retiredmartin

 

My last Newcastle pub for GBG19 was an exciting 45 minute 37 minute hike through the Ouseburn and Jesmond to Exhibition Park, hitherto unknown territory for me.

Ouseburn, of course, went posh in the new millennium with the arrival of a children’s museum, craft beer in the Cluny and pashminas in the Free Trade.

Pleasingly, it still retains a bit of an edge on a Thursday afternoon.

Not quite Stokes Croft, but plenty of great art next to the independent coffee houses,

and a touching tribute to Keith.

I knew Wylam Brewery are ambitious, but their Tap in the Palace of Arts in Exhibition Park is still startling.

Clearly the brewery comes before the Tap, as it’s limited opening hours preclude the lunchtime trade of the city centre.  Quiet at 5pm, busy when I left at 6.30.

Fear not, Simon. This one has keg AND cask.

I’d just ordered my Galatia Pale and the “chicken-flavoured fish” (honest) when I got this message.

 

Yes, the two of us were both 200 miles from home but 10 minutes apart.  Could I get my food and escape before Duncan turned up and humiliated it me with his ticks ?

No.  The Jakehead IPA had to have the barrel changed and took 20 minutes to come, so Duncan and his charming chatty daughter Helen had to make polite conversation about Darlington micro pubs for half an hour.  They were great company.

The staff and beer (NBSS 4.5) were just as good. As you expect in one of our Top 5 Pub Cities (FACT).

Sadly for my readers, Duncan declined to be photographed, so you’ll have to re-read this post for a debut appearance of those famous knees.