Beer Keeps Flowing To Bitter End at Gateshead Beer Festival

FESTIVAL-GOERS could not drink the bar dry as Gateshead Beer Festival’s organisers kept their promise to keep the ale flowing to the bitter end.

Despite thousands of people turning out to enjoy the sunshine and music at Gateshead Rugby Club in Low Fell, even by the end of the three day event there was still scores of beers – including a number of North East brews – to tempt drinkers.

The festival’s record of not running out of booze was in part helped by reserve stocks brought in with the help of the Head of Steam chain, while when all 300 bottles of bubbly on the cava bar had been supped by Sunday afternoon festival organiser Andy Bourne went to Makro for extra supplies.

“A friend told me about it, and it sounded like something I want to do, so I just turned up. It’s been very nice,” said Chris, from South Shields.

Michael, from Jarrow, was also impressed, “I finished work at five, and came straight down, and it’s been really good so far.”

Lead Singer Andy, from The Lounge Lizards, was gutted not to be drinking alongside his fans, “What a thing to do,” he said, “come to a beer festival and beer a designated driver!

“Though I might have a Dusty Maiden, if that’s permitted,” he mused when asked which he would prefer.