9 of the best Leeds breweries and their taprooms featuring in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2023

Leeds has become a hotspot for emerging independent beer brewers in recent years, as dozens have sprung up across the city.

By Joseph Keith

Published 29th Oct 2022, 11:55 BST

And CAMRA has now revealed the popular Leeds breweries that feature in its Good Beer Guide 2023.

The annual guide, released by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) now on sale, offers an insight into pubs, bars and breweries.

Here are nine of the Leeds breweries that feature in the 50th edition of the guide and what CAMRA said about each of them.

CAMRA said: "After using spare capacity at other breweries in 2013, a 10-barrel plant was established in 2014 in a Grade IIlisted mill. In 2017 a much larger second site with
canning line was opened. 2019 saw further expansion into the adjacent former Leeds Brewery site, with a new 50-hectolitre brewkit installed in 2021. The mill hosts a
taproom and events space. Most production is keg but cask-conditioned beer is available." Pictured Sam Johnson, bar operations manager.

1. Northern Monk, Holbeck

CAMRA said: "After using spare capacity at other breweries in 2013, a 10-barrel plant was established in 2014 in a Grade IIlisted mill. In 2017 a much larger second site with canning line was opened. 2019 saw further expansion into the adjacent former Leeds Brewery site, with a new 50-hectolitre brewkit installed in 2021. The mill hosts a taproom and events space. Most production is keg but cask-conditioned beer is available." Pictured Sam Johnson, bar operations manager. Photo: James Hardisty

CAMRA said: "Launching in 2020 with its online shop, Amity Brew Co was founded by Russ Clarke (ex-BrewDog, Buxton, North Brewing Co, and Beer Hawk team member). Originally cuckoo brewing, its brewpub opened later the same year sporting a 10-hectolitre brew kit, producing modern interpretations of classic beer styles, as well as more
experimental brews." Pictured is brewer Russ Clarke from Amity.

2. Amity, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley

CAMRA said: "Launching in 2020 with its online shop, Amity Brew Co was founded by Russ Clarke (ex-BrewDog, Buxton, North Brewing Co, and Beer Hawk team member). Originally cuckoo brewing, its brewpub opened later the same year sporting a 10-hectolitre brew kit, producing modern interpretations of classic beer styles, as well as more experimental brews." Pictured is brewer Russ Clarke from Amity. Photo: Simon Hulme

CAMRA said: "Having opened in 2015, the brewery initially supplied the North Bar group of bars in and around Leeds. Expansion to 15-barrels on the original site quickly
followed as the number of other outlets supplied increased. Due to substantially increased canned production, including national availability in supermarkets, further expansion was required, with the current premises opening in 2021." Pictured are owners John Gyngell and Christian Townsley.

3. North Brewing Co.

CAMRA said: "Having opened in 2015, the brewery initially supplied the North Bar group of bars in and around Leeds. Expansion to 15-barrels on the original site quickly followed as the number of other outlets supplied increased. Due to substantially increased canned production, including national availability in supermarkets, further expansion was required, with the current premises opening in 2021." Pictured are owners John Gyngell and Christian Townsley. Photo: Gary Longbottom

CAMRA said: "Established in 2011 a few yards from the original Kirkstall Brewery beside the Leeds-Liverpool canal. In 2017 it moved to a new state-of-the-art brewery
incorporating a 60-barrel plant, malting unit and canning line. The Kirkstall Bridge Inn is the brewery tap." Pictured is Chris Hall from Kirkstall Brewery.

4. Kirkstall Brewery

CAMRA said: "Established in 2011 a few yards from the original Kirkstall Brewery beside the Leeds-Liverpool canal. In 2017 it moved to a new state-of-the-art brewery incorporating a 60-barrel plant, malting unit and canning line. The Kirkstall Bridge Inn is the brewery tap." Pictured is Chris Hall from Kirkstall Brewery. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe

CAMRA said: "Production began in 2007 and Leeds Brewery is now one of the largest in the city. It uses a unique strain of yeast originally taken from a now defunct West Yorkshire brewery. Beer is supplied directly across the region and as far as Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and the North East. It formerly ran an estate of pubs, still trading, across Leeds and York. Pictured is Andrew Kenyon and Rob Warriner, of Leeds Brewery.

5. Leeds Brewery

CAMRA said: "Production began in 2007 and Leeds Brewery is now one of the largest in the city. It uses a unique strain of yeast originally taken from a now defunct West Yorkshire brewery. Beer is supplied directly across the region and as far as Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and the North East. It formerly ran an estate of pubs, still trading, across Leeds and York. Pictured is Andrew Kenyon and Rob Warriner, of Leeds Brewery. Photo: Gary Longbottom

CAMRA said: "The Meanwood Brewery was started by brothers Baz and Graeme Phillips in 2017 and focuses on brewing keg and cask beer styles from around the world. In 2021, installation of an eight-barrel brewkit and canning line expanded production. The Terminus Tap Room & Bottle Shop opened in 2018." Brothers Baz and Graeme are pictured.

6. Meanwood Brewery

CAMRA said: "The Meanwood Brewery was started by brothers Baz and Graeme Phillips in 2017 and focuses on brewing keg and cask beer styles from around the world. In 2021, installation of an eight-barrel brewkit and canning line expanded production. The Terminus Tap Room & Bottle Shop opened in 2018." Brothers Baz and Graeme are pictured. Photo: SWNS