north east Raise a glass to pubs, people and news from your local FREE

ISSUE 12 www.cheersnortheast.co.uk // July/August 2011

bright and sunny cheersBumper r summer special

• Micros: Pint sized and potent • Character forming with Hutch • 300 up: The Lords of The Ring

beer ice cream You can’t lick it oh yes you can! inn-side pubs !// news // ideas // opinion // new pubs // old pubs // beer for lunch // beer for tea // beer for dinner // pubs! 07_11 Theakston Lightfoot 280x210_oulines.pdf 11/7/11 10:30:58

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K N O R T H E A S T Raise a glass to pubs, people and news from your local FREE I S S U E 1 2

www. cheersnortheast .co.uk // July/August 2011 ch BRIGHTe AND e srSUNNY BUMPER r S U M M E R S P E C IA L

• Micros: Pint sized and potent • Character forming with Hutch • 300 up: The Lords of The Ring Editorial 0191 231 6080 Alastair Gilmour have gone, for example, three pubs in Seaburn that people had never been to before” “One of the good things is we go to pubs and areas that some people might never normally BEER ICE CREAM [email protected] It feels like we’ve achieved something. This issue T I CK I L T CA N OY’ U O H Y E S Y O U C A N ! INN-SIDE of Cheers North East marks our first anniversary P U B S ! / / N E W S / / I D E A S / / O P IN IO N / / N E W P U B S / / O L D P U B S / / B E E R F O R L U N C H / / B E E R F O R T E A Advertising / / B E E R F O R D I N N E R / / P U B S ! – we’ve had a year of Cheers, 12 months of hard 0191 231 6080 Cover: Liz Scott tries beer Gillian Corney work, fun and satisfaction producing one of the ice-cream. See page 24. [email protected] most acclaimed magazines in the region (a Highly Commended at the Tom Cordner North East Press Website: Awards 2010 is one piece of evidence). www.cheersnortheast.co.uk inside It’s more than having a jolly good time, however – there’s a serious side to Cheers in that it exists to highlight and celebrate one of Designed & Published by: the most important British institutions we have – the pub. It’s the NEWS North East pub that’s been the star of the past year and we’re here 4 Flying Scotsman to help it remain in the public eye, to remind people that they’re returns from Caley Media Exchange One still fighting hard to keep their doors open and their beer flowing. 6 Luka who’s turned Coquet Street Times are tough in the licensed trade as they are in almost every up at Masham business sector, but we can only stand back and admire what pub Newcastle upon Tyne FEATURES NE1 2QB owners and operators are doing regularly to excite customers. Some of them are innovators, others have found a niche, and 09Fancy the many will continue to give their regulars and visitors what they Brussels Beer Photography: demand – great service in comfortable and safe surroundings. Festival? Here’s Nicky Rogerson the lowdown We at Cheers are proud of our supporters – our brewers, pubs, www.nrphotography.co.uk 16 A year of Cheers. suppliers, sponsors and advertisers – and we’d like to thank them We’ve reached for their generosity and spirited response. a publishing And you, dear reader. Thank you for making us feel special. We’ll milestone and repay you by keeping coming back. heading for more 18 What’s On. Our Whilst every effort has been guide to summer made to ensure accuracy, Cheers. the publisher cannot accept activities – around responsibility for omissions Alastair Gilmour, editor the pub, of course and errors. All material in this publication is strictly copyright CULTURE and all rights reserved. Quick on the draw Elvis helps out Caricaturist Paul with a tricky problem 10 Hutchinson shows us why his work is in COMPETITIONS such demand from win things like pubs, publishers and beer and grub the general public. And, there are not fun stuff many people who have The Quizzes, The been intimate with Pickled Egg and Blue the Dog our Paddington Bear.

sponsors Lager loungers The A-list Beer and Brussels Wizard’s spell Taste test Great pub guide The city’s best Cheap and cheerful

The Lords of On the 12 Micros 14 the Ring 28 Richter scale The North East is They meet once Regular reporter benefitting from a month on a CzechBeerMan a wave of new Saturday, they takes us by Wylam Brewery micro-breweries. visit up to 12 pubs J ohn W ra i th “electric tram There seems to at a time, they number 24” to be ready business sample real ale in Bulovka Street in for the likes of all of them, then downtown Prague Tyne Bank and they get the last and an unusual pub Ouseburn Valley. bus home. and microbrewery. News The only sign to look for on Hadrian’s Wall Scores on the Doors: Set in the shadows of Steel Rigg this country inn offers 3 Diamond accommodation, Real Ales, superb wines and excellent food. Rail ale right on track It is an ideal location to explore the land of Reivers, Romans and Myths. The world’s most famous locomotive is back – and so is its namesake beer. Timed to coincide with the launch of the newly-refurbished Flying Scotsman, Caledonian Brewery Bardon Mill, Hexham, NE47 7AN has reintroduced its popular ale, t: 01434 344534 this time as a premium bitter. e:[email protected] w: www.twicebrewedinn.co.uk Stephen Crawley, managing director of the Edinburgh-based company, Find us on Facebook, You Tube& Flikr says: “We identified a couple of gaps in our portfolio of cask beers and felt that a premium bitter was one of Durham’s only these. We do well with our beers camra naTional on the East Coast Main Line inVenTory towns from Edinburgh through Newcastle, York and Peterborough lisTeD pub to London, so Flying Scotsman fits. Five cask ales including guests “The hand-made metal pump Friendly atmospheric bar clips are absolutely fabulous, too. Bed & Breakfast accommodation, all rooms en-suite The Flying Scotsman recipe was English Heritage Grade 2 listed developed over a number of brews from Private car parking blends of Borders malt and English hops. The VicToria The beer is a deep amber colour, the DurH am City aroma is profoundly malty, balanced Free House, 86 Hallgarth Street, Durham, DH1 3aS by a raisin-like spiciness and toasty Telephone 0191 3865269 dryness. There is also a fresh tang of off to a Flyer: Stephen Crawley, managing director of Caledonian Brewery, pulls a pint Camra DurHam PuB oF tHE yEar 2003,2005,2007, 2009 citrus leading to a rich rounded finish.

THE PLACE to be in tynemouth Maxim-ising potential The Double Maxim Brewery at Houghton-le- “Swedish Blonde is going really well in 12 REAL ALES Spring, County Durham, is as busy as it has Wetherspoon’s nationally and we’re looking at TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST been since it was a beer for Sunderland AFC HOME COOKED set up in 2007. New Foundation which will be FOOD beers, including keg available at the club’s first versions of Samson home game of the season BIG SCREEN TV and Lambton’s, plus – against Newcastle. It’s TO WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT a new visitor centre at the planning stage at and bar are all set to the moment, but it will be CUMBERLAND ARMS be launched over the a 4.3% abv light ale. Ten 17 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DX summer months. pence from every pint sold Tel: 0191 2571820 www.cumberlandarms.co.uk And, new seasonal will go to the Foundation. ale Surf N Sup “We’ve had an enquiry (4.5% abv) has for Maximus from India MIDI BEER been launched for and we’re putting Double FESTIVAL the summer. It’s swedish blonde: The beer and the original, Maxim into the Michell’s & beautifully golden Anna Goransdotter-Bell of Maxim Brewery Butler estate, particularly Thursday August 4th 7pm - 12pm with a real fruity the Ember Inns division, Friday 5th, Saturday 6th & hit that’s perfect for this time of year. the big food houses. Sunday 7th 11am - 12pm Maxim director Mark Anderson says: “And, Kay Masson at the Supporting Local Micro Brewers “Our in-house bar and visitor centre are Job Bulman in Gosforth Pie & peas + sandwiches available coming along well and should be ready has been developing a beer FREE ENTRY by the end of summer. We’ll be looking at with us for Wetherspoons’ DARLINGTON brewery tours for the likes of publicans, with beer festival at the end Snooker Club pie and pea evenings, that sort of thing. of October – it’ll be a “We’ve started to do a few things with Scotch-type ale. 1 Corporation Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6AE TEL: 01325 241388 the local council, such as a Sunderland Festival “We’re fortunate here that we have a beer – it’s good for them to support us and very flexible brewery and can do anything we can promote the area at the same time. from 40 barrels to 2,000 barrels.” 4 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say US chart topper in hat-trick Zymurgy, the journal of the American Homebrewers Association, has announced the results of its annual reader survey of the “Best Beers in America”. The 2011 winner for the Best Commercial Beer in America – for the third year running – is Pliny the Elder, a double-IPA brewed by Russian River Brewing Co in Santa Rosa, California. Finishing second for the second straight year was Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, an IPA brewed in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dogfish A lorry beer: Hawkshead Brewery’s Head 90-Minute IPA (Milton, Delaware) organic stout sets off for America tied for third with Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (Grand Rapids, Michigan.). Reflecting recent trends, seven of the top ten vote-getters in the And the lights all went competition were IPAs, proving that hoppy beers are still king despite an on in Massachusetts ever-expanding availability of styles.. Cumbria-based Hawkshead Brewery has “It has been a long and difficult job getting all launched its organic stout in the US after two the organic grain and hops NOP certified, but EEH! NUMBERS years in the planning. It is thought to the first Roman Dombrowski of St Killian threw down The year the Royal British organic stout to be sold in America. the challenge and we picked it up. We tend to do Navy’s rum ration The brewery and its bottle supplier, that at Hawkshead – punch above our weight. 1970 was abolished by Hambleton Ales, have had to meet a series “This all began at the Las Vegas beer First Sea Lord Admiral “Ginger” Le Fanu of stringent criteria, including organic trade fair in 2009. We weren’t even showing (who was thereafter referred to as Dry certification from the UK Soil Association the organic stout, because of the problems Ginger). “Splice the mainbrace” was the and had to meet guidelines set out by the getting US accreditation, but I took a couple order to issue an extra tot of rum which United States Department of Agriculture’s of bottles in my luggage anyway – and that’s took sailors’ minds off the hazardous National Organic Program (NOP). the one that got Roman interested.” job of repairing a ship’s rigging. Hawkshead has now despatched The brewery received business support from its first shipment of 4,500 bottles to government body UK Trade and Investment A bottle of Quinto Do Novel 1970 Vintage Massachusetts-based distributor St Killian. (UKTI), which works with businesses to Port Nacional costs £665. I does, however, HawksheadCheers NE Lagersales Advertmanager 85x190_Layout Anne Jones says:1 30/06/2011 ensure 12:08 success Page in international1 markets. have a best-before date of 2026.

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Stock Specialist World Lagers Offer: New customers will recieve a free case of Beerlao with their first order Please contact Kat Crammon for details. Tel: 0191 385 1603 email: [email protected]

july/august 2011 cheers 5 Under New News Management have Hello, good evening your sa y Log on to and welcome cheersnortheast.co.uk The Burnside, the only pub in OPEN DAILY FROM 12 NOON Longhoughton, near Alnwick, has Real Ales | New menu from August been taken over by Pippa Frost Quiz & Entertainment Nights – formerly of the historic Low The Burnside Inn Lights Tavern in North Shields. Longhoughton, Alnwick NE663JQ She has pledged to develop the Telephone 01665 577303 freehouse as a proper community local providing a much-needed service for villagers and also to attract visitors. Pippa, who worked at the pub several Cask & Craft Ale Bar years ago, says: “We’re giving our customers a real pub that offers a warm Summer Cider and and friendly atmosphere and an alternative Beer Festival to having to travel further afield. ✔ 40 Ciders “We have a great range of draught and bottled beers and we’re hoping to put on ✔ 20 Cask ales a locally-brewed cask-conditioned beer.” n The Railway Hotel, Haydon Bridge, ✔ Draught Bar Northumberland, has reopened its new arrival: Pippa Frost has taken over The doors with Paul Marshall in charge. Burnside at Longhoughton,Northumberland ✔ Music & Food Paul also runs the 18th - 23rd August Rising Sun and The the real ales recently installed are Fox and Hounds, both working well for the pub. It’s a bit of St Lawrence Rd, Byker in Crawcrook. Black a Cheers hobby-horse – well-kept Sheep and Deuchars ales are a great reason for people IPA are on offer to come back to the pub, so we’re as well as Sunday pleased to hear the theory stands up. lunches, soup and n Lola Allan, daughter of Dave Traditional Pub set roast from £6.95. and Joanne has started off her in the heart of Rothbury Paul said the pub has young life in style, if this photo a lot to offer and is is anything to go by. Bohemia is Wide variety of Beers, Ales, Lagers and Wine. optimistic about the actually Dave’s favourite beer and Cask Marque Awarded in 2011. future. Telephone: he couldn’t resist including it when Food served every day 12pm till 9pm using fresh local ingredients. 01434 684254 telling the world about his beautiful n The Sportsmans new daughter. Amongst other We cater for vegetarian and new arrival2: Baby Lola glutten free diets. Arms, Belmont, Allan with Dad’s favourite beer things, Dave often helps out behind Sunday Carvery: Durham, reports that the bar at The Tyne, Ouseburn. selection of 5 meats and all the trimmings - booking essential. Thursday: Tapas selection of Spanish dishes to choose from. On yer bike Accommodation: dogs welcome in 2 of our 9 rooms One of Cheers’s beer tasters has set off on the morning to take in the Cumberland a gruelling charity cycle ride to Edinburgh Arms or Hugo’s in Tynemouth, but we’ll fuelled mainly by ale and North East pies. be calling in at the Olde Ship Inn in Whats on this Summer Publisher Gary Ramsay, accompanied by Seahouses then The Barrels in Berwick.” July: 16th & 17th Rothbury Traditional Music Fetival a team of nine hardy cyclists, left Tynemouth n You are invited to sponsor Gary 30th Barts disco in the bar starts 9pm heading for Edinburgh three days later. The Ramsay and team at https://mydonate. August: 1st All you can eat buffet 6 - 8.30pm plus Quiz team was cycling in aid of the Newcastle- bt.com/fundraisers/nostringscandc starts 8.30pm, 6th live local band ‘Before the Mast’ - 9pm, based international aid organisation No 10th Any instrument session with Gary Forest - 8pm, 14th Strings, which works with puppets made by Accordian Club any instrument night - 7.30pm, 28th live the Muppets team to educate youngsters band ‘Bowfain’ - 9pm all over the developing world about man- made and natural threats to life. Newcastle House Hotel “We’ve been building ourselves up on ROTHBURY pie and chips for weeks now,” said Gary. Telephone: 01669 620334 “Joking apart, we are taking a good supply Open Everyday 10am - 11pm, www.rothburynewcastlehouse.co.uk of Dicksons’ corned beef pie to fuel us on the way. We’re heading off too early in 6 cheers july/august 2011 Sold but still crowing Luka who’s turned up Sean and Alison Franklin have standards for which Roosters A student from Slovenia journey really quite hard but it exchanged contracts for the beers are highly renowned.” has demonstrated – as if we was worth it. There is something sale of Roosters Brewery in Sean Franklin says: “I’ve known needed to be reminded – that special here. It is the culture – Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, Ian for 30-plus years and I’m beer lovers will go to great and the beer has got soul.” which they founded in 1994. confident that the brewery will be lengths for a good pint. Brewery founder Paul The purchaser is Ian in good hands. I’m looking forward Luka Mustafa hitch-hiked for Theakston joined Mustafa in a Fozard, managing director of to introducing Oliver and Tom to the four days to Knaresborough- dark arts of Rooster’s reach the based Market Town brewing process. Black Sheep Taverns. His sons, Then I’m going Brewery in Oliver and Tom fishing – for a while.” Masham, Fozard, have also Sean and Alison’s North joined Roosters. son Tom – who Yorkshire, Oliver Fozard has worked in the family travelling been a brewer business – emigrated from his for almost 11 to Canada in wine- years, firstly with December last year producing Daleside Brewery, and was working at homeland Harrogate, and Rooster dooster: Tom, left, Dead Frog Brewery in search of footsore: Luka Mustafa earned his pint of for the last and Sean Franklin before taking a the perfect Riggwelter with Paul Theakston, right six-and-a-half month off to take beer. While years with Copper Dragon care of their new in London he came across a celebratory pint Brewery in Skipton. Tom Fozard baby – Jack Thomas Franklin. bottle of Black Sheep Riggwelter He said: “We have visitors from has related retail experience with “Tom is really loving Canada,” Ale and was so impressed all over the world but I’m not sure the Beer Ritz off-licence chain. says Sean, “but he’ll probably he took to the road using a if we’ve ever had anybody who Ian Fozard says: “We’re end up having a couple of jobs to sign that read: “Ripon. Thank has been quite so devoted in his determined to maintain the satisfy his need to fish. Fishing and you. Have a nice day.” duty as this man. Beer seems innovation and high quality brewing – what could be better?” Luka said: “I found the to inspire people to do things.”

Hadrian Border Brewery are proud to introduce our newest team member... Available in 500ml and 330ml, Hadrian Border premium lager 5.0

Still available in 500ml bottles all your old favourites Farne Island 4.0 Tyneside Blonde 3.9 Tyneside Brown 4.7 Ouseburn Porter 5.2 And Centurion 4.5 Cask ale deliveries weekly to Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Carlilse, County Durham and North Yorkshire as well as daily to Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

If you require any information phone us any time on 0191 264 9000 Fax 0191 340 7430 e-mail [email protected] or visit us online at www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk Unit 5, The Preserving Works, Newburn Industrial Estate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 9RT

july/august 2011 cheers 7 News Home and away Lagers and light ales come into their own at this time of year – and what could be better than al fresco drinking and dining with a few tunes playing in the background? We take a look at a couple of fine lagers – one from the style’s Czech homeland and a good old (actually young) Geordie one

n Hadrian Border Premium Lager (5.0% abv) Flavour-wise this is very much in touch with its barley and wheat origins and is a seriously good beer. An initial sweetness on the tongue briefly develops a slight metallic nature before a mid-palate blast of malty biscuit brings a rush of lager satisfaction. Hadrian Border owner Andy Burrows reports that the new brewplant at Newburn, Newcastle, has settled down well, despite a few hiccups. Producing a lager seemed a natural progression and the thought behind it was that many city-centre bars tend to attract the custom that only wants to drink lager. “It’s the only part of the market we didn’t cater for,” says Andy. “So we thought ‘maybe that’s what we should be giving them. We’re putting it in 330ml bottles which appeal to younger drinkers as well as 500ml bottles. That side of the business is increasing.” “It been lagered (stored) for several weeks at Cumbrian bottlers but we’ve just invested in some new cellar tanks so we could be using them here for that. We’ve also just bought 100 new casks. “We were at a nice level of production before we left the Byker plant and if our June output is the benchmark for the summer, the place will look after itself.”

n 1795 budejovicke Pivo (4.7% abv) This is a genuine Czech pilsner from the city of Ceske Budejovice (Budweis in German). Local burghers were granted the right to brew in 1265 and Bürgerbräu Brewery’s formation in 1795 (hence the name) predates its legendary neighbour Budweiser Budvar and the American Budweiser by almost a century. 1795 Budejovice Pivo is made from water drawn from the brewery’s own artesian wells, plus Moravian barley malt, Saas (Zatec) hops and a unique strain of yeast. It has a vanilla and herbal hop aroma with a malt-veiled mouthfeel, finishing peppery and dry. 1795 Budejovicke Pivo is distributed in the UK by Brand Distribution & Development (www.bdd.net)

8 cheers july/august 2011 Something for the weekend A Belgian commentator once and festivals of all kinds organised put the social role of beer into a regularly from jazz to beer. nutshell. “A wine lover talks to his But we’re particularly interested glass,” he said. “A beer drinker in the Brussels Beer Festival talks to his drinking companion.” where DFDS Seaways is offering Belgium is the country where a four-night break leaving from beer is worshipped – 450-plus types North Shields via Amsterdam in one small country is worth a on Thursday September 1 bend of the knee – where chocolate (return Monday September 5). is adored, and where chips (frites) n Visit www.dfdsseaways. are held in such high esteem that co.uk/hotel-breaks-and- they’re often served as the main holidays/brussels dish with a side order of meatballs, The Brussels Beer Festival beef stew, or wonderful mussels. is a fantastic opportunity to The jokes about there being sample Belgian classics such as no famous Belgians has worn gueuze (rhyme it with “cursor”), very thin, and though Brussels kriek – cherry beer – and lambic, ain’t Paris, the jibes about it a distinctive beer produced by being the most dreary capital spontaneous fermentation. strange name: Rather eerily, Brussels pub city in Europe turn out to be Kwak isn’t one to duck, either. Mort Subite tranlates as Sudden Death completely unfair as well. Covering the city’s 14th Brussels is fast getting rid century Grand’ Place will be To wine and dine in Brussels: But save yourself for a real of its dull and grey temporary bars offering Go traditional at formal Aux pub experience. A la Mort Subite image and gaining champagne beer, Armes de Bruxelles (13 Rue (Sudden Death), at 7 rue des itself a reputation “Brussells is fast amber, blonde, saison, des Bouchers), or relax at Montagnes aux Herbes Potagères, as one of Europe’s getting rid of its dull dubbel, tripel and oud Chez Vincent brasserie (8-10 an Art Nouveau interior is the must-do, cool, short- and grey image and bruin. Must-tries are rue des Dominicains). setting for more nostalgia and the break destinations, gaining a reputation Trappist beers – brewed Brussels’ winding little streets best of Belgian gueuze to sample with its “human” as one of Europe’s by monks – and Abbey scatter the Grand’ Place tourists. along with garlicky saucisson. size, stylish bars and cool destinations.” beers, though now Goupil le Fol (22 rue de la Violette) Everyone comes back from restaurants, fabulous virtually all produced in is a haven of French nostalgia, Brussles with a souvenir of the food, great nightlife, fantastic commercial premises, they retain cluttered with old records, fading Mannekin Pis, the little peeing shopping, countless museums their religious connotations. prints and paraphernalia. boy statue. Don’t forget yours.

Traditional Old Coaching House Set in the midst of Hadrian’s Wall country Beach Party 29th August Bank Holiday Monday

A warm and friendly 2 dine for £7.95 - Mon-Sat, 12 til 6pm welcome guaranteed (Chefs specials only) Lounge, Bar, Games Room and Restaurant Traditional Sunday Lunch 12- 6pm Steak Night Tue & Wed - 2 soup sirloin £19.95 couple 3 Real Ales Tuesday - Traditional Beer Garden • Families Welcome • Ample Parking Steak Night Home-Cooked Wii Night - Wednesdays regularly Beat the Clock Food Quiz Night - Thursdays cash prizes + pint jackpot changing New A La Carte Menu 7pm = £7 8pm = £8 etc now available question £1 pp inc free meal Sky TV Games Room Excellent en-suite accommodation B&B from £30.00 Sun Street, Sunniside, Tyne & Wear, NE16 5EE The Manor House Inn, Guest House and Restaurant email: [email protected] Main Street, Haltwhistle, NE49 0BS T: 01434 322588 tel: 0191 4888 068 e: [email protected] www.themanorhousehaltwhistle.co.uk www.PottersWheelPub.com july/august 2011 cheers 9 Feature Paul Hutchinson - caricaturist

facebook: Artist Paul Hutchinson with some of his work at the Corner House, Newcastle Character forming Artworks on pub walls are a frequent talking point, but none more than the work of one North East artist, as Alastair Gilmour finds out

There’s an old Army saying along and Jimmy Nail have all felt the wear any clothes,” the lines of: “If it moves, salute weight of his artistic technique. says Paul, “but if it; if it doesn’t move, paint it”. As He was even responsible at one you had to draw him far as we know, illustrator Paul time for drawing Paddington Bear, with a raincoat on, Hutchinson has never been in the although a thick manual of rules for instance, you forces, but if somebody sits still on how he was to be portrayed couldn’t have him long enough he’ll get a likeness rather restricted his creativity. bending down and down on paper – then put it on “Paddington normally doesn’t showing anything. It a pub wall. was really strange. Paul, from “I got into doing Whickham in caricatures as a Gateshead, has job by accident, been drawing although I’ve always characters since been doing them he was a schoolboy just for fun – leaving poking fun at cards for work Robert DeNiro teachers – and colleagues and has made a friends’ birthdays, that sort “I didn’t want to move, successful career of thing. I met a guy at a party who then they said, ‘you can work from out of his talent had a company in Bath – Sherston home’, so I spent nine years with for exaggerating Software – producing educational them. They couldn’t get enough and features. Robert software and when I showed I ended up working for them during De Niro, Rowan him some of the stuff I’d done the day and freelancing for them Atkinson, Sir he kept on asking me to come at night. I still get royalties years Bobby Robson Peter O’Toole and work for him down there. later for characters I’ve created.

10 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say A Warm Welcome Awaits “I then got involved not only in Real Ales - Black Sheep always available the caricatures for Home cooked food - Mon to Fri 5- 9pm, Sat 12- 5pm & Sun 12 - 3pm the software but in Mondays - Curry Night £5.95 | Tuesday & Sundays - Quiz the animation, the Thursdays - Pizza Night | Fridays - Steak Night - 2 x 8oz sirloin £8.00 Sundays - Traditional Sunday Lunch | Beer garden - ample car parking sound effects and the music. I used The Sportsmans Arms to do so much on Moor End Terrace, Belmont, Durham, DH1 1BJ T: 0191 3842667 each production I’d sometimes change my name on the credits because it FOOD AVAILABLE NOW was getting a bit embarrassing. WE ARE PROUD TO “At its peak, ANNOUNCE THAT THE Sherstons had Ronnie Corbett KITCHEN IS OPEN! 200 staff in India Bar meals available daily producing the finishing Traditional Sunday roasts served from 12pm software. They even sent me there at 5am – it’s all upside down. ursday night is quiz night! to let them see how I worked But invariably someone sees Great food & drink prizes up for grabs! and I used to meet them when what I’ve done and asks me they sent teams over here.” to do something for them. Paul’s brother Mark runs a “I work mostly in a computer company based in North Yorkshire program called Vector which lets called Four Walls which is you convert your drawings into involved in pub and restaurant something that looks like it’s been refurbishment, so he is often painted. Then you can scale it up to wheeled in on special commissions, any size and print it on any material, 204-206 High Street, Gosforth such as framed for instance for banners. tel: 0191 2858060 illustrations and murals. “Working digitally Paul says: “Mark means you can easily would arrange it for me to “I got into doing correct mistakes, work from photographs caricatures as a job but when I started of the pub regulars, say by accident, although off I was working in The Head Of Steam Durham’s in the bar while it was I’ve always been felt-tipped pen, so if doing them for fun.” closed for refurbishment, you made a cock-up, so when it opened again, that was it ruined.” there they all were in caricature Paul’s work has gathered Belgian Beer on the wall. We did loads like that several industry awards, the latest all over the country – Glasgow, being a Wittygraphy gold medal Edinburgh, Leeds and London. for a caricature of Laurel and “In the Corner House in Hardy. The competition attracts Festival Heaton in Newcastle I did all local entries from all over the world. Throughout August we’ll have up celebrities like Jimmy Nail, Tim Those idle moments at school Healy, Mike Neville, Ant and Dec certainly weren’t wasted. to 100 rare Belgian and and Bobby Thompson – they’re all n Paul is keen to tackle Trappist bottled and draught beers on the wall. It’s really good fun, but even more caricature you have to be prepared to work all work – for details, visit hours. It’s not unusual for me to be www.hutchfaces.co.uk Beers available include: Houblon Chouffe, Blanche Des Honnelles, Gouden Carolus, St-Feuillien, Rodenbach, St. Bernardus, Two dozen sheets to the wind Saison, & De Dolle Brouwers Golf star Darren Clarke has admitted he Trappist beers include: Achel, Westmalle, drank “at least 24 pints of Guinness” on the Sunday night that Europe won the Ryder Orval, Rochefort, Chimay & La Trappe Cup in 2006. Presumably even that figure Draught beers: will be eclipsed if he does particularly well at this month’s British Open and he Maredsous, De Koninck, Duvel, Vedett, decides to celebrate again – Guinness Chimay, La Chouffe, Kwak & Karmeliet owner Diageo is “in discussions” to launch a 2.8% abv Guinness in the UK. 0191 383 2173

The Head Of Steam, 3 Reform Place, North Road, Durham, DH1 4RZ

july/august 2011 cheers 11 Feature Micro-breweries Pint sized and potent The North East micro-brewing business is booming. Alastair Gilmour looks at two of the newest start-ups and Peter Bedingfield visits an established one

n Ouseburn Valley Brewery: The Brandling Villa, South Gosforth

Progress is generally accepted and toured local micro-breweries produce – as did the likes of cask area and extra cold room as a movement towards a place Big Lamp, Wylam and Allendale the Free Trade Inn – to such a out of part of the cellar. or objective. Progress in brewing to get the gist (or grist) of it. degree that Nigel and Dave Carr “The Brandling Villa has is a movement that can shift He also spent a day at High at the Branding Arms came to an been taking a fair bit obviously, from the kitchen to the arrangement about the but so have the Free Trade, the shed to the garage, then future home of Cumberland Arms and The Tyne finally to a specially- the ready-to- Bar and I’m now supplying The constructed area in expand brewery Bodega, Twin Farms and New the cellar of a pub. – the pub cellar. Bridge. We’re supplying seven Ouseburn Valley Ouseburn beers for the Free Trade at the Brewery is making Valley is Ouseburn Festival at the end of July. progress – kitchen, now fully “We’ve got a proper production shed, garage, cellar is operational, plan under way but there’s only so the way its owner Nigel very tidy, and much one person can do. I get help Mothersole did it, anyway. looks mightily from a guy called Derek who only Home-brewing had been efficient. lives up the road, so that’s handy a Mothersole passion “It’s a very – and he loves it. But brewing on and he developed the simple in-line your own can be quite hard work.” hobby to a high standard process,” says Nigel’s garage at home is still while living and working Nigel. “Hot licensed as a brewery so he’s in London – kitchen to liquor tank, doing any experimental work shed. After relocating pumps, mash there, such as a gluten-free ale his family to the North tun, boiler, heat and a milk stout (beloved of Ena East, he continued where exchanger, Sharples). The aroma from the he left off – garage. fermentation cellar brewery is expected to be cellar: Nigel Mothersole at Ouseburn Valley “My wife kept going Brewery, based under the Brandling Villa pub vessel with an extra Brandling Villa attraction, mental with all the coiled cooling. with brewery tours planned linked boiling water and steam It’s about as to food and drink promotions. in the kitchen,” says Nigel, “so I House Farm Brewery near simple an operation as you can get. Nigel says: “You’ve got to keep don’t think taking over the garage Matfen in Northumberland “I’m getting another learning, keep experimenting. with my own brewery in South – “very, very hands-on”. fermentation vessel, because I When you learn you get better and Gosforth was top of her agenda.” The Brandling Arms in South can sell all I make at the moment. get more efficient at what you do.” Nigel took a week’s brewing Gosforth, Newcastle, absorbed We put up stud walls and made It’s probably a case of course at Brewlab in Sunderland almost as much as he could the brewhouse, storage room, following your nose.

n Tyne Bank Brewery: Byker, Newcastle

This is what we want to see in in April. Now the premises and plant 20 barrels,” says Julia. “Our first door’, so that’s encouraging. the North East – a female in a vacated by Hadrian Border Brewery two brews were Castle Gold and “Andy Burrows and Martin traditionally male-dominated bubbles and squeaks Monument Bitter Hammill at Hadrian Border industry like brewing. Julia Austin and steams to the sound – there’s a bit of a have been fantastic. You could has been producing beer on a fairly of Castle Gold and thought process there say we’re now rivals in the small scale using the Brewlab plant Silver Dollar IPA – beers in that most places industry, but they couldn’t have at Sunderland University where developed and improved have a castle – and been any more helpful.” “Essentially, we have she learnt the basics, progressing upon by former Mordue certainly monuments Previously, Julia worked at two customers – the enough to win four awards at the Brewery brewer Mark pub and the drinkers – so it can be seen as a Arizona Chemicals, covering the National Craft Brewing Awards. McGarry. And they are and we’re confident local angle anywhere. company’s plants at Bedlington She then supplied the Museum quite something, too. in the marketplace.” “Word has come and Chester-le-Street. Eventually, Vaults in Sunderland and Byker’s “We’re doing ten- back from The after two stints of maternity Cumberland Arms before making barrel brews on the Bridge in Newcastle leave – when she perfected the her beer festival debut at Newcastle kit although it’s big enough for that Castle Gold ‘flew out the art of full-mash home-brewing

12 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say

techniques such on holiday in Canada; the whole as kaizen – the experience got to her and she knew Japanese philosophy there was an alternative to the of continual corporate culture she was working improvement in. She had a longing to create. – inside out. “In Canada I just fell in love “Things like that with the Granville Island Brewing are now second Company,” she says. “It’s such nature,” she says. a lovely atmosphere over there; “I call it common they have such characterful beers sense, but if you and little friendly micros. When need a switch here we came back I started buying and not over there all the books on brewing.” you move it. It’s Two children later plus a lot change to improve. of thinking and now Tyne Bank “Essentially, is up and running with 400 new cask aid: Mark McGarry and Julia Austin at we have two plastic casks delivered recently Tyne Bank Brewery, one of the new micros customers, the pub and plans in place for a brewery and the drinker. shop selling bottles and branded We’re confident goods. There’s no doubting the – she took a redundancy cheque needs – and for efficiency,” she in the marketplace, we’ve got confidence and if the Castle round to Hadrian Border who says. “We have to squeeze between some brewing experience, we’ve Gold experience and kaizen are were moving across to the brewing vessels at the moment.” got the networks, and we’ve got anything to go by, there’s continual other side of Newcastle. But having also spent several the passion of 18-year-olds.” improvement at Tyne Bank. “We’ve been reorganising the years at Nissan, she knows Julia’s enthusiasm layout of the brewery to suit our management and production for brewing was kindled

n Bull Lane Brewery, Sunderland

Raggy Lads is the latest offering tribute to Sunderland FC chairman travelling the world as from Sunderland-based micro Niall Quinn, who has been known a merchant seaman. outfit Bull Lane Brewery. And by all to enjoy a pint of the black stuff. Back on Wearside and accounts, it’s going down a storm Also on offer is White Bull, looking for opportunities, with ale drinkers across Wearside Terry’s All Gold and Jack’s Flag, he took his interest in – even to the extent that real ale a stage punters are making off further by visiting with the pump clip that micro-breweries shows a group of likely and soaking up as lads in traditional flat caps, much production one of whom is a relative knowledge as of brewer Steve Potts. he could. But “I came across the old the real learning photograph and thought it process began would go great with a beer when he was taken called Raggy Lads,” says under the wing of Steve. “They look like a real John Taylor, who bunch of street urchins. established Bull It’s not just me who likes Lane Brewery in the picture, people have 2005 (John has now moved ride. There’s a simple philosophy bullish: Steve Potts working day doesn’t been taking the clips off stop at brewing, he delivers and taste-tests, too to The Stables at Beamish when it comes to gauging the and pocketing them.” Hall Hotel, County Durham). success of any particular brew. It’s not a problem Steve has now taken on “What I aim for is eight out of Steve has previously encountered named after Jack Crawford, the the role of teacher, passing on ten people who try a pint to go during his four years of running Sunderland-born hero of the Battle valuable tips to visiting Brewlab back for another one,” he says. Bull Lane from premises of Camperdown who students from Sunderland And another, we suppose. in Hendon. During that nailed the Union University. He is currently working (Peter Bedingfield) time he has served up Jack back to the top on a new ale to be called Absolute n Immortality beckons. The popular light brews such mast after it was shot Belta, plus Auld Pals, a 5.0% abv Raggy Lads pump clip picture as Ryhope Tug, Nowts A “I came across the down by cannon fire ginger beer made from fresh changes with each new batch, Matta, SoL (Stadium of old photograph and from Dutch ships. root ginger, lemon and lime. so Steve is appealing for local Light) and the cleverly- thought it would go No stranger to the He produces 1,440 pints a week images – plus names, dates and a named stout Sauce of great with a beer ocean himself, Steve and delivers them himself to around little bit of a story if there is one. the Niall, an award- called Raggy Lads.” got into the brewing 14 outlets across Wearside – with Send your suggestions to winning, full-bodied game after 22 years his terrier Alfred going along for the [email protected]

july/august 2011 cheers 13 Feature lords of the ring

founders: John Wraith, left, and Jim White pictured at The Wheatsheaf, Felling, Gateshead

have your sa Lords of The Ring y Log on to Call them eccentrics or call them enthusiasts, their hearts are in cheersnortheast.co.uk the right place. Alastair Gilmour discovers a real ale collective

Some people go on pub crawls, disturbance or agro to others”. deciding in 1986 to set up a North while pubs originally considered others plan ale trails and The groups, numbering East version. Winding forward, but omitted on the night are some swear by “circuits”. anywhere between five and 30, and the North East Ring clocks up “ignoros”. Fortunately, there’s no Then there’s The Ring. visit up to a dozen pubs, drinking its 300th meeting on September sign of a rolled-up trouser leg. It sounds rather like a cult or at least a half-pint in each. 10 with its 25th anniversary The North East Ring alternates secret society, but The Ring doesn’t There are two Rings in falling on October 1. meetings – north of the Tyne have its own handshake and the country – London and “We want people to one month and south of the river peculiar language; it’s an open and the North East – and the drink real ale and to enjoy the next, following the London friendly collection of individuals who idea can be traced back themselves,” says Jim model of north and south of the simply enjoy real ale. It does have to Monday September White, a retired professor Thames. It’s always a Saturday rules and a code of conduct though, 12 1960 to the public “The number of real (in polymer science) at night but obviously exceptions are even down to the songs the group bar of the Six Bells in ale places has grown Newcastle University. made for far-flung Rings which sings on the last Metro home (Your Chelsea where a monthly significantly since “And, of course, we want can range from Gateshead or Cheatin’ Heart being a favourite). meeting was suggested we’ve been going.” to support the pubs that York in a southerly direction, and The Ring’s objective is “to visit in by six earnest young keep real ale. However, Gosforth or Edinburgh in the other. as enjoyable and sociable manner men. It’s still going and celebrated on the odd occasion we get a duff All trips are by public transport as possible, the houses listed on its 50th anniversary last year. beer, there’s a cry of ‘intro outro’ and at least one member has the Ring sheet. It is utterly basic to A sometime London Ring and 20 people walk out rapidly.” done a reconnaissance visit – “a The Ring that members enter the member was Jim White, who was What was that about peculiar Preliminary” – checking out pubs, atmosphere of the house visited eventually introduced to Gateshead- language? When it’s time to beer, walking distances, eateries and do not cause annoyance, based John Wraith, the pair leave a pub, the call is “Ring out” and transport times. It could be

14 cheers july/august 2011 regarded as a military exercise pubs) and members are circulated WINTER and in many ways the logistics beforehand so they know where the BREAKS pan out to be exactly that. group will be at any given time. Two Course Dinner, Bed & Breakfast “We never know how many A friend of John Wraith’s – a From people will be turning out,” says one-time Ring regular – is coming £40 pppn John Wraith, also lecturer but back from Brazil especially for in computing at Sunderland the October anniversary. University. “That’s the beauty of it. “Again, that’s part of the beauty,” “Although there can be 20- says Jim. “People can drop in and SEAHOUSES odd of us, we usually drink in out and some of them can’t make Ideally situated to explore the wonderful Northumberland’s coastline companies of three or four and the start of the evening but catch and surrounding areas. chat as we walk from pub to pub. up later. It’s not compulsory.” The main Saloon bar has tremendous character, the wooden fl oor made from ships pine It’s not just beer and pubs we Upcoming Rings are: Morpeth decking, lit by stained glass windows and an impressive array of sea faring artefacts. Among the memorabilia is the name plate from the Forfarshire of Grace Darling fame. talk about, it could be anything. and Warkworth, July 16, and Excellent homecooked food served using local produce complemented “One of the good things about it “Ann’s Western Jaunt” on August with a variety of real ales. is we can go to pubs and areas that 6, with the 25th anniversary We have 18 comfortable en-suite rooms and a beer garden with unrivalled views of the some people might never normally one heading for Darlington. fi shing boats and the Farne Islands. have gone, for example there “The number of real ale were three pubs in Seaburn that places has grown significantly For further information telephone 01665 720200 email: [email protected] | www.seahouses.co.uk people had never been to before. over the time we’ve been going,” “We can get three or four says Jim, rightly proud of The women along and there’s Ring’s cameo role in cask certainly always one.” beer’s regional success story. A record is kept of every Ring (for Hopefully, “intro-outro” isn’t Summer Beer Festival example, Ring NE58 was an all-day part of the script – let’s hear Thursday 4th - Monday 7th August affair bussing around all 18 of the instead a resounding version 18 Real Ales - Blondes & Golds plus ciders & Perrys then Legendary Yorkshire Heroes of Your Cheatin’ Heart. Homecooked meals served every day from 11am (Sundays from 11.30) New Menu - We make our own desserts n Literary hangovers GOOD BEER GUIDE 2011 • 9 REAL ALES ALWAYS AVAILABLE `• SKY SPORTS & ESPN Jeeves Takes Part by PG Wodehouse AUGUST ENTERTAINMENT Jeeves, presenting his master with a magic potion: “It is the Thursdays: 4th Sunset (formerly Brass Alley), 11th American Girl, Worcester sauce that gives it it’s colour. The raw egg makes it 18th Sound of the Sixties, 25th TBC. Saturdays: 6th Dave Kelly, nutritious. The red pepper gives it it’s bite. Gentlemen have told me 13th Freddy Purvis, 20th Girl singer called Ruth, 27th they have found it extremely invigorating after a late evening.” Bertie Wooster: “For a moment I felt as if somebody had touched off a bomb inside the old bean and was strolling down Barley my throat with a lighted torch, and then everything seemed suddenly to get all right… hope dawned once more.” Mow Inn Durham Road, Birtley, Tyne & Wear DH3 2AH Pleased to meat you tel: 0191 4104504 A butcher and a brewer from the North-East have put their heads together to create a unique Traditional pub set in delicacy. George Payne Butchers of Brunton Park, Gosforth, is the tranquil village of Esh making a special black ham with Under the New Managment of Trevor & Gwen Tar Bar’l Stout from Allendale (of the Barley Mow Birtley) Brewery, Northumberland, as an integral part of the cure. Excellent selection of Real Ales • Great New Menu Food served Tue to Sat 4 - 8.30pm - Sunday 12- 3.30pm George Payne says: “The ham Tea time Specials available 4 - 6pm • 2 meals for £8.50 is based on a recipe perfected Sunday Lunches from £5.95 by English monks in the 12th Private functions catered for ie Christenings, Birthdays, Funerlas etc century and is cured in molasses Come on in and see the changes - A warm welcome awaits and Allendale’s Tar Bar’l Stout to produce a distinctive dark-fleshed Open Mon - Sat from 4pm Sundays from 11am colour and malty core. It’s a real time behind the bar of the Queen old-fashioned traditional mild ham, Victoria in Gosforth where the with a slightly sweet flavour.” firm’s meat is on the menu. The Cross Keys To complete the beery picture, n Follow Charlotte on Twitter Front Street, Esh, one of George Payne’s butchers, @girlbutcher and her blog County Durham, DH7 9QR Charlotte Harbottle, works part- at www.girlbutcher.co.uk Telephone 0191 3731279 july/august 2011 cheers 15 Happy Birthday A year of Cheers Cheers is a year old this month. Wallowing in self-indulgence, we take a look at where we’ve been and where we’re going

Ideas are easy. It’s the journey around the North East of England. been overwhelming – “Wowee, it’s to stark-naked reality that’s It’s raison d’être is to remind awesome” being just one comment. the difficult bit.A nd, when an people what a valuable resource It makes that little idea well worth idea becomes an obsession we have in The Great British Pub. all the hard work and worry. there’s no other way but to do We love pubs, we adore their Thanks to everyone – something about it. position in society, here’s to another year. That’s the story and we care for who of Cheers – an idea and what is inside n Have a look hatched by North East them (our monthly journalist Alastair “We love pubs, we editorial and sales The General Havelock, Haydon Gilmour and nurtured adore their position meeting are even held Bridge, Northumberland, is by Newcastle-based in society and we in the pub, because offering some great evening Offstone Publishing, care for who and it’s what we do). events this summer, so it’s all of whom had taken what is inside them.” On the opposite well worth having a look. up freelance careers. page you can see The pub hosts a Bollywood Cheers is a free, ten-times-a-year what we’ve been doing since Night – movie and Indian meal publication distributed to 200 top July 2010 – and who we’ve been (£8) – on Friday July 29. pubs, several micro-breweries, doing it with. In that time, Cheers On Tuesday August 9, the numerous tourist information has been given a fantastic level feature event is a charity quiz centres, selected specialist shops, of support by businesses in the night, starting from 8.45pm. and a smattering of golf clubs region while public reaction has n Details: 01434 684376 maxim brewery

Great beer Great brands

1 Gadwall Road Houghton le Spring DH4 5NL Telephone: (0191) 584 8844 Email: [email protected]

16 cheers july/august 2011 n 12 months of beer, breweries, pubs and people

N O R T H E A S T n o r t h e a s t n o r t h e a s t n o r t h e a s t N O R T H E A S T raise a glass to pubs, raise a glass to pubs, raise a glass to pubs, N O R T H E A S T Raise a glass to pubs, Raise a glass to pubs, people and news from people and news from people and news from Raise a glass to pubs, people and news from people and news from y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l people and news from y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l FREE FREE FrEE Free FREE FREE ISSUE 0 1 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / J u ly 2 0 1 0 ISSUE 0 2 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / August 2010 ISSUE 0 3 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / September 2010 ISSUE 0 4 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / October 2010 ISSUE 0 6 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 ISSUE 0 5 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / November 2010

SEASON’S TREATINGS PUB GREATS gREat pubs PUBS AND MUSIC pubs and pints W I N T E R c h e e r s J O O L S cbEs h t o F e e r s c PUBS ANDh MUSic e e r s c h e e r s c h e e r s T H E N O I S Y c h e e r s WARMERS HOLLAND bRi t i s h iDoL F l i p , d i p NEIGHBOURS Nights out in Newcastle Campaigning for our Will decibels force a J e n n i n g s ’ proud pub heritage MoMENTS d r y , s e r v e the view from Bruges change of tune? Green issues MIND BENDERS the magical music tour Lunch with the gREat bEER s pubs and cheese P U B Q U I Z PUBS AND iDEAS MasterChefs Testing teasers to w i z a Rd t h e b i g Central meeting make your brain bleed wE c A N PUBS AND TRAINS bRE w m a t c h Cook ability Mithril’s magical ales Sw i g Beer, whisky, pub PLATFORM with brown ale news and pub people. To g E T hEr g R E at s p i Ri t s SOULS All human - and dog - ray Laidlaw gets creative Food and beer pairing is the new black The ale trail from life is here... Cheers! Newcastle to Hartlepool j a c k ’ s the view from Prague the Good Beer Guide’s t o n i c In praise of pies and pints new faces revealed EXCLUSIVE Jack Cain’s gin - swedish Blonde revealed the battle of Budweiser anything but slow all walking, all talking a feast of festivals PUBS AND MEDICINE F E AT U R E gREat tast Es PUBS AND Po Ur i Ng pubs and tradition • Win a year of beer M U R D E R Durham in the dock • Clubs and real ale G I G G L E • Shop for a drop WALKIES t h E juRy ’ s i n iN ThE Mi x r a p p e r t a p The world’s best barman • Spirits with adventure ‘Walking the dog’ used to mean a trip to the pub. Great beer put to the taste test - so which one will get your vote? add ice, shake hard and strain into a cocktail glass swashbuckling and foot-tapping to a 200-year-old tune The region’s top ale house So where do you stand on pints and pooches now? for a Chicago-influenced, al Capone experience Beer books to pore over THERAPY A P I N T ? I N N - S I D E i n n - s i d E i N N -SiDE i n n - s i d e Serious fun with the Clown Doctors I N N - S I D E Ian Rankin on pubs, pints and plots I N N - S I D E B E E R // W H I S K Y // W I N E / / H O L Y A L E // N E W P U B S // O L D P U B S // BEER FOR LUNCH // BEER FOR TEA // BEER FOR DINNER // P U B S ! b e e r // w h i s k y // w i n e / / g i n // n e w p u b s // o l d p u b s // great pubs / / beer for lunch // beer for tea // beer for dinner // p u b s ! bE E r // w h I S k y // w InE / / CIDE r // n Ew p UbS // o l D p UbS // bEEr for l UnCh // bEEr for t Ea // bEEr for DInn Er // p UbS! bE E r // w h I S k y // w InE / / CIDE r // n Ew p UbS // OlD p UbS // b E E r f Or l UnCh // b E E r f Or t Ea // b E E r f Or D I n n Er // p UbS! B E E R // W H I S K Y // W I N E / / M E A D // N E W P U B S // O L D P U B S // BEER FOR LUNCH // BEER FOR TEA // BEER FOR DINNER // P U B S ! B E E R // W H I S K Y // W I N E / / B O O K S // N E W P U B S // O L D P U B S // BEER FOR LUNCH // BEER FOR TEA // BEER FOR DINNER // P U B S !

n o r t h e a s t N O R T H E A S T raise a glass to pubs, N O R T H E A S T N O R T H E A S T n o r t h e a s t n o r t h e a s t Raise a glass to pubs, people and news from Raise a glass to pubs, Raise a glass to pubs, raise a glass to pubs, raise a glass to pubs, people and news from y o u r lo c a l people and news from people and news from people and news from people and news from y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l y o u r lo c a l FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE ISSUE 0 7 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / February 2011 ISSUE 1 2 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / July/August 2011 ISSUE 0 8 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / March 2011 ISSUE 0 9 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / April 2011 ISSUE 1 0 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / M a y 2 0 1 1 ISSUE 1 1 w w w. cheersnortheast . c o . u k / / J u n e 2 0 1 1

t h e Bo n n y Br e w e r THE LIKELY LADS pub is the hub jARR o w L A s s WHATEVER THE TV TIMES BRIGHT AND SUNNY cIs In h T H E P eI n k e r s L I V E A N D it’s all at cBUMPER h e e r s cHAPPENED... h e e r s c h e e r s c h e e r s c h e e r s KICKING t h E c o - o p camra’s top man SUMMER SPECIAL NEW BREW VIEW s o Ci a l m e d i a o n E s I P w As HB PENCILS IN WINNER DINNERS • Micros: Pint sized and potent ALL IT To o k S T A R T D A T E VILLA 1 g i v E y o u R • Character forming with Hutch SAUSAGE TOO FR iEn d s a t w E E t • 300 up: The Lords of The Ring ready, aim, fire • Czech the view from Zatec • elvis scores on the rebound • It’s time to buy that pub RoistER doistER • Explored: Gas dispense • Elvis lives – or does he? • J u g g l i n g rats and Crowns • the view from on t a r i o Rik is bang on • Embraced: Kings Arms • Coffee break suppers • so m e o n e el s e ’s om e le t t e G I G G L E • Dine on Durham ox G I G G L E • Pubs: The very idea • All sheep shape in Masham • the view from no r w a y • a game of rustic roulette • embrace the Black Bull • Wyoming: Why not? • down town in ne w yo r k THERAPY THERAPY • the president’s £20m pint A PI nT w I T H BEER SHOPS n Ew p u b d El i v E R s . . . L U N C H o n t h EiR b i k Es hIm off S O U P ’ N ’ L O T T A b r o a d e a s y BEER ICE CREAM YOU CAN’T LICK IT t h e v Iz SWEET BOTTLE s m i l e r i d e r s OH YES YOU CAN! In n - s IdE I N N - S I D E I N N - S I D E I N N - S I D E i n n - s i d E i n n - s i d E pUbS // b r EwIn g // w InE / / o p InIo n // n Ew p UbS // o l d p UbS // b E E r Fo r l Un c h // b E E r Fo r t Ea // b E E r Fo r d In n Er // p UbS! P U B S ! // N E W S // I D E A S / / O P I N I O N // N E W P U B S // O L D P U B S // BEER FOR LUNCH // BEER FOR TEA // BEER FOR DINNER // P U B S ! P U B S // B R E W I N G // W I N E / / O P I N I O N // N E W P U B S // O L D P U B S // BEER FOR LUNCH // BEER FOR TEA // BEER FOR DINNER // P U B S ! P U B S // B R E W I N G // Q U I Z / / O P I N I O N // N E W P U B S // O L D P U B S // BEER FOR LUNCH // BEER FOR TEA // BEER FOR DINNER // P U B S ! pUbS ! // n EwS // IdEaS / / o p InIo n // n Ew p UbS // o l d p UbS // bEEr for l Un c h // bEEr for t Ea // bEEr for d In n Er // p UbS! pUbS ! // n EwS // IdEaS / / o p InIo n // n Ew p UbS // o l d p UbS // bEEr for l Un c h // bEEr for t Ea // bEEr for d In n Er // p UbS!

The 8th Annual Cumberland Arms Summer Ale and Cider Festival “The Cumberland’s Tour of Britain” Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July - FREE ENTRY Come with us as we take a trip across the British regions to “THE CUMBERLAND’S SUMMER SUNDAYS” celebrate their individual traditions and fl avours. With over Across four Sundays in July and August, The Cumberland 40 beers and 40 ciders as well as a selection of traditional brings a bunch of bands, DJs, BBQs and general outdoor regional foods, the festival aims to represent each of the 70 shenanigans to the pub’s legendary Beer Terrace... counties of mainland Britain in one delectable form or another. All for free! Sunday 17th July Added to that, live music and DJs across the weekend Summer Festival Closing Party in the Beer Garden The Cumberland Arms and Prancey Dog Presents: promise to make it our biggest and best festival yet! Factory Star, Nick Pride and the Pimptones, Perfect Little Circles, Manalishi, Richard Dawson, Gypsy Dave Smith, The Cornshed Sisters, ReDu DJs + More TBC Sunday 24th July The Cumberland Reel @ The Ouseburn Festival Featuring: The Din + Dogan Mehmet and The Deerhunters + The Band Who Knew Too Much + Peter Tickell + Iceni + More TBC @thecumby /thecumby Sunday 7th August James Place St, Ouseburn, The Tea Pad’s Sunshine Medicine Show - featuring: The Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LD Kentucky Cow Tippers + Alex & The Wander Band + Rob www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra + Room Full Of Mirrors t: 0191 2651725 e: [email protected]

july/august 2011 cheers 17 What’s on Summertime sensations There’s a lot going on in and around our North East pubs, so over the next few pages we present a comprehensive What’s On. Enjoy the fun!

n During July Back in April – at the start reports that the festival Easter weekend to be precise – has already far exceeded The Head of Steam in and in association with Westons all expectations. Newcastle is hosting an Cider, The Cluny in Ouseburn, “They’re going faster ongoing Summer Beer Festival, Newcastle, launched its than we featuring the likes of: 100 Ciders of Summer anticipated,” JW Lees Scorcher, Hambleton Festival. A celebration he says. rapped up: The Cumberland Arms hosts an evening of traditional dance on July 14 Summer Solstice, Glastonbury of the best ciders the “We’ve had Hedge Monkey, Anglo Dutch UK has to offer, it spans some really Midsummer Ale, Hop Back the whole summer, and “We really don’t unusual ones too.” of June. Ciders have come and Taiphoon, Coach House Ostlers promises at least 100 know what to expect, Due to overwhelming gone – Hecks, Broadoak, Mr Summer Pale Ale, Kelham Island unique ciders – from a but we hope a lot of interest and support Whiteheads, Gwynt Y Ddraig and Pale Rider, Big Lamp Sunny wide range of small and people will turn up.” from the cider-loving Westons – but we’re assured Daze, and Phoenix Double Gold. independent makers. public, the pub eased there are plenty more to come. n Details: 0191 230 4236 Julian Ive, The Cluny manager, past its 50th cider in the middle n Details: 0191 230 4474

the TOWN WALL Public House & Eatery ‘all in all it’s just a pub called the wall...’ Find us on Pink Lane, NE1 5HX www.TheTownWall.com @TheTownWallPub

18 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say

n Thursday July 14 To get into the swing of things Ashington Cricket Club’s first- The Tyne Bar for the Cumberland Arms, ever Beer Festival Weekend Byker weekend festival coming will be held in a grand marquee up there’s an evening of Rapper in the club grounds with 30 and Morris dancing on the pub ales on show plus ciders. terrace which will involve many The weekend forms part of a of the traditional dance teams major fundraising effort for in the area, including Hexham much-needed clubhouse and Morris, Hexhamshire Lasses, ground improvement schemes Newcastle Kingsmen, Tyne it is hoped will be undertaken Booze, Blues & Barbeque Bridge Morris and more. within the next 12 months. n Details: 0191 265 1725 n Details: 01670 814081 BBQ 15TH - 17TH JULY n Friday July 15 A showcase of Wylam Brewery. Three Horseshoes, High Horton, Wylam Brewery beers. This Northumberland, Beer Festival includes new releases from the Cask Ales, with 15 to choose from features 30 real ales, 25 ciders Heddon-on-the-Wall outfit’s and 30 bands in a weekend of Yankee Hop Charge range. including exclusive previews of celebration. The 17th century “Yankee Hop Charge is our former coaching inn is just north homage to US hops,” says Wylam their latest American Craft Brew- of Cramlington, off the A189. brewer Ben Wilkinson. “We’re n Details:01670 822410 producing four different beers, ery infl uenced brews, created with one at a time. They’re premium Eat and drink your way round products – each of them is dry- dry hops. Also 10 real ciders! Britain. The Cumberland Arms hopped and will carry the name in Byker, Newcastle celebrates of the main hop, so we’ll be TO ENTERTAIN YOU WHILE summer with as many counties serving up Centennial, Apollo, as possible represented by beer, Chinook and Galena. Four YOU’RE SUPPING... cider or perry, whisky or food in a different images on the pump weekend Summer Ale and Cider clips reflect vintage Americana.” Festival. It runs from 6:30pm on (Dry hopping involves adding - SATURDAY AFTERNOON - Friday July 15 until closing time hops either to the cask or The Hoodoo Generation (4pm ish) on the 17th and there should be conditioning tank, meaning they at least 40 beers and 40 ciders haven’t been boiled and are closer and perries available “in some to the intense raw aroma.) - SUNDAY AFTERNOON - delectable form or another”. Tyne Bar manager Martin Eve No Time For Jive (3pm ish) Camra regional prize-winners will says: “There’s a big interest in be represented among the ales. American-style craft beers at n Details: 0191 265 1725 the moment. And it’s our way AND BUBBA’S BAR-B-Q, of telling people that it isn’t a This is the weekend of the Booze, building site out there any more. DISHING OUT THE USUAL Blues & Barbecues festival at The “We really don’t know what to Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. expect,” says Martin, “but we WELL-LOVED FAVOURITES Listen to the sounds of The hope a lot of people will turn up to Hoodoo Generation (Saturday eat, drink and enjoy themselves. 4pm-ish) and No Time For Jive People know there’s going to be Maling Street, Ouseburn, (Sunday 3pm-ish), pig out on a choice when they come here.” Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LP Bubba’s Bar-B-Q favourites Beers over the weekend include and dig into a range of 15 Gold Tankard, Bohemia, Silver telephone 0191 2652550 Ghost, Hopping Mad plus Yankee email:[email protected] Hop Charge Centennial www.thetyne.com and Apollo. Meanwhile, Wylam Brewery business development manager Matt Boyle has been busy on the quiet tyne: The Tyne Bar is now free from the building work that was going on around it festivals and july/august 2011 cheers 19 What’s on?

by American-themed food. n Saturday July 23 There will also be a barbecue on the roof terrace (weather The LYH (Legendary Yorkshire permitting), and a raffle Heroes) pub in Newcastle has with terrific prizes. rock music running through Free live music from two of its commercial veins. On the the region’s top bands is from back of this, let’s hear it for a 7pm (The Sour Mash Trio on very special day-long event. Saturday 23, and The Kentucky Iron Maiden, left, play the Cow Tippers on Sunday 24). Metro Radio Arena on the Dave Campbell says: “Come in European leg of their current your stetson, cowboy boots and Final Frontier Tour. To celebrate head of steam: A 1916 steam waggon country shirt, if you fancy.” their return to the region, LYH delivers beer at The Central, Gateshead n Details: 0191 478 2543 will hold an Iron Maiden Day incorporating all things Maiden. music front, with one of rock’s raise money toward the pub’s John Chandler, LYH manager, top bands asking for their ale. objective of raising £15,000 says: “You can’t ignore the Matt says: “We did a special beer to help build Shree Bhakta importance of a band such as Iron for the Foo Fighters when they Primary School in Nepal, in Maiden in the world of rock and played Milton Keynes Bowl in conjunction with the charity metal. We will start the day fairly early July. They asked for real ale Pahar Trust which has already calmly with a DVD showing of the for the backstage bar, so when built more than 40 schools in classic World Slavery Tour in 1984, the organisers got in touch with the country. It’s a weekend of and throughout the day we will be us we did a special labelling.” beer, music, food and fun. running Iron Maiden Mastermind, n Details: 0191 265 2550 The pub will be serving more have guest playing loads of tracks than 40 different beers, all you would not normally hear, n Friday July 22 using American hops, from as well as our own Iron Maiden breweries such as Castle Rock, Karaoke and prize giveaways. The Central pub Half Moon Abbeydale, Saltaire, Bitter End, “We have a special Iron Maiden Lane, Gateshead, is holding an Eden, Elland and Dark Star. The menu just for the day, with Americana Charity Weekend to famed menu will be augmented dishes such as Dave Ruby

20 cheers july/august 2011 a real taste of Murray (curry) and Eddie burgers Free Trade Inn, for example topped with Janick Gherkins.” (you gotta try their Milk Stout). traditional ale n Details: 0191 232 1308 n Details: www. Hexhamshire Brewery - a traditional brewery ouseburnfestival.org.uk with a beer for every occasion. The Ouseburn Festival starts Delivered directly in the north of England for the weekend with music, n Sunday July 31 and by quality wholesalers nationally. theatre, the spoken word, visual The Black Bull, Matfen, E: [email protected] T: 01434 606577 arts, special events, workshops Northumberland, hosts its annual W: www.hexhamshire.co.uk and masterclasses. Then, of festival on the village green from course, there’s beer in the 4pm, featuring the Gaslighters. brilliant pubs in this boho part of High House Farm Brewery town. Ouseburn Valley Brewery beers and snacks available. Speciality & n Entertainment is supplying seven ales for the Details: 01434 886330 Nights n Throughout August this summer The Head of Steam, Durham is presenting 100 Belgian Beers during the month, due to the popularity of the ones the pub already Friday July 29th - Bollywood Film & Food Night - Tickets £8.00 features. Look out for some interesting and unpronounceable Tuesday August 9th - Charity Pub Quiz, £2.50pp - starts 8.45pm beers – those Belgians are famous for some things! Friday September 9th - Charity Family Treasure Hunt & Barbecue, £12.00 per family of 4 Friday September 30th - Come Dine With Me

Accommodation available in the village Telephone 01434 684376 or check us out on: f /generalhavelock Open Tues 12- 3pm & 6- 12 midnight Sun 12-3pm Bar now open Sun and Mon Night from 7.30pm

THE GENERAL Haydon Bridge, Hexham NE47 6ER HAVELOCK INN E: [email protected]

champion?: Jaipur IPA is a favourite of Neil Amos at The Newcastle Arms, Newcastle

n Tuesday August 2 August is when we discover at last year’s GBBF, three gold what the Campaign For Real Ale stars at the Great Taste Awards, (Camra) decides is Champion and top prizes at beer festivals in Beer of Britain. The North East Sheffield, Eastbourne, Dumfries, hasn’t tasted that particular Oxford, Wakefield and Newcastle. success since Mordue Brewery’s Last year – when Harvest Pale amazing win with Workie Ticket from Castle Rock Brewery in in 1997. The winner is decided at Nottingham was champion – more the Great British Beer Festival than 66,000 people flocked to the (GBBF) which runs from Tuesday shindig over its five days, sampling August 2 until Saturday August more than 500 different real ales, 7 at Earls Court, London. ciders and perries and ensured The Cheers clever money is the foreign beer bar was kept busy. on Thornbridge Jaipur IPA, n Details: www.camra.org.uk the magnificent ale from the Derbyshire brewery. Over the past n Thursday August 4 couple of years it has walked off with dozens of awards, so we feel Darlington Snooker Club is its time has come. Jaipur has holding a mini beer festival won top prizes for its keg version over the weekend. Owner Peter (which is anathema to Camra), Everett promises his usual and Champion Strong Bitter selection of interesting beers 12 Crossgate, Durham City, County Durham, DH1 4PS from the Society of Independent in an unusual location. Telephone 0191 3864621 Brewers (SIBA), a gold medal n Details: 01325 241388 july/august 2011 cheers 21 What’s on?

The Barley Mow, Birtley, Blondes n Sunday August 7 Heaton Arts Festival starting today. Washington, holds its 9th Bi- and Golds Beer Festival runs The pub is hosting a beer festival Annual Beer Festival over the over the weekend until Monday. The Central in Gateshead, is in the week running up to the Bank Holiday weekend. The As it says, all the beers will holding a number of events to festival – and for the festival itself. ever-popular event promises be from the golden edge of raise money for the children of Delavals Brewing Company is ales from local micro-breweries the spectrum so look out for the village of Mayum in Nepal’s sponsoring a competition for alongside some well-sourced some not-so-dumb blondes. mountain region. The pub is the best piece of art made from beers from around the country. n Details: 0191 410 4504 committed to raising the £15,000 old beer and ale items and High n Details: 0191 417 0445 needed to build a primary school. House Farm Brewery is supporting n Friday August 5 Staff and customers are taking a competition to design a pump n Friday August 26 part in a 22-mile Rock & Roll clip for one of its beers. Battlesteads Hotel (Wark, Charity Bike Ride which will start On Saturday August 13 The To a lot of beer aficianados it’s the Northumberland) Beer Festival at the Central with breakfast and Chillingham will hold a comedy event of the year – The Boathouse, runs till Sunday August 7, all take a route through Newcastle workshop followed by a full bill of Wylam, Bank Holiday Beer Festival. in aid of The Great North Air and Gateshead, through to the top stand-up comedy (featuring Manager JJ Bennett promises more Ambulance. Some 20 beers are Keelman in Newburn and then Anvil Springsteen) as the highlight than 40 real ales for this year’s promised with a good mix of local on to the Boathouse in Wylam for of the festival, which is supported special theme, The Scottish Beer ales and guests – and at least two a quick refreshment, then back by Jarrow Brewery. During the Party. Look out for some award- foreign lagers. Music from the to the Central. Once home and festival, The Chillingham will also winning beers from Fyne Ales Happycats and a hog roast are hosed (with buckets full of charity be used as an art space for local and some remarkable offerings added attractions for the Saturday money), there will be late afternoon artists to display their work. Other coming from The Borders to session and comprehensive free entertainment in the form of highlights include an evening Orkney, such as Stewart Brewing, accommodation packages are The Sour mash Trio and Johnny of Geordie poems, songs and BrewDog, Tempest, Caledonian, available for the full weekend. Back & his Moonshine Boozers prose; Take It To The Bridge Jazz Houston, Harviestoun, Traditional n Details: 01434 230209, playing live in the Blue Room. Night, and a poetry slam event. Scottish Ales and Highland. Phew! www.battlesteads.com n Details: 0191 265 5915 www. There’s karaoke on Saturday and n Friday August 12 heatonartsfestival.com Sunday with food available all day. Ye Olde Elm Tree, Durham, n Details: 01661 853431 presents a weekend The Chillingham in Heaton, n Thursday August 25 pie and beerfest. Newcastle, is the focus for many Loosen your belts, undo those battlesteads ad 190x128_Layout 1 05/07/2011 10:07 Page 1 n Details: 00191 386 4621 of the events taking place at the The Courtyard, Arts Centre, buttons, the Three Tuns (Low

1 s t A N N U A L Battlesteads

• 20 beersBeer available est • Sat 6th August - 12 noon till 11pm. Hog roast plus ‘The Happycats’f playing live from 3pm • Sun 7th August - 12 noon till 3pm • Admission £3 including programme and commemorative glass. CAMRA members £2!! • Proceeds from the event going to Great North Air Ambulance • Accommodation packages available - phone for details

Wark, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 3LS. Tel: (01434) 230 209 Fax: (01434) 230 039 Email: [email protected] www.battlesteads.com

22 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say

Fell, Gateshead) Sausage and in the throes of organising a barren outcroppings visible off n Saturday September 10 Beer Festival will be held over beer and cheese session – with Norway’s southern coast. The the weekend. There will be more a bit of a difference. Not for brewery was started by Gunnar The Lord Crewe, Blanchland, than 85 different varieties to them Cheddar and best bitter, Wiig and Kjetil Jikiun in 2002. Northumberland, is hosting a one- sample, including wild boar and manager Andy Hickson and n Details: 0191 261 1008 day charity beer festival in aid of bilberry and pork and marmalade his assistant Richard Tiltman the Lord Crewe Trust. Blanchland (sausage, not beer). With 15 real have decided on Norwegian n Monday August 29 is unusual in that it was built as a ales to try, live music, jugglers, beer and “adventurous” cheese planned village in the 18th century sword swallowers and morris matching through some The highlight of the Potters and all 43 houses, the hotel, dancers performing, it promises rigorous experimentation Wheel, Sunniside, Gateshead, numerous farms and the pub to be a great day out. There is also involving some of the most family fun day is a Beach Party, belong to the Lord Crewe Estate a large beer garden for children. interesting cheeses available. so if the weather holds, get which takes responsibility for the n Details: 0191 417 0445 “We’ve ordered several styles of those shades on, be there early welfare of the total community. beer from Nøgne Ø which is based to drape your towel over your n Details: 01434 675 251 The Grey Horse, Consett, in Grimstad, Norway,” says Andy. deckchair, and join in the frolics. annual Beer Festival runs over “It’s Norway’s biggest export n Details: 0191 488 8068. the weekend with beers and beer but it’s nice to have such an ciders from all over the world. unusual one on. We’ve decided to n Thursday September 1 n Details: 01207 502585 do a beer and cheese combination as an extension of what we do The 31st Durham Beer Festival The Shotley Bridge Cricket Club regularly with food and beer. We’ll will be held at Dunelm House Beer Festival takes place over match a keg of what’s available at (Durham Students’ Union) on New the Bank Holiday weekend. The the time to a particular cheese and Elvet in Durham City. This year’s beer list and attractions were not we’ll ask for customer opinions festival will feature more than available as Cheers went to press, after. “It’s all part of trying to do 80 cask beers, including many but last year’s was very canny! something different and it raises local ales, and also bottled beers. n Details: www. our profile at the same time.” Following the success of last shotleybeerfestival.co.uk The name Nøgne Ø means year’s cider stall, the cider order Naked Island, a poetic term has been substantially increased. n Sunday August 28 n Details: match: The Bacchus is presenting a used by Henrik Ibsen to describe Norwegian beer and cheese session The Bacchus, Newcastle, is any of the countless stark, www.camradurham.org.uk Duke of Wellington Inn Newton | Northumberland | NE43 7UL

T: 01661 844 446 | E: [email protected] | W: www.thedukeofwellingtoninn.co.uk

july/august 2011 cheers 23 News Beer? You can’t lick it

OH BUT YOU CAN! Beer is this in ice cream from a herd of season’s flavour – the new Jersey cattle. Although the ice- black, one might say. And, cream is made using beer, the who’s ahead of the queue? production process means it Northumberland’s High House contains less than 1% alcohol. “It’s unique, delicious and will definitely Farm Brewery and Wheelbirks Hugh Richardson of Wheelbirks be a hit for summer Farm, who have combined to says: “The ice-cream has a in our ice cream come up with beer ice cream. beautiful creamy flavour from parlour.” Matfen Magic 4.8% abv ale our Jersey milk, overlaid with the has already been used as an malty and caramel notes of Matfen is a fantastic ingredient in locally-produced Magic. It’s unique, delicious and Northumbrian products, such as sausages, will definitely be a hit for summer company and Matfen chocolates, cakes, bread and in our ice cream parlour.” Magic is an award- fresh: Liz Scott gets ready to try the taste of even toiletries but now it’s Heather Scott from High House winning ale. Matfen Magic in the ice cream. the recognisable ingredient Farm Brewery says: “Wheelbirks “All the brewery staff and a lot of Situated on a 200-acre working our customers farm, it currently has more have tasted the ice than 14 beers in its portfolio. cream and have The brewery, which sends its reported that it own barley to be malted for its was really different beer, has an award-winning visitor and delicious. We centre, with restaurant, outdoor will be selling it at seating and a new play area. our visitor centre, Wheelbirks is the home of right throughout award-winning ice cream and the summer.” the longest-established pedigree High House Jersey herd in Northumberland. Farm Brewery was It has a very successful founded in 2003 ice cream parlour, outside by farmer Steven play area and tearoom at Urwin and is now its Stocksfield premises. daisy too: Hugh Richardson and Heather operated by Heather n www.wheelbirks.co.uk Scott have combined to make a beer ice cream and Gary Scott. n www.highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk

The beautiful game n Newcastle United n Sunderland The new Premier League season is upon us, with sadly Newcastle and V Leeds United (friendly) V Liverpool Sunderland’s best chance of glory being who ends the season above July 31 August 13 The Ship & Mitre L2 2JH whom. But we’re going to enjoy it all the same, so here’s a couple of tips Whitelocks LS1 6HB Liverpool journalist Mike Chapple for having a pint or two before and after those tricky away matches. Described by Sir John Betjeman describes this city-centre pub as: “The very heart of Leeds”, as: “If you were a dog this would this pub – the building dates be your basket, replete with old from the 17th century – has cushion, well chewed slipper and a classic Victorian interior rubber bone. In short, The Ship is offering a range of guest the alehouse version of heaven on beers and regulars. earth”. He goes on to describe “a treasure trove of real ales”. And, V Sunderland you’re going to watch Andy Carroll? August 20 www.theshipandmitre.com The Kings Arms SR4 6BU A bridge across the Wear to V Swansea City the Stadium of Light would August 27 be handy but this is the ideal Brunswick Arms SA1 4HS starter – and finisher – for the Side-street pub with the air of a ale-loving football fan. Old- country inn – timber beams and traditional: The Kings Arms is close to the Stadium of Light – but only as the crow flies fashioned and unspoiled, it artwork-adorned walls. Frequently boasts up to nine handpulls with changing guest beers, often an ever-changing list of beers. from local micro-breweries. 24 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say Peace of the action A California-based company provoking device fits on a key is convinced that the world ring and makes a great gift. would be a better place if The company tells us we all drank more beer and that it’s marketing it as a dropped fewer bombs. Anybody branded item for micro- want to argue with that? breweries around the world. Its Beers Not Bombs bottle opener is made from copper n There are t-shirts and other recycled from disarmed US jewellery items, too, at www. nuclear: The Beers Not Bombs bottle nuclear weapon systems. Useful BeersNotBombs.com and opener makes the user stop and think. as well as fun, the thought- www.FromWarToPeace.com A WARM WELCOME AWAITS EXCELLENT SELECTION OF REAL ALES AND FINE WINES Freshly prepared home-cooked food - served everyday A La Carte menu - available Thursday, Friday & Saturday | Sunday Carvery - bookings advisable Curry Night - Mondays from 5.30pm - £6.99 includes pint of beer or equivalent Wednesday - Quiz night - great fun, free nibbles | Music quiz - last Friday of the month Children always welcome. Paul & the team look forward to seeing you!

Woodstone Village, Bournmoor, County Durham, DH4 6BQ e Floaters Mill Telephone 0191 3856695

Real Ale, Real Food, Real People

C C Hudson’s Eat in & food to go Open daily from 6:00am - 7:00pm Serving: • Hot and cold beverages • Breakfast menu from 7:00am - 11:00am • Freshly made sandwiches • Paninis, wraps and pizzas • Delicious cakes, pastries and cookies • Now serving hot meals in the café and Grand Room from 11:00 - 5:00pm

Bar & Deli Grand Central Station, Neville Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5DG

Tel: 0191 2616611 www.centurion-newcastle.com

july/august 2011 cheers 25 Lunch: The Electrical Wizard, Morpeth Quantity over quality – shock Our luncher takes a trip to Morpeth and the region’s latest JD Wetherspoon

As I walk in, the noise of cinema. Despite large windows you’d want to sit and relax in – but arrived we didn’t have much of chattering children and smell of at the front, inside felt dark and it was the food we were here for on our lunch hour left and quickly chips hits me and only the sight of a mish-mash of uncertain styles this occasion, rather than the beer. ordered – a burger “meal deal” handpulls reminds me that I’m in with plastic plants, dark brown A melee of menus and signs for him (chicken burger, chips a pub not a McDonald’s. Welcome wood and a purple swish-patterned tells you there are lots of deals to and soft drink for £3.99) and to Wetherspoon. Welcome to carpet that may have been an ironic be had – from a pitcher of Pimm’s smoked haddock and mozzarella The Electrical retro statement. Or not. A for £6.60 to Thursday’s Curry Club fishcakes for me – which come Wizard in Morpeth, which at just £4.99 with salad, dressing, tartare Northumberland. includes curry, sauce and chips (£5.10). “You’re never far rice, naan bread, Almost everything comes from a Wetherspoon” mango chutney, with chips, but a healthy options says the company poppadums section on the menu helpfully website – and with and a drink. suggests that having a chicken one seemingly You can also get wrap or cheese and tomato opening every week, a deal at any time toastie without them gives you it’s right. Morpeth’s of the day – for an less of a calorie-laden meal. Electrical Wizard afternoon special, There is information overload on is named after Dr colourful: The Electrical Wizard’s interior is between 2pm the menu, it’s packed with small Walford Bodie, a mixture of styles . Photo: David Webb and 5pm, there’s print information about each meal, a magician who fish and chips for including calories, whether gluten- regularly brought – literally – main large room crowded with £3.79, complete free, if it contains nuts or seeds, shocking magic tricks to the venue small tables gives the ambience of with cup of tea or coffee. how hot, whether suitable for in its former life as the Coliseum a busy cafe rather than a pub that When my companion finally vegetarians, which is helpful if you

The place to meet in Darlington... Traditional Ale House and Canteen. We serve a superb range of real ales, continental beers and wines Darlington CAMRA Pub of the year 2008 Food served 12 - 2pm Monday to Saturday

Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RG Telephone 01325 354590

26 cheers july/august 2011 need to know any of these things. vinegar or sauce. Overall, it was n The hangover cure When the (slow) fast food came a case of quantity over quality. – the barmaid did apologise for We didn’t have time to order a Some folks swear by the hair of the dog or some concoction our 15-minute wait – the plates pudding – a standard selection involving raw eggs and milk, but surely the best hangover were generously piled of desserts that include cure is the Wetherspoon’s Large Breakfast (pictured with chips as we waffles, cheesecake, left). Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, beans, black hadn’t gone for the crumble and sticky pudding, tomato and toast, it’s a warming start to the healthy option, toffee pudding – but morning after the night before. Wizard, some might say. but I did find four I made time to cherry tomatoes visit the toilets on and a scattering the way out. I was of cucumber impressed with lurking in the cleanliness, Do the hoki cooking my lettuce. spaciousness and In line with its award- route is it’s not always simple The breadcrumb amount of cubicles winning green credentials, and, where a particular dish coating on my in the ladies – no waiting Battlesteads pub, hotel and is very popular, it does take fishcakes was hard around if you have a restaurant in Wark, near some experimental culinary “A melee of menus and overcooked and and signs tells you child desperate to go. Hexham in Northumberland, skills to substitute popular I couldn’t taste the there are lots of Wetherspoon’s core has introduced hoki and varieties with unknown ones. “oak-smoked, line- deals to be had.” food and meal deals do hake in place of haddock, “We use hake for fish and caught, sustainable offer good value – and the cod and monkfish – and chips and we’re experimenting haddock” as it was popularity of The Electrical customers are loving it. with smoking hoki and overwhelmed by thick, creamy Wizard shows they’re doing The Battlesteads team has hake instead of haddock for sauce. My companion’s burger something right. It’s not somewhere been experimenting to find breakfasts and risottos.” was apparently on the dry side, to go if you want to linger over suitable alternatives where One of the favourite new but was served with a relish a relaxing lunch or treat your there are questions over the dishes to appear on the menu accompaniment and he managed to tastebuds, but if no frills, functional sustainability of certain fish is pan-fried hake fillet wrapped demolish most of it. The chips were food in a family-friendly pub is what varieties – and it’s paying off. in prosciutto with wild garlic thicker than fries but obviously you’re after, then this is the place. Owner and manager Richard and hazelnut pesto, roasted not home-made and a bit on the It’s a step up from McDonalds – and Slade says: “The problem with heritage potatoes, and greens tasteless and dry side without any you’re never very far from one. going down the sustainable from the Battlesteads garden.

july/august 2011 cheers 27 View From Abroad Microbrewing in Prague Take the electric tram Libor Vojacek takes us round one of Prague’s many microbreweries americana BEER CELEbration Over the weekend starting Friday ...... 22nd July swing along: Our reporter promises you OVER 50 ENGLISH ALES will not regret a trip to Pivovar Bulovky INCORPORATING AMERICAN HOPS ...... ear British beer brewpub Richter Brewery AMERICANA THEMED BBQ lovers, let me bring (officially called Brewery by ALL DAY SATURDAY & SUNDAY you once more a Bulovka Hospital)? You haven’t? ...... little perspective on You will not regret your Dbrewing in the Czech Republic – time there and you will not be LIVE ENTERTAINMENT with the focus on Prague itself. disappointed, I guarantee. And From 7.30 Sure, Prague is one of the most do you like to try, time to time, ...... beautiful and charming cities on different beers than just lager? Saturday the planet, but there is a “but”. Yes? So then, this pub is designed THE SOUR MASH TRIO Prague is much more than the just for you. I am now here to ...... ancient and spectacular Charles introduce you to this brewery. Bridge or the beautiful Well, watch for Sunday and interesting “Bulovka”, street Astronomical Clock number 17 in THE KENTUCKY on Old Town Prague’s number Square – Prague eight district. COWTIPPERS is beer as well! The proletarian ...... Remember atmosphere that if ever of this Prague GRAND RAFFLE you are visiting suburb has Prizes include the place. And already almost brewing – especially disappeared and TIMMERMANS SMEG FRIDGE microbrewing – is taking also this brewpub COCA COLA MOUNTAIN BIKE off at cosmic speed “All you have to do is cannot be for sure COCA COLA MINI FRIDGE there. Today there are 12 listen to the names classified as a microbreweries in the said from train’s “workpeople’s pub” by JACK DANIELS BOURBON city itself alongside the amplifier.” its level of pricing and (Signed by the Master Distiller) “big fish” Staropramen by nobleness. But we Brewery and a few should be more than Funds to support our charity more in very close proximity. happy that such brewpubs exist. project to build a school in Nepal This time I wanna invite you Big breweries should have The Central, Half Moon Lane by means of a short report and some competitors. This is what Gateshead NE8 2AN a few pictures to one of Prague’s all Czech microbreweries are all cosy and great microbreweries. about; they are not designed here 0191 478 2543 Have you ever been in the to serve the same beer like the 28 cheers july/august 2011 n visit www.cheersnortheast.co.uk to have your say

next door closest on the right per half-litre, plus or minus… brewery goulash with interesting pub, named for side there are well, more likely plus (laugh). carlbad’s dumplings for 95 CZK example “On The two beautiful But if you consider that only (about €3.60). Would you like to Take the Little Corner”. In copper boiling for a few pennies paid less, you have some memory and some microbreweries kettles. The can get filtered and dead beer in nice remembrance? Ask for their there are in restaurant can any restaurant and you realise own “beer ice-cream” made from charge totally accommodate that the rate of price-quality is malt, hops, cream and sugar. It electric tram different rules. 80 people very excellent. And it is strongly is here year round and it is said You are going comfortably. to be in benefit of quality. to be the first Czech beer ice- there to enjoy, It is a In my opinion, the writing cream. What a pity that I did taste and relish “pure-blooded about taste, uniqueness and not try it during my visit there. the beer. You are family” exceptionality of all unfiltered It just did not hit my mind! going there for czechbeerman: Libor Vojacek is enterprise. beers made by small breweries The brewery was opened on the our man in the Czech Republic adventure – for Mrs Richter is is something like to bring wood spring of 2004, and directly in 2005 the real beer, found regularly into the forest, right? And I don’t it was announced as Microbrewery such as nowhere else is served. behind the bar, while Mr Frantisek wanna really bring it there. Mainly of the Year by Sdruzeni Pratel And so you have to pay a bit Richter – brewer and owner – will those beers are very good beers, Piva which in translation means more for this extra experience. be where he is needed the most deliciously touching your palate Association of Friends of Beer. It Me, even I don’t belong (and never at any moment. His more than 20 and gum… and neither this beer is a voluntary association working will) to “cream of society” for years of living in for the sake of sure, but I am happy to pay little Germany is carved the beers (www. extra pennies as Englishmen are in indelible print pratelepiva.cz). saying: “I am not so rich to buy into the names, Something like cheap goods”. Yes, just like this. origin and tastes beer watchdog. The restaurant and brewery can of his beers. And Something like not be missed; it is located right there are already your Camra. on the beginning of Bulovka Street, over 125 kinds of You know? I am which then sharply slopes down. beers made in this sure you have How well do you know Prague brewery, each with the point. city? Very little? If you sit down on its own recipe. Richter the electric tram number 24 on However, there Brewery, alias Wenceslaw Square in the very, very are only four beers Brewery by downtown of the city, it will take you come across Bulovka Hospital you safely and without problem regularly: Richter (Pivovar U till the place. All you have to do is Lager, a light copper glow: Pivovar Bulovky’s micro- Bulovka) is a brewery and pub are worth seeking out listen to the name of the stations beer, 5.0% abv; small brewery, said from tram’s amplifier. Get off Richter Helles, a so also our story in “Good Beer” Station, ergo on Munich type of lager, 5.1% abv; is exception. Nice, long-lasting will be small and shorter this Bulovka Station. Maybe the close Richter Export, a Dortmund head, smell and fullness is what time. You know, sometimes less association of the brewery with style of lager beer, 5.2% abv, and makes this beer outstanding. means more! Richter Brewery is Bulovka Hospital is not only just Richter Pražský Hefe-Weissbier Everything is well balanced. It a well-run brewery, which beers coincidence, the pubhouse should (top fermented beer), 4.9% abv. is worth to come here and sit are worth to try. Do it. If you are serve equally as a pharmacy! If you happened to be in the down and taste step by step all here in Prague, it is a short and But now it is time to go inside. brewpub in August, you will taste beers available. Start with some comfortable way from downtown. After entering the double door you for sure the cherry beer which slighter one, so the next cup Prague is beer, remember! arrive in a cosy, stylish pub decked is brewed every year once in will be even better for you. With best regards, out in dark wood. On the opposite cherry season. Average price for Did you get hungry there? No Libor Vojacek, CzechBeerMan. side is a long bar counter and one beer is about 28 CZK (€1.10) problem at all. I recommend the n www.pivovarubulovky.cz

Robin hood inn Open Daily from Noon

The Dun Cow Traditional homecooked food served everyday Real ales on tap - we support local breweries A traditional pub serving Cosy bar & lounge plus a separate restaurant real ales and bar snacks. Families welcome - We are dog friendly (in the bar) Quiz night Mondays. Large beer garden - Ample parking Folk night Thursdays. Glenn, Chris and the team look forward ‘We don’t do traditional we do exceptional’ to seeing you The Lion & Lamb lies in the village of Horsley A warm welcome guaranteed. and enjoys stunning views over the Tyne Valley. Robin Hood Inn It is well known for good food, real ales and East Wallhouses, Military Road, occasional special events. So if you want a 37 Old Elvet, Durham Northumberland, NE18 0LL friendly relaxed place to eat you’ll get a warm Tel: 01434 672273 welcome at The Lion & Lamb. 0191 3869219 email:[email protected] www.robinhoodinn-militaryroad.co.uk Telephone 01661 852952 • www.lionlamb.co.uk july/august 2011 cheers 29 LEDA DISCOUNT Summer Golf Offers GOLF CENTRE 18 holes of golf only £20.00 New 2011 TaylorMade R11 & Burner 2.0 Drivers & Irons in stock. New in 2011 Cobra S3 Drivers offset & straightneck, Baffl er& Rail Monday - Friday Fairway Woods & Irons. Powakaddy 2011 Sport and Greenhill GT in store. Adult golf membership Also stockists of Titleist, Ping, Callaway, MD, Srixon plus many more major manufacturers £45 per month

• Excellent range of golf Junior golf membership bags, clothing, £45 per year waterproofs, shoes & accessories (includes free golf lesson with our pro) • Custom Fit available • Electric Trolley Specialists Squash membership and Showroom £15 per month • Batteries and chargers in stock for all electric trolleys Floodlit Driving Range Golf Shop • Happy Gilmore’s Bar Visitors very welcome! AUTHORISED POWAKADDY & HILL BILLY REPAIR CENTRE Centurion Park Golf Club ALWAYS A FRIENDLY WELCOME Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, HERE AT LEDA GOLF Tyne & Wear, NE28 8SU

within Strikes Garden Centre, Bournmoor, Chester le Street, Tel: 0191 263 0041 DH3 4PZ | Golf shop open 7 days Mon- Sat 10am - 5pm www.centurionparkwallsend.co.uk Sun 10.30 am - 4.30pm | Telephone 0191 3854545

VALUE FOR MONEY GOLF OH YES!!

MIDWEEK SOCIETY PACKAGE GREEN FEE £20.00 7 days a week (must quote Cheers) Bacon roll, 18 holes of golf, 1 course meal £29.00 pp 20 Bay Driving Range - Par 3 course MIDWEEK FOURBALL £60.00 Mon to Thurs Telephone the golf shop on 0191 4178346

New 3 million state of the art clubhouse with fabulous balcony views over the 1st tee &18th green

Mecure George Washington Golf & Country Club Stone Cellar Road, High Usworth, Washington,Tyne and Wear, NE37 1PH

30 cheers july/august 2011 Q&A Hugh Price: Tynemouth Lodge Hotel, Tynemouth We ask the questions HUGH PRICE Tynemouth Lodge Hotel

How long have you been in the pub Optimist or pessimist? Are you a What words or trade and how long have you been pints or halves person? phrases do you at Tynemouth Lodge? I’ve always been a bit pessimistic, most overuse? I was a founder member of the so if things work out for the best The Bass is Tyneside Branch of Camra in 1972, it’s a bonus. superb. We’ve then went on to buy the Tynemouth just put a new Lodge in 1983 – at the time it was If you had a pet hamster what barrel on. closed, semi-derelict, boarded up, would you call it? and threatened with demolition. Too hypothetical a question to After the last answer! customer has What made you do it in the left, do you first place? Apart from the Tynemouth relax with I saw the Lodge as an opportunity Lodge, what’s your favourite whisky or to open a free house on Tyneside. pub(s)? cocoa? At the time there were hardly any My favourite is the public bar Neither, better privately-owned public houses in in the Middle Ruddings Hotel in not to have a camra man: Hugh Price from the Tyneside the area and not much choice on Braithwaite, Cumbria. drink too late at Lodge Hotel, Tynemouth the real ale front. night at my age! Who was the last celebrity you door to a House of Correction (a What is the best thing about served in the pub and what were n The Tynemouth Lodge Hotel prison for minor offences and your job? they like? has been in the Campaign for not what you think) and Justices’ Difficult question, but as I spent so Many of my customers are Real Ale Good Beer Guide since Room. The pub has a reputation much of my leisure time in pubs it celebrities in their own right and 1983. The building dates back for selling more Draught Bass made good sense buying one. that’s good enough for me. to 1799 and was situated next than any other on Tyneside.

Northumberlands Best Kept Secret Old Coahing Inn dating back to the 1190s that has been brought back into the 21st century with all the charms of a countryside bed and breakfast Log burning res, serving delicious freshly prepared food with a twist using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and home grown vegetables Lunch served Tuesday - Sunday 12 noon til 2pm Evenings 6pm til 9pm Pensioners lunch Tue, Wed &  ur 12 noon til 2pm Local Real Ales complemented by a well stocked wine cellar Discover Northumberland - Discover the Red Lion A WARM WELCOME AWAITS Red Lion Inn Stanegate Road, Newbrough, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 5AR T: 01434 674226, www.redlionnewbrough.co.uk

july/august 2011 cheers 31 the Roger Sterling Column Mirrorball, mirrorball on the wall… Love never dies, says our man at the bar as an old affair is rekindled

umped into an old flame Bar where I hadn’t been for ages. Neanderthal that is. The Tyne’s for me. Corner-of-the-bar vantage recently. Exciting isn’t I love this place. Give me a location on the lock gate at the point. I settled in, wallowing in my it; warm, dangerous sketch pad, a pen and ask me mouth of the Ouseburn is idyllic exposed brick, cask-conditioned, thoughts of unforgettable to draw my perfect bar and it in a post-industrial, neo-artisan time-capsule. Beautiful. Even eveningsB – and stolen afternoons would look pretty much like this. enclave, funk-a-delic sort of way. more so than I remember. – start running through your I even love that they still call it a The outside/lockside seating is The big windows cast an mind. A smile spreads across “Bar”; although I see that “food as startlingly well engineered Aurora Borealis curtain of light your face, the sky looks bluer. You is available” – and you know how and future-proof into the room, which wonder why it’s been so long. But I feel about mixing my drinks. designed as the lock would have looked even after some flirtatious small-talk, With food. I’ll overlook it on this gate itself. Neither of more perfect with a ghost you’re certain it won’t be so long occasion because I get the clear them look like falling “Some architectural of blue smoke floating before you run into one another message here that this is definitely down any time soon. genius even gave through it from my it two front doors. again because it feels a bar that sells food, as against a Once that lock gate Romeo Y Julieta cigar. Smart.” so good. And pub trying to be a gastro-pub. comes down, even Two malts in and I you know next For those unadventurous the forces of Mordor was re-smitten, running time it will be creatures of habit who think wouldn’t get through. out all those old lines about even better. that bar life begins and ends The facade is bar design of the “must have to do this again very I was in in town, this is purest kind. Some architectural soon”. How did we drift apart? The Tyne the place that will genius even gave it two front Wait a minute. Why would I show you how doors. Smart. And I’ve got to want to share this love affair? The tell you, any bar that hangs a last thing I want is a ménage-a- mirrorball outside is always going hundred. Forget everything you’ve to be on my Christmas card list. just read. This place is rubbish. When I walked inside it was n THE TYNE BAR IS IN like they’d been keeping my seat OUSEBURN, NEWCASTLE We Aim To Please If you love Real Ale & Continental Beers a visit to Coppers is a must!

Over 200 varieties of bottle conditioned ales and over 100 varieties of continental lager and There’s something for everyone at ciders from around the world in stock High House Farm Brewery New stock arriving daily. Don’t see what your’e Award winning restaurant and tearoom serving speciality teas and coffees looking for ASK and we will try our Fresh home made meals using local produce best to get it for you!! Shop selling hand crafted gifts, jams and preserves Penguins available Childrens outdoor play area - Disabled access - Ample free parking here. Well stocked bar with 4 real ales, ciders, lagers and fi ne wines Pre bookable brewery tours from 2 to 20+ 15 different ales in cask and bottle for trade and retail customers STOP SPECIALITY MATFEN MAGIC PRESS ICE CREAM NOW ON SALE! COPPERS 17 Princess Road, Brunton WEDDINGS AND PARTIES A SPECIALITY - TELEPHONE FOR DETAILS Park, Gosforth, NE3 5TT Tel: 0191 2170043 High House Farm, Matfen, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE20 0RG T: 01661 886 192 | E: info@highhousefarm brewery.co.uk COPPERS 8 TILL 8 www.highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk

32 cheers july/august 2011 WINE with suzanne lock and bill oswald

Back To Basics They sound the same The Black Bull in Matfen but don’t be fooled Good beer and lagers, a nice glass of wine In our article in June we but if you see the name Abruzzo or a spirit, home cooked food, all served examined the differences on a label do not expect too in a clean pub by friendly staff between two regions, Rioja and much. The problem here is there La Rioja – one in Spain, the other is no deceit, but one is a town in Argentina – and the Spanish and the other a grape variety. brand Roja. It seems confusion Concerted efforts are made The Black Bull for consumers has arisen, but by the regulating authorities Matfen, Northumberland, NE20 0RP. the authorities are powerless to nowadays to ensure wine in the make labelling really distinctive. bottle is actually from the region Tel: 01661 886330 It is not only Spain that has stated. Wines are constantly these identification problems,I taly inspected, tasted and tested for too has many similar- authenticity, and wines sounding regions and are randomly sampled wines. Consumers on entering the UK. As have to be careful in recently as May this selecting wines from year a consignment Chianti and the leading of wine labelled from “By pronunciation brand name Canti it is difficult to Australia was found to be (also from Italy). Could differentiate between fraudulent – more than this be blatant deceit? Chianti and Canti.” 300 complaints had been At a glance, Chianti, received about its quality a region, is also one of Italy’s and on closer inspection the best-selling wines across labels were found to have spelling the globe – and a household mistakes with the wine not up to name – but by pronunciation the manufacturers standard – and it is difficult to differentiate probably not even Australian at all. between Chianti and Canti. With demand for inexpensive Many Italian restaurants stock wines increasing, especially a wine called Montepulciano from the expanding markets d’Abruzzo, often as a house wine. of Asia, there are fraudulent Northumberland’s oldest Wines from the grape variety wines creeping into the market. Montepulciano (planted in central Our advice to the buyer; always coaching Inn Italy) are not to be confused purchase from a reputable dealer, Open Wednesday to Sunday (plus Bank holidays) serving some of with the town in Tuscany of good shop, off-license, or from a the best pub food available in warm cosy surroundings with a wide Montepulciano which produces pub – wines from any other source range of wines, whiskies, beers and lagers. the very special wine, Vino Nobile may give you a large hangover. de Montepulciano (made from n Suzanne Lock and Bill the Sangiovese grape variety) and Oswald are Advintage. The The Queens Head Inn is one of the top wines of Italy. company’s next wine holiday In Great Whittington, Northumberland, NE19 2HP There is a huge difference in to Tuscany is October 15-22, price between the Vino Nobile de seven nights DBB and five Tel: O1434 672267 Montepulciano and Montepulciano days with wine tasting visits, d’Abruzzo from the Marches £699. See website for details. A village not far from anywhere! region – it’s complicated of course, www.Advintagewine.co.uk july/august 2011 cheers 33 CULTURE Out of the frying pan The King is now 76 and he’s hanging around a Newcastle pub with Jeff Price “What’s up old friend?” Elvis “A care worker from the same when I went for the meal that “What was that?” said as he came over to the block of flats as me, really nice, her frying pan was all scratched “A matching wok.” corner seat in the bar. “You fit – if a bit skinny. We had a couple and burnt, so I went to Ikea “A wok!” look more miserable than of dates, a couple of drinks in and got her a new one.” “It was a special offer; a eunuch in a brothel.” here, and she even invited me over Elvis looked at me like he was you buy the frying pan and “You know, Elvis,” I said to her place once for a meal.” watching a man who had just torn you get the wok for free.” between gritted teeth, “it’s one of “Sounds good,” said Elvis. up a million-pound scratch card. “Let me get this straight,” those moments when “You bought her a frying Elvis spluttered. “Your new I try to do the right pan as a birthday present?” girlfriend has a birthday and thing and then end “Yes, a good one as you buy her a frying pan and up making myself well, and she looked really a wok – you Geordies are the look a total dick.” excited as she unwrapped last of the great romantics.” I was on my fourth it, but her expression He was laughing so hard he pint of the night and quickly changed as she nearly spilled his pint. “No wonder past the point where realised what it was.” she hit you with the wok.” I cared if Elvis was “I’m not surprised, “It wasn’t the wok she hit added to the list of is that why you have a me with, it was a tray.” people who thought bandage on your head?” “Why a tray?” I was a knob. kitchen devil: Even Elvis knows that giving “No, she didn’t hit me “I had to buy it with the “I’ve been seeing a woman a frying pan as a present is mean with a frying pan. Anyway, wok and frying pan.” this woman – or it wasn’t the only present “Why?” maybe I should say I was seeing “Well, it was her birthday last I gave her and she must have “I didn’t have cash and this woman.” I took another week and I was stuck as to what thought that it was a joke present Ikea won’t take a debit card deep drink of my pint. to buy her when I remembered and so she opened the next one.” for a sale under £10.” Summer Beer Festival August Bank Holiday Weekend Friday 26th - Monday 29th 12 handpulls on mobile bar in the lounge. Great selection of beers and ciders from around the country & lots of free bar snacks.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT July: Thursday 15th Den & Dave Open Mic, 21st Tom Mitchell, 28th Den & Dave Open Mic August: Thursday 4th Den & Dave Open Mic, 11th The Buskers, 18th Shaun Henderson

Quiz every Wednesday - Free food e Grey Horse HOME TO CONSETT ALEWORKS 115 Sherburn Terrace, Consett, County Durham, DH8 6NE Telephone 01207 502585

34 cheers july/august 2011 EAT DRINK SLEEP Situated in the tranquil village of Acomb, just a stones throw away from the A taste of Tennessee historic town of Hexham The Centurion at Newcastle’s Central Station is a favourite Ideal location to explore the beautiful Northumberland countryside hangout of poet Keith “Jingling Geordie” Armstrong. It’s Well stock bar offering a great selection of real ales also a place for inspiration – fuelled by a pint or two – and Traditional homecooked food served in either our cosy restaurant or bar this poem reflects his penchant for Jack Daniel’s. Comfortable B&B accomodation - Single from £40, Twin/Double from £70 With Jack Daniel in the Centurion Family Run - Awarm welcome awaits from Brian, Lorraine and their staff by Keith Armstrong

It had been a long wait, through difficult seasons, months of dull days lit only by cackling Geordie girls and the odd artistic lady Main Street, Acomb, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4PW with eyes like paintings. Tel: 01434 602934, No sign of Jack email: [email protected] off the train www.thesuninn-acomb.co.uk though I knew he was well worth waiting for. Then all of a sudden, with a flourish The Courtyard and melting of ice, he came Situated within the delightful surrounding and soaked the room of the Arts Centre Washington with his impeccable taste, Eight hand pumps serving the finest ales from local and national micro a bitter wit that warmed your soul brewers plus a real cider and a real perry. in a state of Tennessee. The Centurion 9th Bi-annual Beer Festival - Thursday August 25th - Monday August 29th can be a lonely place to pass the time Showcasing over 50 cask conditioned ales plus real cider and perry. with only your own A selection of imported bottled beers. Quality homecooked food available. aches and pains for primitive company. Arts Centre Washington, Fatfield, Washington NE38 8AB Jack could change all that, T: (0191)417 0445. E: [email protected] burst open the door to an altered nPhoney Names Watch out for OKTOBERFEST - consciousness, Our second beer festival at The Kings Arms, Sunderland make the barmaids dance Whisky lovers should watch out for for you fake brands when and the rest travelling abroad. The of the human race. following are available Jack, you are a good friend, but they’re unlikely fickle though you are. to be the real thing: VOTED TOP 100 PUBS IN BRITAIN I shake your open hand Gaylord (Germany) IDYLLIC COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION and give you my true respect. Camerone Cream of Real Ales - Fine Wines - Fresh Food You are comradeship the Glen (Malawi) & Accommodation in a sunny glass. Kilt (Spain) Friday Special - 3 course £15.00 I wish you well, Sunday Lunch - 3 course £16.95 King Victoria (Japan) Exotic menu nights - Telephone for a big well, Old Windjammer (Italy) details a fount Duck Scot (Brazil) CHARITY BEER FESTIVAL of joyful and our favourite from Saturday 10th September kindness. Ecuador, Auld Piss. In aid of The Lord Crewe Trust 10+ real ales to sample

Open 7 days - food served all day A warm n Quote: welcome “This moment in the public house, this pub moment, Blanchland, County Durham, DH8 9SP awaits from Lesley, Matt I’m going to have to keep on coming back to it.” Telephone 01434 675 251 www.lordcrewehotel.co.uk and the team Martin Amis, London Fields (1989).

july/august 2011 cheers 35 Barrels The Manor Inn 59-61 Bridge Street, The Black Bull Main Street, Haltwhistle, Berwick,TD15 1ES NE49 0BS, t: 01434 322588 t:01289 308013 e: [email protected] www.themanorhousehaltwhistle.co.uk A-Z Pub guide Battlesteads Hotel Wark, Hexham, NE48 3LS The Olde Ship inn t: 01434 230209 9 Main Street, Seahouses, n You can pick up your copy of cheers at any of these great pubs... e: [email protected] NE68 7RD, t: 01665 720 200 www.battlesteads.com e: [email protected] www.seahouses.co.uk Cheers is all about pubs in the North East Bay Horse Inn Bridge Street, Stamfordham, NE18 0PB Warkworth, The Pilot Inn and this should be a good place to start... t: 01661 886244 NE65 0XB 31 Low Greens Berwick upon Tweed, Cross Keys t: 01665 711367 TD15 1LZ County Durham The Chelmsford The Royal Oak Thropton, Rothbury, NE65 7HX t: 01289 304214 Front Steet, Ebchester, 7 Manor Road, t: 01669 620362 Butcher’s Arms DH8 0PJ Medomsley Village, DH8 6QN Real Ale, Real Fire, Real Pub The Plough Middle Chare, t:01207 565811 t: 01207 560336 Crown & Anchor Inn Hire Porky’s Hog Roast any Village Square, Cramlington, Chester le Street, DH3 3QB Market Place, Holy Island, party, any time NE23 1DN, t: 01670 737633 t: 0191 388 3605 The County The Scotch Arms TD15 2RX 13 The Green, Aycliffe Vilage, Blackhill, Consett, DH8 8LZ t: 01289 389215 The Queen’s Head Inn DERWENT WALK INN County Durham, DL5 6LX t: 01207 593709 The Black Bull Great Whittington, NE19 2HP Ebchester, t: 01325 312273 Dipton Mill Inn 2-4 Main Street, Lowick, t: 01434 672 267 DH8 0SX The Ship Dipton Mill Road, Hexham, TD15 2UA t: 01207 560347 The Cross Keys Low Road, Middlestone Village, NE46 1YA t: 01289 388228 The Railway Hotel Front Street, Esh, DH7 9QR Middlestone, DL14 8AB t: 01434 606577 Church Street, Haydon Bridge, Dun Cow t: 0191 3731279 t: 01388 810904 e: [email protected] The Black Bull NE47 6JG 37 Old Elvet, www.diptonmill.co.uk Matfen, NE20 0RP t: 01434 684254 Durham, DH1 3HN The Derwentside The Sportsmans Arms t: 01661 886330 t: 0191 386 9219 101 Durham Road, Blackhill, Moor End Terrace, Belmont, Duke of Wellington The Rat Inn Consett, DH8 8RR DH1 1BJ Newton, NE43 7UL The Black Bull Inn Anick, Hexham, NE46 4LN Head of Steam t: 01207 590919 t: 0191 3842667 t: 01661 844446 Etal, TD12 4TL t: 01434 602 814 3 Reform Place, t: 01890 820200 Durham, DH1 4RZ The Dun Cow The Square & Compass Errington Arms The Red Lion t: 0191 3832173 Primrose Hill, Bournmoor, 7 The Green, Stagshaw, Corbridge, The Blue Bell 22 Northumberland Street, DH4 6DY West Cornforth, NE45 5QB Hill Street, Corbridge, Alnmouth, NE66 2RJ HigHfield Hotel Bar t: 0191 385 2631 Ferryhill, DL17 9JQ t: 01434 672250 NE45 5AA t: 01665 830584 & tHai restaurant t: 01740 653050 t:01434 632789 www.redlionalnmouth.co.uk The Dun Cow General Havelock Inn Front Street, Sedgefield, The Stables Haydon Bridge, NE47 6ER The Boathouse The Red Lion Inn TS21 3AT Beamish Hall Hotel, t: 01434 684376 Wylam, NE41 8HR Milfield, Wooler, NE71 6JD t: 01740 620894 Beamish, DH9 0BY e: [email protected] t: 01661 853431 t: 01668 216224 t: 01207 233 7333 www.redlioninn-milfield.co.uk The Floater’s Mill Joiners Arms The Burnside Woodstone Village, The Stables Wansbeck Street, Longhoughton, Alnwick, The ridley arms Fence Houses, DH4 6BQ West Herrington, Morpeth, NE61 1XZ NE66 3JQ t: 0191 385 6695 Houghton le Spring, t: 01670 513540 t: 01665 577303 DH4 4ND 101 Durham Road, The George & Dragon t: 0191 584 9226 Lion & Lamb The Carts Bog Inn East Rainton, 4 East Green, Heighington Horsley, NE15 0NS Langley on Tyne, Houghton le Spring, Village, DL5 6PP The Three Horseshoes t: 01661 852952 Hexham, NE47 5NW DH5 9QT t: 01325 313152 Pit House Lane, Leamside, t: 01434 684338 Houghton Le Spring, Newcastle Hotel t: 0191 5120905 The Grey Horse DH4 6QQ Front Street, Rothbury, The Crown [email protected] 115 Sherburn Terrace, t: 0191 584 2394 NE65 7UT, t: 01669 620334 Allendale Road, www.highfiedhoteldurham.co.uk Consett, DH8 6NE Catton, Stannington, t: 01207 502585 The Whitehills Olivers NE47 9QS Morpeth, Waldridge Road, 60 Bridge Street, Blyth, NE24 2AP t: 01434 683 447 NE61 6EL Number Twenty-2 The Half Moon inn Chester le Street, DH2 3AB t: 01670 540356 t: 01670 789216 22 Coniscliffe Road, 86 New Elvet, Durham, t: 0191 3882786 The CROWN INN e: [email protected] Darlington, DL3 7RG DH1 3AQ Red Lion Inn Humshaugh, Hexham, t: 01325 354590 t: 0191 3741918 The Wild Boar Stanegate Road, Newbrough, NE46 4AG e: [email protected] Frederick Place Hexham, NE47 5AR t: 01434 681 231 ‘Part of the www.twenty2.villagebrewer.co.uk The Honest Lawyer Houghton le Spring t: 01434 674226 Sir John Croxdale Bridge, Dh4 4bn www.redlionnewbrough.co.uk The Dyke Neuk Fitzgerald group’ Old Mill Hotel Croxdale, DH1 3HP t: 0191 3860465 Meldon Nr Morpeth, Thinford Road, t: 0191 3783782 Riverdale Hall Hotel NE61 3SL The Robin Hood Metal Bridge, The Victoria Inn Bellingham, NE48 2JT t: 01670 772 662 East Wallhouses Military Road Coxhoe, DH6 5NX The Manor House Hotel 86 Hallgarth Street, t: 01434 220254 Newcastle, NE18 0LL t: 01740 652928 The Green, West Auckland, Durham, DH1 3AS e: reservations@ The Dyvels Inn t: 01434 672273 DH14 9HW t: 0191 3860465 riverdalehallhotel.co.uk Station Road, Corbridge, www.robinhoodinn- South Causey Inn t: 01388 834834 www.riverdalehallhotel.co.uk NE45 5AY militaryroad.co.uk Beamish Burn Road, Ye Olde Elm Tree t: 01434 633 633 Stanley, DH9 OLS THE MANOR HOUSE INN 12 Crossgate, Three Horseshoes e: [email protected] The Ship Inn t: 01207 235555 Carterway Heads, Durham City, DH1 4PS Hathery Lane, Horton, www.dyvelsinn.co.uk Marygate, Holy Island, Shotley Bridge, DH8 9LX t: 0191 386 4621 Cramlington, NE24 4HF TD15 2SJ, t: 01289 389 311 Sun Inn t: 01207 255268 t: 01670 822410 The Feathers Inn Houghton Road, Hedley on the Hill, The Sun Inn Newbottle, DH4 4EG The Market Tavern North Yorkshire Twice Brewed Inn Stocksfield, Acomb, NE46 4PW t: 0191 584 1019 27 Market Place, Military Road, Bardon Mill, NE43 7SW t: 01434 602934 Durham, DH1 3NJ The Crown Inn NE47 7AN t: 01661 843 607 www.thesuninn-acomb.co.uk Surtees Arms t: 01207 255268 Vicars Lane, Manfield, DL2 2RF t: 01434 344534 Chilton Lane, t: 01325 374243 e:[email protected] The Fox & Hounds The Tankerville Arms Ferryhill, DL17 0DH The Mill www.twicebrewedinn.co.uk Main Road, Wylam, 22 Cottage Road, Wooler, NE71 6AD t: 01740 655724 Durham Road, Rainton Bridge, The Dog & Gun NE41 8DL t: 01668 281581 DH5 8NG, t: 0191 5843211 Coopers Lane, Potto, DL6 3HQ The Anchor Hotel t: 01661 853246 The Avenue Inn t: 01642 700232 Haydon Bridge, The Tap & Spile Avenue Street, The Miners Arms NE47 6AB The Golden Lion Eastgate, Hexham, NE46 1BH High Shincliffe, DH1 2PT 41 Manor Road, The White Swan t: 01434 688121 Market Place, Allendale, t: 01434 602039 t: 0191 386 5954 Medomsley, DH8 6QN 1 West End, Stokesley, TS9 5BL NE47 9BD t: 01207 560428 t: 01642 710263 The Anchor Inn t: 01434 683 225 The Travellers Rest The Bay Horse e: [email protected] Whittonstall, Nr Consett, Slaley, Hexham, 28 West Green, The Newfield Inn www.thewhiteswanstokesley.co.uk DH8 9JN The Hadrian Hotel NE46 1TT Heighington, DL5 6PE Newfield,C hester le Street, t: 01207 561110 Wall, Hexham, NE44 4EE t: 01434 673231 t: 01325 312312 DH2 2SP, t: 0191 3700565 Cumbria t: 01434 681232 www.travellersrestslaley.com The Angel inn The Beamish Mary Inn The Punch Bowl Inn Blenkinsopp Castle Inn Main Street, Corbridge, The Hermitage Inn The Wellington No Place, Nr Beamish, Edmundbyers, DH8 9NL Greenhead, Brampton, CA8 7JS NE45 5LA 23 Castle Street, Main Road, Riding Mill, NE44 6DQ DH9 0QH, t: 01207 255545 t: 01697 747601 t: 01434 632119 Warkworth, NE65 0UL t: 01434 682531 t: 0191 370 0237 t: 01665 711 258 The Quakerhouse The Blackbird THE Victoria Hotel The Black Horse 2 Mechanics Yard, Northumberland North Road, Ponteland, The Lindisfarne Inn 1 Front Street, Bamburgh, NE69 7BP Red Row,Beamish, DH9 0RW Darlington, DL3 7QF NE20 9UH Beal, TD15 2PD t: 01668 214431 t: 01207 232569 t: 07783 960 105 Bamburgh Castle INN t: 01661 824208 t: 01289 381 223 www.quakerhouse.net Seahouses, NE68 7SQ Teesside The Brittania Inn t: 01665 720283 The Black Bull The Lord Crewe Arms 1 Archer Street, Darlington The Red Lion Middle Street, Hotel Cleveland Bay County Durham, North Bitchburn Terrace, Barrasford Arms Corbridge, Blanchland, Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, DL3 6LR North Bitchburn, DL15 8AL Barrasford Hexham, NE48 4AA NE45 5AT DH8 9SP TS16 0JE t: 01325 463787 t: 01388 763561 t: 01434 681237 t: 01434 632261 t: 01434 675251 t: 01642 780275

36 cheers july/august 2011 The Salutation Fitzgerald’s Old Red Bull Inn The Bodega The Grey Horse The Potters Wheel 5 West Road, Billingham, Dark Lane, Morpeth, NE61 1ST 125 Westgate Road, Front Street, East Boldon, Sun Street, Cleveland, t: 01670 513306 Newcastle NE1 4AG NE36 0SJ, t: 0191 519 1796 Sunniside, NE16 5EE TS23 1BP t: 0191 221 1552 t: 0191 4888068 t: 01642 559119 Popolo The Harbour View e: [email protected] 82 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, The Briar Dene Benedict Street, Roker, www.potterswheelpub.com The Fishermans Arms NE1 6SF, t: 0191 2328923 71 The Links, Whitley Bay, Sunderland, SR6 0NU Sandgate, The Headland, NE26 1UE t: 0191 5671402 The Queen Victoria Hartlepool, Red Lion t: 0191 2520926 206 High Street, TS24 0JJ Redcar Terrace, West Boldon, e: [email protected] The Head of Steam Gosforth, NE3 1HD t: 01429 266029 NE36 0PZ, t: 0191 536 4197 www.sjf.co.uk 2 Neville Street, Newcastle t: 0191 2858060 10-12 Green Terrace, NE1 5EN, t: 0191 230 4236 Sunderland, The Rat Race SR1 3PZ Ristorante Fiume The Brandling Arms The Ravensworth Arms Hartlepool Railway Station, 16 Bonemill Lane, 176 High Street, Gosforth, The Hotspur Lamesley, Gateshead, Hartlepool, TS24 7ED t: 0191 5670852 Washington, NE38 8AJ NE3 1HD, t: 0191 2854023 103 Percy Street, Newcastle NE11 0ER e: [email protected] t: 0191 4150007 NE1 7RY, t: 0191 2324352 t: 0191 487 6023 TYNE & WEAR The Brandling Villa ‘Part of the Rockliffe ARms Haddricks Mill Road, South The Job Bulman The Rising Sun Gosforth, NE3 1QL St Nicholas Avenue, Gosforth, Bank Top, Crawcrook, NE40 4EE Sir John Bacchus t: 0191 2840490 NE3 1AA, t: 0191 2236320 t: 0191 4133316 Fitzgerald group’ The Broad Chare The keelman The Robin Hood Fitzgerald’s 25, Broad Chare, Trinity Gardens, Grange Road, Newburn, Primrose Hill, Quayside, Newcastle NE1 3DQ, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 8NL Jarrow, NE32 5UB t: 0191 211 2144 t: 0191 267 1689 t: 0191 428 5454 e: www.thebroadchare.co.uk e: [email protected] www.biglampbrewers.co.uk The Three Tuns The Causey Arch Inn Algernon Place, Sheriffs Highway, Whitley Bay, Beamish Burn Road, Marley Hill, The Kings Arms Newcastle, NE16 5EG Beech Street, Deptford, SR4 6BU Gateshead, NE9 5SD 42-48 High Bridge NE26 2DT t: 0191 4870666 Newcastle, t: 01207 233925 t: 0191 567 9804 NE1 6BX t:0191 2531299 www.thethreetuns.com e:[email protected] The Central The Kings Arms Great range of real ales t:0191 2611008 2 South Parade, Whitley Bay, Half Moon Lane, West Terrace, Seaton Sluice, and pies e:[email protected] ‘Part of the Gateshead, NE8 2AN NE26 4RD NE26 2RG Live music 7 nights a week Sir John t: 0191 4782543 t: 0191 2370275 e:[email protected] ‘Part of the t: 0191 2511255 Fitzgerald group’ Comedy Club - 1st Sunday of Sir John e: [email protected] The Lambton Arms every month. Fitzgerald group’ The Centurion Eighton Banks, Gateshead, ‘Part of the Rosies Bar Neville Street, Newcastle, NE9 7XR, t: 0191 487 8137 Sir John 2 Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ NE1 5DG, t: 0191 261 6611 THE Town wall Blue Bell t: 0191 2328477 The Low Lights Tavern Fitzgerald group’ Fulwell, Sunderland The Chillingham Brewhouse Bank, SR6 9AD Shiremoor House Farm Chillingham Road, North Shields, NE30 1LL t: 0191 5494020 Free Trade Inn Middle Engine Lane, North Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ t: 0191 2576038 St Lawrence Road, Shields NE29 8DZ t: 0191 265 3992 Bowes Incline Hotel Byker, Newcastle, NE6 1AP t: 0191 2576302 e: [email protected] The Magnesia Bank Northside, Birtley, t: 0191 265 5764 e: [email protected] 1 Camden Street, Gateshead, The Clarendon North Shields, NE30 1NH DH3 1RF HUGOS Sun Inn 143 High Street East, t: 0191 257 4831 t: 0191 410 2233 29 Front Street, Tynemouth Market Lane Swalwell, Sunderland, SR1 2BL NE30 4DZ. t: 0191 2578956 Gateshead NE16 3AL t:0191 5103200 The Maltings Bridle Path e: [email protected] t: 0191 442 9393 9 Claypath Lane, South Shields, 101 Front Street, Whickham, The Clock NE33 4PG, t: 0191 4277147 NE16 4JJ LYH Tilleys Bar Victoria Road, East Hebburn, t: 0191 4217676 10 Northumberland Road, 105 Westgate Road, NE31 1YQ, t: 0191 424 1134 The Marquis Of Granby Newcastle, NE1 8JF Newcastle, NE1 4AG Streetgate, Sunniside, NE16 5ES Britannia t: 0191 2321308 t: 0191 232 0692 The Cluny t: 0191 4880954 Pink Lane, Newcastle, 3 Boldon Lane, Cleadon, 36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, NE1 5HX Millstone Hotel Twin Farms The Mill House SR6 7RH Newcastle, NE1 2PQ www.thetownwall.com t: 0191 536 4198 Hadricks Mill Road, 22 Main Road, Kenton Bank t: 0191 230 4474 Blackfell, Birtley,DH3 1RE South Gosforth, NE3 1QL Foot, NE13 8AB t: 0191 415 1313 Chesters t: 0191 285 3429 t: 0191 2861263 The Cock Crow Inn the tyne bar Chester Road, e:[email protected] Mill Lane, Hebburn, NE31 2EY The New Bridge Sunderland, Newcastle Arms www.sjf.co.uk t: 0191 428 5730 2 -4 Argyle Street, SR4 7DR, 57 St Andrews Street, Newcastle, NE1 6PF t: 0191 5659952 Newcastle, Tynemouth Lodge The Copt Hill t: 0191 2321020 NE1 5SE Tynemouth Road, Seaham Road, Houghton le Cumberland arms t: 0191 260 2490 North Shields, NE30 4AA Spring, DH35 8LU The Pavilion t: 0191 257 7565 t: 0191 5844485 Hotspur North north terrace pub Backworth Business Park, The Aletaster The Cottage Tavern Backworth, NE27 0BJ 706 Durham Road, North Street, Cleadon, SR6 7PL t: 0191 2680711 Gateshead, NE9 6JA t: 0191 519 0547 e:info:sjf.co.uk Maling Street, Ouseburn, t: 0191 487 0770 Newcastle upon Tyne The County north terrace pub NE6 1LP The Barley Mow Inn High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle Durham Road, Barley Mow, NE3 1HB t: 0191 2652550 Birtley, DH3 2AH t: 0191 285 6919 e: [email protected] 12 Front Street, t: 0191 410 4504 www.thetyne.com Tynemouth The Courtyard Tartan carpet, NE30 4DZ Claremont Road, The Berkeley Tavern Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Newcastle, NE2 4AN beer garden under a bridge, Washington, NE38 8AB sexy bar staff.... t:0191 2571820 t: 0191 2321448 t: 0191 219 3463 www.cumberlandarms.co.uk

Central real ale bar, 6 hand the Cumberland Arms The Turks Head Real Ales pulls always available, large James Place Street Claremont Road, 41 Front Street, Home Cooked Food selection of bottled ciders Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LD Newcastle, NE2 4AN Tynemouth, NE30 4DZ Big Screen TV Wylam Gold/Fosters £2.40 - t: 0191 265 6151 t: 0191 2321448 t: 0191 2576547 12 noon til 4pm www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk Delaval Arms Food available all day Central real ale bar, 6 hand The Victory Old Hartley The Green pulls always available, large Killingworth Road, selection of bottled ciders NE26 4RL South Gosforth, NE3 1SY t: 0191 237 0489 oddFEllows FREE housE Marine Avenue, Whitley Bay, Wylam Gold/Fosters £2.40 - t: 0191 285 1254 12 noon til 4pm Tyne & Wear, NE26 1LY Food available all day THE Duke of Wellington t: 0191 2527755 The Wheatsheaf High Bridge, Newcastle 26 Carlisle Street, Felling, NE1 1EN Quality Cask Ales Gateshead, NE10 OHQ t: 0191 261 8852 Range of Pot Meals The Olde Ships Inn t: 0191 4200659 Function Suite - FRee to Durham Road, East Rainton, www.biglampbrewers.co.uk Crown Posada large parties DH5 9QT, t: 0191 5840944 31 Side, Newcastle White Mare Pool, NE1 3JE Wardley, Gateshead, The Pack horse t: 0191 2321269 7 Albion road, north The Black Horse NE10 8YB Crookgate, Burnopfield, Cheers is also available e: [email protected] Shields, nE30 2rJ 68 Front Street, Monkseaton, NE16 6NS at other selected outlets. t: 0191 257 4288 NE25 8DP t: 0191 2536931 t: 0191 4950171 t: 01207 270283 Please call 0191 231 6080 Fitzgeralds e: [email protected] www.blackhorse.co e: [email protected] 60 Grey Street, Newcastle, www.oddfellowspub.co.uk The Porthole or visit our website for NE1 6AF Listed in CAMRA The Boathouse ‘Part of the 11 New Quay, North Shields, more details. t: 0191 2301350 Good Beer Guide 2011 Water Row, Newburn, Sir John NE29 6LQ Bottle conditioned range www.cheersnortheast.co.uk e: [email protected] NE15 8NL Fitzgerald group’ t: 0191 2576645 www.sjf.co.uk Air conditioned, Sky Sports t: 0191 2290326 www.porthole.co.uk

july/august 2011 cheers 37 Summer Entertainment Competition July: Fri - 15th Borderland, 22nd Tony Liddle Band, n Sat - 16th Tommy & The Oddballs August: Fri - 5th On The Rocks, 12th The Gaslighters, 19th Longsands, 26th FM A two-course meal for September: Fri - 2nd Black Rose Local real ales regularly changing two at The Lion & Lamb Home cooked food + chefs specials served daily Win! The Lion & Lamb sits in the village of Horsley in Northumberland and The Rising Sun Bank Top, Crawcrook, enjoys stunning views over the Tyne Valley. It is renowned for its good Ryton, Tyne & Wear, food, real ales, its warm welcome and friendly, relaxed atmosphere. NE40 4EE T: 0191 4133316 Over which valley does the Lion Specialists in Beer Books, Postcards, & Lamb have stunning views? Posters & Signs Q: Our product range covers material from England, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany and the U.S.A. They will be of interest to The correct answer drawn at random beer drinkers, memorabilia lovers, brewers, publicans, bar designers will win a two-course meal for two plus many more beer enthusiasts. We deliver by mail order and can also ship abroad. (valid Mon-Thurs, to be taken by end of November 2011). Please (Est 1997) Beer-Inn Print email, putting Lamb & Lion in the Long High Top, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX& 7PF Tel: 01422 844437 subject field to competitions@ order online at: www.beerinnprint.co.uk cheersnortheast.co.uk or post to Lion & Lamb Competition, Offstone Our Knowledge = Publishing, Media Exchange One, Your SucceSS Coquet Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2QB by Monday August 22 2011. DicK Attlee Real Ale Technical Services T: 0191 2581067 M: 07722 631787 Proprietor Mr G.N. Weatherburn Manager Mr J. J. Bennett E: [email protected]

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38 cheers july/august 2011 fun stuff the dogs Blue the dog’s canine adventures in beer I’ve been out with the Master on mouth with one of those silly on a photo-shoot for the very my shopping list. I know his own a lot lately, squelching human “aaahhhhs”, and he’s first issue of this organ – a you like those BrewDog beasts.” along riverbanks and scrunching as happy as a dog in… Well, year ago to be exact. And, a year She never normally talks to through woodland. Normally happy as this dog, anyway. ago at The Boathouse, I first set me at that time of the morning he’ll stop, sit down and listen to I’m not always happy, mind. I my eyes on a rather tasty blonde and I’d swear she was facing the a bit of bird twittering – or even licked whisky off said hipflask once lying under a table. Her master Master, but the words “Trashy to the silence (all I can hear is the and burnt my tongue – horrible was called Angus, I recall, and Blonde” and “BrewDog” just distant sound of an ice-cream van stuff. I think he’s limbering she fluttered her eyelashes in a took my imagination back to the jingle. Match of the Day, would up for the summer season of fetchingly flirtatious manner. golden labrador of my dreams. you believe? And, what is it with beer festivals – particularly I’m hooked – and now I hear I hope she’s going to the Scottish humans and silence?). Odd times, the Scottish Beer Party at The over breakfast that the whole Beer Party so I can tell her my though, he’ll fish into one of his big Boathouse in Wylam over the family’s going back there this favourite joke: “I’ve just washed my pockets and pull out a hip-flask. August Bank Holiday weekend. year. Well, I think that was the kilt. Now I can’t to a fling with it.” A quick turn of the screwtop, I have fond memories of The idea, as the Mistress was heard What an opening line. Oh, I a long slug, a wipe of the Boathouse; I was taken along there to say: “I’ve put Trashy Blonde on can’t wait. I love a bit of ruff. Pub Picture Quiz The Dirty Dozen Quiz To which beer-related buildings do Twelve stinkers by Tony Gold, Sunderland Quiz League these dates refer? 1. Since its discovery in 1846, what (also) 10. When Wild Bill Hickok was shot dead on 1. 2. celebrated its first anniversary in July August 2 1876, what was in his hand? 2011? 11. Who won the first-ever episode of QI to be 2. what is the full name of the puppet who broadcast? will be born on 14 February 2043 and go 12. According to the Post Office, which North on to pilot Thunderbird 4? East town is the most mis-spelled place

3. In 1966, FC Dodo beat Fire Brigade SC to in the country?

orthumberland N orbridge, C ull, B lack B he T

win which island’s FA Cup competition? 4.

orthumberland N hittington, W Great ead, H Queen’s he T 3. 3.

umfries umfries D Inn, Globe he T

4. which amateur sleuth’s first murder 2.

investigation was in 1137? apartments) and offices (now ewcastle ewcastle N Jesmond, rewery, B Sandyford euchar’s D obert R 1.

ANSWERS z 3. 4. Qui Picture

5. what seasoning gives some curries their

Middlesbrough. aker. B anny D 12. 11.

and’). H Man’s ead D (‘ cards aying P alek. D 10. distinctive yellow colour? 9.

embley). W old at (goalscorers amann H ietmar D 8.

A. Animals. urry F Super urmeric. T 7. 6. 6. Gruff Rhys is best known as the lead 5.

adfael’s. C rother B Mauritius’. racy. T Gordon 4. 3.

singer of which band? 2.

sun). the orbit to years 165 almost takes (it eptune N 1.

ANSWERS z 7. what’s the only vowel not found on the top Qui row of a standard keyboard? 8. If David Jack was the first in 1923, which n Did you know? German was the last, in 2000? Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; 9. the Serbo-Croat word for ‘a foreign thing’ wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad is also the name of what fictional alien?

july/august 2011 cheers 39