The Tyne Bar, Newcastle Upon Tyne

I have passed this pub on previous visits to this part of Newcastle, but not been in before, as it was either not yet open or else quite clearly far too busy and noisy for me to tolerate. On Friday afternoon at exactly 4pm it was just about all right. My photos tell me there were six hand pumps, with beers from Allendale, Almasty, Anarchy, Black Iris, Buxton and Taylor's Landlord. Some of the beers were quite unusual, and one of my companions went for the peanut butter milk stout from Buxton, which he said was very good, while I went for the Allendale Helles, as did the third member of our splinter group (the others had gone to the Two By Two brewery tap). The lager was understated to vanishing point, though admittedly in very good condition (NBSS 3.5). We agreed that it might work as a gateway beer for lager drinkers who are not used to drinking cask beers.

Not to be missed if you're on a mini crawl from the Cumberland Arms continuing on down to the Free Trade. This pub offers good seating both inside and out and has a good relaxed atmosphere with a decent choice of ales. We stopped in for a pint of Anarchy Blonde Star, which was decent at £3.40. A good mix of people drinking here and busier than expected for a Wednesday night.

another cracking little pub down the river from Newcastle. a fair contrast from the Free Trade - this is warmer, cosier and more cared for. Junk food is popular and students appear to be the predominant clientele. Had a good pint of Pomona pale - bizarrely it also serves Sam Smiths lager! sat outside next to the viaduct and Ouseburn barrage. It was, however, just a little too ‘cafe bar’ in atmosphere inside for me.