Cheers North East magazine #66 - December 2016/January 2017

cheers WWW.CHEERSNORTHEAST.CO.UK // DEC 2016/JAN 2017 // ISSUE 66

I T ’ S

A B O U T

P U B S ,

P E O P L E ,

B E E R

–

A N D

Y O U !

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS

GIFT GUIDE FOR THE DISCERNING DRINKER

NIFTY SHADES OF BLUES

FREE PLEA

CIGAR BOX GUITAR’S AIR ON A THREE-STRING

SE TAKE A COPY

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.

WELCOME Time to reflect on an amazing year of Cheers. We’ve covered as many pub subjects over the past 12 months as there are topics of conversation – from live music to politics to interior design to food to… well, we could make a rather lengthy list, but you get the drift.

This issue is our biggestever in terms of pagination in the six-and-a-half years Cheers has been published. At 56 pages it represents a magazine full of varied topics, all related to pubs in one way or another.

There have been some cracking new pub openings over the last few weeks – and we haven’t even got round to them all (but rest assured, we will). That, and the almost weekly opening of a new microbrewery, points to a booming sector in the North East which we’re particularly proud to be part of.

We’d like to take this opportunity of thanking our various contributors and our brilliant advertisers who know the power of a great medium and without whom we simply could not exist.

Then there is you, dear reader. Thank you for your continued loyal support and positive messages; they’re very much appreciated.

And, rounding off a great year, we are the proud recipients of a significant award from the British Guild of Beer Writers – see page 31. And it’s all done for your benefit.

Have a happy and safe festive season. Cheers!

Alastair Gilmour Editor, Cheers North East

CONTENTS 28

We’ve all had that feeling when a piece of music or a sound from a particular instrument creeps up from the back of your neck to make the hairs stand up and bring a shiver to your skin. That’s exactly what happens when Scott Wall picks up his threestringed cigar-box guitar and plays blues that sounds like you’re in the Deep South.

Scott doesn’t only play his guitars, he makes them – and he teaches other people how to make them and also how to play them.

We celebrate a talent that doesn’t stop at plucking a few strings.

COVER: SCOTT WALL, CIGAR-BOX GUITAR MAKER. PHOTO: PETER SKELTON

ROWING WAS THE SPORT OF THE WORKING CLASS PRIOR TO FOOTBALL; PUBS WERE WHERE THINGS HAPPENED ED WAUGH

04 12 16 20

ADVERTISING 01661 844 115

PUBLISHED BY:

Alastair Gilmour alastair@cheersnortheast.co.uk

Emma Howe emma@offstonepublishing.co.uk

@CheersPal www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Photography: Peter Skelton

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

EDITORIAL 01661 844 115 07930 144 846

We are tweeting.

Follow us @cheers_ne

OUR CLUB MEMBERS

NIFTY SHADES OF BLUES

NEWS HADAWAY HARRY THE WILD PEOPLE PUBS TO CELEBRATE

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

36 44 52 54

FESTIVE GIFT LIST A TRIP TO BREWTOWN THE A-Z GUIDE FUN WITH FUN STUFF

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

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

NEWS

BREWERY TAKES THE TOBACCO ROAD Hawkshead Brewery has released a beer brewed in collaboration with Cigar City Brewery of Tampa Bay, Florida.

Tiramisu Imperial Stout (10.0% abv) is inspired by the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu, this collab and is made with coffee beans and eight varieties of malt.

It exhibits rich, luscious layers of coffee, mocha and cream flavours.

The mighty beer was brewed at Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria in October in a joint venture between head brewer Matt Clarke and Wayne Wambles, his opposite number at Cigar City, and is now available.

DEMAND HEAVY FOR RUSSIAN BEAUTY

Black Sheep Brewery has announced the return of its Imperial Russian Stout (8.5% abv) in a limited-edition form.

The North Yorkshire-based brewery has produced only 50 firkins of the cask ale, which has been specially barrel-aged for 12 months to create a new dimension to the flavour.

Given the small-batch brew, the stout is available to pubs on a firstcome, first-served basis – however, Black Sheep does offer it as in 330ml bottles at its visitor centre as well as online.

Jo Theakston, Black Sheep sales and marketing director, says: “The 12-month wait is finally over.

Our award-winning brewing team is excited by the results of the barrel-ageing process and we hope cask drinkers, looking for something really special, will love this beer as much as we do.

“We have launched a number of exciting brews this year and Imperial Russian Stout has been one of our best kept secrets. Demand is sure to be high, so drinkers will need to get to the pumps quickly.”

Stout fellow: Black Sheep managing director Rob Theakston

The Black Horse 10 KEG LINES - 9 CASK LINES - 1 CAT

Low Fell, Gateshead

Amble butcher - pies BATCH BAKERY SAUSAGE ROLLS CAKES FROM PET LAMB Street Food every week...

Scream for Pizza every wednesday evening tandoori naan hut - friday 5pm till late @THEFREETRADEINN ST. LAWRENCE ROAD, BYKER 0191 265 5764 4 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

For futher information please follow us on facebook and twitter Black Horse, Low Fell •

@BlackHorse_GHD

166, Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5HY 0191 491 0534 • blackhorselowfell@hotmail.co.uk

NEWS

ROADIE TAKES HIS FINAL JOURNEY

Sad news from the TyneIdols crew. James “Tappy” Wright passed away last month after a spell in hospital. Tappy started off as road manager with The Animals, became right-hand-man to Chas Chandler, then went on to look after Jimi Hendrix and Slade (who Chas also managed), plus Ike and Tina Turner, Gene Vincent and Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) among numerous others.

When North Easterners Ray Laidlaw and Paul Irwin created TyneIdols with the aim of providing music heritage tours on Tyneside, pictured right, they naturally hooked up with their old pal Tappy who brought his worldwide rock’n’roll tales to life.

Paul Irwin said: “I’d known Tappy from my younger days playing in bands, so when Ray and I started TyneIdols we knew that Tappy and his anecdotes would be right at home with the project. As part of the tours, we would stop off at Newcastle City Hall where Tappy would sit on the stage with our guests.

WAVE YOUR CAR KEY FOR A FREE DRINK

“They would be absolutely spellbound listening his music travels around the world, looking after and meeting what I can only term as ‘music legends’.

“As Eric Burdon of the Animals said, ‘A good road manager is as important as a good lead singer. Tappy Wright was the best in the business’.

“We genuinely loved to listen to him, in fact we couldn’t get enough. We feel privileged to have been friends. Our thoughts are with his family and friends who, like us, will miss him dearly. Raise a glass to this star of the rock world and toast our pal on his way.”

The Head of Steam group of pubs is offering a drink on the house – but only for customers who’ve brought the car.

Throughout December, all ten Head of Steam bars are looking after designated drivers by giving them a free bottle of Erdinger Alkoholfrei (or Pepsi/Diet Pepsi/ Pepsi Max) simply by showing their car key.

Head of Steam marketing manager Daisy Turnell says: “We think it’s a great way to tie in our year-round love of beer with giving something back to the responsible elves this festive season.”

REVOLVER IS A SHOT OF THE DARK County Durham-based Sonnet 43 Brewhouse has gone rogue. Stepping away from the rule book and taking a cue from its American counterparts, it has introduced some seriously punchy flavours to its three-strong Rogue range of craft beers.

Fierce Panther Pale Ale (6.9% abv) and Yellow

Cab Lager (4.1% abv) have been joined by Miss Scarlet’s Revolver (6.8% abv), a toasted coconut mocha porter. Beneath Miss Scarlet’s dark exterior lie sweet and sultry treats from tropical toasted coconut to smooth velvety chocolate and rich, earthy coffee.

The Rogue trio, available in keg and can, join the existing range of five core Sonnet 43 beers.

ALMASTY.CO.UK

JOIN THE

~ EXPEDITION ~ ALE EXPLORATION www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 5

NEWS

SPONSOR’S HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE

POP-UP WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS The Lanterne Rouge Belgian Beer Cafe is popping up in Flat Caps Coffee Bar in Carliol Square, Newcastle, this month. It’s a terrific initiative, open Thursdays to Sundays until the end of December – then who knows what might happen?

Lanterne Rouge offers “Belgian tapas” – boudin noir, gouda, salami, tomatoes, olives and kopvlees bread from The Feathers Inn at Hedley on the Hill, Northumberland – as well as an amazing selection of Belgian beers. Catch it while you can.

Top top: KnaresboroughRoosters’ Tom based Rooster’s Fozard, left, with Brewing Co has LDFC chairman announced a Chris Evans sponsorship partnership with Leeds Deaf Football Club (LDFC) that will see the brewery’s logo adorn the team’s shirts for the next two seasons.

Leeds Deaf Football Club has records going back to 1871 when the club first played Glasgow Deaf Athletic Football Club.

The club disbanded in 2012, before reforming earlier this year. Now, with the support of Farsley Celtic, a community-run football club developing football for all, with funding from the Football Federation’s Disability Football scheme, the team looks set to be a major contributor to the English Deaf Football League (North). The Rooster’s involvement came thanks to a Twitter plea picked up by Tom

NUMBER TWENTY2

Traditional Alehouse & Canteen Seasons Greetings from Ralph and the team at Number Twenty2

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

Campaigning on behalf of lovers of real ale

Sandwiches & Bar Snacks are served Mon - Sat from 12pm 22 Coniscliffe Rd, Darlington 01325 354 590 www.villagebrewer.co.uk Open 6 Days A Week: Monday - Saturday

6 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Fozard, Rooster’s commercial director.

“As soon I saw that LDFC were looking for some help, it was a no-brainer,” said Tom. “We’re pleased to play our small part in helping the players to be able to play with the LDFC badge on their chests.”

Farsley Celtic’s chief executive Josh Greaves said: “The sponsorship and partnership with Rooster’s is essential to allow both clubs to achieve the success they deserve.”

THE FEATHERS INN “IF YOU ONLY EAT IN ONE PLACE IN NORTHUMBERLAND MAKE IT HERE” JAMIE OLIVER MAGAZINE.

COUNTY DINING PUB OF THE YEAR 2017.

THE GOOD PUB GUIDE, AND LAST 9 YEARS. MICHELIN GUIDE TO PUBS INSPECTORS FAVOURITE 2017.

For further details: 01661 843607 • www.thefeathers.net The Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill, near Stocksfield

NEWS

BREWERY EXPANDING AT ESPRESSO RATE Newcastle’s Errant Brewery has produced a collaboration beer in conjunction with Newcastle University’s sustainable and ethically-run microbrewery Stu Brew and the Ouseburn Coffee Company.

An Espresso Stout, it’s called Heavy Is The Crown and has been kegged and canned. Another Errant seasonal special is Harvest For

Christmas, a winter saison. Errant, run by Tom Meads and Martyn Stockley, is based in a railway arch off Pottery Lane, under the King Edward Bridge, where the pair are in the process of installing a taproom.

“Work is going full steam ahead and should be ready to launch in the new year,” says Martyn. “Y’know, when it’s not bloody freezing.”

Yo Ho Ho Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Errant ways: Martyn Stockley, left, and Tom Meads

LIAR, LIAR, TRUMP’S ON FIRE A tale about US president-elect Donald Trump and submarines made out of giant shortbread tins has won the World’s Biggest Liar competition.

Entrants to the annual event – sponsored by Jennings Brewery – have five minutes to tell the biggest and most convincing lie they can.

The annual event is held in front of a panel of judges and an audience at the Bridge Inn at Santon Bridge, Cumbria.

The contest dates from the 19th Century and is held in honour of famous fibber Will Ritson, a Wasdale landlord.

In winner George Kemp’s story

he said he “ended up bumping into Donald Trump and his wife in an underwater hotel”. “It was a story about building a small submarine out of my dad’s old bubble car.

“We took it on a trip to the Isle of Man where we encountered several famous people in a Scottish submarine made out of shortbread tins. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and deputy Alex Salmond sold some giant shortbread tin submarines to the US.” Politicians, estate agents and those in the legal profession are banned from entering as the rules regard them as “too well-versed to apply”.

All The Best for 2017 To You & Yours From All At The Town Wall x Find us on Pink Lane, NE1 5HX www.TheTownWall.com @TheTownWallPub

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 7

NEWS

NAPOLEON CONTINUES THE REVOLUTION Mithril Brewery, based at Aldbrough St John, near Darlington, is brewing twice a week as usual but due to seasonal demand has had to squeeze 11 casks out of each brew, rather than the normal 10. Man From Uncle (3.8% abv) was produced in memory of Robert Vaughn who played Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series and who died last month.

Christmas beers are the dark winter beer Santa’s Little Helpers (4.1% abv), Snow Angel (3.9% abv), a pale ale, and the golden-coloured Welcome To The Jingle (3.8% abv). And for New Year, it’s Hopmanay (3.7% abv) a deep golden beer.

CHARITY BEGINS IN THE BREWHOUSE The Stables Brewery, based at Beamish Hall Hotel in County Durham, set up a charity prize to spend a day’s brewing with head brewer John Taylor and assistant Peter Deihl to produce a bespoke beer.

The winner of the auction organised by Best Western Hotels (which Beamish Hall is part of) was Hugh Orrow, an ex-Army officer who bid £500 for the privilege.

“He’s a lovely fella, served in the Royal Anglian Regiment, and came for the entire day with his wife Vicky,” said John Taylor. “He had an idea of the style he wanted and we came up with a recipe for a blonde, highly hopped beer.

“Hugh was involved throughout every process and when the beer was fermented it was put in a mini-cask – but not before I had a sneaky taste of it. It was great.”

Following that initiative, Best Western Hotels

Winners: Hugh and Vicky Orrow at The Stables Brewery & Resorts (Great Britain) – founded in 1946 – has shown an interest in producing a special anniversary beer for the chain of hotels.

John Taylor said: “We gave mini-casks to a panel of judges to sample. We’re hoping to reach a lot of hotels with it, although we’ve still got to work out the logistics.

Andrew Denton, director of communications, said: “It’s really exciting to be brewing a new birthday beer. At the moment, all we know is the beer will be called Brilliantly Different, which celebrates the independence of all Best Western hotels. I’ve got my fingers crossed for the blonde, personally.”

Seasons Greetings & Happy New Year from all at The Bridge Tavern www.TheBridgeTavern.com 8 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

TBB Cheers Advertorial (A4) v02_) 05/12/2016 18:14 Page 1

A d v e r t i s m e n t

With the opening of our new home we are kicking off 2017 in style with an East Coast IPA as our January special, followed by a Coconut Porter in February, 2017 sounds like it could be a good year all round.

new year, new us... new beer

If you haven’t come to visit us in our new surroundings we are within five minutes walking distance from the heart of the Ouseburn.

Or if you don’t fancy the walk we are accessible via the Q3 bus route.

What’s on offer..

Aside from the homely setting of our Tap Room and our full range of cask ales and craft beer (as well as a few of our favourites from further afield), there’s much more than meets the eye.

Ever fancied knowing the ins and outs of the brewing process? Why not take a tour of our brand spanking new brewery? Learn the process, gain the knowledge and afterwards, most importantly, beer tasting sessions with one of our knowledgeable staff members.

Stuck on what to get someone for Christmas?

We are now offering Gift boxes on sale in the Brewery Tap. Pick any three of our bottled range to be gift wrapped and taken away for only £8.50! Add a branded glass and we’ll throw in a free Tote bag. £22 and you can have your choice of any of our beers to takeaway in our 5L kegs. Contact us for more details on how to order.

WWW.tynebankbrewery.CO.UK

Tel: +44 (0)191 265 2828 Email: julia@tynebankbrewery.co.uk 375 Walker Road, Newcastle, NE6 2AB, UK

VINTAGE GLASSWARE

JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR XMASSY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

GET THE APP WITH THE MAP DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ALL NEW BOOKING APP

GET IN THE ZONE WE OPERATE 24/7 ALL ACROSS NORTH TYNESIDE AND BEYOND

TO 0I9I TAXI THE TOWN 2533777 £ .50 I5 TAXIS YOU CAN TRUST

NORTH TYNESIDE TO NEWCASTLE CITY CENTRE (NE1) *

Share the Fare!!

Updates + Set Fares www.eastcoasttaxis.com Email info@eastcoasttaxis.com Admin 0191 2517738

PROMOTIONS TOURS EVENTS

MUSIC, FILM & CULTURAL HERITAGE / BIG RIVER MOUTH OF THE TYNE / IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF STING CORPORATE / WEDDINGS / GIGS / BIRTHDAYS AMAZING “SEND OFFS” / REAL ALE MYSTERY TOURS Bookings 0I9I 253 I6I8 Email enquiries info@tyneidols.com Online tyneidols.com

10 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

*Price correct at Nov 2016

PHONE A FRIEND

RAISE A GLASS TO THE COLLECTOR

Cheers reader Ian Young worked in the licensed trade in the 1970s and 1980s around Newcastle, principally at The Punch Bowl, Jesmond, and The Lochside in Benton. Driven by an appreciation of pub ephemera – especially glassware – he started collecting odds and ends, some of which he was happy to share with the magazine.

Ian says: “When I was a young lad my mother had a china cabinet and amongst the cups and saucers there was a half-pint glass with the McEwan’s cavalier on. My mother’s family all worked for Newcastle Breweries and I suppose that’s how it got there.

“I’m sure this is how I started off collecting glasses, although this really took a hold of me when I became a Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) relief manager in 1977. I was a bit of a fan of breweries and pubs and loved the whole thing about them, but most pub managers weren’t enthusiasts in that way.

“Many took a pride in their beer and all had a pride in how popular their pub was, but none really cared

for the memorabilia or any of the decorative stuff, so as a result, if I found an old and interesting drinking glass they were always more than happy to give it to me.

“My favourite glass is, of course, the worthless family heirloom, the McEwan’s glass. Then it’s the imperfect, slightly green-blue halfpint, tankard-style glass which has air bubbles in it (pictured below).

“It’s then you start to wonder how long it was in daily use before it ended up on the bar’s back fitting.

Is it pre-WWI – if so, how many men drank their last glass of beer from it before they went to the Somme, never to return?

“I also have a pint fluted glass with the stamp GR Pint 64 – a pre-war glass which is clearly the prototype for the glass still popular in many pubs today. The number on it is intriguing; I saw a glass on ebay citing the number 478 meant it was from St Helens (Ravenhead Glass), so now I need to find out where 64 is from.

“I have a tankard style half-pint glass which has an etched star with the lettering NBL inside. This

VINTAGE GLASSWARE

was the first instance of a logo on a glass from Newcastle Breweries Ltd. On the other side is etched GR 383 GGC. Again, I would like to find out what the number 383 means. Another one demonstrates the glassmaker’s progress in printing logos and features the Newcastle Blue Star in colour and, once again, the letters NBL feature inside.

“Continuing in the Newcastle Breweries theme, we have two handsome Harp Lager halfpint fluted tankards. These glasses were long out

of use when I started with S&N in 1977 although we still weren’t selling enough lager to warrant the use of tanks in the cellar. I would presume the one with the words Keg Lager were to highlight that Newcastle Breweries could provide a draught lager when other brewers were still limited to bottles. It wasn’t until 1978 or 1979 that S&N came up with the idea of 2.5-barrel tanks that allowed them to do lager in tanks.

“This might seem irrelevant to today’s younger drinkers but in those days S&N straight glasses

weren’t lined as the beer came from metered pumps. Keg beer was poured into ‘pint to brim’ fluted chunky glasses which every male drinker I knew hated.

“I then then started collecting all breweries’ glasses and have quite a few. My favourite is a fluted Stella Artois glass with a gold rim which to me shows a company that’s making statement and an effort to be a bit better than the rest – and it’s stylish enough to have looked good in any decade.”

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ALL AT WYLAM BREWERY WE WISH YOU GREAT HEALTH & HAPPINESS FOR 2017 WYLAMBREWERY.CO.UK

WYLAM_Cheers_Xmas16.indd 1

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 11 05/12/2016 11:48

HARRY CLASPER’S PUBS

Welcome tribute: The Harry Clasper in Whickham, Gateshead

HADAWAY FOR A PINT HARRY One of the North East’s greatest sportsmen was also a prolific pub-owner, as Alastair Gilmour discovers

When Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn died in 1988, tens of thousands of people lined the city centre streets to witness his funeral. “Wor Jackie” is still revered as one of the greatest-ever footballers to emerge from the North East.

Imagine then the scenes 118 years previously in 1870 when another sporting

giant’s achievements were celebrated by in excess of 130,000 Tynesiders desperate to catch a glimpse of his funeral procession.

Harry Clasper, world champion rower, was simply the Jackie Milburn, Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne, Brendan Foster and Steve Cram of his day – rolled into one. He was also a serial pub owner – with ten that we know of.

Rowing in the 19th Century was a massive sport. Clasper and his sculling crew – mainly family, and later James Renforth and Robert Chambers – were heroes to thousands and adored by the public for their water-borne exploits.

Harry Clasper was only 58 when he died and his coffin was carried from the Tunnel Inn,

BOXING DAY BRUNCH

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Walking off the Christmas Day excesses?

Bar Opening Times: Mon-Fri - 4pm-11pm, Sat - 12pm-11pm & Sun-11am-11pm

Call in afterwards, warm yourself by the fire and choose from a tasty selection of brunch dishes created especially

Sunday lunch 12pm - 5pm 1 course -£8.50 | 2 course -£11.50 | 3 course - £14.50

Food served from 11.30am - 4.00pm Even better, reserve your table in advance

Jan & Feb Tues - Fri 5pm-9pm Sat 12pm-9pm 2 courses for £10 from set menu Main Rd, Wylam NE41 8AB Facebook: @blackbull.wylam twitter: @wylamblackbull Tel: 01661 853112 Email: info@blackbullwylam.co.uk

12 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

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

HARRY CLASPER’S PUBS Ouseburn in Newcastle – which he owned – to St Mary’s Church, Whickham, Gateshead.

Part of the journey was by paddle tug on the river, travelling over the course that had seen so many of his triumphs.

The Harry Clasper story is well documented, particularly in the book Rowing: A Way Of Life, researched and written by his great-great nephew David Clasper, and now Hadaway Harry, a play by one of the region’s foremost writers, is set to open at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.

Ed Waugh, who has productions such as Dirty Dusting, Waiting For Gateau, Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather, Maggie’s End and the Accidental Activist under his belt, either written solo or with fellow playwright Trevor Wood, will be performed at the 1,200-seat theatre in February. Ed is also taking Hadaway Harry to the prestigious London Rowing Club in Putney on the River Thames where the unfancied Geordie crew set the rowing world alight by overcoming the “unbeatable” Thamesmen in 1845.

Hadaway Harry was previously performed to sell-out crowds across the region in June 2015, but many people don’t realise that Clasper was also a successful publican, running a string of licensed premises across Newcastle and Gateshead – the vast majority of them sitting on the banks of the Tyne.

Ed Waugh says: “Harry Clasper had pubs next to the Tyne and there was always a boat-building yard attached to them. He also revolutionised rowing boat design with his innovative racing shell and outriggers.

“The Tunnel Inn, where his funeral procession left from, sat at the mouth of the Ouse Burn where it meets the Tyne. He also owned the Barley Mow near the Quayside, one of his few pubs still existing – or in the Barley Mow’s case, only just. He had a boatyard next to the Skiff Inn at Derwenthaugh, Gateshead, and his son John Hawkes Clasper ran The Boathouse in Durham.

“They were pubs for working-class people;

the middle-classes drank in gentlemen’s clubs and bars. Working-class history isn’t well documented at all. Rowing was the sport of the working class prior to football; pubs were where things happened and Harry Clasper was a man of the people. He would have been meeting up with the likes of songwriter Joe Wilson (Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny) and Blaydon races composer Geordie Ridley in the Newcastle Arms. They were the Geordie elite.

“He couldn’t have been one of those landlords always propping up the bar – he was an athlete, a very fit man, and had to be permanently up for the challenge. I think it would

Boat house: The Skiff Inn, Derwenthaugh, Gateshead

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 13

HARRY CLASPER’S PUBS

Fire ravaged: The Barley Mow, Newcastle

have been his wife Susan who was actually running the pubs. They would hire out boats from some of the pubs and people would come in to put money on the races.”

The Clasper name is writ large in book form and on the boards, has been adopted by a Wetherspoon’s pub and even Charles Dickens wrote about “the wonderful spectacle of the Geordies versus the Thamesmen”. Harry’s son, John Hawks Clasper, himself a top rower and master boat-builder, settled in Putney, living in and running The Feathers pub. His workshop on the banks of the Thames, is now the Westminster School boathouse and still bears the name JH Clasper.

A monument to Harry Clasper stands in St Mary’s Churchyard in Whickham, Gateshead, close to The Harry Clasper pub, which is part of the JD Wetherspoon group.

David Clasper is the great-great grandson of Harry’s brother Richard who was the cox in all the successful races and for last year’s tour of Hadaway Harry, he put out a request for relatives to get in touch.

He says: “I thought about six people would turn up but more than 50 came – and they kept on coming. It’s not surprising really when you remember that Harry was one of 13 and he had 12 offspring himself.

“I started the research in the early 1970s, so Rowing: A Way Of Life and Hadaway Harry are on the back of 40 years of work.

My wife and I have been all over the country looking at gravestones and public records and studying in local libraries but it’s what you have to do if you want to get these things done.” *Hadaway Harry, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, February 24-25. Details: www. hadawayharry.co.uk theatreroyal.co.uk See facing page for exclusive competition to win tickets and prize pack.

HARRY CLASPER’S PUBS 1841: The Skiff Inn, Derwenthaugh, Gateshead 1849: The Queen’s Head, The Close, Newcastle 1851: The High Row, Elswick, Newcastle 1855: The Grapes, Side, Newcastle 1859: The Duke of Cumberland, Scotswood, Newcastle 1860: The Rower’s Arms, Low Elswick, Newcastle 1862: The Clasper Hotel, Scotswood, Newcastle 1867: ( Unknown name), Pipewellgate, Gateshead 1868: The Barley Mow, Milk Market, Newcastle 1868: The Tunnel Inn, Tyne Street, Newcastle

THE HARRY CLASPER Over 60 cra beers available in bottles, cans and on cask, form both local and international breweries.

Try one of our clubs from £6.15, includes a drink.

Keep an eye out for our January sale.

Front St, Whickham NE16 4EA 0191 488 3418 @WhickhamSpoons 14 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

e Harry Clasper

A BEER FOR SCULL NIGHTS

Newcastle-based Brinkburn Street Brewery has produced Canny Sculler (3.6% abv), a session beer in honour of Harry Clasper.

Lee Renforth, owner of Brinkburn Street Brewery, is a direct descendant of another celebrated Tyneside rower, James Renforth, who became world sculling champion in 1868 following a match from Putney to Mortlake on the River Thames.

Like Harry Clasper – whose funeral he attended as a pallbearer – James Renforth owned pubs in Newcastle; The Belted Well Inn in Scotswood and the Sir Charles Napier in the city’s Queen Street.

VIEW FROM ABROAD

BEER AND BAGPIPES WORTH PROTECTION

Belgian beer – from golden pilsners to strong Trappist ales – has been included

by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) on a list of worldwide traditions worth protecting. The heritage body understands that the country’s brewing and drinking culture fosters a unified identity in a country with three official languages.

Belgium supports nearly 200 breweries making 1,500 different beers, according to the trade association Belgian Brewers, which prepared the application.

The country has some 30 brewing museums, while many national dishes also include beer.

Unesco said beer brewing improves the wellbeing of Belgian people by stimulating the economy, promoting local products, and strengthening social ties. The history and broad variety of brews available make Belgium’s beer industry stand out from other brewing traditions around

the world, according to Unesco’s “intangible heritage” committee.

Belgian beer now joins the likes of Spain’s flamenco, China’s dragon boat festival and last year’s entrants Arabic coffee and bagpipe culture in Slovakia.

Belgium already has 12 items on the heritage list, including horsedrawn shrimp fishing and the carnival in the town of Aalst.

Inclusion confers on the state an obligation to safeguard the tradition. In some cases, states can apply for financial help to do so.

Manu Pauwels, spokesman for the International Trappist Association, believes the UN designation would make Belgian beer culture more distinct than its global counterparts.

“There are more and more countries developing a beer industry with more variation, but they always refer to the Belgian beer style,” he said. “It is good that we can say that we are the reference and the origin of a lot of beer activities in the rest of world.”

takeout beers and gift sets

COMPETITION

LANTERNE ROUGE Belgian beer cafe classic bar snacks and light bites hot drinks by flat caps coffee Opening times...

Thursdays 6pm - 11pm Fridays 6pm - 11pm Saturdays 6pm - 11pm Sundays 2pm - 7pm popping up from december 2nd

Flat caps coffee, carliol square

Belgian beers from draught and bottle.

Two lucky entrants can win the following:

• Pair of tickets to ‘Hadaway Harry’ at the Theatre Royal on Friday 24th February • Canny Sculler Gift Pack • £10 Voucher for The Harry Clasper To enter, go to www.cheersnortheast.co.uk/competitions and answer the following question: Where is The Harry Clasper pub located?

Closing date January 31st 2017

Local & UK bottle conditioned beers Organic, bio dynamic & no added sulphur wines Micro distillery gins including Durham gin Gift boxes & Hampers available 74 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2NE T: 0754 224 4716 facebook & twitter @bodahome.co.uk www.bodahome.co.uk www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 15

BREWERY FOCUS

BIG, BOLD AND… HAIRY that’s not limited to actual brewing. A homeWhen you name your business in honour designed cask washer looks straight out of a legendary wild people covered in brown hair shiny catalogue, but was in fact designed by thought to exist in Central Asia and Russia Mark and fabricated by a welder friend who you get the idea there may be something has been responsible for much of the brewery’s different going on. It’s certainly true at North metalwork.

Tyneside-based Almasty Brewing Co. A hi-tech approach to brewing Owner and head brewer is Mark contrasts with Almasty’s homeMcGarry learned his brewing sun pumpclips – thin slices of skills at Mordue and Tyne Bank wood, each 100mm in diameter breweries but had been printed with all one needs developing his knowledge for to know when ordering several years as a peripatetic something special. Long cook, working across Europe, lengths of slender, straight Canada New Zealand where tree trunks sit in one corner he spent a year. waiting for a band saw and an “I was a builder before that accurate eye. then started off pot-washing Wood is actually a significant then moved upwards to be a feature at Almasty with Project Barrlecook,” he says. “It was always a case Ageing where former wine and bourbon casks of ‘move on, move up’. This all helped my sit quietly maturing beer for at least 12 months. understanding of ingredients and how flavours Mark says: “We’re starting another batch of compare and contrast.” barrel-ageing our Imperial Stout. We’ve learned As Almasty beers such as Peanut Butter Half_Page_Landscape_Advert.pdf a lot from12:19 the ones that are ready now in Porter, Oyster & Seaweed Porter and Mango1IPA02/12/2016 limited-edition bottles – 225 litres which makes testify, Mark is ever-inventive and innovative but

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

16 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Cask aid: Brewey assistant Sean Hind gets down to necessary cleaning

BREWERY FOCUS 480 bottles. We’re experimenting with Rioja barrels as well ones that once held Pinot Noir and Burgundy. We’re interested in seeing how our lambics and other sour beers age over a year in the wood.

“I love exploring new things and bring that to our beers using different techniques and different styles. What we learn goes forward into the next recipe and the next after that. We’re now concentrating more on local sales as we’ve got our wholesale business right up, working with several companies across the country. That wasn’t intentional, but it’s nice, regular work with say three new beers going out in a mixed pallet of cask and keg.”

The coming year will see an emphasis on Almasty beers being present at more festivals throughout the north, such as in Leeds and Manchester. October’s invitation to present their beers at Wylam Brewery’s Craft Beer Calling demonstrated that they could stand comparison with any in the nation. Collaborations with the likes of BrewDog and hosting a handful of brewery open days and music events has encouraged the team to set out an enlarged programme.

“For events we basically took everything that can move out of the brewery, installed a bar, booked food vendors like Scream For

Pizza and The Grind Burgers, and got 150200 people in,” says Mark. “It’s an added extra that keeps people interested. Our next one’s at the end of January. This month we’re launching our sour beers range at Coppers in Gosforth and doing a Meet The Brewer day at Glug in the Grainger Market in Newcastle. We don’t really stop.”

Further plans for early 2017 include an

expanded cold store, reinforced to take a grain store and walkway above which will ease production no end. Additional vessels will also join the 10-barrel brewhouse.

We’re fairly sure nobody has captured a brown-haired wild person, but you don’t have to travel far to find Almasty’s big, bold flavours. Something different, all right. www.almasty.co.uk

Brew crew: Mark McGarry, left, Sean Hind, centre, and Simon Hubbard.

Photos: Peter Skelton

WINE, DELI, ENOTECA TA S T I N G S a n d E V E N T S

GIFT VOUCHERS and GIFT WRAPPING 3a Elmfield Road | Gosforth | Newcastle upon Tyne | NE3 4AY

Tel 0191 2131818

www.carruthersandkent.com www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 17

NEWS

SIMPLE DEVICE BUT SO, SO EFFECTIVE Describing a new product as “probably the best bottle opener in the world” is a big boast. But BottleMate, an ingenious new device, certainly lives up to it.

“Its design is so simple and it has massive wow factor,” says BottleMate founder Dan Linsell. “One quick push and the bottle top is gone. The inbuilt magnet even captures the top for you.

Take it to a party and watch everyone’s eyes light up with amazement.”

BottleMate also offers custom logo printing, a great way of promoting your business and also makes a great gift for weddings.

Visit www.bottlemate.co.uk

Another beer: Motörhead try out their new brew

ANOTHER PERFECT DAY IN THE ROCK WORLD Camerons Brewery has teamed up with legendary rock band Motörhead to create an exciting new collaboration beer, launched on December 16. The North East brewer has been working alongside the band to develop Road Crew (4.5% abv) and associated merchandising over the last few months.

Motörhead fans’ favourite (We Are) The Road Crew, which appears on the 1980s Ace of Spades album, was inspired by the band’s dedicated team of roadies. With lines like “Another beer is what I need”, the name fits perfectly for an American-style pale ale.

Road Crew is packed full of hoppy citrus and

blackcurrant flavours delivering a crisp, refreshing, superior flavour that celebrates the spirit of the song and those who inspired it.

Band members Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell have played a key part in its development.

“I’m proud to have been able to develop this beer with Camerons,” said Mikkey. “The trial brews we have tasted have been great. We wanted this to be an exciting and refreshing beer.”

Camerons’ managing director Chris Soley said: “It’s a fantastic partnership for us and complements our growing Head of Steam pub brand, which we’re looking to expand to further cities across the UK.”

The Steamboat 2016 Sunderland & South Tyneside CAMRA Pub of the Year Regional CAMRA Pub of the Year 2015 & 2016

Wishing all of our customers a very Merry Christmas 27 Mill Dam, South Shields, NE33 1EQ (0191) 454 0134 18 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

DOG

FRIENDLY

PUB

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 19

STATION EAST

NOW OPEN Old fashioned local, community pub Hills Street, Gateshead, NE8 2AS Showcasing our core range of traditional ales, seasonal brews and our limited Bandwagon beers.

In addition to exciting new products.

www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk

HADRIAN BORDER BREWERY Hadrian Border Brewery would like to wish all of our loyal customers and drinkers a very Happy Christmas, and a great New Year for 2017.

PUB NEWS

PUBS DOING THE POSITIVES STATION EAST, GATESHEAD The long-awaited successor to the Station Hotel on Hills Street, Gateshead, close to the High Level Bridge, has finally emerged, gleaming to the world. Railway arch stonework never looked so attractive, even on day one which would have been around 1844.

The pub is owned by Hadrian Border Brewery which invested some £350,000 on its reconstruction and fitting out. What appeared a simple modernisation programme last year quickly became a major construction project when it was realised the pub structure was actually coming away from the back wall, part of the railway arch and track owned by Network Rail.

Steelwork had to be incorporated into the design to ensure the

front wall and façade was secured and strengthened but this has given the pub a bit of a railway station look with functional crossmembers and rivets highlighting industrial attractiveness.

The bar’s high back wall gives it an air of superiority and contrasts well with the attractively-pointed brickwork exterior. The interior also holds on to some very interesting shapes with angles diving off left and right and opening out into another archway converted into a lounge area.

A mezzanine floor above the bar is where you could sit with your pints and complete your university thesis or write the new Harry Potter. A rumble every now and then indicates a train heading east or west.

Beers are from the Hadrian

We very much appreciate your continued support, and as a thank you we will continue to produce quality, consistent and sensibly priced ales in both cask and bottle, for your enjoyment. All of this coupled with reliable and dependable service.

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

Transformation: Station East’s attractive bar area.

Photo: Peter Skelton

PUB NEWS

Worth the wait: Station East, Gateshead.

Photo: Peter Skelton

Border range – Tyneside Blonde, Farne Island, Coast To Coast – with three handpulls, three craft keg lines and four dedicated keg lines that include Budweiser Budvar. A fridge is full of the likes of Anchor Steam Beer, Liberty Ale and Hitachino Nest Beer.

Andy Burrows, managing director of Hadrian Border Brewery, says: “We’re absolutely

delighted with the end result. The team is proud to have turned this almost derelict pub around and created something that will be here for future generations. It’s a real asset for Gateshead.”

The purchase and opening of Station East signals a new phase in the development of Newburnbased Hadrian Border which views retail outlets like this as a

logical next step in the commercial expansion of the business.

“We see pubs as the next stage in our growth,” says Andy Burrows.

“It creates our own distribution network and also an opportunity to establish something more lasting and tangible. Vibrant city and neighbourhood pubs add real character to a place and still have a role to play in the community.”

WIG’S PLACE, HIGH SPEN The micropub phenomenon shows no sign of slowing down, in fact quite the opposite. There are two “schools” to the movement; one that follows a no television, no music, no gaming machines regime while the other is simply a small pub where anything goes.

“We wanted to have an atmosphere where folks could enjoy good beer and good conversation without any television or music,” says part-owner John Harrison. “At one time, High Spen had two pubs and three working-men’s clubs, but before we opened in November there was only one club left. The Bute Arms used to be popular until that kind of fell apart and eventually closed which left a void in the village.

Everybody who liked real ale had to drive elsewhere.”

Wig’s Place, named after another co-owner Mark Watson, known locally from his days in rock bands sporting a huge quiff that earned him the nickname Wig (the quiff is no more, but the name survives).

The premises was formerly a beautician’s and before that, the local post office, but Mark – who owns the building – thought it

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 21

NEWS would make a nice micropub.

So John and Susan Harrison and Linda and Mark Watson got chatting.

John Harrison says: “The main reason for opening Wig’s Place was that the High Spen community was dying out and we wanted to bring in something positive which could be a springboard for other people doing other things and be assets to the village. It was a leap of faith.

“We support local breweries like Wylam, Firebrick and The Potting Shed which is virtually

next door. On the first night we opened, that’s all a lot of people wanted to drink – a High Spen beer.”

Cushioned benches started life as railway sleepers while the addition of mismatched, sandeddown tables and a family of stools makes Wig’s Place feel homely.

The counter is constructed from salvaged timber (Mark is a landscaper by day), so ecofriendliness is the order of the day.

“We’ve had an almost euphoric response,” says John. “People

Former shop: Wig’s Place, High Spen

22 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

were coming in on the opening night rubbing their hands, saying ‘this is what we want’. But it’s not just locals; we didn’t know 60% of the people who came in – they came out of every nook and cranny and actually queued round the block.”

THE BOX SOCIAL BARCUTERIE Newcastle’s latest micropub opened this month on Forth Street, in the premises vacated by Split Chimp. Straight away it has a much different feel with a bit of an edge and a touch of industrial

Serving now: Ross, left, Gary, centre, and Steve Holland at The Box Social Barcuterie, Newcastle.

Photo: Peter Skelton

style rather than the previous place’s upholstered furnishings.

Run by Box Social Brewing’s Holland family, it promises to be one of the city’s seek-out pubs, particularly as it’s calling itself a “barcuterie” offering continental sausage, cold meats, breads and

NEWS cheeses – possibly the only pub in town to do so. All are fiercely locally-sourced.

“I think the furthest place away is Penrith, where we get our olives from,” says Ross Holland, who doubles up running the pub and Newburn-based brewery with his dad Steve and uncle Gary.

Beers come from not only Box Social’s fine range that includes Gentleman’s Relish, but also from local microbrewers such as Out There and Errant plus progressive outfits like North Brewing and Northern Monk.

We’re also intrigued by the cask Campfire Porter (7.0% abv) laced with toasted marshmallow, Pumphreys coffee, vanilla, cocoa and lactose, and Vanilla Cream Ale (keg 4.5% abv) a hybrid Pilsner with Madagascan bourbon vanilla.

This is going to be a real draw.

only a couple of months but his attention to detail has already shone through. Running a pub with highly-rated restaurants and 11 bedrooms attached has been the biggest difference for him from running “ordinary” pubs, while buffets and private dining bookings every week make it one huge juggling act.

Four ales on the bar are in great nick – joining house beer St Mary’s Ale (brewed by Wylam), are Red Ellen from the Great North Eastern Brewing Co, Firebrick Blaydon Brick and Anarchy Blonde Star.

“The ales all do well here,” says Sean. “Once people have found us they start coming regularly.

Juggling act: Sean Schofield, St Mary’s Inn

ST MARY’S INN, STANNINGTON The highly experienced Sean Schofield has been running front-of-house at St Mary’s for

C A S K

.

K EG

.

B O TTL ES

ALL OUR CASK CONDITIONED ALES SEASONAL

MEET US AT THE NEWCASTLE CHRISTMAS MARKET AT MONUMENT BETWEEN 12TH-18TH DECEMBER FOR GIFT PACKS AND MINI KEGS! 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 / 23

Discover why The Hastings is the Best Partnership Pub in Great Britain

Wheatridge Row, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland NE25 0QH

www.thehastingsarms.com

The home of Geordie Tappaz

A Craft Ale Pub with a traditional Food Menu including a large selection of bar nibbles and sharing boards.

Food served Monday to Saturday 11-9 and 12-5 Sundays Weekly quizzes and live music Open mic on a Friday and Blues on a Saturday COMING SOON Monthly kitchen & bar takeovers and a monthly Jazz Café WE WELCOME TRACKS DARLINGTON TO OUR UPSTAIRS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS PROVIDING A RECORDING STUDIO, REHEARSAL SPACE FOR BANDS AND MUSICIANS AS WELL AS A COMMUNITY RADIO STATION

(01325)468411 website www.thepennyweight.com email thepennyweight@outlook.com Follow us on Twitter & Facebook @thepennyweight 24 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

NEWS

Sleeping giant: The railway Hotel, Birtley, Gateshead 1220 Theakston Christmas

There’s enough throughput to make sure the beers are always in great condition. We do quite a bit with Wylam Brewery and we’re developing a good relationship with Anarchy Brewery which is only just up the road. We’re fortunate that there’s a lot in the North East to tap into.”

Eleven superbly-appointed bedrooms are full practically during the week with corporate custom – business people working in and around Newcastle – with the weekends attracting families and couples.

St Mary’s is committed to the local supply chain with virtually everything used in the kitchen sourced from around the region.

Cakes, biscuits and breads are produced on the premises. It’s what people want and what they expect.

Shifts are long and demanding with some early starts and late finishes meaning it’s easier for Sean to sometimes stay over rather than go home for the night. ad 135x92 Print.pdf 1 24/11/2016 He says: “During the week most of the residents will want

breakfast at around seven in the morning because they’ve got a working day ahead, so you’ve got to be in early.

“But we’ve got a great team here; many of them from the Sir John Fitzgerald group who I have worked with previously and who have loads and loads of experience. We’re planning taptakeovers in the middle of next year with some outdoor events.

“We’ve also come up with a new menu which is probably the first time it has changed since we first opened in 2014. For some reason, trout is very popular here – I don’t think I’ve ever worked anywhere with trout on the menu.”

BLACK BULL, WYLAM The Black Bull at Wylam, Northumberland, has new owners, crucially from restaurant and bar backgrounds which makes up an experienced team that dovetails nicely.

“The pub has been given a good old tidy since it was taken 14:41 1195 Theakston Tap over in October, ” says barBrewery assistant James McLeod, who was formerly

assistant manager at the Bodega in Newcastle and manager at Fitzgeralds in Whitley Bay. “We’ve got two new handpulls, the cellar has been done out, and the counter has been stained and varnished. We’re keeping our range of Wylam beers such as Gold Tankard which flies out, and Collingwood, along with the likes of Doom Bar and Wainwright from the Marstons range.

We also have Wylam’s Jakehead IPA on keg.”

Other visitors to excite are Titanic Plum Porter and Thornbridge Jaipur.

“We’ve kept the opening hours the same as well as the prices and we’ll be pushing the food side.

Sunday lunches are particularly good, so we’re confident that people will come in and come back.”

RAILWAY HOTEL, BIRTLEY The Railway Hotel in Birtley, Gateshead, can only be described as a “sleeping giant”. It is owned Adby135x92 Portrait Print.pdf long-term Campaign For 1 24/11/2016 Real Ale (Camra) member John

Wishing you

Visit the

A PECULIERLY FINE

Black Bull in Paradise

CHappySYear

C

M

Y

FROM ‘PECULIER’ SOCKS ...to Backward Clocks

TAKE A TOUR ROUND

C

M

…and have a pint in our

Y

CM

CM

MY

MY

CY

CY

CMY

CMY

K

K

BREWERY TAP

BUY A ‘PECULIER’ GIFT

buy online at

theakstons.co.uk/shop Telephone 01765

684 333

Or Visit

The Black Bull in Paradise, Brewery Tap & Gift Shop,

Theakston Brewery, Masham, HG4 4YD E: shop@theakstons.co.uk

Theakston Brewery

Theakston1827 #PeculierGifts

Theakston Brewery Tap & Gift Shop, Masham, HG4 4YD W: theakstons.co.uk E: info@theakstons.co.uk T: 01765 680000 Theakston Brewery

Theakston1827

#THETALKOFTHEPUB

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 25

Brearley, a former finance director with Boddingtons in Manchester. And now he has unveiled a fantastic opportunity – John is looking lease it to passionate people who have a love of traditional beer.

“I’ve always been interested in British pub culture and British drinking culture,” he says. “I was attracted by the Railway a couple of years ago through its beautiful exterior.”

The Railway Hotel is a traditional public house in every sense from its architecturally attractive brown faience façade, ionic columns, charming curved windows and recessed doorway.

Although the interior’s onceseparate rooms have been knocked into one, it retains the feeling of a typical Scottish “island” bar. Original furniture and 1930s McEwan’s mirrors are additional features.

“I’m also obsessional about Draught Bass, a real heritage beer which has got that retro feel that many people are looking for, with genuine provenance. Other places to stock it regularly are The Tynemouth Lodge, the Seven 26 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Stars in Durham and the Stag’s Head in South Shields.

“We’ve got the pub fit for the modern world; it’s warm, clean and well decorated with quite a small but perfectly functional catering kitchen that could easily offer pie, mash and peas or simple burgers. There’s also a stunning garden at the back where we’re planning on introducing quoits.

“Now we need someone with the wherewithal to make it sing, someone with passion for great pubs and great craft beer, someone not set in their ways.

We’re looking for a motivated individual or couple to take on the lease of this beautiful Edwardian building and drive it to deliver its undoubted potential. It’s not a museum piece but a living, thriving pub appealing to a wide customer base.”

Interested? Can you wake the giant? See the announcement on page 2 for details.

THE OLD FOX, FELLING, GATESHEAD Karl Parkin and Jan Colman took over the reins of The Old Fox in

NEWS Ale and hearty: The Old Fox, Felling, Gateshead

Felling, Gateshead, in September and have improved the place no end, picking it up from quite a low ebb.

“We’re heading in the right direction, says Karl. “Previously, the pub only opened at the weekends and had been closed for a few weeks before we came in. The customer base had been decimated. We then spent two weeks redecorating and slowly but surely, the old custom is coming back.

“We have a focus on real ales and craft beers and first thought we’d just have a couple of ales on but pretty much straight away we had to use all four handpulls. We usually always have a Wylam beer on, maybe a different one every time, but rotate the others from the likes of Allendale, Seven Brothers and Errant breweries. They have been going exceptionally well. When you come in you’ll see all the pumpclips we’ve gone through on the back wall – an amazing amount in just four months.”

Karl and Jan know what

customers want so they tend to offer a choice of a stout or porter, a strong IPA, and a couple of more session-strength ales, plus something like an amber ale.

“We’ve got live music on a Saturday night, acoustic buskers on a Sunday and a buskers’ evening on Mondays which have received a fantastic response.”

The Old Fox, on Carlisle Street in Felling, is about a minute’s walk from Felling Metro station, so it’s rather handy to get to.

HADRIAN HOTEL, WALL Andy and Susan Smith who already run The Red Lion at Newbrough and The Twice Brewed Inn near Bardon Mill, have taken over the Hadrian Hotel at Wall in Northumberland, on the road between Hexham and Chollerford.

The pub currently features six hotel bedrooms, a traditionalstyle bar lounge, and a 40-cover restaurant, but the Smiths have more ambitious plans for the future.

Andy, previously head chef

at Langley Castle, has created a brand new menu which he launched last month. He will begin by working in the kitchen himself to perfect the menu and standards, and is also bringing with him one of the chefs from his days at Langley Castle.

He told the Hexham Courant: “It’s traditional British food with a twist – while it may look like a standard pub menu, I pride myself on the quality of food I produce, which has shown through the reputation we have built up at the Red Lion and Twice Brewed.

“They’re all my own recipes.

The lamb and beef is rom Sewingshields Heritage Meats and 90% of our fish is from North Shields, as I think it’s important to use local food from local businesses.

The pub will also feature a variety of North-East real ales, from suppliers such as Allendale, High House Farm and Wylam breweries.

A full refurbishment is scheduled for the back end of next year.

FABULOUS FOOD & LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATION... ...just off the A69 with views of the beautiful Tyne Valley Breakfast Served daily 8am - 10am | Food served Mon-Sat 12-9pm Sunday Lunch served 12-6pm AWARD WINNING 5* ACCOMMODATION Menus and booking available online www.thedukeofwellingtoninn.co.uk CHRISTMAS FAYRE MENU

2 COURSES - £15.95 | 3 COURSES - £18.95 (available from 1st Dec, 12am-9pm Mon-Sat)

The

NEW YEARS EVE

4 Course to include: fizz & canapes from 6.30pm and celebrations till 2am - £49.95

Duke of Wellington Inn

Newton, Northumberland, NE43 7UL Tel: 01661 844446

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 27

COVER STORY

NIFTY SHADES OF BLUES The simplest of musical instruments often make the most astonishing sounds, as Alastair Gilmour discovers Take a wooden cigar box, a length of timber, three metal strings, a couple of bolts, dowells and a dog bowl (£1.99 from B&M). Now drill, screw and rub down, step back to admire your “stick in a box”, and you’re on the way to making some of the raunchiest music you’ve ever heard.

That description is a total simplification of how to make a cigar box guitar, but the reality isn’t that much more complex. And when Scott Wall picks up one of his in the King George pub in Whitley Bay and picks into a blues tune, the hairs on the back of your neck ripple as you’re transported to the Mississippi Delta.

Scott makes cigar box guitars, one of a family of home-made instruments that originated in the American South in the 1800s that includes washtub bass, washboard, diddlybow, and a simple broom shank fastened to a couple of wires.

He runs workshops on how to make them, adhering strictly to the principles of that era – simple methods and materials defined by slavery and poverty – simply because authenticity is everything.

But Scott is far more than a barroom balladeer; by day he is an NHS psychologist working with people with learning difficulties and the elderly who suffer from varying degrees of depression. His cigar box guitars are useful tools in his therapy sessions.

“I show them how to make guitars and they don’t realise it’s therapy because they’ve got their hands full and concentrating,” says Scott, who got into psychology eight years ago. “They don’t know I’m talking. Sometimes I’ll turn up with my guitars and 28 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

get them all singing Elvis songs.

“The NHS is changing so much; there’s me and a colleague covering a patch between Berwick and Sunderland. But I’ve seen some fantastic turnarounds in people recently, particularly from one-to-one therapy. You work on why they have been depressed – it could be any sort of social issues – and many of them have a lot of skills and expert knowledge that have been forgotten about, so I work on that.”

Scott’s workshop is a shipping container littered with cigar boxes, guitar necks, scraps of wood that’ll come in handy, tools of every description, finished articles, unfinished instruments, screws and wires. It’s basic, like the instruments he constructs. So basic, in fact, that when his assistant Charlie Philp used the electric drill, the lights dipped.

“I really should upgrade my tools but the people who built these things originally would have done it like this,” he says. “I just love the simplicity.

There’s no running water in the workshop and it’s cold, but it’s not the backwoods of Mississippi – I’ve got a Subway and a Burger King next door.

“Some people ask if I’ll make them a really highclass, highly polished guitar and I will, but the essence of these things is in their simplicity and almost roughness like when they were originally made.

“I had no woodworking skills before doing this. I couldn’t even put up a shelf.” (As he says this my eye catches the shelf behind him fixed to the wall at a devil-may-care angle).

Charlie Philp is studying classical music at Newcastle University and came across Scott at the

Scott Wall playing the blues at the King George in Whitley Bay. Photo: Peter Skelton

“SOMETIMES I’LL TURN UP WITH MY GUITARS AND GET THEM ALL SINGING ELVIS SONGS” Americana Festival, Gateshead, in July. He was so struck by the sounds he offered to help in the workshop and also on Scott’s Cigarbox Sounds stall at Tynemouth Market (where they’ll be every Saturday and Sunday in December), plus he’s writing his university thesis on the musical and social significance of cigar box guitars. He plays in the university’s jazz orchestra and when he manages to find his harmonica, he and Scott start jamming. The hairs ripple again.

Scott says: “Sometimes when we’re working till about 11 at night we’ll stop for a coffee then string up and jam. There’s a dog called Storm at the compound where the workshop is and he’ll come in and lay his head on my lap when I’m playing. It’s magical.”

His next cigar box guitar workshop at 42nd Street in Whitley Bay on December 28 (drinks after in the King George pub next door).

“Basically they’re for people who can’t play the guitar – taking half the strings out and two-thirds of the frets, so it’s much easier to get started. I thought if I could get 15 people together I could run a workshop making them, so I started at the Black Horse in Monkseaton. People are blown away by the sound. I try to keep them as cheap as possible because I know people will really want to play them. But it’s the passion that sells them as well.

“I’ve also made ammunition box guitars, stomp boards out of bread bins, and use dog and cat bowls as resonators and even cake tins plus microphones from old Heinz beans cans. People have made steel guitars out of ironing boards – honestly – and hubcap banjos from VW wheel trims. I’ve also made lunchbox guitars for kids – Thomas The Tank Engine and Snow White.”

He then fishes out a ceramic bedpan and demonstrates how he’ll fix a neck to it. “It’s a crapacaster,” he says.

Scott originally bought his cigar boxes from local tobacconists, but they’re getting harder to obtain, so he now buys them online. It takes around eight hours to make a guitar from scratch.

Musicians who have used cigar box guitars in varying degrees include Seasick Steve, Tom Waits, Frank Turner, Lightnin’ Hopkins and PJ Harvey. If hairs on the back of your neck are anything to go by, Scott Wall from Whitley Bay would not be out of place among that lot. *Build your own cigar box guitar workshop, December 28, 42nd Street, Whitley Bay (11am4pm). Only £40. Build and learn to play a threestring electric cigar box guitar. All materials and tools provided as well as lunch (booking essential). www.facebook.com/cigarboxsounds/ www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 29

NEWS

STUDENT BEER PROJECT ON THE BOIL 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.

HIGH HOUSE FARM BREWERY, MATFEN, NORTHUMBERLAND, NE20 0RG www.highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk / info@highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk

30 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Stu Brew, the Newcastle University, Europe’s first student-run microbrewery which help them gain important employability skills through running a small start-up business, is hosting a Christmas Craft Beer Festival on Wednesday December 14 (12.30pm-8pm).

Before that, a closed-door event has been organised for the region’s brewing community to help them shape the future of its research. It’s also an opportunity to introduce some of the outcomes from projects funded by Stu Brew’s Institute for Sustainability grant.

Alongside the commercial side of Stu Brew, the project also aims

to improve the sustainability of the brewing process and share best practice with other regional and national microbreweries through its brewing network.

The beer festival – open to the public – includes beers from Almasty, Box Social, Errant, Flash House, Newcastle Brewing Ltd , Northern Alchemy, Three Kings and TwoByTwo breweries.

There’s also food from Spaghetti Monster and live acoustic guitar from Dave Whiffin. It’s shaping up to be a great event.

Tickets for the public event at The Venue, Newcastle University Students’ Union, Newcastle NE1 8Q are available at www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/stu-brews-christmas-craftbeer-event-tickets-28449672737.

Left to Right: Red Kellie, James Milne, Michael Oates, Chris O’Malley, Sophie Murta

NEWS

HUGE PRAISE FROM HAIRY BIKER The British Guild of Beer Writers (BGBW) in its wisdom has named Cheers editor Alastair Gilmour as its regional writer of the year. A strong judging panel that included Dave Myers – one half of the Hairy Bikers – and Rebecca Smithers, consumer affairs correspondent at The Guardian, had the tough job of selecting winners and runners-up in nine categories such as travel writer, broadcast writer, beer and food writer and national media writer.

They read, viewed and listened to more than 150 entries which included books, newspaper and magazine articles, both printed and online, as well as radio, video and television programmes and podcasts.

Dave Myers said: “It was a revelation

WORLD LEADERS – HERE AND NOW

to discover just how much seriously good writing about beer and pubs is out there.

Everyone on the shortlist earned their place by demonstrating a sure grasp of their subject matter, coupled with a talent for storytelling that engages you as a reader and makes you want to try the beer they’ve drunk, visit the pub they’ve been to, or meet the brewer they’ve interviewed.

“The North East is indeed fortunate to have such a publication as Cheers.”

Runners-up to Alastair, in the category sponsored by Adnams, were Susan and Judith Boyle for articles in Irish newspaper, the Leinster Leader.

The BGBW gold tankard went to Pete Brown for The Pub Book.

Three members of staff from the Camerons Brewery managed pub group have now qualified as beer sommeliers. The prestigious qualification was developed by the London-based Beer Academy and now Graham Frost, general manager at Tilleys Bar, Newcastle, and bar supervisor Jen Gibb have passed their final exams to join an elite club of only 131 qualified beer sommeliers in the world, along with Chris Nelson, general manager of the Head of Steam in Leeds.

Chris Soley, director and general manager at Camerons, said: “It’s fantastic. We’re delighted that Chris, Graham and Jen have passed their finals and we recognise the great deal of time and effort invested by them to achieve this. It is an extremely difficult qualification to gain and we look forward to seeing more of our employees achieve this qualification over the next few months.”

The Beer Academy’s Alex Barlow with Graham Frost

Alex Barlow and Jen Gibb

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 31

BREWERY RECYCLE

LOVINGLY PRE-OWNED A small, but perfectly formed brewery has certainly done the rounds, as Alastair Gilmour discovers Recycling, upcycling, renovating and reusing are all admirable qualities which brewers are particularly adept at. A valve here, a pump there, and everywhere a hosepipe, seems to be the mantra. Nothing is wasted, but a full brewery being passed on from business to business is a touch more unusual.

In 2004 when John Taylor – now of The Stables Brewery – was setting up Bull Lane Brewery in Sunderland, he bought a 2.5-barrel plant from brewing consultant George Thompson, who is based in Dunbar in East Lothian (George was commissioned by Hadrian Border Brewery to install a 30-barrel brewplant in 2011, which is a measure of his reputation).

The kit John Taylor bought previously brewed a fine range of ales at the Atlas Brewery in Kinlochleven in the Western Highlands, set in a category B former aluminium smelting facility. Then it

BREWE

was taken over, upgraded and subsequently closed.

After John took it out of Bull Lane – situated in the cellar of The Clarendon pub in Sunderland – it was rented to Firebrick Brewery in Blaydon, Tyne & Wear, which got owner Alistair Lawrence started in 2013 before he upgraded a year later.

“It came back an awful lot cleaner than it went in,” admits John, who originally planned to use it in a brewery at The Sun Inn at Beamish Museum which he had been running on its behalf, but the project never came to fruition. “It was like brand-new when Alistair was finished with it and it’s certainly got the mileage in now.”

The well-travelled pieces of equipment – boiler, conditioning tank, fermenter and mash tun – have recently settled at the Hexhamshire Brewery at Dipton Mill Inn, near Hexham, after Mark Brooker took over the business from his late father, the highly-valued and much-missed Geoff.

R Y

TO URS

STONE RADGE

FESTIVE HOP GREMLIN “Have a Stone Radge Christmas!”

ABV 5.6%

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

BRINKBURN S T BREWERY

BRINKBURN S T BREWERY

BRINKBURN S T BREWERY

BYKER, NEWCASTLE, NE6

BYKER, NEWCASTLE, NE6

BYKER, NEWCASTLE, NE6

REDCAP SLY RED RYE ABV

facebook.com/brewtowntours @BREWTOWNTOURS

32 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

6.7%

(Chocolate Raspberry Porter)

ABV

7.2%

BREWERY RECYCLE Hexhamshire ales were brewed at neighbouring Ordley under Geoff’s stewardship, although he always intended to shift it to the Dipton Mill Inn. “Something needed to be done,” says Mark Brooker.

“The old premises was two-and-a-half miles away, 12 minutes door-to-door, but by the time you’d got there, checked the beer and done a little bit of cleaning, you’ve taken an hour.

“Having the brewery in a converted garage at the back of the pub makes life a lot easier, but getting planning permission wasn’t straightforward. Brewing is in the B2 general industry category for planning which is difficult in a residential area. But the neighbours were happy.

“It took three brews for each beer to get them right on the new kit, but now they’re all back to what they were – and luckily the Hexhamshire yeast strain took to its new surroundings straight away and is performing well.”

Although Mark had been brewing since 1997 under Geoff Brooker’s critical eye (he founded Hexhamshire in 1995), he discovered the new equipment meant embarking on a steep learning curve.

“Dad used to do all the paperwork, so it came as a bit of a shock how much is involved,” he says. “I’ll brew twice a week sometimes – a lot of which goes through the pub – and we supply a number of outlets such as The Old George in Newcastle and all over Northumberland, particularly along the Tyne Valley.

“I’m brewing all Dad’s beers – Whapweasel, Shire Bitter, Devil’s Water and Devil’s Elbow – and Cragnook

Mark Brooker at Hexhamshire Brewery. Left, the Dipton Mill Inn where the brewery now operates.

Photos: Peter Skelton

Indulge at colour GibsidetoPub Add some this winter your weekend this Beer and a Bite Night, every third autumn at Gibside Saturday, 6 - 9pm Enjoy scrumptious food from local producers suchfallen as Earth & discover Fire pizzas Go crunching through leaves and a forestand teeming with wildlife and autumn colours, with walking Fat Hippo Burger Bar, plus live music, all routes for all ages and abilities. within an 18th century estate. Up for it?

Call 01207 541820 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside Whenyou youvisit, visit,donate, donate,volunteer volunteerororjoin jointhe theNational National Trust, your support When Trust, your helps ushelps to look special places in the North East such <like as Washington support us after to look after special places <in the region> Old Hall,X, Penshaw Monument and Seaton Delaval Hall for ever, for everyone. property property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone.

©National National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an © Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent independent registered number 205846. © National registered charity, number 205846.charity, Photography Trust Photography © National Trust Images\John Millar.

Images.

#nationaltrust #nationaltrust

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 33

Spirits of genuine integrity handcrafted in a 400 litre copper pot still.

GOOD HONEST SPIRITS W WW.D U R HA MD IST ILLERY.C O.U K

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT JANUARY

LIVE MUSIC DECEMBER SAT 17 SUN 18

STRUGGLE BUGGY 8.30PM BIG RAY & THE HIPTHRUSTERS CHRISTMAS BASH 4.30PM THUR 22 ACOUSTIC GATHERING 7.30PM BOXING DAY TBC

SUN 8 SAT 14 SUN 15 FRI 20 SUN 22 SUN 29

DANGEROUS BUSKER BOYS 1977 THE GASLIGHTERS THE UNDERSTUDIES THE STAR SPANGLED CHEST WIGS THE PALOMINOS

4.30PM 8.30PM 4.30PM 8.30PM 4.30PM 4.30PM

EVER ROLLIN CAST OF ALES BOTH LOCAL & NATIONAL, LOADS OF CIDERS IN THE CELLAR HOME COOKED FOOD 12-8 MON TO SAT AND 12-4 ON SUNDAY THE BIG RAY AWARD FOR THE FINEST SHITHOUSE IN GATESHEAD

34 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

BREWERY RECYCLE Well, a pale hoppy ale, which has gone really well. He always used all-British hops, a tradition I’m continuing, so we’ve got some from hop producer Charles Faram’s breeding programme for our IPA which I’m keen to keep on experimenting with. We’ve got a tiny, 100-litre brewery for that then we can upscale to the 2.5-barrel plant. It works very well. We’re even growing hops in the beer garden to put in green-hop beer.”

By day, Mark works as a planner for Newcastle commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton, so his beer-making shifts are fairly limited.

He says: “We might have to upgrade again in the new year, but we don’t have the time to get massive.

But I do want an easier life.”

So, when he is forced to upgrade due to demand for his beers, where will the peripatetic brewery end up?

If its past and present adventures are anything to go by, it’ll be at a particularly enterprising outfit. www.hexhamshire.co.uk

Peripatetic kit: Alistair Lawrence, Firebrick, with the brewery in 2013

Tickets sold by

@beamish.hall

@beamish-hall

Beamish, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 0YB www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 35

GIFTS FEATURE bottle conditioning in the brewery, which has produced an outstandingly smooth and complex stout. Priced around £10 each, only 170 waxdipped bottles of this very special beer are being released to select local shops and directly from the brewery. For your local stockist, please visit www.allendalebrewery.com

CULLERCOATS BREWERY Using all-English ingredients, Cullercoats produces awardwinning bottle/keg conditioned beers to suit all tastes. You’ll love the three-bottle gift boxes, mini kegs, and the rare vintage barley wine, or maybe select from the bottled range – perhaps a strong Rocket Brigade IPA creamy oatmeal stout, Polly Donkin or the gold award-winning Jack the Devil.

Guaranteed to please, you’ll find them stocked in Fenwicks; BodaHome, Whitley Bay, and The Wine Chambers, Tynemouth.

You can order Royal Sovereign online at www. cullercoatsbrewery. co.uk. The company donates 3p/pint to Cullercoats RNLI (Lifeboats) – more than £28,000 in five years!

ROOSTER’S BREWERY High Tea cans. First brewed for Christmas 2012 and back by popular demand, Rooster’s has once again teamed up with Taylor of Harrogate to release High Tea – a 6.2% Jasmine Green Tea IPA – in 330ml 36 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

cans as a limited edition beer. A real head-turner, this unique IPA displays a floral aroma with a hoppy backbone and a lingering green tea finish.

Available to buy at Coppers, Gosforth, or online via beerritz.co.uk. If you’re lucky you might also find it on the bar at one or two of the North East’s finest drinking establishments while doing your Christmas shopping.

CARRUTHERS & KENT Carruthers & Kent Gift Hampers. Yes, it’s that time of year again! The time of year when our Tasting Room becomes Hamper Central and our fairy helpers man their station (that’s Mo to you and me).

Choose from our range of specials – Geordie Gin and Tonic Packs, Port and Stilton Mini Hampers or our Xmas Day Wine Box, to name but three – or design your own and we will put it together for you. Our other Giftmas services include gift vouchers for any amount above £5.00 and gift wrapping. Our hampers start off at £30 and make the perfect Christmas gift so why don’t you let us take the hassle out of Christmas for you.

ALLENDALE BREWERY If you’re looking for an extra special beer gift this year, don’t miss the first in our new series of aged beers. Our 2013 Vintage Barrel Aged Export Stout was laid down in an oak bourbon barrel, followed by two years of

MAXIM BREWERY Gift beer price list Three-bottle gift packs £7 Double Maxim T-shirts £10 Maxim Brewery polo shirts £15 Swedish blonde mugs £6 Double Maxim mugs £6 Maxim pens £2 Maxim bottle opener keyrings £4 Double Maxim umbrellas £10 Swedish Blonde 330ml (24) £0 Five-litre mini-casks, pre-order £20 Shop open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For pre-orders, call 0191 584 8844 THREE BROTHERS BREWING COMPANY Three Brothers Brewing Company has released a Christmas gift set containing their two best-selling beers with a branded pint glass. The Ex Wife is a traditional style bitter with a modern fruity twist, while Honeysuckle Smash is a delicate golden ale with notes of citrus and a North Yorkshire honey punch. It can be ordered from www. threebrothersbrewing.co.uk for £10 plus delivery.

WETHERSPOONS Wetherspoons gift cards are now available to buy in www.jdwetherspoon. com/pubs/all-pubs all Wetherspoon pubs. To purchase one, simply ask at the bar in your local –

GIFTS FEATURE and treat someone today.

You can choose how much you want to put on the card, from £5 to £500, all loaded and activated at the till in your local pub.

Wetherspoon gift cards are a fantastic way to treat your team. If you want to buy in bulk, please contact the customer services team: customerservices@jdwetherspoon.co.uk DURHAM BREWERY Personalised bottles £5.00 per label design, plus cost of bottles create a unique gift.

Available in store or online: durhambrewery.com Beer Drinker’s Survival Kit £20.00 available from the brewery shop in Bowburn, County Durham DH6 5PF. Help the beer lover in your life get through Christmas in style. Includes five bottles, a pint glass and a bottle opener.

Everything they need!

Five-litre mini casks £20.00 to £25.00. We have Magus (3.8%, abv), Yuletide (4.2%) and Evensong (5.0%) available. Perfect for parties.

Two, three and four-bottle gift boxes made up to order. Tour vouchers and gift vouchers also available.

Bottles and gift boxes available in Fenwick, Newcastle

check for taster evenings and offers. Feel free to contact us for more information, and we can take orders over the phone 07542 244 716.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @ bodahome.

THEAKSTONS Theakston has created a range of Peculier Hampers beautifully presented and filled with legendary Theakston Ales, Peculier Delights and other Yorkshire Treats. Prices range from £45.00 to £150.00.

Shopping with Theakston couldn’t be easier and is so convenient with everything delivered straight to your door. Simply order online at www.theakstons.co.uk or telephone the Gift Shop direct on 01765 684333. Or visit the Gift Shop at The Black Bull in Paradise, Theakston Brewery Visitor Centre and have a pint whilst you browse the wonderful array of Theakston gifts.

BODA HOME Boda home in Whitley Bay stocks a selection of local bottled conditioned beers, organic wines and craft gins. We can help create gorgeous hampers to suit all tastes. Mini-kegs available for a limited time only. Beer offers available in shop for Christmas. You can find us at 74 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay NE26 2NE or see our website www.bodahome.co.uk, you can click and collect any of our selected products, BRINKBURN BREWERY Our Christmas gift set is aimed at keeping things festive in the run-up to the big day and is ideal for keeping the spirits up in the bleak midwinter that follows! Red Cap Sly Red Rye is a hazy, red ale with a warming 6.7% abv.

Brewed with crystal rye, four malts and five types of hops to produce a complex caramel, malty and hoppy flavour. Our chocolate and raspberry porter, the House Of The Rising Sun, is a delicious, luxuriant 7.2% abv – wonderful for sitting by a log fire. And Festive Hop Gremlin (5.6% abv) is an ultra-hoppy IPA made with six

types of hops and produces a long and complex flavour profile with tropical fruit tones balanced with hops and a dry linger. Hoppy Christmas!

HEAD OF STEAM Build your own gift pack at The Head of Steam. If you’re looking for a great gift this festive season, choose any three bottles from our extensive range and we’ll give you 20% discount and our gift box free! Available in all Head of Steam bars – just ask staff for more details, or for beery recommendations.

Gift pack price dependant upon bottles selected. (The Head of Steam believes that a gift pack is for life, not just for Xmas, so ours are now available all year round).

FIREBRICK BREWERY Meet the Firebrick team at Newcastle Christmas Market, Monument, December 12-18. Choose from Tyne 9 glass and bottle gift packs, our Mystical range, Year in Beer-bottle gift packs, standard fourbottle gift packs and Christmas themed eight-pint mini-kegs.

Single bottles, Tyne 9 glasses and cotton gift bags also on our stall.

There’s a gift for everyone starting www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 37

GIFTS FEATURE

FR LOCEAE DELI L VERY

@COPPERS DISCOVER THE FINEST INTERNATIONAL & LOCALLY CRAFTED ALES & BEERS FROM THE BEST INDEPENDENT BREWERIES ACROSS OUR REGION HERE AT COPPERS WE STOCK LOCAL SO YOU CAN SHOP LOCAL

CHRISTMAS GIFTS NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE

at £2.

TYNE BANK BREWERY Tyne Bank Brewery produce a fantastic range of ales. Their brewer tour vouchers, gift packs, mini kegs, t-shirts and bags would make the perfect gift for any ale lover whilst their 10 or 20 litre bag in the box ales, would certainly bring the festive spirit to any party. Tyne Bank gifts can be purchased from the brewery tap, open Wednesday to Sunday 12 till 12 at 275 Walker Road. There is plenty of parking or we can be reached handily by the metro or Q3 bus.

Tel 0191 2652828 www.tynebankbrewery.co.uk

GIFT PACKS FROM YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL BREWERIES AVAILABLE FROM £9 BESPOKE AND CAN-TASTIC HAMPERS DESIGNED FOR ANY BUDGET PICK FROM OUR WIDE RANGE OF GINS AND CREATE YOUR OWN GIN PACK

HOP SECRET NOW OPEN COPPERS NEW PRIVATE TASTING LOUNGE! SAMPLE SOME OF THE BEST BEERS THE NORTH EAST HAS TO OFFER 17 PRINCES ROAD GOSFORTH NE3 5TT TEL 0191 217 0043 FOLLOW US @COPPERSGOSFORTH AND FIND US ON FACEBOOK CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY. REFER TO FACEBOOK FOR OUR OPENING TIMES.

GREAT PERSONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE YOUR LOCAL STORE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS #SHOPLOCAL 38 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

VIP BREWERY VIP Brewery Alnwick Choose between three or six of our award winning beers, brewed in the heart of Northumberland, to make up the perfect gift for Christmas. Only £9.95.

Quote code: CHEERSMAG1 for a 10% discount.

(FREE DELIVERY within a 30 mile radius) Contact us today on 01665 830617 or philbell@vipbrewery.co.uk NUFCINDEX.CO.UK “Mitro’s on fire.. Your defence is terrified!” Get this unique ‘Mitro Guns’ design on glossy poster or mounted print starting at under £5!

Check this and other designs out at www.NUFCIndex.co.uk

BOOKS

READ ALL ABOUT IT Beer books are a great gift stand-by, so here are a couple to put on the list, writes Vincent Zeller burgeoning brewing sector. It’s a lough at sunset.

Nice lough, nice sunset, mind. That said, it’s a decent enough introduction the subject and a nice way to be able to say “been there…drunk that… what’s next”. Where to enjoy it? Comfy chair, glass in hand with a supply of nibbles within easy reach.

BEER IN SO MANY WORDS Did you know that Ernest Hemingway wrote a hymn to drinking Ballantine Ale after a spot of marlin fishing, or that Thomas Mann and James Joyce wrote about porter in The Magic Mountain and Ulysses, respectively?

This collection of beer writing – or to be more accurate, writing that mentions beer – wanders from Ian Rankin to Jonathan Meades and weaves through the fiction of Treasure Island and Inspector Morse. Similar publications have drawn their inspiration from wine and food with

some success, but there’s a feeling that Beer In So Many Words (edited by Adrian Tierney-Jones, Safe Haven, £14.99) represents an uneven set of articles that have been collected not entirely on merit. But Patrick Leigh Fermor’s Bavarian Tavern contribution is a beautifully observed piece and Richard Taylor’s description of Edinburgh pub regular Adam who has sat in the same seat for more than 60 years is thought-provoking and moving – which really, is a state that anthologies should achieve.

Where to enjoy it? It’s entertaining to flick through – a bedside or toilet book, which in our view is an endorsement.

CE LE AN B N LA FI AI AV

M O YO 10% EN RD U TI ER R F OFF O I IR N F Y ST CH O EE U RS

THE WORLD ATLAS OF BEER It’s a real shame but this type of coffee-table book has been done to death. Time was a publication with Tim Webb’s name on it meant crisp writing, insightful articles and meticulous research but The World Atlas of Beer (Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont, Mitchell Beazley, £25) fails to ignite in the way his guides to Belgian beers do in particular. Nice big photos, full-page maps and beer and brewery descriptions are all well and good but it’s a bit stodgy and self-congratulatory in places – and those nice big photos and full-page maps appear to be there to simply pad the thing out – see, for example, two of the five pages devoted to Ireland’s

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN DESIGNER, MANUFACTURER & INSTALLER We take care of design, manufacturer & installation of all our products saving you time and money.

There are also flexible finance options available to help you spread the cost.

We supply a wide range of equipment for Kitchens, Bars & Front of house:

• Under Bar Tables, Ice Wells & Sinks • Extraction Systems, Canopies and Fresh Air Supply Ducting • Filters, Fans & Gas Interlock Systems • Stainless Steel Wall Benches & Sinks • Hot Cupboard, Light Gantries & Hot Passes • Hygienic PVC & Stainless Steel Wall Cladding • Finance Options Available Don’t want to splash out on a new kitchen? We can modify your current Extraction system to conform with the latest GasSafe regulations.

We have GasSafe engineers & specialist catering equipment electricians to install our Interlocks, Fans and to commission your kitchen.

WWW.HSF-LTD.COM

INFO@HSF-LTD.COM – +44 (0191) 4894984 www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 39

V I N TA G E F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

royal

Sovereign 11%ABV

Limited edition all English barley wine, a special beer designed to mature and develop with age - patience will be rewarded!

On sale now at bodahome.co.uk 74 Whitley Rd, NE26 2NE, other independent off licences and (cases of 12) via our brewery in Wallsend

BREWERY

www.cullercoatsbrewery.co.uk 0191 2528765

TRAINING

THAT’S THE SPIRITS

The Sunderland-based provider of training and analysis services for the international brewing industry is heading into 2017 with a programme in distilling.

Brewlab has also introduced a two-day course in professional craft brewing, a condensed version of its popular threeday course and aimed to make it more appealing to people seeking an introduction to the industry.

“We have to move with the times,” says Brewlab course leader Arthur Bryant. “It’s always difficult to condense courses when you

have to explain what the kit does, costs, production, how the system works, sales and marketing. Putting all that into two days is difficult, so we make it more visual by doing a brew while we’re talking.

“Distilling-wise, gin is where beer was at a few years ago and it’s something a lot of people want to get into. Many of them just want to rectify – basically buying in the alcohol and infusing the botanicals.

“We teach them the chemistry and the process of fermentation from different cereals, apples, potatoes and molasses for producing rum. And there are

FOR ALL YOUR KEYKEG SUPPLIES

Tel: 01604 879831 nichesolutionsgb.co.uk

40 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

TRAINING so many tonics for gin to take into consideration” Richard Hunt, course administrator, says: “The two-day introduction to craft brewing is a bit cheaper as well.

We don’t have the time to go out on brewery visits like we do on the longer courses, but we show videos which give an overview of the business.

“We also have a couple of bolt-on days where we go through brewing quality, craft brew packaging, keg, cask, filtering and carbonation. Some people are interested in doing that as a standalone.”

The growth area in learning to brew is the micropub route – pubs with breweries – with a large percentage of students interested in that particular area. And Brewlab continues to attract students from all over the world on its nine-week Diploma in British Brewing Technology course with the current crop coming from Taiwan, Australia, Panama, Poland, Greece and Alabama in the US. “We’ve had quite a few from Greece,” says Arthur Bryant. “There’s now a small enclave of them at Keith Brewery in Scotland.

“Some of the students start working together, like the 2011 graduates

from America and China. They set up a brewery in Xian and they seem to be doing well. The pair of them are very enterprising and are also looking at selling kit to the brewpub market.”

Brewlab students are taught to feel comfortable and confident with the equipment they’ve trained on when they go out into the big brewing world and the aim is for the craft distilling students to replicate that. The three-day distilling course (January 30-February 1) begins with the basics so there’s no need for any background knowledge to make the most of the expertise on offer.

The course provides a sound overview of the industry for developing a solid understanding of the disciplines needed to operate a commercial distilling venture.

Professionals, working distillers and experts within the industry take students through the different stages of the distillery process and give practical advice on start-up issues.

The worldwide centre of learning to brew is something Sunderland should be particularly proud of – now it could be distilling’s turn. Now that would be a real tonic. www.brewlab.co.uk

www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 41

Gigs ’N’ Festivals

GIGS & FESTIVALS

DECEMBER/JANUARY FESTIVE FILMS

Tilleys Bar, Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 4AF Tilleys traditional film festival runs throughout December and January with delights such as Home Alone, Groundhog Day and Escape To Victory. Then join us on January 3 for a showing of the full Lord Of The Rings trilogy throughout the day to celebrate JRR Tolkien’s birthday. We also have a fantastic selection of Christmas beers being served throughout December, including gift packs for last-minute presents if you stay too long and miss the shops – and we give a Camra discount on our real ales, like all the other Head of Steam pubs. Cameron’s A-Hop-Alypse Now (4.3% abv) is only £3 a pint all day, every day.

DECEMBER 31 THE WHOLE HOGMANAY

Wylam Brewery, Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, Newcastle Join Wylam Brewery and friends in a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring whole hog roast, street food village, midnight fireworks, fire pit, gin palace, Cool DJs and, of course, super fresh beer. With 36 taps of craft keg beers and pop-up bars from some of the UK’s finest independent breweries, there will be an incredible beer selection set to be an epic event to end the year and celebrate the arrival of 2017. Pop-up bars from Beavertown, Cloudwater, Northern Monk and Wild Beer Co. Street food by Bao Nomi, Fat Hippo, Longhorns, Pir Panjal, Meat Thy Maker and Scream For

42 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Pizza, all to the sounds of DJs Deja Brew and Darren Laws.

Early Bird tickets £10 (plus booking fee) www.ticketweb. co.uk/event/259721. Ticket includes your first drink on us :) Doors 7pm-1am (18plus)

JANUARY 25 BURNS SUPPER

The Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill, Stockfield NE43 7SW Celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns by joining us on Burns Night for an epic feast along with a tutored malt whisky tasting of Auchentoshan, Macallan, Highland Park Bowmore and Laphroaig. Whisky expert Cara Fraterrigo, will help us enjoy a wee dram of these distinguished malts even more, with an overview of their history and flavour profiles. Followed by a traditional Burns Supper. Kilts optional. Places are limited to ensure “a nicht of cheerful chantin’ and reelin’.

Early Bird £30. Tel: 01661 843607. outlook.live.com/ owa/projection.aspx

JANUARY 27-28 WINTER BEER FESTIVAL

Beamish Hall, Stanley, County Durham DH9 0YB Put a note in your new diary for the Beamish Hall Winter Beer Festival. The annual shindig is a hugely popular weekend event – normally a sell-out – as it features some 50 craft beers, cider, gin and live music. www.beamish-hall.co.uk/winter-festival-beamish-hall/

12 ALES OF CHRISTMAS

THE

12 Ales Of Christmas

MAXIM BREWERY

Santa’s Soot (5.0% abv) Maxim Brewery’s dark Christmas beer is brewed using Maris Otter, Crystal malt and roast barley with traditional English hops to give a slightly roasted but rich flavour. Ideal on a cold winter’s night, this ale is so smooth Santa and Rudolph would definitely approve.

Tel: 0191 584 8844

HADRIAN BORDER BREWERY

Yule Fuel BAV (4.5% abv) Yule Fuel is a hearty amber ale with a rich and malty base line helped along with gentle Christmas spices and a resonant winter hop backdrop.

Tel: 0191 264 9000 hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk

CULLERCOATS BREWERY

THREE BROTHERS BREWING COMPANY

ROOSTERS BREWERY

DURHAM BREWERY

ANARCHY BREWERY

THEAKSTON’S BREWERY

ALLENDALE BREWERY

FIREBRICK BREWERY

MAXIM BREWERY

TYNE BANK BREWERY

Royal Sovereign Barley Wine (11% abv), vintage Feb15 All-English vintage barley wine. Rich plum and fruit flavours, treacley caramel warmth and masses of hop flavour from Challenger, East Kent Goldings and Bramling Cross. The beer is one to sip and savour, or lay down to mature further Tel: 07837 637 615 www.cullercoatsbrewery.co.uk

Three French Hens (3.9% abv) Brewed using Cascade and Centennial hops and the addition of cinnamon and orange peel, Three French Hens is an amber-coloured beer with citrus-fruit flavours and a light, spicy finish. Available in cask only; keep your eyes peeled for this limited-edition special at your local, quality ale house.

Tel: 01423 865959 www.roosters.co.uk

Xmas Chaos (4.3% abv) Rum Raisin Porter Anarchy’s Christmas special beer, mixing the tastes of raisins and vanilla, with added spices and a cheeky helping of rum. Sure to keep you warm on a winter’s night.

AnarchyBrewCo.com

Christmas Ale (7.0% abv) Traditionally at Christmas time breweries would produce a special batch of ale. These eagerly anticipated brews would use more malt and hops as a reward for their loyal drinkers. Our Christmas Ale uses only English hops to make a festive ale worthy of the name.

Tel: 01434 618686 www.allendalebrewery.com

The Great Escape (4.0% abv) Always on at Christmas. Brewed with lager pilsner malt, this very light ale (snowflake clear) has a great depth of flavour. It is brewed using four different delicate blends of hops to gove a citrusy seasonal orange taste and floral aroma. This year it is dedicated to Joseph Robert Kayll, DSO, CBE, PoW escape committee.

Tel: 0191 584 8844

Gingerbread Milk Stout (5.2% abv) A luxuriously smooth stout with an underlying sweetness and gentle hints of ginger and nutmeg. A real winter warmer to get you into the spirit of the season.

Tel: 07588 318 075 threebrothersbrewingco.uk

White Christmas (4.0% abv) A perfect thirst quencher with Cascade hops over a pale malt base. Big Cascade hop aroma. More Cascade in the body gives a mellow grapefuit bitterness.

Tel: 0191 377 1991 durhambrewery.com

Christmas Ale (4.7% abv) “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” Christmas Ale is masterpiece of brewing. A rich festive ale brewed with a blend of the finest brewers’ malt and oats to give outstanding body set off with spicy cinnamon and raisins sweetness, balanced by a hint of walnut and hard brewing liquor to give a beer of exceptional stature. One for the connoisseur. Available for the month of December. www.theakstons.co.uk

Fireglow (4.1% abv) A pint of Fireglow in a cosy pub on a winter’s day.

Sweet spiced dark ale – black cardamom, allspice berries and cinnamon bark join a complex malt mix in the mash. British, German and Czech Republic hops complement the spice. The winter seasonal from Firebrick’s Year in Beer Mystical range.

Tel: 0191 447 6543 firebrickbrewery.com

Chocolate Orange Stout (5.2%) Brewed with eight different malt varieties for a rich and complex body using real dark chocolate, cocoa powder and lactose sugar for a roasted, luxurious chocolate flavour – plus the peel of 100 oranges inspired by Terry’s.

Smooth and moreish, the orange lingers in the finish.

Tel: 0191 2652828 www.tynebankbrewery.co.uk www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 43

BREWERY TOURS

TRADITIONAL PUB WITH REAL ALES A REAL FIRE AND A WARM WELCOME 12 Handpulls - 12 Ciders/Perrys Back by popular demand Pie & Peas!

Toasties, sandwiches, snacks and a selection of coffees available everyday LIVE MUSIC Saturday 17th December Riff Raff - starts 8.00pm

BUSKERS NIGHTS - TUESDAYS December 13th & 27th January 10th & 24th, February 7th

CHRISTMAS DAY Open 12 noon until 3pm Lynsey, Mark, James & all the staff would like to wish all their customers a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year

Station Road, Wylam, NE41 8HR Telephone: 01661 853431 Follow us @Boathouse Wylam & Like us on

44 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

HOP THERE AND HOP BACK Three breweries in one day – that’s the offer from a new Yorkshire tour company.

Alastair Gilmour took a seat

While the North East has a brilliant and developing pub and beer scene, it’s not such a bad idea to check up on what other parts of the country are up to.

Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield jockey for the number one UK beer destination with ale outposts such as Norwich and Bristol giving London – and us – a great run for our beer money.

York, too, has broken out of the skirts of its city walls to present itself as the place to visit for a pub and brewing experience.

That’s the idea behind a new venture, Brewtown Tours, which launched last month to allow beer lovers to wallow in the stuff in and around the historic city – with alternate outings to Leeds.

Inspired by a love of real ale and a desire to help put Yorkshire microbreweries on the map, Brewtown Tours founder Mark Stredwick developed his idea from a similar business model that he experienced in Australia where he lived for 16 years and in the US. Hop on the Brewtown bus and Mark takes beer lovers on an exploration of Yorkshire’s flourishing beer scene to meet the brewers and taste what’s on tap. Groups touch, taste, smell and learn about brewing great beer – and have plenty

of opportunities for tasting.

Based primarily around York and Leeds, Brewtown’s tours take in breweries that include Brew York, Ainsty Ales, Bad Seed, Northern Monk and Yorkshire Heart. For those looking to explore the beer scene in the West Yorkshire area, a round trip of Leeds city breweries is also available.

Right, seat belt hooked up and we’re leaving York Brewery Tap, which is unarguably one of Britain’s top destination pubs (“destination” as in right on York Station’s concourse).

HALF MOON BREWERY Tony and Jackie Rogers always thought the 1761-vintage blacksmith’s forge in Ellerton, near York would make an ideal base for the microbrewery they had in the back of their minds.

The fact that the house had also been run as a pub between 1822 and 1866 simply reinforced the idea.

Half Moon is basically a large garage, but a large garage that produces extraordinary beers.

They’re innovative and inventive but not in the wacky, get-it-rightnext-time fashion that many modern brewers work in. Half Moon might lay claim to tradition but this guy knows what’s going on under stainless steel covers.

“I designed the brewery myself,” says Tony. “The vessels

BREWERY TOURS ginger, cardamum, allspice, nutmeg and orange peel.

Amazing.

We retire to the brewhouse’s corrugated iron-clad tasting room which features a 1950s radio and a birdcage that featured in the 1987 cult movie Withnail And I, bought from a local theatrical supplier.

It’s surreal, the moon is heading towards super-status; seek out Lunatic Black Lager, F’Hops Sake, Solstice, Kismet, et al. Nothing by halves here. www.halfmoonbrewery.co.uk

Thrice in a Blue Moon: Tony Rogers is flanked by his wife Jackie, left, and Joanna Menneer

came from Smith & Nephew at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham where they had been used to manufacture shampoo.

One of them was labelled ‘lice’ – probably still is – which we thought was rather a different start to making beer and with a

bit of modification and fabrication we turned it into a five-barrel brewery.”

The Rogers’ attention to detail, assisted by friend, neighbour and food-pairing expert Joanna Menneer, may be formidable but the regime is simple.

“I’ll get it going, go and have my breakfast then walk the dog while the water’s boiling,” says Tony.

We’re invited to sample Solstice Porter, their Christmas beer, which is ripe with aromas and flavours of cloves, root

THE HOP STUDIO This 10-barrel brewery might occupy a unit on an unremarkable industrial estate at Elvington, near York, but it knows its beer all right. Owner Dave Shaw, formerly a local government IT officer, admits he “jumped in at the deep end” in March 2012. He also admits to hating rules.

“I started with a big shed and quite a big kit,” he says. “I never really stopped to think about it between leaving my job and

Q UA LITY L OCA L ALES www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 45

BREWERY TOURS seeing the tanks arriving.

“I remember the first day of brewing that started at 4am then going home really late absolutely knackered. I took a bottle of beer into the bath with me, then my wife came in. I just had a sup, waved the bottle, and said, ‘What the hell have we done?’

“At The Hop Studio we brew small batches of artisanal beer.

We like our beers to be full of flavour, aroma and charisma. Our beers can be loud and shouty, they can be subtle, outrageous or exotic. Our beers are accessible and – like great wine – there is far more than first meets the eye.”

Dave Shaw admits competition is intense and business was easier when he started up because “people like new things”.

“They want something new all the time, but it becomes more difficult,” he says.

A huge range that include Five Lions IPA (five different grain and five different hop varieties) take note of modern trends but are rooted in tradition. Pilsner

Artisanal beer: Dave Shaw, The Hop Studio

Yorkshire Lager is a favourite as are Barolo American Red Ale and Fudge, a toffee brown ale, while Chocolat Dark Chocolate Stout is sensational – eyes closed and you’d think it was a liqueur. www.thehopstudio.com AINSTY ALES Ainsty Ales is situated in a huge agricultural barn in the rich farmland that surrounds York.

Actually, it seems we’re sitting in the middle of a field. The brewing company was founded by Andy Herrington in September 2014.

Andy was raised and still lives in the original Ainsty area of York, so this is where his heart is – and, no mistake, his business head.

For the first two years of its existence Ainsty was a “cuckoo” brewer, using other people’s

plants to brew beer during quiet periods – moving between the likes of Hambleton Brewery and Brass Castle, two of Yorkshire’s premier outfits.

Brewing at Manor Farm in Acaster Malbis only began on October 1 this year on a tenbarrel plant in a space with opportunity woven into it and has already has been nominated for a York small business award, which

Providing Complete Steam Solutions for over 120 years • Efficient and Reliable • High Performance Steam Boilers • Exceptional Customer Care • Design, Installation and Maintenance • Flexible Service Packages • Competitive Pricing

www.steamboilers.co.uk 01255 224500 46 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

BREWERY TOURS

“WATCH OUT, THE BOOT BOYS ARE OUT AND ABOUT” - NEW 5% BROWN ALE FROM ANARCHY BREW CO.’

Hearty chap: Alan Hardie, Ainsty Ales

is a measure of its success and local awareness.

The brewery sources its inspiration from the old York and Ainsty “Wapentake”, a medieval self-governing area dating back to the 13th Century. The ethos of the brewery is to produce great tasting beers as ecologically as possible and to work with local businesses and to support good causes.

Beers include Wankled Waggoner, Kolkata Karma, Ainsty Angel, Chocolate Porter and Flummoxed Farmer. Head brewer is Alan Hardie, originally from Lauder in The Borders, a man with extensive brewing experience, having studied brewing and distilling at HeriotWatt University in Edinburgh before stints at Wychwood and York breweries, among others.

He declares a love for Dr

Rudi New Zealand hops which not only display a huge citrus character but have a footballing background. Alan is a Hearts supporter and the Scottish Premiership team won the Scottish FA Cup in 2012 with two goals from Czech striker Rudi Skacel. That it was against old enemies Hibernian made it just a wee bit sweeter.

He has other favourites, however. He says: “I love the blackcurrant aromas of Bramling Cross. It’s otherwise known as tom cat’s piss.”

Future plans for Ainsty Ales include planting their own hops which will take two or three years to come to maturity. The variety hasn’t been divulged as yet, but it’s a safe bet they’ll have an unconventional background. www.ainstyales.co.uk Visit www.brewtowntours.co.uk

Enterprising: Mark Stredwick, left, with the Brew York team, one of the breweries on his Brewtown tours www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 47

PUB PROFILE

THE NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS, FELTON

???

Photo: Peter Skelton

All countrified stonework and warmth To a stranger it’s difficult to pinpoint where Felton ends and West Thirston begins (where the pub actually sits).

Let’s assume they’re on opposite sides of the River Coquet that divides them. Nevertheless, this is as an idyllic setting as you’d find anywhere, even in the Lake District.

The Northumberland Arms, originally an 1820s coaching inn, is the quintessential village hub and once you’ve worked out how much of the stretch it occupies on The Peth, prepare to be amazed. The interior goes on forever.

Greeting visitors on arrival is line-up of handpulls proudly displaying beers from the North East – Allendale Black Grouse, Alnwick Amber Ale, Hexhamshire Shire Bitter, Hadrian Border Coast to Coast, Wylam Angel, with Anarchy Blonde Star waiting in the wings, take your 48 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

pick. Bar manager Jake Castleman is an enthusiast in the beer, wines and spirits department, so he’s the man for advice, should you need it.

The lovely large L-shaped bar with its flagstoned floor and stoves glowing in large fireplaces invite customers to sit, sup and graze here all day. It’s all countrified exposed stonework and warmth – dog friendly with accommodation too. Dining rooms lead off the main bar and back the other way is a timber-framed conservatory for extra dining space and special functions (the pub is a renowned wedding venue). A wall full of framed tourism awards underlines its credentials.

And even on winter days, you can make an excuse for relaxing in the beer garden that’s perched high above the River Coquet, a fly-fishing idyll.

THE BEER

Fiercely local in its offer, five everrevolving handpulls enjoy regular changes simply by use. Not a pint goes down the drain. Sit here long enough and taste everything local from Acton ales to Wylam beauties with beer from Stables, Allendale and Hexhamshire breweries in between.

The back bar’s wine and spirits selection is also well worth chasing.

THE FOOD

Menus suit every pocket and every occasion, but a “specials” selection starts with dusted whitebait with lemon wedge and aioli dip or heritage tomato and mozzarella salad. Mains include pan-fried lamb’s liver, black pudding, onions, crispy prosciutto, buttered mash and green beans. In-house oaksmoked 10oz flat-iron steak served medium-rare with a rustic salad.

WHERE IS IT? The Northumberland Arms, The Peth, Felton, Northumberland NE65 9EE. Tel: 01670 787370. www.northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk One mile from the A1, midway between Morpeth and Alnwick. Well signposted.

Great food.

Great places.

Come and join us at one of our premier venues and celebrate this season in style.

Savour a handsome selection of beers, handpicked ales, wines, spirits and cocktails or there’s also a great range of soft drinks and coffees, all served in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

You can also enjoy delicious food from our freshly prepared menu, from light lunches to classic winter favourites.

Make this season extra special and enjoy hospitality the way it should be.

www.sjf.co.uk CITY CENTRE BARS • GREAT FOOD PUBS • CAFÉ ROYAL www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 49

THE SECRETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OUT

OPENING TIMES: THURSDAY 3PM - 9PM FRIDAY 3PM - 10PM SATURDAY 3PM - 10PM SUNDAY 3PM - 8PM FOLLOW US

@COPPERSGOSFORTH

FOR NEWS OF OUR EVENTS IN 2017 50 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

CLASSIFIED: TO ADVERTISE CALL 01661 844115

CLASSIFIED ADVERTS For more information on how to advertise your services, vacancies and events contact Emma Howe on

01661 844 115

Our Knowledge =

Your SucceSS DicK Attlee Real Ale Technical Services T: 0191 597 9668 M: 07722 631787 E: dick@ratsbeer.co.uk We NOW provide courses in Cellar Craft for Public House Staff & Courses on Beer Dispense for New Brewers - ring for details

HAVING A BEER FEST? 2 PINT TAKE HOME BEER HOPPERS These handy biodegradable containers are designed to take out draught beer Box of 100 ex stock just £28+VAT and delivery Buy on-line: www.gnltd.co.uk or Tel: 01233 770780 For further information

GN Packaging

Units B & C, Smarden Business Estate Monks Hill, Smarden, Kent TN27 8QL

Specialists in Beer Books, Postcards, Posters & Signs Our product range covers material from England, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany and the U.S.A. They will be of interest to beer drinkers, memorabilia lovers, brewers, publicans, bar designers plus many more beer enthusiasts.

We deliver by mail order and can also ship abroad.

Beer-Inn Print (Est 1997) Long High Top, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX& 7PF Tel: 01422 844437 Email: beerinnprint@gmail.com order online at: www.beerinnprint.co.uk

Scotia Welding & Fabrication

Micro Brewery equipment from individual components to a turnkey application.

All aspects of brewing consultancy if required. admin@scotiawelding.co.uk | www.scotiawelding.co.uk | 01578 722 696 www.cheersnortheast.co.uk / CHEERS / 51

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

THE CROWN

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

THE BLACKSMITHS

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

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

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

HOLE IN THE WALL

THE GARDEN HOUSE INN

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

ITALIAN FARMHOUSE

South Street, West Rainton Houghton - le - Spring DH4 6PA. t: 0191 5841022

NUMBER TWENTY-2

North Road, Durham, DH1 4NQ t: 0191 3863395

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

22 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RG t: 01325 354590 e: rew@villagebrewer.co.uk www.twenty2.villagebrewer.co.uk

THE GREY HORSE

STATION HOUSE

North Road Durham DH1 4SE

86 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AQ t: 0191 3741918

SURTEES ARMS

THE HONEST LAWYER

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

THE OLDE SHIPS INN

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

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

THE PLOUGH

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 Moor End Terrace, Belmont, DH1 1BJ t: 0191 3842667 Beamish Hall Hotel, Beamish, DH9 0BY. t: 01207 288 750

THE STABLES

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

THE THREE HORSESHOES

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

THE WHITE LION

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

THE WHITEHILLS

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

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

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

WICKET GATE

THE CLARENCE VILLA

THE MINERS ARMS

THE WILD BOAR

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

THE COUNTY

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

THE CROSS KEYS

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

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

THE NEWFIELD INN

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

THE OAK TREE

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

52 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

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

NORTHUMBERLAND ADAM & EVE

THE DYVELS INN

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

RED LION INN

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

RIVERDALE HALL HOTEL

Bellingham, NE48 2JT t: 01434 220254

RIVERSIDE LODGE

BAMBURGH CASTLE INN

THE STABLES

THE MANOR HOUSE HOTEL

THE BEER HALL

RED LION

THE OLD WELL INN

THE JOHN DUCK

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

CUMBRIA

THE DIAMOND INN

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

High Stanners, Morpeth NE61 Prudhoe Station, Low Prudhoe, 1QL. t: 01670 512771 NE42 6NP t: 01661 832323

THE SPORTSMANS ARMS

THE LAMBTON WORM

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

OLIVERS

Durham Road, East Rainton, DH5 9QT t: 0191 5840944

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

ROBIN HOOD INN

Seahouses, NE68 7SQ t: 01665 720283

Military Road, East Wallhouses, Corbridge, NE18 0LL t: 01434 672549

BARRASFORD ARMS

THREE HORSESHOES

Barrasford Hexham, NE48 4AA t: 01434 681237

BARRELS

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

BATTLESTEADS HOTEL

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

THREE WHEATHEADS

Thropton nr Rothbury, NE65 7LR t: 01669 620262

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

TWICE BREWED INN

Beadnell, NE67 5AY t: 01665 721211

THE ALLENDALE INN

BEADNELL TOWERS HOTEL

BLACK BULL WYLAM

Main Road, Wylam, NE41 8AB

CROSS KEYS

Thropton, Rothbury, NE65 7HX t: 01669 620362

DIPTON MILL INN

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

DOCTOR SYNTAX

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

DUKE OF WELLINGTON Newton, NE43 7UL t: 01661 844446

DYKE NEUK

Meldon, Nr Morpeth, NE61 3SL t: 01670 772662

ELECTRIC WIZARD

New Market, Morpeth, NE61 1PS. t: 01670 500640

FOX AND HOUNDS

Main Road, Wylam, NE41 8DL t: 01661 598060

GENERAL HAVELOCK INN

Military Road, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN t: 01434 344534 Market Place, Allendale, Hexham, NE47 9BJ, t: 01434 683246

THE ANCHOR HOTEL

Haydon Bridge, NE47 6AB t: 01434 688121

THE ANCHOR INN

Whittonstall, Nr Consett, DH8 9JN. t: 01207 561110

THE ANGEL INN

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

THE BADGER

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

THE BLACKBIRD

Craster, Alnwick, NE66 3TR t: 01665 576461

KITTIWAKE

Clairemont Crescent, Whitley Bay NE26 3HL. t: 0191 251 3977

MINERS ARMS

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

LION & LAMB

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

THE OFFICE

The Old Toll House, Castle Sqaure, Morpeth

THE OLDE SHIP INN

THE BLUE BELL

THE PERCY ARMS

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

THE BLUE BELL

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

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

THE CRASTER ARMS

Horsley, NE15 0NS t: 01661 852952

The Wynding, Beadnell, NE675AX. t: 01665 720 272

NEWCASTLE HOTEL

THE CROWN INN

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

THE GOLDEN LION

THE PACKHORSE INN

Matfen, NE20 0RP t: 01661 855395

THE BOATHOUSE

JOLLY FISHERMAN

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

THE BLACK BULL

JOHN THE CLERK OF CRAMLINGTON

Wansbeck Street, Morpeth, NE61 1XZ. t: 01670 513540

THE FEATHERS INN

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

Haydon Bridge, NE47 6ER t: 01434 684376

JOINERS ARMS

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

Ponteland, NE20 9UH t: 01661 822 684

Hillstreet, Corbridge, NE45 5AA. t: 01434 431143

Front Street, Cramlington, NE23 1DN. t: 01670 707060

Main Street, Ponteland, NE20 9BB. t: 01661 872898

Humshaugh, Hexham, NE46 4AG t: 01434 681 231

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

MARKET LANE

THE BRANDLING VILLA

BRIDGE TAVERN

MARQUIS OF GRANBY

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

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

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

THE VILLAGE INN

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

TEESSIDE BEST WESTERN GRAND HOTEL

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

BRITANNIA INN

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

CLEVELAND BAY

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

THE CLEVELAND HOTEL

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

TYNE & WEAR ALUM ALE HOUSE

Ferry Street, South Shields, NE33 1JR

ASHBROOKE SPORTS CLUB

Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, SR2 7HH. t: 0191 528 4536

BACCHUS

42-48 High Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 6BX. t: 0191 2611008

BENTON ALE HOUSE

Front Street, Longbenton NE7 7XE t: 0191 2661512

ODDFELLOWS

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

OSBORNES BAR

CUMBERLAND ARMS

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

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

COPPERFIELDS

THE WHITE SWAN

THE WHEATSHEAF

NEWCASTLE ARMS

OLD FOX

Main Road, Riding Mill, NE44 6DQ t: 01434 682531 Main Road, Ovingham, Prudhoe Northumberland NE42 6AG t: 01661 833188

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

Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7DR t: 0191 5659952 Grand Hotel, Grand Parade Tyne And Wear, NE30 4ER t: 0191 293 6666

THE WELLINGTON

72-74 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6SG t: 0191 232 0251

36 Park View Whitley Bay

CROWN POSADA

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

FIRE STATION

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

FITZGERALDS

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

FITZGERALDS

10-14 Carlisle St, Gateshead NE10 0HQ 61 Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, NE2 2AN t: 0191 240 2811

PUB & KITCHEN

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

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

GOSFORTH HOTEL

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

HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO

Allan House, City Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 2BE

HUGOS

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

ISIS

ROSIES BAR

2 Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ t: 0191 2328477

SHIREMOOR HOUSE FARM

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

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

THE COTTAGE TAVERN

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

THREE MILE INN,

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

TRAVELLERS REST

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

THE COUNTY

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

THE COURTYARD

THE HARRY CLASPER

Front St, Whickham, NE16 4EA

THE HASTINGS

Wheatridge Row, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0QH t: 0191 237 6868

THE HEAD OF STEAM

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

THE HEAD OF STEAM

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

THE HOTSPUR

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

THE JOB BULMAN

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

THE JOLLY STEWARD

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

THE KEELMAN

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

THE KEEL ROW

The Gate, Newcastle, NE1 5RF t: 01912299430

THE KINGS ARMS

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

THE KINGS ARMS

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

THE KING GEORGE

North Parade, Whitley Bay t: 0191 251 3877

THE LOW LIGHTS TAVERN

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

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

THE MERCHANTS TAVERN

THE CUMBERLAND ARMS

THE MID BOLDON CLUB

James Place Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE6 1LD. t: 0191 265 6151

1 St Peters Wharf, Newcastle NE6 1TZ. 0191 5971212 60 Front Street. East Boldon, NE36 0SH

THE MILE CASTLE

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

DAT BAR

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

52 Westgate Rd, NE1 5XU t: 0191 2111160

TWIN FARMS

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

THE MILL HOUSE

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

TYNE BAR

Maling Street, Newcastle, NE6 1LP

TYNEMOUTH LODGE

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

THE BEEHIVE

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

IVY HOUSE

THE BOX SOCIAL

BIERREX

LADY GREY’S

82 Pilgrim Street, NE1 6SG

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

BLACK BULL BLAYDON

MAGNESIA BANK

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

THE CENTURION

SUN INN

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

Bridge St, Blaydon, Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 4JJ

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

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

THE BODEGA

Worcester Terrace, Sunderland, SR2 7AW

THE CENTRAL

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

26 Silksworth Row, Sunderland, SR1 3QJ t: 0191 5147684

BEST WESTERN ROKER HOTEL

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

THE CHILLINGHAM

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

TILLEYS BAR

FREE TRADE INN

THE CAUSEY ARCH INN

ROCKLIFFE ARMS

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

FITZGERALDS

Coalburns, Greenside, NE40 4JN. t: 0191 4132549

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

• Real ales • Food available • Live sports shown

Great North Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 2DS t: 0191 255 2100

FOX & HOUNDS

THE BROAD CHARE

RED LION

10-12 Green Terrace, Sunderland, SR1 3PZ t: 0191 5670852 2 South Parade, Whitley Bay, NE26 2RG t: 0191 2511255

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

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

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

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

THE GREY HORSE

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

Arch 11 Forth Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 3NZ

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

Old George Yd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EE t: 0191 260 3035

THE BRIAR DENE

THE GREY HORSE

THE PACKHORSE

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

THE BRANDLING ARMS

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

Old Penshaw Village, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 7ER. t: 0191 512 6080

THE HARBOUR VIEW

Benedict Street, Roker, Sunderland, SR6 0NU t: 0191 5671402

Crookgate, Burnopfield, NE16 6NS t: 01207 270283

THE PAVILION

Hotspur North, Backworth, NE27 0BJ t: 0191 2680711

THE POTTERS WHEEL

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 / 53

FUN STUFF

SIGN OF THE TIMES We chuckled at this A-board outside Lady Grey’s in Newcastle in the wake of Donald Trump achieving US president-elect status. It was either humour or despair that led us to pop in for a pint, so it worked.

THE DIRTY DOZEN TWELVE OF THE BEST TO TEST YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1 Who is Peter Parker when he’s at home?

2 In which Shakespeare play does Shylock appear?

3 Which Italian footballer was nicknamed The Divine Ponytail?

4 How many playing spaces are there on a Monopoly board?

TWO SARDINES WALK INTO A BAR… …AND ONE OF THEM TELLS THE BARMAN THEY’RE BIG TENNIS FANS AND COULD HE ADVISE THEM ON THE QUICKEST WAY TO WIMBLEDON. “THIS PUB’S RIGHT ON THE DISTRICT LINE,” SAYS THE BARMAN. ‘JUST TAKE THE TUBE.” “WHAT?” SAYS THE OTHER SARDINE, “AND GET PACKED IN LIKE COMMUTERS?”

465

EEH! NUMBERS

The amount of beer in millions of hectolitres produced in China in 2015. By comparison, the UK produced 41.5 million hectolitres over the same period.

A class of electric train in brought into service in 1992 (British Rail Class 465 Networker).

5 A mangonel is a military version of what device?

6 What creature would live in a drey?

7 The Fujita Scale is a measurement of what?

8 What is the collective name for a group of alligators?

9 The Denmark Strait lies between which two countries?

10 Which football club is called The Bantams?

11 What was the name of Frank and Betty Spencer’s daughter in Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em? 12 The Republic of Seychelles consists of how many islands?

QUOTE

“THERE’S SOMETHING WONDERFUL ABOUT DRINKING IN THE AFTERNOON. A NOT-TOO-COLD PINT, ABSOLUTELY ALONE AT THE BAR – EVEN IN THIS FAKE-ASS IRISH PUB.” ANTHONY BOURDAIN, MEDIUM RAW

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1 Spider-Man. 2 The Merchant of Venice. 3 Roberto Baggio. 4 40. 5 Catapult. 6 Squirrel. 7 Tornado intensity. 8 A congregation. 9 Iceland and Greenland. 10 Bradford City. 11 Jessica. 12 115.

54 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

BARCUTERIE B E E R · M E AT CHEESE · WINE · SPIRITS

OPEN FROM 1 2 P M D A I LY ARCH 11, FORTH STREET NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE1 3NZ @THEBOXSOCIALNE | FACEBOOK.COM/THEBOXSOCIALNE | WWW.BOXLEISURE.CO.UK