BREWERIES across Northumberland united to show their support for Ukraine on Friday, March 18.

They joined the Drinkers for Ukraine campaign, which was created to fundraise for the humanitarian efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross, through brewing an anti-imperialist stout and has been supported by breweries across the county.

The First and Last Brewery in Elsdon hosted eight breweries from across Northumberland to brew a Ukrainian anti-imperial stout, which had been created by Ukrainian beer brewers to raise money for those affected by the war.

All profits from the beer will go towards supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. 

The beer, named 'Resist', has a special Borshch-inspired taste of Ukraine and brewers can adapt the flavour however they choose.

Allendale Brewery, High House Barn Brewery, Twice Brewed, Muckle Brewing, Brewis Beer Company, Rigg and Furrow Brewery, and Alnwick Brewery joined the campaign. 

Sam and Emma Kellie, owners of The First and Last, said the brewing day was a success. 

Sam said: "It went really well, the beer tasted great. The interest in the beer has been fantastic, and all the casks and kegs to pubs and bars have all presold, and cans will be available for public selling."

"It's being bottled and canned in Cumbria. The company Bottled in Cumbria agreed to do it for free, and they're a big operation so we were really pleased with that."

Sam said the beer is currently in the tank and will be going out next week. The community support has been amazing, he said, and people have rallied around to show their support.

"It’s been fantastic to pull together with breweries across Northumberland to brew this special beer in support of the Ukraine humanitarian effort."

"We've been bowled over by the support from suppliers, both local and national, donating ingredients and their services to get this beer into cask, keg and cans so that we can maximise the money raised," he said.

Sam added: "So far, we’ve raised somewhere in the region of £4,000."

To read more about the Drinkers for Ukraine campaign, visit https://drinkersforukraine.com/, or to donate to the Ukraine Newsquest Appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/therewithukraine.