It’s all about the Beer . . . or, a Hop, Skip and a Jump!

CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) ‘Tyneside Pub of the Year’, either as outright winner or runner-up for the last 6 years, ‘The Newcastle Arms’ in the heart of Newcastle’s Gallowgate is undoubtedly a drinkers Pub . . . no pretence, what you get is what you see and that is a superb, ever rotating range of Cask Conditioned Beers, hence the accolade. However, would I want to spend a whole evening within its hallowed portals, probably not - gone are the beered-up days of my youth when the ’Arms was a favourite Tuesday night regular, topped-off with a sing-a-long around the piano!

It’s raining again; what ever did become of Global Warming and the promise of long, lazy Summer Days . . . just managed to palm the kids off on Grannie, and I’ve the prospect of a quick pint before being back on Kitchen Duty and a night of ’X-Factor’ etc. - definitely need something to dull the pain. So called to the ‘Arm’s, and what a pint was in store.

‘Summer Wine Brewery’s’ (yes, they’re based in Holmfirth, as in the BBC’s Last of the . . . etc.) Seven ‘C’s West Coast IPA, in tribute to the American Craft Brewing scene, this heady 7% ABV Pale Ale bittered with Columbus, Centennal, Chinook, Cascade, Crystal, Cluster and Citra, yes that’s seven different hop varieties - pours a deep orange amber with creamy off-white head, the nose not hinting at the extreme hop attack to come . . . a huge mouthfull of bitter-sweet, yet rounded citrus flavours, that linger to the very finish and beyond. Truly a pint to savour!

And some more; well OK time for a quick-half but how to follow that, shall we try ‘Thornbridge’s’ Geminus - 8.5% ABV, advertised as a Dark Pale Ale with Double Rye Hops? Well it’s a sister to my . . . and quickly becoming the 'circuts' favourite Jaipur, so I’m sure it will be good and boy, I wasn’t wrong. Rich golden amber, with a light wispy head, malt and tropical fruits on the nose, leading to a complex, luscious multi-layered palate of pure decadence yet, is easy to drink and cry’s out hops and then some, leaving you contemplating a further hit . . .

But, sadly my time on the hop had come; lets say we’ll skip the loos - well as I said you come here for the beer and wouldn‘t want to spoil the experience, jump on the bus and head home for a night of reality, your brief escape a lasting memory!