Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness – and good beer, of course!

As Summer comes to an end the time has come to retreat from the beer garden and welcome the Autumn months. And what better place to do that than in front of an open fire while waiting for a fix of proper pub grub – which after having been neglected for the past 7 months (because no one wants a stew in Summer) can get the appreciation it rightly deserves. But of course, to compliment these hearty meals, you’re going to need an appropriate beverage for accompaniment, which is where the Autumn ales – my personal favourite – come in. As the days get darker, so do the beers, and the pale ales give way to the deeper shades of ruby and copper; robust in body and mellow in taste. The complex flavours of spices, caramels, and hints of seasonal fruits are bound to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, as the temperature drops outside. So, if you are sad that Summer is over (or even if you’re not) here are 5 of our favourite Autumn ales to ease you into the new season.

Cheers!

Ruby Witch (Moorhouse’s)

Colour: Dark Ruby

Smell: Roasted, Spice, Tangerine

Taste: Coffee, Spice, Fruit

ABV: 4.6%

Bitter: 3.5/5

Sweet: 3/5

 

Hobgoblin (Wychwood Brewery)

Colour: Ruby

Smell: Toffee, Slight Citrus, Chocolate

Taste: Toffee, Dry, Biscuit

ABV: 4.5%

Bitter: 3/5

Sweet: 3/5

 

Tormit Heed (Firebrick Brewery)

Colour: Dark Amber

Smell: Toffee, Fruity, Malty

Taste: Toffee, Liquorice, Spice

ABV: 4.9%

Bitter: 3/5

Sweet: 3/5

 

Red Fox (Fuller’s)

Colour: Tawny

Smell: Sweet, Caramel, Fruit

Taste: Rich, Creamy, Toasted

ABV: 4.3%

Bitter: 2/5

Sweet: 4/5

 

Forest Hare (Bath Ales)

Colour: Copper Red

Smell: Hoppy, Zesty, Heady

Taste: Bitter, Fruity, Dry

ABV: 3.9%

Bitter: 3.5/5

Sweet: 2.5/5

Great North Run 2017

It’s that time of year again! On Sunday 10th September, more than 50,000 runners from 130 countries will descend upon the streets of the North East to tackle the world’s favourite half marathon, the Simplyhealth Great North Run, 2017.

This famous event is a great source of pride for the region. And what’s not to love? Crowds of jubilant Geordies lining the streets, the iconic crossing of the Tyne Bridge, Sir Mo! It’s a fantastic day made even better by every person who helps make it happen; from the organisers, to the participants, to the spectators. And that’s something worth celebrating!

Whatever role you will play on the day, we think everyone involved will have earned themselves a drink by the time the last runner has crossed the finish line. With that in mind we have put together a list of pubs and bars on and around the 13.1 mile stretch from Newcastle to South Shields, so no matter where you are on the route you can find somewhere to soak up the post-race atmosphere.

Best of luck to everyone taking part from all of us here at Useyourlocal!

Find pubs and bars along the Great North Run route