SEVERAL Keighley-district breweries and their beers are spotlighted in a new book.
Brewers, both historic and 'newer' arrivals on the scene, are showcased in the third edition of the Yorkshire Beer Bible.
Penned by award-winning beer writer Simon Jenkins, the guide lists more than 180 breweries across the county and chronicles their resilience to survive the challenges of the pandemic.
"I’ve learned much about how businesses responded to these unprecedented circumstances," said Simon.
"Those with canning and bottling lines and supermarket contracts were perhaps best insulated against the sudden closure of the on-trade. Others had to rapidly change tack, developing online shopping websites, offering carry-out services from the brewery and establishing new partnerships to package their beer.
"That so many came through is huge testament to their ingenuity and determination and speaks volumes for customers’ loyalty.
"We did lose some small producers as well as some mighty beasts. However, remarkably, a trickle of new contenders has also emerged.
"The Yorkshire brewing scene seems as exciting as ever."
Among those featured is Bridgehouse Brewery, at Sandbeds.
"The popular Airedale Heifer is the fourth location for a brewery which began life in Keighley in 2010," says Simon.
"A purpose-built 15-barrel plant at the pub in Sandbeds has at last found Bridgehouse a permanent home. From here they also service a chain of 12 pubs."
Cobbydale Brewery, at Kirkgate, Silsden, is included in the guide.
Simon says: "The Cobbydale brewhouse is in the rear of the Red Lion pub in Silsden, which remains the best place to try the beers."
Haworth Steam Brewery, in Main Street, is also listed.
"Rather than push his beers out far and wide through wholesalers brewer Andy Gascoigne concentrates on relatively low-volume cask ales sold exclusively through two pubs – though some does make its way into bottle," says Simon.
Historic, family-run Timothy Taylor's, of Knowle Spring Brewery, is showcased.
"A swathe of new beers to sit alongside Taylor’s time-honoured products has seen head brewer Andy Leman give his own gently-modernising stamp to the brewery," says Simon.
And the spotlight is also shone on Wishbone Brewery, in Chesham Street, Keighley.
"The Wishbone emblem on eye-catching diamond-shaped pump clips ensures brewer Adrian Chapman’s products stand out on the bar – and there are plenty of them," says Simon.
* The Yorkshire Beer Bible 3rd Edition, published by Great Northern Books, retails at £12.99. Call 01274 735056 or visit gnbooks.co.uk
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