JARROW BREWERY

The Jarrow Brewery began brewing in the Robin Hood pub, Jarrow South Tyneside in 2002. They outgrew these premises in 2008 so moved to a South Shields pub called The Maltings. The brewery used space on the ground floor, while the bar was upstairs on the first floor. Popular beers include Joblings Swinging Gibbet, Red Ellen and Rivet Catcher, the latter being their flagship ale.

October 2013 saw expansion into an empty industrial unit in South Tyneside, after a planned move into an old church in Hebburn was abandoned over planning issues. Brewing was retained in the Maltings although the new site saw the bulk of the brewing.

 Now it was in early 2014 when I was dragged kicking and screaming on a trip organised by a local pub for a tour of the new brewery,  followed by a drinking session in the Maltings. I remember they had a small bar set up in the brewery hall with three handpulls. I had a couple of free pints of the unfortunately named Isis. In the Maltings we were treated to pie  and peas, the inevitable Rivet Catcher and some guest beers. A fantastic time was had by all, with Jarrow being the perfect hosts.

Then in April this year came the shock announcement that the company had called in the liquidators. This was covered at the time in the local press and can be read here .http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/jarrow-brewery-calls-liquidators-after-9059806 

Exactly a week after this announcement I was again dragged kicking and screaming on a second brewery tour, this time organised by the local greyhound stadium ( Pelaw Grange , Chester Le Street, if your wondering).

We were assured that the tour was still on and that a new company had been formed.

Now having already had the tour, I quite sensibly sampled the beers. This time the handpulls had been replaced by bottles, but FREE. I seem to recall drinking Old Cornelius amongst others. 

Then it was back on the bus to the breweries newest acquisition, the McConnell's Gin and Ale House near Jarrow town centre.  It had only been open about a month and my first impression was sinking into the deep pile carpet as I headed for the bar.

Step forward Tobias Pumberger. This Austrian Brewer had just set up a collaboration with Jarrow Brewery to produce a new beer, a limited edition Pumberger Black IPA. Now don't get me started on the oxymoron term Black Indian Pale Ale  - I may have a rant about that in a later post. The beer was available and to be honest was the best of the night. Some other Jarrow beers were also being served.

Again , the brewery were perfect hosts, especially when a pizza delivery guy turned up. Free Pizza all round !

As I write this the brewery, as they are now a new company, are awaiting a certificate from HMRC to commence brewing again. This news item has just appeared in the local press http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime/brewery-apologises-for-inconvenience-after-20-000-litres-of-beer-seized-by-customs-officers-1-7396382 

Lets hope they are up and running again soon.

 

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