A Night Out in Gosforth!

As a youth, I always promised myself a night out in Gosforth, its compact layout and up-market image, well at least to a lad from Newcastle’s West End, made it an attractive proposition for a pint or two, and the possibility of meeting a few young ladies. Sadly, I never did quite get around to it and as events would transpire, it would be another 30 years before I’d realise my dream - having a few pints that is, my ladies days being long over! The occasion; The Gosforth Winter Beer Festival 2011, held at the Civic Hall by the Regent Centre, and as I write running for a further two nights, Friday and Saturday, 11/12 November from 12:00 to 24:00.

Much to my surprise, the journey from my neck of the woods right into the heart of Gosforth’s High Street proved to be a single bus ride, I’d obviously not properly researched the route in the past. Within 25 minutes from leaving my own front door I was entering The Gosforth Hotel, a traditional tile fronted pub - basic, but with a good reputation for their Cask Ale offerings, and the perfect start to my evening. A swift pint of Wylam Centennial 4.1%, one of a range of locally produced American style Pale Ales with a charge of 'Yankee Hops', its citrus palate balanced with a bitter sweet finish, albeit in my example ever so slightly musty. Still, that wasn’t going to spoil my night, and although the remaining offerings all from 'LocAle' micros; Double Maxim, Consett, Tyne Bank, Mordue and Hadrian & Border proved rather tempting, I bid farewell with Loyalty Card in hand and the prospect of a free pint, ensuring a return visit would be sooner, rather than later.

Following the route of the original Great North Road I headed on to the venue, and although busy with rush hour traffic, a mild and dry evening ensured a relaxed arrival, with the warm reflection of the street lights adding to my feeling of well being, and as events would prove, I certainly wasn’t to be disappointed. Formalities over; admission, half-pint glass and beer tickets etc., oh, and not forgetting a punt on the Charity Tombola, I settled into a corner of one of the carefully laid out tables to scrutinise the Beer List and make my selections for the evening. These smaller, to medium events, in well lit airy venues, with a good, long open bar make for an easy-going experience. The old adage that when it feels right etc., being very much true.

With over 40 beers to choose from, and not having had a change to check things out in advance, I thought that a start nearer to home would be a good option. Hence, my first choice was Hadrian & Border’s Newburn No.1 4.1%, this from a brewer much travelled around Tyneside, and I assume this Dark Golden Ale with hoppy finish, was in announcement of their latest move. It proved an excellent start and led me on to their near neighbour, The Big Lamp Brewery and a new beer to me, One Hop (Wonder) 4.0%. A beautiful Dark Amber brew with smooth palate and a hint of nuttiness on the finish - lets hope if I can make it to The Keelman at the weekend, which for those not in the know is their brewery 'tap', they’ve a pint with my name on. By now getting into my stride, I travelled metaphorically down stream and crossed banks to sample Jarrow’s Isis 5.0%, a strong Pale Golden Bitter with a tropical fruity finish. Really first class and a reminder that I must visit their newly opened Sunderland Pub of the same name . . . sooner, rather than later. And, to round out my first quartet, an established Geordie favourite; Mourdue’s Radgie Gadgie 4.8%, a Strong Bitter with lots of fruit and hops, and as I’ve previously found, as good in bottled form as it is on draught, which is not always an easy feat. So, four different local brewers offering a variation on the Pale Ale theme, all it would seem in rude health and demonstrating both, staying power, adaptation, innovation and above all consistency. As I said earlier, certainly nothing to disappoint and as it proved much to admire!    

As with all things in life it’s so easy to find ones self in a rut, and when it comes to beer I’m no different - it’s not very often I’ll venture onto the dark side, much preferring, albeit with infinite choice, my beloved Pale Ales. However, this was billed as a 'Winter Beer Festival' and darker beers are synonymous with the warmth and comfort they afford, so time for a change? I therefore plumped for Three Castles Firecracker 4.2%, the name alone certainly had a glow to it, and as tasting notes were not available I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what a choice . . . as dark as they come, offering a rich malty palate and good balanced bitter finish, with just a lingering hint of aniseed. Certainly no going back now; so it had to be Hexhamshire’s Blackhall English Stout 4.0%, another dark bitter beer with strong roasted malt flavours - perfect winter drinking. And it only got better, next up a Bohemian style Dark Lager, Allendale Winter Dunkel 4.6%, a rich dark Golden Brown brew with bags of flavour and a bitter-sweet finish. Now, I know my limits and as much a I was warming to my new found friends, I cast my eye around looking to one for the road, and Black Hole Hubble Bubble 5.5% didn’t present any toil or trouble, just a mouthful of rich flavours and a reflective end to a must enjoyable evening. In reality I hadn’t travelled very far, my beer choice in the main reflecting local allegiances, however the transition form the golden days of summer and into the darker winter nights was one I’ll savour for a while to come!