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| LOCAL BREWS Despite our renowned reputation for sourcing and selling ales from every corner of the U.K., we are are also keen to promote the premier breweries & distributors within our local N.E. region. Recent years have seen an enviable explosion in the quality and variety of real ale within our catchment area and we would like to take time to highlight a few of the superb independent breweries, whose products we choose to stock on a regular basis.  JARROW - The brainchild of Alison and Jess McConnell, Jarrow brewery officially opened at the site of the Robin Hood Pub, Jarrow in Autumn 2002 with their original selection of Jarrow Bitter (3.8) Joblings Swinging Gibbet (4.1) and Old Cornelius (4.8). They have since acquired The Albion (Bill Quay) & The Maltings in South Shields where a second brewing operation began in Aug 2006. Jarrow can now produce up to 100 brewers' barrels per week (that's 28,800 pints to me & you) and their diverse range of beers has extended to satisfy any palate, including our favourites Rivet Catcher (4.0) and the exceptional McConnell's Irish Stout (4.6). www.jarrowbrewery.co.uk  BIG LAMP - Credited as being the oldest micro brewery in the N.E., Big Lamp were founded in 1982 at a premises on Summerhill Street, just off the top of Westgate Road. In 1996 they relocated their brewing operation to a grade II listed Victorian water pumping station in Newburn, to the west of Newcastle. The clever blighters also opened a pub, The Keelman at the same location which still functions as the brewery tap. Big lamp Premium (5.2) and Prince Bishop (4.8) are probably what they are best known for, but look out for some top quality seasonal brews such as the B.L. Stout (4.4) and the mind-shattering Black Out (11.%). www.biglampbrewers.co.uk  HIGH HOUSE FARM - The brewery was founded in 2003 by Steven Urwin on the 200 acre family farm and has just recently been taken over by Gary & Heather Scott. High House is a non-intensive operation with a mixture of arable and livestock. After the foot and mouth episode in 2001, Steve decided to diversify into brewing after realising that the farm would not be able to sustain future generations of the family. Since the beers initial launch at the 2003 Tyneside Beer Festival, demand and praise for these traditional ales throughout the region has been very strong indeed – proof if ever it was needed, that the true beer enthusiast appreciates quality above all else. Regulars include Auld Hemp (3.8), Nel's Best (4.2) & Matfen Magic (4.8). www.highhousefarmbrewery.co.uk DURHAM - The Durham Brewery is widely recognised as one of the flagships of our many diverse, regional microbreweries. Established by Steve Gibbs in Aug 1994 with an original 5 barrel production site (currently 30 brewers barrels), Durham now produce an astonishing range of top quality real ale, available from the cask at selected N.E. venues and also bottled-conditioned from many others.(Beermad.org.uk list nearly 140 past and present variations). Most famous for their light, golden, bitter ales, Durham also like to surprise the connoissuer with the release of their lesser-known head spinners such as Benedictus (8.5) and their now infamous Temptation (10%). www.durham-brewery.co.uk
HADRIAN & BORDER - The Border Brewery was set up in Berwick in 1992 on the site of the original Border Brewery which dates back to 1777. The plant changed ownership in 1994 when it was bought by the husband and wife team, Andy and Shona Burrows who went from strength to strength with regular favourites such as 'Rampart', and by 2000 were looking for premises that could accomodate a larger brewing capacity. In Oct 2000 the Hadrian & Border Brewery was formed by Shona and Andy and an ex-director of The Four Rivers Brewery. The operation moved to the Four Rivers 20 Barrel brew-plant premises, and regulars include Tyneside Blonde (3.9), Farne Island (4.0), Secret Kingdom (4.3) and the delectable Ouseburn Porter (5.2), where they now benefit from the expertise of Marty Hammill, known to us all from his time at Wylam Brewery. www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk |
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