The Brewery Tap, New Station Street, Leeds review - Real ale pub near Leeds station holding its own

The area around the station and Boar Lane is now packed with an ever increasing number of craft beer and real ale venues, but this place has held its own and is certainly the only one with a view over the tracks themselves.

First impressions?

The pub underwent a revamp back in 2017 after Camerons bought it from Leeds Brewery the previous year. It saw the addition of a small bar on the existing upper floor, plus a rooftop terrace that's naturally very popular in the summer. It's got the wooden floors, recessed bookshelves and Chesterfield style chairs that are the hallmark of a posh boozer.

Thankfully the revamp also hailed the end of its drab exterior colour scheme, with the pub now painted in a striking dark green and white design finished off with Leeds Brewery emblazoned in giant, bright red letters along the length of the first floor.

What’s the menu like?

As you might expect from a pub that has retained close ties to Leeds Brewery, beer is the main attraction. Whether you want to sample a pint of the brewery's own offerings or a craft beer from more distant shores, you're likely to find something to suit.

There's also a dozen or so gins, a decent range of other spirits, plus cider, wine, prosecco and soft drinks to choose from if beer is not your thing.

So what did you have to drink?

Arriving late to meet friends, I grabbed a half of the Liefmans Fruitesse - a fruit beer matured on cherries that many might find too sweet but I personally love.

This was followed by a pint of the ever reliable Leeds Pale Ale for one of my drinking partners and, for me, a bright and refreshing Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin with tonic.

How was the atmosphere?

All the tables on both floors were taken up by the post-work drinks crowd when we first arrived, so there was a decent buzz about the place as everyone talked loudly over whatever music was playing. There was no real wait at the bar though and I was served swiftly on both occasions.

How much was the bill?

My half came in at £3.15 - fairly average for the Fruitesse, which is often around the £6 mark for a pint. The Pale Ale and the G&T came in at a combined £8.40 thanks to the pub's Let the Fun Be-Gin offer. Running Monday to Thursday, it means you can get any of the pub's gins with a bottled tonic water for £4.50 for single or £6 for a double.

Will you be going back?

Almost certainly - it's such a convenient location if you're meeting friends coming in off the train, there's a good selection of beers and the prices are fairly competitive too.

Factfile

Address: 18 New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 5DL

Telephone: 0113 243 4414

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, 11am-11pm; Fri, 11am-midnight; Sat, 10am-midnight; Sun, 10am-10/30pm.

Website: brewerytapleeds.co.uk

Scores

Value 7/10

Atmosphere 7/10

Service 7/10