It feels like I’ve spent the whole summer talking about beer (which isn’t such a bad thing!). From beer judging to festivals and brewery tours, it’s been wonderful to catch up with so many friends in the industry, and to try so many different beers.
Speaking of events – I’ve finally ticked Berwick Food & Beer Festival off my to-do list. I also made a pit stop to Whitby Brewery on a recent hike, and caught up with friends at the launch of Donzoko Brewing Company’s new brewery and tap room in Ouseburn.
Next to tick off the list is a trip to Sunderland to check out Sheepfolds Stables and the wonderful food and drink businesses there.
Before I start thinking about Christmas plans, there are still some beer festivals to look forward to in our region – with Full Circle Fest, Rigg & Furrow’s Harvest Festival, and several trips planned up to Scotland for Gravity Beer Festival, Women in Beer Fest, and the Glasladies Beer is for Everyone festival.
If that’s not enough beer to be getting on with, you’ll also find me supporting local breweries at Jesmond Food Market on the first and third Saturday of each month. Profits from the sale of the beers go to the food bank at Building Futures East in Walker, who do such incredible work. The charity is always in need of volunteers if you have a few hours to spare, too.
As the seasons change, my thoughts turn to seasonal beers. With Oktoberfest happening in Munich from September 21 to October 6, it’s always great to see fest beer styles from UK breweries – look out for Durham Brewery’s Dunkel dark lager, McColl’s Brewery’s Fest lager, and four limited-edition beers from Neptune Brewery in Liverpool. Until next time… Prost!
Daisy Turnell is a beer judge, director at Tipple Marketing, and owner of Craft Beer Newcastle.
www.craftbeernewcastle.co.uk
