Friday 26 November 2010

Jacksons Arms, Tower Street, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS24 7HH, 01429 862413.

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Jacksons Arms has not the most attractive or inviting of exteriors but things do improve a little once inside.
A pleasant atmosphere and although 4 pumps were on show only one was in use.
Adnams Bocbier. Never heard of that one but it tasted reasonable enough.

Rat Race Ale House, Platform 2, Hartlepool Railway Station, TS24 7ED.

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The Rat Race Ale House is actually in Hartlepool Railway Station.
It's tiny.
About 8ft by 8ft, but always has a good selection of ever changing real ales maintained by the ever present Pete Morgan.
Always a regular changing 4 ales, a Perry and a Cider on offer with a  reasonable amount of seating.
A most unusual setting and a must for a visit and a pint or two.

White House, Wooler Road, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS26 0DR, Tel:01429 224392.

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White House is another attractive and well appointed Ember Inns pub/restaurant in Hartlepool, popular for both food and good real ale.
The superb range of  beers included Old Speckled Hen, Black Sheep, John Smiths Cask Ale, Bass Premium Ale and the superb Copper Dragon Black Gold from the Skipton Brewery.
A comfortable and inviting place well worth a visit.

Tall Ships, Middle Warren Local Centre, Mulberry Rise, Hartlepool, TS26 OBF, Tel:01429 273515.

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Tall Ships is one of two very inviting Ember Inns owned pub/restaurants Cask Task came across in Hartlepool.
Very well appointed in decor and furnishings with a good looking food menu and superb range of real ales.
Black Prince Dark Ale from St Austell, Davenports Fox's Nob, Thwaites Liberation Premium Ale and John Smiths Cask Ale. The Black Prince was superb. These all change regularly.
Definitely worth a visit for both food and drink

Monday 22 November 2010

Pier 81, Queen Street, Amble, Northumberlaned, NE65 0DA, Tel:01665 713160.

 Pier 81 was once The Tavern, which baffled us temporarily but we were desparately searching for a pint of real ale in this absolute desert of a place and went in.
One pump, yes ONE pump, in this dump, and the only  pump of real ale in the whole  town centre!!
We sank the Hadrian & Borders Brewery's Tyneside Blonde and left.

The Trap Inn, Main Street, North Broomhill, Northumberland, NE65 9UT. Tel:01670 761672.

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The Trap Inn is a little isolated, just off the main coastal route through Northumberland.
 I must have passed the pub a number of times over the years without giving it a second glance. A refurbishment around 2008 has cheered the place up no end and we thought it was worth a look in.

The man on duty behind the bar was a friendly and welcoming bloke and served up a good pint of Theakstons Old Peculiar. With a choice of 3 real ales, a restaurant and accomodation the place is certainly worth a visit.