A lazy day on the walking front. We decided to stick to pubs within about 100 metres of Newcastle Central Station. Well done Newcastle. There are plenty of options for cask ale in that small radius. And we didn’t even make it to the full selection.

Near Newcastle Central Station

Gunner Tavern

Area: By Pink Lane
Style: Modern and popular
Visit order: 1

With no real plan, we stepped out into the sunshine and, seeing the light reflecting off the Gunner Tavern’s green tiles, decided that would do nicely for our first stop. Well… perhaps it wasn’t quite that deliberate, but it made an excellent start to the day.

No picture this time, there are enough already posted from earlier visits. We did end up drinking a bit of a mix of cask and keg during this visit to ensure adequate refreshment in this very warm weather.

Mosaic Tap

Area: Pink Lane
Style: Micropub
Visit order: 2

We were lucky enough to grab a seat in Mosaic Tap. In that strange way pubs have, there was a complete changeover of customers, giving me just enough time to take a photo that makes the place look deserted. It really wasn’t. Atmosphere and beers were top drawer as ever. And as ever, I’m very happy with the new location on Pink Lane. Much handier.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Pomona Island Brew Co.	PENSAMIENTO	4.5%
Kellerbier	Hacker-Pschorr (keg)	5.5%

The Forth Hotel

Area: Pink Lane
Style: Stylish traditional/modern mix
Visit order: 3

This was a favourite of mine back in the 90s, it was scruffier and more studenty back then with a cracking jukebox. I remember being disappointed when the makeover happened. It’s changed again since then and I appreciate the contemporary take on the traditional pub that I think it’s trying to achieve. Oh, and there’s food now. Very good.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Leeds Brewery	Leeds Pale	3.8%
Verdant Brewing Co	Lightbulb (keg)	4.5%

The Mile Castle

Area: Westgate Road/Grainger Street
Style: It’s a Mega-Spoons
Visit order: 4

The obligatory food stop. One of five Spoons in the Toon and spreading over three floors with hotel and beer garden. And always busy. Time for a meal deal before moving on.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Erdinger Weißbier	Erdinger Weißbier (bottle)	5.3%

Newcastle Tap

Area: Neville Street
Style: Modern Craft
Visit order: 5

I’m still haunted by the slip and fall down the stairs that a mate of mine did a while ago. We take refuge on the ground floor nowadays. The cask and keg selection here is second to none and I like the airy refined vibe of the place.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Tapped Brew Co	Electric Works	4.2%
Elvington Brewery	Mittel 3.8% Lager (keg)	3.8%
Silent Brew Co	Greater Good	4.0%

Beer Street

Area: Forth Street
Style: Micropub
Visit order: 6

A short walk through the tunnel under the railway station brings us to the arches, one of which contains Beer Street. There is always a warm welcome here and a good atmosphere to boot. We brought the average age up significantly. Feeling old, we enjoyed our beers and headed back for our train.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Brew York	Citrus Cinema	4.5%

The Telegraph

Area: Forth Street
Style: Traditional pub with modern interior
Visit order: The One That Got Away

The train was due so we missed this one today, but it looked so good, I couldn’t resist a picture. We did manage a visit during the Newcastle #4 trip, so there is that.

Back to Durham

The Station House

Area: Under the Viaduct
Style: Cosy Micropub
Visit order: 7

And a last beer before heading home. The Station House can always be relied upon to have well kept beer and a warm welcome. And so it was.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Wensleydale Brewery	Sign of the Times	4.0%

We set ourselves the challenge of barely straying from Newcastle Central Station, and still managed seven excellent pubs, twelve beers and one missed opportunity. That says everything about how good the area around the station has become for beer lovers. There are still plenty left for another visit.

But “please stop putting litter here”.