Good Craft Beer Places in Leed

helengibsondavies

5 years ago

So, Mike and I are always on the lookout for some nice places to go for craft beer. I suppose all beer is actually “crafted”, but in this instance I mean Keg beer as opposed to Cask Ale. Cask Ale is generally referred to as Real Ale, although I’d argue all ale is “Real”. Cask Ale or Real Ale is live, meaning it’s still fermenting and unpasteurised. It needs careful looking after and doesn’t last as long as Keg. Its supposed to be served at a temperature of around 11 -13C. Its pulled through the hand pump from the cask by gravity, so its flat. in the North of England, people generally like a “head” on their beer. It’s generally a clear liquid and you will hear people complaining when its cloudy. You can often get a bad pint of “Real Ale”.

Craft beer as Keg beer is generally referred too, is colder, often cloudy and pasteurised, so no bad pint! Its easier to keep and the quality is more uniform. It is served from a “tap” and comes from the keg with the help of CO2. I find it really tasty compared to Real Ale and I also find it more refreshing. There has been a massive boom in the craft beer industry, with hundreds of small breweries popping up all over the country.

In Leeds, Northern Monk and North Breweries are two of the bigger ones. North, have several bars and a Tap Room and Northern Monk has a lovely Refectory in Holbeck and one in Manchester. Find links at the bottom of this post.

Recently, we went to town to try out a few of the places that have a good selection of craft beer.

The Assembly Underground is where Carpe Dieum used to be. The place has had a make over and there are several street food outlets along with a veritable plethora of keg beers and a few real ales. Its a really lively place, great atmosphere and the burgers are to die for. Theres also a little cocktail room if that’s your thing.