Category Archives: Pubs

Stockton

I used to spend a lot of time in Stockton. A long time ago.

Between lockdowns, I went with a bunch of blokes for a Teesside micropub crawl and Stockton had a bit of a good beer scene back then.

There’ve been a couple of brief visits to the Golden Smog, more recently, but both were quick stop-offs.

I’d wanted to spend an afternoon in the town for a while, partly since a couple of guys who have bars there have been coming to our bar for at least a couple of years. The Kopper Keg was top of the list, and the first bar of yesterday.

Followed, of course, by the Smog.

And there were a couple more. It was definitely worth the trip and I’m sure I’ll do it again.

It was kind of cool that the dog was recognised in a couple of bars too.

Wasted building

It’s shocking that this pub, in which I’ve spent a considerable amount of time, is being left closed.

I don’t need to repeat what many others have said about this pub chain, but it’s such a shame too see it still closed.

Its future doesn’t look too great now that the windows have been boarded up.

Leith

I had a nice, unplanned, day in Leith with the hound yesterday. She’s really good on trains, so maybe I need to do this more often.

We managed to fit in The Mother Superior, Newbarns tap room, Campervan brewery, The Dreadnought and Lost in Leith, before catching a tram back to Waverley and the train home.

We’d planned to call at the Moonwake taproom and Teuchter’s Landing too, but we were delayed in three places after meeting people who’ve been in our bar.

We probably need to do this again soon.

Back in Newcastle, we called in the Mosaic Tap, since it’s just behind the station, then wandered over the High Level Bridge and called off at Axis and our place.

Vegan history

Quite a few years ago, I’m not exactly sure when, but around 2011-12, I had a nice conversation with a pub chef in Manchester.

It wasn’t a great pub, a place I’d been in a few times previously; mostly when I’d been to the nearby Academy for a gig.

But that particular conversation was something of a game changer for me. A month or two earlier, I’d made the decision to move to a vegan lifestyle.

Looking at the menu, I realised that it was vegetarian/vegan by default, mostly vegan. We’d ordered a couple of burgers and the chef had called by to check everything was ok. This involved a discussion between him and my beloved about hot sauce (they had one of her favourites). Eventually, we talked about veganism. I won’t go into detail, but his words have stuck with me since. He also introduces us to Egg in Liverpool (no idea if it’s still open, I’ve not been in ages).

I’ve only been there again a couple of times, once to eat, once with an old mate after seeing a band. The place wasn’t the best as a bar, it was a bit tired, but always seemed to be doing ok.

I mention the bar because I came across a post on Facebook (while following up comments on posts from the (our/my) bar.

I’m sure the chef has long since moved elsewhere, as pub chefs tend to do, but it was sad to read that the pub’s soon to become an Irish bar. That’ll be the old menu gone too, then.

The beer there wasn’t great, but it was never about the beer.

Whisky

I’ve never liked whisky. More accurately, I’ve always hated the stuff. Mates have tried to educate/convert me for years, with no success.

A while back, someone told me to try it with a bit of water added. I didn’t see the point, since surely that would only make it a little less vile.

Somehow, we agreed to attend a whisky tasting night at the Green Dragon in Whitby. It was a tasting session with a difference, but the poisonous liquid was still to be involved.

I was dreading the evening (it happened last night), but am very fond of imperial stouts, which were to be paired with the whisky.

The stouts were great, beautiful even. The weakest was over 14% and they were all out of the ordinary. The whisky was made more bearable with the addition of water; one was even almost nice.

It was a brilliant night, though.

Birthdays

Most people know I don’t bother with birthdays. I haven’t done in decades.

But, with my birthday falling on a Monday this year (and the fact I’ve worked the past two years on this date), I really wanted to have a day somewhere with the dog.

So, I made plans for next Monday. I was really looking forward to it.

And then my beloved broke her wrist.

I might reschedule. Back to 70 hour weeks for a bit then.

Leeds

We made a trip to Leeds the other day, for a gig; Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

Unfortunately, the gig was cancelled at short notice due to illness.

With train tickets and a booked hotel, we decided that beer in Leeds was the best option. And at least that meant we didn’t need a dog sitter.

While we didn’t get to a gig, the evening was most pleasant. We even found a bar with a campervan.

The dog had a good time too.

The Crown

In the Crown, Belfast.

Harriet

Some dog pictures from pubs in Newcastle the other night. She’s possibly the cutest dog ever.

I didn’t really want a dog, but once persuaded, I wanted a pub dog. I couldn’t have asked a better pub dog; or a better dog. Life wouldn’t be the same without her.