Eight of the Best Local Breweries to Visit Across Yorkshire and the North East
It's International Beer Day on 4th August and we have just the places to raise a pint
BLACK SHEEP BREWERY
A true brewing pioneer, Yorkshireman Paul Theakston established Black Sheep Brewery in his home town of Masham back in 1992. Quality, consistency and independence is at the forefront of the brewery – fast forward 30 years, and the brewery is a mash between tradition and innovation. Grab one of Black Sheep’s award-winning pints on site at the visitors’ centre – don’t forget to visit the Sheepy Shop where you can pick up a selection of bottles, cans or kegs to take home.
PLAY BREW CO
Play Brew Co is a Leeds-based beer brand with cool breweries and taprooms across the North. Based in a quirky warehouse, Middlesbrough’s outpost offers an exciting craft brewery, taproom and event space (a first of its kind in the town) boasting a varied core range of brewed craft beers. Director and founder Phil Layton was born in Middlesbrough, so why wouldn’t he want to bring such a cool taproom to the area? Expect pale ale, IPAs and porter here, and four-legged friends are invited to join in on the fun. No booking is required, just pop in for a pint.
TYNE BANK BREWERY
Tyne Bank Brewery’s taproom is housed in the brewery itself and it’s a 1,400 square foot area with direct views into the brewery, 16 taps and eight cask lines of the best Tyne Bank beers (we’ll have a Rhubarb & Custard oatmeal pale ale, please). More than just a pub in a brewery (although it’s a very good one of those), this is also a multifunctional event space, and they regularly host special events.
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COLD BATH BREWING CO.
Born in the spa town of Harrogate, Cold Bath Brewing produce beer not only using locally-sourced malts and hops, but also German Noble Hops straight from Bavaria. Drawing on countries such as Belgium and the Czech Republic for inspiration, Cold Bath Brewing create exceptionally clean session craft beers using soft Yorkshire water. Sample a range of their beers straight from the source in the Taproom on King’s Road – otherwise known as the hub of their recipe development.
WYLAM BREWERY
You’ll find the freshest Wylam beers on keg and cask at their taproom at the iconic Palace des Arts in Exhibition Park, as well as guest keg lines from other breweries, and an extensive collection of bottles and cans. There’s a special tap menu (think bar bites, sharing planks and snacks) and their Sunday lunch is worth booking a table for.
BREW YORK
Within York’s historic city walls, Brew York offer a range of beers, from their core craft, to seasonal beers and collaborative creations, and their beers in the form of cask, keg or can are sold throughout the UK. To try Brew York in its freshest form, head to one of their locations; the Taproom and Beer Hall in York, The Market Tap in Pocklington, New Briggate Tap in Leeds, or the newest venue Handley Tap just outside York city centre.
WOLD TOP BREWERY
Founded in part as a way to help sustain the family farm in Driffield, Wold Top Brewery has been creating great tasting beer for more than 20 years. Sustainability is a major influence on everything this Yorkshire brewery does, from growing their own barley and using wind power, to drawing water from underground aquifers. Award-winning cask, keg and bottled beers are made to be enjoyed time after time, with Scarborough Fair IPA being the current best seller. Enjoy a cold one with friends and family at the in-house bar after you’ve taken a tour around the brewery.
RIGG & FURROW
This authentic farmhouse brewery gave a new life to an old milking parlour, launching Rigg & Furrow Farmhouse Brewery in 2017. They create new takes on traditional farmhouse beers, the likes of which would have once been brewed for thirsty farm labourers. Their brewery tap is open on Fridays and Saturdays throughout August with both outdoor and indoor seating, and you’ll find street-food slingers One Burger serving delicious burgers from their van. With children, dogs and muddy boots all welcome, this is a great place to stop off for a quality pint.
