Wylam Brewery

You walk into what feels like a cathedral of beer – soaring Victorian ironwork overhead, exposed brick walls, and the gentle hum of conversation echoing through the Palace of Arts. This isn't your typical brewery taproom squeezed into an industrial estate; it's a properly grand space that does justice to some of the North East's finest craft beer. The Wylam team know their hops from their malts, and it shows in every pour. Their Jakehead IPA is a thing of beauty, while the rotating seasonal taps keep regulars coming back. The food menu punches well above pub grub – think proper sourdough pizzas and sharing boards that actually complement the beer rather than just soaking it up. On sunny afternoons, the outdoor tables fill with a mix of Exhibition Park dog walkers and serious beer nerds.