A to Z of Leeds: The brewery and brand built on tradition, quality and pride

We all know Leeds is a great city, right?
The Tetley team of Shire horses enjoy a taste of their favourite tipple in February 1980. PIC: Jack HickesThe Tetley team of Shire horses enjoy a taste of their favourite tipple in February 1980. PIC: Jack Hickes
The Tetley team of Shire horses enjoy a taste of their favourite tipple in February 1980. PIC: Jack Hickes

There are many reasons for this bold claim, from the people who've called this place home, to the history of the region, the developments underway and the talent and creativity we see on a daily basis. Here, we go through the alphabet to give you some reasons to be proud.

T IS FOR TETLEY'S

When Joshua Tetley, a maltster from Armley, bought William Sykes’s Hunslet brewery in Leeds for £400 in 1822, the only way to deliver the beer was by horse and cart.

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As the brewery expanded they kept up to 120 horses and remarkably, these were still working and making public appearances right up to 2006.

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Intriguing pictures show life in Leeds during the 1950s

The brewery was originally Sykes’ Brewery at Salem Place. In 1798, there were four active brewers in the town, six maltsters and 77 inns.

After Sykes decided to sell up and Tetley took over, in his first month, he received no orders. However, the Beer Act of 1830 proved a boon, creating more beer houses in the town, many of which could not brew their own beer, so a large number bought from Tetley, whose beer was by then renowned as the brewery had its own bore holes.

In 1839, it became Joshua Tetley & Son, when Joshua brought his son, Francis William, into the business. His most successful ale was East India Pale Ale, which led to the firm’s expansion in around 1856, opening up markets in London, Dublin, Manchester, Liverpool, York and Birmingham.

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It bought its first pub in 1890, the Duke William. It was taken over by Carlsberg in 1992 and closed in 2011.

MORE A TO Z OF LEEDS:

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Laura Collins

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