TICKETS:
New Beer Festival Brings a Taste of Past and Present to Newcastle
A taste of history is brewing in Newcastle as we at Blackfriars Restaurant & Brewery prepare to launch our very own charity ale festival this spring. Set in our historic 13th-century Dominican friary, this three-day event from May 23-25 will celebrate both modern and traditional brewing, bringing together some of the region’s finest local breweries, alongside street food and live music—all centred around our newly refurbished, all-weather, dog-friendly Cloister Garden.
Blackfriars has been at the heart of Newcastle’s food and drink scene for centuries, once hosting markets and festivals that united brewers, merchants, and revellers. Our beer festival is a revival of the medieval tradition of ‘Church Ales’—community fundraising events where town brewers gathered to sell their wares amidst feasting and merriment.
Brewing has always been a cornerstone of life at Blackfriars. The Dominican friars once crafted their own ales using herbs instead of hops, and they were succeeded by the Brewers’ Guild, which met at the friary to regulate and refine the trade. Ale was a staple of medieval England, enjoyed by all classes, with women “brewsters” playing a vital role in local taverns and households, while Newcastle’s many alehouses and inns flourished alongside the city’s trade guilds and markets.
Now, we’re proud to continue this brewing tradition with our very own craft brewery, St Dominic’s, launched in 2024. We’ll be pouring our core range of modern-traditional brews, including an IPA, Pale Ale, Pilsner, and Blonde, alongside a stellar lineup of local breweries such as Two By Two, Hadrian Border, Wear Beer, Vaux, Almasty, Twice Brewed, and Barney’s Beer. Our Cloister Garden BBQ will be fired up, and singer-guitarist David Stoker will be providing live entertainment throughout the festival.
Rebecca Armstrong, our general manager and festival organiser, shared: “We’re thrilled to launch the Blackfriars Beer Festival and revive a tradition from the medieval period. This is set to be a fantastic celebration of beer, brewing, and community, welcoming both beer enthusiasts and those looking for a great day out. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for a charity close to our hearts.”
The Blackfriars Beer Festival will take place in our Cloister Garden at Blackfriars Restaurant, Friars Street, Newcastle. Tickets are £9.50 per person, including a festival brochure, a commemorative St Dominic’s-branded schooner, and a first beer. They are available now via our website: Blackfriars Beer Festival.
£1 from each ticket sale will be donated to Newcastle United Foundation, supporting their mission to use the power of football to connect, motivate, and inspire people across our region.
We can’t wait to raise a glass with you! 🍻
