Oddfellows’ ambition to serve every new beer by gravity dispense (VIDEO)

A TYNESIDE landlord is hoping a new piece of custom bar kit will allow him to offer every new North East beer.

Graeme Oswald, boss of North Shields pub Oddfellows, has installed what he believes to be the region’s only “gravity dispense cabinet” – a bespoke construction capable of keeping six different ales at cellar temperature.

“We wanted to sell more beers as we have a reputation for ale but the bar is small, so we arrived at the solution of a ‘back bar’,” said Graeme, who has run the pub for almost 10 years.

“Unfortunately it can’t fit nine gallon firkins in, so it’s all polypins, but we hope to have all new North East brews – or as many as we can get.

“So far nearly every brewery we’ve spoken to has said we should be able to do that.”

Oddfellows has been listed in every Good Beer Guide since 2005 – it is currently the only North Shields boozer in Camra’s annual guide – and Graeme said he hopes that the new addition will cement its position as being the town’s best real ale pub.