28/05/2026
It feels important to share this article, not only because we were interviewed for it, but because it’s about what we’ve been talking about for around a year (and longer internally).
It’s not about demonising anybody, it’s more trying to keep the rich tapestry of the Leeds brewing scene alive and making going out for a beer interesting again.
Some people don’t care what beer they drink and that’s absolutely fine. But there’s a small yet significant minority that really do care and they enjoy variety and trying new beers. It’s why I (Mark) started a brewery in the first place and why many others are in the industry.
Right now, going for a few beers in Leeds city centre is pretty boring if we’re honest. There’s a bit of variety but not a huge amount, most pubs have the same lineup. Some people will ask whether it matters, and it does. It matters because that stops this small but significant minority venturing into Leeds from the suburbs or from other cities. The idea of people going to a different city to try that city’s beers (beer tourists as it were) may be alien to many, but it happens. And do you know where they go now instead of Leeds? Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. They don’t come to Leeds, but they used to.
We started the Brewed in Leeds campaign last year and put our money where our mouth is by having a Leeds Line at the taproom, which we’re still committed to. There’s been a bit of interest from other venues but it’s not been picked up like we’d hope. Articles like this help the cause and hopefully more venues see the benefits of being different from their next door neighbours.
It is worth saying thank you to all of our stockists - which you can see if you go to our website. We really appreciate their support and the support of everyone who buys our beer
And thank you to Matthew, Jon and the rest of the Pellicle team for raising awareness.
https://www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/4/15/i-predict-a-riot-the-battle-for-the-soul-of-leeds-independent-beer-culture
And if you want to get your tickets early for August’s Brewed in Leeds Beer Festival, head to our website and grab it now! https://horsforthbrewery.co.uk/products/brewed-in-leeds-beer-festival
Autumn and winter 2015 brought heavy storms and severe flooding to the U.K. As news came in of sandbags and dinghy rescue missions, one image cut through the gloom: two men waist-deep in the flooded beer garden at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn in Leeds. They leaned on a pub table, glasses aloft, like a j
