Beer! ...Cumbria, Northumberland, Scottish Borders...your favorites?
 

Hello all,

Still fine-tuning plans for our UK visit in June (London to Lakes to Hadrian's Wall to Bamburgh to Traquair to Highlands and Glasgow).

We're beer-lovers. What are your favorites? Yes, yes, I know, it's all a matter of taste, de gustibus and all that. But still, what are yours? We've never visited any of these places (other than London) so all will be new to us. From web surfing, I have run across these names: Bluebird bitter, Webster's bitter, Deuchar's IPA, Allendale IPA, Skinner's, and of course Traquair's own brews.

I might as well ask also about your favorite pubs in Keswick, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Bamburgh and nearby, and Glasgow

Thanks!

Just time for a VERY quick comment . . . I DEFINITELY enjoy all of Traquair's. The Jacobite is my favorite, but haven't had a chance to try the 50.

The Black Bull in the Market Place is the best pub in Haltwhistle.

There are lots of small breweries in Northumberland which are listed here:
http://www.cannybevvy.co.uk/pubs-and...ies/breweries/
we always enjoyed beers from Allendale, Big Lamp, HAdrianBorder, Hexhamshire and Mordue.

Skinner's is from Cornwall [it's brewed in Truro].

It's a great beer but a bit off its patch north of the Wash.

Just North of Keswick on Bassenthwaite Lake, a very nice pub and restaurant is the Pheasant:

http://www.the-pheasant.co.uk

...taking notes taking notes...

Consulted my CAMRA book on Cumbria and the following pubs are listed:
Old Crown, Hesket Newmarket which serves beer brewed in the town and other real ales;
Watermill, Ings sells Consiton Bluebird and (my favourite) Theakstons Old Peculier;
Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater is in a beautiful setting sells real ales including Cumbrian Melbreak Bitter;
BeerHall, Staveley serves beer tapas alongside Hawkshead Bitter and other seasonal beers;
Plough Inn, Wreay near Carlisle serves various guest beers.

I can look up other areas if still thirsty.

Cheers

Many thanks. Any suggestions for Hexham?

Consulting my beer books there are two recommendations for Hexham although a couple of pubs in nearby villages look good.

The Dipton Mill Inn and the Tap and Spile are recommended in Hexham. Barrasford Arms in nearby Barrasford and Battlesteads in Wark are suggested and are good for food.

http://www.thedrinkingmansguidetosco...breweries.html
this is a good list for Scotland though many of the newer places are not mentioned.Drygate in Glasgow is fast becoming one of my favourites and their IPA really hits the spot.
Look out for the beers from Harvistoun brewery , lots available on bottle but often can be had on draught.
Had Crofters Pale ale form the An Teallach brewery last week only in bottle though but it was superb