Peter Barron talks to one of the north’s most respected writers on the subject of beer – and asks him to recommend six country pubs.

WHEN it comes to writing about beer and pubs, award-winning journalist and author Alastair Gilmour has few equals.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Alastair, pictured above, has worked for The Northern Echo and The Journal, as well as national and international publications, such as The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, The Observer, Prague Post, Brewers’ Guardian, Eastern Airways in-flight magazine, Food & Travel magazine and The Church Times.

He founded and edits Cheers, an award-winning pub and drinks publication with a growing reputation.

He has also contributed to several books, including: Pint To Pint, A Crawl Around Britain’s Best Pubs; The Oxford Companion to Beer; 1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die; Great Beers, 700 of the Best; The Beer Book; and The Eyewitness Guide to World Beer.

He has won two prestigious Glenfiddich Food & Drink awards, and the British Guild of Beer Writers has named him writer of the year on four occasions.

Alastair regularly conducts beer events throughout the UK and internationally and for several years was on the judging panel of the Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender programme.

Here he recommends six country pubs which are well worth a visit in the North-East.

1. The Black Bull, Frosterley, Weardale

What I love about the Black Bull is that it feels like it’s in a time-warp following a refurbishment a few years ago that took it back to Victorian times.

It has big fireplaces and flagstone floors that give it that traditional, homely feel.

I like pubs to have an added attraction and the Black Bull’s front door is just 39 steps from Frosterley Station, which connects to Bishop Auckland on the Weardale Railway. Another novelty is that it is possibly the country’s only pub with church-style bells. The food is great and there is an insistence on good local beers.

If that’s not enough, the Black Bull is surrounded by the beautiful Weardale countryside, with open moorland, woodland and streams.

It is a pub that’s got the lot. In fact, it’s almost too good to be true.

2. The Rat Inn, Anick, Hexham

This is a brilliant little country pub with amazing food in a pretty hamlet.

The Rat always stocks four local real ales, including some from the Allendale Brewery. They are always popular so the turnover is quick and the beer is always on top form. The Pennine Pale is particularly recommended but you really are spoiled for choice.

The Rat has a wonderful beer garden, with lovely, mesmerising views over the Tyne Valley, meandering below. This is good cycling country – quite demanding – but perfect for those who want to combine a bike ride through gorgeous countryside with a stop-off at a cracking pub.

3. The Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland

Amid a quaint collection of old fishermen’s cottages, The Ship Inn is virtually on the beach and is one of the most idyllic spots I know to head for a drink and a bite to eat.

If you love strolling around in the fresh air, this is the place for you. The area round and about is rich in wildlife, with all kinds of sea birds, flora and fauna. The wild flowers around the dunes are a sight to behold.

Walkers are not only likely to find hermit crabs stranded by the tide, but whelks, cockles and lugworms which attract wading birds such as oyster catchers and ringed plovers. If you're really lucky, there'a a chance you may see the odd seal breaking the surface.

Another plus-point is that The Ship also has its own micro-brewery so it’s a magnet for real-ale lovers as well as bird-watchers and those who simply want to chill-out and relax.

4. The Dickens Bar at The Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge

Cosy and intimate, the walls of the Dickens Bar ooze a sense of history and creativity.

The bar features a unique mural of Dickensian characters, created in 1946 by well-known artist John Gilroy, who is famous for the advertising images he produced for Guinness.

Dickens himself visited Greta Bridge in 1839 to research Nicholas Nickleby and stayed at one of the local inns, which may well have been The Morritt. The artistic connections don’t end there, with painters such as Turner and Cotman inspired by local views.

It’s no wonder because the countryside around about is stunning, perfect for walkers and horse riders who tether their mounts and pop in for a drink and a meal.

5. The Sun Inn, Beamish Museum

It may be a bit of a stretch to describe The Sun Inn as a country pub given that it’s located in the old town at Beamish Museum.

However, it is a pub with a distinct country feel from the early twentieth century, having been rebuilt, stone by stone, from its original location at Bishop Auckland.

The open fire ensures a warm welcome and the interior timbers give the pub a traditional ambience that transports you back in time.

Just outside is magnificent parkland which is ideal for a walk and a picnic, and there's always the chance of seeing a red kite hovering overhead as it rises on the thermals.

Beamish Museum is one of the jewels in the North-East’s tourism crown – and The Sun Inn is a gem that comes with it.

6. The Manor House Inn, Carterwayheads, County Durham/Northumberland border

Old coaching houses, steeped in history, really appeal to me and it’s easy to picture horse-drawn coaches stopping off here for refreshments on long, thirsty journeys.

The Manor House Inn offers spectacular views of the Derwent Reservoir and rolling North Pennines countryside. Despite being close to the road, it’s always nice and peaceful.

I love the fact that locals can earn a free pint by bringing in freshly-killed rabbits or pigeons for the kitchen and, there’s a woman who even brings in mushrooms.

It’s also a great place to spot birds of prey, such as buzzards.

Cheers!