Goodbye January! It’s the time of year we take a breath, and have a few days off. We enjoyed watching England storm through the rugby at the weekend  – over a few pints of Shuggy Boat exported to London for the occasion.

We’ve been busy brewing to replenish stocks after the Christmas madness and some wonderful specials are coming your way – a Saison called Biscay and new dry hop project beer called Pilgrim and our strong beer Fortification.This means the Fortified series will feature later in the year. If you’re not familiar with these blended beers, you’re in for a treat and can read all about it here.

Beer festival beer orders are starting to come in, so here are a few diary dates for you:

Winter Great British Beer Festival 19-23rd February Norwich

Tyne Bank Brewery Craft Beer Evolution 23rd February – North East Brewers’ showcase

BeerX Liverpool  13th-14th March – we have beer in the keg competition and in the National Finals of the Cask competition!

Newcastle beer festival 10th-13th April – featuring the annual local ‘Battle of the Beers’ competition

Ponteland Beer festival  26-28th April

Chippenham Beer Festival, North Wiltshire 26th – 27th April

Gateshead beer Festival  3rd-5th May – also hosting the North East SIBA competition

Tynedale Beer Festival  13th-15th June