Uk Trip - Hunt For Real Ale

[gap]

Hello ,
Just back from 3 weeks in the UK.
This is the blackboard listing future and current ales
served at The Three Horseshoes at Blyth , just north of
Newcastle upon Tyne.

The ones with the * were those currently available when the photo
was taken.

I will list all of the different ales I had on hand pump soon.

Regards

Graeme

 

[Bribie G]

By Gox, lad - last time I was in Newcastle ten years ago it was a real ale desert - although Big Lamp and Mordue were going ok. At best you could get Theakston and Boddies on handpump and maybe Tetleys if you knew where to look. I'm also delighted to see that Camerons have returned to real ale - they used to be just bright tank served on electric pump.

And Blyth :huh:
Are you related to the natives there or did you just end up in the area? I'm from West Denton but know Whitley Bay / Blyth like the back of my hand.

 

[Tim]

Gap - did you head here http://www.petersen-stainless.co.uk/blb/brewery.html

I went there a couple of years ago when in Newcastle for my first wedding anniversary. Beer was pretty good.

 

[gap]

By Gox, lad - last time I was in Newcastle ten years ago it was a real ale desert - although Big Lamp and Mordue were going ok. At best you could get Theakston and Boddies on handpump and maybe Tetleys if you knew where to look. I'm also delighted to see that Camerons have returned to real ale - they used to be just bright tank served on electric pump.

And Blyth :huh:
Are you related to the natives there or did you just end up in the area? I'm from West Denton but know Whitley Bay / Blyth like the back of my hand.

Hello BribieG,

My wife is a Geordie, her mother lives in
Gosforth. There are about 6 Real ale pubs in Gosforth alone now.
I had Jarrow Brewery Rivet Catcher at The County in Gosforth after
the Newcastle - West Ham game - Newcastle won 5-0 so the pub was a happy place.
The Rivet Cathcher was very tasty to.

I ended up in Blyth with a friend to watch Blyth Spartans play because the Bedlington Terriors
match was called off because of ice on the pitch.

We always end up in the "Shoes" , a great pub. On Friday and Saturday night they will have at least
9 real ales on the hand pumps.


Regards
Graeme

 

[gap]

Gap - did you head here http://www.petersen-stainless.co.uk/blb/brewery.html

I went there a couple of years ago when in Newcastle for my first wedding anniversary. Beer was pretty good.

Hello Tim,
Unfortunately I did not get to The Big Lamp. Temperatures were up to -9 C
with smow on the roads so travel was difficult. Had lunch and a few pints of
real ale from the handpump as often as possible.

Had Brewdogs Punk IPA on handpump at the "Shoes" , such a difference to bottled beer!!!!!

Regards

Graeme

 

[Shed101]

with snow on the roads so travel was difficult. Had lunch and a few pints of
real ale from the handpump as often as possible.

Perhaps if you'd had one of these you'd have been arlreet?

 

[Bribie G]

<nostalgia blast> Big Lamp. There used to be a huge gas light on this corner in Victorian times. The shops over the road were actually a pub which still had an old Deuchars sign on it up till the 1970s, Newcastle Breweries are now gone, but Deuchars live on - over the road there's still a reference to the Lamp.

It's on Westgate road at the top of the hill coming out of the city from the West Gate that was set in the wall of the Medieval city. I'm amazed that apart from the wheelie bins and electric lights the street hasn't changed since I was a boy, and probably not since the 19th century, the terraces on the left would have been familiar to Capt Cook. You can imagine the horses and carts and hordes of workers toiling up the hill in the dusk towards the welcome light of the lamp. Not to mention a well earned pint in the Deuchars pub. Creepy :huh:

 

[Shed101]

I'm amazed that apart from the wheelie bins and electric lights the street hasn't changed since I was a boy, and probably not since the 19th century, the terraces on the left would have been familiar to Capt Cook. You can imagine the horses and carts and hordes of workers toiling up the hill in the dusk towards the welcome light of the lamp.

(ok not quite the right area but) Eee by gum, i found a video of you as young lad!

 

[Bribie G]

No, I dance to a nowadays



Will the mullet ever return?

 

[matho]

good to hear your back graeme cant wait to see more of your trip

cheers steve

 

[mje1980]

I am so f*cken jealous of you haha. I would have tried all the available ones, how could you not?? haha. Lucky bugger!!

 

[mercle]

I loved some of the real ale pubs up north when I was over there in 09. Didnt get to Newcastle, but went to York. The Black Sheep beers were pretty good I must say. Pretty well all over the place the real ales were good.

I couldnt help myself in London to have this pic taken after getting first place for my stout in VicBrew 09

 

[gap]

All of these beers were dispensed using a handpump.
All except Fullers used a sparkler with the handpump.

The mouthfeel was much creamier than bottled examples
and much smoother in taste.





Pub: The Navy Inn Barbican Plymouth

Brewery : Sharps Brewery Rock Cormwall

Beer: Doom Bar Very plesant drop to wash down the Fish and Chips
on a very wet and cold day by the seaside in Plymouth



Pub: Gibralter Castle Harpenden North of London

Brewery: Fullers
Beer : Fullers London Pride
Fullers ESB
Tasted so different to the bottled versions. Great

New Years Eve



Pub: Tap and Spile Scarborough
House Beers
Black Sheep Ale, Evehards Tiger , Timothy taylor Landlord

Brewery : Timothy Taylor Keighley West Yorkshire

Beer: Timothy Taylor Landlord
What a way to spend New Years Eve. TTL on the handpump. Now this is very different
to the beer in a bottle. just a great beer . The highlight of the trip




Pub: Three Horseshoes ( The Shoes) Horton near Blyth about 10 miles or so north of Newcastle
They have 9 cask ales on the hand pumps on Friday and Saturday - About 6 during
the week. Green King Abbots , Tetley Bitter and their House Ale plus 3 guests during the week
and 6 guest Ales at the weekend.

Brewery : Brew Dogs Scotland

Beer: Punk IPA

On the handpump and tasted fantastic.


Brewery: Landlord will not say - House Beer

Beer : Three Horseshoes Horton Ale
A gold coloured Ale with good hop flavour

Brewery : High House Farm a micro brewery 10 miles west of Newcastle

Beer: Jens Best
Goldern colour and Goldings Hops ABV 4.2%
A great session Beer.

Brewery: Black Sheep Masham West Yorkshire

Beer: Black Sheep Ale 4.4% ABV
Again this is so different and nicer on the handpump as against the
bottled version.

After being taken to watch Newcastle United play at St James Park



Pub: The County Gosforth 3 miles north of Newcastle

Brewery: Jarrow Brewery Jarrow , Gateshead another local micro brewery

Beer: Rivet Catcher 4.0% ABV
CAMRA Great British Beer Festival Silver & Bronze Winner and Champion
North East Beer of the Year.A light, smooth, satisfying gold bitter. Subtle
fruity hops give the taste profile on tongue and nose.




Pub: Bay Horse Inn Stamfordham a small village 10 miles west of Newcastle
which can support 2 pubs. Graet food and beer.

Brewery : High House Farm

Beer: Red Shep 4.0% ABV
A seasonal Ale. A lovely autumnal copper coloured best bitter, which
has a melony orange nose, a hint of spice and a fantastic fruity flavour

Brewery : Hadrian Border Newcastle another local micro brewery

Beer: Tyneside Blonde 3.9% ABV
A pale coloured thirst-quencher, using Maris Otter malt, wheat malt
and an abundance of bittering and aromatic hops. Slightly creamy and easy to drink.

Brewery : Wylam South Houghton Farm Heddon-On-The-Wall Newcastle yet another local micro

Beer: Gold Tankard
Award winning golden Ale made with Willamette and First Gold hops
with a hint of citrus in the fuinish

Evry beer i had was of top quality and most of the pubs served restaurant quality food but at pub prices.
I shall miss having such a great choice of great beer and pubs in a 10 mile radius of where I was staying.
Gosforth alone had 6 real ale pubs in its main street.

Regards

Graeme

 

[Bribie G]

Ahm tempted te gan hyem <_<

 

[brett mccluskey]

Ahm tempted te gan hyem <_<

Prices like these would certainly tempt me !

 

[bcp]

I just love english pubs. Fascinating architecture, interesting local ales on hand pump, (with the bizarre sight of fosters front and centre), great social atmosphere...

On the other hand, most australian pubs seem to look the same (I think there were three carpets used by all old pubs in victoria & NSW); are jammed full of pokies, have the same items on the menu, and the usual suspect lagers. Ok, there are some exceptions, but if i'm in the uk i can't wait to get to a local. Here... I don't bother.

 

[gap]

I agree with you.

The pub culture in the UK is entirely different to here. The pub
seems to be the hub of the local community, where people go to
met , chat and have a quiet pint. Obviously there are some which are not
like that but they are mainly in the City Centre .

Regards

Graeme

 

[dave_h]

Good God, I forgot how cheap the beer was in pubs compared to Perth where I dont get much change from $300 for a night out!

Cant wait to go back for a holiday in 4 months, bring it on!