In a bid to tackle the often-overlooked issue of men’s mental health, McColl’s Brewery has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative. The Mayday project, a nationwide collaboration involving six other breweries and 25 venues across the UK, aims to raise funds and shatter the stigma surrounding men’s mental well-being. At the helm of this project are Danny McColl, the brewery’s owner, and Simon Whittington, the head brewer. Danny, who grapples with ongoing mental health challenges, found solace in channelling his experiences into a cause that resonates deeply with him. “For me, it was work-life b ..read more

The unique craft beer subscription offered by Steam Machine Brewing Company has recently reached a significant milestone, surpassing its initial target of 100 subscribers. This achievement has prompted the opening up of another 100 spots for beer enthusiasts eager to join The Fellowship of Beer. The Fellowship of Beer stands out as a community-led subscription box where members actively participate in the creation process. From voting on bespoke ingredients and contributing to label design, subscribers are deeply involved in shaping their beer experience. This approach reflects the brewery’s c ..read more

Munich-based Augustiner-Bräu and West Yorkshire’s James Clay and Sons have signed a long-term import and distribution agreement. The deal designates James Clay and Sons as the exclusive custodians of Augustiner’s revered beers within the UK. Managing Director, James Clay, expressed his pride in representing Augustiner’s values here in the UK, stating, “Augustiner’s unrelenting commitment to perfection is a powerful reminder that truly inspirational breweries have quality at their heart, not sales and profit. We seek quality, heritage, and authenticity in our partnerships, and few breweries exe ..read more

As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, it’s only natural to find ourselves gravitating towards hibernation mode. To help you settle into this cosy state of mind, we’ve once again joined forces with our favourite independent bookshop, Forum Books. Together, we’re excited to present their handpicked book recommendations paired with some of the finest North East beers. With the shifting weather, our priorities change, and we yearn for comfort, warmth, and experiences that offer an escape from the world. And what better way to achieve that than by indulging in the perfect blend of good bo ..read more

Leith’s Moonwake Beer Co. and Full Circle Brew Co. have joined forces once again to create a new beer. Following their successful previous collaboration, the breweries now present their latest beer release: a captivating West Coast IPA. This limited-edition IPA is set to please fans of all things piney, starting with an exclusive release at Moonwake’s Taproom this weekend, and making its way across the UK later this month. Embracing the Classic West Coast Style Since its inception back in 2021, Moonwake has been eager to check off a timeless classic from their wishlist: a proper West Coast IPA ..read more

Saturday 3rd December saw Small Business Saturday celebrated across the UK, so we’re back with our annual round-up of ten great Xmas present ideas which all help you to support North East businesses this year. All gifts featured are under £50, too. We’ll also be updating our full #BuyLocal list, so keep an eye on our socials for more info! 1. Stargazing Experience | The Twice Brewed Inn Intergalactic, planetary, planetary, intergalactic… If you’re looking for an experience with a difference, check out the stargazing events from Twice Brewed Inn in Northumberland. General admission gets you&nbs ..read more

Still pondering which beer advent calendar to get? We’re back with our annual round-up of our favourites. From brewery boxes to bottle shop selections, have yourself a merry lead-up to Xmas with ten of the best options to see you through until Santa’s here (including no and low alcohol ones, too). All calendars are subject to availability, so act quickly if there’s one you want! 12 Beer Advent Calendar | Hydrology – Hops at Home Contents: 12 x beers | £50 Hydrology in South Shields has put together a mixture of beer styles to see you through until Xmas. The box includes DIPAs, lager, IPA, pale ..read more

With a rainbow of autumnal colours adorning the trees right now, and winter edging nearer, hibernation mode starts to set in. So we’ve teamed up once again with independent bookshop Forum Books to bring you their recommended book pairings for some of the North East’s best beers. The change in weather brings a change in priorities when we look for cosier experiences to escape the world around us, and nothing beats good books and beer to help do precisely that. All beers for the books ‘n’ beer pairings were purchased from CentrAle by us and sent on to Helen at Forum to match with ..read more

The latest micropub to open in the North East, The Beer Drop, has landed on the high street to answer the question a lot of locals have been asking — “where can we find a decent pint of craft beer?” Think of Low Fell and you might be picturing your drive from the Tyne Bridge to reach the A1 heading south. Navigating the serpentine rat run on Durham Road, crammed with speed bumps, bus lanes, cameras, and traffic lights, the space in between can seem chaotic and rather stressful. But outside of the motorists’ viewpoint, take a walk along the paths on that stretch of the A167 and you’ll see a bus ..read more

Cullercoats Brewery has teamed up with Wilde Farm in Ponteland for the sixth annual release of their green hop beer, Wilde North Blonde. We went hop picking on the farm to hear more about the project and meet the people involved. So…what is green hop beer? You’re probably used to seeing photos from breweries showing dried leaves or hop pellets being poured out of huge foil bags to go into their brews. Green hops (sometimes referred to as wet hops) take things back to be as fresh as they come. The hops are picked from the bine during harvest time and used immediately (ideally within 24 hours ..read more