THE GASTROPUB: TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS THE QUEST

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WWW.CHEERSNORTHEAST.CO.UK // FEBRUARY 2014 // ISSUE 37

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FOOD DUDESTHE GASTROPUB: TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS THE QUEST

EDITORIAL01661 844115 07930 144 846 Alastair Gilmour [email protected]@CheersPal www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

Whilst 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.

If new pub openings, refurbishments, diversification, service awards, recommendations and sheer hard work are anything to go by, our North East pubs have started the year particularly well. This points to a very successful2014.

A proposal for a pub on National Trust property at Gibside is being considered; Pasqualinos in Newcastle is morphing into Datbar, a craft-keg emporium; a microbrewery at the Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn, is taking shape; Camerons Brewery has seen the value in buying into The Head of Steam Group; The Rat Inn, The Broad Chare, The Bridge Tavern and The Feathers Inn have all been recognised for their food quality; The Blue Bell at West Mickley has undergone a confidence boost; Allendale Brewery has rebranded its pumpclips spectacularly, and The Brandling Villa team have taken on the Skinners Arms in the west end of Hexham, renaming it The Tannery.

This is all music to our ears Cheers North East was conceived to promote the regions pub industry, so we feel mightily proud that success is doing the rounds. Come the glorious day, the near-300 pubs, tourist information centres and specialist outlets we distribute the magazine to will all have positive tales to tell.

Pie in the sky? Perhaps. But we dared to dream when we produced our first issue in July 2010 and now Maxim Brewery has badged its Sunderland-supporting League Cup Final beers with that strapline. Its a lesson to us all the harder we work, the luckier we get.

Alastair GilmourEditor, Cheers North East

The quiet revolution in Britains pub food culture has given many of our traditional pubs a real boost. Yes, we still have pork scratchings only zones and you have to admire them for standing their wet-led ground or being so stubborn, trying King Canute-like to hold back a tide of home-made gravy. But what should we call the pubs that offer some seriously good food prepared by highly trained chefs with lofty ambitions? The word gastropub is simply horrible, so to kick off our 2014 series on pub food were inviting Cheers readers to come up with a new term (suggestions to [email protected])

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LATEST NEWS

CONTENTS

PUBLISHED BY:

Publishers: Jane Pikett & Gary Ramsay Unit One, Bearl Farm Stocksfield Northumberland NE43 [email protected] twitter: @offstonepublish www.offstonepublishing.co.uk

FOOD DUDES16

20

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19 2728

04

ADVERTISING01661 844115 Gillian Corney [email protected]

Emma Howe [email protected]

Photography: Peter Skelton

COVER: TONY RENWICK, CHEF, THE BRIDGE TAVERN, NEWCASTLE

JONATHAN BARNES, BUDVAR UK

4 / CHEERS / www.cheersnortheast.co.uk

NEWS

CAMRA 2013 Overall Northumberland Winner

15 Handpulls 12 Ciders & Perrys

Freshly baked steak/mince pies & mushy peas, toasties & sandwiches available every day Enjoy your pint while sitting round our real fi re

Whats on at The Boathouse Buskers Nights - Tuesday February 11th & 24th, March 4th

Karaoke Night - Saturday February 15thLive Music - Kiss the Frog February 22nd from 8.30 pm

St Patrick Day Big Weekend - Saturday 15th - Monday 17thLive Music with The Lounge Lizards Saturday from 8.30pmGuinness promotions plus much much more all weekend!!

Date for your DiaryEaster Beer Festival - Thursday 17th - Monday 21st April

more details in Cheers March edition

Live BT Sports shown

Station Road, Wylam, NE41 8HR Telephone: 01661 853431

Follow us @Boathouse Wylam Like us on

PITCHER IN THE SHOP WINDOWThe Pitcher & Piano on Newcastles Quayside is on the investment market for an eye-watering 6.6m.

The popular glass-fronted pub and restaurant commissioned in 1995 by the Tyne & Wear Development Corporation and Amec Developments is currently leased to Wolverhampton-based Marstons.

One of 20 Pitcher & Piano pubs in the Marstons portfolio throughout the country, it operates on an annual rental income of 350,000. Marstons lease agreement will be renewed for another 35 years.

ONE MORE STEP ON THE ROAD TO RIOThe World Cup Bus project dreamed up in a pub by Tom Henriksen and Simon Hall from Hexham, is getting closer to rolling.

The pair plan to drive a 20-seater American school bus from Vancouver in Canada to Rio de Janeiro in time for the first game of the World Cup in June.

Tom, right, tells Cheers the bus is being bought this month and the international crew British, Canadian, American, Mexican, Peruvian, Brazilian, Polish and German will set off on April 14, recounting their adventures to Cheers.

We also hope to have an Irishman, and Aussie and an Israeli on board, says Tom. Some are travelling the entire trip and some are just coming for parts. We have football matches organised in Portland, Guadalajara, Lima and Cuzco and were looking to arrange a few more.

A huge fiesta is being organised for their arrival in Guadalajara home of tequila

and they have a tour of the Flor de Cana rum distillery arranged in Nicaragua, a visit to a pisco (grape brandy) museum in Peru, and a cachaa (sugar cane) distillery in Brazil.

Wylam Brewery produced a Yellow Bus Brew (4.3% abv) last year to help with funding the trip and will brew more in the run-up to April. Keep up with the project in Cheers and at www.worldcupbus.com

UNITED IN CHARITY SUPPORTNewcastle United Supporters Trust charity beer, Black And White Ale, sold out twice in pubs across the North East during 2013, enabling the Trust and Hadrian Border Brewery to make donations to local good causes. And its going to make a hat-trick of appearances this year.

The award-winning brewery donated 5p from

every pint sold to the Trust for them to share among their chosen charities Northern Money, which operates a network of credit unions, and childrens cancer charity the Toma Fund.

Hadrian Border brewery manager Martin Hammill says: Sales of Black And White Ale helped us raise 230 to support the Trusts aims and worthy organisations. Well definitely run it again.

NEWS

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STRANGERS IN THE RIGHT PLACEOne of the North Easts newest microbreweries has been honoured with a spot on a bar at the House of Commons.

Blaydon Brick, from the Tyneside towns Firebrick Brewery, was selected to appear in the Strangers Bar at Westminster and brewery owner Alistair Lawrence was captured pulling the first pint for Blaydon MP Dave Anderson (right).

Blaydon Brick was the nickname of Joseph Cowen MP, who represented Newcastle from 1874 to 1886, succeeding his father (also Joseph). He was so-called because he would invariably turn up at the Commons in a cloth cap and refused to modify his Geordie

accent which some MPs thought was Latin.

Dave Anderson says: Many ales get a spotlight in this Commons watering hole and it provides a good opportunity to alert drinkers to what is one of the finest beers from our region and in the whole country.

A political reformer the New York Times described him as one of the most extraordinary men in Europe Cowen became proprietor of the Newcastle Chronicle in 1860 and during his career continued to identify with the North East mining community. He died in 1900 aged 70 and is commemorated with a statue on Newcastles Fenkle Street.

We hope you enjoy your food. Heres where it came from.

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THEFEATHERS

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15 16

18

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6

7. Andy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wild mushrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Newcastle 1. Carrolls Heritage Potatoes . . . . .Traditional potato varieties . . . . . . . . . Tiptoe Farm, Cornhill-on-Tweed 11. Cranstons Q Guild Butchers . . . . . . Locally sourced meat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hexham 3. Doddingtons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traditionally made cheeses . . . . . . . . . North Doddington Farm, Wooler 14. Dorothy Drydon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Herdwick lamb and mutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hedley on the Hill 18. East Allenheads Moor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . East Allenheads 4. Gilchesters Organics . . . . . . . . . . . Organic stoneground fl our . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hawkwell, Stamfordham 9. Go Local Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ovingham 13. Hedley West Riding Farm . . . . . Beef, lamb and rare breed pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hedley on the Hill 2. Lindisfarne Oysters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oysters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West House, Ross Farm, Belford 16. Minsteracres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pheasant and red-leg partridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minsteracres 20. New Moor Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose veal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Walworth Gate, Darlington 15. Northumbrian Pedigree . . . . . . . . . . . . Milk and cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marley Cote Walls, Slaley 5. Perfect Produce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vallum Farm, East Wallhouses 10. R Proud & Son . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free-range eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daniel Farm, Wylam 17. Ravensworth Grange Farm . . . . . . . . Middle White pork . . . . . . . . . Ravensworth Grange, Kibblesworth 6. Frank Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fish and shellfi sh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Shields 12. Blaydon Burn Farm . . . . . . . . . .Short-horn beef and Jacob lamb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaydon-on-Tyne 19. Strathmore Hebrideans . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebridean lamb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .East Farm, Medomsley 8. West Mill Hills Farm Butchers . Locally produced beef, lamb and pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haydon Bridge

2019

10Suppliers listed alphabetically below; places numbered northto south on map.

Menu2013.indd 1 13/12/2013 13:49

DRAWING THE CUSTOMERSThe Feathers Inn has relaunched its famous suppliers map.

The community local at Hedley on the Hill in Northumberland points customers towards the great produce the North East has to offer which is also an integral ingredient in the pubs award-winning menu.

The map was originally designed seven years ago by Adam Banks, editor-in-chief at MacUser magazine, and the writer-designer has brought it right up to date. A magazine cover by Adam was recently selected as one of the best 10 covers of the century by the Professional Publishers Association.

Feathers co-owner and chef Rhian Cradock says: Showing some of our suppliers on a map on the back of our menu is a special feature that we hope people will take with them and search out the regions foodie gems. We are very much part of our community and as well as the fantastic ales from our tremendous real ale breweries, we feed nostalgia with traditional Northumbrian food.The Feathers Inn was awarded a Taste of the North East gold award last year at the North East of England Tourism Awards and has been named among the top 20 gastropubs in the country by The Times.


NEWS

Bourgognes

Real Ales NOW available John Smiths & Fosters 2.00 PINTBuskers Night cominng soon - ring for details

Hexham Road, Swalwell, NE16 3AA Telephone 0191 488 6801

The Fox & HoundsOpen 7 days from noon Real Ales on tap Great home cooked foodRegular live music & live sports shown

Main Street, Crawcrook, Wylam, NE40 4TR Telephone 0191 413 2018

The Robin Hood InnReal Ales, Home cooked food & B& B accommodationOpen 7 days from 12 noonFood served everydayAll welcome including families, dogs, cyclists etc

East Wallhouses, Military Road, Northumberland, NE18 0LLTelephone 01434 672 273

The Adam & EveOpen 7 days from noon Real Ales regulary changingFreshly prepared meals3 Course Special only 4.95 Monday to Friday noon till 8 pm

Prudhoe Station, Low Prudhoe, NE42 6NP Telephone 01661 832 2323

FOOD FOR THOUGHTThe Rat Inn at Anick, near Hexham, and The Broad Chare on Newcastles Quayside have both been nominated in the Morning Advertiser Gastropub of the Year awards. The duo made the top 50 food-led pubs in the country with The Rat (pictured above) entering the charts at number 41, while Broad Chare made number 32. The winner was the two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers in Buckinghamshire for the third consecutive time.

Meanwhile, at the cheap and cheerful end of the licensed trade, JD Wetherspoon pubs have been given an award for most nutritious breakfast by Mens Health magazine and its Eat Like A Man campaign.

FT PRESSES THE PLUS BUTTONIn the world of big, blousy American-style IPAs and powerful barley wines that affect the nervous system with every sip, how significant is the till the barperson tots them up on? Very, according to the Free Trade Inns manager Mick Potts.

The Ouseburn-squatting Tyneside and Northumberland Camra branch pub of the year has recently had a new one installed. It sings and it dances to the touch of a finger, and if it could drink beer standing on its head, it would.

The one we had before was a jumped-up abacus by comparison, says Mick. It couldnt deal with anything like this one can.

We need to know specifically how much keg and how much cask and how many bottles were selling and this new till saves an awful lot of legwork. Its great, you just input all the information you need from a laptop its wireless, so I could sort it all out at home.

Its finally dragged the Free Trade into the 1980s.

Chris Lashbrook, whose company

Lashbrooks supplied the all-singer/dancer, says: With all the beers from Britain and all over the world, this represents the best solution. The Free Trade has a large stock range more than 200 beers, most of which Ive never heard of.

The Free Trade is hosting a London Beer Festival from February 27 to March 2 with a terrific selection promised from the likes of Kernel, Redchurch, Beavertown and Brodies.

Mick Potts says: Over that weekend well turn into a little corner of London and hopefully well attract a few of the brewers up as well.

NEWS


All Newcastle matches NOW shown

The citys largest screen for major sporting events

Good Beer Guide 2012

5 Handpulls featuring local and national real ales

Make Centurion your meeting place before or after your

Christmas Party

Snug Bar available for private functions including Christmas

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Grand Central Station, Neville Street,

Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5DG

Tel: 0191 2616611www.centurion-newcastle.com

Bar & Deli

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Tel: 0191 2616611www.centurion-newcastle.com

NEWCASTLES MOST IMPRESSIVE

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Grand Central Station, Neville St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DG

Good Beer Guide 2014

6 Real Ales always on tap including, Blacksheep, Jarrow Brewerys Rivet Catcher

and Big Lamp Brewerys Prince Bishop

Food served from 6am - 7pm Mon - Fri, 7am-7pm Sat, 8am - 7pm Sun in C.C Hudsons

& from 11am in The Grand Room

Watch all Newcastle matches live and many more major sporting events on our super

bright 4m projector

Function rooms available for private hire

We look forward to seeing you!

A FRIENDLY WELCOME AWAITS

e festive season was very kind to us at Hadrian Border, so thank you. We look forward to your continued custom and support in 2014As usual, all our regular quality beers will be available in cask and bottle. Our policy of brewing at least one monthly special allows you to try something di erent on a frequent basis. Look out for the rich and satisfying Ouseburn Porter for February. Delicious at 5.2%, an ever popular choice.

Our specials for January have almost sold out. ey were Janus, one of the old Border Brewery Mythical series at 4.3%, and the after Christmas favourite Tyneside Light Ale at 3.5%. Hope you are lucky enough to have tried a pint or two and enjoyed them.

We have a link on the website to allow direct buying of all our bottled products, and 3 bottle gift packs. Please check the site for details as we now bottle seven of our regular beers. What a great present for the man (or indeed lady) in your life.

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

A Traditional PorterRobust and Satisfying

Brewed using the finest ingredients

THE PRICE OF PRICE FIXINGGerman pride in its beer is reeling after four of the countrys largest breweries were fined 106.5m (89m) for price fixing. It has emerged that managers from Bitburger, Krombacher, Veltins, Warsteiner and Anheuser-Busch held regular talks to fix the price of their products.

However, the Belgian-Brazilian multinational Anheuser-Busch Inbev, which brews Becks, is to be exempted from the fine

after agreeing to act as a key witness in the case. Investigations are continuing into two other large companies and four regional breweries.

The Union For Private Brewers, which represents the interests of smaller regional breweries, welcomed the fine. Its director Roland Demleitner said large brewing conglomerates had been increasingly aggressive in their attempts to push small regional brewers out of business.

NEXT STOP HEXHAMDave Carr, who has made such a superb job of running the Brandling Villa in South Gosforth, has also taken up a lease on the Skinners Arms in Hexham, renaming it The Tannery. The deal is expected

to be finalised by the end of February. Expect the same innovative approach to beer choice, food offering and entertainment that he and his team at the BV have ushered in over the last three years or so.

BEAM ME UP JIM BEAMIllinois-based Beam Inc, which owns the Jim Beam, Knob Creek and Makers Mark bourbon brands along with Teachers and Laphroaig whiskies, Courvoisier cognac and Harveys Bristol Cream has been sold to Japanese

whisky distiller Suntory as part of a 9.7bn deal. Suntory was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1899 as a wine producer and importer. This latest acquisition makes it the worlds third-largest producer of premium spirits with combined sales of $4.3bn.


NEWS

RADICAL PUB PLAN FOR GIBSIDE ESTATEThe National Trust has submitted a planning application to transform the walled garden cottage at Gibside in Rowlands Gill into a pub. Permission has been sought as part of feasibility study by the Trust to investigate whether it would be a sustainable investment for the charity.

The pub project came about following a Facebook campaign, Rowlands Gill Needs A Pub and more than 300 local people signed up which sparked the Gibside management teams imagination.

Mick Wilkes, general manager at Gibside says: Weve been running a small beer garden

pub (pictured) for the last three years on a Friday night. We serve Wylam Brewery ales and often have acoustic music from local musicians and a seasonal hog roast from a nearby farm.

Our vision is not only to restore our walled garden which is historically important, but also to make it used, understood and cared for.

I think many people will enjoy a good walk and good pint and we already know that many local people want to bring back a pub to the village as there hasnt been one here for over a decade. It could make good economic sense.

The National Trust is hoping to know by the summer whether their plan will become a reality.

MICRO GUY TIES PIES AND TRIESPete Fenwick of Mithril Ales, based at Aldbrough St John, near Darlington, reports the microbrewery had a great end to 2013 a run that has continued into 2014.

All my beers have just been selling themselves and even with the dreaded Dry January, it has been a good start to the year, he says.

As ever, Pete links new brews to sporting and cultural events with upcoming beers such as Year Of The Horse (3.8%) an amber beer to mark the Chinese New Year (featured on page 24), Skeleton (4.0% abv) for the Winter Olympics, Try (3.9% abv), which celebrates the Six Nations Rugby series, and Who Ate All The Pies (4.1% abv) which should go down well during British Pie Week (March 3-9). Cheers will also be trying the regions best pies, so well no doubt find out who ate them.


NEWS

CHAMPION ALES - CHAMPION PUBSDaily deliveries across the North East - Tel: 0191 483 6792

HAWAY THE LADS

JARROW FULL RANGE ON SALE THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY

The Maltings present a Jarrow Beer,

SAUSAGE & BOTTLE FESTIVAL Fri 28th Feb - Sun 2nd March

9 Claypath Lane, South Shields, NE33 4PG

JARROW ALES

Beers youd walk a long, long way for!

NEW PLUMAGE FOR BIRDS OF A FEATHER

CIDER AT THE CORE OF SUCCESS

Allendale Brewery continues its steady progress with an expansion project and a rebranding of its award-winning products.

The North Pennines-based brewerys Golden Plover (4.0% abv) has also been selected in the bottled golden ales category at the national finals of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) competition at BeerX next month.

We have a lot going on at the moment, having just taken delivery

of two new fermenters and a hot liquor tank, says head brewer Neil Thomas. With a new copper and mash tun to follow, this will double our brewing capacity.

We are also totally rebranding new pump clips will be out first with bottle labels following. Were really pleased with the new design, its tied all of the different elements together but still retaining their individuality which was something that was inherent in our old images.

The UKs cider industry is the most vibrant, diverse and successful in the world that was the message delivered to MPs and government officials at a packed Westminster.

The unique nature of the British cider trade was highlighted at a cider reception, hosted jointly by the Parliamentary Cider Group and the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM).

Paul Bartlett, chairman of the NACM (pictured right with Eric

Pickles MP), also made a call for MPs to scrap the duty escalator to ensure the long-term stability of the industry.

He said: The cider industry is a very British success story. There is no industry in the UK similar to ours and there is no country in the world with a cider industry as vibrant, diverse and successful as ours.

MUSIC TAKES CENTRE STAGEThe Bodega on Westgate Road, Newcastle, has introduced a regular Sunday free music session to its entertainments schedule. Manager Ben Rea promises some of the regions

best performers and also a 10% discount on all draught beers from 8pm on Sundays. In the pipeline are Unplugged Acoustic (Feb 9), followed by Stacked Actors and The Shefaffa Duo.


NEWS

LA TAVERNAManager John Jay Jay Bennett

Real Ale & Chicken Bar

Our own rotisserie cooked chicken with a Mediterranean twist

Follow us on Twitter @_LA_TAVERNA / Like Us On FacebookStella Road, Blaydon On-Tyne, NE21 4LU

0191 413 8975 NEXT DOOR TO MICHELANGELOS

Four Real Ales Two Real CidersBar open from 12pm Every day

Food served dailyMon to Fri 3pm - 9pm

Sat and Sun 12pm - 9pm

Hill Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5AA T: 01434 632216 E: [email protected]

Selection of real ales & Traditional, fresh, home cooked food served

NEW menu now available served daily 12pm - 8pm including daily specials

Great selection of real ales, wines, beers & ciders

B&B accommodation All Rooms have En Suite, TV, Wifi, Hair Dryer,Tea & Coffee making

facilities. The prices include a full Breakfast. We have recently fitted Orthopaedic Mattresses to all of our beds!

Live bands and entertainment every weekendNEW Quiz night & Key draw every Thursday

Live sports shown

LAKE DISTRICT CRAFT CENTRE AIMS HIGHAsking for beer festival details weeks in advance is a risky business initial great ideas can transform into brilliant concepts within hours. So perhaps its unfair to enquire what will be on offer at the Hawkshead Brewery Spring Beer Festival on March 14-16. But weve tried very hard on your behalf.

Hawkshead Brewery owner Alex Brodie says: Its a bit early for runners and riders, but I think youll get the drift from this 10 or 12 young independents, probably including Burning Sky, Buxton, Magic Rock, Wild Beer Co and Thornbridge.

Our festivals at The Beer Hall at Staveley, Cumbria, have always reflected whats new and exciting in brewing showcases for the independents, real exhibitions of beer, driven not by how many different breweries we can cram in, but by the desire to give a few cutting-

edge brewers the chance to show off what they can do.

Also while cask beer is still uppermost, Hawkshead increasingly features the best of craft keg, making the point that these days beer lovers are more concerned with the quality of the product than the method of dispense.

Therell be no commodity beers here, says Brodie. Its all craft, though since the big regionals started to use and abuse that term, the real craft brewers are dropping that description.

There are plans for the Hawksheads special festival beer to be a collaboration brew between the brewerys young Kiwi head brewer Matt Clarke and another innovative youngster from the newest wave of independents likely in cask and keg form.

The range of styles and strengths will be wide, and beer will be served in pints, halves and thirds and, as ever, there is no entry fee. So, as we said, not much information yet!www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk

Cutting edge: Hawkshead head brewer Matt Clarke with Beer Hall manager Katie Rome

NEWS


ALL ALE AND ARTY IN TEESSIDE

Brew time: Ben Wilkinson at Wylam Brewery

WHOLE CASCADE OF NEW IDEASThe call across the bar from the folks at Wylam Brewery comes loud and clear: Take a look at our new website (www.wylambrewery.co.uk). Very stylish indeed.

Along with keeping customers and supporters regularly updated on new beers, regular favourites and up-to-the-minute feeds from Facebook and Twitter, theres lots of news on it and opportunities to stock up on great Wylam products.

Our range of keg beers is expanding following successful sales and rave reviews of Jakehead and Flannel hammer over the Christmas period, says Wylam business development manager Matt Boyle. Alongside these we will have Cascade from our Yankee Hop Charge range and Flaxen also available in keg. Weve just packaged our first run of bottle-conditioned Jakehead IPA which will be the first in a new range of bottle-conditioned beers which will be available in many outlets over the next few weeks.

And, if anyone is attending the SIBA BeerX event at iceSheffield between March 12-15

The Cleveland branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) is holding its much-loved Ale & Arty Beer Festival at the Stockton on Tees Arts Centre The ARC with a host of ales and entertainment.

The annual festival gives ale novices and real ale fans alike a chance to sample some of the finest ales, perries and ciders around with a selection of more than 70 across the three days from Thursday February 20 - Saturday 22.

For those who are tempted to meander from the theatres ale hub to the entertainment in The Point, bands and comedians will be geared up and ready to roll.www.arconline.co.uk

Traditional family run pub since 1975

Regular Music & Folk NightsMon - Fri: from 4pm Sat: from 12pm

Sun: 12pm - 3pm & from 7pm

BRIDGE END INN, Ovingham 01661 832219

Were in the G d B r Guide... again (2013)

Mon - Fri: from 4pm Sat: from 12pmMon - Fri: from 4pm Sat: from 12pm

Regular Music & Folk Nights

Dipton Mill InnA

All youd want a country pub to be...

Dipton Mill Road, Hexham NE46 1YATel: 01434 606577

www.diptonmill.co.uk

12-Dipton Mill ad:Layout 1 12/9/12 10:17

they should look out for Jakehead and Flannel Hammer which will both be featured there.

The regular Boiler Shop Steamer event is going strong into 2014 following a successful 2013 with good numbers of like-minded people attending our mini festival that features a diverse array of street food, proper beers, wines and cocktails as well as an eclectic mix of live music, DJs, dance and arts and the odd street performer thrown in.

The Boiler Shop Steamer takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of every month at the Stephenson Works in Newcastle, behind Central Station.www.theboilershopsteamer.com


NEWS

RINGING THE CHANGESIt seems appropriate that the newly-spruced-up Blue Bell at West Mickley, near Stocksfield, should stock Caledonian Brewerys Auld Acquaintance (4.4% abv). Perhaps its time for the pubs old friends to get back along there and see what new owner Brian Dodd and his staff are up to.

The traditional country pub is now brighter, tidier and even smells more welcoming. Brian, formerly of The Boatside Inn at Warden in Northumberland and who also runs The Sun Inn at Acomb, near Hexham, has the expert hand to turn such a place around.

Even on a recent, properly miserable Wednesday afternoon there were quite a few in the pub, obviously enjoying lunch.

Things are going well, really picking up, says one of the bar staff. Theyre a friendly, positive and chatty lot (which makes a huge difference).

The rear beer garden was always an attraction and its hoped with a fair spring and another decent summer, itll be back in action and put to good use. Give it a bell.

DISBAR, DATBAR, WHERES DA BEST?Newcastle is about to benefit from another stylish new bar, this time with an Italian food emphasis a zigzag that should help it assume a spot at the city centres top table.The former Pasqualinos on Market Street was for two-and-a-half years principally a pre-Theatre Royal venue attracting a crowd as varied as audiences go. Datbar the new name is going to be different. An emphasis on craft keg beers and great value wines in a stylish setting with a dash of panache will see to that. Aldo De Giorgi, a long-time operator with his family of high-profile bars, cafes and restaurants in Newcastle has negotiated a new contract with Theatre Royal trustees that will benefit both parties enormously.

Aldo is a beer connoisseur who has been itching to get his teeth into a project like Datbar. (The name comes from jokey conversations with friends and family that go: Where are we going

Star Pubs & Bars and lessees Bar Hound have jointly invested 250,000 in transforming Newcastle city-centre pub LYH into a landmark food-led bar with an open kitchen.

The renamed City Tavern its original name on Northumberland Road is the first site for Bar Hound, founded by entrepreneur David King

to meet, disbar or datbar? Were going to serve wood-fired sourdough pizzas with a charcuterie offering Italian salamis and chorizo-style meats paired with some of the best craft keg beers in the country, he says. And the best burgers youve ever tasted.

The likes of Pleased To Meet You and Lady Greys in Newcastle are fantastic and we see Datbar as at the cutting-edge of the business.

Datbar has teamed up with Morpeth-based Anarchy Brew Co for beer supply and staff training. We want every staff member to know all there is to know about the beer in the glass.

OLD NAME, NEW STYLE FOR CITY PUBwho sold his previous leisure business, Fluid Group, in early 2013.

Chris Jowsey, trading director of Star Pubs & Bars, says: Pubs like this need ongoing investment to ensure they continue to appeal to customers and their fast-changing tastes and needs.

The bar will reopen at the beginning of March.

Photo: Beer Genie


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NEWS FEATURE: CAMERONS

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STEAM POWER DRIVES PROGRESS

The North East pub deal of the decade has been sealed with the purchase of The Head of Steam group taking the

Camerons estate to over 75 sites

The seven Head of Steam outlets three in Newcastle which include the iconic Cluny with its Cluny2 appendage, Tilleys and the Head of Steam, with Heads of Steam in Durham and Huddersfield and The Central in Gateshead are part of a plan to develop Camerons retail pub business across the North of England.

Camerons director and general manager, Christopher Soley says: As a board, one of our key strategic investment areas is the development of a quality, sustainable estate in both our managed and tenanted pub divisions. These new sites fit

the criteria we targeted, offering traditional cask ales, craft beers and world lagers.

There are no imminent plans to change the great offer radically at these sites and will be looking to adopt many of their principles into our current estate.

The purchase of the sites has been supported by brewing partner Carlsberg UK as the two companies look to increase business together. Former Head of Steam group co-owner Tony Brookes will work with the Camerons board on a consultancy basis to ensure the sites continue to deliver their unique offer.

David Soley, chairman of Camerons Brewery, left, and Tony Brookes, former Head of Steam managing director, celebrate the union of the two pub groups at The Cluny in Newcastle with guests from the North East licensed trade

NEWS FEATURE: CAMERONS

SUPPORTING THE NORTH EAST, SINCE 1806

Brewery shop open 12 til 6pm Tuesday till Friday

Maxim Brewery, 1 Gadwall Road, Houghton Le spring, DH4 5NLTelephone: (0191) 584 8844 Email: [email protected]

TRUE BREW SCORES WITH FANS

Houghton le Spring-based Maxim Brewery has produced special pumpclips to honour Sunderland AFC reaching the Capital One League Cup final. Difficult ties against the likes of Manchester United helped the struggling but steadily improving club to their first major final since losing the FA Cup Final 2-0 to Liverpool in 1992. This time around, however, a Wembley encounter with free-scoring Manchester City is their reward. Cheers claims tribal neutrality on this one, so in its bid to boost the regions sporting profile, lets wish the club every success. Dare to dream.

Tony Brookes says: My wife Carolyn and I couldnt be more pleased to sell our pubs to Camerons. They were the very first account we set up in 1980 when we had our Legendary Yorkshire Heroes off-license at 198 Heaton Road in Newcastle. Weve worked with them ever since and continued a very strong relationship developing the Tap & Spile chain with them as well.

If Id had the choice of selling to anybody

and this is not bullshit it would have been Camerons we sold the business to.

Camerons chairman David Soley commented that the company had not bought out The Head of Steam group, but bought into it.

Weve been genuinely taken aback by the quality of the management and management teams we have taken on. Theyre a credit to Tony and Carolyn Brookes and The Head ofSteam.

EEH! NUMBERS

19,500The total number of Scotch eggs sold to date in The Broad Chare pub, off Newcastle Quayside, since it opened in May 2011.



THE FOOD DUDES

Food in pubs is becoming more adventurous with real quality as a side-order, but do we really have to describe them with such an ugly name, asks Alastair Gilmour

What do you first think of when you hear the word gastropub? Is it a pub that makes a little bit more effort when it comes to food? A restaurant that happens to sell beer? Or a pub that long ago ceased to operate as such but now reels them in with triple-cooked chips and monkfish cheeks?

We cant argue with any of that wed rather see a pub kept alive than watch it wither and eventually transform into a Tesco Express but its the all-inclusive term that sticks in the craw. Gastropub is far too close to gastroenteritis for some of us to stomach, and would we welcome a gastropod all slime and antennae lurking in our lettuce?

Gastric bands are a last resort and, admittedly, gastronomes know their food, but its really difficult to think of a catchy, embrace-all word or phrase to describe a pub that offers great beer, serious wine and classic spirits alongside well-considered food prepared by a trained chef with lofty aspirations.

The term gastropub was coined in 1991 when businessmen David Eyre and Mike Belben took over The Eagle in Clerkenwell, London. The concept of a restaurant in a pub reinvigorated both pub culture and British dining, though it has occasionally attracted criticism for potentially removing the character of the traditional boozer.

David Eyre has since said: I am always and continually bemused as to why The Eagle was regarded as a radical idea. We took an obvious idea and gave it a twist.

The Good Food Guide, which has chronicled

the nations best restaurants for 60 years, eventually found the g-word unpalatable and banned it from its 2012 collection and all future editions. Elizabeth Carter, its consultant editor, believed that the term had become a byword for an establishments ambitions and, at a time when pubs have been hit hard by the recession, this inflexible attitude was becoming a thing of the past.

Our feeling with the gastropub was that it was a bit of a bandwagon that a lot of people have jumped on to, she said at the time. A lot of chains have taken that gastropub style. I think customers are getting bored with it. Pubs have to be socially diverse, they have to offer many things whether you pop in for a drink and a snack or you want a proper meal.

So-called celebrity chefs have added their weight to the gastropub debate what it is and what it isnt. For example, chef Antony Worrall Thompson, owner of the Greyhound pub near Henley-on-Thames in Surrey, approves of the move away from the term.

I hate that word, he said. I think all pubs should avoid the word gastropub. To me its a bit like all the critics giving a film a triple-A rating. You go and you think, What did they see in that? It sets you up for disappointment. If you label yourself gastropub youre asking for trouble, thats for sure.

Tom Aikens, the Michelin-starred chef and owner of Tom Aikens Restaurant in Chelsea, disagrees however, believing that demand will always be there for gastropubs.

He said: I think the gastropub does target a

FEATURE: THE FOOD REVOLUTION



wider audience than a traditional pub or other restaurants and they are pretty flexible in what they serve.

But theres life in the sector yet, even if the name causes division. Raymond Blancs White Brasserie company is planning to launch a series of new pubs over the coming year, although particular venues havent yet been disclosed.

Pubs are a great British institution, he told the Daily Telegraph in November 2013. Like opera for the few and rocknroll for the many.

Politicians also know the value of a good pub menu. Prime minister David Cameron took French president Franois Hollande to Oxfordshire pub, The Swan Inn, for lunch recently following a summit meeting. The pair enjoyed a meal of locally-sourced potted shrimps, rainbow trout and bramley apple crumble, with two halves of Hook Norton ale and not-so-local French wine.

So many pubs have gone bankrupt in the last few years. It was a nightmare, a slaughter. I want to see a food revolution in pubs across thecountry.

Food revolution, mmm, thats getting somewhere close, though a tad clumsy for alabelling.

So what should we call a pub that offers great food, then? Foodie pub? A touch disparaging. Gourmet pub? Trying too hard. Bon vivant? Too French. Epicurean? Not slick enough.

Some of our North East pubs have good reason to enjoy the gastropub description, so lets stick with it for now. The Broad Chare, just off Newcastles Quayside, and The Feathers Inn at Hedley on the Hill, near Stocksfield in Northumberland were late last year both voted

PUBS ARE A GREAT BRITISH INSTITUTION, LIKE OPERA FOR THE

FEW AND ROCK N ROLL FOR THE MANY


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among the top 20 gastropubs in the country by The Times. The Bridge Tavern in Newcastle won a best newcomer award for its food from The Journal, though it would probably run a mile from being known asgastro.

The Rat Inn, Anick, near Hexham, is an absolute gem for dining well and drinking in some of the best local beers around, while Battlesteads at Wark, Northumberland, has not only won awards for its food and eco-friendly focus, it grows most of what goes onto the plate in its extensivegardens.

The Feathers also made it into the Sunday Times list of Britains top 130 restaurants under 50, says the pubs co-owner Helen Greer. We were the only pub in the North East to make this particular list and we were so very proud of our achievement.

So, how do you get a reputation for offering a different menu combined with a thought-provoking drinks range without shouting gastropub at every opportunity? It would seem all it takes is a little imagination, a little courage and a little evangelism.

The customer is ready, but as always, they need to be enticed into taking the leap.

Pubs can really score since they serve cask-conditioned ales and craft beers (another much-abused descriptor that now even has its keenest devotees running from it) but they need to crusade for

the virtues of these more and also serve them

better in nice glasses and in varying quantities other than a pint. Restaurants, though, should

also be serving a far better range of

beers than they do at present and offering

beers on the wine list or even a separate beer list.

And with the supermarket revolution in bottled beers, nothing could be easier. But its got to be done with enthusiasm, passion andcommitment.

We might have to live with gastropub portrayal for a little while longer, until pubs such as The Feathers, Broad Chare and Bridge Tavern become mainstream. Lets simply enjoy the innovations in food and beer and wallow in the ambience and not worry too much about semantics or creatures withantennae.

To gastropub or to not gastropub, here are some Twitter contributions to a recent Cheers request for North East food-friendly pubs:

@DeluxDecor Check out @schoonergate for a hidden gem. I recommend the venisonburger

@CurryStephen402 The three horse shoes at High Horton always excellent food anddrink

@Chrissyroberts cant beat @BridgeTavernPub in my opinion. The triple cooked chips are amazing. Great selection of beerstoo

@kids_cats_golf try the clarence villa off jct61 of A1M in Coxhoe, v nice

@ben_younger have you tried @ClarenceVill yet?

@TheBodega_SJF The pavilion in Backworth does amazing steaks on the Josper Grill

@TheJubileeHall Has to be @3shoesleamside if you want wood-burning, real ale, local craft beers and a mix of pub meals and fine foods :)

@DinedOut could possibly be @_thebroadchare today :)

@TheJubileeHall Or @italianfarm for award-winning, ethically sourced, italian food & great @sonnet43Beer beers & stouts


TASTE TEST

RESULT: A TOP SIX FINISHAn assortment of bottled beers with

particularly individual characteristics

GIGS & THINGS IN FEBRUARYSAT 1 FEB Little Stevie & The Business 8:30pm

SUN 2 FEB Buskers (all welcome) 4:30pm

THUR 6 FEB Auld Rockers Music Quiz 8:30pm

FRI 7 FEB Shipcote & Friends 6:00pm

SAT 8 FEB The Alley Cats 8:30pm

SAT 15 FEB The Skiprats 8:30pm

SUN 16 FEB Left Hand Lewis 4.30pm

SAT 22 FEB King Size Voodoo Traveller 8:30pm

SUN 23 FEB WildWind (Rockabilly from Leeds) 4:30pm

SAT 1 MAR The Hookahs 8:30pm

SUN 2 MAR Buskers (all welcome) 4:30pm

SUN 9 MARCH No time for Jive 4:30pm

EVERY WEDNESDAY IS QUIZ NIGHT

HARVIESTOUN THE RIDGE PALE ALE (5.0% ABV)

HARVIESTOUN BROKEN DIAL AMBER ALE (4.5% ABV)

PANDAFROG MAKAROV IMPERIAL SMOKED BROWN ALE (6.4% ABV)

HAWKSHEAD BRODIES PRIME, DRY STONE STOUT, IPA

At first the aroma felt something along the lines of: Oh no, yet another American IPA hop hit, but a Big But theres certainly a floral and citrus flavour apparent from the Amarillo hop content thats balanced superbly with a barley and wheat grain character and a bready yeastiness which all develop on the palate and linger long in the finish. The sensation is definitely vegetal with also a pleasing touch of seasoned wood. The Ridge celebrates the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where two tectonic plates meet between America and Scotland.

Made using Simcoe hops sometimes called the finest hop on Earth for a passion fruit and pine-like experience tempered by a good degree of biscuit malt from the use of barley, oats and wheat. Wed guess the Broken Dial reference is to a timeless, classic amber beer. Were willing to be corrected though.

So you thought all brown ales were equal? This smoke-filled version from Mordue Brewerys experimental arm and the twisted genius that is Robert Millichamp has been brewed with Russian Caravan tea in the boil which doesnt overwhelm but helps bring along the classic brown ale flavour. One taster commented: Its like drinking a Craster kipper which we wouldnt disagree with. No bones about it.

Brodies Prime Export (8.5% abv) is a strong porter, while Dry Stone Stout (4.5% abv) displays all the finesse of the chocolatey, coffee-like style and both are bottle conditioned. The unfiltered IPA (7.0% abv) with a twist is the brewerys contribution to the current craze for big hopped American IPAs, but the hops in this are American and New Zealand, as would be expected of Kiwi head brewer Matt Clarke. A fine trio.


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BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Hosting Jarrow Brewerys Rivet Catcher and a selection of Wylam BottlesWelcoming coal fi re and friendly staff

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NEWS FEATURE: BUDVAR QUIZ SERIES

Q1: WHATS A GREAT CZECH BREWERY?Your chance to win a trip to the Budweiser

Budvar brewery simply get your brain in gearNewcastle and Gateshead have been chosen to host the great Budweiser Budvar City Pub Quiz, a series of challenges that was a smash hit across London lastyear.

According to Budvar UK, the decision to locate the quiz north out of the capital was an easy one because the Czech brew is fast becoming a favourite in the North East. Its not surprising when you consider we have some of the finest and most serious beer-loving pubs in the country here and where you get serious beer you get cerebral drinkers, and where you get cerebral drinkers you get great pub quizzes.

Eleven pubs are participating in the event, which runs from March 2 -27, and the teams will be competing for a six-person trip to the Budweiser Budvar brewery in Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. To encourage the quest for the big prize, participants will be given free samples of Budvar Original on the night plus giveaways, like Budvar t-shirts.

This Budweiser Budvar quiz is going to be slightly different from the usual pub one. Although

free-ranging, it will also include a special component about Budvar its history, its portfolio of beers, the long-running trademark dispute, and much, much more. Dont be daunted, however, information on questions and answers are all there online somewhere the best place to start being www.budweiserbudvar.co.uk

Cheers North East will be running a full report on the event, both in the the magazine and online at www.cheersnortheast.co.uk as well as via social media Twitter @cheers_ne and www.facebook.com/cheersnortheast

Budvars Man in the North Jonny Barnes makes no bones about it. He says: Cheers understands pubs, it understands beers and it understands drinkers and the people who serve them better than any other publication I can think of. Between Budvar and Cheers the quiz is on course to be a sure-fire winner.

Sign up now as an individual or as a team at one of the participating pubs. Choose a venue, either by going along to your pub or via the BudvarUK Facebook page.

NEWS FEATURE: BUDVAR QUIZ SERIES


DOG FRIENDLY PUB

SPRING BEER FESTIVAL Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th March Excellent selection of real ales & ciders to try

JOES 25TH ANNIVERSARY Sunday 30th March Buffett & live music from 4.30pm

MEET THE BREWER - TIMOTHY TAYLOR Thursday 6th March 7.30pm Tickets 4.00

27 Mill Dam, South Shields, NE33 1EQ (0191) 454 0134

The Steamboat

EVERY ONE A WINNERAll of these pubs are crackers and if there are any here you havent visited, why not make a tour of them prior to the event to decide which one suits you best?

Sunday March 2: The Brandling Villa, South Gosforth

Monday March 3: The Head of Steam, Newcastle

Tuesday March 4: The Bacchus, Newcastle

Wednesday March 5: The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle

Thursday March 6:

The Central, GatesheadWednesday March 12:

The Chillingham, NewcastleThursday March 13:

The Bodega, NewcastleMonday March 17:

The Cluny, NewcastleTuesday March 18:

Hugos, TynemouthWednesday March 19:

The Plough, CramlingtonThursday March 20:

The Schooner, GatesheadThursday March 27:

Grand Final at the Brandling Villa

BEER ON NATIONAL ELF SERVICEMarch 1 is Beer Day, if youre Icelandic. On March 1 1989, Icelanders were finally allowed to drink beer after almost 75 years of prohibition, probably the longest-standing ban on alcoholic drinks outside the Muslim world.

The island nation voted for a ban on all alcoholic drinks in 1908, which took effect in 1915 after Spain refused to buy Icelandic fish unless Icelanders bought their wines, prohibition was partially repealed in 1933 but beer remained banned for more than 60 years. Possibly the lack of it has fuelled some peculiar Icelandic beliefs. For example, environmentalists have urged authorities to abandon a road construction programme connecting the Alftanes Peninsula with a Reykjavik suburb that they

claim will disturb an elf habitat. Issues over Icelands hidden

folk have affected planning decisions before and they have usually involved delaying construction while the elves living there have supposedly moved on.

A survey conducted by the University of Iceland in 2007 found that 62% of the 1,000 respondents thought it was at least possible that elves exist.

Elsewhere in Iceland, conservationists have criticised the sale of a beer which its makers claim contains dead whale. Steji Brewery has teamed up with whaling company Hvalur to launch the 5.2% abv beer, produced for the Icelandic mid-winter festival (January 24 - February 22). The brewery claims people who drink it become true Vikings.

WHATS IN A NAME?Many of the quiz teams for the London event came up with some extraordinary and creative names. For example, Breaking Bud and An Englishman And A Scotswoman Walked Into A Bar will give you an idea. The team that won the visit to the Budweiser Budvar brewery

from the Builders Arms in Kensington rejoiced in the name of Crouching Woman Hidden Cucumber. To celebrate this Cheers has promised a case of Budvar Original to the team with the most amusing name on each night with a reminder that this is a family show!


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straight to your door, no hassle and minimum prep.

Your bar can have these delicious snacks even

THE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNTHE PLOUGH INNCOUNTRY PUB & KITCHEN

Contemporary yet comfortable with an emphasis on superb quality at excellent prices, The Plough Inn is the perfect choice for diners

wanting tradition with a twist.

Whether youre treating the family to Sunday lunch, impressing a date with dinner or simply looking for somewhere in which to enjoy a quiet pint, you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome.

The Plough Inn is open seven days a week and serves food all day every day so do call in Dave, Lynn and their team are looking

forward to seeing you.

Call now to book your table: 01207 570346

MOUNTSETT, BURNOPFIELD, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, TYNE & WEAR, NE16 6BA

TEL: 01207 570346 WWW.PLOUGH-INN.CO.UK

NEWS

IF AT FIRST FRY, FRY AGAINThe redoubtable John Taylor from The Stables Brewery at Beamish Hall, County Durham, is a bit of a philosopher, but even he is stumped by a recent observation.

A lot of us brewers spend a good deal of time watching a kettle boil, says John, above. Of course, this gives us time for thought. So the other day while thinking of different ways to save the planet, my gaze rested upon the brewery Insect-A-Clear as another fly was tricked to its doom by the ultra-violet lamp fried on

the hidden electric grid. I noticed a small spider busily casting a web on the inside, so I climbed up to the machine and looked inside the dead body tray and spotted her living on the bottom, feasting on the free meat.

This poses the question how does the spider know not to go near the electric wires? Can any other like-minded brewers possibly supply a plausible answer?

Heres a query in return, John. How do you know the spider is female?

BEARDY PUB-LOVER CLAIMS HAIRY LIKERS ARE THE BESTA Manchester pub has won an award for being the most beard-friendly pub outside London.

The Beard Liberation Front presented Port Street Beer House with its Beard Friendly Pub 2013 Out of London award after the bar topped an online poll. The overall winner was the Cock Tavern in Hackney, London, although the Manchester pub was apparently beaten by a whisker.

Keith Flett, Beard Liberation Front organiser, says: The poll is designed

as a bit of fun and if you want to find a pub with great beer and a range of beards from the full organic to the hipster any on our list are worth a visit.

According to the campaign group, pognophiles beard lovers run the best pubs. Port Street Beer House opened three years ago and has built a reputation for selling quality craft beers from around the world.

Wheres the North Easts best beardy pub? Send to [email protected]

THREE HOLES IN BLACKBURN, LANCASHIREWith 60 employees at Blackburn brewery Thwaites facing the axe as the firm looks to relocate, workers appear to have hit back by altering the neon sign on the landmark town-centre building,

visible over much of East Lancashire.


NEWS FEATURE: SONNET 43/ LAMBTON WORM

ROCOCO WITH YOUR BEER, FOLKS?A North East microbrewery has toasted its first full year in business a successful one if brewing more than 246,000 litres in 2013 and announcing plans for expansion is anything to go by.

Since opening its doors in late 2012 Sonnet 43 Brew House has produced 1,500 barrels of beer, as well as thousands of bottles for sale in pubs and online. Its core range Steam Beer, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, American Pale Ale, Blonde Beer and Bourbon Milk Stout have already been sold in more than 200 pubs across the North East and recently expanded across Yorkshire.

Work to expand brewing capacity

at the purpose-built site at Coxhoe, County Durham, will begin later this year, allowing for more deliveries outside the North East, as well as the introduction of a craft kegging facility and a visitor centre offering workshops and tours.

Sonnet 43s founder, North East restaurateur Mark Hird, has also invested in three brewery taps The Lambton Worm in Chester le Street; The White Lead, Hebburn,

and The Clarence Villa, Coxhoe and hopes to launch more venues in 2014 serving Sonnet 43 beers as well as a range of complimentary food and drinks.

And now work is under way to offer stylish bed and breakfast accommodation at The Lambton Worm. The rooms will be individually decorated and fitted with solid mahogany rococo furniture.

The Lambton Worm was saved from closure in 2012 when it was

bought by leisure firm Tavistock Leisure of which Mark Hird is managing director and relaunched following a 500,000 investment.

He says: It has been a landmark first full year for Sonnet 43 and Tavistock Leisure. We have big plans for 2014, including the launch of more brewery taps and the expansion of the brewery itself. Diversifying into a boutique bed and breakfast at The Lambton Worm will maximise our opportunities there.


FEATURE: CHINESE NEW YEAR

TIME TO CELEBRATE, NEIGH BOTHER

Kung hey fat choi! Thats not an insult far from it, its a call to have a happy new year

January 31 was the Chinese New Year and until February 17 2015, its The Year of the Horse. Its a time when ancestral spirits are celebrated, family unity is honoured and a happy future is anticipated. Strict customs are adhered to and superstition is rife, such as sweeping the floor before the big day else good fortune for the new year be brushed aside, and the wearing of red which symbolises sunshine andbrightness.The Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, with

a complete cycle taking 60 years made up of five periods of 12 years with each of them named after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed the Earth. Only 12 came to bid him farewell and, as a reward, he named a year after each one horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon and snake.Because of the cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and mid-February. The Chinese believe the animal

ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: This is the animal that hides in your heart. Those born in horse years are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty and good with their hands.

The Cheers A-Z on pages 28-29 list 15 Horse pubs (including two Stables and Dr Syntax, named after a champion racehorse). So, lets wish all concerned kung hey fat choi and also hope 2014 is a good year for all the regions pubs especially the Horse ones.

Dragon dancing in Newcastle (photo: NewcastleGateshead Initiative)

I ALWAYS KEEP A STIMULANT HANDY IN CASE I SEE A SNAKE WHICH I ALSO KEEP HANDY.WC FIELDS

QUOTE:


NEWS

Riverside Lodge, High Stanners,

Morpeth NE61 1QL Telephone: 01670 512771

www.riverside-lodge.co.uk

every Friday from 9pm FREE Pint for anyone who gets up & gives it a go!

THURS 1ST MAY The Move 12 adv / 14 on the door

THURS 15TH MAY Sportsmans dinner featuring 1966 World Cup Hero Gordon Banks & Comedian Mick Munroe 30 per ticket / Tables of 10 300 (includes 3 course meal)

FRI 22ND AUG Animals and Friends 16 adv / 18 on the door

SAT 13TH SEPT Martin Turners Wishbone Ash 14 adv / 16 on the door

SUN 30TH NOV From The Jam 20 adv / 22 on the door

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Cash prizes & drinks vouchers to be won

1per person entry fee

RUNNING AT MAXIMO SPEEDNorth Shields-based Mordue Brewery like many others in the region has one big complaint. There arent enough hours in the day to do everything in the schedule.

The list includes a full rebranding of beer labels and pumpclips developed by a designer who has worked for Barcelona FC, upgrading the current manual bottling line to a fully-automated one, and brewing not only vast quantities of the likes of Workie Ticket and Northumbrian Blonde, but a new beer, Maximo No5 (5.0% abv), to mark a national tour by North East favourite band Maximo Park.

And thats not all. A new apprentice has been hired and a business development, Mordue Inns, is about to be launched with a public share issue an Enterprise Investment Scheme where investors get 30% tax relief on their investment and part of the benefits will be discounts on products and merchandise.

But it has to be underwritten by our solicitors to make sure everything is legally in place, says Mordue co-owner Garry Fawson.

Its a sort of members club much like BrewDog have done. That side of the business will be run completely separately from the brewery. Weve always been interested in having our own pubs but when the banks were lending there werent many decent ones for sale now there are but its much more difficult to get finance.

To bring themselves up to speed with the pub side of the business, the Fawson brothers, pictured above, have been working with The Feathers Inn at Hedley on the Hill, Stocksfield, on food and drink pairings and staff training.

Garry says: Last year was a great one for us and Rob Millichamp our head brewer has really made a difference not only to our new range but to the quality and consistency of our core beers.

Robs approach to brewing is the same, he says, as Italian cooking very simple but use the best ingredients you can get.

One of Robs creations, Killswitch 51 (5.0% abv) will go into the national finals of the annual Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) competition in March.

PUB PROFILE: THE CROSS KEYS, ESH, DURHAM

THE BEER THE FOOD

THE CROSS KEYS, ESH, DURHAMPUB PROFILE

Where is it? Esh is a long, narrow strip of a village on top of the hill above Langley Park between Lanchester and Durham. Follow the signs for Esh and Quebec from the A691. The views across the valley are stunning farmland, woodland, age-old settlements and strangely beguiling wind turbines.

A positive attitude and an emphasis on the customer

LANDLORD: Paul and Marie YoungThe Cross Keys, Front Street, Esh, County Durham DH7 9QRTel 0191 373 1279

Esh is as rural as County Durham gets simply breathe in the farmyard aroma. Its rather stimulating.

The Cross Keys in the village is a very tidy and welcoming pub, divided into separate dining room and bar area. With its low ceilings, sturdy pillars and hefty beams its not difficult to grasp that theres been a pub here since the 14th century which is thought to have been visited by Edward I. After a few years in the doldrums it is obviously now in safe hands with its positive attitude and an emphasis on the customer. Much extended over the years rough stone pillars remain from what were once exterior walls it retains a country pub ambience. The bar areas counter is a very attractive combination of timber and dressed stone.

Terrific choice and flavour range reaching across Border Rampart, Ringwood Boondoggle, Wylam Red Kite and Haxon Wit (keg), Black Sheep Bitter, and a selection of bottled world beers. Theyre well looked after and change regularly so theres enough there to satisfy the most demanding of palates.

A menu that promises local sourcing and home preparation. Sunday lunches are popular with regulars. Bar snacks include local cheeses while classic beer battered fish and chips is an everyday stalwart. The la carte menu features Jack Daniels BBQ glazed pork ribs and sizzling seafood jambalaya.



FUN STUFF

We liked this very clever name and styling for a Tyneside beautician. The owner told Cheers it was her boyfriends idea and that shes picked up loads of business through it. It pays to get your name noticed.

A SHERIFF WALKS INTO A BAR... AND SHOWS THE BARMAN A WANTED POSTER. HE ASKS IF THE BROWN PAPER KIDS BEEN IN. WHATS HE LOOK LIKE? ASKS THE BARMAN. THE SHERIFF SAYS: HE WEARS A BROWN PAPER JACKET, BROWN PAPER SHIRT, BROWN PAPER WAISTCOAT, BROWN PAPER TROUSERS, BROWN PAPER HAT AND BROWN PAPER SHOES. WHATS HE WANTED FOR? RUSTLING.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

QUIZ ANSWERS 1 Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28 1914). 2 A Manhattan. 3 Queen Elizabeth I. 4 Rupert Bear. 5 Muammar (Colonel) Gaddafi. 6 Six. 7 The study of senility. 8 Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh. 9 Four. 10 Eighteen. 11 Sepia. 12 Johnny Cash.

It was like one of those spy movies. I was bundled into the back of the car and driven in gathering darkness to a lonely moorland spot.

The Master and Mistress beckoned me out of the old Volvo and told me to sit while he reached into the glove compartment, saying: One shot, thats all Ill need.

Thats it, I thought. I had long suspected they wanted rid of me high maintenance, too frisky, chewed his new

slippers, old and crotchety. But gunned down? Never saw that coming. Gulp.

I closed my eyes as The Master went click. Nothing. Thats a great reminder, he said, looking at the back of a camera, not a .44 Magnum. Oh, the relief.

Then they both hopped in and accelerated into the night. But three hours later, Im sitting on the doorstep as they come carousing home from the pub.

Blue, we thought you were said Dirty Harry. You licked the neck of that

leaking whisky bottle in the back of the car so we just left you in the fresh air to sober up. You appeared to be having some weird dreams too.

A drunken dream, thats what it was. But Im still not convinced about that wallet in The Masters top pocket. Gonna have to watch him. Ruff.

BLUES ADVENTURES IN BEER

1 Who did Gavrilo Princip shoot?2 What is a cocktail of rye whisky, vermouth and angostura called?3 Which English queen banned mirrors as she grew old?4 What fictional character was created by Mary Tourtel?5 Who overthrew King Idris to gain power in 1969?6 How many countries formed the EEC in 1957?7 What is nostology?8 Which university was the first to offer a degree in brewing?9 How many pecks were in a bushel?10 The names of British racehorses are limited to how many letters and spaces?11 Which pigment comes from cuttlefish?12 Who started his career with The Tennessee Two?

TWELVE CRACKERS TO GET YOUR TEETH INTO

THE DIRTY DOZEN


A-Z PUB GUIDETHE OLD WELL INN The Bank, Barnard CastleDL12 8PH t: 01833 690 130

THE PLOUGHMountsett, Burnopfield, NE16 6BA, t: 01207 570346

THE PUNCH BOWL INN Edmundbyers, DH8 9NL t: 01207 255545

THE QUAKERHOUSE2 Mechanics Yard, Darlington, DL3 7QF t: 07783 960105

THE QUAYS5 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 SMITHS ARMS Brecon Hill, Castle Dene, Chester le Street, DH3 4HE t: 0191 3857559

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

THE SPORTSMANS ARMSMoor End Terrace, Belmont, DH1 1BJ t: 0191 3842667 THE STABLESBeamish Hall Hotel, Beamish, DH9 0BY t: 01207 233 7333

THE STABLESWest Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4NDt: 0191 584 9226 THE THREE HORSESHOESPit House Lane, Leamside, Houghton le Spring, DH4 6QQ t: 0191 584 2394

THE WHITE LIONNewbottle Street, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4ANt: 0191 5120735

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

WICKET GATEFront Street, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3AX. t: 0191 3872960

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

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

NORTH YORKSHIRE

THE CROWN INNVicars Lane, Manfield, DL2 2RF t: 01325 374243

THE DOG & GUNCoopers Lane, Potto, DL6 3HQ t: 01642 700232

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

CUMBRIA

THE BEER HALLHawkshead Brewery, Mill Yard, Staveley, LA8 9LRt: 01539 825260

NORTHUMBERLAND

ADAM & EVEPrudhoe Station, Low Prudhoe, NE42 6NP. t: 01661 832323

BAMBURGH CASTLE INNSeahouses, NE68 7SQt: 01665 720283

BARRASFORD ARMSBarrasford Hexham, NE48 4AA t: 01434 681237 BARRELS59-61 Bridge Street, Berwick, TD15 1ES t:01289 308013 BATTLESTEADS HOTELWark, Hexham, NE48 3LSt: 01434 230209www.battlesteads.com BEADNELL TOWERS HOTELBeadnell, NE67 5AYt: 01665 721211

CLENNELL HALL HOTEL Harbottle,Morpeth,NE65 7BG, t. 01669 650 377 CROSS KEYSThropton, Rothbury, NE65 7HXt: 01669 620362

CROWN & ANCHOR INNMarket Place, Holy Island, TD15 2RX, t: 01289 389215 DIPTON MILL INNDipton Mill Road, Hexham, NE46 1YA, t: 01434 606577e: [email protected]

DOCTOR SYNTAXNew Ridley Road, Stocksfield, NE43 7RG, t: 01661 842383 DUKE OF WELLINGTONNewton, NE43 7ULt: 01661 844446

DYKE NEUKMeldon, Nr Morpeth, NE61 3SLt: 01670 772662

ELECTRICAL WIZARDNew Market, Morpeth, NE61 1PS. t: 01670 500640

GENERAL HAVELOCK INNHaydon Bridge, NE47 6ERt: 01434 684376

JOHN THE CLERK OF CRAMLINGTONFront Street, Cramlington, NE23 1DN t: 01670 707060

JOINERS ARMSWansbeck Street, Morpeth, NE61 1XZ, t: 01670 513540

JOLLY FISHERMANCraster, Alnwick, NE66 3TRt: 01665 576461

MINERS ARMSMain Street, Acomb, NE46 4PWt: 01434 603909

LION & LAMBHorsley, NE15 0NSt: 01661 852952

NEWCASTLE HOTELFront Street, Rothbury, NE65 7UT. t: 01669 620334 OLIVERS60 Bridge Street, Blyth, NE24 2AP t: 01670 368346

RED LIONFront Street West, Bedlington, NE22 5TZ t: 01670 536160

RED LION INNStanegate Road, Newbrough, Hexham, NE47 5ARt: 01434 674226 www.redlionnewbrough.co.uk

RIVERDALE HALL HOTELBellingham, NE48 2JTt: 01434 220254www.riverdalehallhotel.co.uk

THREE HORSESHOESHathery Lane, Horton, Cramlington, NE24 4HFt: 01670 822410

THREE WHEATHEADSThropton nr Rothbury, NE65 7LRt: 01669 620262e: [email protected]

TWICE BREWED INNMilitary Road, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN t: 01434 344534e:[email protected]

THE ALLENDALE INNMarket Place, Allendale, Hexham, NE47 9BJ, t: 01434 683246 THE ANCHOR HOTELHaydon Bridge, NE47 6ABt: 01434 688121

THE ANCHOR INNWhittonstall, Nr Consett, DH8 9JN t: 01207 561110

THE ANGEL INNMain Street, Corbridge, NE45 5LA t: 01434 632119

THE BADGERStreet Houses, Ponteland Newcastle upon TyneNE20 9BT t: 01661 871037

THE BAY HORSESouth Side, StamfordhamNE18 0PB, t: 01661 855469

THE BLACKBIRDPonteland, NE20 9UH

THE BLACK BULLMiddle Street, Corbridge,NE45 5AT. t: 01434 632261

THE BLACK BULLBridge Street, Warkworth,NE65 0XB, t: 01665 711367

THE BLACK BULLMatfen, NE20 0RPt: 01661 855395

THE BLACK BULL INNEtal, TD12 4TLt: 01890 820200

THE BLUE BELLMount Pleasant, West Mickley, Stocksfield NE43 7LPt: 01661 843146

THE BOATHOUSEWylam, NE41 8HRt: 01661 853431

14 Real ales on tap CAMRA 2013 Northumberland Pub of the Year Winner

THE BOATSIDE INNWarden, Hexham, NE46 4SQt: 01434 602233

THE BRIDGE END INNWest Road, Ovingham Prudhoe, NE42 6BNt: 01661 832219

5 Real Ales Traditional family run pub Folk & music nights

THE BURNSIDELonghoughton, NE66 3JQt: 01665 577303

THE CARTS BOG INNLangley on Tyne, Hexham, NE47 5NW. t: 01434 684338

THE CRASTER ARMSThe Wynding, Beadnell,NE675AX t: 01665 720 272

THE CROWN INNHumshaugh, Hexham, NE46 4AG t: 01434 681 231

THE DIAMOND INNMain Street, Ponteland, NE20 9BB t: 01661 872898

THE DYVELS INNStation Road, Corbridge, NE45 5AY t: 01434 633 633

THE FEATHERS INNHedley on the Hill, Stocksfield, NE43 7SW t: 01661 843 607

THE FOX & HOUNDSMain Road, Wylam, NE41 8DL. t: 01661 853246

THE GOLDEN LIONHill Street, Corbridge, NE45 5AA. t: 01434 632216

Home cooked food Real ales Entertainment every weekend

THE GOLDEN LIONMarket Place, Allendale, NE47 9BD. t: 01434 683 225

THE HADRIAN HOTEL Wall, Hexham, NE44 4EE t: 01434 681232

THE HERMITAGE INN23 Castle Street, Warkworth, NE65 0UL. t: 01665 711 258

THE HORSESHOES INNRennington, Alnwick, NE66 3RS. t: 01665 577665 THE JOINERS ARMSNewton-by-the-Sea, NE66 3EAt: 01665 576 112 THE LINDISFARNE INNBeal, TD15 2PDt: 01289 381 223

THE MANOR HOUSECaterway HeadsShotley Bridge, DH8 9LXt: 01207 255268

THE MANOR INNMain Street, Haltwhistle, NE49 0BS, t: 01434 322588

THE OLDE SHIP INN9 Main Street, Seahouses, NE68 7RD, t: 01665 720 200

THE PACKHORSE INNEllingham, Chathill, NE67 5HAt: 01665 589292

THE PILOT INN31 Low Greens, Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 1LZt: 01289 304214

THE PLOUGHVillage Square, Cramlington, NE23 1DN, t: 01670 737633

THE PLOUGH INNFront Street, Ellington, NE61 5JB, t: 01670 860340

THE RAILWAY HOTELChurch Street, Haydon Bridge, NE47 6JG t: 01434 684254

THE RAILWAY INNAcklington, Morpeth, NE65 9BPt: 01670 760 320

THE RAT INNAnick, Hexham, NE46 4LNt: 01434 602 814

THE RIDLEY ARMSStannington, Morpeth, NE61 6ELt: 01670 789216

THE RED LION22 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth, NE66 2RJt: 01665 830584www.redlionalnmouth.co.uk

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

BUTCHERS ARMSMiddle Chare, Chester le Street, DH3 3QBt: 0191 388 3605

DUN COW37 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HNt: 0191 386 9219

GREENBANK HOTEL90 Greenbank Road, Darlington, DL3 6ELt: 01325 462624

HALF MOON INN130 North Gate,Darlington, DL1 1QSt: 01325 465765

HAT AND FEATHERSChurch Street, Seaham, SR7 7HF t: 01915 133040

HEAD OF STEAM3 Reform Place, Durham, DH1 4RZ t: 0191 3832173

ITALIAN FARMHOUSESouth Street, West RaintonHoughton - le - SpringDH4 6PA t: 0191 5841022

NUMBER TWENTY-222 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RGt: 01325 354590e: [email protected]

SUN INN Houghton Road, Newbottle, DH4 4EG t: 0191 584 1019

SURTEES ARMSChilton Lane, Ferryhill, DL17 0DHt: 01740 655724

THREE HORSESHOESMaiden Law, Durham, DH7 0QT t. 01207 520900

YE OLDE ELM TREE 12 Crossgate, Durham City, DH1 4PS t: 0191 386 4621

THE AVENUE INNAvenue Street, High Shincliffe, DH1 2PTt: 0191 386 5954 THE BAY HORSE28 West Green, Heighington, DL5 6PE t: 01325 312312

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

THE BLACK HORSE Red Row,Beamish, DH9 0RWt: 01207 232569

THE BLACK LIONWolsingham, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3EN t: 01388 527772

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

THE CHELMSFORDFront Steet, Ebchester, DH8 0PJt: 01207 565811

THE CLARENCE VILLA Durham Road, Coxhoe, County Durham, DH4HX t: 0191 377 3773

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

THE CROSS KEYSFront Street, Esh, DH7 9QRt: 0191 3731279

THE DERWENTSIDE101 Durham Road, Blackhill, Consett, DH8 8RRt: 01207 590919

THE DUN COWFront Street, Sedgefield, TS21 3AT t: 01740 385 6695

THE FLOATERS MILLWoodstone Village, Fence Houses, DH4 6BQt: 0191 385 6695

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

THE GEORGE & DRAGON 4 East Green, Heighington Village, DL5 6PP t: 01325 313152 THE GREY HORSE 115 Sherburn Terrace, Consett, DH8 6NE t: 01207 502585

THE HALF MOON INN 86 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AQ t: 0191 3741918

THE HONEST LAWYER Croxdale Bridge, Croxdale, DH1 3HP t: 0191 3783782

THE JOHN DUCK91A Claypath, Durham City, DH1 1 RG

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

THE MANOR HOUSE HOTEL The Green, West Auckland, DL14 9HW t: 01388 834834

THE MANOR HOUSE INNCarterway Heads, Shotley Bridge, DH8 9LXt: 01207 255268

THE MARKET TAVERN27 Market Place, Durham, DH1 3NJ t: 0191 3862069

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

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

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

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


THE RED LION INNMilfield, Wooler, NE71 6JDt: 01668 216224 www.redlioninn-milfield.co.uk

THE ROBIN HOOD East Wallhouses, Military RoadNewcastle, NE18 0LLt: 01434 672273

Real ales Home cooked food Accomodation

THE SEVEN STARS21 Main Street, Ponteland, NE20 9NH, t: 01661 872670

THE SHIP INN Marygate, Holy Island, TD15 2SJ, t: 01289 389311

THE SUN INN Acomb, NE46 4PW t: 01434 602934

THE SUN INNHigh Church, Morpeth, NE61 2QT, t: 01670 514153

THE SWINBURNE ARMS31 North Side, Stamfordham, NE18 0QG t: 01661 886707

THE TAP & SPILEEastgate, Hexham, NE46 1BH, t: 01434 602039

THE TRAVELLERS RESTSlaley, Hexham, NE46 1TTt: 01434 673231www.travellersrestslaley.com

THE WELLINGTONMain Road, Riding Mill, NE44 6DQ t: 01434 682531 THE WHEATSHEAFSt Helens Street, Corbridge, NE45 5HE t: 01434 632020

THE VICTORIA HOTEL1 Front Street, Bamburgh, NE69 7BP, t: 01668 214431

THE VILLAGE INNLongframlington, Morpeth, NE65 8AD t: 01665 570268www.thevillageinnpub.co.uk

TEESSIDE

BEST WESTERN GRAND HOTELSwainston Street, Hartlepool, TS24 8AAt: 01429 266345e: [email protected]

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

CLEVELAND BAY Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0JE. t: 01642 780275

TH

Documents

THE GASTROPUB: TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS THE QUEST