Tyne Bank Brewery build for the future

Right the way back at the start of last year, in my annual neck-on-the-block ‘breweries to watch‘ predictions, I listed Newcastle’s Tyne Bank Brewery as one to look out for in 2012. Even though they’d only just started out a few months previously, that particular call didn’t seem too outlandish – after all, other than the proverbial coals, beer has to be one of the easiest things to sell to Geordies. As it happened, that particular twelve months was hugely successful for Julia, Mark and the team, as Tyne Bank grew their brand steadily across the English market, as well as further afield.

Having fast-forwarded a bit further, last night they both made the journey up to Edinburgh to hold a Meet the Brewer session at the Holyrood 9A, so it was a great chance to catch up and see how things are progressing across the board for Tyne Bank. Talking to MD Julia, it’s easy to get caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of owning and running a business – she’d just returned from Sweden and several meetings with importers there, as well as the national Systembolaget concern. Tyne Bank have identified a very particular gap in that most regulated of markets, which could potentially open up that beer-hungry country for them.

Speaking of the beers, the Holyrood had a full range of TB’s on offer:- Silver Dollar, Pacifica Pale, Mocha Milk Stout, Green Hop, Rauchbier, Monument and Peloton Pale. The Silver tasted great on keg, and the mystery Green Hop (potentially First Gold; a mystery not of their making) was soft, slightly sweet and very well balanced. The pick, though, was the Rauchbier – brewer Mark lit up when he talked about it, clearly an indication of how happy he is with it. Adding a small amount (5%) of peat-smoked malt into the bill really worked wonders, giving an extra edge to the beechy elements. It’s as good a smoker as I’ve had for a while, without doubt.

Next up for Tyne Bank, a pumpkin beer, and hopefully an imperial version, containing some bespoke, home-grown orange beauties. Following that, a look at doing something different in bottled format. The beer scene in Newcastle is apparently increasing just as quickly as in other British cities, and it’s great to see Tyne Bank taking an integral role in their hometown. It’s also a role in which the BeerCast will have a (small) input, as it turns out. *Drumroll* Following the conversations with Julia and Mark, our next brewday will be down in Newcastle, collaborating on Tyne Bank’s Christmas special for 2013. What will it be? Well, watch this space…