Gateshead Beer Festival & The Imperial Restaurant

May 12, 2014 by Rachel Kershaw in Festivals and Events 3

OK, OK, So it’s another post about eating and drinking, please try not to judge! I have a really good excuse though, the Gateshead Beer Festival only happens once a year so it would have been rude not to pop by.

Truth be told, I’m not the biggest real ale fan and usually much more likely to opt for a nice glass of wine but I’d heard Smoove and Turrell were playing at the festival on the Friday night and I love those funky music makers!

Smoove and Turrell have played at all the major festivals, they can regularly be heard on Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show and have even supported Nile Rogers and Chic on tour, so there was no way I was missing out on the chance to see them perform live in a relatively small marquee right here in Geordieland!

Being South of the river also gave me the chance to try out a restaurant I’d never been to before but had heard lots about, the well established Imperial Chinese Restaurant in Low Fell.

When we first arrived it was pretty quite and I wondered where everyone was, it was Friday night after all. However, by the time we were leaving to set off to the Gateshead Beer Festival a short walk away, the restaurant was full to the rafters. It’s obviously a firm favourite with the locals and after tasting the crispy duck starter I could tell why, it was peking perfect!

I’m sorry that I don’t have more or indeed better photos from the beer festival but some of those ales were pretty strong and there’s a chance I may have neglected my camera, I was also far too busy dancing and soaking up the fantastic atmosphere!

Keep an eye for the return of the Gateshead Beer Festival in 2015 when it ill be in its sixth year, it’s not just for beer lovers, it’s for music, banter, and all round fun shenanigan fans!

By Rachel Kershaw