Tyne and Wear has a craft beer scene that has grown from a handful of pioneers into one of the most exciting in England. Newcastle city centre, Ouseburn Valley, and Gateshead Quayside are now home to a concentration of independent breweries, taprooms, and food producers that rivals any metropolitan area in the country.
Wylam Brewery is the centrepiece. Founded in 2000 in a potting shed in the village of Wylam, the brewery moved to the restored 1929 Palace of Arts in Newcastle Exhibition Park in 2016 and installed a 30-barrel kit. The Palace, the last remaining building from the 1929 North East Exhibition built to celebrate Craft, Art, and Industry, is now a destination for craft beer, live music, and events. Jakehead IPA has become one of the most recognisable craft beers in the North East.
The Ouseburn Valley, the creative quarter east of the city centre, is home to Brinkburn Brewery and a cluster of independent food and drink businesses. Full Circle Brew Co in Byker produces hop-forward modern beers. Anarchy Brew Co in Benfield has grown from a punky Morpeth startup into one of the North East biggest craft breweries, with a taproom, gigs, and a pizza hatch. Cullercoats Brewery is a family business that has raised over 75,000 pounds for the RNLI by donating 3p from every pint sold. Firebrick Brewery won first place at CAMRA Tyneside and Northumberland in both 2018 and 2019. Maxim Brewery in Houghton le Spring keeps alive the heritage of the former Vaux Brewery in Sunderland.
Fentimans has been making botanically brewed beverages for over 100 years using traditional techniques, producing Victorian Lemonade, Rose Lemonade, Curiosity Cola, and Dandelion and Burdock that are stocked nationwide.
The food scene is anchored by independent makers. Pink Lane Bakery produces artisan sourdough, croissants, and pastries from scratch. Big River Bakery is a social enterprise producing proper stotties and a sourdough baked with Firebrick beer. Blagdons Farm Shop at Seaton Burn sells 21-day dry-aged Belted Galloway beef. North Chocolates makes gourmet bars in flavours including lime and sea salt, and honeycomb. Pet Lamb Patisserie delivers traybakes across the city.
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