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Craft Beer Trail - practical travel guide with honest advice.
A three-hour guided tour of Newcastle's craft beer scene centred on Ouseburn Valley, starting at Wylam Brewery with a full brewery tour and tastings included. This crawl introduces drinkers to independent breweries, their brewing methods, and local beer styles. The route emphasises beer education over quantity, making it ideal for enthusiasts curious about Newcastle's growing craft beer reputation. Best for craft beer enthusiasts. This is a moderate activity lasting 3 hours. Group size: 4-16. You meet at Wylam Brewery. Key highlights: Full Wylam Brewery behind-the-scenes tour included, Tastings of 5-6 craft beers throughout the tour, Expert beer education from knowledgeable guides.
Price: £35
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Group size: 4-16
Minimum age: 18+
Best for: craft beer enthusiasts
Best time: Saturday mornings only (tour runs Saturdays 10am start). Spring-summer preferred for pleasant weather during Ouseburn walk. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as small group size fills quickly.
Meeting point: Wylam Brewery
Languages: English
Here is how the experience unfolds:
10:00am Gather at Wylam Brewery entrance for group introduction - Wylam is one of Newcastle's largest independent breweries, established 2012.
10:15-11:00am Wylam Brewery tour including production floor and fermenting tanks - Professional brewers explain mashing, fermentation, and packaging processes with beer samples.
11:00-11:30am Guided tasting of 3-4 Wylam beers at their taproom - Taster flights typically include pale ale, IPA, and seasonal varieties with flavour notes explained.
11:30am-12:45pm Walk to secondary craft beer pub in Ouseburn - Second stop may include Bottles or The Pitcher & Piano with regional guest beers.
12:45-1:00pm Final tastings and guide wrap-up at second venue - Q&A time for beer questions; recommendations for independent beer shops in Newcastle.
The whole experience takes 3 hours. Difficulty: moderate. You meet at Wylam Brewery.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price | £35 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Group size | 4-16 |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
| Meeting point | Wylam Brewery |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 3 days before tour; £10 fee for 24-72 hour cancellations; non-refundable within 24 hours |
| Accessibility | Brewery floor includes stairs and uneven surfaces; not accessible for wheelchairs. Ouseburn Valley walks involve moderate hills. Ask guide about alternative routes if mobility is limited. Toilet facilities at all venues. |
What is included: Professional brewery guide service, Full Wylam Brewery tour with production floor access, Tasting samples across multiple venues (5-6 beers total), Local beer scene recommendations.
Not included: Full pints or drinks beyond tastings, Food, Transport to/from meeting point. You will need to arrange these yourself.
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes (Ouseburn has hilly terrain), Notebook to record beer names and notes if interested, Valid ID (proof of age), Light jacket (brewery interiors are cool). Having these with you makes the experience smoother.
Best time to go: Saturday mornings only (tour runs Saturdays 10am start). Spring-summer preferred for pleasant weather during Ouseburn walk. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as small group size fills quickly..
Tip: Includes brewery tour and tastings
Tip: Saturdays only
Accessibility: Brewery floor includes stairs and uneven surfaces; not accessible for wheelchairs. Ouseburn Valley walks involve moderate hills. Ask guide about alternative routes if mobility is limited. Toilet facilities at all venues..
Operator: Hop & Vine Tours
After this activity, these are within easy reach:
This activity is run by Hop & Vine Tours.
Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 3 days before tour; £10 fee for 24-72 hour cancellations; non-refundable within 24 hours.
Accessibility: Brewery floor includes stairs and uneven surfaces; not accessible for wheelchairs. Ouseburn Valley walks involve moderate hills. Ask guide about alternative routes if mobility is limited. Toilet facilities at all venues..
Best time to go: Saturday mornings only (tour runs Saturdays 10am start). Spring-summer preferred for pleasant weather during Ouseburn walk. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as small group size fills quickly..
Mention your preferences when booking. Guides can often adjust tastings to include lagers, stouts, or sours depending on what's available. Wylam and partner venues keep diverse styles. You're not obligated to finish any sample - tastes only.
Wylam Brewery's standard tours operate Saturdays only, and the crawl is built around their schedule. This also keeps groups consistent and allows guides to coordinate production floor access with brewery staff. Weekday private tours may be available on request.
Tastings total approximately 0.5-1 pint equivalent spread across 3 hours. This allows drinking without heavy intoxication. Pace is designed for beer appreciation rather than consumption. Food is recommended beforehand.
Mention your preferences when booking. Guides can often adjust tastings to include lagers, stouts, or sours depending on what's available. Wylam and partner venues keep diverse styles. You're not obligated to finish any sample - tastes only.
Wylam Brewery's standard tours operate Saturdays only, and the crawl is built around their schedule. This also keeps groups consistent and allows guides to coordinate production floor access with brewery staff. Weekday private tours may be available on request.
Tastings total approximately 0.5-1 pint equivalent spread across 3 hours. This allows drinking without heavy intoxication. Pace is designed for beer appreciation rather than consumption. Food is recommended beforehand.
Live availability from our partner Viator