Started out with a Brewery Tour around Full Circle Brewery, followed by drinks at a number of different breweries around the area, before finishing at The Free Trade Inn.
Full Circle Brewery and Tap
A short walk from Byker Tyne and Wear Metro station down to “Full Circle Brewery and Tap”. The brewery was started up in March 2019 and have continued to grow ever since producing some delicious craft beers.
After completing the tour, I headed back into the bar (upstairs and overlooks the Brewery Setup, pretty cool and different to a lot of brewery taps). Included in the tour was a tasting tray.
Started off with “Circle, Square, Triangle” a Mango Session IPA, great first drink of the day and could taste the Mango in the beer. This was followed by “Rotator”, Full Circles take on a Hazy IPA made with 2 hops to make this a juicy, tropical and citrus beer. Finally finished with “It Has the Juice”, very different to most beers in that it is brewed with a Corn base. Great flavours though.
Details and photos of the brewery tour can be seen here
Tyne Bank Brewery
A short walk from Full Circle Brewery brings me to “Tyne Bank Brewery”. This brewery first started in February 2011 as a Cuckoo Brewery at Darwin Brewery, moving to a different site in May 2011 and finally moved to this current location mid 2016.
A great large space as soon as you walk in is host to various events, markets, charity events, food events and lots more. The bar stands out in the corner with the brewery fenced off to the left of the bar.
An impressive range of nine real ales and eight craft beers to choose from ranging in styles. Chose to go with “Motueka Blonde” from Tyne Bank Brewery. This was a great beer with lots of tropical fruit flavours.
Two by Two Brewery Tap
A short walk from Tyne Bank Brewery brings me to the newest of the tap rooms “Two by Two Brewery”. The brewery started off as a Cuckoo Brewery at Darwin Brewery before opening their own brewery during the summer of 2014. The Brewery Tap has only recently opened.
A fantastic and bright looking bar inside, lots of seating both inside and outside, and the brewery and brewery equipment to the left of the seating.
Lots to choose from here, all beers from the brewery, eight keg beers alongside two real ales (Porter and Leap Frog). Sun was shining outside so started off with a sour beer. “Pineapple Sabro Sour”. The name says it all, sour, fruity and refreshing. Followed by “Motueka Strata”, a delicious Hazy IPA.
Arch 2 Brewpub and Kitchen
A bit of a walk up to the next pub “Arch 2 Brewpub and Kitchen”. Located on Stepney Bank, this bar was converted from an old Tyre Garage under Byker road bridge.
The brewery based on the premises is “Newcastle Brewing Ltd”, and quite a number of the beers available today were from the brewery along with a few guest beers. Went with “Wolf Blonde v2”, a great tasting blonde beer.
Can see from sitting outside exactly where the pub is the with road bridge above you.
Ship Inn
A short walk downhill slightly brings me to “Ship Inn”, a pub on the popular Ouseburn Trail. Some fantastic murals on the side of the pub aswell when I got closer.
A great choice of five real ales on the bar, from four local breweries (Allendale, Tyne Bank, Anarchy and Cullercoats). Went with “Citra Star” from Anarchy Brewery. A delicious IPA packed with flavours of grapefruit, lemon and lime.
Some great views on leaving this pub to head to the next, looking over both road and rail bridges.
Cumberland Arms
Another short walk from the last pub up to “Cumberland Arms”. A three storey pub built in 1898/1899 and looks down over the lower Ouseburn Valley.
A huge beer board is to the left of the bar when you enter, advertising their five cask beers, six craft beers and 4 real ciders, so lots to choose from here. Went with a delicious Session Pale from Northern Alchemy “Be Curious!”.
The Old Coal Yard
Another short walk down to “The Old Coal Yard”. This is the brewery tap for Northern Alchemy Brewery. The brewery first started brewing during the summer of 2014 using a converted shipping container.
On entering the bar there is a stage on the left, bar on the right and the brewery and equipment at the back of the building. A great large seating area in the middle.
Six craft beers, alongside four beers pouring straight from tanks to choose from, not forgetting a large can selection. Started with “One Life”, a fruity Orange pale ale, followed by “Goddess of Delicious”, a Tomato and Basil sour.
Brinkburn St Bar and Kitchen
A slightly longer walk this time brings me to “Brinkburn St Bar and Kitchen”. A great large space with a superb beer selection and delicious food. Whats not to love?
At least twelve craft beers aswell as a large range of real ales, mostly from their own brewery were available. A couple of interesting sounding sour beers were on here so started on “Bilberry Gose” followed by “Raspberry and Hibiscus Sour”. Both really enjoyable and packed full of flavour.
The food selection here is something special aswell. Went with the Big Blue Burger with Feta Cheese and Chipotle Honey Chips. Delicious!
Free Trade Inn
Last call of the evening was to “Free Trade Inn”. Former Scottish and Newcastle pub which has amazing views of the Tyne Bridges. Always had a warm welcome here when ive visited in the past, and this time didnt dissapoint.
A great selection of eight craft beers, alongside 6 real ales, so I was spoilt for choice here. Ciders are listed on a separate board. Decided on “Flock” by McColls Brewery based in Evenwood, County Durham. A great session beer with a light bitterness. Perfect!
Micropub Adventures 