Real ale makes its Marque on local pubs

Nov 24 2007 by Sam Wood, The Journal

FOR real ale lovers in the North-East finding the perfect pint has just become easier.

A regional guide with more than 170 pubs in the region has been published this week by real ale quality assessor Cask Marque.

The Ale Trail lists local pubs where the beer has been independently verified by an expert who has studied the aroma, appearance, temperature and, of course, taste.

Paul Nunny, director of Cask Marque, said: "Cask conditioned ale is unique to British pubs and our organisation exists to make sure publicans are storing and serving their ales correctly. Our team of assessors visit pubs, always unannounced, to carefully check the various ales on sale. Those that make the grade receive the Cask Marque plaque, which is a guarantee of quality."

The list includes pubs from all round the region, including the Jolly Fisherman in Craster, Brockwell Seam in Cramlington and the Lion and Lamb in Horsley, as well as several in Newcastle and Durham.

Landlord of the Lion and Lamb, Tony Milne, said he had noticed an increase in numbers drinking real ale. "People seem to be moving away from drinking the fizzy lagers which don’t really have any taste. People want a beer which has a distinctive taste.

"And it is not just bearded CAMRA types who are drinking it. More and more young people are now asking for real ale and we are even seeing women begin to drink it too."

David Embleton of the Brockwell Seam pub in Cramlington said: "It’s simple really, nice people drink real ale. When I first came to the pub there was no real ale here at all but we now have three taps and it sells really well, I get through about nine or 10 barrels a week.

"More and more people of all ages are buying it, and there is no way you can get a good real ale from a can in the supermarket, so to drink it you have to go to the pub.

"I try to give customers a choice by changing the beers I have on tap.

"And I find that more women are now drinking real ale, even my wife likes the odd pint."

Page 2: List of North-East pubs with the cask marque