Free Trade Inn, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Adequately described before, a famous riverside pub noted for its views of Newcastle and Gateshead upstream and for the quality of the six cask beers from mostly small northern breweries. Simple but effective decor, has it been redecorated since my last visit, possibly but it still looks lived in. Always worth a visit if you’re nearby and there are plenty other good quality pubs and brewery taps nearby.

Set in an elevated position on the Byker bank of the Ouseburn, with splendid views looking westwards towards the landmark River Tyne bridges. Quite a small, slightly split-level, L-shaped layout that was already very busy (and noisy) when we called in. With five of the six handpumps in use, the choice was the single hop El Dorado and a Tiramisu Porter from North Riding Brewery, the Thornbridge / JW Lees Rosa collaboration, Long Shadow from Roosters and Buxton Deepdale.