The Denton, West Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE5 2JJ. Tel:0191 2750014.

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The Denton was called in by chance on the way home, after a busy days research (stop laughing) on Cask Task's behalf. We didn't think it a likely real ale pub. How wrong can you be!

A large and very comfortable watering hole it turned out to be. With a new inovation to us. The tasting rack!
For the princely sum of £2, if your not so sure which real ale will suit you best, you can have 3 glasses, 1/3 pint each, to sample before you decide which one to get persistently plastered on. What a grand idea, don't you think?

The selection was, Cloud Nine by Smiles Brewery, Murdues Workie Ticket, Courage Best Bitter, Springhead Sweet Lips and Harviestouns Bitter and Twisted.

For a place this size The Denton was a surprisingly welcoming pub.
Get yourself in for a jar and try it.

Apparently, a good eatery to boot.

Wetherspoons, The Forum, Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 1XF.Tel:01434 609190

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The Globe Inn, 7 Battle Hill, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 1BA. Tel:01434 603742.

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The Globe Inn, by all accounts, seems to be a good real ale pub, but it doesn't open during Cask Task's normal daytime shift working hours. Good luck.

The County Hotel, Priestpopple, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 1PS. Tel:01434 603601.

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Cask Task called last week at the County Hotel, thinking it the most unlikely place to be selling real ale. It was closed. The lady did very kindly offer to open the bar for us but we decided to call next week during The Argyle bar's normal opening hours.

The Argyle Bar is The County's pub. Entrance via Argyle Street at the right hand side.
When we got in we found a large group of Hexham's blue rinse brigade enjoying a few bevies.
The real ale choice was not bad, so a pint or two went down ok. Davenports Busy Fool, Deuchars IPA and Green Kings IPA were the ales.

The Dyvels, Station Road, Corbridge, Tyne and Wear. NE45 5AY. Tel:01434 633633.

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The Dyvels had us flummoxed for a while in Corbridge, until someone told us to cross the bridge over the river to the railway station, and there it was. Another one of the Corbridge gems.

An inviting old pub serving decent food with a reasonable choice of good real ale.
Deuchars IPA, Black Sheep, Courage Directors, and Bass Premium Ale.
A warm and comfortable atmosphere helped the Directors to slip down smoothly. Lovely pub.

Oh, by the way, don't sit too close to the coffee machine on the bar. It throws cups at strangers!

The Lion and Lamb, Horsley, Northumberland. NE15 ONS.Tel:01661 852952.

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Cask Task nearly missed the Lion and Lamb and weren't we lucky we didn't. What a little beauty.

An old coaching inn since 1744, the interior is full of friendly atmosphere, low beams, nooks and crannies and a lovely beer garden at the back. On top of all that, there were 6 real ale pumps, 4 in action. Black Sheep, Flowers IPA, Wylam Gold Tankard and Wells Bombardier. A couple of the Gold Tankard went down very well.

If your after good beer and good food in a real traditional country pub, get in to the Lion and Lamb at Horsley.

Tap and Spile, Battle Hill, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 1BA. Tel: 01434 602039.

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Good old fashioned pub in the centre of Hexham, the Tap And Spile just re-opened last year. Cask Task is really pleased it did.

Lovely old watering hole on Battle Hill with a smashing old fireplace and a central bar you can almost walk all the way round which houses no less than 7 real ales to choose from.
Deuchars IPA, Durhams Amarillo, Bombardier, Adnams Bitter, Northumberlands Legends of the Tyne, Mordues Five Bridge Bitter and Everards Tiger. Not a bad set up eh!

I must have thought so, as I forgot to photograph the place on the way out! Must have had something to do with the Durhams Amarillo.

Its no use. Just have to call again.

Called again and got the photo. Very nice!