Black Storm Tap Room, North Shields

Official site of Black Storm Tap Room - blackstormbrewery.com

Official site of Black Storm Tap Room - blackstormbrewery.com

Large unit in an outlet mall containing the brewery and a taproom, with bottles also available to take away. It's a bit of a trek to get to this brewery tap room, as it's on the westernmost fringes of North Shields. Although Percy Main metro stop is about a 10-minute walk away. For some reason (weariness or drunkenness), I couldn't find it at first. There is an adjoining property that looks as is if used to hold the taproom and has since closed. I assumed the brewery had moved. However, after a little head scratching I found the taproom nextdoor! Entering is like entering a DIY store. There are high ceilings, but instead of wood and other supplies, there is brewery equipment. The only bloke present was sat at a table in the rear corner, which looked like the place you might order your custom-made kitchen. Luckily, this bloke wasn't trying to sell me anything other than beer and he came to greet me at the small bar area in the front. The bar has one handpull, which was dispensing Black Storm Porter. All craft beers were also from Black Storm - Tropical Storm, Session Storm, Nicht Mein Bier, IPA & Eagerness For Wise Conversation. The cider was Black Storm Medium. This is certainly an interesting place, in a very strange location. It's opening hours make planning a visit here tricky too, as in line with the rest of the shopping centre, they close at 5:30pm during the week, with possibly an extra hour of drinking on a Friday or a Saturday.