Dog Beer: Dave Carr and The Brandling Villa Brews Bottled for South Gosforth Canines

Private and public transportation networks allow locals and visitors to access the Brandling Villa. The pub and restaurant claim a convenient location within comfortable walking distances of suburban Newcastle upon Tyne’s busy South Gosforth Metro station. Platform 2 functions as the site of the Metro Control Centre, whose construction between January 1, 1978 and August 11, 1980 necessitated the demolition of everything bricked in Tudor Gothic style for the interchange’s opening on June 27, 1864 -- the station master’s garden and house and the station office and waiting facilities -- except the extant iron North Eastern Railway footbridge. Platform 1 heads arrivals in the correct direction, down a small street to Haddricks Mill Road just minutes away.

Experts still debate the linguistic origins of the name for the same-designated station and suburb. Two etymologies typically dominate modern-day discussions. According to one creation story, Gosforth evolves from Gese Ford, as the description of a safe, shallow crossing over the Ouseburn (River Ouse). Per another creation story, the original configuration of Gosaford, as the identification of a traversable stretch hospitable to native geese populations, explains the designation. But both interpretations merge in their emphasis upon the role of water in defining and maintaining area commerce, community identity, and local farming. The availability of accessible, usable sources indeed promotes:

• Brewing, near clean water;
• Farming, on fertile soils;
• Self-defining, per locations east, north, south or west of Ouseburn.

The Ouseburn Valley Brewery figures among such local suppliers of Brandling Villa fares as:

• Claire Watson-Laney’s burgers and sausages at the Northumberland Sausage Company of Wark in Hexham;
• Fergal Leonard’s beverage expertise as Northumbria Ale and Cider Society secretary;
• Norman and John’s buns in the Grainger Market, Grainger Town, Newcastle upon Tyne;
• Peter’s pies in Amble, Northumberland.

The microbrewery has a folkloric back-story, with owner-operator Nigel Mothersole:

• Completing business studies through the University of Northumbria at Newcastle;
• Controlling publishing industry quality as supply chain manager;
• Heading operations for a global publishing group;
• Producing craft beers with garage-based kits and the Villa’s basement-housed brewery from Oban Ales of Kilmelford, Scotland.

Nigel is known for:

• Ales;
• Bitters;
• Porters;
• Stouts.

As the Brandling Villa’s manager since September 2009, Dave Carr coordinates the input of local resources and the output of quality fare. He defers to the stocking choices of:

• Chef Sammy Dee’s Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross, Ladybird;
• His own Beagle, Franco.

The duo inspire Dave’s warm-hearted policies regarding canine-accompanied customer bases. It is permissible for pub and restaurant visitors to include canine companions at the bar and table. Canine guests look forward to options other than biscuits and water. The menu offers:

• Canine comestibles;
• Doggie drinks.

The Brandling Villa’s bottles, casks, and taps shelter human-intended beers, whiskies, and wines. But they also yield beef-flavored, hops-free, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, yeast-free Dog Beer in chilled bottles for serving people-style in glasses.

The Brandling Villa’s malt barley-sweetened, meat extract-fortified Dog Beer can be consumed as:

• On-the-rocks in bowls;
• Pour-overs to edibles;
• Straight-ups in glasses.

DB cooperates with accompanying, chasing, or preceding complete meals and dessert selections. It draws upon standard items which are listed on the same menu as offerings for human adults and children. For example, canine customers get as order options with side dishes:

• Beef;
• Chicken;
• Salmon;
• Sausage.

They have the welcome inclusion of Jack’s homemade special, cat gravy for dogs, as a pour-over or on the side. The special Sunday fare includes classic and doggie-style roasts. Everything is served at the same seating with the canine’s human companions. Dessert choices showcase chewy, low-fat, sugar-free, tartar-regulating treats.

Animal- and plant-lovers appreciate the well-being of faunal and floral companions. Letting good times roll with fellow humans often centers upon drinking, eating, and playing. Concern over animal-toxic beverages and foods typically clouds the inclusion of canine companions in events, get-togethers, meals, and reunions.  It does not have to if Brandling Villa-style guidelines are heeded:

• Dogs appreciate the responsibility of designated walkers.  
• They like to sample what their human companions consume.
• They may overdose on the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K just as their human counterparts do.
• They must not ingest caffeine, chocolate, garlic and onions, grapes and raisins, and hops without consequences.

Hops-free, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, yeast-free Dog Beer fit the bill when dogs tipple.

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Red footbridge remains as only extant reminder of original South Gosforth station, built in 1864.
South Gosforth Metro Station is located about 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) west of The Brandling Villa.
South Gosforth, northern Newcastle upon Tyne. North East England: Will Thompson (wjjjjt), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/resiak/9573100287/

Southward flowing Ouseburn pases through Newcastle upon Tyne -- passing through South Gosforth's Paddy Freeman Park and Jesmond Dene, a public park about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of The Brandling Villa -- to join River Tyne on its northern bank.
ca. 1890 - 1900 photochrome print of Jesmond Dene's Old Mill by Detroit Publishing Company; Views of the British Isles, Photochrom Print Collection, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England: No known restrictions on publication, via Library of Congress (LOC) Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC) @ http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002708004/

Some of the comestibles for The Brandling Villa are provided by local suppliers installed at Grainger Market, historic structure designed by John Dobson (1787 – January 8, 1865) and opened in 1835.
Grainger Market, Grainger Town, central Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England: Paul Robertson, CC BY ND 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/pauliewoll/12160140734/

Nigel Mothersole discusses starting and running Ouseburn Valley Brewery, which supplies The Brandling Villa.
una0035. "Ouseburn Valley Brewery.avi" (0:58). YouTube, May 15, 2012, @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJHMJ-oO-d4

The Brandling Villa's parent company, Frank & Bird Ltd., is named for Frank the Beagle and Ladybird the Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross, canine pets of manager Dave Carr and chef Sammy Dee.
Popular pub dog Frank is one of two canine residents at The Brandling Villa.: Brandling Villa @thebrandlingvilla, via Facebook Aug. 31, 2013, @ https://www.facebook.com/thebrandlingvilla/posts/793468594025853

Dave Carr's canine brew, Dog Beer, is on the menu at his dog-friendly pub, The Brandling Villa, in North East England's South Gosforth.
Brandling Villa @thebrandlingvilla, via Facebook Jan. 8, 2012, @ https://www.facebook.com/thebrandlingvilla/posts/793475487358497

The Brandling Villa
The whiskey bar, craft beers and live music pub has a distinctive location at the roundabout for Haddricks Mill Road, Benton Park Road, Hunters Road and Station Road.
west side of Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England: Thunderchild7, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/thunderchild5/153802432/

The Brandling Villa receives valuable input from the pub's two resident canines, manager Dave Carr's Frank the Beagle and chef Sammy Dee’s Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross, Ladybird.
Frank appraises a hot dog.: Brandling Villa @thebrandlingvilla, via Facebook July 31, 2013, @ https://www.facebook.com/thebrandlingvilla/posts/793468607359185

Resident canines Frank the Beagle and Ladybird the Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross epitomize The Brandling Villa's dog-friendly atmosphere.
Ladybird (left) and Frank (right): Brandling Villa @thebrandlingvilla, via Twitter Nov. 2, 2015, @ https://twitter.com/brandlingvilla/status/661240204443951106

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