Back Down The Pub

Tag: Brewery Taproom

  • Newcastle #5 – May 2026

    Newcastle #5 – May 2026

    Heaton and Byker

    Another trip east of Newcastle, this time taking in Heaton and Byker. A surprisingly varied crawl featuring two standout venues that made the journey worthwhile.

    A neon "BAR OPEN" sign pointing to the left.

    The Waiting Room

    Area: Durham
    Style: Railway Snug
    Visit order: 1

    The usual starter before boarding the train. Not a new one, but a refreshing pint on a sunny afternoon.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Vaux BreweryPremium Pilsner (keg)4.8%

    Heaton Road

    The Last Resort

    Area: Heaton
    Style: Atmospheric Micropub
    Visit order: 2

    Cosy interior of the Last Resort micropub on Heaton Road, Newcastle.

    A wee walk from Byker Metro station and past the Tipsy Toad, which wasn’t open yet but ready for a visit on our way back towards Shields Road.
    The Last Resort was a great find with a few friendly folk enjoying an afternoon drink. The owner gave us plenty of detail on the beers and the pub itself. They’ve recently opened an event space downstairs and the pub is embedding itself into the community and becoming a real asset.
    We stayed here longer than planned. It was worth it for the beer and the chat. This place was a real find. Credit to my drinking partner for the day as it was his recommendation.

    Back bar of the Last Resort micropub, Heaton Road, Newcastle showing keg lines and a chalkboard of beers.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Twice Brewed Brewing CoBest Bitter3.8%
    RedWillow BreweryEffortlessly Citra3.7%
    weekend projectmeadows (keg)5.2%
    Brass CastleHoptical Illusion (keg)4.3%

    Tiipsy Toad

    Area: Heaton Road
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 3

    Quirky interior of the Tipsy Toad micropub on Heaton Road Newcastle showing seating and pub paraphernalia.

    Not so many steps back down Heaton Road lies the Tipsy Toad. A compact micropub with additional seating stretching further into the unit and an eye-catching set of speakers that looked like they could pack a punch. A brief stop for a couple of beers before continuing our journey towards Byker.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Pomona Island Brew Co.Phaedra (keg)5.0%
    Brains BreweryBarry Island IPA4.5%

    Shields Road – Byker

    The High Main

    Area: Shields Road
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 4

    External view of the Wetherspoon pub, The High Main on Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle.

    Obligatory food stop at Wetherspoons. The outside doesn’t promise much, but it’s hiding a lovely interior. Food, beers and onwards.

    Interior of the Wetherspoon pub The High Main, Byker, Newcastle showing tables and the attractive wood beamed ceiling.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Metalhead BreweryPretty Vacant4.1%
    Arkell’s BrewerySpring Hopper4.0%
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (bottle)5.3%

    Stepney Bridge – Byker

    Donzoko Brewery And Taproom

    Area: Byker Bridge
    Style: Elegant Brewery Taproom
    Visit order: 5

    Taproom and brewery at Dozonko brewery Newcastle

    Having missed it on a previous visit, I was very please to finally make it here. Brewery taprooms vary in their comfort and warmth. We were rewarded by the effort that the Donzoko team have put in. Nice seating, an inviting bar and an excellent atmosphere. It’s a little like entering a speakeasy. And the most important thing, the beer was great. The Gose was a revelation, not up everyone’s street, but well worth a try.

    Taproom and brewery at Dozonko brewery Newcastle
    BreweryBeerABV
    Donzoko Brewing CompanySmog4.7%
    Donzoko Brewing CompanyHidden Sounds5.2%
    Donzoko Brewing CompanyChile Lime Gose (keg)3.5%

    Central Newcastle

    Gunner Tavern

    Area: By Central Station
    Style: Modern and popular
    Visit order: 6

    Platforms at Newcastle Central Station showing a Trans Pennine Express ready to depart.

    Back to the Gunner whilst waiting for the train. A couple of tasty brews in this fine establishment.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Brew YorkMaris The Otter3.9%
    Burnt Mill BreweryBeyond The First – Citra & Centennial4.8%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 6
    Total Beers: 15
    Cask: 7
    Keg: 7
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.3%
    Mildest: 3.7%

    Another little trek to the east of the city. One that rewarded us with two highlights, the Last Resort and the Donzoko Brewery Taproom. Both well worth the trip out. I could have happily spent the whole day between the two of them.

  • Carlisle #1 – February 2026

    Around Carlisle City Centre

    Arriving into Carlisle after a pleasant journey through the Tyne Valley from Newcastle, a chill in the air hinted at the rain to come.  Well, that and the weather forecast.  The pubs would keep us dry, on the outside at least.  An old mate on the train revived thoughts of a Hexham to Newcastle pub crawl.  Another one for the list.

    Arrival to Carlisle – First Few

    The Scott & Brassey

    Area: Carlisle Station
    Style: Railway, thoroughly modern gothic
    Visit order: 1 (and 10)

    Interior of the Scott & Brassey, Carlisle showing the bar and interior of the pub

    My welcoming committee met me from the train and manhandled me the few metres to the first bar which was just four days into its new life.  I’m told that it’s a great improvement on the previous incarnation, which was starting to look a little tired.  The Scott & Brassey is owned by the Lancaster Brewery and the bar was pouring their full core range of real ales.  As if that wasn’t enough, a couple of guest ales were also on show.

    BreweryBeerABV
    LancasterAmber3.6%
    Crooked River Brewing CoCalvert Trust Pale3.4%

    Carlisle – Botchergate

    Woodrow Wilson – Wetherspoons

    Area: Botchergate
    Style: Standard Spoons, local ales
    Visit order: 2

    A short hop through the back lane and we entered the first of today’s two Wetherspoons via the tradesmen’s entrance.  It’s strange that both Spoons are so close and on the same street.  In any case, it was good to see a selection of local ales alongside the Spoons staples.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Bowness Bay BrewingFell Walker4.1%

    BrewDog Carlisle

    Area: Botchergate
    Style: Soon to be closed
    Visit order: 3

    My first ever BrewDog pub, possibly my last given the news of closures that has just hit.  It was a complete contrast to the lively, busy pubs that we started with.  It gave us an opportunity to try a couple of their brews that I’ve not seen in other pubs.  We were set up nicely for a walk through the town.

    BreweryBeerABV
    BrewDogDank Marvin (keg)4.0%
    BrewDog DeutschlandMärzen Magic (keg)5.5%

    Carlisle – West Walls and Vicinity

    The West Walls Brewing Co.

    Area: City Centre, West Walls
    Style: Brewpub, former night club
    Visit order: 4

    West Walls Brewing Co fermenters inside the bar in Carlisle

    Ah, nostalgia.  I remember this as the Twisted Wheel and several “cultural” evenings spent there.  Significantly better beer on show here today and a very toasty feel given the heat coming from the fireplace.  Great pint.  With a wide selection of cask and keg available, I could have stayed all afternoon.  I didn’t but settled on a beer that has won “Champion Session Bitter” status.  I could taste why.

    The bar of the West Walls Brewing Co in Carlisle
    BreweryBeerABV
    Logan Beck BrewingProper Bitter4.0%

    The Sportsman Inn

    Area: Heads Lane, near the cathedral
    Style: Traditional, friendly, local
    Visit order: 5

    A traditional local location, just around the corner from the West Walls.  Had to make way for the dogs waiting patiently under the table whilst their owners enjoyed their ales.  Although you could happily lose an evening here, there was only time today for a quick one on the way to another traditional location.

    Exterior of the Sportsman pub in Carlisle
    BreweryBeerABV
    Carlisle Brewing CoSolway Gold5.0%

    The Kings Head

    Area: Central
    Style: Another traditional pub
    Visit order: 6 turning the corner

    A good mix of souls taking advantage of the hospitality in this proper boozer.  Plenty of woodwork and nooks and crannies for a conspiratorial chat over a good pint or two.  As ever, there were more beers that I’d have liked to try, but the road always beckons.  And in this case, food also beckoned.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Westgate BreweryClassic Blonde3.5%
    Cumbrian AlesEsthwaite bitter3.8%

    Carlisle – Back to the Centre

    The William Rufus

    Area: Central
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 7 and some food

    Our second Spoons of the day and much busier than the first.  It took some creative thinking to get a table and some chairs.  Made it work.  Celebrated with a beer or two and a bite to eat.  Neither of the Spoons in Carlisle are architectural gems, but they do their job without complaint or compromise.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Bowness Bay BrewingSwan Blonde4.0%
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (bottle)5.3%

    The Thin White Duke

    Area: Central
    Style: A bar, a kitchen, good beer
    Visit order: 8 winding down

    There was some discussion about whether to visit here, as the hybrid bar/restaurant approach means standing around waiting to be seated.  That’s not normally a thing we’d consider.  After being shown to our seats, we got back up and went to the bar to order yet another locally brewed ale.  A slightly unusual experience, but the beer made it worthwhile.

    Three pints of real ale in branded glasses on the bar of the Thin White Duke in Carlisle
    BreweryBeerABV
    Cumbrian AlesLoweswater Gold4.3%

    Stanley’s

    Area: Central
    Style: Lively with entertiainment
    Visit order: 9 a fond farewell

    Last stop was at this Carlisle institution.  No cask ale, but a quick Guinness and some live music kept us right.  A short walk back to the station (and the Scott & Brassey), with the knowledge of a well managed session.

    Three pots of Guinness on the bar of Stanley's Pub in Carlisle
    BreweryBeerABV
    GuinnessGuinness Draft (keg)4.8%

    Map & Summary

    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 9
    Total Beers: 13
    Cask: 9
    Keg: 3
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.5%
    Mildest: 3.4%

    I had high hopes for Carlisle, these were well met.  The concentration of Cumbrian breweries on the pumps made it more than worthwhile, a strong showing for the Border City.  A stand out pint of “Proper Bitter” was first among some great ales.  The two Spoons strategy managed to keep the list ticking over.