What a year of revelation this has been for me on the beer front. My first Kronenburg in Paris, my first Arkells for a decade at GBBF, chilli flavoured gin at midnight in Paddy’s in Bangor, and now my first Newcastle Brown Ale in, er, Newcastle. My niece’s boyfriend is from Chicago. I know that… Continue reading MY FIRST NEWCY BROWN
MAKING GBG HAY IN WHITLEY BAY
Already half way through my eight Guide Tyneside ticks, and not a dud yet. Time to “meet a local” who knows everything about Newcastle, and has the good fortune to drink at one of the best Draught Bass houses in the country. Electric Pics, who posts under the alias “Adrian” was responsible for this… Continue reading MAKING GBG HAY IN WHITLEY BAY
I WON’T BE BEATEN IN MONKSEATON
Heading off to the seaside now, without ever actually seeing it on the 20 minute metro meander round the coast. The revelation on the metro journey came late. “Next stop Tine-mouth” I’d always been told it was “Tin-muff” by those evil Geordies. I’d always also been told that railway stations were places you bought overpriced… Continue reading I WON’T BE BEATEN IN MONKSEATON
BYKER (TREASURE) TROVE
Next stop Byker. Or is it Ouseburn ? A mile in the rain. Mere mortals would have taken a taxi, but they’d miss out on the views of Newcastle’s iconic Quayside. Actually only 15 minutes after leaving Beer Street I was coming up to the Free Trade. How did I resist ? A ticker’s… Continue reading BYKER (TREASURE) TROVE
GEORDIE BOYS, TICKING JOYS
“He’s not really going to do EIGHT Tyneside posts, is he ?” you ask. Dunno. Depends if they all produce enough photos to eke out a storyline. You can never tire of the Tyne, surely ? I can get a little tired of the micros behind the station, but that’s as much because I get… Continue reading GEORDIE BOYS, TICKING JOYS
“THE BUCKFAST PRIEST” OF NEWCASTLE
Last night I was fully caught up. Tonight I have eight new GBG pubs to bring you. Such is the magic of Tyne & Wear. I was able to combine my ticks with a good deed, giving my niece Emily and boyfriend a lift to their new homes. Wisely, they’d chosen to stay next door… Continue reading “THE BUCKFAST PRIEST” OF NEWCASTLE
THE BIG STORIES IN THE NEW BEER GUIDE
Well, I’m up-to-date with the blog, for the first time in 37 years. Just in time for a trip to Newcastle tomorrow. So I can now give you my considered views on the new Good Beer Guide. 1. The micropub craze is dead. Only joking. Seven new ones in Tyne & Wear alone, nine in… Continue reading THE BIG STORIES IN THE NEW BEER GUIDE
CARICATURES OF CHARACTERS IN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE
Back to Manchester last Saturday for an eight goal thriller at the Etihad. I kid you not, the couple next to me turned up after a quarter of an hour, went for chips at half time and missed the sixth goal, then sodded off home to Stockport (it’s miles away) before the eighth. They probably… Continue reading CARICATURES OF CHARACTERS IN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE
WELL, I LAUGHED
You have to be careful with old signs and sayings on the walls of your pub, of course, but this one at Thorpe Hesley looks OK. The joke didn’t quite justify the 32 minute trip from Parkgate, but a ticks a tick. Not sure what I can tell you about Thorpe Hesley. Middling old mining… Continue reading WELL, I LAUGHED
NO DISPOSABLE CAMERA **** IN THE DARTON TAP
In case you’re alarmed, the **** is BRAP, whose Adventure rather ran to ground in the Darton Tap in January, when a lack of careful planning meant a trip to a South Yorkshire chemist as humiliating as the one taken by Suggs in “House of Fun”. The results were hilarious. In honour of that classic… Continue reading NO DISPOSABLE CAMERA **** IN THE DARTON TAP
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