Cheers North East magazine #50 - May 2015

cheers WWW.CHEERSNORTHEAST.CO.UK // MAY 2015 // ISSUE 50

I T ’ S

A B O U T

P U B S ,

P E O P L E ,

B E E R

–

A N D

Y O U !

CHITTER CHATTER CHINWAG BOB ’S NEW BEER ROLE

BREWERY RELAUNCH FRANK TALK FROM JARROW

FIFTY AND COUNTING CELEBRATING A LANDMARK

FREE

PLEASE TAKE A COPY

WELCOME Was it wise to start off a pubs magazine in the teeth of a worldwide recession? Surely, back in 2010, the first thing people would cut back on would be entertainment, spending a night or two more at home and having a couple of pints less when they actually dared venture out.

That wouldn’t be the best grounding for a publication that relies totally on commercial support from pubs, breweries and ancillary businesses, would it?

But we did – and we’re still here 49 issues later with one of the biggestpagination publications yet.

We have to thank those sponsors, advertisers and commercial supporters for their confidence and their vision in wishing to be involved in such a venture. But the pub-goer is the real winner, as their regular comments prove either personally in whichever pub we’re in or by email (and the occasional old-fashioned and very welcome letter). Positive reaction to every one of our past 49 issues has become de rigeur – but will certainly not be taken for granted.

So, thank you one and all – this is a milestone for us and for you.

Every region in the country would love a Cheers North East – aren’t we the lucky ones?

Alastair Gilmour Editor, Cheers North East Opportunity knocks on the Cheers team. Our brilliant sales supremo Emma Howe is off to pastures new, so we’re looking for a replacement who has a passion for pubs and the industry as a whole. An ability to not take no for an answer would come in handy too. See the advert on page 43. Good luck!

EDITORIAL 01661 844 115 07930 144 846 Alastair Gilmour alastair@cheersnortheast.co.uk @CheersPal www.cheersnortheast.co.uk We are tweeting.

Follow us @cheers_ne

CONTENTS 24

FIFTY AND COUNTING

Mission statements are normally crisp, short and pithy documents, but here we have one that’s 800 words long. Please excuse the verbosity, but when you’re writing from the heart it’s often difficult to stop the flow. We’re proud of every one of the past five years’ Cheers magazines, so we think it’s worth repeating the reasons that we’re here. We’ve also picked out a few highlights from previous issues, almost as a reminder to ourselves how relevant we’ve been (and still are) to the North East pub community. The Cheers team has fun putting this magazine together and we hope you get some of that feel-good factor out of its pages.

COVER: CELEBRATION TIME. PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER SKELTON

IF YOUR PALE ALE IS DIFFERENT EVERY TIME YOU BREW IT AND YOUR BEER IS UNRELIABLE, THAT’S NOT ‘CRAFT’, THAT JUST MEANS YOU CAN’T BREW. PERIOD GARRETT OLIVER, BROOKLYN BREWERY

ADVERTISING 01661 844 115

04 16 20 22

LATEST NEWS BOB TAKES TO DRINK JARROW UPDATE MEANING OF CRAFT

26 28 35 40

SOME OF THE BEST BITS CHEERS OFF ON TOUR NEW PORTER LIFTS PRIZE VIEW FROM ARGENTINA

PUBLISHED BY:

Gillian Corney gillian@offstonepublishing.co.uk Emma Howe emma@offstonepublishing.co.uk

Publishers: Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay Unit One, Bearl Farm Stocksfield Northumberland NE43 7AJ

Photography: Peter Skelton

enquiries@offstonepublishing.co.uk twitter: @offstonepublish www.offstonepublishing.co.uk

OUR SPONSORS

Wylam Brewery

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved.

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

NEWS

BIG BIKE RIDE IS A CAKE-WALK

FIGURING OUT WHAT CRAFT BEER IS

More than 70 riders saddled up for the inaugural St Mary’s Inn bike ride, pedalling off into the Northumberland countryside after a coffee and cake booster. Two routes had been mapped out from the Stannington gastropub of 20k and 40k for the cyclists of all abilities and fitness levels, expert and novice, young and no-so. St Mary’s is keen

Last month’s Craft Brewing Conference in Portland, Oregon (pictured), brought more than 11,500 brewing industry professionals and 600 exhibitors to one of the biggest beer cities in the world.

Themes surrounding the US craft beer culture included unity, quality and safety, but the organisers, the US Brewers Association, also threw up some interesting figures.

4 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

to spread the cycling-friendly word and before they set off, a guide to the rules of cycling was delivered by local expert Peter Harrison, organiser of the Virgin Money Cyclone event.

Due to the days’ success – and despite the rain which could have dampened spirits – another ride is being organised for the summer with a barbecue to finish. And beer, of course.

Craft beer sales in the US are at an all-time high with 64,068 people employed full-time in the sector and 51,401 part-time. They support 1,871 microbreweries, 1,412 brewpubs and 135 regional breweries which, in 2014 showed a volume growth of 18% compared with 0.5% of overall beer. IPA remains the biggest category style, taking 46.9% of total beer sales.

NEWS

MAN IN BLACK GETS BEER TREATMENT To some Country & Western fans it might be cheesy, but most of us will find Johnny Cash tunes played on beer bottles pretty funny – if not hilarious.

That is exactly what the Bottle Boys have done, re-imagining the singer’s biggest hits using a range of beer bottles. Posting the video on their YouTube page, the boys

LEVY SUCCESS FOR NEWCASTLE ‘SPOONS’ JD Wetherspoon has succeeded in its appeal against Newcastle City Council’s refusal to allow the company to vary three of its pubs’ hours to avoid paying a late-night levy.

The authority rejected Wetherspoons’ attempt to circumvent the Newcastle levy last year but it has now been granted permission to change the licenses of High Main, the

Five Swans and the Union Rooms (above) following the appeal.

The change will remove authorisation for the pubs to sell alcohol after midnight for as long as the late-night levy is in force.

The variation was granted on the condition that if the levy is withdrawn, Wetherspoons would have to give 56 days’ notice to police before its original 2am license can be restored.

write: “Johnny Cash’s songs let us experiment with different ways of playing.

“Even though it looks quite straightforward, the multitasking was quite challenging. We don’t play bottles because it is easy, but because it is hard!” http://time.com/3837298/ johnny-cash-bottle-boys/

HIGH FIVES FOR ALL OF US

It’s issue No50 and almost five years since Cheers saw the light of day. Maxim Brewery’s Mark Anderson reminds us of a few other landmarks. He says: It’s five years since Newcastle Brown Ale was moved to Tadcaster.

Five years since our expert brewer Glen Whale joined us at Maxim Brewery.

Five years of growth for Double Maxim, the original brown ale and the biggest brand in cask and bottle still brewed in the North East.

Five years growth for our popular beer Swedish Blonde in cask and in keg.

Raise a glass to the next 100 years or so. Cheers.

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 5

BATTLESTEADS_AD_260x61_Layout 1 29/04/2015 16

NEWS

Big Hats and Posh Frocks Thursday18th June 2015

We are bringing Ascot Ladies Day to Battlesteads Enjoy Ascot Ladies day right here at Battlesteads with Lunch and glass of fizz on arrival for only £20/person

HOP ON THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE A North East brewery’s dry-hop project has proved a hit with real ale drinkers with seven brews covered and another six in the pipeline.

Cullercoats Brewery has teamed up with hop merchant Charles Faram’s hop development programme to produce beers that capitalise on the characteristics of new or revived varieties of English hops.

Cullercoats brewers Bill Scantlebury and Sean Hardy, above, are thoroughly enjoying their foray into the lesser-known hops, sniffing each new delivery as it arrives and working on recipes for the coming months.

Names such as Epic, Pride of Kent, Fusion

and First Gold are being pushed through to the handpulls. The brewery has also accepted an invitation to produce a beer for Cullercoats’ Eclectic Iron Festival (June 4-7), a celebration of words, music and “oddities” located at venues all over the village and seafront when the place will come alive with poetry, live music and endless creativity.

But before all that, the month of May sees a weekly competition from Cullercoats, with brewery t-shirts, aprons, beer and branded glassware up for grabs.

Details at Facebook.com/ CullercoatsBrewery Visit www.ironpress.co.uk for festival details

Friday 24th July 4pm til 11pm Saturday 25th July 12 noon till 11pm Sunday 26th July 12 noon until the beer runs out Bands include Friday 24th – Miss Mary and The Mr Rights Saturday 25th (afternoon) – The Mudskippers Saturday 25th (evening) – Alive and Kicking Admission £4 - CAMRA members £3 Tickets Phone 01434 230209 Online www.battlesteads.com Pay on the day Transport service available from Hexham – Friday night and Saturday afternoon/early evening. Phone for details.

To book call 01434 230209 or email info@battlesteads.com Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant, Wark on Tyne, nr Hexham, Northumberland NE48 3LS 6 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Revved up: Ben Cleary and Jen Scott at Pip Stop

PIP PIP, HERE’S THE STOP A North East wine-bottling and drinks business has created a new public face. The Lanchester Group has opened the Pip Stop, its first retail outlet and brainchild of Ben Cleary, son of Tony and Veronica Cleary, who run the family firm with their two daughters.

Based in a former Morgan sports car dealership near Lanchester, County Durham, the Pip Stop features some of Lanchester Wine’s own bottled produce alongside a range

of carefully-selected local and world beers and ciders. Ben is capitalising on the experience he gained working for Majestic Wines to source a variety of interesting world wines for the shop which maintains something of a vintage car theme.

He says: “I’m very excited to make my contribution to the development of the family business by adding a strong public-facing retail brand to our portfolio.”

NEWS

CITY PUB TAKES ON AN INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR The North East debut of keg beers from Lervig Aktiebryggeri (Stavanger, Norway) – when seven different keg beers hit the bar at the Bacchus in Newcastle over the May Day Bank Holiday – is being followed by another tap takeover The last weekend of May will

feature keg sour beers, in homage to The Festival of Spontaneous Fermentation, an annual event taking place in Belgium at the same time. Featured will be sours from Elgoods, Chorlton, Hawkshead, Northern Alchemy and Lervig as well as Fyne/Siren and Beavertown/Dogfish Head collaborations.

PLAYING POLITICS IN LIVE FASHION GOT IT An explosive political drama centred around the General Election and a Tyneside bar is playing to packed houses in Newcastle. What Falls Apart, written by Torben Betts and starring Nigel Hastings, Zannah Hodson and Kevin Wathen, has gathered critical acclaim at Live Theatre on Broad Chare, Quayside It’s May 2015 and the most important General Election for a generation. All is not well for Tom Savage, an ex-Labour minister parachuted into a safe North East

constituency, trying to win hearts and minds as well as votes.

Wrestling with a heady cocktail of mid-life crises, growing dependency on alcohol, and the consequences of his government’s policies in Iraq, Tom finds himself in a hotel bar at midnight in the company of a newly-teetotal barman and a “criminally attractive” woman.

What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty.

What Falls Apart runs until May 16. Visit www.live.org.uk for details.

COVERED

“Great news that Cheers North East has reached its 50th birthday! Life begins at 50, as I started saying when I was 49. Celebrate with a drink – I’m buying.

Hang on though, I see you’ve already got one.

Slainte!”

IAN RANKIN

20 Real Ales & Ciders Third

Annual

Hadrian Border Brewery would like to congratulate

cheers Magazine on 50 issues!

Here's to the next 50! www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk admin@hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk Tel: 0191 264 9000

The Red Lion Inn Main Street, Milfield, Northumberland NE71 6JD 26, 27, 28 JUNE 2015

BEER FESTIVAL TASTING NIGHT 26 JUNE FROM 7.30PM

Live Entertainment Saturday 27 June, 8pm Sunday 28 June, 5pm includes Family Hog Roast

www.redlionmilfield.co.uk • iain@redlionmilfield.co.uk • 01668 216224 www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 7

NEWS

BULL FIGHT FORMS A STRATEGY

A steering group of Northumberland pub lovers has been formed to save their local – by following the John Lewis Partnership shares model.

The Black Bull at Lowick could be the first in the country to benefit from the People’s Pub Partnership (PPP), a ­crowd-funded, fossil fuelfree, people-powered company.

Previous plans to demolish the pub to make way for a clutch of four-bedroom homes under its previous owner did not go ahead, but its future again appeared in doubt in November 2014 when the pub was closed and its new owner Hawthorn Leisure Acquisitions Ltd, which took over in April 2014, then challenged its listing as “an asset of community value”, arguing that it was not valid as it is actually a four-

bedroom hotel and exempt from the scheme.

However, Northumberland County Council put forward evidence that pub quizzes are held there, as are an over-60s club and fundraising events held by a local football team. In February, a judge confirmed its status as an asset of community value which affords the pub better protection from development.

Last month, the whole issue of how the pub could be saved and resurface as a social enterprise was discussed in detail with PPP’s Mark Dodds – originally from Belford – who was invited to lead the campaign on a voluntary basis.

He said: “Good pubs are extraordinary drivers of social wellbeing, cohesion and significant

Bullish: Lowick villagers gather to plan their next move economic activity which can impact positively on a community’s pride and sense of place.

“The steering group commissioned me to deliver a multistakeholder cooperative pub that will operate under a John Lewisstyle constitution. The group is very keen for the pub to come back into use and is under no illusion about the complexities of doing so. They see the pub closing as a significant

S I N C E

erosion of Lowick’s social fabric and believe that a thriving pub will benefit everyone.”

Mark Dodds is one of the founders of the Fair Pint Campaign and involved with Fair Deal for Your Local – also a Market Rent Only option which aims to prevent pubs being converted into other uses.

To follow the campaign, visit www.facebook.com/ savetheblackbull

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NEWS

Big challenge: Thornbridge Brewery

HERE’S A CHALLENGE FOR HOMEBREWERS Are you a dedicated home brewer or someone who has always thought they could make a great beer at home?

If so, Thornbridge Brewery – brewers of the mighty Jaipur, among others – has a challenge for you. Brew a beer, submit it for judging by some of the beer world’s finest palates, and if it comes out on top through this demanding taste test it will be brewed by the award-winning Derbyshire brewery and sold across the country in Waitrose stores.

Last year’s winner Graham Nelson said: “Winning the 2014 Home Brew Challenge was a life-changing experience for me.

Not only did I have the privilege of seeing my beer for sale on Waitrose shelves but it also enabled me to change career and take up a full-time brewing job. I wish everyone planning to enter this year’s competition the very best of luck.”

Entry is free – for full details visit www.gbhomebrew.co.uk and join the race to find Britain’s best home-brewed beer.

ROLE IS TAYLOR MADE FOR JONATHAN Timothy Taylor’s, the Keighley based brewer of traditional cask conditioned ales, has appointed Jonathan Barnes to oversee beer sales in the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Scotland.

It’s quite a patch for Jonathan who has extensive sales experience in the drinks industry having started his career with wholesalers Yates Brothers and LWC before spending 15 years with Czech brewer Budweiser Budvar.

10 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Jonathan says: “From a young age I always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. He qualified as a cooper at Joshua Tetley before becoming free trade sales director of John Smith’s before owning a small chain of pubs. So the trade is very much in my blood and he would be very proud to know I’ve joined Timothy Taylor’s.

“Landlord has always been my favourite beer so I’m very excited at the prospect of playing my part in helping to build sales of Taylor’s beers in the North and Scotland.”

NEWS

STAR GAZING IS NEW PUB ACTIVITY

A Northumberland hotel has become the first in the UK to have its own observatory.

Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant in Wark has opened its own star gazing structure with the aim of complementing the work of the Northumberland National Park which gained Dark Sky Park status in December 2013.

The new attraction tracking night-sky performers is fully accessible to guests staying in one of five newly-constructed eco-lodges at Battlesteads and a full programme of talks and hands-on astronomy events has been introduced.

The observatory can accommodate up to 25 astronomers, equipped with the

Star man: Roy Alexander at Battlesteads observatory

latest telescopes chosen for their technical prowess and ease of use. A number of the courses will be run by professional astronomer and teacher Roy Alexander, priced from £15.

Richard Slade, owner of Battlesteads, said: “Astro-tourism is an emerging and growing leisure market. With such a worldclass environment for studying the stars on our doorstep, it made sense to embrace this and add to the many reasons to visit Battlesteads and the county of Northumberland.”

The observatory has been developed to tie in with Battlesteads’ green credentials.

Information, including astronomer courses www. battlesteads.com

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 11

NEWS

CAMRA 2015 South West Northumberland Pub of the Year Winner

12 Handpulls, 12 Ciders/Perrys Back by popular demand - PIE & PEAS (scrumptious) Toasties, sandwiches & selection coffees available daily Beer Garden - Dog friendly Karaoke Night -Saturday 23rd May Live Music - Saturday 30th May with Nexus Buskers Night - Tuesday 19th May & 2nd June

Coming Soon Bed & Breakfast accommodation!

Station Road, Wylam, NE41 8HR. Telephone 01661 853431 Follow @BoathouseWylam Like us on

NAME THAT BEER IN ONE. OR TWO. OR..

The Fridge Magnet concept is so devilishly clever it’s a wonder nobody has thought of it before. It’s the May special beer from Camerons which comes with individual magnetic letters and a metal pumpclip which pub staff and customers can use to come up with their own beer name.

Fridge Magnet (4.5% abv) is a copper-coloured, medium-bodied and highly hopped ale.

Its flavour is delightfully complex with tangy fruit at the start, followed by an assertive hop

crispness and a long malty palate.

A social media competition is being run where the person who comes up with the best clip name will win a mini beer fridge and 32 bottles of Camerons ales. Entrants simply need to post the picture at Facebook. com/CameronsBrewery or Twitter.com/CameronsBrewery (#FridgeMagnet) for their chance to win.

Fridge Magnet is being listed nationally via Heineken and Carlsberg and also featuring in Charles Wells pubs.

PODIUM FINISH FOR NEW SPIRITS NOW OPEN TO CUSTOMERS OLD AND NEW! Bringing a new look, with new menus, a new chef and a new pub experience to Seaton Delaval Classic Menu served 6 days a week.

Sunday Lunch @ The Hastings 1 Course £6.95 - 2 courses £9.45 3 courses £11.45

Live Music

every Friday & Sunday.

OPENING TIMES: Monday to Thursday: 11.00 - 23.30 Friday & Saturday: 11.00 - 00.30 | Sunday: 12.00 - 23.30 Wheatridge Row Seaton Delaval Northumberland NE25 0QH Tel: 0191 2376868

12 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Mere months after production began, two of The Lakes Distillery’s spirits have been awarded medals at one of the world’s most influential spirits competitions.

The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka have been awarded silver and bronze medals respectively at the International Spirits Challenge 2015 where more than 1,000 spirits from 70-plus countries entered.

Paul Currie, founder and managing director of The Lakes

Distillery, said: “We believe winning prestigious awards such as the ISC is a testament to our production values and a benchmark of the exceptional quality of our spirits.”

The £6m Lakes Distillery, bistro, shop and visitor centre opened its doors to the public on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria, in December 2014 shortly before it started production of The Lakes Single Malt, The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka.

NEWS Bar team: Bobby Dazzler, Moscow’s Gulia, left, Alex and Iraida

HICCUP BUT FESTIVAL IS RUSSIAN TO START The inaugural Moscow Real Ale Festival which was originally scheduled for April was postponed through an export technicality, but the four-day celebration of British beer is on course for this month.

And it’s a huge coup for County Durham-based Stables Brewery and its operator John Taylor, who was invited to send 20 casks of beer to Russia for the event that starts on May 21.

British brewers include Fuller’s, Marston’s, Belhaven, Thornbridge and Brains, so The Stables is rubbing shoulders with the real big boys with its Silver Buckles

and Bell Tower ales. The invitation resulted from a friendship John Taylor originally struck up with the owners of the Bobby Dazzler pub in Moscow when they discovered that Bobby Dazzler was a beer produced

by The Stables to commemorate Sir Robert “Bonny Bobby” Shafto MP, whose family home was Beamish Hall where the brewery is based.

John, who plans to head to the festival, says: “I’m very excited. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show what we can do but also to exchange knowledge. I’m hoping to swap recipes and come back with some Russian ideas.”

The organiser of the festival

is Yuri Shulakov from Britannia Travel, a Russian-British company specialising in bespoke and offthe-beaten-track tours to the UK (including ale and whisky trails) and British-themed events and festivals in Russia.

Events held in several pubs across Moscow – expected to

attract 5,000 ale-lovers – include traditional British pub games, masterclasses from beer experts, pub food classics, English and Scottish breakfasts, afternoon teas and screenings of Doctor Who, Sherlock and Jeeves & Wooster. www.facebook.com/ britishbeerfestival

@ C&K share our passion for great wine, good food and a fabulous place in which to enjoy them.

Select from handpicked wines, local and continental cheese and charcuterie and chocolate.

Come to our tastings and meet the growers or try a glass or flight from our wine range in our Enoteca.

Take advantage of our 10% discount on any case of 12 by joining our monthly case club or coming in and selecting your own’ NOW OPEN: Tue/Wed 12-7pm, Thur 12-8pm, Fri 10-8pm, Saturday 10-7pm and Sunday 12-5pm Carruthers and Kent, 3a Elmfield Rd, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4AY, T: 0191 2131818, e: info@carruthersandkent.com, www.carruthersandkent.com www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 13

FEATURE: WILLOWMAN FESTIVAL

High House Farm Brewery Restaurant, Tea Room, Wedding & Function Venue

Tuesday Lunch Time Special A main course from the specials board, something sweet from our selection of home baked goodies & a cup of tea or coffee.

£6.50 Near Matfen, Northumberland, NE20 0RG T: 01661 886192 E: info@highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk

Real Ales styled on a Theakstons theme with rotating Guest Ales.

Served alongside a wide range of Beers, Wines & Spirits • Karaoke Fortnightly • Beer Garden • Traditional Menu • Live BT Sports • Large Car Park OPENING TIMES Mon - Sun 12.00 - 23.00 Sun Lunch - 12pm - 3pm Restaurant Opening Times 12pm-3pm 6pm-9pm Telephone: 01670 813 345

DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB

Wishing Alastair and all the team at Cheers Magazine a huge congratulations on 50 issues from Peter and all the staff at Darlington Snooker Club Telephone 01325 241388 1 Corporation Road, Darlington, DL3 6AE 14 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

MUSIC AND BEER IN HARMONY A North Yorkshire music festival has not only attracted some of the best live acts around but is promising the tops in ale. And best of all – the beer is pegged at pub prices.

Now in its sixth year, the fourday Willowman Music Festival at Knayton near Thirsk has attracted the likes of Bob Marley’s backing band The Wailers and New Model Army and this year Echo And The Bunnymen will take the headlining slot. But some festival-goers would say the real star of the show is the range of real ales that guarantee a great atmosphere before a note has even been played.

Festival director Steve Williams says: “Festival goers are fed up of being ripped off paying high prices for sub-standard beer. Since day one we have endeavoured to have top quality ale at the festival. To me great beer and great music go hand in hand.”

For the past three years, Steve has linked up with Northallertonbased Walls Brewing Company and its Wibbly Wobbly which has proved a festival favourite – and a cornerstone of the real ale tent –

alongside its Summer Gold, Gun Dog and IPA. But specially-sourced, bespoke beers continue to delight.

For example, last summer brewery owner David Wall commissioned Castleford’s Revolution Brewery to supply beers brewed at strengths of 3.3, 4.5 and 7.8 to mark the playing speeds of vinyl records, as well as Swords Of 1000 Men in honour of singer Eddie Tudor-Pole, frontman of Eighties punk band Tenpole Tudor who appeared at Willowman.

This year will see a special London Porter on sale called Clash, a dark ale made with five different malts and US hops for a smooth rounded finish.

David Wall says: “We are also introducing a session Willow Pale Ale this year as some festival goers peak too early on the Wobbly. At the end of the day, festival goers bring a lot of their own drink for back at the tent and pre-festival drinks, but if you keep the quality of the ales high in the bar and the prices right, more people are happy to enjoy a full festival experience and forego the delights of a warm flat can of lager.

FEATURE: WILLOWMAN FESTIVAL

NEVER TOO OLD TO PARTY Wobbly: Willowman Festival director Steve Williams

“When the music is right you can’t beat a good pint of ale in your hand and at Willowman that is exactly what is on offer.”

The Willowman Festival takes place over the Summer Solstice weekend (June 18-21) and joining Echo And The Bunnymen on the bill is ex-Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook and his band The Light, Hazel O’Connor, Dreadzone, The Toasters, Goldblade and legendary BBC DJ Andy Kershaw.

Flying the flag for the North East are Frankie And The Heartstrings, Bessie And The Zincbuckets, Big Red & The Grinners, plus Dave Hull-Denholm and Ian Thomson who perform as The Alan Hull Songbook. But being suckers for

odd names, the Cheers team is dying to catch sight of – and sound of – The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. www.willowmanfestival.co.uk

“WHEN THE MUSIC IS RIGHT YOU CAN’T BEAT A GOOD PINT OF ALE IN YOUR HAND” DAVID WALL, WALLS BREWING COMPANY

When it’s your 88th birthday, what do you toast it with? A Bavarian beer if you’re retired Pope Benedict XVI. He held a party at his old summer residence last month – Castel Gandolfo – alongside his older brother Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, his longtime private secretary Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, and a group of German visitors. Benedict spent several months at the papal retreat in the hills south of Rome from February 2013 when he stepped down before subsequently moving into a converted monastery.

Pope Benedict was born in Marktl in Bavaria, Germany, where beer has been brewed since the 9th century.

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 15

FEATURE: BOB TAKES TO BEER

BOB ADS A TWINKLE TO THE EYE

Chitter chatter chinwag. One of the North East’s best loved comedy performers has enlisted in the Army primarily to promote beer. The legend that is Middlesbrough’s Bob Mortimer is starring in an advertising campaign for Bombardier, the flagship ale from Bedford-based Charles Wells.

He takes command as the character of Bombardier Bedford

16 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

– previously played by the late and much-missed Rik Mayall – in the latest adventures of the regiment as they bring one of England’s finest beers to hostelries and homes around the country..

Bob Mortimer is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Vic Reeves in Vic and Bob’s Big Night Out and Shooting Stars – and more recently in the acclaimed BBC2

sitcom House of Fools. He says: “I enjoyed the previous Bombardier campaign and love the fact that it symbolises great camaraderie – just like going to the pub with your mates.

“It represents a slightly irreverent way of doing things but always with a twinkle in the eye and I’m looking forward to following the Bombardier’s unique take on events over the summer.”

Phil Toms, director of brands at the Charles Wells Brewery, says: “Bob Mortimer enters the fray as Bombardier Bedford following the sad loss of his predecessor and makes an instant impression.

“I’m thrilled that, in Bob, we have one of the country’s most original comedy talents bringing his own unique style to the character and we believe he’ll have a great connection with drinkers as he

FEATURE: BOB TAKES TO BEER leads the charge for a quality pint of Bombardier.”

Marketing manager Emily Hudson believes the transition from Mayall to Mortimer is a sympathetic one.

“Our mission is to connect with drinkers through the Bombardier regiment of beers, of which there are now two variants,” she says.

“The hero of this campaign is Bombardier Burning Gold, the next in line in the Bombardier chain of command, and picks up from where our original Bombardier Bedford was lost in battle.

NUMBER TWENTY2

“The new character signals the next generation and will continue the irreverent and light-hearted call to action that saw awareness of Bombardier rise to unprecedented levels for ale advertising in consumer tests.”

The Bombardier campaign is also being supported on social media. Devotees have been preparing for a #newcommand and recommending pubs that are #readyforinspection. Licensees and staff who #passmuster for serving a great pint of Bombardier are recognised for their commitment.

Traditional Alehouse & Canteen CONGRATULATIONS TO CHEERS ON 50 FANTASTIC ISSUES

Enjoy up to 13 REAL ALES plus 9 CONTINENTAL BEERS To compliment our great ale and beers, we offer 20 wines by the glass plus selected malt whiskies and cognac.

Campaigning on behalf of lovers of real ale

Sandwiches & Bar Snacks are served Mon - Sat 12pm - 7pm

22 Coniscliffe Rd, Darlington 01325 354 590 www.villagebrewer.co.uk

WEE CHANGES CONFUSE GATESHEAD PUB CUSTOMERS Dave and Julie Campbell at The Schooner in Gateshead weren’t too surprised to see customers heading for the wrong toilets in the South Shore Road pub. Extensive drainage and refurbishment works late last year meant they’d swapped the Ladies

FAME IN BELGIUM

Cheers reader Ken Paul took this picture in the Half Moon Brewery in Bruges, Belgium.

“This city and the brewery are a must for discerning drinkers,” he says. Message understood, Ken. Cheers Maan!

and Gents over, but old habits die hard and a few embarrassing moments came to pass. A new set of signs was commissioned from Tynemouth artist Von Kev – who also produced the pub’s magnificent swinging sign.

Bog standard they are not.

An historic pub with Six Cask Ales, Great Hospitality & Award Winning Food.

Picturesque location & only a couple of miles from Hexham

Open 6 Days A Week: Monday - Saturday

Congratulations to Cheers on 50 issues!

Reservations 01434 602814 www.theratinn.com Twitter:@ratales The Rat Inn, Anick, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4LN

The Steamboat SUNDERLAND & SOUTH TYNESIDE CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2015 DOG

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www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 17

FEATURE: SPRING FOOD & DRINK

THE FEATHERS INN invites you to attend a

MexicanFood &DRINK

Festival

MEXICAN BEERS & BBQ BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 25TH MAY, 12 - 4PM 18 –21 Ap ri l For further details: 01661 843607 . www.thefeathers.net The Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill, near Stocks ld ALASTAIR SAWDAY’S PU B AWARD 2013-14 2013 GOOD PU B GUIDE AWARD WINNER 2015

ONE FOOD IN THE GRAVY New research has turned up the answer to pub food’s oldest question – do we like gravy served with our roast dinner?

The percentage of people who consider gravy crucial to the enjoyment of a Sunday roast shows 94.2% of northerners agreeing compared with 93.75% in the south. However, those figures – commissioned by Nestle Professional – were left behind in the gravy stakes by those in Scotland who demanded a roast with gravy – a whopping 98%.

Diners in the south were revealed to be more demanding when it comes to serving, with 92.5% refusing to allow the kitchen to pour it for them (quite right too).

Our friends in the north – 91% of us – insisted on pouring our own.

Opinion was divided almost evenly on the question of whether you would return to the pub if you were allowed to pour your own gravy – 82.8% north and 82.5% south.

Let us know which pub in the North East serves the best gravy at info@cheersnortheast.co.uk

TOP NAMES IN SOCIETY PORK PIE We mentioned The Pork Pie Appreciation Society last month and its annual competition – and now we can reveal the winners. The club meets every Saturday at The Old Bridge Inn, Ripponden, West Yorkshire, where members discuss the whys and wherefores of the pies set in front of them.

18 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Drum roll... The 23rd Annual Pork Pie Competition Winner (Traditional Class): Bolster Moor Farm Shop of Golcar, Huddersfield. Artisan Class: E & R Grange of Slaithwaite, Huddersfield (pork and chicken).

Prizes were donated by Timothy Taylor Brewery (£150 traditional category) and £50 for an artisan or speciality pork pie.

FEATURE: SPRING FOOD & DRINK

IDEA NOT SUCH A DOG’S BREAKFAST

BrewDog has announced it’s looking to changing its food menu to reflect closer links with beer and food. The innovative outfit’s new menu is expected to use beer much more as an ingredient in an expansion of its sharing platters option.

The brewery and pub estate’s co-founder James Watt said: “We are looking at having a burger where the bun is made with malt

PIGGING-OUT WITH A NEW MENU A pub in Sheffield has been complementing itself on an interesting food experiment.

The Milestone used a porkinspired theme on its weeklong menu (excluding Sunday) using as much of the pig as possible.

Dishes (available alongside the pub’s regular offering) were made from locally-sourced pork and included starters of black pudding

with Bloody Mary ketchup and caramelised faggot and slowcooked pig’s head with miso caramel – plus a piggy sharing board as a main course highlight.

The pork was even incorporated into the dessert menu with candied parsnip and pancetta. The outcome of the initiative? Around 200 covers were sold during the week. A poultry week is set for this month.

(from the brewery), where chutney is made with one of our beers and where the onions are caramelised in another of our beers.”

BrewDog has recently introduced breakfasts at weekends in its Leicester pub with a menu that includes 5AM Red Ale cured bread and “eggy bread” with maple syrup.

Watt is confident the concept would work at other sites.

FOUR STEPS TO THE PIE LIFE The Brandling Villa, South Gosforth, and The Tannery in Hexham both have dedicated Pie Nights (“a very nice man called Peter makes our pies in Amble”) which are well worth getting pie-eyed over. There are no rules, except for this set of instructions: 1. Match a pie ti ya heid.

2. Choose a tatie for your face.

3. Push said pie reet in your facehole.

4. Happy

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 19

JARROW BREWERY

A GLASS HALF-FULL

Despite making award-winning ales and gaining countless friends, Jarrow Brewery has encountered business difficulties. Alastair Gilmour reports on its restructuring – and its optimism chairman brought in to lend There can hardly be a more experience and direction to committed, hard-working, the award-winning brewery. popular and likeable couple in The restructured company will the North East licensed trade be fulfilling current and future than Jarrow Brewery’s Jess and orders to ensure that the likes Alison McConnell. They have of Rivet Catcher, McConnell’s been making exceptional beers Irish Stout and the full range of since 2002 as well as running Jarrow beers will continue to be terrific community pubs enjoyed by drinkers in its North which makes it doubly difficult East heartland and through its to comprehend the current national customer base. situation the South Tyneside The newly-formed company company has found itself in.

– with Jess McConnell as But hard business factors tend its managing director – has to be no respecter of personal invited the highly experienced reputations. Last month Jarrow Frank Nicholson to take on a Breweries Ltd announced that it non-executive chairman’s role. was meeting shareholders and Frank was managing director of creditors to consider placing the Vaux Breweries in Sunderland company into liquidation – a consequence of promised planned until its regrettable closure in 1999 and latterly has served funding that failed to materialise, as a non-executive director of resulting in cashflow difficulties.

Holts Brewery in Manchester, A new company has since as well as 12th contributing to the been formed ( from Mayawk.qxp_Dipton 1) and DIP-01 Cheer's ad 12th Mill ad aw North East business sector as a new board set up with a new

EVERYTHING A COUNTRY PUB SHOULD BE...

The future: Frank Nicholson, left, and Jess McConnell

an adviser and consultant to several organisations that include Durham Markets Company, Port of Sunderland, HE Woolley Ltd, Matfen Hall Hotel and Sapphire Engineering.

He was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2010 for work with the Sunderland Youth Enterprise Trust. His is a steady hand.

Jess McConnell says: “It’s been an extremely stressful time, but we’ve still got a great South Tyneside asset. We are extremely proud that Frank has agreed to join the board as our new chairman and we are convinced that with his assistance and leadership as well as his contacts

The Black Horse Low Fell, Gateshead

Enjoy our own Hexhamshire Brewery beers, delicious home cooked food and a warm welcome at our cosy pub with real fire and beer garden.

For more info visit:

diptonmill.co.uk 01434 606 577 2 miles south of Hexham on Dipton Mill Road NE46 1YA

20 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

within the brewing and local industries we will now be able to focus very successfully on developing the business.

“We make really good beers and Frank is now a director of the largest brewery in the North East.”

One good thing to come out of the liquidation process is that most of the Jarrow Brewery Ltd investors and the board members are moving forward with the new company, as are suppliers.

“Jarrow has real prospects for success,” says Frank Nicholson.

“It’s a cracking brewery but needs a new direction. I’m very much non-exec – the business is very much Jess and Alison – but I hope I can provide strong advice and

Traditional family run pub since 1975

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JARROW BREWERY ownership from a leased deal set up 18 months ago. Its pub estate – The Maltings in South Shields and McConnells Gin & Ale House in Jarrow – is expected to be supplemented by two others by the end of this year, such is the optimism swirling around the new board of directors.

“There’s so much potential there that needs to be realised,” says Frank Nicholson, “and we’re all like-minded on the board. I just wish I had been involved five years ago.”

THE MARCH OF JARROW

Jarrow Brewery gained early success with five Camra beer festival awards in its first year (2002) for Riley’s Army, Old Cornelius, Swinging Gibbet and Rivet Catcher.

In 2004, The Robin Hood, its first brewpub, was voted runner-up in the Camra Champion Pub of Britain competition. The accolades for Rivet Catcher reached the national stage with silver and bronze medal awards at the Camra Great British Beer Festival in 2005 and 2008.

As demand for Jarrow ales increased, brewing was transferred in 2008 to an upgraded plant at The Maltings in South Shields. In 2011 the brewery reached maximum output at The Maltings and the search for new, purpose-built premises began. In October direction and also contribute to some selling 2013, Jarrow opened a new 40-barrel plant Another good story to come out of this is at Bede Industrial Estate in Jarrow to satisfy we’ve maintained employment with the new demand in its heartland of the North East and company and we’ve still got the brewery and the brands which might have all gone. It’s quite beyond.

The new company’s board consists of a viable company to be going forward with. managing director Jess McConnell; Frank “Normally, liquidation means the end Nicholson, chairman, plus Alison McConnell of a company, but the difference here is the and Mike Berriman (sales and marketing commitment Jess has given to suppliers. They are happy at the prospect. We’ve given them an manager). Honorary president is Michael offer and they’ll definitely be paid over a period Finn, a former jet fighter pilot who spent his subsequent career with CA Parsons in its of time.” electrical research laboratory and with Pirelli Jarrow Brewery is also taking its original Cables. home, The Robin Hood pub, back into

BEER FOR TYNESIDE’S FIRST SPORTING SUPERSTAR Jarrow Brewery – ever the helpful outfit – is brewing a beer to support the run of a new play. Harry Clasper, the first North East sporting superstar, is to be remembered in an exciting production that will tour the region in June and July.

Written by Ed Waugh, Hadaway Harry (also the name of the beer), tells the story of how Harry Clasper, his three brothers and uncle brought the coveted accolade to the region in June 1845.

Ed Waugh says: “This is a story of the underdog fighting against all the odds to become a world champion.”

A JD Wetherspoon pub in Whickham, Gateshead, is named after Harry Clasper.

He is buried in the churchyard nearby. www.edwaughandtrevorwood.co.uk

CHEERS@50

Martin Hammill, brewery manager, Hadrian Border

In the early days, Cheers was present at our first mash-in at Newburn, brewing Newburn No1. We have really expanded the business since, taken on extra staff and creating our first brewery pub, the Station in Gateshead.

Good luck for the next 50 issues.

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 21

FEATURE: BEER

JUST WHAT IS CRAFT BEER? Every time we go into a pub we’re faced with a raft of craft. Alastair Gilmour attempts to define the beer phenomenon

It comes as no surprise to read in the letters page of Camra’s What’s Brewing magazine that there’s a suggestion to give “craft” beer a new title. One writer suggests the Campaign for Craft and Keg Beers (CACK).

He continues: “Craft beer is a keg beer produced in small amounts by a person too young to realise that it tastes the same as Double Diamond.”

Another correspondent

maintains the term “craft beer” is being used as a con trick. “Fosters lager now bears the logo ‘crafted to refresh’,” he writes. “God help us.

Camra should ditch any association with ‘craft beer’ or be condemned, like politicians, for not listening to what the people are saying.”

It’s my turn to say “God help us”.

Brewers involved in what could be termed craft are doing just that – listening.

But what is craft beer? Where

All the best: Craft beer lovers enjoy a great tasting beer debate does it differ from real ale or oldfashioned keg? Is craft the sole territory of guys with big beards, check shirts and pipes? Swallowing this is taking a similar line to Mr Cack of What’s Brewing.

To be honest, I don’t think craft beer needs a definition. That would be painting the sector into a corner, leaving it hamstrung when envelopes are pushed further, as indeed they will be. The Campaign For Real Ale is in a quandary with

its strict rulings: “Beer brewed from traditional ingredients, matured by secondary fermentation in the container from which it is dispensed and served without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide”.

Much as I admire and support the organisation’s supreme efforts over the last 40-odd years to uphold a very British tradition, it has been very short-sighted over beer’s continued development and renewed appeal.

S C H O O N E R T U N E Ss MAY AT THE scHOONER Sat 2 Ruby & the Mystery Cats 8:30pm Sun 24 Bank Holiday Juke Joint ft.

Mon 4 The shiverin’sheiks 3.00pm The King Bees, Struggle Buggy, Monkey Junk, Billy & Neil 3.00pm Fri 8 Shipcote & Friends 6.00pm Mon 25 The Fractured Valves 3:00pm Sat 9 King Size Voodoo Traveller 8:30pm Thur 28 The South Shore Roundup 8:30pm Sun 10 The Smokin Spitfires 4.30pm Sat 30 Pat McMahon Band 8:30PM Sat 16 Mojo Hand 8:30pm Sun 31 Ma Kelly’s Boys 4:30PM Sun 17 The Dirty South 4:30pm Sat 23 Fickle Lilly 8:30pm

Congratulations to all at Cheers Magazine on their 50th Edition Thank you for supporting Great Beer in Great Pubs!!!

South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3AF 0191 477 7404 | www.theschooner.co.uk

22 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

If it really does need a definition or some sort of constitution, according to the Brewers Association in America (where it all started, of course), craft beer is the following: “An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional, producing no more than six million barrels of beer a year (approximately 3% of US annual sales).

Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.

Traditional: A brewer that has a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose flavour derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation. Flavoured malt beverages are not considered beers.”

Six million barrels is an awful lot of beer, so one could argue that if the US rules are to be followed every brewery in the UK could call itself a craft producer – and Foster’s Lager could be perfectly entitled to use a craft allusion on its labelling.

Garrett Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery, blends craft, local and quality together, rather than separating the distinctions.

“These days you see places that put ‘local’ well ahead of quality,” he told Esquire magazine. “And you also see people who put ‘rare’ ahead of beauty.

“If your pale ale is different every time you brew it, and your beer is unreliable, that’s not ‘craft’, that just means you can’t brew.

Period. Lots of new local brewers can brew, and quite well. But not all of them. I was in Edinburgh last year at a bloggers’ conference and heard a lot of people saying that Sierra Nevada was too big and too available to be ‘craft beer’. I told them – from the stage – that my message for people who believe that is pretty simple: ‘F#$% you.

You have no idea what you’re talking about’.

“Let’s not kid ourselves. Without beers like Saison Dupont, we wouldn’t have nice American beers like Boulevard Saison-Brett, Sly Fox Saison Grisette, or our (Brooklyn) Sorachi Ace.” Beer writer Adrian TierneyJones also gets it right. Sort of. He calls the best brewers – whether they call themselves craft or not – curious and driven by a sense of what would happen if they used a new hop variety, a different yeast strain, or put their beer into wooden barrels.

“Anyone can push a boundary, but you need to make a beer drinkable,” he wrote in Original Gravity magazine recently.

“Breweries like Kernel, Wild Beer, Beavertown and Burning Sky are looking backwards, sideways and forwards to produce stunning beers and it’s not just a shed-load of hops, either. Whether we have a definition or not of craft beer, I believe we are in one of the most creative periods of British brewing, though I do know that there will be those who will wish to conjure up a time machine that would whiz us all back to the age of porter or when IPAs ruled the earth.”

Oh dear Adrian. While I agree wholeheartedly with you, have you seen the tide of IPAs available and those newly-defined porters? At at last month’s Newcastle Beer Festival Hop & Cleaver Quayside Porter won the annual battle of the Beers and the Craft Brewing Conference in Portland, Oregon, reported that IPA is the biggest category style in the US, taking 46.9% of total beer sales.

So, it seems craft beer does have a definition. It’s about creativity and exploration, innovation and honesty.

Can I mention pleasure too?

For Craft Beer Calling (Newcastle, Oct 23-25) tickets and information visit www. craftbeercalling.com

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www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 23

CHEERS: A MISSION

FIFTY AND COUNTING The reason Cheers exists is our liking for pubs, writes Alastair Gilmour. Pubs and all that is associated with them Over the past 50 issues since we began publishing in July 2010 – almost five years – Cheers North East has had the pub at its heart. Cheers is aimed at pubs, pure and simple, and everything that goes on in and around them That could be live music, poetry, comedy nights, great beer, terrific pub food – from toasties to battered pigs’ ears – charity bike rides, the quiz we struggle with, the wine we deserve to relax over and the people we enjoy talking to.

The pub is the great social leveller and inarguably the best place to socialise in. Pubs bring out the best in people and Cheers is keen to bring the best into the pub.

After reading issue No1, a complete stranger emailed: “An excellent read and a brilliant start”, so we suspected straight away we had something on our hands.

Here in the North East of England we have some of the finest pubs in the country and we not only want to keep it that way but we want to develop that edge further. The Cheers team is passionate about them and it’s no idle boast – we even hold editorial sessions and sales meetings in the pub because that’s where the best ideas and the best stories come from.

We love them and want to preserve and protect them; we enjoy good beer, we adore fine wine and relish great food. A packet of pork scratchings doesn’t come amiss, and a drop of Scotch isn’t too bad for the soul, either.

We are eager for people to continue the pub habit and to discover (or rediscover) the joys of great beer, good food and decent conversation.

Like you, we love pubs and what they stand for and want to preserve and protect them. Pubs are about people and Cheers is about people and pubs.

What you can do for the pub is try and visit them a little more often, encourage others to do so, and seek out the ones you don’t know 24 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

because without them Cheers could not exist.

We might even see you there.

Over on the next couple of pages we’ve picked out a few highlights, almost a pinsticker’s guide.

We’d love to say we spent hours poring over back copies but to be honest it was quite easy – there was so much to go at. There has been a lot of great comment and observation in Cheers over the past 49 issues so you might forgive us for wallowing in a little self-indulgence for this one.

When we started out, we featured everything from the World Cup in South Africa to a brilliant signwriter and Man’s Best Friend. Why? Because all of these things are related to pubs. It’s not just about beer, beer, beer as our old friend CzechBeerMan points out on page 37. There he writes about discovering a water treatment kit in a tiny brewery in Bohemia. He’s fascinated by it but the brewery owner doesn’t think anybody could surely be interested in his assemblage of filters and couplings so asks him instead to concentrate on the beer itself. But he was wrong.

“What one can write always just about beer?” asks our man in the Czech Republic (in his beautifully balletic prose). “That there is foam on? All I want to bring to readers is a complete comprehensive report and views. If the foam goes down in three minutes or in three-and-ahalf minutes it is maybe also interesting, but not important, it is secondary.”

We take a similar view on Cheers. People don’t just want to know about citrus-flavoured hops and chocolate malt – important as they are – and there’s only so much you can say about them month after month before readers switch off. They want us to take them on ale trails and introduce publicans. They want to hear what we have to say about live music, brewery tours, wine regions, beer festivals, panto dames and the occasional celebrity who has to qualify for an interview through his or her liking for pubs.

There you have it. This magazine is for you, dear reader – and so is the pub. Cheers.

“PUBS ARE ABOUT PEOPLE AND CHEERS IS ABOUT PEOPLE AND PUBS”

CHEERS: THE FIRST FIFTY

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 25

THE BEST BITS

ANOTHER CHANCE TO READ… We’ve been flicking through the first 49 issues of Cheers North East and would like to share a few bits and bobs that we think sums up what the magazine is about

ISSUE 1 JULY 2010 Signwriter Joe McCracken told us about working on 100-yearold timber to make his work part of history.

“A nice pub sign is a welcome invitation and a lot of pubs forget that,” he says. “But when you’re doing pubs out you’ve got to have an idea of what happened in the past. I could make a sign that looks like it’s

been there forever; I’ve got all the special paints and lacquers, all the old tubes and it’s all done by hand.

ISSUE 10 MAY 2011

Norwegian journalist Eva Kirstin Øvstegård took a trip around Newcastle’s pubs. Here is a small part of what she wrote (you can get the drift if you persevere, particularly “populær pub for

BEST FOODIN the WORLD!

Absoulutly

lovely STAFF

(Prety and handsom) The Elm Tree 12 Crossgate Durham city 26 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

For Eva: The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle is a Norwegian’s choice

lokalbefolkningen”): “Tradisjonelle Bridge Hotel ved Castle Keep er en svært populær pub for lokalbefolkningen.

“Atmosfæren er avslappet og ujålete, her koser man seg med en øl, blir med på quizen, ser en fotballkamp. Live musikk

flere kvelder i uken, tirsdagen står i jazzens tegn. Finn et bord innerst i lokale, nyt et godt glass skummende øl mens du beundrer utsikten mot Tyne og byens syv broer Skreddersydde øl-og matopplevelser.”

fAN DABIE

DIB DAB

ye old Elm TREE

fUN atmosphiar

they let dogs’ in

Everyones’ jolly!

Thanks for the feedback Scarlett aged 9 The Angel 53 Crossgate Durham city

The John Duck Ale House 91a Clay Path Durham city

THE BEST BITS

ISSUE 14 OCT 2011

ISSUE 36 DEC 2013

Simma is a singer, songwriter, poet and raconteur which adds up to a young man with a huge talent.

“All I ever wanted to do was play in bars,” he says. “It was my ambition “There’s also something about being in a pub and people coming up to you having not expected you to be there. It’s not just like they’ll stay and give this guy a chance, but they’ll stay and say you were really good. Pub audiences can get up and leave whenever they want, so it’s a lot tougher. When you pay to go to a theatre or a film you’ll stay till the end even if you don’t like it.

It’s approval, honest approval. It sharpens you like a razor.”

Berwick Kaler, the nation’s longest-running panto dame, interrupted rehearsals at the Theatre Royal, York, to talk to Cheers “We’re the only pantomime in the world that gives out Newcastle Brown Ale and Wagon Wheels to the audience. York was Chocolate City when I first arrived – and they didn’t even make Wagon Wheels. Now ironically Newcastle Brown Ale has followed me down to Yorkshire – it’s brewed in Tadcaster now. I get a lot of laughs with that.”

ISSUE 30 MAY 2013

Landlord Dave Carr (The Brandling, South Gosforth and The Tannery, Hexham) explained how the pubs’ new range of burgers came about.

“The most bizarre item of the new list of 23 is The Dirty Thoughts of Cheryl Cole which features an 8oz burger topped with a Gregg’s sausage roll, Heinz beans and grated cheddar cheese.

“Most of our brainstorming sessions are done in other people’s pubs, so unsurprisingly, the longer the session, the stranger the results. This was a long session.

You should see the ideas that didn’t make it.”

ISSUE 42 JULY 2014

We made the mistake of handing Tim Healy a glass of beer when we met at Sandhaven Beach, South Shields. It’s not that he doesn’t drink beer, it was the amount he couldn’t cope with.

“Tell Cheers readers Tim doesn’t drink halves,” he said. “In my Live Theatre days we used to be in the Free Trade Inn all the time on Newcastle Quayside and I was in The Dyvels in Corbridge recently.

It’s got a new owner too – a really nice guy called Gino who seems to be getting it right.

“But my favourite place is the Albert Edward Club in Hexham, just opposite the Abbey. I meet my mate there – the prices are good and it’s got a fabulous snooker table. I love playing snooker.”

Game dame: Berwick Kaler in panto

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 27

CHEERS AND NATIONAL HERITAGE PUBS

DEDICATED FOLLOWERS OF PASSION Over the past 12 months, a group of Cheers readers has recorded visits to pubs in the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) National Inventory of Pub Interiors – those with outstanding historical interest.

Not only have they gaped in amazement at Britain’s pub heritage, they dropped off copies of the magazine for others to read. While there they also had a drink and took a “selfie” or two.We present a magnificent seven.

1

2

1. The Seven Stars in Falmouth, Cornwall 2. Blackfriars, London, just opposite Blackfriars Tube station 3. The Red Lion, Snargate, Kent, untouched since WWII 4. The Windermere, South Kenton, London 5. The Blue Bell, York, one of the smallest pubs in Britain 6. The Mountain Daisy, Sunderland 7. The North Star, Steventon, Oxfordshire.

Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs is published by Camra Books, £9.99 (£7.99 for members). Details: www.heritagepubs.org.uk

3

5

7 28 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

6

4

New look, new feel, new Blue Bell Come and visit the newly re-furbished Blue Bell in Corbridge.

Enjoy something from our new menu or order from our full barista coffee service.

Live sport shown daily on our big screen. Dog Friendly. Free wifi

tel: 01434 431143 tbbcorbridge thebluebellcorbridge The Blue Bell • Hill Street • Corbridge • NE45 5AA

CAMRA CONFERENCE

KEY DECISIONS MEAN BUSINESS

Members of the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra), Europe’s largest beer consumer group, passed a series of progressive motions at its annual conference last month.

More than 1,200 Camra members attended the conference in Nottingham in April and debated and voted on 20 motions about issues affecting the beer and pub industry, as well as Camra’s future campaigning.

Decisions were taken to support the practice of serving real ale from “key-kegs” and to recognise cider with whole fruit and spices as “real” were passed, whereas motions that advocated Camra distancing itself from wider beer industry initiatives were rejected.

Members clearly voted in support of an inclusive approach to the beer industry, reaffirming that the organisation is about the promotion and championing of

Stationary: The Rat Race, Hartlepool Station

Congratulations to Cheers Magazine for 5 years and 50 brilliant issues Here’s to supporting the next 50 from all at The Centurion 5 Real Ales always on tap.

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www.centurion-newcastle.com 30 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

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NORTH EAST CAMRA PUBS OF THE YEAR real ale, and providing a choice for drinkers, rather than outright opposition to other types of beer.

The conference expressed the strong opinion that denigrating other types of beer should not form part of the Camra’s active advocacy of real ale.

Chief executive Tim Page said: “It was clear from the debate in the hall that the majority of members think that criticising drinkers for not choosing real ale is counterproductive. Our job is to educate and help them discover the delights of real ale, ciders

and perries. This will reinforce the message that we’re a campaign for, not a campaign against.”

Camra’s newly-inclusive and supportive attitude to the beer and pub industry was also shown when members voted to continue support for wider beer industry campaigns such as Cyclops and There’s A Beer For That. Members also recognised the need for Camra to continue to have commercial associations with organisations which, on occasion, might not support all of its individual campaigns.

3 DAYS, 120 BEERS, 25 CIDERS, 10 WINES 8 BANDS, 2 CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINERS

51 ENORMOUS STREET FOOD STALLS MARQUEE, 4 GOOD CAUSES AND 1 FANTASTIC FESTIVAL!

£10/£12 buy tickets online at: @tynebeerfest tynedalebeerfestival.org.uk f tynedalebeerfestival

CAMPING • FREE CARPARKING • CLOSE TO CORBRIDGE TRAIN STATION

EVERY ONE A WINNER

Winners of the North East Camra Pub of the Year (PotY) vote go forward to one pub being chosen to represent the region nationally through further rounds. North East PotYs are: CLEVELAND The Rat Race, Hartlepool Station DARLINGTON The Quakerhouse, Darlington (town pub and overall winner) Club of the Year: Darlington Snooker Club DURHAM Town pub: Ye Old Elm Tree, Durham (above) Country pub: Surtees Arms, Ferryhill Club: Chester le Street Cricket Club Cider Pub: John Duck, Durham SUNDERLAND & SOUTH TYNESIDE Pub of the Year: The Steamboat, South Shields Club of the Year: Mid Boldon Club TYNESIDE & NORTHUMBERLAND Tyneside Pub: Bodega, Newcastle Tyneside Cider Pub: Free Trade Inn, Newcastle Tyneside Club: Newcastle Cricket Club, Jesmond North Northumberland Pub: John Bull Inn, Alnwick North Northumberland Cider Pub: John Bull Inn, Alnwick South East Northumberland Pub: Three Horse Shoes, High Horton South East Northumberland Cider Pub: Three Horse Shoes, High Horton South West Northumberland Pub: Boathouse, Wylam South West Northumberland Cider Pub: The Tannery, Hexham Northumberland Club: Comrades Club, Haltwhistle www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 31

NEWS

A MAN WITH THE GOLDEN HELLO TO VELO CUSTOMER AT HEART One of the North East’s most charismatic leisure industry characters has died. Harry Costigan, 63, was managing director of Leopard Leisure, which at various times operated Rosie’s Bar, The Hotspur, and The Empress in Newcastle; the High Crown in Chester le Street; Berkeley Tavern, Whitley Bay; The Blackbird, Ponteland; Queen Victoria, Gosforth, and The Traveller’s Rest in Wideopen.

In a long career, Harry worked with Camerons, Hartlepool, and was operations director at Wessex Taverns. In between times, he served as regional operations director at Pubmaster Ltd. He was proud to have the customer at his heart, whether it was community locals, real ale pubs or circuit bars. The affection Harry generated through genuine friendliness and helpfulness is perhaps best described by phrases such as “top bloke, “great guy” and “just a lovely, lovely man”. Although he was an outstanding businessman, a song and a dance – with a beer – were never far away.

32 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Black Sheep Brewery has brought Velo, its most popular seasonal ale ever, back to the pumps for May and June.

The move coincides with this month’s Tour de Yorkshire cycling race, which follows the successful visit of the Tour de France to the region last year, inspiring the original launch of Velo.

A light, refreshing golden ale, brewed with Cascade hops and a subtle hint of orange and coriander, Velo – scaled up from Black Sheep’s microbrewery – outsold the Masham brewer’s previous most successful seasonal ale almost twofold.

GIMME FIVE FROM FIVE North Yorkshire brewer Pete Fenwick reminds us that it was his Mithril Ales’ fifth anniversary last month – we featured the Aldbrough St John micro in the August 2010 issue of Cheers – our No2.

To celebrate, he brewed Gimme Five Pale Ale (3.9% abv), using five of his favourite hops;

Chinook, Comet, Citra, Mosaic and Liberty.

Pete’s specials for May include May The 4th Be With You (4.1% abv), a brown ale brewed for International Star Wars Day, Goth Pale (3.9% abv) for Goth Day, and Winner’s Glory (4.0% abv), to drink with the FA Cup Final.

A HOUSE. WITH BEER. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? Huge range of draught & cask beers.

Bottled beers from all over the world.

Local & seasonal selections including Tyne Bank Brewery.

Prosecco on tap. Proper stotties with pulled pork and BBQ beef brisket.

We don’t do prim & proper... We just do proper.

Come and have a pint before your flight.

The Beer House is now open at Newcastle International Airport.

Follow us on Twitter @_thebeerhouse

BREWERY FOCUS: HOP & CLEAVER

BREWERY PROFILE HOP & CLEAVER, NEWCASTLE

WHERE IS IT? The Hop & Cleaver is on Newcastle’s Quayside at Sandhill (formerly Offshore 44), adjacent to the Quilted Camel and the Redhouse

Winners: Tony Killeen and Kay Masson. Left: Judging at Newcastle Beer Festival

Porter carries off top prize at beer festival Every year, the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) Newcastle Beer Festival invites brewers in the Tyneside & Northumberland branch to arm themselves for a Battle of the Beers competition.

A different theme is chosen each time and this year – for the 39th festival – the call went out to brew a beer of any style using all-British ingredients to be judged by a panel of publicans, brewers and journalists.

Top of the pile came Hop & Cleaver Quayside Porter (5.7% abv) which is described as a robust English porter, subtly hopped, combined with four types of malt to produce a complex and fruity finish. The beer was produced at the Hop & Cleaver Brewhouse and Smokery pub (formerly Offshore 44) on Sandhill, Newcastle Quayside by Tony Killeen and Kay Masson, who own Temptation Brewery, at Houghton le Spring, County Durham.

Last year, Ladhar Leisure, owners of Hop & Cleaver (along with Pleased To Meet You, the Redhouse and Lady Grey’s in Newcastle) asked Tony and Kay to site a brewhouse in the new pub and run it for them as a completely separate entity from their own.

Since September 2014, the 2.5-barrel (90 gallons) kit – comprised of modified Grundy tanks that formerly stored beer for working men’s clubs – has been brewing once a week exclusively for the pub.

Customers are welcome to observe how their beer is made while staff are encouraged to learn as much about beer’s styles and production as possible.

Tony Killeen says: “I think it’s part of the brewpub ethos, people should actually be able to see us brewing and that there’s no mystery about it.

“We’re fortunate that Ladhar Leisure lets us do what we want and we follow our own path. But really, Hop & Cleaver beer has

got to be sessionable and leaning towards mainstream, apart from the odd cask of something more experimental.”

Temptation Brewery, set up five years ago, is run completely separately with its own range of beers and set of customers – and the winning ale was unique for the pair in more ways than one.

“We’ve never been big fans of British hops,” says Tony. “In fact, we’ve never used them before.

“But the beer was made with the same care and quality as our own using Nottingham yeast, Muntons’ malt and Challenger hops.

“We decided to brew a porter because it’s in the classic tradition and it suits this pub.”

Tony and Kay aren’t getting carried away with success, however. “We’re not interested in getting our brewing business any bigger,” says Tony. “We’re more interested in growing sideways. There’s always just going to be just the two of us, two breweries and a dog.” www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 35

CZECHBEERMAN

DRINK SLOWLY UNTIL EMPTY Our favourite foreign correspondent Libor Vojacek – aka CzechBeerMan – reports from Brewery Saint John in Central Bohemia

Dear British readers, my dear beer lovers, I can not help but tune myself a bit up before writing you this beer report. I like and love specifics, genuineness and uniqueness.

For example, to Prague belongs Charles Bridge and Old Town Square; to the city of Verona belongs Juliette’s balcony; to London belongs Tower Bridge; to Wales coal mines, and to the city of Kolin belongs… brass band tunes and marching songs. Bingo.

So I am googling up the most famous one “Koline, Koline, stojis v pekne rovine” (“Kolin, Kolin, you lie in a beautiful plain”) and I am listening. It is melodical, nice.

The song also says about nice young girl who is standing behind a bar and who is tapping beers (“senkuje tam ma mila frajarečka rozmilá”) in a classic Czech folk song. It’s simple and a bit “silly” but a nice folk song. My fantasy goes high. I am sure this nice “chick” is obviously offering and tapping good beer.

Pivovarek means in Czech language “tiny brewery”. And Brewery Saint John (www. pivovarek.cz) really is. It’s a small family one, located directly in the family house. What are you waiting for? You are invited and welcomed inside. Come in.

Welcome to the house of civil engineer Mr Martin Karaivanov in Polepy Village near Kolin City, 36 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Central Bohemia – the house of one owner and one brewer only. It’s a company of only one employer and one employee – aside from Mrs Ilona Vavrova who is the brewer’s close friend and who, with love and dedication, is also helping out occasionally.

The brewery has existed since 2007, but the original location was elsewhere. It had been since 1996 directly in Kolin City, in the original old family house of Mr Karaivanov’s parents before it moved to this new house which he modernised and considerably extended in character.

The brewery logo is an outline of a brewing kettle and also the silhouette of a snake. I’ve long before been puzzled. Why the snake? What for, I asked myself. Now I know. Snakes are supposedly a symbol of health and beer is without any doubt healthy (if consumed moderately and slowly – so drink another glass only if the first is empty, hahahaha). But mainly, Mr Karaivanov was nicknamed Python, ever since his early school years.

The brewery is, quite naturally, located in the basement of the house. Everything is white, garnished by white ceramic tiles, yet it “stinks” by novelty and clean.

It is divided into several sections – one room has a grinder and crusher and a few barrels, another is the brewhouse with brewing

Saint John: Martin Karaivanov in his brewery

Thumbs up: Libor Vojacek Suburbs: Saint John brewery is in the basement of the brewer’s house

CZECHBEERMAN and straining kettles with a little working table and the dashboard above pinned with orders for Mazel (Cuddler) beer.

Well, around the corner is another airconditioned room where the beer is matured under programmed temperatures. The tanks are provided with double walls and so-called “frozen water” flows between for better cooling.

The brewing itself is processed by the decoction method by double mashing. Malt is bought from Kounice Town (Central Bohemia – Elbe River Lowland), yeast in brought from a nearby brewery in Nymburk City and hops, of course, our “great one”, the semi-early “red one” from the Zatec (Saaz) region.

Four beers are brewed on a regular basis: 12° pale lager called Insurrectionist; 14° grenade special Mazel (Cuddler); 12° doublemalted pale lager Fesak (Mod), and 12° bottom fermented wheat lager beer (!!) named Oliver.

So, lovers of stouts can only “wipe their noses”, which makes me personally a bit sorry too, as I am starting to be lover of stouts – but I respect the strategy of the brewery and of brewer himself.

The whole brewery is mainly based on fun and enjoyment from beer. It is not strictly commerce and quantity that matters. For Mr Karaivanov, beer has to be fun in the first place – he has his own company for business and for living (selling burners, exchange stations,

pumps, etc) – so he is secured.

Brewing and brewery is his hobby mainly.

He is brewing in 200 litres brews for friends, for friends of his friends, for clubs, for marriage ceremonies, for family celebrations – none of the regular bars or restaurants has his beers on the tap permanently, but in the capital Prague, it can be occasionally encountered in the famous and wideknown Zly Casy (Bad Times) beer garden and pubhouse.

And it’s another loss, I think. I would love to see at least one single village tavern who could boost itself by having St John Brewery permanently on tap.

I see something here that I’ve never even seen before – a small water treatment plant.

If I am asking brewer if I can write also about this device, he is telling me it is immaterial, unimportant, not essential. Nobody will be interested to read about it, let’s write better about beer.

And what one can write always just about beer? That there is foam on? That it is lighter or darker? About taste? I am not a judge, I do not have a patent for beer tastes. It is too much complicated, sophisticated and personal to be patented.

All I want is to bring to readers is a complete comprehensive report and views on a certain specific brewery. That is what we are in Saint John for! If the foam goes down in three

minutes or in three-and-a-half minutes it is maybe also interesting, but not important, it is secondary.

I am giving farewell and hitting the road.

I am on a business trip (I am constructional engineer and going to check the building site) so I have to “abuse” my employer as much as I can – all for sake of beer!

I love snakes, give them a chance! They are magic, mysterious and dignified – beautiful animals, unique and “themselves”. What a contrast to dogs, for example. They are too much loyal. I like cats and snakes, they are racy. Cheers to snakes! Correction: Cheers to Cheers North East! http://album.inmail.cz/@my-album www.pivovarek.cz * The Plato scale is commonly used in European beers to measure its strength, based on wort extraction. A 12° beer such as Saint John Fesak would be 4.8%-5.0% alcohol by volume.

EEH! NUMBERS

30

The number of months tinned carrots can be kept for The number of eggs per gram found in Beluga caviar

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 37

PUB PROFILE

PUB PROFILE THE FOX & HOUNDS, COALBURNS

The hub of the pub is the bar – as easy a room as you’ll find Coalies, as it is known locally, is quite possibly one of the friendliest pubs in the region.

Your hand is still on the door knob as the ambience settles. The 17th century former coaching inn has “community” written all over it with no gimmicks such as happy hours, two-for-one, or any suchlike. Six beautifully cared-for ales on the counter cater for the most demanding of palates. The hub of the pub is the bar – as easy a room as you’ll find anywhere – traditionally set out with huge beamed ceilings, dominant fireplace, a blend of tile and timber flooring, local vintage photographs and the most solid of solid tables crafted in a workshop next door. Robbie the quizmaster has been setting his 10 pictures and 40 questions every Wednesday for 19 years. “People make this pub,” says Ian Gray.

“And the three clocks are never right – time stands still in here.”

The pub is known locally as a Formula One venue where, on a Sunday after lunches, motor racing fans gather to watch the action.

WHERE IS IT? Sitting by the fabled Lead Road where pack horses would lug iron ore from Allenheads in the North Pennines to Dunston Staiths on the River Tyne. Close to Ryton, Greenside and Prudhoe with views across to the Stanhope Moors and Cheviot Hills – some say even to the North Sea. 38 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

OWNERS: Ian Gray and Karen Burnett (since December 2005). The Fox & Hounds (aka Coalies), Coalburns, Ryton, Tyne & Wear NE40 4JN. Tel: 0191 413 2549. www.coalies.co.uk

THE BEER

Six regular handpulls in a village of 15 houses says a lot for the quality of the ales. Fyne Ales Jarl has a virtual permanent spot, like Frank Sinatra at Las Vegas. Popular brews from Hadrian Border, Mordue and Firebrick plus Timothy Taylor’s Landlord rotate.

THE FOOD

Traditional Sunday lunches – choice of four roasts – is the only food offer, but boy are they worth the wait. It’s all home-cooking, served in two intimate dining rooms complete with pristine white tablecloths. Regulars come from far and wide for the experience.

VIEW FROM ABROAD: BUENOS AIRES

A BEER AND BEEF COCKTAIL

IMAGE CREDIT: milosk50 / Shutterstock.com

Cheers reader Dave Gardiner travelled to Buenos Aires and met a man with four businesses to his name – each one steeped in beer I was in Buenos Aires for a few weeks and met Martin Boan who was originally an engineer. He worked in a large brewery for a year – now closed – but got such a liking for the job he decided that’s what he wanted to do.

After studying for a Master of Brewing qualification in Europe he returned to Argentina where he worked for Quilmes for eight years. Quilmes has 75% of the Argentinian beer market and is something of an icon – even sponsoring the national football team. It is now part of AnheuserBusch InBev. Large corporations “worried” Martin a bit so he left in 2003 and took a Masters in Business and Administration and a year later started a beer malting company, knowing he could improve on the quality that he found locally.

He also opened a beer school to improve people’s knowledge and for the last five years he has organised the South Beer Cup, a South American beer competition.

The 2014 event (number five) attracted 500-plus entries from eight countries, with this month’s in Mar del Plata expected to top 750.

Martin Boan says: “The competition is great because it helps to change the market and perhaps has actually accelerated 40 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

the change in the market.”

Martin also operates the Beer House Experience, a restaurant where all of the food is made with beer as an ingredient. Customers can discover beer flavours in the food, complemented by the beer that accompanies it, with new dishes introduced each month.

People love it.

Beer is used instead of water in recipes whether it’s bread, pizzas, main courses or desserts. Martin’s beer bread – the only bread served – is made with Munich and Caramel 140 malt and his Golden Ale is used instead of water.

Although some of the beer is produced in small batches in the restaurant – including Golden Ale (4.9% abv), Red Ale (4.9% abv), IPA (6.0% abv) – the majority come from the Kraken brewery in the Buenos Aires suburb of Caceres.

“We marinate our barbecued beef – ‘bife al horno’ – in stout for 48 hours and then cook it in the oven for three hours,” says Martin.

“We have a brownie made with chocolate malt, not chocolate, topped with IPA ice-cream. In Italy there is tiramasu, here we make biramasu – but we don’t use coffee, we use imperial stout.”

I particularly enjoyed the beer bread with soft cheese and salmon.

The salmon is infused with hop flavours by being mixed with dry

Martin Boan, left, with friends at the Beer House Experience

hops and refrigerated for four days.

On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights the Beer House Experience is a restaurant – set in a traditional house in Bohemian San Telmo in Buenos Aires just a few yards from the famous Bar Federal.

The other evenings it functions as a school, offering beer sommelier and brewing courses. People come to learn from Chile, Peru, Uruguay,

Paraguay and Brazil.

Kraken beers were first produced at home by Frederico Bryant and his friend Mariano Santarosa in 2007, brewing 200 litres a month. They now have a 400 square metre brewery with a 9,000-litre capacity and plenty of room for expansion, currently producing 11,000 litres a month – 97% of which is draught in six

VIEW FROM ABROAD: BUENOS AIRES

MATCHES MADE IN HEAVEN Basic beer and food pairings start with the following suggestions. The more adventurous among us can break the recommendations down into real specifics.

The idea is to either contrast the flavours, aromas and textures or complement them.

It’s a juggling act. Best of all though, if you’re the host(ess), what you present is your considered opinion – it’s your taste and you can never be wrong.

APERITIFS Pilsners (Czech, German, Dutch) English hoppy bitters Belgian wheat beers Belgian fruit beers STARTERS Soups: Vegetable – pale bitters. Meaty – malty ales Shellfish: Stouts, porters, Belgian wheat beers Fish: Pilsners, German lagers, light bitters, Belgian wheat beers Paté: Milds, strong dark lagers Quiche/soufflé: Light bitters Streetwise: Colourful Buenos Aires

Hybrid: Biramasu

styles.

Hop varieties they use are Mapuché which is native to Argentina – the only country in South America to grow hops – plus Victoria and Cascade which are American hops grown in Argentina.

Kraken brews three or four specials a year with about 50% of them consumed in Martin Boan’s restaurant and they’re usually around 8.0-9.0% abv. Their summer beer is Mandarin, while Imperial Stout is fermented and matured

in white wine barrels before lying in the wood for six months.

At The Beer House Experience, the six beers on tap are on a “help yourself ” basis served in 100ml glasses. Martin Boan believes they should be presented and sipped with glassware selected to suit each, Belgian-style, such as the snifter, the high tulip and the pinta (pint). The main dining room is basically a row of tables and glass-topped barrels with various malts displayed underneath, surrounded by bar stools.

There was a special bitter on at the other end of the restaurant which was my favourite – fresh and hoppy and not unlike a British summer ale, although it was 5.2% abv rather than a lighter session beer Main courses were chicken breast in a smoked malt batter served with a mixed herb salsa (Pechuga rebozada en malta ahumada con salsa tártara y mix verdes) and beef ribs cooked in stout and served with potatoes (Asado braseado en stout con papa al romeo). It worked out at about £12.50 a head for a three-course meal and beer. beerhouseexperience.com centrodecatadecerveza.com ba-malt.com

MAIN COURSES Beef: Full-bodied English bitters Pork: Pilsners, Bavarian wheat beers Lamb: Spicy, malty ales Chicken: Lagers and wheat beers Duck: Belgian Kriek (cherry) beer Game: Malty ales, Belgian Trappist ales Fish and chips: A strong IPA (stout also works surprisingly well) Meat pies: Full-bodied English bitters Sausages: Robust bitters, Bavarian wheat beers Barbecue: Dark lagers and black IPAs Oriental: Wheat beers, spiced beers Curries: Hoppy bitters, premium lagers CHEESE Mild: Light bitters Strong: Full-bodied ales Mature/Blue: Belgian Trappist ales, barley wines DESSERTS Chocolate/coffee: Porters, stouts, Belgian fruit beers Red berry: Full stouts, barley wines Apple/banana: Bavarian wheat beers Creamy: Stouts Spiced: Wheat beers www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 41

FUN STUFF

THE DIRTY DOZEN

SIGN OF THE TIMES

TWELVE QUESTIONS TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Graham Henderson, a regular at the Butchers Arms in Chester le Street, sent us this photo from a recent trip to Japan. He says: “This bottle of water was in my fridge at Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel, but I think something was lost in translation. I never opened it – I think it would be hard to swallow.”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In which city did Roger Bannister run the first sub-four-minute mile in 1954?

Which large animal kills more people than any other in Africa?

Which country do swallows migrate to when they leave Britain for the winter?

How many letter are there in the Hawaiian alphabet?

How many X chromosomes do women have?

Which city is the largest port in Germany?

Most commercial baked beans are made from what type of bean?

Which English football team has a fanzine called The Oatcake?

Where would you find Jake The Jailbird?

What was astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name?

Who was the first Twitter user to reach 20 million followers?

At its end, how many republics made up the Soviet Union?

A MAN WALKS INTO A BAR… ...SPORTING A BLACK EYE. “WHAT HAPPENED?” ASKS THE BARMAID. HE SAYS: “MY WIFE WAS YELLING AT THE FRONT DOOR AND THE DOG WAS BARKING AT THE BACK, SO I LET THE DOG IN FIRST.” “AND THE BLACK EYE?” ASKS THE BARMAID. “SHE ASKED WHY THE DOG TOOK PRIORITY AND I SAID AT LEAST IT WOULD SHUT UP WHEN IT CAME IN.”

BLUE’S ADVENTURES IN BEER Oh, I remember that day well. I was nearly five years younger when I posed for that photo with the lovely Mr Jay Jay Bennett. I haven’t changed a bit since – in fact, I pay regular attention to my spots with Just For Dogs.

Wilma Weimaraner wasn’t around on the day of the photo-shoot, but when she saw me on the cover of the very first Cheers North East, I think she went all

weak at the knees. It’s those spots that get to her and she’s so mesmerised by the pattern that I only have to wiggle in front of her before she gets consumed by desire. That’s what I thought anyway, but Libby Labrador claims I fancy myself so much Wilma tossed the magazine onto the grate to be consumed by fire.

My ears aren’t what they used to be. Spots are looking good though. Hey Libby. Wiggle, wiggle.

QUIZ ANSWERS 1 Oxford. 2 Hippopotamus. 3 South Africa. 4 Twelve. 5 Two. 6 Hamburg. 7 Haricot. 8 Stoke City. 9 On a Monopoly board (the character behind bars). 10 Moon.

11 Lady Gaga. 12 Fifteen.

42 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

FUN STUFF

WE’RE LOOKING FOR A...

MEDIA ANOTHER MAN SALES WALKS INTO PERSON ANOTHER BAR To work for Cheers North East - selling advertising in print and online.

Vincent Zeller reckons telling funny stories is no joke

Walking straight into the middle of a pub conversation is like that scene from Some Like It Hot. In the 1959 classic film, Jack Lemmon – dressed as “Geraldine” – is surrounded on a bunk bed by a group of partying female musicians. Gin and ice in paper cups – poured from a hot water bottle – are passed around and everyone is smoking, laughing, chattering and slurping.

As we enter the sequence, one of them is finishing off a joke, saying: “So the one-legged jockey said... hic... so the one-legged jockey said: ‘Don’t worry about me, baby, I ride sidesaddle’.”

All collapse into a spluttering heap.

It’s not the paper cups or the hot water bottle that spark off this movie moment, nor that there’s a man dressed as a woman at the centre of the action (it’s not that sort of pub), but the conclusion of a funny story invariably greets my arrival.

In the world of pub comedians, I’m a tail-end Charlie or an up-front Frankie. I hear the build-up or the punchline, but very rarely the bit in between. And, without the scenesetting, a funny story is no joke.

More times than not, as I try and catch the barman’s attention, someone is guaranteed to lean over and ask: “Have you heard the one about the Scotsman, the Italian and the Irishman?” Caught out again, I listen politely – and miss my turn. Then another one.

Patience with the Scotsman,

the Italian and the Irishman wears thin and thirst reaches parched proportions. The “comedian” by this time has lost his thread and repeats the Scotsman’s role in the story, then a goal is scored on the televised match and I shout out my order whilst everyone’s attention is diverted. I just catch “and Guiseppe says...” before taking a seat by the window.

It’s not that I don’t appreciate a good joke or that I get impatient with bar comics, but one of my (many) failings is that I can never remember the story to pass on elsewhere. Intros present no problem – I can rattle them off – but it’s that bit in the middle I can never quite grasp.

I can confidently proclaim: “A cowboy walks into a saloon,” but can never recall if it’s the one where the piano stops playing or when his horse was painted green.

And I’d dearly love to relate the sort of stories that end, “this is a stickup, not the office party” and “it’s OK, boys, he’s one of us”.

Right, here’s a business opportunity. Install “joke boxes” in pubs where customers can scroll through funnies on a screen in a corner somewhere. People cam memorise the story that ends: “Ssh, you’ll wake my mother” or practice the lines leading up to: “Not me, but it happened to my sister.”

I’m sure there’s money to be made in that – meanwhile, it’ll keep the budding Billy Connollys busy and leave everyone else to get on with the amusement of drinking decent beer.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT GETS TO SPEND EVERY DAY DOWN THE PUB!

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To apply, visit our website: www.offstonepublishing.co.uk/careers/ Closing date Friday, May 22, 2015

Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL t: 01661 844 115 www.offstonepublishing.co.uk HEX-06 cheers ad awk.qxp_Hexhamshire Brew cheers ad awk 30/04/2015 08:46

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hexhamshire.co.uk • 01434 606 577 Enjoy our beers, delicious home cooked food and a warm welcome at our cosy pub with real fire and beer garden – diptonmill.co.uk We are easy to find & only 2 miles south of Hexham.

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www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 43

A-Z PUB GUIDE

Cheers is all about pubs in the North East and this should be a good place to start...

COUNTY DURHAM BUTCHER’S ARMS

THE CROSS KEYS

Front Street, Esh, DH7 9QR t: 0191 3731279

Middle Chare, Chester le Street, DH3 3QB t: 0191 388 3605

THE CROWN

DUN COW

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

37 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN t: 0191 386 9219

GREENBANK HOTEL

90 Greenbank Road, Darlington, DL3 6EL t: 01325 462624

HALF MOON INN

130 North Gate, Darlington, DL1 1QS t: 01325 465765

HAT AND FEATHERS

Church Street, Seaham, SR7 7HF t: 01915 133040

HEAD OF STEAM

3 Reform Place, Durham, DH1 4RZ t: 0191 3832173

HOLE IN THE WALL

14 Horsemarket, Darlington, County Durham DL1 5PT t: 01325 466720

ITALIAN FARMHOUSE

Mickleton, Barnard Castle, DL12 0JZ t: 01833 640 381

THE QUAYS

Front Street, Sedgefield, TS21 3AT t: 01740 385 6695

THE FLOATER’S MILL

Woodstone Village, Fence Houses, DH4 6BQ t: 0191 385 6695

THE GARDEN HOUSE INN North Road, Durham, DH1 4NQ t: 0191 3863395

THE GEORGE & DRAGON 4 East Green, Heighington Village, DL5 6PP t: 01325 313152

THE GREY HORSE

115 Sherburn Terrace, Consett, DH8 6NE t: 01207 502585

THE HONEST LAWYER

THREE HORSESHOES

Maiden Law, Durham, DH7 0QT t. 01207 520900

YE OLDE ELM TREE

12 Crossgate, Durham City, DH1 4PS t: 0191 386 4621

THE AVENUE INN

Avenue Street, High Shincliffe, DH1 2PT t: 0191 386 5954

THE BAY HORSE

28 West Green, Heighington, DL5 6PE t: 01325 312312

THE BEAMISH MARY INN No Place, Nr Beamish, DH9 0QH t: 0191 370 0237

THE BLACK HORSE

Red Row,Beamish, DH9 0RW t: 01207 232569

THE BRITTANIA INN

1 Archer Street, Darlington County Durham, DL3 6LR t: 01325 463787

THE CLARENCE VILLA

Durham Road, Coxhoe, County Durham, DH4HX t: 0191 377 3773

THE COUNTY

13 The Green, Aycliffe Vilage, County Durham, DL5 6LX t: 01325 312273

Edmundbyers, DH8 9NL t: 01207 255545

THE DUN COW

NUMBER TWENTY-2

Chilton Lane, Ferryhill, DL17 0DH t: 01740 655724

THE PUNCH BOWL INN

THE QUAKERHOUSE

THE HALF MOON INN

SURTEES ARMS

Mountsett, Burnopfield, NE16 6BA t: 01207 570346

Darlington Road, Durham DH1 3QN t: 0191 375 7651

South Street, West Rainton Houghton - le - Spring DH4 6PA t: 0191 5841022 22 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RG t: 01325 354590 e: rew@villagebrewer.co.uk www.twenty2.villagebrewer.co.uk

THE PLOUGH

86 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AQ t: 0191 3741918 Croxdale Bridge, Croxdale, DH1 3HP t: 0191 3783782

THE JOHN DUCK

91A Claypath, Durham City, DH1 1 RG

THE LAMBTON WORM

North Road, Chester le Street, DH3 4AJ t: 0191 3871162

THE MANOR HOUSE HOTEL

The Green, West Auckland, DL14 9HW t: 01388 834834

THE MANOR HOUSE INN

Carterway Heads, Shotley Bridge, DH8 9LX t: 01207 255268

THE MARKET TAVERN

27 Market Place, Durham, DH1 3NJ t: 0191 3862069

THE MILL

Durham Road, Rainton Bridge, DH5 8NG t: 0191 5843211

THE MINERS ARMS

41 Manor Road, Medomsley, DH8 6QN t: 01207 560428

THE NEWFIELD INN Newfield, Chester le Street, DH2 2SP t: 0191 3700565

THE OAK TREE

Front Street, Tantobie, Stanley, DH9 9RF t: 01207 235 445

THE OLD WELL INN

The Bank, Barnard Castle DL12 8PH t: 01833 690 130

44 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

2 Mechanics Yard, Darlington, DL3 7QF t: 07783 960105 5 Tubwell Row, Darlington, DL1 1NU t: 01325 461448

THE ROYAL OAK

7 Manor Rd, Medomsley Village, DH8 6QN t: 01207 560336

THE SCOTCH ARMS

Blackhill, Consett, DH8 8LZ t: 01207 593709

THE SHIP

Low Road, Middlestone Village, Middlestone, DL14 8AB t: 01388 810904

CUMBRIA THE BEER HALL

Hawkshead Brewery, Mill Yard, Staveley, LA8 9LR t: 01539 825260

NORTHUMBERLAND ADAM & EVE

BAMBURGH CASTLE INN

THE STABLES

West Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4ND t: 0191 584 9226

THE THREE HORSESHOES

Pit House Lane, Leamside, Houghton le Spring, DH4 6QQ t: 0191 584 2394

THE WHITE LION

Newbottle Street, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4AN t: 0191 5120735

THE WHITEHILLS

Waldridge Road, Chester le Street, DH2 3AB t: 0191 3882786

WICKET GATE

Front Street, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3AX t: 0191 3872960

THE WILD BOAR

Frederick Place, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4BN t: 0191 5128050

THE VICTORIA INN

86 Hallgarth Street, Durham, DH1 3AS, t: 0191 3860465

NORTH YORKSHIRE THE CROWN INN

Vicars Lane, Manfield, DL2 2RF t: 01325 374243

THE DOG & GUN

Coopers Lane, Potto, DL6 3HQ t: 01642 700232

THE WHITE SWAN

1 West End, Stokesley, TS9 5BL t: 01642 710263

RIVERDALE HALL HOTEL

THE DIAMOND INN

THREE HORSESHOES

BARRASFORD ARMS

THREE WHEATHEADS

Barrasford Hexham, NE48 4AA t: 01434 681237

BARRELS

Thropton nr Rothbury, NE65 7LR t: 01669 620262

TWICE BREWED INN

The Wynding, Beadnell, NE675AX t: 01665 720 272 Humshaugh, Hexham, NE46 4AG t: 01434 681 231 Main Street, Ponteland, NE20 9BB t: 01661 872898

THE DYVELS INN

Station Road, Corbridge, NE45 5AY t: 01434 633 633

THE FEATHERS INN

Hedley on the Hill, Stocksfield, NE43 7SW t: 01661 843 607

Military Road, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN t: 01434 344534

THE GOLDEN LION

BATTLESTEADS HOTEL

THE ALLENDALE INN

THE GOLDEN LION

BEADNELL TOWERS HOTEL

THE ANCHOR HOTEL

CROSS KEYS

THE ANCHOR INN

59-61 Bridge Street, Berwick, TD15 1ES t:01289 308013

Wark, Hexham, NE48 3LS t: 01434 230209 www.battlesteads.com

Beadnell, NE67 5AY t: 01665 721211

Thropton, Rothbury, NE65 7HX t: 01669 620362

DIPTON MILL INN

DOCTOR SYNTAX

Beamish Hall Hotel, Beamish, DH9 0BY t: 01207 288 750

THE CROWN INN

Stanegate Road, Newbrough, Hexham, NE47 5AR t: 01434 674226

Hathery Lane, Horton, Cramlington, NE24 4HF t: 01670 822410

THE SPORTSMANS ARMS

THE STABLES

RED LION INN

Seahouses, NE68 7SQ t: 01665 720283

Brecon Hill, Castle Dene, Chester le Street, DH3 4HE t: 0191 3857559 Moor End Terrace, Belmont, DH1 1BJ t: 0191 3842667

THE CRASTER ARMS

Front Street West, Bedlington, NE22 5TZ t: 01670 536160

Bellingham, NE48 2JT Prudhoe Station, Low Prudhoe, t: 01434 220254 NE42 6NP t: 01661 832323

Dipton Mill Road, Hexham, NE46 1YA t: 01434 606577 e: ghb@hexhamshire.co.uk www.diptonmill.co.uk

THE SMITHS ARMS

RED LION

Market Place, Allendale, Hexham, NE47 9BJ, t: 01434 683246 Haydon Bridge, NE47 6AB t: 01434 688121 Whittonstall, Nr Consett, DH8 9JN t: 01207 561110

THE ANGEL INN

Main Street, Corbridge, NE45 5LA t: 01434 632119

THE BADGER

Hill Street, Corbridge, NE45 5AA t: 01434 632216 Market Place, Allendale, NE47 9BD t: 01434 683 225

THE HADRIAN HOTEL

Wall, Hexham, NE44 4EE t: 01434 681232

THE HERMITAGE INN

23 Castle Street, Warkworth, NE65 0UL t: 01665 711 258

THE HORSESHOES INN

Rennington, Alnwick, NE66 3RS. t: 01665 577665

THE JOINERS ARMS

Newton-by-the-Sea, NE66 3EA t: 01665 576 112

Street Houses, Ponteland Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 9BT t: 01661 871037

THE MANOR HOUSE

DUKE OF WELLINGTON

THE BLACKBIRD

THE MANOR INN

DYKE NEUK

THE BLACK BULL

THE NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS

ELECTRIC WIZARD

THE BLACK BULL INN

New Ridley Road, Stocksfield, NE43 7RG, t: 01661 842383

Newton, NE43 7UL t: 01661 844446

Meldon, Nr Morpeth, NE61 3SL t: 01670 772662 New Market, Morpeth, NE61 1PS t: 01670 500640

FOX AND HOUNDS

Main Road, Wylam NE41 8DL t: 01661 598060

GENERAL HAVELOCK INN

Haydon Bridge, NE47 6ER t: 01434 684376

Ponteland, NE20 9UH t: 01661 822 684 Matfen, NE20 0RP t: 01661 855395 Etal, TD12 4TL t: 01890 820200

THE BLACK & GREY

Newgate St, Morpeth Northumberland NE61 1BU t: 01670 504312

THE BLUE BELL

Mount Pleasant, West Mickley, Stocksfield NE43 7LP t: 01661 843146

JOHN THE CLERK OF CRAMLINGTON

THE BLUE BELL

JOINERS ARMS

THE BOATHOUSE

Front Street, Cramlington, NE23 1DN t: 01670 707060 Wansbeck Street, Morpeth, NE61 1XZ t: 01670 513540

JOLLY FISHERMAN

Craster, Alnwick, NE66 3TR t: 01665 576461

MINERS ARMS

Main Street, Acomb, NE46 4PW t: 01434 603909

LION & LAMB

Horsley, NE15 0NS t: 01661 852952

NEWCASTLE HOTEL

Front Street, Rothbury, NE65 7UT t: 01669 620334

OLIVERS

60 Bridge Street, Blyth, NE24 2AP t: 01670 368346

PERCY ARMS HOTEL

Main Road, Chatton NE66 5PS t: 01668 215244

Hillstreet, Corbridge, NE45 5AA t: 01434 431143

Wylam, NE41 8HR t: 01661 853431 • 14 Real ales on tap • CAMRA 2013 • Northumberland Pub of the Year Winner

THE BOATSIDE INN

Warden, Hexham, NE46 4SQ t: 01434 602233

THE BRIDGE END INN West Road, Ovingham Prudhoe, NE42 6BN t: 01661 832219

• 5 Real Ales • Traditional family run pub • Folk & music nights

THE CARTS BOG INN

Langley on Tyne, Hexham, NE47 5NW. t: 01434 684338

Caterway Heads Shotley Bridge, DH8 9LX t: 01207 255268 Main Street, Haltwhistle, NE49 0BS t: 01434 322588

The Peth, West Thirston, Felton, NE65 9EE t: 01670 787370

THE OLDE SHIP INN

9 Main Street, Seahouses, NE68 7RD t: 01665 720 200

THE PACKHORSE INN

Ellingham, Chathill, NE67 5HA t: 01665 589292

THE PILOT INN

31 Low Greens, Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 1LZ t: 01289 304214

THE PLOUGH

Village Square, Cramlington, NE23 1DN t: 01670 737633

THE PLOUGH INN

Front Street, Ellington, NE61 5JB t: 01670 860340

THE RAILWAY HOTEL

Church Street, Haydon Bridge, NE47 6JG t: 01434 684254

THE RAILWAY INN

Acklington, Morpeth, NE65 9BP t: 01670 760 320

THE RAT INN

Anick, Hexham, NE46 4LN t: 01434 602 814

THE RIDLEY ARMS

Stannington, Morpeth, NE61 6EL t: 01670 789216

THE RED LION

22 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth, NE66 2RJ t: 01665 830584 www.redlionalnmouth.co.uk

THE RED LION INN

Milfield, Wooler, NE71 6JD t: 01668 216224 www.redlioninn-milfield.co.uk

THE SEVEN STARS

21 Main Street, Ponteland, NE20 9NH, t: 01661 872670

THE SUN INN

Acomb, NE46 4PW t: 01434 602934

THE SUN INN

High Church, Morpeth, NE61 2QT, t: 01670 514153

BEST WESTERN ROKER HOTEL

LA TAVERNA

THE BRANDLING ARMS

BIERREX

• Tapas • Real Ale • Chicken

THE BRANDLING VILLA

Roker Terrace, Sunderland, SR6 9ND t: 0191 5671786 e: info@rokerhotel.co.uk

82 Pilgrim Street, NE1 6SG

BRIDGE HOTEL

31 North Side, Stamfordham, NE18 0QG t: 01661 886051

Castle Square, Newcastle, NE1 1RQ t: 0191 232 6400 e: info@sjf.co.uk

THE TANNERY

BRIDGE TAVERN

THE SWINBURNE ARMS

Gilesgate, Hexham, NE46 3QD t: 01434 605537 • Beer & Whisky room • Live music • Dog friendly

THE TAP & SPILE

Eastgate, Hexham, NE46 1BH, t: 01434 602039

THE TRAVELLERS REST

Slaley, Hexham, NE46 1TT t: 01434 673231 www.travellersrestslaley.com

THE WELLINGTON

Main Road, Riding Mill, NE44 6DQ t: 01434 682531

THE WHITE SWAN

Main Road, Ovingham,Prudhoe Northumberland NE42 6AG t: 01661 833188

THE WHEATSHEAF

St Helens Street, Corbridge, NE45 5HE t: 01434 632020

THE VICTORIA HOTEL

1 Front Street, Bamburgh, NE69 7BP, t: 01668 214431

THE VILLAGE INN

Longframlington, Morpeth, NE65 8AD t: 01665 570268 www.thevillageinnpub.co.uk

TEESSIDE BEST WESTERN GRAND HOTEL

Swainston Street, Hartlepool, TS24 8AA t: 01429 266345 e: grandhotel@tavistockleisure.com

BRITANNIA INN

65 High Street, Loftus, TS13 4HG t: 01287 640612

CLEVELAND BAY

Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0JE t: 01642 780275

THE CLEVELAND HOTEL

9-11 High Street West Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 1SQ t: 01642 484035

TYNE & WEAR ALUM ALE HOUSE Ferry Street, South Shields, NE33 1JR

ASHBROOKE SPORTS CLUB Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, SR2 7HH, t: 0191 528 4536

BACCHUS

7 Akenside Hill Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3UF t: 0191 232 1122 • Selection of real ales • Food served daily • Roof terrace

BRIDLE PATH

101 Front Street, Whickham, NE16 4JJ : 0191 4217676

CHESTERS

Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7DR t: 0191 5659952

COPPERFIELDS

Grand Hotel, Grand Parade Tyne And Wear, NE30 4ER t: 0191 293 6666

CUMBERLAND ARMS

12 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ t: 0191 2571820 www.cumberlandarms.co.uk

DELAVAL ARMS

Old Hartley, NE26 4RL t: 0191 237 0489

CROWN POSADA

31 Side, Newcastle, NE1 3JE t: 0191 2321269

FIRE STATION

York Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 1AB t: 0191 293 9030

FITZGERALDS

60 Grey Street, Newcastle, NE1 6AF t: 0191 2301350

FITZGERALDS

10-12 Green Terrace, Sunderland, SR1 3PZ t: 0191 5670852

FITZGERALDS

LADY GREY’S

20 Shakespeare Street, Newcastle, NE1 6AQ t: 0191 2323606

MAGNESIA BANK

1 Camden Street, North Shields, NE30 1NH t: 0191 257 4831

MARQUIS OF GRANBY

GOSFORTH HOTEL

High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HQ t: 0191 2856617

HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO Allan House, City Road Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 2BE

HUGOS

29 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ t: 0191 2578956

ISIS

BENTON ALE HOUSE

IVY HOUSE

26 Silksworth Row, Sunderland, SR1 3QJ t: 0191 5147684 Worcester Terrace, Sunderland SR2 7AW

THE BROAD CHARE

THE CAUSEY ARCH INN

57 St Andrews Street, Newcastle, NE1 5SE t: 0191 260 2490

ODDFELLOWS

7 Albion Road, North Shields, NE30 2RJ t: 0191 4358450

PUB & KITCHEN

Beamish Burn Road, Marley Hill, Newcastle, NE16 5EG t: 01207 233925

THE CENTRAL

Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, NE8 2AN t: 0191 4782543 e: central@theheadofsteam.co.uk

13/14 Albion Road, North Shields NE30 2RJ t: 0191 2573199

THE CENTURION

RED LION

• Real ales • Food available • Live sports shown

Redcar Terrace, West Boldon, NE36 0PZ t: 0191 536 4197

ROCKLIFFE ARMS

Neville Street, Newcastle, NE1 5DG, t: 0191 261 6611

THE CHILLINGHAM

Algernon Place, Whitley Bay, NE26 2DT t: 0191 2531299

Chillingham Road, Newcastle, NE1 1RQ t: 0191 265 3992

ROSIES BAR

THE CLUNY

2 Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ t: 0191 2328477

SHIREMOOR HOUSE FARM

36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ t: 0191 230 4474

THE COPT HILL

Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, NE29 8DZ t: 0191 2576302

Seaham Road, Houghton le Spring, DH35 8LU t: 0191 5844485

SUN INN

THE COTTAGE TAVERN

Market Lane, Swalwell, Gateshead, NE16 3AL t: 0191 442 9393

TILLEYS BAR

105 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG t: 0191 232 0692

TOBY BARNES

TRAVELLERS REST

St Lawrence Road, Byker, Newcastle, NE6 1AP t: 0191 265 5764

• Large selection of real ales • Regular food & drink festivals • Food served

NEWCASTLE ARMS

FOX & HOUNDS

FREE TRADE INN

Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1QL t: 0191 2840490

25 Broad Chare, Trinity Gardens, Quayside, Newcastle, NE1 3DQ t: 0191 211 2144

2 South Parade, Whitley Bay, NE26 2RG t: 0191 2511255 Coalburns, Greenside, NE40 4JN t: 0191 4132549

176 High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HD t: 0191 28540

Streetgate, Sunniside, Newcastle Tyne & Wear NE16 5ES t: 0191 257 4831

Durham Road, Sunderland SR2 7RB, t: 0191 5285644 www.tobycarvery.co.uk

42-48 High Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 6BX t: 0191 2611008 Front Street, Longbenton NE7 7XE t: 0191 2661512

Stella Road, Ryton NE21 4LU t: 0191 413 2921

North Road, Wide Open NE13 6LN t: 0191 2366300

TWIN FARMS

22 Main Road, Kenton Bk Ft, NE13 8AB t: 0191 2861263

TYNE BAR

Maling Street, Newcastle NE6 1LP

TYNEMOUTH LODGE

Tynemouth Road, North Shields, NE30 4AA t: 0191 257 7565

THE BEEHIVE

Hartley Lane, Earsdon, NE25 05Z t: 0191 2529352

THE BODEGA

North Street, Cleadon, SR6 7PL t: 0191 519 0547

THE COUNTY

High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HB t: 0191 285 6919

THE COURTYARD

Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington, NE38 8AB t: 0191 219 3463

THE CUMBERLAND ARMS James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE6 1LD t: 0191 265 6151

DAT BAR

THE PACKHORSE

THE HARBOUR VIEW

THE PAVILION

THE HASTINGS

THE POTTERS WHEEL

Old Penshaw Village, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 7ER t: 0191 512 6080 Benedict Street, Roker, Sunderland, SR6 0NU t: 0191 5671402 Wheatridge Row, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0QH t: 0191 237 6868

THE HEAD OF STEAM

2 Neville Street, Newcastle NE1 5EN t: 0191 230 4236

THE HEAD OF STEAM

3 The Arcade, Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4BS t: 0191 272 8105

THE HOTSPUR

103 Percy Street, Newcastle, NE1 7RY t: 0191 2324352

THE JOB BULMAN

St Nicholas Avenue, Gosforth, NE3 1AA t: 0191 2236320

THE JOLLY STEWARD

Fulwell Ave, South Shields, NE34 7DF t: 0191 427 2951

THE KEELMAN

Grange Road, Newburn, Newcastle , NE15 8NL t: 0191 267 1689

THE KEEL ROW

The Gate, Newcastle, NE1 5RF t: 01912299430

THE KINGS ARMS

Beech Street, Deptford, SR4 6BU t: 0191 567 9804

THE KINGS ARMS

West Terrace, Seaton Sluice, NE26 4RD t: 0191 2370275

Crookgate, Burnopfield, NE16 6NS t: 01207 270283 Hotspur North, Backworth, NE27 0BJ t: 0191 2680711 Sunniside, Newcastle, NE16 5EE t: 0191 488 8068

THE PRIORY

Front Street, Tynemouth NE30 4DX. t. 0191 257 8302

THE QUEEN VICTORIA

206 High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HD. t: 0191 2858060

THE RAVENSWORTH ARMS

Lamesley, Gateshead, NE11 0ER. t: 0191 487 6023

THE RISING SUN

Bank Top, Crawcrook, NE40 4EE. t: 0191 4133316

THE ROBIN HOOD

Primrose Hill, Jarrow, NE32 5UB. t: 0191 428 5454

THE ROSE & CROWN

North Street, Winlaton NE21 6BT. t: 0191 4145887

THE SCHOONER

South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3AF t: 0191 477 7404 • Handmade food • Toe-tapping tunes • Hip-ster free zone

THE SIR WILLIAM DE WESSYNGTON

THE KING GEORGE

North Parade, Whitley Bay t: 0191 251 3877

2-3 Victoria Road, Concord, Washington, NE37 2JY t: 0191 418 0100

THE LOW LIGHTS TAVERN

THE STAITH HOUSE

THE MALTINGS

THE STEAMBOAT

THE MID BOLDON CLUB

THE TANNERS

Brewhouse Bank, North Shields, NE30 1LL t: 0191 2576038

9 Claypath Lane, South Shields, NE33 4PG t: 0191 4277147 60 Front Street. East Boldon, NE36 0SH

THE MILE CASTLE

52 Westgate Rd, NE1 5XU t: 0191 2111160

57 Low Lights, North Shields, NE30 1JA t: 0191 2708441 27 Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1EQ t: 0191 454 0134

1 Byker Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2NS

THE THREE TUNS

Sheriffs Highway, Gateshead, NE9 5SD t: 0191 4870666

11 Market St, Newcastle, NE1 6JN t: 0191 244 2513

THE MILL HOUSE

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

THE MILLSTONE HOTEL

THE DUN COW

THE NEW BRIDGE

• Selection of real ales • Food served daily • Cinema room available

THE FIVE SWANS

THE NORTHUMBRIAN PIPER

THE TURKS HEAD

THE OLD GEORGE

THE VICTORY

THE OLDE SHIPS INN

YE OLD CROSS INN

High Bridge, Newcastle NE1 1EN t: 0191 261 8852

9 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3HA t: 0191 5672262 St Marys Place, Newcastle, NE1 7PG t: 0191 2111140

THE GREEN

125 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG t: 0191 221 1552

White Mare Pool, Wardley, Gateshead, NE10 8YB t: 0191 4950171

THE BRIAR DENE

THE GREY HORSE

71 The Links, Whitley Bay, NE26 1UE t: 0191 2520926

THE GREY HORSE

Front Street, East Boldon, NE36 0SJ t: 0191 519 1796

Blackfell, Birtley, DH3 1RE t: 0191 415 1313 Hadricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1QL t: 0191 285 3429

2 -4 Argyle Street, Newcastle, NE1 6PF t: 0191 2321020 Fawdon House, Red House Farm Estate, Gosforth, NE3 2AH t: 0191 2856793 Old George Yd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EE t: 0191 260 3035 Durham Road, East Rainton, DH5 9QT t: 0191 5840944

THE TOWN WALL

Pink Lane, Newcastle, NE1 5HX www.thetownwall.com

41 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ t: 0191 2576547 Killingworth Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1SY t: 0191 285 1254 Ryton Village, NE40 3QP t: 0191 4134689

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 45

JSL3186 Cheers magazine_260x61mm_Hotel_AW.pdf

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