While some pubs are closing or struggling as cash-strapped regulars abandon their favourite watering holes, real ales sales are still buoyant in the borough.

Fresh from clinching a prestigious bronze medal last week at the Great British Beer Festival, at Earls Court, London, officials of Jarrow Brewery say real ales are helping drinkers hit by the credit crunch to drown their sorrows.

Brewery owner Jess McConnell said: "Real ale is bucking the trend and
helping pubs to survive the credit crunch.

"Lager sales are down and young people are switching to real ales.
"Real ales are no longer thought of as 'an old man's drink'.

"We were delighted to win a joint third place in the bitter category of the Great British Beer Festival in London, with our Rivet Catcher.

"And it's even more satisfying that we shared the bronze medal with Timothy Taylor Landlord, from West Yorkshire, which is one of the biggest breweries in the country.

"This helps to boost the profile of Jarrow Brewery and helps us sell our real ales."

Despite many pubs closing or struggling as a result of the double whammy of the credit crunch and the smoking ban, Jarrow Brewery is still producing 720 gallons of its popular Rivet Catcher a week, apart from its other real ales.

Based at the Robin Hood pub, Primrose Hill, Jarrow, and The Maltings Real Ale House, Claypath Lane, South Shields, Jarrow Brewery has become one of the most successful microbreweries in the UK, since it started brewing in 2002.

The champion beer title in this week's Great British Beer Festival went to Triple fff, Alton's Pride, from Hampshire.