with you. You can do this by clicking on the Enter Survey Details option on the Surveys tab, selecting the pub, then right-clicking and selecting Print.

You may want to call the pub, and ask them when would be convenient for you to visit - it might be difficult to get someone's time in the middle of a busy session! However, this is not necessary, and is entirely up to you.

At The Pub

In general, it's best to buy a drink (soft or alcoholic, your choice!), and tell the landlord or staff that the pub has been nominated for the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and you're there to collect the information needed for the Guide, if they're selected. For full details of the Selection Process, click here.

Usually they'll be happy to give you all the information you need.

Please be aware that it has been known for scammers to ask pubs for money to be included in the Beer Guide - please ensure the pub are aware that the Good Beer Guide (unlike the Good Pub Guide) does NOT charge anything for entry. If they have been asked for money by someone saying they're from CAMRA or the Good Beer Guide, please let us know at pubs@norwich.camra.org.uk.

Please also ensure the person you speak to is not left with the idea that they WILL be included in the Guide - at this stage they have been NOMINATED but not SELECTED, and may not be included.

After The Survey

Once you have all the details confirmed and corrected, please go to the Enter Survey Details area of this site, here, and select the pub. The form will be populated with the current details we have - just make any corrections or updates, and click the big blue Save Changes button!

Downloads

Please download and read the Survey Guidelines and the Style Sheet from the CAMRA website here (2027 Good Beer Guide tab).

You can print the Survey Form if you wish, but it is probably better to go to the Enter Survey Details option on this page and select the pub you are surveying - you can then print the current details, and just change anything that needs changing, either in the pub or after your visit.