Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival returns for its 44th edition in April.
The bars will be stocked with 120 beers and 50 ciders at the four-day event held at Northumbria University , with craft creations from small micro breweries sold alongside drinks by more established brewers.
The festival will be held between Wednesday, April 1 and Saturday, April 4 and is said to be the biggest showcase of its kind in the North East, with 4,000 drinkers expected to attend.
The likes of Firebrick, High House Farm, Hadrian Border, Hexhamshire and Tyne Bank breweries will be there, as well as brewers from a little further afield, like Brew York, Northern Monk and Tiny Rebel.
Expect some intriguing names like Mrs Simpson’s Thriller in Vanilla and Pump up the Jam.
Running the bars will be Anthony McMullen, a Tyneside lad who has risen the ranks since helping out at the festival as a volunteer four years ago.
Getting hundreds of precious casks of ale in situ, conditioned and ready for the perfect pour every time is a huge logistical and technical task – and all eyes will be on Anthony to make sure it turns out right.
“Running the festival is a dream come true. It’s been my hobby for a long time, ever since I attended a Campaign for Real Ale event where I learnt about the processes, tastes and chemistry of making beer,” said Anthony, whose day job is a software engineer and he’s also a North Tyneside councillor.
“I’ve become a bit of a beer geek, and for me moderation is the key if you’re going to really savour all the wonderful variation in British beers.
"I believe we really have the best brewers in the world in this country and, even with all this excellent talent, the ales coming from the North East take some beating.”
Admission is £3 per day, on the door, plus a £2 deposit for a festival glass. CAMRA members get in free.
For more information - including about volunteering opportunities - visit Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival's website .
