Full Circle Brew Co has opened its first pub, a taproom and kitchen, inside Fenwick in Newcastle, marking the brewery's first permanent base outside its Byker home. The venue has its own dedicated entrance in Blackett Street, allowing it to remain open beyond store hours three nights a week.
A New Look for the First Floor
The new space on the first floor of the department store was previously occupied by The Golden Flake, the Greggs pop-up pub which ended its run earlier this year. For Fenwick, the taproom marks the latest in its line of collaborations involving renowned local names which have included Barbour, Fentimans and Hjem.
For the award-winning brewery, whose Hoults Yard base also includes a taproom and events space, it is a "huge moment" according to founder Ben Cleary. Full Circle had created brews for the Golden Flake Tavern, and Ben sees its own first pub as another opportunity to showcase a range of beers to a wider audience.
Brewmo Beer Collaboration with Lumo
In a collaboration with Newcastle-based Lumo, a new beer is on sale too. The operator previously teamed up with Beartown Brewery in Cheshire to create a beer, Lumo-nescence, for its recently launched west coast mainline services. Now it has done the same with Full Circle, with bespoke new beer Brewmo going on sale on board its east coast mainline trains.
The pub is now open for drinks, following an official launch evening for invited guests there last week where the new Brewmo beer made its debut. Ben said: "It's brilliant to finally have the doors open and welcome people into our first tap and kitchen. We've wanted to do this for a long time, and Fenwick is a fantastic place for us to take that next step."
He said that "bringing Brewmo to Lumo services has also given us a unique chance to give customers a taste of Full Circle on their travels between England and Scotland". Richard Salkeld, director of communications and partnerships at the rail operator, said: "Brewmo is officially available onboard our east coast services and I can’t wait for those travelling with us to try it." He called the new taproom at Fenwick "an impressive venue".
Beers, Food and Opening Hours
First customers to the pub can find 10 taps as well as two cask lines serving a range of brews. Besides a selection of Full Circle's beers, there will be a rotating selection of guest brews from independent breweries across the UK, and a fridge stocked with beers from worldwide breweries which customers can either drink in or buy to take home. Also available on the drinks menu are wines, cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Beer collaborations and tap takeovers are planned too.
That collaborative spirit also extends to food, with a new menu due to join the beer offering which will feature the likes of fried chicken and premium burgers from Newcastle street food vendor Peckin’ Order. It will be offering larger burgers made from a specially-elected blend of dry-aged beef, including ribcap, chuck and brisket, served in lightly-sweetened Japanese milk buns supplied by the city's Fold Bakery. One stand-out dish on the menu is set to be fried chicken and Champagne, described as "a surprisingly good match" with the crisp acidity and bubbles of Champagne cutting through the richness of the crispy chicken.
Ben said: "We've worked closely with Peckin' Order to create a food offering that we're really excited about. The new burgers are a big part of that, alongside the fried chicken and Champagne, which is something a little different for people visiting."
While the Full Circle Tap & Kitchen at Fenwick Newcastle is already serving drinks, that food service is yet to start and is due to get under way this Friday, November 13. It also will offer children's meals as well as vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
Ben added: "Of course, beer is still at the heart of what we do. Our Ouseburn brewery and taproom will always be home but opening in the centre of Newcastle is a big moment for us and gives us the opportunity to introduce Full Circle to a much wider audience."
The bar will be open daily from 11am and also can be accessed through Fenwick's Northumberland Street entrance during store opening times. Its own Blackett Street entrance will mean it can remain open until 10pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, during which food will be available from 12noon-8pm. Otherwise its closing times will be 7pm from Monday to Wednesday, with the kitchen serving food between 12noon and 6pm on those days. Closing time on Sunday in the bar will be 4pm, with the kitchen serving from 12noon that day until 3.30pm.
