The Wheatsheaf, Pelaw Grange, Chester le Steet, Co Durham. DH3 2AB. Tel: 0191 3888800

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On the A167 between Birtley and Chester le Street, the Wheatsheaf is a very attractive pub, both inside and out. The disappointment to Cask Task was the bar only had one real ale tap.
A bit of a blow this was, but as we were there, we sampled the Neames Spitfire which turned out to be satisfactory.

Trimmers Arms. 34 Commercial Road, South Shields. Tyne & Wear NE33 1RW. Tel:0191 4545550.

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The Trimmers Arms looked a very good proposition when we called a few weeks ago but it was closed. Cask Task was on its travels, trying to discover what, if anything, might have been missed when up popped the Trimmers Arms again. Open this time, I'm pleased to say.

Inside is huge and I must say, quite plush. The best part of it consists of the Lobster Pot Restaurant but the bar is substantial also. I would imagine a meal should be tried here to get a full appreciation of the Trimmers Arms.

Don't let me put you off trying a pint or two in here though, as the real ale choice is good any way.
Six real ale pumps of Thwaites Nutty Black (my choice incidentally and it was good), Wells Bombardier, Everards Tiger, Double Maxim and Thwaites Original were in action.

Well worth a visit.
Must take a photo from the other end some time to appreciate the size of the place.

Alum Ale House, River Drive, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 1JR. Tel:08721 077 077.

The Alum Ale House.
What a delightful old building. The interior is really welcoming with a lovely proper pub atmosphere. I stood for some time at one of the bay windows just looking at the view up the old Tyne past the ferry landing. I had to congratulate Tony Shawcross, the owner, for making such a good job of the place.

Now to the real ale selection.
Unbelievable!! And all 9, yes 9, sittng there waiting to be supped.
Cumberland Ale, Hobgoblin, Jennings Cocker Hoop and Sneck Lifter, Banks Bitter and Original, Pedigree and on and on. Wake me up, I'm dreaming. Oh no, there's another room downstairs with umpteen more pumps!!

I could have stopped there for hours drinking and admiring the bar and the view but alas, time
caught up and we had to move on.

One criticism. For the likes of me, the stairs were a small nuisance but it won't stop me from calling again.

A must for the real ale enthusiast.

The main bar. Real ale paradise!

Tony, the owner, at the 2nd bar downstairs. Another real ale oasis!

How did I escape? My mate had to drag me out!

The Steamboat, 27 Mill Dam, South Shields,

The Steamboat was sampled by Cask Task some time ago, but as a beer festival was about to take place there the following week, it was decided to put the official visit off until then. What happened? We missed the bloody thing!

We happened to be passing that way today so the transport automatically turned in to Mill Dam. Cask Task was beaten to it by a funeral party -yes, a funeral party!

Not to be put off. Cask Task personel are made of sterner stuff, when 1st rate real ale is available, on we went. It has to be said at this point, that the selection of beers available was terrific and the boss man helpful and entertaining.

Eight pumps on deck, including Adnams Broadside, Moorhouse Black Cat, Theakstons Old Peculiar, Wells Bombardier, Deuchars IPA, Wychwood Hobgoblin, Abbot Ale and our piss artist off the telly, Morrisey and his pal Fox, had their Aussie IPA in there!

Not having tried it before, Morrisey and Fox's Aussie IPA was the first port of call in the Steamboat. What a beaut. Strong, but a really fruity and delicious pint. The Black Cat was totally different but a good dark drink. Such a good selection a few more could have went down no bother.

The pub itself is a proper boozer with the right atmosphere and a friendly bunch of real ale regulars.

Must call again.

The Riverside, 3 Mill Dam, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 1EQ. Tel:08721 077 077.

The Riverside looks more inviting from the view I've shown than it does from the front. A pity because, once you're inside, its got a bit of character.
On two levels, with the bar on the lower with four or five steps up to the second (and also note, the toilets. Not good for yours truly).
Still, although I found it a bit dim for my liking, a good welcome was given by the governor and a selection of 5 real ales was on offer.
Opting for the Green King LBW, I got on chatting to Tony, the boss, and it turns out there are regular bands and entertainment at the Riverside and he also has The Alum Ale House, another good real ale place, just along the road. So, along the road we go!