next to it.
Ale Trail
Real ale enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in North East England. Durham, with its long tradition of brewing, is always a popular choice. Head to The Stables Pub and Micro Brewery 
near Beamish, where expert brewer John Taylor will talk you through his taste techniques.
Over at The Durham Brewery 
, try the citrusy Inspiration, the easy-drinking White Amarillo or the very hoppy White Whopper, amongst other tasty treats. This brewery uses endless combinations of malt, yeast and whole hops from around the world to create sensational flavours. 2010’s winner of CAMRA’s Durham Pub of the Year award is the Surtees Arms 
, attached to the Yard of Ale Brewery; both are popular with real ale drinkers.
As well as being strewn with hundreds of welcoming pubs serving delicious cuisine, Northumberland is also home to a number of visitor-breweries. Try the Northumberland Brewery 
in Bedlington for a great range of seasonal ales and a few unusually named favourites like Emotion Ale, Another Fine Mess and Pit Pony. The Wylam Brewery 
meanwhile, from its former dairy farm base, produces award-winning beers. Be sure to try Gold Tankard, champion beer of the CAMRA Tyneside and Daren Lancashire Festivals.
Nestled in Northumberland’s pretty hills are the Dipton Mill Inn and the Hexhamshire Brewery 
. Here, Maris Otter barley is blended with a range of locally-sourced speciality malts and English Hops. Matfen’s High House Farm Brewery 
, where the barley is grown on-site, is an ale-lovers’ favourite, and no one should leave the area without sampling Lindisfarne Mead 
, an infusion of honey, fermented grape juice and herbs produced by St Aidan’s Winery. A few miles away, the Alnwick Rum Company 
concocts its spicy, chocolately beverage, which delivers a smooth, sumptuous kick – perfect after a bracing walk.
Cameron’s Brewery 
in Hartlepool is Tees Valley’s answer to brewing royalty. Formerly known as The Lion Brewery, for over 150 years this brewery has been using water from its own well and locally sourced ingredients to produce delicious craft ales. The dedicated visitor centre (including a licensed bar) tells a story of social history, entrepreneurial endeavour and innovation.
North East England’s oldest micro-brewery is The Big Lamp, situated on the River Tyne in the village of Newburn. Next door, at The Keelman’s Lodge 
, where cyclists and walkers stop off for a pint of Big Lamp Bitter in the pretty green beer garden.
Whether you’re in North East England or further afield, look out for ales from these quality local breweries: