Seeking festive tipples to suit everyone? Try these…
Anarchy Brew Co
A stalwart of the North East’s craft brewing scene, Simon and Dawn Miles’ Anarchy brewery and tap at Benfield Business Park, Newcastle, hosts a range of events from brewery tours to gigs. Brewing up to four times a week on a state-of-the-art 20BBL brew kit, the team produces a range of core beers, from crisp Blonde Star ale with notes of lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit, to the session IPA Citra Star, and the mosaic pale ale Cult Leader. There is an eclectic mix of seasonal and one-off beers in can and keg, you can buy online from the website and at good bottle shops, and a ticket for a brewery tour and tasting would make the ideal gift for any craft beer fan.
www.anarchy-brew-co.myshopify.com
Carruthers & Kent
Newcastle enoteca Carruthers & Kent is a thriving wine and bottle shop, deli and wine bar; a place to sample great wine, purchase a few bottles ahead of the festive season, and learn all about it before sharing the wisdom with your friends and family. Co-owners Mo O’Toole and Claire Carruthers are experts in curating wine and selecting the perfect bottle for any menu or occasion. The shop was recently runner-up in Decanter’s Local Wine Shop of the Year award and the team travels extensively to source great wines from around the world. They also offer a range of tapitas or small bites, cheese and butcher’s boards with breads, crackers and condiments.
Elmfield Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 4AY, tel 0191 213 1818, www.carruthersandkent.com
CentrAle
CentrAle in Newcastle Central Station is the quintessential bottleshop, packed with bottles, cans, gift boxes and more. Bruce and daughter Ellen stock a huge range of local beers, spirits, snacks and chocolate and are happy to help you choose gifts or something for yourself. Local favourites feature alongside special one-offs and there’s always something new to try.
Platform 12, Central Station Newcastle, NE1 5EW, tel 0191 261 8468, www.centralebeer.com
Muckle Brewing
Muckle Brewing in Hadrian’s Wall country has built a passionate following for its big flavours and consistently high quality beers. This garden brewery run by Tom and Nicola Smith is renowned for its unfiltered, naturally carbonated bottle-conditioned beers. Available from various stockists and markets across the region, a new online shop will open soon, stocked with bottles and gift packs perfect for the festive season.
www.mucklebrewing.co.uk
