This is very much a beer of last resort for me, but it was either that or wine today, which I didn't fancy in the heat. Anyway, I reckon this was one of the new-fangled Gateshead Brown Ales, and it was a very poor imitation of the original. Lacking in taste, lacking in body, and propped up solely by excessive carbonation.
If anyone else has tried it, I would be interested in hearing comments. To those of you who've not tried it - don't bother!