A LOCAL brewery will be sipping its new beer to mark International Beer Day (August 5).

International Beer Day is a celebration of beer and an opportunity for thirsty fans to raise a glass to breweries and bartenders.

And to toast the occasion, First & Last Brewery, which has a base in Elsdon and will soon be coming to Bellingham, will be stepping away from the pumps.

"We're not brewing”, said Sam Kellie, who runs the brewery with wife Red. “We're going to celebrate by going to a little, local music festival (Redefest) and drinking beer.

Hexham Courant:

“It’s a way of patting ourselves on the back and saying thanks to the team.”

The team will also be trying out new beer Oncofonco – named after a Welsh band staff are friends with or related to - at the festival.

Sam added: "It's a tip of the hat to creativity. Brewing is 50 per cent creativity and this is a look across the water to the music industry which has had a really tough time in the last few years. 

READ MORE: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/20595271.falkstone-folk-singer-maggie-feeney-wins-original-song-competition-newcastleton-traditional-music-festival/

“It seems appropriate to launch it at a local music festival.”

Allendale Brewery, who recently supplied Norway, said it would continue focusing on supplying local customers with beers. Its ales will also be at the festival.

It comes as its Pennine Pale Ale won best session IPA in the UK on IPA Day (August 4).

For those wanting to celebrate locally, we asked Tyneside and Northumberland CAMRA branch chairman Paul Hillhouse the best place to cheers to beers. Here's what he said:

  • Miners Arms, Acomb 
  • Rat Inn, Anick 
  • Wallace Arms, Featherstone 
  • Dipton Mill Inn, Dipton Mill
  • Heart of Northumberland, Hexham
  • Platform Bar, Hexham 
  • Crown Inn, Humshaugh
  • Twice Brewed Inn, Once Brewed
  • Pont Tap, Ponteland
  • Boathouse, Wylam

"International Beer Day celebrates beer's unique place in world history", said Paul. "However, locally, it is a great excuse to support local pubs and breweries. 

"Many local pubs are still reporting trade is at 70-80 per cent of pre covid levels. A lot of the pubs and breweries will have also taken on debt to survive lockdown and are being hit with rising energy costs and a drop in trade with the cost of living crisis.

"If you can, please enjoy a pint and support some local businesses for International Beer Day."

CAMRA also hosts a cask ale week in October and marked Beer Day Britain - the day the Magna Carta was signed that gave legal standing to a pint of beer - in June.