Our favourite breweries in Leeds

Aug 02, 2024

We thought it was about time to share some of our favourite breweries in Leeds, in honour of International Beer Day. Now we're far from beer connoisseurs but what we do like is a good pint of beer, and we're glad we have so many wonderful breweries in Leeds on our doorstep to enjoy.

Stay tuned as we've got some good ones below...

Northern Monk

Experimental brewing began for this team in Bradford back in 2013, but it all started for Northern Monk in 2014 when they found their home at The Old Flax Store (they're still there now, ten years on!). You might have heard of their most popular pale ale 'Faith', which is a fantastic hazy pale ale packing soft fruit, perfect for summer but also all year round for a refreshing pint of the good stuff. Don't be hazed by the popular pale ale, they have classics, seasonal releases, low and no (one being the Holy Faith which we absolutely love the name) and much more. You can also visit them at their new venue, Northern Market (near Millennium Square) for street food and beer.

WHERE: Northern Monk Refectory, The Old Flax Store Marshalls Mill Marshall St Leeds LS11 9YJ

Kirkstall Brewery

Continuing the legendary brewing of the Cistercian Monks of Kirkstall Abbey and the Kirkstall Brewery Company, Kirkstall Brewery started their own brewery in 2011- how many times could we fit brewery into a sentence!?

Not only have they expanded their brew offering, they have a range of pubs across Leeds, Otley, Morley, Skipton, Horsforth and are soon reopening the famous Tetley Brewery building, so keep your eyes peeled, we're so excited to see it!

Albeit it a little walk out of town, we love their Taproom (near the ITV studios) and have often enjoyed a stroll down the canal for a refreshing pint of Virtuous to quench the taste buds.

WHERE: Kirkstall Brewery, 100 Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1HJ

North Brew Co

Brewed with love since 2015, and don't we know it! We love a trip up to North Brew Co's Springwell site in Meanwood during the Summer months, and all year round in the centre for amazing beer and banging bao's at Little Bao Boy!

They've got around 11 bars, one of which is in Italy (above Venice, if you're ever in the area), the rest span Leeds, Harrogate and Manchester- providing rather good beer to the North. What we like about North, is their beer subscription service, they've got silver and gold memberships, you get six or twelve new special release beers to try each month, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home- it's like lockdown all over again...

WHERE: North Taproom, 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street, Leeds, LS1 4BA

Taratrus

Based in Sheepscar, just outside of Leeds, Tartarus Beers are brewing up a storm of craft beers with a mythical edge, no seriously, take a look at their Insta and get a whole load of their funky packaging!

Their taprooms are open twice a month and they've got two great co-owners, one is Jack who is their head brewer, with five years experience brewing in the craft beer industry. The other owner is Jordan, who's in charge of sales, packing, inventory etc.

They've got 11 tap lines, with more in the fridge to try- and offer a click and collect service if you need to stock up for when they're not open!

WHERE: Tartarus Taproom, Unit 6 Taverner's Walk Industrial Estate, Leeds, LS7 1AH

Wilde Child Brewing Co.

Wilde Child are a Leeds based micro brewery. Starting in 2010, with friends and family sampling their creations, beginning as a dream, then into a passion, now a reality.

They've got an online shop which showcases some of their most popular beers, stouts, porters and pale ales and they're pushing the boat out with their stout offerings; think strawberries and cream, salted caramel, raspberry, milk choc, biscoff and chocolate fudge brownie - have you ever seen an alcoholic drink line up like that before!?

They do have a taproom, but we recommend keeping up to date with their Instagram here for dates, as this is where they get announced.

best-breweries-leeds-wilde-child-brewing

WHERE: Wilde Child Brewing Co. Ltd, 7 Armley Rd, Leeds LS12 2DR

DMC Brewery

Beginning as a kitchen brew six years ago, DMC was born as a result of the lack of good quality alcoholic ginger beers on offer. Their recipe uses fresh ginger root and natural ingredients, with a variety of combinations to ensure a continuation of tantilising your tastebuds.

If you're gluten free or vegan, you'll be happy to hear that all their ginger beers are both!

They've got a taproom on Railway Street, near the Northern Ballet where they serve up IPA's, ginger beers, ciders, wines, spirits and more.

WHERE: 78 &79 Railway St, Leeds LS9 8HB

Meanwood Brewery

If you need a laugh whilst scrolling on your Instagram feed, give Meanwood Brewery a follow, to see their feel good reels featuring their feel good drinks (we all feel good after a pint, don't we?).

You may have come across them at a beer festival, or at their home in Meanwood at Terminus Taproom, where they've been serving out pints since 2018.

WHERE: 8a Stonegate Road, Leeds, LS6 4HY

Amity Brew Co

Community, friendship and good beer are just a few words that surround Amity, they're from Farsley and make modern iterations of well-loved classic beers. Their taproom at Sunnybank Mills is open Wednesday - Sunday, serving their juicy pale ales, lagers and more.

They often hold events like open deck/mic nights, hip hop nights and more, so make sure to stay up to date with what's on here.

WHERE: Sunny Bank Mills, Unit 15-16, Festoon Rooms, 83-85 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5UJ

Horsforth Brewery

Starting as a part- time project in 2017, brewing beer became owner Mark's full time job by 2020. Horsforth Brewery are stocked at various eateries and bars around the city, some of which include; Lupes Cantina Mexicana, Sandinista, Friends of Ham and The Wardrobe, just to name a few!

Their taproom is on New Road Side, which is the same street that is home to The Agora, Escape and The Three Swords.

WHERE: 143 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QD

Bini Brew Co

Beginning in Ilkley, Bini have two tap rooms, one in their birthplace (Ilkley) and one at their newly opened brewery in Leeds.

Serving eight lines of Bini brewed beer at each, our go-to has to be Under The Manhole Cover, which is their flagship pale ale, they describe it as punchy and tropical to cut through its bitter backbone - and we think this is the perfect way to describe it!

Their iconic beer glasses and chilled out vibe draw punters in week on week, and their Leeds Brewery taproom is at the beginning (or end, depending on where you're starting) of the Sheepscar Beer Mile!