Whether you're a real ale devotee, a craft can collector or simply after a well-earned pint at the end of a coastal walk, there's a taproom with your name on it. All of the breweries featured in this blog are part of the Taste of Northumberland scheme, so you can guarantee they source locally, champion the county and work with authenticity.
Alnwick Brewery
Brewing history runs deep in Alnwick. The town's brewery traces its roots back to the mid-1800s and today Alnwick Brewery brews at Hawkhill, a short hop from Alnwick town centre, crafting award-winning beers in cask, keg, bottle and can, with Alnwick Gold a firm favourite.
Since 2021, Alnwick Brewery has welcomed visitors to its rustic taproom and bottle shop. Settle into the cosy taproom or soak up the countryside views from the beer garden, with eight taps pouring fresh beer alongside local spirits and wine. Weekends often bring street food and live music, and you can book a brewery experience to see the brewing process for yourself. The perfect way to round off a day exploring Alnwick.
Cheviot Brewery
Tucked away on the Ford & Etal Estate in north Northumberland, Cheviot Brewery creates traditional cask and bottled ales inspired by the history and landscape on its doorstep. You only have to look at their names to see their inspiration, as Windy Gyle, Trig Point, Sea Stack and Flodden Thirst can all be found on a map of Northumberland or are part of the county's beautiful landscape.
The best place to try them is the Cheviot Tap, the brewery's onsite bar, where fresh cask ale meets stone-baked pizza from the bar's own oven. Brewery tours and tastings are available too, and the Tap hosts events throughout the year. Fancy making a night of it? Stay over in a glamping bell tent or a pod made from an up-cycled shipping container, and say hello to the resident Cheviot Alpacas, who you can book to meet up close. Opening times vary by season, so check before you go.
The First & Last Brewery
The First & Last Brewery is a family-run microbrewery based in the old ambulance station in Bellingham, deep in the North Tyne valley. Its small-batch cask and bottled beers are inspired by Northumberland's wild, untamed landscape and famously starry skies and the team are known for their foraged beers.
In 2026, their beer Spruce was named Silver Overall Champion of Bottle/Can Beer at the SIBA National Independent Beer Awards. Taste it for yourself on a brewery tour and tasting, where the team share the science, art and history of brewing and reveal what makes their foraged beers so special, then settle into the Bellingham taproom. If you're walking the Pennine Way or stargazing in nearby Kielder then this is the perfect pit stop, or pair it with a walk to stunning Hareshaw Linn waterfall, a clearly marked walking route that begins in Bellingham.
Northumbrian Cider & Wine Company
Set in The Old Chapel Cidery, right next to Etal Castle on the beautiful Ford & Etal Estate, the Northumbrian Cider & Wine Company creates award-winning craft cider, wine and juice. The ciders are made from 100% freshly pressed, single-variety apples from Northumberland, Scotland and beyond, then fermented, matured and bottled right here in the county.
Alongside the cider you'll find a range of wines and fruit wines made from 100% varietal grape juice sourced from around the world, plus fresh-pressed juices. Pair it with a wander around Etal Castle, a ride on the Heatherslaw Light Railway and a pint at nearby Cheviot Brewery for the perfect Ford & Etal day out.
Rigg & Furrow
Rigg & Furrow is an authentic farmhouse brewery, breathing new life into an old milking parlour on the family farm at Acklington. Farmhouse beers were originally brewed for thirsty farm workers, and this family-run team put their own spin on the tradition, brewing by hand to create fermentation-focused beers. They offer historically inspired ales, crisp lagers, hoppy pales and mixed fermentation brews that reflect rural Northumberland. They're all vegan-friendly, and the team have recently started making barrel-aged farmhouse cider from local Northumbrian apples.
The brewery tap opens every Friday and Saturday, with 10+ taps of farm-fresh beer, speciality coffee and a different street food vendor each week. Cosy up indoors or grab a seat in the paddock with sweeping countryside views. Families and well-behaved dogs are welcome, and there's a monthly quiz night raising money for local charities.
So, now you are geared with some of the best breweries in Northumberland, grab your walking boots and get ready to sip your way across Northumberland with some of our favourite breweries (and one cracking cidery). Hungry for more? Discover 10 Taste of Northumberland food and drink spots.
Please note many taprooms open on set days only, and hours change with the seasons, so check before you travel. Heading home afterwards? Pick up a few bottles to enjoy later instead.
