Bear Claw Brewery Tap, Berwick-Upon-Tweed

CAMRA website page - camra.org.uk

CAMRA website page - camra.org.uk

My visit to this part of the country was deliberately timed to visit this small brewery tap for its opening day on the first Wednesday of the month. Being just a short walk away from the B & B I was staying in, it made for a great start to a day/evening out in Berwick, albeit a boozy one! You approach the taproom along a narrow street, where there is an even smaller courtyard containing the bar/tap itself and a couple of other small artisan businesses. The alleyway outside the building was busy with drinkers, whilst the interior was just as busy. Whilst it thinned out a bit by the time I departed, I had to make do with space at the small bar. A board behind the bar lists the beers - Chinnok, Belma, The Fool, Spiralling Mind, Dark Hollow, Imperial Stout, Auld Beast & Folie Des Pommes. There are a small number of handpulls dispensing cask ales, in addition to some craft beers. The two I tried were both cask, with the Imperial Stout being 10.5%. I met others who had sampled this particular beer later in the evening and they did look a little the worse for wear. It certainly set me up for a few more beers (and ciders). The barman was a friendly guy who was happy to chat to me about the town's pubs, despite being an unfamiliar face. He was doing a brisk trade in sausage rolls. I didn't know what to expect of this brewery tap, but left feeling suitably impressed. It seems the locals do make good use of this place on the few days when it is open.

Facebook page of Bear Claw Brewery Tap - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Bear Claw Brewery Tap - www.facebook.com

Hidden in a small low-rise building (once a slaughterhouse) in a fairly run-down area is the Bear Claw Brewery. The Brewery Tap currently opens on Saturdays and the first Wednesday of the month. There are a couple of tables and a small bar in the room next to the tiny brewing kit, plus a row of tables down the alley outside. Beers are whatever they happen to have ready, which on this visit was a couple of pale ales on handpump and very nice too. Limited food is obtainable from the "Karmic Cakery" next door. Despite the restricted opening hours, it seems to have a fair bunch of regulars and is a good place for a pint.