Beer guide raises a glass to newcomers to its list

PUBS across the North East have plenty to celebrate with the publication of CAMRA's new guide to the country's best boozers.

- BARBARA HODGSON

The Delaval Arms made the list for the first time

CAMRA’s 2026 Good Beer Guide was released on Thursday with 900 newcomers among the nationwide entries - and among them are 10 pubs each from Northumberland and County Durham, plus eight across Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields.

These are featuring for the first time, alongside six other local entries.

At the same time as it celebrates the industry, the Campaign for Real Ale is sharing its fears for the UK pub trade as a whole with a ‘clear message’ for the Chancellor, ahead of the Budget, saying this is a make-or-break moment for the future of independent brewers that are ‘vital, it adds, for consumer choice.

In all, 149 breweries have closed over the past year - many of them smaller, independent operators - compared to just 71 new ones opening, and 36 pubs that featured in the 2025 guide have since closed.

The new guide showcases those that are working wonders despite the challenges.