The Broad Chare, 25 Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ. Tel:0191 2112144.

 LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Broad Chare is in Broad Chare! just off the Quayside, near the law courts.(That's not my Merc outside incidentally. My much more desirable Nissan Note is just around the corner)

 I must admit I loved the place as soon as I limped in.

 The Broad Chare, I think, is owned and was opened by a bloke called Terry Laybourne, who, years ago, had a smashing restaurant called 21 Queen Street. I loved that place as well!

4 real ales in spot on condition. Brew Dog's Trashy Blonde, Bass Premium Ale, Wylam's Gold Tankard and my favourite, Writer's Block, specially brewed for the Broad Chare by Wylams. I found the beer excellent and the young barman very knowledgeable and helpful.

 The bar food was excellent but I must admit I've yet to visit the restaurant upstairs. Can't wait.

 I'll report on this at a later date. 

                                                                                                           

The Kings Manor, 132 New Bridge Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8AG. Tel:0191 2301190.

 6

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Kings Manor on New Bridge Sreet, appealed to me as an alternative to the horrible 5 o'clock city traffic jam I happened to be stuck in the other evening.

 I don't think the Kings Manor, once the Moot, had been opened until very recently but it is certainly a proper real ale pub. With no less than 10 hand pulls to pick from, I parked up just around the corner in Argyle Street and 'booled' in.

Polished wood floors were the order of the day so I 'plonked' in and ordered  a pint of Hadrian's Tyneside Blonde. Very nice it was too.

 I must come back without the car to sample more of the ale.

Town Wall, Pink Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 5HX. Tel:0191 2323000.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

I hadn't realised theTown Wall existed as its that long since I walked up Pink Lane. Another pub sits almost opposite, but  thats for another day.

The Town Wall is quite a sizeable pub which has a decent reputation for food and a substantial  menu. But I digress.

The selection of real ales is marvelous, with some 8 to choose from. A couple of Wylam beers, one permanent called Toon Waal Ale, and the other, Gold Tankard, were acconpanied by Tyne Banks Monument Bitter, Brew Dogs Trashy Blonde and Punk IPA, Harviestouns Bitter and Twisted, Dalesides Blonde and good old Bass Premium Ale.

 Maybe it was the time of day I chose, but the place was sparcely populated and therefore lacked atmosphere. I'll maybe have to call again. Seems like a good idea.                                     

Benton Ale House, Front Street, Benton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7XE. Tel:0191 2661512 or 0191 2665588.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Benton Ale House is, handily, just round the corner from the Four Lane Ends Metro Station. Although there is parking space, the choice of wonderful ales does lend itself to a good session and a rest for the driver! Cask Task did use this facility for the full squad to enjoy a variety of the beers on offer.

Built over 100 years ago and known originally as The Sun, it became the Benton Ale House in 1995 and began promoting real ales and a good name its got for it too.The pub is divided into two rooms with the bar in the middle and the decor is very pleasant throughout.

 The four regular beers being Banks Bitter, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Marstons Pedigree(my delicious choice for the afternoon) and Ringwoods Forty Niner. There are 3 guest ales on offer also.

An extremely enjoyable afternoon was had by all and the Benton Ale House is highly recommended.

Border Minstrel, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 5EJ, Tel:0191 2362002

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Border Minstrel stands right outside the racecourse and opposite the Parklands Golf Course. A large L-shaped room for both drinkers and diners.
It generally has 3 real ales on tap although only 2 available when Cask Task arrived. Both were from the High House Farm Brewery, one of our favourites. Matfen Magic and Nels Best were the two on offer.
The music in the place , however, nearly blew my little grey cells out.

The White Swan Inn, Prestwick Road, Dinnington, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE13 7AG, Tel:01661 872869.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The White Swan Inn was closed at 3.30pm when I last called, a week or so ago, but it looked so inviting I thought it was worth another go.

Although not what I'd call a real ale pub, just the one pump of Black Sheep on sale, I thought I'd mention the Swan because of its popularity as a good eatery. The place was really busy on the thursday lunchtime Cask Task called for the customary pint.

Very obviously a good place to eat.

Poachers Cottage, Callerton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1NQ, Tel:0191 2140417.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Poachers Cottage is a beautiful pub/restaurant on the edge of the village of Callerton.
We caught it on a sunny autumn afternoon and it looked tremendous. The interior was just as attractive. So much so that Cask Task's team of three had to have a delicious roast beef sandwich each. Super.
The Cumberland Ale and the Snecklifter real ale washed it all down.
I must say that I'll be back here again as soon as possible.

Twin Farms, Main Road, Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8AB, Tel:0191 2864531.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Twin Farms is a very friendly and welcoming Sir John Fitzgerald place on the edge of Newcastle. I'd had a meal in here, a few months ago, with my son and granddaughter and thought it was about time the beer got a try!
As usual with 'Fitzgeralds' there was plenty to choose from and an ever changing variety from 5 real ale pumps. Black Sheep, Skipton Brewery Copper Dragon, Moonshine from Abbeydale Brewery, Red Car Rocks and Brecon County from the Breconshire Brewery. Down I settled, in a very comfortable armchair, and supped. Marvelous.
Another good pub/restaurant.

Jingling Gate, Stamfordham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1NL. Tel:0191 2869636.

                         
LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Jingling Gate brings back 25years or more memories of big friendly gatherings and meals for special occasions. Obviously the place has changed now and moved up market but still has a pleasant atmosphere.
Always a big eating place, and that hasn't changed, with a good menu to choose from.
The real ales are on sale from 3 hand pulls. Old Speckled Hen, Green King IPA, and a new one on me, Gangly Ghoul from the Westgate Brewery, which I couldn't resist. Very pleasant it turned out to be!
A good pub and eating place.

Tilleys, 105 Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4AW. Tel:0191 2320692.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Tilleys, sandwiching the Tyne Theatre (formerly the Stoll picture house, where I used to 'play the wag' from school to see so called 'dirty' movies in 1960, in what seems like the middle ages now) between it and The Bodega pub, feels a bit more downmarket than its sister pub. Its not really, its just that the Bodega has a more interesting interior.

Still interesting with its 'cinema' inside!! Tilleys is a bit more down to earth, shall we say, but does have a substantial range if changing real ales. JW Lees Strawberry Fruity Ale, Blackberry Cascade(2 bananas and a half pound of apples please?), JW Lees Bitter(thats better), High House Nels Best, Wylams Summer Magic and some of yer actual real? lager. I tried a pint of this, just to say that I had.

A good pub though and worth a visit.

The Bodega, 125 Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4AG. Tel:0191 2211552.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Bodega is a beautiful old pub, both inside and out, with its magnificent domed ceiling and traditional look exterior. Another city drinking establishment Sir John Fitzgerald can be proud of. I can't help feeling though, that the new road, sort of cutting Westgate Road in two, doesn't enhance this part of the city, but on to the Bodega's further good points.

The superb real ale range is as good as ever. Changing constantly. When we called, Prince Bishop Ale, Sharp's Honey Spiced Gold, Milestone Black Pearl (one of my favourites), Nethergate Brewery Painted Lady, Milestones Dark Knight and Durham Brewery's The Durham Magus were all sitting there, ready to be supped.

Get in and get some swallied.

Millstone, Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, NE3 1QL. Tel:0191 2853429.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Millstone was a pub not before visited by Cask Task and turned out to be a quite cosy and comfortable place.

Not a real ale pub as such but offering Spitfire and Bass.

The Lonsdale, Lonsdale Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne &Wear, NE2 3HQ. Tel:0191 2810039.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Lonsdale has a huge drop down screen, presumably to show the football, and a huge amount of scaffolding to the left hand side, presumably to keep the wall up. A quick pint of Black Sheep, which I had, or the Deuchars IPA, was called for. Afraid I may sneeze and bring the place down around our ears, we made a quick exit for the West Jesmond metro station, just across the road.

The Punch Bowl, 125 Jesmond Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE2 1JY. Tel:0191 2818285.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Pun h Bowl, as it says over door, although I'm certain we were going into the Punch Bowl, looks decidedly run down from the outside but does its best on the inside.

With two real ales, Deuchars IPA and an anonymous Hydes Over The Barrel pint on sale, we had our sup and moved on.

Blue Bell, Jesmond Vale, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE2 1PH. Tel:0191 2321774.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Blue Bell is a lovely old pub tucked away down in Jesmond Vale. Unfortunately in the shadow of one of those awful 60/70's tower blocks.
The Blue Bell does its best with an attractive outside seating area and a very friendly and comfortable interior. The food wasn't bad either.
The real ale on offer was Deuchars IPA and Abbot Ale.
Enjoyed an overcast hour or so there. Very nice.

The Newton Park, Benton Road, Longbenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear. NE7 7EB. Tel:0191 2662010.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Newton Park is a huge pub which majors strongly on reasonable food selection and a friendly, comfortable atmosphere.
The real ale choice was Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, and Green King IPA. With a long and arduous day in front of us, I sampled the IPA before moving on.

The Keelman, Grange Road, Newburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 8NL. Tel:0191 2671689.

CLICK LEFT ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Keelman was not an easy place to find.
Having supped a considerable amount of Big Lamp's ales over the past few years, it seemed like a good idea to visit their brewery and pub at Newburn. Cask Task got there eventually and was very pleased to do so. It's an impressive old place.

The brewery was originally a water pumping station in the 1800s, left to fall into partial ruins, but was lovingly rebuilt and reopened in 1998, with the Keelman pub alongside.
Well furnished and very busy when we called, there is a superb selection of Big Lamp real ales to choose from. Sunny Daze, Big Lamp Bitter, Summerhill Stout (right up my street!), Prince Bishop, Big Lamp Premium and Sky Diver were all there.

Good food is also served.
Definitely well worth a visit.

Swinburne Arms, 31 North Side, Stamfordham, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE18 0QG. Tel:01661 886707.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Swinburne Arms is one of two Stamfordham pubs on the village green.

Although it's the quieter of the two, it very much depends what you're looking for. One is all hustle and bustle but the Swinburne is more relaxed and just as friendly and full of character. It does feel like a proper village pub. By though it was a cold visit to the toilet out the back.
Cask Task spent a very enjoyable hour or so in the pub.

The real ale choice comes from two pumps. The inevitable Black Sheep and Wylam Festival Ale were on sale and the Festival Ale did go down well.

The Bay Horse, South Side, Stamfordham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE18 0PB. Tel:01661 886244.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Bay Horse, in the delightful village of Stamfordham, is an attractive old pub with a proper fireplace(we were glad of it 'cos it was a sunny but icy day) and a Ford with no hub caps standing outside(well it spoilt me photo!).
A comfortable and welcoming interior with 3 real ales on tap.
My Wylam Bitter was the first one to be pulled off and was cloudy, but the obliging Julie drew me another, which was up to Wylam's good standard.
The other real ales on offer were Nel's Best and the popular Deuchars IPA.

The Bay Horse was busy with both drinkers and diners with a pleasant atmosphere about it. Well worth a look in.

The Swan, Heddon On The Wall, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE15 0DR.Tel:01661 853161

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Cask Task reached The Swan at about 11.30 to find the place closed, so we had a walk around. We must say that the view out at the back, where there is a beer garden, is worth taking in. Right across the Tyne valley.
The main building goes back to the 1700s but is now extended to include bar, restaurant and hotel. It's been done out with good furniture and expensive decor. Not having been there for some time the place has lost its old country feel but is none the worse for that.

The real ales were Wylam Magic, Wylam Gold Tankard and Youngs Bitter.
Its a pub Jim, but not as we know it!