From brewery birthdays to beer awards, I’ve had a full-on few months! I kicked things off at Almasty Brew Co’s 11th birthday celebrations at their taproom, before heading to Norwich to be a table captain for The World Beer Awards. It’s always a brilliant few days, and I got to meet judges from across the globe and celebrate award wins for local breweries Twice Brewed and Three Brothers.
Back in the North East, I’ve loved the free midweek cinema screenings at The Grove and have ventured to Sunderland several times for gigs at Pop Recs, Sicilian-style squares from Midnight Pizza Crü alongside pints of Vaux in The Bridge Hotel Vaults, and delicious veggie pie and mash from Propa in Sheepfolds Stables paired with Donzoko x Si King Propa Pale.
Other highlights include a Women in Beer day trip to check out the spring barley trials with Simpsons Malt; a Metro-hopping tour that took in The Town Mouse, Mean Eyed Cat, Left Luggage Room, Dog & Rabbit, and Café Amsterdam; my first visit to Last Resort in Heaton, which is definitely worth adding to your list of places to check out; and a sun-soaked Twice Brewed Inn Beer & Music Festival.
Next up, I’m looking forward to Full Circle Fest, and trips to London for The Brewers Congress and The British Guild of Beer Writers Awards.
Summer may have been perfect beer garden weather, but autumn is made for cosy pints in your favourite pub – and there’s no shortage of new places to explore alongside all your old favourites.
Daisy Turnell is a beer judge, director at Tipple Marketing, and owner of Craft Beer Newcastle.
www.craftbeernewcastle.co.uk
