cheers WWW.CHEERSNORTHEAST.CO.UK // NOVEMBER 2016 // ISSUE 65
I T ’ S
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P U B S ,
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Y O U !
DOG BREW GOES THROUGH THE WOOF CRAFT BEER CALLED AND WE LISTENED CONTAIN THE EXCITEMENT HOP SECRET IS OUT NOW
ALLENDALE ON A HIGH
ADDER LAGER COUNTS AS WORLD’S BEST
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WELCOME There’s something comforting about the evenings getting darker earlier with pubs glowing with an extra charm. But there’s no great advantage in it being slightly lighter in the mornings – unless, of course, you’ve had a really, really good night and the walk home is that much easier. We’ve got to admit that it’s tempting on the darker, colder nights to take one look out of the window and decide to not bother with the pub quiz and opt instead for Holby City or whatever else keeps people glued to the settee. We should think ourselves lucky that we in the North East have so many terrific pubs we can choose from – and it seems like there are new options popping up regularly, so wrap up warmly and close the door firmly as you step out of the house on your way to one of them. On a similar note, small brewing businesses are also appearing with a regularity that must have brewing vessel companies working overtime. It’s situations like this that means everybody wins – from the welder putting the kit together right through to the end user, the consumer, you and me. Regardless of the positive spin, pubs still need your support – particularly, as we’ve said, other attractions loom large. We’ve just gone through what is termed Stoptober where we’re advised to give it all up for a month. Shortly, it’ll be Dry January and even more pressure from the “detox police”. We’re not telling you what to do, but maybe it’s time to be a rebel. Be contrary, resist, dissent, and if you can’t exactly take to the streets, take yourself to the pub. You know it makes sense. Cheers, Alastair Gilmour Editor, Cheers North East
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A brewery, sitting on a historic former industrial site high up in the North Pennines has recently been awarded a gold medal for one of its beers. Allendale Adder Lager came top of its category in the World Beer Awards – a wonderful achievement for this small but progressive business. The Allendale range covers most beer styles, from the traditional and hugely popular to the more experimental, using ingredients – and getting the best out of them – that bring an extra zing to the palate. We report on the hard work, determination and sheer brewing ability that have made Allendale such a success.
COVER: LUCY HICK AT ALLENDALE BREWERY. PHOTO: PETER SKELTON
IN OUR FIRST YEAR WE HAVE STOCKED 300 DIFFERENT BEERS FROM 100 DIFFERENT BREWERIES SUSANNAH MANSFIELD, STATION HOUSE
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PUBLISHED BY:
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Emma Howe emma@offstonepublishing.co.uk
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Photography: Peter Skelton
Publishers: Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay Unit One, Bearl Farm Stocksfield Northumberland NE43 7AJ
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FESTIVE DINING OUT BREWERY PROFILE THE A-Z OF PUBS FUN WITH FUN STUFF
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NEWS
PINT COULD BE WORTH A PUNT The region’s beer drinkers could have a real excuse for a celebratory clinking of glasses come Saturday June 3 2017, the date of The Derby, horseracing’s most prestigious event. And their drink of choice? Rivet Catcher (4.0% abv). A young horse called Rivet, part-owned by the legendary Lester Piggott and trained by his son-in-law William Haggas, had its odds slashed to 10-1 for the premier classic following an impressive win recently. Rivet Catcher has been revived by the Great North Eastern Brewing Company which bought the Jarrow Brewery brands after its demise earlier this year and, according to its new brewers, it’s “flying out”. Lester Piggott won The Derby nine times as a jockey, so a Rivet/ Rivet Catcher double would be nice.
BROAD SMILES IN CITY PUB
A popular Newcastle Quayside pub has retained its place in the latest Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide. Broad Chare has kept a tight grip on its coveted Bib Gourmand in the undisputed “bible” of eating out and is the only pub in the city to feature in the 2017 publication. Broad Chare – part of renowned chef Terry Laybourne’s 21 Hospitality Group and a creative
Team effort: Steve Dunn at Broad Chare
The Steamboat 2016 Sunderland & South Tyneside CAMRA Pub of the Year Regional CAMRA Pub of the Year 2015 & 2016
27 Mill Dam, South Shields, NE33 1EQ (0191) 454 0134 4 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
partnership with next-door Live Theatre – has again successfully held onto the accolade it first received it in 2012. The awards are presented to dining establishments offering “exceptional good food at moderate prices” and it’s but one of a string of accolades deservedly handed to the gastropub since it opened in 2011 – such as hitting number 28 in the UK’s Top 50 Gastropub awards and achieving a
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cooking score of four in the 2017 Good Food Guide. Broad Chare manager Steve Dunn said: “Our approach is simple – we are first and foremost a pub focused on offering a great beer list and honest seasonal food. But retaining the prestigious Bib Gourmand is a great achievement and reflects the team effort among the kitchen and front-of-house staff.”
NEWS
BREWERY CAUGHT IN A TRAP
It’s reported that BrewDog founders James Watt and Martin Dickie have changed their names to Elvis by deed poll after the Elvis Presley estate launched a legal action against them over their Elvis Juice IPA. Watt and Dickie, pictured above, took the drastic step after The King’s estate objected to the use of his name for the grapefruit and blood orange beer. But BrewDog insisted that the Elvis Juice IPA had no connection to the singer and that there ought to be “a little less conversation and more time enjoying our beer”. Elvis Watt said: “We’re caught in
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a trap and suggest the grey-suited hound dogs at the Presley estate recognise that the name Elvis is not exclusive. So, in an effort to patch it up, we’ve changed our names to highlight our burning love for the best grapefruit IPA out there. “From this point, Elvis Juice is named after us, the brewers formerly known as James and Martin. We would like to recommend that Presley’s estate diverts its attention to another potential source of remuneration – a brewery that calls itself The King of Beer. We may even file a case against Mr Presley for using our names on his records without our written permission.”
CLUB HOPES TO POCKET BIG PRIZE
Darlington Snooker Club has a nail-biting month ahead. The Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) quest to find the country’s best real ale club has reached its last 16 round with the North East’s representative very much in the frame.
This month, the regional champions will be whittled down to four for the Club Mirror-sponsored final. The eventual winner will be announced in February. Let’s club together and keep our fingers crossed for Peter Everitt and his snooker club team – they deserve the highest break.
A SUCCESSION OF GOOD NEWS Durham Brewery is launching its whisky cask-aged Temptation this month under the name Imperious, which is described as the ultimate Imperial Stout worthy of the Empress of Russia herself. (It’s reputed that Catherine II of Russia – known as Catherine The Great – was partial to a drop of what became known as Imperial Russian Stout.) A new cask ale is also due to see the light of day. The brewery’s Elly Bell says: “I think we might be the first brewery – but possibly not – to brew a beer with bay leaves. Steve (Gibbs) had a great big bush of it at home so he decided to spend four hours harvesting leaves to create Culpeper’s Elixir. Nicholas Culpeper was a 17th Century herbalist. “Other news is that Christine – my mother – has handed over her half of the brewery to me. I hope that my 13 years here will stand me in good stead to continue managing this fantastic family brewery. “No big changes will take place on the day-to-day business and we will carry on creating the good reliable old favourites as well as the more innovative beers with a fantastic team supporting me which will ensure the future of Durham’s oldest brewery.”
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NEWS
SUPERMARKET SALES MOVE AHEAD It’s been coming for some time. Britain’s 145,000 pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants sold less beer than supermarkets and off-licences last year – for the first time since industry records began. According to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), of the 44 million hectolitres (7.74 billion pints) of beer consumed in the UK during 2015, 51% was sold in the off-trade, which is dominated by large supermarkets. The remaining 49% was sold through pubs, clubs and other licensed premises. Pubs have been steadily losing ground to supermarkets for many years through being unable to compete with aggressive promotions, especially on popular lager brands. A quick check showed that Tesco was selling “slab” packs of 18 cans of Stella Artois for £14 – equivalent to about £1 a pint, while Asda’s multipack of 20 Carlsberg Lager cans was £10. Pictured is Marston’s Pedigree (500ml) at 99p in Lidl in Newcastle.
BURGER POP-UP POPS UP A specialist burger company is launching a pop-up kitchen at the Head of Steam in Tynemouth until the end of this year. Hull-based KerbEdge has taken over from Longhorns who have run their barbecue smokehouse in the pub since February, with Kitchen By Longhorns continuing at the Head of Steam sites in Headingley (Leeds) and Sheffield. The Tynemouth pub becomes the third Kitchen by KerbEdge partnership in the Camerons Brewery estate following a great customer response to “the best burgers this side of the Atlantic” in its Hull and Leeds bars earlier this year. Chris Soley, Camerons’ chief executive,
Pop-up: Head of Steam, Tynemouth said: “It has been great working with KerbEdge. We have been really impressed with the way they have developed the menu and have taken time developing food with beer in mind, both in terms of using it as an ingredient and also accompanying dishes too. “We are currently exploring the ‘pop-up kitchen’ theme across our managed estate.”
THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED CBC16… TILL THE NEXT TIME x
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NEWS
LIFESTYLE AWARD FOR CITY PUB
One of Newcastle’s most recognisable pubs has been toasting success after coming top of a social media poll. The Tudor-style fronted, 1923-vintage City Tavern was named pub of the year at the 2016 Tyne and Wear Lifestyle Awards hosted by television network Made in Tyne and Wear to celebrate the best lifestyle businesses across the county. The delighted City Tavern owner
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David King said: “We are constantly striving to make City Tavern the go-to place, so to be rewarded for our efforts shows we are heading in the right direction. We’re incredibly proud of this award and will continue to aim higher.” The City Tavern was taken over by David King in 2014 and was stylishly refurbished to the tune of £450,00 by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars while still retaining the venue’s early 20th Century features.
Lifestyle: City Tavern, Newcastle
Tel: 01604 879831 nichesolutionsgb.co.uk
Discover why The Hastings is the Best Partnership Pub in Great Britain
VILLAGERS RALLY TO SAVE INN
Residents in Fourstones, Northumberland, are pulling together in an attempt to save their village pub as a going concern. Members of the newlyformed Fourstones Community Ventures group are keen to ensure The Railway Inn reopens
as a pub after a year of closure and not to be sold off for other development. It’s believed the group has identified a potential buyer who is keen to revive the pub’s fortunes, but as usual in these cases, there are several hoops to jump through.
Wheatridge Row, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland NE25 0QH
www.thehastingsarms.com
The home of Geordie Tappaz www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 7
NEWS
Life-saver: Norman MacKenzie
ON ITS BACK – AND THE FRONT FOOT Black Sheep Brewery has revealed a refreshed identity for one of its award-winning signature ales, ahead of its 25th anniversary year. Riggwelter (5.7% abv), the Masham-based brewery’s award-winning strong dark ale, has been given a cleaner and bolder new look for a modern audience. It has been winning a string of prestigious awards lately, most notably recognised with a gold medal at the 2016 International Beer Challenge and named the UK’s best strong dark beer at this year’s World Beer Awards. High praise indeed. Jo Theakston, sales and marketing director at Black Sheep Brewery, said: “We are seeing a resurgence in the popularity of big flavoured dark ales and Riggwelter is one of the best there is. Next year, 2017, is a landmark for Black Sheep, our 25th anniversary, so we’re preparing exciting times.” The name Riggwelter is derived from Yorkshire Dales dialect for when a sheep rolls onto its back and can’t get up – it is “rigged” or “riggwelted”.
STUDENTS’ HOME FROM HOME
Here comes the cavalry – looking awfully like Mum’s cooking. One of Tyneside’s trendiest venues is coming to the aid of struggling students with a menu packed with home comforts. Osbornes, in Jesmond, Newcastle, has devised a dining package aimed at students. Enter sausage casserole, beef stew and dumplings, cauliflower cheese and cottage pie, all served in bowls with a wedge of stottie on the side. Diners looking for a light snack can opt for home-made
Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, lentil and bacon soup, or house-baked macaroni cheese with a brioche crust. Also on offer are a range of salads, hot dogs, burgers, and a Hangover Club available on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu is the brainchild of Norman MacKenzie, Master Chef of Great Britain, and executive chef at the Malhotra Group which owns Osbornes, along with the Three Mile Inn, Gosforth; The Sandpiper, Cullercoats; The Runhead at Ryton, Tyne & Wear, and Scalini’s Italian restaurants in Jesmond and Gosforth.
Festive Menu Revealed... Your Christmas Party in the Heart of the City visit TheBridgeTavern.com for further details 8 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
BARCUTERIE B E E R · M E AT CHEESE · WINE · SPIRITS O P E N I N G PA R T Y
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FESTIVAL NEWS
High House Farm Brewery is an exciting and unique venue situated just a stone’s throw away from Hadrian’s Wall. A micro brewery standing within a 200 acre working farm. We brew over 18 different beers At High House Farm Brewery, you are always welcome – whether it’s visiting the restaurant and tearoom, sitting and relaxing with a pint or two while the children play outside in the playground or attending a wedding to dance the night away. There is full disabled access, including a platform lift & plenty of parking. Whatever the reason, a warm welcome always awaits at High House Farm Brewery.
THEY HEARD THE CALL – AND DRANK TO IT
One of the country’s most exciting festivals of craft beer has been held in Newcastle for the third time – and it was a case of best of three. Craft Beer Calling, hosted by Wylam Brewery, was the first one in the series to be held at the iconic Palace of Arts venue in Exhibition Park, making full use of the domed events space and the state-of-the-art brewhouse. The list of brewers invited to show their wares at the two-day extravaganza read like a Who’s Who of modern brewing – Wild Beer, Thornbridge, Left-Handed
Giant, Beavertown, Siren, North Brewing Company and local progressives such as Almasty and Northern Alchemy, along with Wylam’s own offerings in the shape of Hickey The Rake (4.2% abv), Solar Terminator (5.8% abv), and Worlds Collide (7.2% abv) a collaboration with Cloudwater. And it was hugely encouraging to see so many young people – some with babes in arms – enjoying flavours and styles that elevate beer to so much more than a pint of ordinary. Wylam head brewer Ben Wilkinson, a young man who has
True brew: Luke Orwin
ALCOHOLIC CAPPUCCINO ANYONE?
HIGH HOUSE FARM BREWERY, MATFEN, NORTHUMBERLAND, NE20 0RG www.highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk / info@highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk
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Meet the champion. The Hop & Cleaver in Newcastle invited home-brewers to show off their skills in a challenge with the prize being the winning recipe was brewed in a five-barrel batch by in-house brewers Tony Kileen and Kay Masson. Sixteen impressive brews were judged by a seven-strong panel of beer enthusiasts – people who know what’s in their glass – who
sipped and supped their way through wheat beers, Belgianstyle Abbey beers, a ginger ale and saisons with the winner emerging as Cappuccino Porter (4.7% abv) brewed by Luke Orwin. The judges were unanimous in agreeing that Luke’s beer, with its coffee, chocolate and liquorice undertones, was already a commercial-grade product.
FESTIVAL NEWS vast experience of festivals like Craft Beer Calling, was highly impressed. He said: “We’ve been blown away by how well the whole thing is working, particularly the bars set up in the brewhouse. It’s been amazing.” A couple of beers that jumped out of the notebook were Northern Alchemy Chocolate and Chilli Milk Shake (5.3% abv) which supped like a soothing bedtime draught of cocoa stoked by a slow release of chilli tingle from the throat up. Siren Brewery Ten Dollar Shake (6.6% abv) was brewed by exiled Geordie Sam Squires (whose mother travelled from Consett “because I never get to see him”). Sam studied brewing at the highly respected HeriotWatt University in Edinburgh and worked in the city for some time before heading south. He’s now a brewer at the Berkshire-based craft enterprise and is loving every second. “Best thing I ever did,” he said. He could easily have been talking about Craft Beer Calling.
In the swing: A selection of Craft Beer Calling revellers. Below: Sam Squires (checked jacket), from Siren Brewery
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CASK CONDITIONED ALES
All the favourites:BLAYDON BRICK . PAGAN QUEEN ELDER STATESMAN . TRADE STAR COALFACE SEASONAL
Tel: (0191) 447 6543 Email: contact@firebrickbrewery.com firebrickbrewery.com Units 10-11 , Blaydon Business Centre , Cowen Road , Blaydon on Tyne . NE21 5TW www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 11
BEER NEWS
WE’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE, MAN We’re constantly overwhelmed by the fact that one of the things you folks pack in your wheelie cases is a copy of Cheers so you can grab an image from somewhere in the world for posterity – or even from closer to home. Cheers reader Allan Mcneill sent us this photo from a recent tour of American music cities. “We were on our way from Memphis to New Orleans and the temperature was over 100,” he says, “so we needed a really cold beer”.
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LAPPING IT UP
A beer made specially for dogs has really taken off in the past year, as Alastair Gilmour reports When someone tells you they boil bones for a living, it tends to make you wonder what kind of occupation they are involved in. It might appear a little grizzly, but this particular business is a very successful one and about to get even more so. Woof Dog Beer is made from humangrade ingredients that include a broth derived from Aberdeen Angus beef bones and brewers’ wort – a sweet liquid mixture of malted barley and water drawn before it is fermented into beer. And Woof is what Gabby McCann from Tynemouth is shifting by the shed-load because dogs and their owners are loving it. The product took some time to get off the ground (as we reported in Cheers November 2015 issue) but now with interest from Oban Ales in Scotland, a company that builds microbreweries, it is about to get its own factory unit and bottling facility.
“Woof Dog Beer is a quality product and unique to us,” says Gabby, whose husband Ewan McCann runs Three Kings Brewery in North Shields (where the brewery wort comes from). “It’s made from premium crystal malt, so it’s top quality. It was a shame seeing all the waste going down the drain.” In the beginning, Gabby collected boxes of bones and boiled them at home. “It was a labour of love,” she says, with a little understatement. “We’re hoping to have our own manufacturing and bottling facility this month. Before that we were making it here and sending it to a firm in London for bottling. “Everything we use is approved by the Food Standards Agency and Defra (the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and can be traced right back to individual fields. The beer, made from all-organic ingredients, is full of goodness
BEER NEWS
More please: Knuckles the sausage dog-cross with, right, Gabby McCann
for dogs, it’s non-alcoholic, hop-free and uncarbonated, so you won’t be walking a wobbly dog home. “Our three dogs love it – Knuckle, the sausage dog cross, likes the beef flavour, while Dolly and VV prefer the chicken version, as does Billy the cat. “The malted barley is good for their bones and the bone broth is good for eyes, coat and digestion. The bones come from Aberdeen Angus cattle – which produce the best beef in the world – that have been raised on pasture all year round. We even know the name of the cow, its pedigree and where it was born. “The bones don’t get used for anything else which makes me feel a little bit better about the whole thing.” Gabby and Woof have featured in an Australian magazine aimed, she says, at posh people with massive incomes who spend all their money on their dogs. “That went global,” she says, “and we’ve had enquiries from America, Greece and Holland and we’re shipping a container out to Poland. Competitors’ products are basically water and flavourings and when we exhibited at a pet trade fair in Telford recently the feedback was massive with 40 new
customers in the following two weeks.” Woof Dog Beer is available in beer shops which tend to have delis attached plus outlets that stock the more unusual ales, garden centres, dog-friendly cafes like The Staithes Café in Dunston, Gateshead, and Fenwicks in Newcastle. Woof would appear to be nose-lickin’ good.
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STARRING… PUBS
DOING THE DETECTIVE WORK The North East has played a starring role, albeit a background one, in films and television dramas that range from the Roman Polanski production of Macbeth filmed on Holy Island in 1970 through Get Carter to Transformers: The Last Knight, which saw action last month in Newcastle and Seahouses – and all points in between. Lower down the blockbuster scale, however, a film crew has been spotted over the last few weeks around Northumberland and in Newcastle getting to grips with locations for the seventh series of
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Action: The Gun Inn, Ridsdale (courtesy of The Hexham Courant) Right: Filming at The Central, Gateshead Bottom: The crew at the Crown Posada, Newcastle
the hugely popular ITV crime series Vera based on books by Whitley Bay author Ann Cleeves. North East followers of the series that stars Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope working for the fictional Northumberland & City Police generally keep an eye out for locations they recognise and when cast and crew gather to record a scene it invariably causes great curiosity. But when it comes to pubs, we have to do a bit of our own detective work. For example, a Northumberland pub had its name changed for the benefit of the six-and-a-half million
viewers who regularly tune in to Vera. The Gun Inn at Ridsdale on the A68 was briefly renamed The Lion for an episode that will be aired in 2017. Liz Askew, Gun Inn landlady, told the Hexham Courant: “We were over the moon as we know how much Vera has brought to Northumberland. We closed during the day to allow them to film and when we opened in the evening it was a real talking point and everyone wanted to know what had happened. “Local children were especially intrigued and were taking pictures
with the Land Rover that Brenda Blethyn drives in the series. The whole cast and people who worked behind the scenes were lovely and very courteous, taking the time to speak to the locals. It’s exciting for the whole area and the pub.” The Vera team then set off to film in Blanchland and were expected to return to The Gun Inn/ Lion for further filming. The film-makers were also busy in and around Newcastle with a morning and lunchtime shoot at the Crown Posada on Dean Street. The pub was closed for a few hours while scripts were pored over,
STARRING… PUBS
QUOTE
“I ONCE GAVE UP DRINKING. IT WAS THE WORST AFTERNOON OF MY LIFE” HUMPHREY BOGART
schedules examined and cameras rolled. Outside on the pavement, ladders, black-out sheets, lights, trolleys, monitors and sound and vision gear were corralled by a fleet of vans. A member of the film crew revealed that the sequence at the Crown Posada would be the final shot of the last programme in the upcoming series. The pint being pulled and pushed across the counter was shot from several angles to get the movement and atmosphere right. Apparently, it’s a “love interest” theme played out with a suitor waiting for Vera at the bar. Intriguing. The series’ director said the whole shooting match should be back around the North East soon for filming Inspector George Gently, the 1960s-set crime drama starring Martin Shaw. When Brenda Blethyn and her
cast and crew pitched up at The Central in Gateshead early one morning in September 2013, it was expected they’d be done and dusted before lunch. Not so – they filmed until 9.30 that evening, which shows the attention to detail that programme makers go to. Central manager Gavin Sinclair says: “I was on the late shift and they were still busy when I got in. They were here for what seemed like forever for a sequence that lasted about 15 seconds.” Vera Stanhope is described as being extremely obsessive about her work, scatter-brained, disheveled, and full of her own personal “demons”, so a “love interest” will certainly have a lot on their plate. She sounds like the sort of character you meet every day in a North East pub.
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INNOVATION
CALL ON THE MOBILE
When brewers get together – as they regularly do – the conversation invariably turns to “who does your bottling?” It seems to be a contentious area with nobody quite agreeing on who does the best job for each individual requirement. Basically, bottling and canning is a headache (we’ve even heard of one brewery getting someone else’s beer returned under their own packaging). Every brewery has its own needs – specific quantities, individual labelling, quality control and delivery dates. They are then faced with two options; either to use a contract bottling company – that usually involves high transport costs, logistics and lack of flexibility – or installing their own bottling line. This is a high financial commitment in specialist equipment, and further costs in additional space, utilities and often in personnel. Numerous craft brewers and drinks producers have invested in equipment which frequently becomes under-utilised, providing a poor return on investment. But there’s a neater solution. The ultimate scenario is to have access to an on-site bottling line, required as and when for a few hours or a few days without the cost and hassle of transport
and handling. Quite simply, the product is bottled on location without hefty capital investment and employing the required expertise. Carmichael, an Edinburgh based engineering company, has been involved in the design and manufacture of patented high performance labelling machines used by Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestle, Heineken, Lucozade, Sara Lee and other prominent brands worldwide since 1986. It has launched a completely new concept mobile bottling operation with all the associated equipment designed and manufactured totally by the company then fully installed in specialist vehicles. Managing director Alastair Carmichael, a graduate of Northumbria University, says: “We’ve got one truck at the moment – called The Lord of the Isles which handles contracts in Scotland and the north of England – and there’s a new one due on the road shortly called The Wolf of Badenoch which will serve London and South East. Both are named after headstrong Scottish characters because that’s what we like to think we are. “We are unique in that we have an experienced bottling manager on the truck alongside the driver who doubles up as a machine operator. All that’s
Trucking: The team behind Carmichael Mobile Bottling. View the process at www.c-m-b.co.uk needed after that are a couple of brewery workers to help with the loading at one end and the packing at the other. “We take 2,000 litres of water with us and have our own generator so we don’t even have to plug into the customer’s electricity supply. We’re a world-first. Brewers we work regularly with include Stewart Brewing and Alechemy and we’ve got some big orders in Sheffield and London. As well as beer we bottle cider, carbonated soft drinks,
CAMRA 2015 SOUTH WEST NORTHUMBERLAND PUB OF THE YEAR WINNER
TRADITIONAL PUB WITH REAL ALES, A REAL FIRE AND A WARM WELCOME (12 Handpulls - 12 Ciders/Perrys) Pie & Peas, toasties & sandwiches available every day
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Wednesday 16th November All singers and musicians welcome FREE Function room !! Catering available on request
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Station Road, Wylam, NE41 8HR Tel: 01661 853431 Follow us @Boathouse Wylam & Like us on
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INNOVATION
VIEW FROM A FARNE Martin Hammill, brewery manager at Hadrian Border, was fishing off Seahouses, Northumberland, on board the Genesis when he spotted the opportunity of snapping Farne Island Pale Ale with the Farne Islands in the background.
mead, spirits, and we’re packaging a Dalmeny whisky and soda mixer at the moment. We’ve even got someone interested in bottling Loch Ness water for them.” Carmichael has four engineering designers at its manufacturing business in Poland and is looking to expand across the US in 2017, having identified Philadelphia and San Francisco for starters. “We design the equipment and build it,” says
Alastair Carmichael. “It’s a unique position for us.” Carmichael’s mobile line can handle 330ml and 500ml bottles at 1,800 bottles per hour (30bpm). On the technical side, the truck features a carbonator, sterile filtration unit, eight-head bottle rinser, eight-head bottle filler, eight-head bottle crowner, self-adhesive labellers, hot foil and ink-jet date coders, case sealer, tray and shrink-wrap packer, and all quality control equipment. That’s thirsty work.
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www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 17 30/01/2015 12:58
PUB PROFILE
NO BAR NOT A BAR TO PUB’S SUCCESS Durham’s first micropub is about to reach its first anniversary. Granted, it’s not a big deal in terms of pub life, but The Station House marks a significant point in 21st Century beer and drinking culture; the micropub. The Station House, below the vast railway arches at the foot of the run-up to Durham Station, has no counter as such and no handpulls; there’s no television, gaming machine, music or “other distractions”. Its doors opened on December 8 2015 and it now has a community of regulars who have made it a favoured spot. But it’s probably best to let owners Susannah and Chris Mansfield have to say about their business – and their passion. “In our first year we have stocked 300 different beers from
100 different breweries and more than 80 different real ciders and perries. Around half of the beer is sourced from local brewers, with the rest coming via wholesalers from the best brewers around the country. “We have maintained a range of styles at all times and have become a well-established part of the pub scene in Durham. Our ethos is on quality products in an environment condusive to conversation in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Our staff are knowledgeable and passionate about everything we sell – including gluten-free and vegan-friendly beer – and always happy to help out if our customers are not sure what they’ll like. “On entering The Station House for the first time you might be surprised by the lack of a bar – we serve our beer straight out of the cask through a hatch from the cold room with no handpulls, because we believe this is the best possible way of serving beer. “We have also established several interest groups that meet at the pub, including weekly board games and craft nights, and a monthly book group. Other
Station House, Durham. Photos: Peter Skelton
unaffiliated interest and community groups also use the space regularly for meetings and socials. “We’d like to say a huge thankyou to all those who have helped us, and to all our customers, and look forward to extending our warmest welcome to those yet to visit.”
The Station House also displays artworks from local mental health charity RTProjects, using art to support them through recovery. All proceeds from the sale of the distinctive black-and-white prints, and blue-and-white cyanotype prints go to support the Durhambased charity.
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STATION EAST EXPECTED OPENING DATE
24th November Old fashioned local, community pub
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HADRIAN BORDER BREWERY Unit 5, The Preserving Works, Newburn Industrial Estate, Shelley Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE15 9RT t: 0191 264 9000 e: info@hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk 20 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
BREWERY NEWS
GOLD MEDAL SHIMMERS TO THE MAX Maxim Brewery is still glowing from the results of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), competition for the North East region which saw one of its beers perform particularly well. Maximus – the “big brother” of the legendary Double Maxim – was awarded a gold medal in the premium ales category before going on to be crowned champion bottled beer. Maxim (6.0% abv) next goes forward to the national SIBA finals held in Sheffield next March. “So it’s fingers crossed,” says Maxim director Mark Anderson. “There are some great beers out there from very hoppy and very light to ones with different flavours. Maxim is a great dark beer and very drinkable, albeit it’s 6.0% abv. “Our production is half bottled beer and the other half split between cask and keg which reflects socially what’s happening in the supermarkets and the ontrade. But you still have to battle hard to keep your margins. “We’re developing Swedish Blonde in bottle but it’s typical of Champion: Mark Anderson, Maxim Brewery
the challenges some beers face in getting bottled beer into a larger market. There are lots of losses in small-batch brewing for bottling. In a five-barrel brew you can lose 20% through filtration alone and then there’s the cost of labelling and bottling and other small-run costs. It’s not easy.” Mark and the Maxim team are in dialogue with UK Trade & Industry (UKTI), the government body that helps companies export and grow in a global market and he is inviting other North East breweries to join forces. “We’re talking about setting up a North East export club where the region’s brewers could contribute – on a match-funding basis – to hiring someone as a UKTI beer export manager to help develop contacts abroad. The government always says its trying to support brewers and help them towards trips to the US or China but when you get there, there are often no real contacts available and it’s impossible to get to the right people in the short time you’re there.
NEWS
POPPING DOWN THE LOCO
“A small export club could put four or five mixed pallets of beer together from North East producers – working on one’s own is almost impossible.” Mark Anderson also warns about the return of the brewery tie he fears would be concerning for smaller brewers not able to offer technical services and development loans in return for exclusive use of a handpull. He says: “There is so much pressure
on pubs and breweries. People’s habits are changing so there are challenges ahead, but also opportunities.” Elsewhere in the Maxim premises at Rainton Bridge, Houghton-le-Spring, Mark reports that they have taken on an extra brewer and a new delivery driver through the steady growth coming from business with pub groups, independents, cash-and-carries and supermarkets. They’re doing things to the max.
When the Flying Scotsman made several late-summer appearances criss-crossing the North East, we invited readers to contribute photos of it passing pubs. The latest one to pop up is Ian Young’s shot of the world’s most famous steam locomotive cruising past the George Stephenson pub at West Moor, near Killingworth in Northumberland. The pub is named after “the father of the railways” who lived at nearby Dial Cottage from 1804 when he was an engineer at Killingworth Colliery. Ian Young says: “I live near George Stephenson’s cottage and, of course, the pub. I pass it on the way from work and have always thought it would be a great idea to photograph a train passing over the bridge. “I’ve never got around to doing it, but when I heard the Flying Scotsman was going to pass I thought it’s now or never. Luckily I have a mate who lives a few hundred yards down the line so I got him to call me as it passed his house so I’d be ready to get the shot. “The George Stephenson is a good, oldfashioned pub serving real ales and therefore another reason to be a fitting subject for a photo.”
www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 21
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
CONTAIN THE EXCITEMENT
A beer ‘den’ in a Newcastle suburb has Alastair Gilmour celebrating the ‘wow’ factor Readers with long memories might recall the tree house in the 1960s Disney film The Swiss Family Robinson. It was a schoolboy/girl dream of functional timber and clever, comforting branchwork that everybody who saw the movie yearned to live in. Today, if you add some beer, a television on one wall and a vintage computer game to the Robinson’s desert island refuge, you’re close to what has been achieved at the Hop Secret. The Hop Secret is a long-time-acoming project by Andrew Cossey and the team at Coppers at Brunton Park, Gosforth, Newcastle – a convenience store with its nether regions given over
22 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
to an amazing selection of bottled and canned beer (plus a smattering of wine and spirits). “Not bad for a shipping container, is it?” says Andrew, a young man who needs no introduction to enthusiasm. “To think this used to be the car park at the back of the shop.” Hop Secret has come a long way from its shipping container skeleton. It’s a timber-clad den with lovely sections of woodworked detailing that point to someone knowing what they’re doing with a saw, a hammer and a mouthful of nails. It’s basically a back yard furnished with hefty benches outside that grounded, almost secret refuge.
Hop Secret, Gosforth. Photos: Peter Skelton
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
SIGN OF THE TIMES
You’d think that with all the dictionaries that Waterstones in Newcastle stock, they’d check their signwriter’s work, even if it meant remaining stationary… easier. Being out in the suburbs means people have to make an effort to be here – that’s when they say ‘wow, thank you’. “We want people to be relaxed when they come here; we’ve all got a common connection with beer but we’re not a pub.” Andrew’s plans for an in-house microbrewery and a roof terrace will take Hop Secret to – forgive the pun – another level, and he’s confident the next-door Indian take-away will join the venture with some sort of small plates-style offering. He says: “We plan the brewery to be a cooperative and to not have a head brewer as such. They’ll be able to come in and brew what they want.”
The toilets have 5,000 pennies glued to the floor – Andrew admits it’s about going to spend a penny and you can tell he’s rather pleased with himself for thinking up the analogy, even though it was particularly hard work. “We’re already thinking about hosting festivals and events. We’ve got some cracking stuff on the shelves for people to enjoy. “The price is the same whether you take them away or drink on the premises and we’ll soon have a vending machine so they don’t even have to leave the room.” Then he reveals a little of his working practices: “If you want it, you’ve got to work for it.”
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“This place is gorgeous and we’ve had some canny feedback,” says Andrew. “We could have just put a couple of picnic benches in the back yard, but this is where we want to be. When you’re doing your day-job (running a convenience store with its nether regions given over to an amazing selection of bottled and canned beer) you’re in a little bubble. But sometimes you have to take a step back and look at what else can be done. Now, people who come in just say ‘wow’. “We want to increase the local beers section in the shop to let people see how good we are at that in the North East. We’ve got some great supporters and it makes what you do that much
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COVER STORY
ALLENDALE ON A HIGH Brewing beer that travels well is an occupational hazard when you’re based in the North Pennines, but the world takes notice, writes Alastair Gilmour You would think the folks at Allendale Brewery would be used to receiving awards, since there are dozens of framed certificates hanging in its entrance hall. Accolades from the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra), the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Great Taste; you name it, it’s an impressive introduction – and we suspect there are more sitting in a drawer somewhere waiting patiently for another wall to be built specially to display them. But a prestigious gold medal presented by the World Beer Awards for Adder Lager sees the 15-strong team still glowing at the brewery that occupies a former lead smelting mill and is a far cry from the centre of the mining industry it was during the Industrial Revolution. Allendale – attractive town and shimmering brewery – sit high up in the Northern Pennines, straddling the County Durham and Northumberland border in what is often referred to as “England’s last wilderness”. Some might call the settlement remote but Allendale Brewery is as wellconnected as any with a vision that outpaces outfits closer to the thrust of city life. And, being named the world’s best Czech-style pilsner is even more satisfying because – as brewery owner Tom Hick says – lager is the most difficult of all the beer styles to brew. “There is no room for mistakes,” he says. “Adder is a good, solid lager which we’ve produced since 2009. We sell a lot of it around the Newcastle area.” Allendale also sells a lot to Marks & Spencer, under the store giants’ own-brand Summit Pale Ale, plus Pennine Pale and APA (now known as Anvil) available in some 70 M&S stores. 24 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
“Marks & Spencer take 120 barrels at a time which is good,” says Tom. “We had a lot of hoops to go through, boxes to tick and follow lots of procedures, but it’s worth doing. An increasing proportion of our output is for bottle. It’s all growing; and our cask is doing nicely as well.” Allendale’s output is by no means all in the safe, middle-of-the-road category that one would expect in a typical M&S store. A diverse range of beers take careful note and inspiration from the best of British, European and New World ingredients and styles. The End range is where experiment is given its head – for instance Fermata, although 3.1% abv, is a big and fruity bitter pale ale available in cask and keg. A mighty Export Stout (7.1% abv) comes in keg, while the cask Force Majeure at 4.1% abv is an American-style IPA brewed with Vienna malt, British hops and dry-hopped with the US Mosaic variety. “The brewery can produce 20 barrels at a time, but we could squeeze 30 out of it,” says Tom. “It’s changed days from when we first moved here” – a reference to Valentine’s Day in 2006 when he and his father Jim set out on their brewing odyssey. Tom now holds the reins along with wife Lucy while being prompted and prodded all the time by hugely respected brewer and former chef Neil Thomas. Neil joined Allendale from a company producing chilli-based products called Trees Can’t dance – little wonder then that one of his first beers was Beacon Fire (4.6% abv), an earthy, smoky ale with dried fruit flavours drawn out of Mexican Pasilla chillis in the way that only a chef can acieve without ruining the presentation. He was also instrumental in moving into the IPA-style range in which Allendale is now particularly
Medallists: Lucy Hick with, left, Neil Thomas and Tom Hick Photo: Peter Skelton
“IT’S ALL GROWING AND OUR CASK IS DOING NICELY TOO”
strong – in fact Double IPA took a bronze in the same World Beer competition as Adder Lager. The brewery’s belief is that flavours should be in balance with ingredients allowed to do their job while not forgetting about being experimental. While some things might be trial and error, a lot of it is about being in control. All Allendale beers spend a week in cask in the cold room to help their condition before going out on the road. Everything in the brewhouse has its place in the space available – and 13 fermenting vessels indicate there’s an awful lot going on behind those stainless steel overcoats. Neil Thomas says: “We also have a five-barrel test kit which we use to brew speciality beers and specials for pub chains, plus unique brews, crazy specials and short runs for one or two customers. “But Golden Plover and Pennine Pale are probably neck-and-neck for popularity now. We deliver to Newcastle four days a week (an 80-mile round-trip) and we cover everywhere between Edinburgh and Lancaster, while Pivo in York takes 48 kegs a month.” In common with every brewery in the land, however, there are problems lying ahead with the current and increasingly looming shortage of hops. “I think we must spend £6,000 a month on hops alone,” says Tom Hick. “Maintaining supplies is a constant worry, especially with the Citra variety which we use in some of our core beers.” Exporting is on the cards with Norway and Denmark just over the horizon, but that too is an increasingly tight market. Two mixed-case pallets of traditional and modern punchy beers have been shipped to Hong Kong where Jim Hick now lives, mainly for the store that he passes every day. You might be able to brew a world-beater, but you’ve always got to let your dad have a taste.
www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 25
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PUB NEWS
1066 AND ALL THAT We all love a heartwarming story, particularly one that involves a pub turning its fortunes around. So the tale behind a national award for The Hastings at Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, is particularly appropriate. Just short of three years ago, Peter Evans and Paul Thompson had never been involved in the licensed trade – and had never been to Seaton Delaval – but now the duo are not only running a very successful business but have a Great British Pub Award 2016 hanging on their wall. The award came in in the “best partnership” category of the prestigious competition, working with their pub company in the best possible way to the advantage of owner, tenant and customer. Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars obviously saw something in them and invested heavily in their business plan and commitment. “They took a punt on us,” says Peter. “The advantage for us was that the pub had never closed, but was running into decline due to the previous landlord’s ill-health. It’s been a bit of an adventure for us. Both of our parents originally came from the North East and we actually came
up from Bolton in Lancashire to view another pub.” The Hastings had been predominantly wet-led but Peter and Paul doubled turnover within their first six months, then doubled it again. The introduction of a superb menu – including a Geordie Tapaz selection of small-plate regional delicacies – helped weekly turnover soar sevenfold. Peter says: “We went through a complete refurb from cellar to ceiling after Star Pubs & Bars sat down with us. No surface was left untouched.” The pub’s own beers followed; Hastings 1066 and Daft As A Brush, sponsoring the Northumberland cancer charity with a 20p a pint donation. It’s a meeting-place for local societies and the Chamber of Commerce which holds networking events in the function room. “The quiz had just finished when we let the
Star pub: Peter Evans shows off the ‘best partnership’ award pub know we had won,” says Peter. “Apparently the place was absolutely rocking. Facebook went colossal and we got messages from everyone, from the local community who I think we’ve helped bring together, to the council who said we’d put Seaton Delaval on the map.” The Hastings is certainly on the map – a Great British Pub Award sees to that. * The Botanist in Newcastle was also a winner in the Great British Pub Awards for “best managed pub”.
www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 27
BREWERY NEWS
BANK ON BREWERY SUCCESS
Tyne Bank Brewery’s new home on Walker Road in Newcastle opened its doors in a weekend of celebration enjoyed by the region’s beer lovers and in particular the 369 investors who took advantage of a crowd-funding initiative that has helped the five-year-old company not only hit its expansion plan target but to reach quite a bit beyond it.
The building – a former food factory – feels absolutely right for a brewhouse and events space. It has retained functionality through its industrial heritage being clearly visible but softened through clever use of untreated timber, soothing green paintwork and well-pointed brickwork. The brewery tap’s lengthy bar bristles with a line of handpulls and two sets of eight keg fonts fashioned impressively out of upcycled pumping equipment, while the gleaming brewing vessels stand guard at the business end of the building. “We’ve been brewing on the new kit for a few weeks now,” says the appropriately-named head brewer Adam Brewer. “Of course, there were a few teething problems, but that’s what you expect. The mash tun is where you get most of your problems but once we got that settled in, we were away.” One setback, however, has political overtones. The exchange rate change following Brexit has meant that the bottling and canning equipment intended for the brewery is working out significantly more expensive than was planned after sterling’s value slide against the US dollar and the euro. “We decided to delay the purchase until after
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the brewery move and event space and taproom launch,” says Tyne Bank founder Julia Austin. “We’ll keep you posted, but most likely the plant will be up and running in the first quarter next year.” Julia Austin made the decision late last year to relocate the business – its physical size and scope for future development being crucial factors, and the crowdfunding idea appealed. Crowdfunding is an opportunity for a community of likeminded people to pool their money and knowledge to back start-up businesses while giving supporters the chance to become “armchair Dragons” and supporting a regional businesses. Julia says: “We want them to be part of our DNA. They can invest any amount from £10 and will get a share in the brewery and more tangible benefits. And everybody will get a t-shirt that says ‘I own a brewery. How cool is that?’ They’ll own part of Tyne Bank and hopefully enjoy the ride. “The new premises is about 80% bigger than our old place with an events space for regular open days, music and food vendors. The plan is we make the beer and visitors can watch how it’s made, drink it, and enjoy the whole experience.”
BREWERY NEWS
WINNING AWARDS A SPECIALITY
High and handsome: Tyne Bank’s brewhouse
Hawkshead Brewery, based at Staveley, near Kendal in Cumbria, has won four gold awards, a silver and a bronze at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) North West Region beer competition. Hawkshead’s bottled beer Tonka (8.5% abv) beat 81 other small pack (bottle and can) beers on its way to be declared overall champion. Windermere Pale (3.5% abv) scooped the overall silver medal, both beers having won gold in their respective categories – speciality and standard bitters and pale ales. Lakeland Lager (5.0% abv) also won gold in the bottle premium lager and pilsners and IPA (7.0% abv) bronze
in the premium strong beers section. Beers – 260 from 50 breweries – were tasted in several rounds, judged by a panel of around 100 independent craft brewers, beer industry representatives and experienced beer drinkers. Hawkshead head brewer Matt Clarke (pictured centre) says: “To come away with these awards is brilliant. I’m particularly pleased that Tonka not only won its category, but took overall champion. Tonka and Windermere Pale couldn’t be more different and we’re delighted the judges appreciated its complex, dark, rich flavours and those of Windermere Pale – a low-strength hoppy pale ale.”
www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 29
Artisan Ales and Craft Beers
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SPOONS’ CARPETS As the cover says, “There are carpets, and then there are Wetherspoons’ carpets” and, yes, the ideas don’t come any wackier. Author Kit Caless began to trawl the nation’s JD Wetherspoon pubs when he sat drinking a pint of Spitfire, admiring the carpet under his feet then on other pub visits, realised that every one of the giant pub chain’s floorcoverings is different. Each is unique to its pub, inspired by the history of the building, its name, or its location. One of our favourites in Spoons’ Carpets (Square Peg, &8.99) is The Wallaw in Blyth, Northumberland, pictured in its Art-Deco glory Northumberland, a former cinema where Ant & Dec made their stage debut in the 1980s. We’re always told by architectural historians to look up at buildings, but equally don’t forget to look down, you never know what you might find.
CAMRA’S BOOK OF BEER KNOWLEDGE Did you know that the JD Wetherspoon chain of 900 pubs serves 350,000 cooked breakfasts a week? Or that annually it cooks 46 million freerange eggs, 50 million Lincolnshire sausages, 20 million burgers, 50 million hot drinks and, proving its claim to be the nation’s biggest curry-house, six million curries? It’s facts and figures like this that makes Camra’s Book of Beer Knowledge (Camra Books, £9.99) such an entertaining. Editor Jeff Evans has compiled “the essential wisdom for the discerning drinker” in a pocket-sized publication packed with statistics, anecdotes, records and feats from the serious to the downright silly. It’s one of those books that deserves to be dipped into on a regular basis, so keep it handy for quiet moments. Keep it in the bog!
BOOKS book. Whatever, it’s still the top reference book for real ale – and real pub – lovers.
Landlord Stuart Miller of the George & Dragon, Hudswell, North Yorkshire. Photo: Stuart Boulton Right: The Dun Cow, Sunderland THE GOOD BEER GUIDE 2017 Camra’s annual Good Beer Guide (£15.99, edited by Roger Protz) is the UK’s best-selling beer, brewery and pub guide. Now in its 44th edition, all pubs featured have been tried and tested by volunteers – 4,500 of them ranging from rural idylls to urban envelope-pushers. In its 1,032 pages it lists, county by county, the nation’s pubs that are reckoned to serve the best real ale, plus a unique breweries
section detailing micro, regional and national real ale producers, weaving through more than 7,000 beers. The only criticism that can be leveled at this extraordinarily useful publication is that it’s too bulky. And it weighs more than a kilo. Suggestions for future consideration include splitting it into several books covering the regions, but that goes against the grain – or hiving off the brewery section which makes up roughly a third of the
BRITAIN’S BEST REAL HERITAGE PUBS The first thing everybody does on opening the book subtitled “pub interiors of outstanding historic interest” is to look for an entry on their own patch. Despite doom and gloom predictions of the death of the British pub, it’s heartening to see how many fabulous, ornate and functional cathedral to beer that Geoff Brandwood has collected and photographed in Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs (Camra Books, £9.99). And yes, we in the North East have a smattering on show from the remarkable Free Trade in Berwick to Durham’s Colpitts Hotel and Victoria via the Central in Gateshead, Stag’s Head in South
Shields, and Sunderland’s Mountain Daisy and Dun Cow (Head of Steam). Next thought is “I want to go there”, to the Philharmonic in Liverpool, the Lamb Hotel in Eccles, or the Feuars Arms in Kirkcaldy. The pubs featured are all survivors in an age of strip and refurb by unsympathetic owners; they’ve scarcely altered over most of our lifetimes and offer lessons in history and social interaction. And hope.
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www.carruthersandkent.com www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 31
ALBUM LAUNCH
THE BEER THAT REALLY ROCKS
Tyger Blood flowed in public for the first time with the official launch of a sensational new heavy metal album. The long-established Tygers of Pan Tang – who originated in the North East – commissioned a beer from Newcastle microbrewery Box Social Brewing with the resultant red ale given a huge thumbs up by the band’s supporters prior to their live show at The Cluny in Newcastle. Roberto Toderico, the artist who designed Tyger Blood packaging and the album cover, flew specially from Naples to be at the launch, as did the band’s promoter – this time from his Copenhagen base – so the occasion had a true international flavour. Tygers of Pan Tang’s manager, Tom Noble, said: “The launch of the beer came at exactly the right time. The
record company was just starting the promotions and when they saw what we had been doing here with the beer they realised everybody’s commitment. “It helped that they own rock bars in Copenhagen so they were knocked out by the idea of a bespoke beer. And a big thanks to Cheers (for featuring the band in the September issue). You can’t pick up a music magazine without seeing Tygers of Pan Tang, but it’s great to have the coverage in the area they come from.” *In the week after the launch the new album entered the Radio 1 Album Charts at number 24.
First blood: Robb Weir, Tygers of Pan Tang. Left: Some of the band’s supporters
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NEWS
LOCAL LINE-UP HAILS UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE Newcastle University-based Stu Brew, Europe’s first student-run microbrewery, celebrates its second birthday this month. The enterprising organisation, which does a whole lot more for the beer learning process than simply brewing it, holds a birthday bash on November 11 at the Venue (within the university Students Union) where freshers will be invited to join the Stu Brew society. Plans for Stu Brew’s Christmas Craft Beer event are also well under way. A line-up of Almasty, Brewery, Errant Brewery, Northern Alchemy, Three Kings, Box Social, Flash House Brewing Co, Newcastle Brewing and Two By Two will join their hosts in a full day to honour beer. Keep your eye on Stu Brew’s Facebook page for the latest updates.
GOOD SHIP SCHOONER GOES ON SAIL The Schooner, Gateshead, has a new captain, but the crew are staying very much on board. The pub on South Shore Road, on the riverbank near Gateshead Stadium, is under new ownership after Dave and Julie Campbell decided to take a step back from the trade for a while. The Campbells had steadily built up The Schooner trade from a virtually becalmed business four years ago into the thriving concern it is today. Dave’s pub CV includes some of the most popular and forward-looking on Tyneside, including The Cluny, The Central and Head of Steam – all nurtured through giving customers a quality experience in a safe and friendly environment. Brilliantly-kept beer helped, too. “We’ve made some lovely friends in our four years here,” says Julie Campbell. “It’s sad to leave The Schooner and we’ll never forget the fantastic support we got. The high points are far too many to list. A huge and sincere thank-you from both of us.” Many regulars swear they didn’t know a soul when they first walked through The Schooner’s door, but like Julie Campbell says, they have since made friendships that will last a lifetime. And that’s something new landlord Adrian Marley is keen to continue. Adrian has been a Schooner regular for many years and, having
Crew change: Adrian Marley, centre, flanked by Dave and Julie Campbell previous experience in the licensed trade, is well up for the challenge. He says: “Obviously Dave and Julie are a hard act to follow, but it’s a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We’ll be offering the same blend of great beer, terrific food and brilliant live music that the pub has become renowned for.” The Schooner’s strapline is “So near yet so far out” and it’s an attitude that Adrian Marley and family – also brimming with ideas of their own – will certainly live up to. Meanwhile, Dave and Julie – Cheers!
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EATING OUT
FESTIVE DINING WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS
Where and when to go out and enjoy a festive get-together is always a problem at this time of year. Hopefully, we’ll make the choice easier for you
Tradition has it that Dad takes centre stage when it comes to Christmas dinner. He’ll prepare, stuff and roast the turkey with a little basting here and there; he’ll keep an eye on the potatoes, mix gravy and wish he’d bought greengrocer sprouts rather than collect them from the allotment
36 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
in all their worm-holed glory. But in all truth, it’ll be the only time in the year he’s taken charge of the kitchen – the bird will be dry, the veg overcooked and the gravy somehow completely forgotten about. Cranberry sauce? What cranberry sauce? Mum will say (as she always
does): “This is the last time. Next year…” Well, this is next year and probably about time to consider letting someone else take the strain of Christmas dinner. Book in at a pub, relax, be served in a smiling, civilised manner, laugh, sing, enjoy yourselves. Plus, it needn’t be actual
Christmas Day; a relaxing build-up to the get-together with a family Christmas lunch included will have jingle bells ringing. Pubs know that Christmas represents the seasonal sales opportunity of seasonal sales opportunities – nothing comes bigger than this day. It’s the time of
year when customers really want to get into the festive spirit – and will pay that little bit extra more because they know they’re going to enjoy it. There’s another side to Christmas dining, however. Perhaps mum and dad are looking forward to the day itself and are keen to
provide for the family that will be surrounding them, so Christmas Day itself will be spent at home. This is where imaginative pub operators can score, by planning menus and preparing recipes that are a little bit different but which they are perfectly capable of pulling off admirably during November and
December – and into January. Some pubs introduce game dishes with rabbit, venison and pheasant featuring prominently – goose too. Others might decide that their customers would prefer steak or venison pie which are easier to prepare in advance and served with all the trimmings. Less complicated
dishes are the key to busy dining rooms at this time of year, but they have to be done well with local and seasonal ingredients a deciding factor. JD Wetherspoon pubs sparked outrage earlier this year by announcing that they were axeing traditional Christmas dinners from
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EATING OUT
their menu, meaning festivities won’t be the same for a lot of loyal customers. Instead, those wanting a festive meal will be offered a yuletide beef burger, turkey pie or vegetarian Wellington. Christmas buffets for parties and groups consist of options such as turkey salad wraps or turkey and bacon paninis. Whatever you think of this, it can make sense. Wetherspoons also stopped their
Sunday roast option after Mother’s Day this year. A Wetherspoons spokesman said: “As our kitchens have become busier and our menu more diverse, it has become more and more difficult to serve a Sunday roast meal to a high standard and consistently ‘get it right’ for our customers. “With this in mind, we took the decision to stop serving a roast
dinner on Sundays, which is also why we are not serving roast meals at Christmas. In addition to our main menu – which is available throughout the Christmas period – we are offering a traditional turkey pie, a Christmas burger, Christmas pudding, honeycomb cheesecake and other seasonal treats that include mince pies, mulled cider and a gingerbread latte.” It’s important that pubs strike
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a balance between what they normally offer week after week and taking a punt at something more exciting and attractive to tempt custom. But they have to remain true to their identity. Regardless of the pub’s normal style, customers have certain expectations at Christmas, so authenticity and ease of preparation with nothing too ambitious or fiddly (that can often go wrong) are what to look out for. Chefs invariably add their own twist to tradition – one menu Cheers has slavered over includes butter-roast turkey with brioche bread sauce, forcemeat stuffing, game chips, smoked bacon chipolatas and tarragon juices. In truth, this isn’t too far removed from “turkey with all the trimmings” but it elevates the meal to a talking point – and pubs love a talking point. Another one is Norfolk turkey wrapped in crispy, streaky bacon topped with cranberry and orange stuffing and finished with a cinnamon jus. Then there’s a turkey “parcel” filled with chestnut, orange and port – while in Scotland you might see vegetarian haggis used
EATING OUT
as a stuffing. The “twists” are endless and prospective customers will be looking out for such attention to detail to make their occasion all that more memorable. After the plates are cleared away and the port is being passed, it’s the time for groups and families to decide to do the same again next year – or not. Cooking well from scratch using fresh ingredients is
ultimately what people want and will return for. But where to go? The fine pubs wrapped around this feature like layers of bacon around a turkey breast will do for starters. Only then will the memory of distressed sprouts and blackened roasties served at home under a cloud of argument be consigned to the festive dustbin.
WORKS IN PROGRESS
ALL STOPS TO STATION EAST A long-awaited Gateshead pub refurbishment is set to see the end of the tunnel. Station East – formerly The Station and taking the name of the long-disused railway stop just above it – now has a suggested opening date of November 24. A huge amount of work with numerous setbacks have delayed the finished article but the pub, owned by Hadrian Border Brewery, should be well worth the wait. It is to be managed by Pete Allan, who has vast experience behind the bars of some of Tyneside’s best beer pubs. Cheers will keep readers up to date on Twitter @Cheers_ne and @CheersPal. FAST MOVERS The Great North Eastern Brewing Company – mere weeks into beer production – has taken over a unit at its Dunston, Gateshead, base adjacent to the brewhouse and has submitted a planning application for a brewery tap, shop and outdoor events space. A new beer also celebrates a significant supporter in the brewing company’s development. Finn’s Amber Light (3.6% abv) is named after 82-yearold Michael Finn who is reported to be absolutely delighted with the beer which has also given him a spring in his step. THE BOX SOCIAL The micropub, taken over by Box Social Brewing in the premises on Forth Street vacated by the Split Chimp, has a scheduled opening date of December 2. Its style is “barcuterie” which means that, along with a terrific selection of beer, wine and spirits, the offer will include cheeses and cold meats.
BOXING DAY BRUNCH Walking off the Christmas Day excesses? Call in afterwards, warm yourself by the fire and choose from a tasty selection of brunch dishes created especially Food served from 11.30am - 4.00pm Even better, reserve your table in advance
Please refer to our website for Christmas and New Year opening hours The Rat Inn, Anick, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4LN T: 01434 602 814 www.theratinn.com www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 39
BREWERY FOCUS
FIREBRICK BREWERY, BLAYDON
On fire: Alistair Lawrence Photo: Peter Skelton
A revolution built on bricks Firebrick Brewery’s first beer was brewed in January 2013 in the form of Blaydon Brick (3.8% abv). It was the nickname of Joseph Cowen, radical 19th Century politician and member of parliament who identified himself with the North East mining community. He was involved with his father’s brick business, and at various points a journalist, owner of the Newcastle Daily Chronicle, and friend of and sympathiser to Irish and Italian revolutionaries. “Joseph Cowen campaigned against slavery and for the rights of women, so the name was something to hang our hat on,” says Firebrick owner Alistair Lawrence. “Good blokes who made good bricks and tried to improve the quality of life for people in general – that seemed like a good theme to link our beer to.” Firebrick expanded into a second unit after only a year of operation and is now a 15-barrel brewery. “I designed everything to make it easy for a one-man operation with gravity feed from the hopper,” says Alistair. “Now there are five of us and I’ve had my first family holiday in four years.” 40 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
Firebrick beers can be found extensively in the North East, particularly in Newcastle where Tyne 9 Dark Lager (3.9% abv) is particularly popular (The Strawberry, Trent House, Union Rooms and Mile Castle), given its association with the famous Newcastle United centreforward’s shirt. Firebrick’s Mystical Range imagery features illustrations by American artist Wylie Beckert. Alistair says: “I liked what she did and thought they would fit in with our Mystical range of beers. I now have an arrangement with her, keeping the continuity of the brand. “When we took Pagan Queen to the Newcastle Beer Festival last year it sold out by the second day. It’s now our best seller, just ahead of Blaydon Brick.” A revolution in beer, you might say. OVERVIEW: Firebrick Brewery, Units 10-11, Blaydon Business Centre, Cowen Road, Blaydon, Tyne & Wear NE21 5TW. Tel: 0191 447 6543. www.firebrickbrewery.com
THE BEER
An extensive portfolio split between the Heritage Range and the Mystical Range (one for each of the four seasons). Blaydon Brick (3.8% abv) is an easy-drinking golden ale, Elder Statesman (4.5% abv) is a dark amber premium bitter and Toon Broon (4.6% abv) is a Northern-style brown ale with malt and liquorice on the nose. Pagan Queen (4.0% abv), blonde beer (pictured above), originally a spring seasonal, is now a permanent, while Heatwave (4.2% abv) and Tormit Heed (4.4% abv) represent summer and autumn while Fireglow (4.3% abv) brings the year up to date.
Eat, Drink be Merry
&
Join us this Christmas at one of our Great Food Pubs across the North East or stylish Café Royal restaurant. Proudly serving locally produced homemade food using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Our Christmas menu is available between 1st - 24th December. With festive hospitality the way it should be, you can also savour a handsome selection of beers, handpicked ales, wines and spirits all served in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. To book the place to be this Christmas, pop into one of our venues for a menu or visit
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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
Middle Chare, Chester le Street, DH3 3QB t: 0191 388 3605
DUN COW
37 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN. t: 0191 386 9219
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
Durham Road, East Rainton, DH5 9QT t: 0191 5840944
THE BLACKSMITHS
THE OLD WELL INN
Station Road, Low Pittington Durham, DH6 1BJ 0191 3720287
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON Darlington Road, Durham DH1 3QN t: 0191 375 7651
THE DUN COW
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
South Street, West Rainton Houghton - le - Spring DH4 6PA. t: 0191 5841022
4 East Green, Heighington Village, DL5 6PP t: 01325 313152
NUMBER TWENTY-2
THE GREY HORSE
22 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RG t: 01325 354590 e: rew@villagebrewer.co.uk www.twenty2.villagebrewer.co.uk
STATION HOUSE
North Road Durham DH1 4SE
SURTEES ARMS
Chilton Lane, Ferryhill, DL17 0DH t: 01740 655724
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
115 Sherburn Terrace, Consett, DH8 6NE t: 01207 502585
THE HALF MOON INN
86 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AQ t: 0191 3741918
THE HONEST LAWYER
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
Mountsett, Burnopfield, NE16 6BA t: 01207 570346
THE PUNCH BOWL INN
Edmundbyers, DH8 9NL t: 01207 255545
THE QUAKERHOUSE
2 Mechanics Yard, Darlington, DL3 7QF t: 07783 960105
THE QUAYS
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
THE SMITHS ARMS
Brecon Hill, Castle Dene, Chester le Street, DH3 4HE t: 0191 3857559
THE CROSS KEYS
Front Street, Esh, DH7 9QR t: 0191 3731279
THE CROWN
THE OAK TREE
Front Street, Tantobie, Stanley, DH9 9RF t: 01207 235 445
THE OLDE SHIPS INN
44 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
High Stanners, Morpeth NE61 Prudhoe Station, Low Prudhoe, 1QL. t: 01670 512771 NE42 6NP t: 01661 832323
ROBIN HOOD INN
Barrasford Hexham, NE48 4AA t: 01434 681237
BARRELS
59-61 Bridge Street, Berwick, TD15 1ES t:01289 308013
Hathery Lane, Horton, Cramlington, NE24 4HF t: 01670 822410
THREE WHEATHEADS
Thropton nr Rothbury, NE65 7LR t: 01669 620262
BATTLESTEADS HOTEL
TWICE BREWED INN
BEADNELL TOWERS HOTEL
THE ALLENDALE INN
Wark, Hexham, NE48 3LS t: 01434 230209 www.battlesteads.com Beadnell, NE67 5AY t: 01665 721211
CROSS KEYS
Military Road, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN t: 01434 344534 Market Place, Allendale, Hexham, NE47 9BJ, t: 01434 683246
Thropton, Rothbury, NE65 7HX t: 01669 620362
THE ANCHOR HOTEL
Dipton Mill Road, Hexham, NE46 1YA t: 01434 606577 e: ghb@hexhamshire.co.uk www.diptonmill.co.uk
THE ANCHOR INN
DIPTON MILL INN
DOCTOR SYNTAX
New Ridley Road, Stocksfield, NE43 7RG, t: 01661 842383
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
THE FEATHERS INN
Hedley on the Hill, Stocksfield, NE43 7SW t: 01661 843 607
THE GOLDEN LION
Hill Street, Corbridge, NE45 5AA t: 01434 632216
THE GOLDEN LION
Market Place, Allendale, NE47 9BD t: 01434 683 225
THE GRANBY INN & RESTAURANT Front Street, Long Framlignton, Morpeth, NE65 8DP t: 0191 488 0954
THE HADRIAN HOTEL
Wall, Hexham, NE44 4EE t: 01434 681232
THE HEART OF NORTHUMBERLAND
5 Market Street, Hexham, NE46 3NS t: 01434 608013
THE HORSESHOES INN
Rennington, Alnwick, NE66 3RS. t: 01665 577665
THE JOINERS ARMS
Newton-by-the-Sea, NE66 3EA t: 01665 576 112
THE MANOR HOUSE
Caterway Heads, Shotley Bridge, DH8 9LX. t: 01207 255268
THE MANOR INN
Main Street, Haltwhistle, NE49 0BS. t: 01434 322588
THE NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS
The Peth, West Thirston, Felton, Morpeth, NE65 9EE. t: 01670 787370
DYKE NEUK
THE BLACKBIRD
Ponteland, NE20 9UH t: 01661 822 684
9 Main Street, Seahouses, NE68 7RD t: 01665 720 200
ELECTRIC WIZARD
THE BLACK BULL
THE PACKHORSE INN
West Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4ND t: 0191 584 9226
FOX AND HOUNDS
THE BLUE BELL
THE PERCY ARMS
THE THREE HORSESHOES
GENERAL HAVELOCK INN
Moor End Terrace, Belmont, DH1 1BJ t: 0191 3842667 Beamish Hall Hotel, Beamish, DH9 0BY. t: 01207 288 750
THE STABLES
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
THE WILD BOAR
Newfield, Chester le Street, DH2 2SP t: 0191 3700565
RIVERSIDE LODGE
Station Road, Corbridge, NE45 5AY. t: 01434 633 633
Street Houses, Ponteland Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 9BT t: 01661 871037
THE MINERS ARMS
13 The Green, Aycliffe Vilage, County Durham, DL5 6LX t: 01325 312273
Bellingham, NE48 2JT t: 01434 220254
Main Street, Ponteland, NE20 9BB. t: 01661 872898
Newton, NE43 7UL t: 01661 844446
THE CLARENCE VILLA
THE NEWFIELD INN
RIVERDALE HALL HOTEL
THREE HORSESHOES
WICKET GATE
THE COUNTY
ADAM & EVE
Stanegate Road, Newbrough, Hexham, NE47 5AR t: 01434 674226
BARRASFORD ARMS
Durham Road, Rainton Bridge, DH5 8NG t: 0191 5843211 41 Manor Road, Medomsley, DH8 6QN t: 01207 560428
NORTHUMBERLAND
RED LION INN
THE PLOUGH
Red Row,Beamish, DH9 0RW t: 01207 232569 Durham Road, Coxhoe, County Durham, DH4HX t: 0191 377 3773
Hawkshead Brewery, Mill Yard, Staveley, LA8 9LR t: 01539 825260
THE DYVELS INN
Front Street West, Bedlington, NE22 5TZ t: 01670 536160
Seahouses, NE68 7SQ t: 01665 720283
THE STABLES
THE MANOR HOUSE HOTEL
THE BEER HALL
RED LION
Military Road, East Wallhouses, Corbridge, NE18 0LL t: 01434 672549
THE JOHN DUCK
North Road, Chester le Street, DH3 4AJ t: 0191 3871162
CUMBRIA
THE DIAMOND INN
BAMBURGH CASTLE INN
THE SPORTSMANS ARMS
THE LAMBTON WORM
Vicars Lane, Manfield, DL2 2RF t: 01325 374243
60 Bridge Street, Blyth, NE24 2AP t: 01670 368346
The Bank, Barnard Castle DL12 8PH t: 01833 690 130
Croxdale Bridge, Croxdale, DH1 3HP t: 0191 3783782
91A Claypath, Durham City, DH1 1 RG
NORTH YORKSHIRE THE CROWN INN
Front Street, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3AX t: 0191 3872960 Frederick Place, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4BN t: 0191 5128050
THE VICTORIA INN
86 Hallgarth Street, Durham, DH1 3AS, t: 0191 3860465
WOODMAN INN
23 Gilesgate, Durham, DH11 1QW t: 0191 680 8317
DUKE OF WELLINGTON
Meldon, Nr Morpeth, NE61 3SL t: 01670 772662 New Market, Morpeth, NE61 1PS. t: 01670 500640 Main Road, Wylam, NE41 8DL t: 01661 598060 Haydon Bridge, NE47 6ER t: 01434 684376
JOHN THE CLERK OF CRAMLINGTON
Front Street, Cramlington, NE23 1DN t: 01670 707060
JOINERS ARMS
Wansbeck Street, Morpeth, NE61 1XZ. t: 01670 513540
JOLLY FISHERMAN
Craster, Alnwick, NE66 3TR t: 01665 576461
KITTIWAKE
Clairemont Crescent, Whitley Bay NE26 3HL. t: 0191 251 3977
MINERS ARMS
Matfen, NE20 0RP t: 01661 855395 Mount Pleasant, West Mickley, Stocksfield NE43 7LP t: 01661 843146
THE BLUE BELL
Hillstreet, Corbridge, NE45 5AA. t: 01434 431143
THE BOATHOUSE
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 CARTS BOG INN
Main Street, Acomb, NE46 4PW t: 01434 603909
Langley on Tyne, Hexham, NE47 5NW. t: 01434 684338
LION & LAMB
THE CRASTER ARMS
Horsley, NE15 0NS t: 01661 852952
NEWCASTLE HOTEL
Front Street, Rothbury, NE65 7UT t: 01669 620334
OLIVERS
The Wynding, Beadnell, NE675AX. t: 01665 720 272
THE CROWN INN
Humshaugh, Hexham, NE46 4AG t: 01434 681 231
THE OFFICE
The Old Toll House, Castle Sqaure, Morpeth
THE OLDE SHIP INN
Ellingham, Chathill, NE67 5HA t: 01665 589292 Main Road, Chatton, NE66 5PS. t: 01670 215244
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 SHIP INN
Monkseaton, Whitley Bay NE25 8DP. t: 0191 251 3677
THE SUN INN
Acomb, NE46 4PW. t: 01434 602934
THE SUN INN
High Church, Morpeth, NE61 2QT, t: 01670 514153
THE SWINBURNE ARMS
31 North Side, Stamfordham, NE18 0QG t: 01661 886015
THE TANNERY
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
BRIDGE HOTEL
Castle Square, Newcastle, NE1 1RQ t: 0191 232 6400 e: info@sjf.co.uk
BRIDGE TAVERN
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 t: 0191 4217676
CHESTERS
Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7DR t: 0191 5659952
COPPERFIELDS
Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1QL t: 0191 2840490
Sunderland, SR6 0NU t: 0191 5671402
NE27 0BJ t: 0191 2680711
THE HASTINGS
THE POTTERS WHEEL
MARKET LANE
• Large selection of real ales • Regular food & drink festivals • Food served
THE HEAD OF STEAM
t: 0191 2323606 1 Camden Street, North Shields, NE30 1NH t: 0191 257 4831 72-74 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6SG t: 0191 232 0251
MARQUIS OF GRANBY
Streetgate, Sunniside, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear NE16 5ES t: 0191 257 4831
NEWCASTLE ARMS
57 St Andrews Street, Newcastle, NE1 5SE t: 0191 260 2490
ODDFELLOWS
7 Albion Road, North Shields, NE30 2RJ. t: 0191 4358450
OSBORNES BAR
Main Road, Riding Mill, NE44 6DQ t: 01434 682531
Grand Hotel, Grand Parade Tyne And Wear, NE30 4ER t: 0191 293 6666
THE WHITE SWAN
CUMBERLAND ARMS
PUB & KITCHEN
THE WELLINGTON
Main Road, Ovingham, Prudhoe Northumberland NE42 6AG t: 01661 833188
THE WHEATSHEAF
12 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ t: 0191 2571820 www.cumberlandarms.co.uk
DELAVAL ARMS
St Helens Street, Corbridge, NE45 5HE t: 01434 632020
Old Hartley, NE26 4RL t: 0191 237 0489
THE VICTORIA HOTEL
DOG & RABBIT BREWERY
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
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
2 South Parade, Whitley Bay, NE26 2RG t: 0191 2511255
FOX & HOUNDS
Coalburns, Greenside, NE40 4JN t: 0191 4132549
FREE TRADE INN
GOSFORTH HOTEL
BENTON ALE HOUSE
Front Street, Longbenton NE7 7XE t: 0191 2661512
BEST WESTERN ROKER HOTEL
Redcar Terrace, West Boldon, NE36 0PZ. t: 0191 536 4197
ROCKLIFFE ARMS
ROSIES BAR
ASHBROOKE SPORTS CLUB
42-48 High Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 6BX. t: 0191 2611008
RED LION
CROWN POSADA
St Lawrence Road, Byker, Newcastle, NE6 1AP t: 0191 265 5764
BACCHUS
13/14 Albion Road, North Shields NE30 2RJ t: 0191 2573199
36 Park View Whitley Bay
Ferry Street, South Shields, NE33 1JR Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, SR2 7HH. t: 0191 528 4536
61 Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, NE2 2AN t: 0191 240 2811
Algernon Place, Whitley Bay, NE26 2DT t: 0191 2531299
31 Side, Newcastle, NE1 3JE t: 0191 2321269
2 Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ t: 0191 2328477
SHIREMOOR HOUSE FARM Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, NE29 8DZ t: 0191 2576302
SUN INN
Market Lane, Swalwell, Gateshead, NE16 3AL t: 0191 442 9393
THREE MILE INN,
TRAVELLERS REST
North Road, Wide Open NE13 6LN t: 0191 2366300
TWIN FARMS
22 Main Road, Kenton Bk Ft, NE13 8AB t: 0191 2861263
Maling Street, Newcastle, NE6 1LP Tynemouth Road, North Shields, NE30 4AA. t: 0191 257 7565
THE BEEHIVE
Hartley Lane, Earsdon, NE25 05Z. t: 0191 2529352
• Real ales • Food available • Live sports shown
THE CHILLINGHAM
Chillingham Road, Newcastle, NE1 1RQ t: 0191 265 3992
THE CLUNY
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ t: 0191 230 4474
THE COPT HILL
Seaham Road, Houghton le Spring, DH35 8LU t: 0191 5844485
THE COTTAGE TAVERN
North Street, Cleadon, SR6 7PL t: 0191 519 0547
THE COUNTY
High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HB. t: 0191 285 6919
James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE6 1LD t: 0191 265 6151
DAT BAR
11 Market St, Newcastle, NE1 6JN t: 0191 244 2513
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON High Bridge, Newcastle NE1 1EN t: 0191 261 8852
THE DUN COW
9 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3HA t: 0191 5672262
THE FIVE SWANS
St Marys Place, Newcastle, NE1 7PG t: 0191 2111140
THE GREEN
125 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG. t: 0191 221 1552
THE GREY HORSE
BIERREX
IVY HOUSE
THE BRIAR DENE
20 Shakespeare Street, Newcastle, NE1 6AQ
Neville Street, Newcastle, NE1 5DG, t: 0191 261 6611
White Mare Pool, Wardley, Gateshead, NE10 8YB t: 0191 4950171
THE BODEGA
THE BOX SOCIAL
LADY GREY’S
THE CENTURION
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
THE KING GEORGE
North Parade, Whitley Bay t: 0191 251 3877
THE LOW LIGHTS TAVERN
Brewhouse Bank, North Shields, NE30 1LL t: 0191 2576038
THE MID BOLDON CLUB
26 Silksworth Row, Sunderland, SR1 3QJ t: 0191 5147684
Bridge St, Blaydon, Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 4JJ
Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, NE8 2AN t: 0191 4782543 e: central@theheadofsteam.co.uk
103 Percy Street, Newcastle, NE1 7RY t: 0191 2324352
THE CUMBERLAND ARMS
105 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG t: 0191 232 0692
ISIS
BLACK BULL BLAYDON
THE CENTRAL
THE HOTSPUR
TILLEYS BAR
TYNEMOUTH LODGE
Worcester Terrace, Sunderland SR2 7AW
Beamish Burn Road, Marley Hill, Newcastle, NE16 5EG t: 01207 233925
3 The Arcade, Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4BS t: 0191 272 8105
THE MERCHANTS TAVERN
Roker Terrace, Sunderland, SR6 9ND t: 0191 5671786 e: info@rokerhotel.co.uk 82 Pilgrim Street, NE1 6SG
THE CAUSEY ARCH INN
THE HEAD OF STEAM
Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington, NE38 8AB t: 0191 219 3463
HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO
29 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ t: 0191 2578956
25 Broad Chare, Trinity Gardens, Quayside, Newcastle, NE1 3DQ t: 0191 211 2144
2 Neville Street, Newcastle NE1 5EN t: 0191 230 4236
THE COURTYARD
TYNE BAR
HUGOS
THE BROAD CHARE
Wheatridge Row, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0QH t: 0191 237 6868
Great North Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 2DS t: 0191 255 2100
High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HQ t: 0191 2856617 Allan House, City Road Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 2BE
THE BRANDLING VILLA
MAGNESIA BANK
Arch 11 Forth Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 3NZ 71 The Links, Whitley Bay, NE26 1UE. t: 0191 2520926
THE BRANDLING ARMS
176 High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HD t: 0191 28540
1 St Peters Wharf, Newcastle NE6 1TZ. 0191 5971212 60 Front Street. East Boldon, NE36 0SH
THE MILE CASTLE
52 Westgate Rd, NE1 5XU t: 0191 2111160
THE MILL HOUSE
Blackfell, Birtley, DH3 1RE t: 0191 415 1313
THE MILLSTONE HOTEL
Hadricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1QL t: 0191 285 3429
THE NEW BRIDGE
2 -4 Argyle Street, Newcastle, NE1 6PF t: 0191 2321020
THE NORTHUMBRIAN PIPER Fawdon House, Red House Farm Estate, Gosforth, NE3 2AH t: 0191 2856793
THE OLD GEORGE
Front Street, East Boldon, NE36 0SJ t: 0191 519 1796
Old George Yd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EE t: 0191 260 3035
THE GREY HORSE
THE PACKHORSE
THE HARBOUR VIEW
THE PAVILION
Old Penshaw Village, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 7ER. t: 0191 512 6080 Benedict Street, Roker,
Crookgate, Burnopfield, NE16 6NS t: 01207 270283 Hotspur North, Backworth,
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 RED KITE
Spa Well Road, Winlaton Mill, NE21 6RU. t: 0191 414 5840
THE ROSE & CROWN
North Street, Winlaton NE21 6BT. t: 0191 4145887
THE RUNHEAD
Holburn Lane, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3HJ t: 0191 413 9517
THE SANDPIPER
Farringdon Road, Cullercoats, Tyne & Wear, NE30 3ER t: 0191 253 5050
THE SCHOONER
South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3AF t: 0191 477 7404 • Cask & craft beers & ciders • Fab food to feast on • Old school, not retro
THE SPLIT CHIMP
Arch 7, Westgate Rd Newcastle upon Tyne NE11SA
THE SIR WILLIAM DE WESSYNGTON
2-3 Victoria Road, Concord, Washington, NE37 2JY t: 0191 418 0100
THE STAITH HOUSE
57 Low Lights, North Shields, NE30 1JA t: 0191 2708441
THE STEAMBOAT
27 Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1EQ t: 0191 454 0134
THE TANNERS
1 Byker Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2NS
THE THREE TUNS
Sheriffs Highway, Gateshead, NE9 5SD. t: 0191 4870666
THE TOWN WALL
Pink Lane, Newcastle, NE1 5HX www.thetownwall.com
• Selection of real ales • Food served daily • Cinema room available
THE TURKS HEAD
41 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ. t: 0191 2576547
THE VICTORY
Killingworth Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1SY t: 0191 285 1254
THREE HORSESHOES HOTEL
Washington Road, Sunderland Tyne & Wear, SR5 3HZ 0191 519 2006
YE OLD CROSS INN
Ryton Village, NE40 3QP t: 0191 4134689
www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 45
FUN STUFF
SIGN OF THE TIMES This sign was spotted on a rather scruffy camper van outside The Watermill Inn at Ings, near Windermere in the Lake District. The driver was very proud of it – and rightly so, too. If you’re ever in The Watermill, try the pub’s own Colly Wobbles (3.7% abv) brewed in the back yard – it’s divine.
AN UNEMPLOYED MAN WALKS INTO A BAR… …AND THE BARMAN SAYS: “HOW DID YOU GET ON WITH YOUR JOB INTERVIEW?” THE MAN SAYS: “THE FIRST THING THEY ASKED WAS WHAT SALARY I WAS AFTER. I SAID £90,000 A YEAR, PLUS A GENEROUS BENEFITS PACKAGE. THE INTERVIEWER SAID, ‘HOW ABOUT 12 WEEKS ANNUAL HOLIDAY, NON-CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME, FREE MEALS EVERY DAY AND A NEW BMW EVERY YEAR?’ I REPLIED, ‘WOW, ARE YOU KIDDING? HE SAID, ‘OF COURSE I AM, BUT YOU STARTED IT.’”
EEH! NUMBERS
41.74
The amount in pence paid in UK excise duty on every pint produced by brewers in 2015. Also the cost in pounds and pence of a DVD from Amazon called Conspiracy (Region 2) starring Val Kilmer. Hurry, only three left in stock.
THE DIRTY DOZEN TWELVE QUESTIONS TO WAKE UP YOUR BRAIN
1 In the US they’re called Graham crackers; what are they in the UK? 2 Which team won the inaugural Football League in season 18881889? 3 In food circles, what is quark (pr ‘kvahrk’)? 4 What was produced by Henry D Perky in Denver, Colorado, in 1893? 5 What is the colour of a lobster’s blood? 6 What is a dactylogram better known as? 7 Under what name did Dino Crocetti achieve fame? 8 Who is the patron saint of mountaineers? 9 Which Dutch river is also the name of a beer? 10 What in Scotland is the Great Smoo? 11 What group of animals is called a clowder? 12 Why is the White House white?
QUOTE
“I CAN CERTAINLY SEE YOU KNOW YOUR WINE. MOST OF THE GUESTS WHO STAY HERE WOULDN’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BORDEAUX AND CLARET”
BASIL FAWLTY, FAWLTY TOWERS
QUIZ ANSWERS: 1 Digestive biscuits. 2 Preston North End. 3 A fresh curd cheese common in Germany. 4 Shredded Wheat. 5 Pale blue. 6 Fingerprint. 7 Dean Martin. 8 St Bernard. 9 Amstel. 10 The country’s largest cave (Durness, Sutherland). 11 Cats. 12 To cover smoke stains from when it was set on fire by the British in 1814. 46 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO LEASE THE NEWLY REFURBISHED RAILWAY HOTEL BIRTLEY The owner of the newly refurbished Railway Hotel in Birtley is looking for a motivated individual or couple to take on the lease of this beautiful Edwardian pub and drive it to deliver its full potential. The Railway has been sympathetically restored, equipped with all the modern facilities including a catering kitchen and has probably the most striking pub garden in the area. We are trying to achieve something special here – a pub true to its history and culture, at the same time right for the modern age, not a museum piece but a living thriving pub appealing to a wide customer base – the very essence of the word ‘public house’. We want our lessee to share that passion – the pub should have the best beer, the best simple honest food, the best atmosphere, the best entertainment and the best general buzz and be known for that throughout a wide area. If this opportunity is of interest drop us an email with your cv and stating reasons why you would be the person for this opportunity to johnbrearley@easynet.co.uk Based on that we would be very happy to have a chat, and will make full particulars available if you are interested in exploring further. We are hoping to see interested parties during November.