Beer festival to raise spirits at Seahouses pub

The Olde Ship in Seahouses, just a few steps from the harbour, has brought together some of the region’s top independent breweries for two days of celebrations from October 21-23.

And that’s good news for any real ale enthusiasts, who can choose from more than 30 guest ales, alongside the pub’s usual best sellers.

Hadrian Border Brewery, Cheviot Brewery, Cullercoats, Tyne Bank and Great North East Brewers are just some of the participants in the event, as well as stalwarts including Timothy Taylor and Directors.

“We’ve got a fantastic range of beers on offer which really celebrate breweries across the North East,” said Oliver Bennett, co-director of the Inn Hospitality Group.

“It’s a great opportunity for beer aficionados, or just anyone who wants a nice day out, to come along and check out what we have on offer.”

The day will also include a charity raffle to raise funds for the Seahouses festive lights, with a range of prizes on offer which have been donated by local businesses.

The beer festival starts at noon each day and will run into the evening.

Meanwhile, the pub is also breaking with tradition by staying open throughout the festive season, including on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The chefs at the venue have sourced the finest reared, caught and grown produce to ensure its menus do not disappoint.

Christmas Day lunch will begin with drinks and canapés before customers sit down to a three-course meal.

Starters on offer include roast Jerusalem artichoke soup with root vegetable crisps, sourdough and truffle oil, Alnwick cured salmon with crab, potato and watercress salad, pork and leek terrine with date chutney, pickles and toasted brioche or grilled goats’ cheese and fresh figs with pickled beetroot.

As well as traditional turkey, Grand Reserve roast sirloin of beef, pan-fried turbot in a mussel cream sauce and beetroot and chestnut Wellington with roast sweet potato, greens, port and cranberry sauce is also on the menu for mains.

And to finish off Christmas dinner, desserts of dark chocolate parfait with Kirsch cherries and vanilla chantilly cream, vanilla pannacotta with Campari oranges and gingerbread, a cheese board, or a traditional Christmas pudding with Alnwick Rum sauce and toasted almonds will be available.

Matt Daniel, co-founder of Inn Hospitality Group, said: “Each of our pubs is packed with character and history and they really come into their own at Christmas, with open fires, superb food and a warm Northumbrian welcome.

“The Olde Ship, however, is popular with visitors from all over the world – and particularly with those who have served or worked at sea – so we are delighted that it will be open this year for its first Christmas and we’ll be really pushing the boat out to make sure everyone has a Christmas to remember.”