Station East, Gateshead

Curiously positioned between two railway viaducts in an area of streetscape improvements that somehow makes it look like it's a general store on a heritage film set. Anyway, once inside, you find a welcoming pub run by Hadrian Border Brewery with limited seating around the bar but more tables available at first-floor level. Initially appears to be three handpumps on the compact counter, but there are another trio behind the hand-written 'staff recommend mead' notice including the owner's '(What's the Story) Malted Barley'. At least seven interesting craft keg beers also available.

Official site of Station East - www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk

Official site of Station East - www.hadrian-border-brewery.co.uk

What a lovely change after the disappointment of another GBG pub barely a stone's throw away. A well presented and gimmick-free counter, beers listed on the wall and split between hand pumps and alternative serving devices, and most importantly, in very good condition. I went for Hadrian Border (what's the story) Malt and Barley, despite the dreadful attempt at wordplay, and was rewarded with a very good beer (NBSS 3.5 to 4). If I lived in the area I know which of these two I would be visiting more often.

A splendid pub sitting between two railway viaducts and partly built into one of them when you explore the hidden depths. It may have been called the Station Hotel at one time, an old sign with that name is displayed. The main bar is at the front of the building with the counter, three hand pulls, a rake of interesting kegs and three keg like founts that also serve cask in here. There are is selection of eight standard and more interesting kegs on low and high T-bars oddly mounted together. It has a mix of seating in the front, and pretty much same in the musty smelling back arched room beyond the piano, I didn’t check out the modern mezzanine above the main room.