Monday 16 April 2012

The Lady Grey, 20 Shakespeare Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NEI 6AQ. Tel:0191 2323606.

The Lady Grey in Shakespeare Street.
What a shock I got when I left the Bacchus and thought I'd try the Adelphi. A pub I hadn't been in for umpteen years and was , in my view anyway, a dump with no proper beer. I turned the corner and there was the Lady Grey, 6 real ale hand pumps and an ancient typewriter!
I don't know exactly when it happened, but I couldn't wait to sample some.
Dark Stars Espresso, Summer Wine's Gambit, Bristol Beer's Virtue, Ouseburn Valley's Victoria Tunnel and Farmhouse Pyder (Cider).
A good atmosphere and lovely real ale. I'll go again when my typing's up to scratch.

The Cross Keys, Front Street. Esh, County Durham, DH7 9QR. Tel: 01913731279.

The Cross Keys is an old country pub in the middle of the small village of Esh, overlooking Langley Park. Quite high up, giving magnificent views from the rear.
My son lives in Langley Park so I've taken the liberty of visiting the pub twice for a pint and a bite to eat. Unfortunately the place seems to be in turmoil and had a different landlord on each visit. The food was adequate and the beer was ok but the place was definitely suffering through the change of ownership.
On the first visit  there was a choice of 3 ales. Adnams, Olde Esh from the Beamish Brewery and Black Sheep. On the next only one beer was on to be had.
Maybe worth another try?

Monday 30 January 2012

The Birtley Ale House, Talbot Terrace, Birtley, County Durham, DH3 2PS. Tel:0191 4100593.


LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Birtley Ale House, as it's now known, is right on the main street in Birtley.

 Taking up a corner site, you can't miss it, and if you're a real ale fan and you're in the vicinity, you must call in and sample its wares.
Mark the owner, and a very hospitable chap we found him to be, used to be at The Old Fox in Felling. My home town incidentally and frequent drinking hole.

With 6 real ales always available at The Birtley Ale House, it's certainly a treat.
Hadrian and Borders Northern Star, Camerons Snake Joke, Caledonian Deuchers IPA, 80/-, and Double Dark, a beautiful stout, of which I had a couple, on at our visit.

There are a couple of live entertainment nights per week to help the ale go down.

Well worth a visit.