Bacchus. Newcastle

The Bacchus Highbridge . Now there's a name to conjure with. I have fond memories of this place from my youth when I was a Newcie Broon drinker. But, what a transformation! Its gone posh!

The Bacchus, Highbridge is all brand new. Very nice mind. Expensive wood floor, proper large wood circular pillars and wood furniture. Phwaarr!

Then there's the beer.What a selection.

Started off with the Jarrow Rivet Catcher(smashin) then on to the Dark Star Old Chestnut(a super dark, smooth but not too powerful swallie as Rab would say). Marvlious!

Must pay another visit shortly. If you want to read more of The Bacchus. Newcastle click on the link

Smiths Arms, Brecon Hill, Castle Dene,Chester le Street,DH3 4HE. Tel.01913856915.

The Smiths Arms. Its taken us weeks to catch it open (not until 4pm) but was it worth while!

My kind of pub is this. Loads of friendly atmoshere. A small bar. An ancient black oven and fire range blazing away(as my parents and grandparents had in the 40's and 50's) and 4 real ales on tap. I could have moved in!!

In an isolated region near Fencehouses and Great Lumley. If you like old pubs and good beer then here they are.

A Northumberland Ales Pit Pony went down a treat as I'm sure the Black Sheep, the Jarrow Brewery Rivet Catcher and the Courage Directors would have done too if I only had time.

Hurry back if you can Jack!

To check out their website click this link Smiths Arms, Brecon Hill, Castle Dene, Chester le Street

The Newcastle Arms

Newcastle Arms,
57, St. Andrew's Street, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 5SE . Tel (0191) 2602490

The Newcastle Arms has become somewhat of a leg end in the Toon and must be visited if your in the area.

Multi-award winner, and rightly so, for its wonderful choice and variety of well kept real ales. Many sampled by yours faithfully,purely on your behalf of course. God its such a trial.

The pub has such a lot going for it. A couple of hundred yards from St James Park, 50 yards from China town, 100 yards from Eldon Square and oh, did I mention the ale? How remiss of me! Hic.

The Hotspur Haymarket, Newcastle.

Ahh, The Hotspur!
This is my local. Only 250 yards walk from my house (mind you I have to get the Metro from Heworth to the Haymarket) but there it is!

Right opposite the bus station, the Hotspur is popular with weekend shoppers but match days are unbelievable.Your pint is wedged under your chin. Its stowed off, absolutely heaving. Before and after kick off.
I know you may not believe this (stop sniggering at the back there) but I've enjoyed many a good pint of Courage Directors, amongst other ales, in here!
A good variety of ales, popular but more leisurely during the week, buzzing most evenings.

Recommended!



103 Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RY
Tel: 0871 917 0007

The Aletaster, 706 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead,NE9 6JA Tel: 0191 4870770

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Right on the busy Durham Road through Low Fell ,this really means what it says on the label.
The Aletaster. I've never seen such a large selection of real ales in one pub. A proper feast for the the genuine drinker. If you can't find something to your liking here you never will!
I found the Marstons Pedigree and the Theakstons Old Peculiar both smashing.
A proper drinker's pub.
Parking at the rear if required.

The Waggon Inn, Eighton Banks

The
Wag
gon
Inn
NE9
7XB

A
bit
off



the beaten track, this is a very popular and hospitable pub/rest with a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.
There are three good real ales on offer.Courage Directors,Mordues Workie Ticket and Theakstons.
Nice open fire in the winter.




Waggon Inn, Galloping Green Road Gateshead, NE9 7XB

The Green. White Mare Pool

Originally, an old pub called The White Mare Pool, which was taken over by The Dixielanders, an extremely popular local singing /comedy ensemble(mainly Billy Martin and Bobby Hooper) who entertained me brilliantly on many an hilarious evening. Feeding the audience on........Drinks were supplied in large stone jugs, if prefered,to save you having to go to the bar too often.

What fabulous nights. Ah, happy days.
The old place was bought and completely demolished by the Fitzgerald group who then built a new place on the same site.

The Green as we know it today became my local until 1996, when I moved away. I still visit it today to enjoy one of its many real and guest ales.
I also still find it a most comfortable and attractive pub/restaurant and highly recommend it.

By the way there's a large, south facing,outside area for summer supping and an enormous car park.

Borough Arms Gateshead

Reputed to be the oldest pub in Gateshead. Seems to be true!!
Stocks mainly Jarrow Brewery beers. Had a couple of pleasant pints.

82 Bensham Road, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 1PS

Butchers Arms, Middle Chair, Chester le Street, Co Durham, DH3 3QB. Tel: 0191 3883605.

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The Butchers Arms Pub just off the main street.Has 6 pumps, although only 3 were in use on my visit.One was Hob Goblin which was well kept and delicious as usual. Good beer house.

Cask Task's second visit was really encouraging. The place was buzzing and a few more wooden handles had been added. one of which, the dark and delicious Old Thumper, was supped with great gusto.

Apparently the barmaid from our initial visit has taken over the Butchers and was making a good job of it too. Best wishes from Cask Task.

An even better pub now.

Tudor Rose Dunston

Just off the Tyne, this pub has a pleasant interior (although there are a few steps up to be negotiated to get to the toilet). There is just one real ale on tap. (When I visited a very tasty Hobgoblin). The exterior has been altered via some false timber and the name has been changed from the original. It used to be The Anchor Inn, to reflect it's proximity to the Big River, which is immediatley behind it

Floaters Mill, Fence Houses. Tel:0191 3856695. 23/1/2009

The Floaters Mill , Woodstone Village, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 6BQ is a large, attractive pub/rest in the village of Fence Houses. Although not my idea of an ideal drinking establishment, the Floaters Mill has its good points.
For instance the attractive restaurant section, by far the greater part of the pub, looks superb.
An ideal place to have your family, friends, fiance or for that matter your mistress out for a meal. In the summer it would be an smashing place to sit outsde, with a kids play area too.

On to my area. The bar is modern but comfortable, has a choice of 3 real ales and I must admit the Jennings Cross Buttocks, (Jennings do have some cracking names for their beers) a tasty dark sultry drink was lovely!

Albion, Bill Quay

Albion Inn, Bill Quay

TUESDAY 20/1/2009

ALBION INN, Bill Quay, Gateshead, NE10 OTY. Tel:01914692418, Reay Street
Good old pub. A bit isolated but right on the bank of the 'Big River',with fabulous views of the Tyne.Superb ales,mainly from the Jarrow Brewery(Rivet Catcher etc.). Well worth a visit.Opens at 4pm during winter.

Alas now closed. What a shame. 25/1/2010.

In the Beginning

The Quest

To check out the real ale pubs within a reasonable radius of Heworth