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Exploring the Best Real Ale and Craft Beer in Newcastle and Gateshead
I explore various pubs and breweries in Newcastle and Gateshead, highlighting their unique characteristics and offerings. Crown Posada, an older pub with historical ties, features beautiful stained glass and a warm atmosphere, while Microbus, a quirky new venue, embodies a campervan theme. The Central Bar, known for live music, and Station East, set on the site of a former railway station, are also mentioned. Other locations such as The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle Tap, Mosaic Tap, and more showcase diverse craft beer selections. The visit concludes with The Carriage, a pub steeped in railway history, and introduces Talking Tides Brew Co, which blends craft beer with food.
Check out my previous blogs which cover other pubs in the area including Micropubs and Brewery Taps. CLICK HERE
Crown Posada
I checked out Crown Posada first, and it was quite the sight! This stunning three-story building, rebuilt in 1880, fits snugly into a narrow space. Inside, there are three distinct drinking areas, and the first one features two gorgeous Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows that really catch the eye. Don’t forget to look up at the ceiling—it’s pretty impressive too! The vibe is super warm, cosy, and inviting.
Crown Posada has a bit of a Spanish flair, thanks to its early ownership by a sea captain with ties to both Spain and Newcastle. The name “Posada” means “inn” or “resting place,” which perfectly captures its essence as a friendly spot for both locals and visitors. Over the years, it’s become one of Newcastle’s oldest pubs and a must-visit for tourists curious about its rich history.
The bar boasts a fantastic selection of cask and keg beers, so there’s definitely something for everyone! I opted to go with “Astral Voyage” from Knaresborough based Turning Point Brew Co, a fantastic New England IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy hops.
Microbus
A quick stroll across the swing bridge takes me to Gateshead, where I’m checking out Microbus first. This place opened in 2022 in a railway arch, thanks to Gary and Suzy, who are both big fans of campervans. You can totally see their passion in the vibe and décor of this awesome spot.
The design includes cool features like a bar made from the front of a campervan and walls decked out with VW campervan memorabilia. There’s even a bus stop inside and a live departure board for the bus stop right outside the pub. Plus, there’s outdoor seating out front.
At the bar, you’ll find an impressive setup with 10 keg lines, 6 cask lines, and a fantastic selection of ciders. There’s also a fridge packed with various craft cans and bottles. I went with Glider from The Gipsy Hill Brewing Co. It’s a tangy Blackcurrant Sour that they made together with North Brew Co. They use Wildfarmed barley and recycled hops in the brewing process.
The Central Bar
Next up was The Central Bar. Built in 1856 and designed by local architect M. Thompson, it started out as the business spot for Alderman Potts, a wine merchant. Its unique wedge shape has earned it the nickname “coffin bar.” By around 1890, it transitioned into a hotel and was one of about 33 bars in the area, conveniently located near Gateshead East railway station and the tram station.
Inside, the bar spans three levels with several rooms. The main bar is super welcoming and cosy, leading to a buffet bar that features a stunning curved U-shaped counter from around 1900, which is still in great shape. There’s also a snug room nearby. Head up a floor, and you’ll find a pool room, while the top floor boasts another bar and a terrace with views of the railway. It’s a local favourite for fantastic live music gigs.
When it comes to food, they serve up tasty Pork Pies, Sausage Rolls, and Scotch Eggs from Block and Bottle, all paired with a variety of relishes and sauces.
On tap, you can choose from five cask ales, plus a solid selection of keg beers and ciders. Today, I went with “Autumn Ale” from Alnwick Brewing Co. It’s a tasty red ale with a unique twist from the gingerbread malt. Definitely a different but enjoyable flavour!
Station East
I headed over to Station East for my last stop in Gateshead (was planning to check out Axis, but their hours didn’t match what I saw on Facebook). This place is built on the old Gateshead East Station and Railway Hotel site. It’s got a cool architectural vibe with stunning stone and railway arches that really give it that industrial feel. It makes for a great spot to grab a drink, whether you’re a local or just passing through.
Inside, there are several different rooms, each with its own unique atmosphere, plus a mezzanine level that offers extra seating and a nice view of the main area below.
Today at the bar, they’ve got 5 cask beers on tap, along with a solid selection of keg beers and plenty of bottles and cans for you to enjoy on-site or take away. I went with “Green” from Almasty Brewery in Newcastle today. It’s a single hopped pale ale featuring Mosaic hops, and it really delivers some awesome mango and passionfruit notes. Definitely a beer you can keep coming back to!
The Bridge Hotel
Strolling back to Newcastle over the High Level Bridge leads me to the The Bridge Hotel. Originally called the Bridge Inn, this spot has been around since the 1870s. It’s a Grade II listed pub that still showcases some lovely Art Nouveau touches and decorative details. The stained glass windows really add to its appeal.
This place is famous for its live music scene, and the Bridge Folk Club, running here since 1958, is one of the oldest folk clubs in England. Plus, it even made an appearance in an episode of Vera (Prodigal Son), where a murder took place down the alley on the right side of the pub.
At the bar, you’ll find an impressive selection of 9 cask ales, with several coming from Yorkshire breweries. I decided to try “Crafted Pale” from the local Two by Two Brewery today. It’s a fantastic light and refreshing pale ale that’s super easy to drink.
Newcastle Tap
Taking a quick stroll to the Railway Station leads me to Newcastle Tap. This spot opened up in August 2017 in what used to be an office building and has quickly become a favourite for both locals and tourists. It features a spacious open-plan area with beer casks and kegs showcased behind glass on a mezzanine level above the bar. You can grab freshly made pizzas every day.
There’s an extensive selection of cask, keg, bottles, and cans that keeps changing, highlighting breweries from all over the country. I went with the “Forest Fruit Sour” from Neepsend Brew Co. in Sheffield. It’s a deliciously fruity and tangy brew packed with flavours of blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry.
Mosaic Tap
Up next is Mosaic Tap, a cool craft beer bar that opened in late 2021. It’s located in a former railway arch at Forth Good Yard and has quickly become a go-to spot in the local craft beer scene.
You’ll feel right at home here with a friendly vibe and a stylish bar area that looks amazing in the arches, especially with the great lighting at the back. Add on top of that a warm welcome.
They’ve got an awesome lineup of 10 keg beers on tap, plus a couple of ciders and a fantastic range of cans and bottles from various breweries across the country. Spotted an American sour beer from Hudson Valley Brewery called “Syzygy.” It’s a sour IPA packed with Citra hops, and you can really taste the yummy blackberry, hibiscus, and vanilla notes.
Beer Street
Beer Street is my next stop, just a quick 10-minute stroll away. It opened its doors in 2018 and takes cues from the iconic 18th-century Hogarth paintings “Beer Street” and “Gin Lane,” which highlight the different impacts of beer and gin on society. When it first launched, it was neighbours with places like Split Chimp and Box Social (Alpha Delta), but both have since shut down.
The inside has a cosy vibe, super welcoming, and spans two floors, with the upstairs offering a quieter, more intimate seating area.
They’ve got an awesome selection of 5 cask ales, 6 keg lines, and a bunch of fridges packed with bottles and cans from a wide range of breweries and styles. Sureshot Brewing from Manchester had my pick tonight with their “Your Favourite Restaurant.” It’s a fruited sour beer made with kiwi and guava, and the combo of flavours is pretty unique!
Donzoko Brewing Company
Just a quick bus (or taxi) ride over to my next stop at Donzoko Brewing Company. Reece Hugill kicked off Donzoko Brewing Company back in 2018, fuelled by his love for brewing and his time spent in Germany. After studying chemistry at Newcastle University, he realized that a lab coat wasn’t for him; he wanted to craft amazing beer instead. His brewing adventure really took off after an unforgettable trip to Munich’s Oktoberfest, where he caught the beer bug.
He started small with just one fermentation tank in a quirky spot in Hartlepool, near Middlesbrough—specifically, the old changing rooms of a school. To make his brews, he often used pilot equipment at Cameron’s Brewery and then brought the wort back to his place for fermentation.
As the brewery expanded, it moved around a bit before finally landing in Ouseburn, where I checked it out. The taproom is awesome, featuring unique doors, a long wooden bar, and church-style seating that gives it a lot of charm. Plus, there was a food truck in the backyard serving up tasty Hake with Triple Cooked Chips and more!
At the bar, you can choose from 7 different keg beers, and there’s a fridge stocked with even more canned options. I kicked things off with “Hedgerow,” a deliciously sour and fruity blackberry and blackcurrant beer. Then I moved on to “Train Beer,” crafted for the train company LUMO. It’s a super tasty and juicy hazy session ale, packed with Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hops.
The Wobbly Duck
Next up, I strolled back into central Newcastle, just a quick 10-minute walk to the Wobbly Duck. This cool micropub opened its doors in July 2021 and is tucked away in a row of Georgian terraced houses on Eldon Square, sitting at the basement level where the old Mr Petit restaurant used to be.
Inside, you’ll find a mix of rough stone walls paired with metal and wood accents, creating a vibe that’s both classic and contemporary. They’ve even got beer barrels repurposed as tables and light fixtures, really driving home that craft brewing theme.
Out back, there’s the “Wobbly Garden,” which has a cosy covered seating area with heating—perfect for those chillier days. Plus, if the weather’s nice, you can grab a seat at street level.
The bar boasts an impressive selection with 10 keg beers, 5 cask beers, and a still cider, offering a variety of styles and strengths to choose from. I tried another sour beer, this one from Yonder Brewing in Somerset. The “Fruits of the Forest Cheesecake” was incredibly tasty, bursting with flavors of blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, and a hint of vanilla.
Mean Eyed Cat
Next on the list is Mean Eyed Cat, a cool Micropub that popped up in 2018 right across from the Haymarket bus station, taking over an old newsagents. The name comes from Johnny Cash’s classic 1958 song “Mean Eyed Cat,” giving it a nice country music vibe. The place is decked out with portraits, posters, and memorabilia of Cash, making it a cosy spot for anyone who loves the music and its culture.
Inside, you’ll find a fun and quirky décor with bright colours inspired by Mexican style, plus a mix of tunes ranging from country and blues to rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, reggae, and new wave. There’s also a small outdoor seating area in the back.
At the bar, you can choose from 6 cask options, 8 kegs, and a variety of ciders. There’s definitely plenty to sip on here! I kicked things off with a tangy brew from Yonder called “Melon Boat.” It’s a deliciously juicy and sour melon-flavoured beer that really hits the spot. After that, I tried “Cramped” from Almmasty Brewing Co., which is a super hazy and juicy pale ale.
The Town Mouse
My final stop at the centre is The Town Mouse. This Micropub opened its doors in February 2017, taking over a former basement coffee shop. The name “Town Mouse” perfectly captures the warm, cosy vibe of the pub and its dedication to traditional alehouse culture.
The décor is inspired by classic Belgian ale houses and Irish pubs, making it a welcoming spot for up to 50 patrons. Plus, it’s dog-friendly and even has a special ‘dog brew’ for our furry friends.
At the bar, you’ll find an impressive lineup of 6 cask and 6 keg beers, along with a fantastic variety of cans in the fridge, so there’s plenty to choose from. I checked out a sour beer from Vault City in Edinburgh! It’s called “Damson Plum Cobbler,” and it was brewed alongside Inn Deep, The Town Mouse, and Jars Bar. This rich pastry sour strikes a great balance between the sweet and tart flavours of damson plum and blackberry, with just a touch of cinnamon to round it out.
The Carriage
Just a quick stroll to Jesmond for my last stop of the night at The Carriage. This place has a fascinating backstory, starting out as Jesmond Station back in 1864, part of the Blyth and Tyne Railway that linked Newcastle to Blyth. The station kept running until 1978 when it shut down for the Tyne & Wear Metro system. They built a new Jesmond Metro Station close by to better serve the area. In 1981, they transformed the old station building into The Carriage pub.
Inside, it has a really classic vibe, keeping some of its original features like the ticket office window. The atmosphere is super cosy and welcoming. There’s also a spacious outdoor beer garden you can get to from the pub, and on your way out, you’ll spot some art related to the North Eastern Railway Company.
The bar has an awesome selection of cask ales, featuring a bunch of local breweries, which is really great to see! Kicked things off with “Wilde North Blonde” from the local Cullercoats Brewery. They use fresh wet hops from Wilde Farm in Northumberland, picked just a day before brewing, probably the northernmost hops in England. Then I switched to “Carriage Blonde” from Anarchy Brew Co. It’s a super smooth, light, and flavourful pale ale that’s perfect for easy sipping.
Talking Tides Brew Co / Copper Social
I have included this as it fits in with the area id covered (but I visited on Saturday). I managed to swing by Copper Social in Newcastle after getting the train back from Edinburgh, located right at the entrance of the railway station, which just opened on Thursday. It’s run by Talking Tides Brew Co, a brewery based in Markse-by-the-Sea that started up in 2021.
This spot aims to mix craft beer with pizza, and they’ve got Pico Pizza next door serving up pizza by the slice—perfect to pair with a drink. I really hope this place takes off since they have plenty of seating options or you can just hang out at the bar and chat.
At the bar, there were 9 keg lines, with 3 from their own brewery and 6 guest taps. I chose their “Summer Beer,” which is a super hazy, deliciously juicy pale ale. It has some amazing flavours that really pop and is super refreshing.
Micropub Adventures 