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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Keelman, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Newburn
Postal town: Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 8ND
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Keelman
An excellent brewery tap with a choice of four beers, doubled up on our visit. Prince Bishop Ale, Big Lamp Bitter, Sunny Daze and Keelman Brown. I went for the first three along with a hearty lunch. Prices in here were excellent and all the staff welcoming and upbeat. The brewery is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and is at the top of the building. The manager explained that they supply all the Wetherspoon pubs in the Tyne area. The brewery started in 1982 on Newcastle Quayside and moved here in 1996.
To get here we got the 22 bus outside Newcastle Train Station and the journey time was 20 mins, then a short 7 min walk.
On 4th October 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Keelman
This is more of a proper pub than many newer brewery taps. It's set in the left side of the old pumping house that hosts Big Lamp brewery. Although listed as Newburn it's on the Western edge of it near the River Tyne in something of a rural setting. There is a footpath along the river that will take you to Wylam or alternatively a track along a former railway line that can be cycled. I got a cab!
It consists of a single roughly L shaped room with a verandah at the front and a conservatory area to the left. There were some locals in on my Wednesday visit and people dropping in for a pint and food.
Although there are eight hand pumps there was some doubling up and I tried all five of the old school Big Lamp beers. These were Sunny Daze (£2.95), Bitter (£3.00), Lamplight (£3.10), Prince Bishop (£3.20) and Keelman Brown (£3.40). All were excellent but my favourite was the Keelman Brown which is best summed up as being everything Newcastle Brown should be but isn't.
It's a good place that is well worth a visit and I'll give it a strong 8.
On 24th August 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Kenneth Brown left this review about The Keelman
Still a great pub. Well cared for cask ales brewed next door, great food, careing staff and a great atmosphere. A brewery visit is a must and if you sample a little too much, then you can always stay the night at the Keelman lodge on site. I'm local so visit the pub regularly, it is the best in the area. Try it you won't be dissapointed.
On 11th December 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Inshearah left this review about The Keelman
One of the most outstanding pubs I've been to. Beer is brewed on site (check out the giant copper vats). Great use of an old deralict pumping house provides contrast with modern design conservatry. Outside seeting is a great sun trap. And if you want food, the quality is great. Staff are efficent and knowledgable. If only 5 star could be given (and I'm not getting bribed to say this stuff) Try this place once and you will head back time and time again.
On 9th October 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 40 recommendations about 40 pubs]