Years and years ago, Robinsons brewed a beer that was badged for, and marketed by, Elbow. It was actually a decent pale ale, which I think was only available in bottles. Looking back now though, I’m not sure whether it was a bespoke brew or a white label beer. I still have a bottle.

I’ve learned a lot about beer in the last few years, although I’ve not managed to make time to brew my own. That’ll happen one day, maybe when I retire (again). However, I’ve had quite a bit of beer brewed for the bar, even been involved in a couple of brew days.

Last week, we had a brew day at Otherworld, in Dalkeith. It was a big batch of beer, way bigger than anything we’d done in the past. But this isn’t a beer for our bar; it’s a beer brewed for bars (and other businesses) in Gateshead. It’ll be coming soon.

We’ve told quite a few people about the beer, but have only hinted about it in the bar’s social media. There’ll be more soon, when we have a launch date. Meanwhile, the beer will be called Goat’s Head.

The beer wasn’t really beer when we left at the end of the day. It wasn’t alcoholic, it needed more hops and it was warm. All perfectly normal at that stage.

A few days earlier, we saw Elbow play at the Mouth of the Tyne festival.