That's what I call a hat trick.



I went to the new Houghton brewery that revived Double Maxim back in 2009 to collect a crate I'd ordered to take as a gift to Strve Bruce after he'd taken over as manager (I was sports editor of the Express at the time and wanted to say hello and forge good relations). I'd driven up from London and pulled into the brewery to be met by the owner who asked if I'd like a tour of the premises.
He pointed out the impressive brewing gear and explained he'd been head brewer at Vaux and he'd realised his dream to revive Double Maxim.
Then he asked me if I could guess where he'd got all the brewery kit and machinery?
I had no clue.
"The Tyne Brewery!" he chuckled. The irony was rich...the old Blue Star brewery had recently closed and here was the pride of Tyneside's brewery reassembled on Wearside to re-create Vaux's most famous pint.
I always preferred Maxim to Newky Brown. Even moreso these days as NBA is nothing like the same brew since it moved to Yorkshire.
BTW, Bruce was very appreciative!
 

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