Newcastle's newest restaurant, Brasserie Black Door at the Biscuit Factory has been brewing up a treat for customers with its very own designer drink. The restaurant has commissioned Wylam Brewery to create a 'Black Door Lager Beer' to mark the opening of the company's new venture which opened earlier this month. The continental-style lager beer has been devised at the Tynedale brewery according to the mediaeval German Beer Purity Laws - simply made with water, malt, hops and yeast and lagered at 1�C for three weeks to give a distinctive continental flavour. John Boyle, managing director of Wylam Brewery, based in Heddon on the Wall said: "The beer we have designed for Brasserie Black Door is unadulterated and pure, unlike many of the mass produced lagers you see on sale these days which complements the Black Door's philosophy of serving fresh and local ingredients from local suppliers wherever possible. We are really pleased to be working with a prestigious restaurant such as the Black Door on this new product." The Black Door lager beer will be on sale within the restaurant and is aimed at complementing some of the dishes on the menu. Co-owner of Brasserie Black Door and the Black Door, David Kennedy added: "We have been working with Wylam Brewery to create a lager that would work well with many of the dishes that we serve. Some dishes lend themselves perfectly to the beer and in particular it will complement fish, spicy and oriental dishes."

Brasserie Black Door follows on from the success of its fine-dining sister restaurant, the Black Door, which last year won the coveted Harden's Remy Award for Excellence 2006, the first time a Newcastle restaurant has ever won the award. The 100-seat Brasserie has a more relaxed feel with a contemporary mix of light wooden floors, soft furnishings and warm colours to combine style and comfort. To complement the artistic space that the Biscuit Factory offers, an art gallery also runs across the length of the restaurant to further promote local artists. The menu focuses on fresh, local produce and includes a selection of grilled meets and steaks with a healthy eating emphasis. On the menu you will find dishes including Beignet's salt cod, tomato confit, olive oil and crisp sage (�6.00) and terrine of slow-cooked duck, garlic sausage and fine beans (�7.00) and for mains, skate wing, fennel and onion stew, thyme and black olives (�12.00) or braised rare-breed pork, white beans and fondant potatoes (�14.00). For deserts dishes include rhubarb and almond tartin and Devonshire clotted cream (�7.00) or cr�me fraiche panna cotta, blood orange marmalade (�6.50). The Brasserie is owned by chef David Kennedy along with local business man David Ladd who set up Black Door Restaurant Ltd in 1994. David Kennedy, who worked chef at 21 Queen Street in Newcastle when the restaurant held a Michelin Star, said: "When we opened the Black Door in Newcastle, we hoped to build reputation which we have achieved and we will continue to offer the very best fine dining experience and invest in the venue. "Brasserie Black Door is a totally different experience for our customers however, offering a bustling atmosphere with high quality food and affordable prices. The same attention to detail is given to the nice touches however like glassware, crockery and cutlery as well as excellent service which our existing customers have come to expect. Brasserie Black Door is also responsible for the catering requirements of the corporate functions and private parties at the Biscuit Factory which has gallery space and function room for up to 500 people. There is also a private dining room for up to 20 people alongside the restaurant. A range of canap� options have been devised with prices ranging from �7.00 per person. The Brasserie is open for lunch (12-2pm) and dinner (7-10pm) Monday to Saturday and Sunday lunches will start later on in the year. Contact details Brasserie Black Door, Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN. Tel: 0191 260 5411 www.blackdoorrestaurant.co.uk The Black Door, 32 Clayton Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 Tel: 5DZ 0191 261 6295 -Ends- Note to editors � The Black Door opened as a fine dine restaurant in October 2004 by chef David Kennedy and local businessman David Ladd who met whilst David Kennedy was working as head chef for the Apartment in Newcastle � David Kennedy was originally from Devon and went to catering college in Exeter. He worked in London for the Halkin and Grosvenor House and after meeting Geordie wife Deborah moved to the North East in 1991 under Terry Leybourne when the restaurant possessed a Michelin star � Black Door won a Hardens's Remy Award in 2005, the first restaurant in the North East to receive this title � Wylam Brewery Ltd was set up in an old farm dairy near Heddon on the Wall by retirees Robin Leighton (Brewing Director) and John Boyle (Managing Director). Sadly Robin died in April 2005. His three daughters have retained an interest in the brewery. � The first brew was casked in August 2000. The brewery has been in production now for over five years and its beers have gained a reputation for quality and flavour, winning several awards at festivals around the UK. A good selection is usually available at the Brewery Tap, The Boathouse Wylam, and in many pubs in the region. Photo caption: l-r - Dave Kennedy, co-owner of the Brasserie Black Door and John Boyle, managing director of Wylam Brewery Media Contact: Sam Hook t: 0191 213 0059 e: sam@uniquethinking.co.uk w: uniquethinking.co.uk