Hello there my fellow beer lovers,
So we were out again on Friday, kicking off the bank holiday in style we arrived at Horsforth Brewery around 6pm for their Brewed in Leeds Festival which promised to be a showcase of all things local and beery.
The set-up was smart: the majority of the guest ales were pouring from the Horsforth Brewing area, while Horsforth’s own taps were in their usual place at the main bar.
Inside the brewery, there was plenty of seating for those who like to stay close to the action, but the promise of sunshine through the overcast clouds tempted many of us outdoors. The outside seating area gave the festival an easygoing, sociable vibe which was helped along nicely by the smell of wood-fired dough drifting over from the pop-up from Meanwood Pizza Co.
Pizza and pints? What a winning combo.
With a line-up spanning both familiar Leeds favourites and a few breweries we hadn’t yet covered on the blog, the stage was set for a casual evening with some friends.
This one was supposed to be a casual but as I saw several beers from Breweries we have not covered before so I couldn’t resist doing a couple of reviews!
Now lets get in that queue and get some pints in!
Name: Who, NZPA (4.9% ABV)
- Brewery: Truth Hurts
- Aroma : Quite fruity on the nose with a hoppy backing.
- Appearance : Opaque dark amber with a tight finger thick white head when poured.
- Body : Light to Medium bodied, good level of carbonation with good head retention.
- Taste : Fruit forward with a good level of citrus with a decent level of bitterness throughout. Easy drinking, and quite zesty and refreshing.
Truth Hurts are based out of Morley just a stones throw and a bit from where I am based, I have not had the pleasure to head across there yet, but given this offering I might have to pull my finger out and make the journey.
This was a great opener for the evening, it had a good level of citrus to it that tickled the tastebuds and eased away the stress of the working day.
Our overall rating: 3.6/ 5.0
Name: Dusk (4.5% ABV)
- Brewery: Sunbeam Ales
- Aroma : Scents of coffee and ginger with a hint of tar.
- Appearance : Mild Brown with a slight Ruby hue, thick tight white head when poured.
- Body : Medium bodied, good level of carbonation with really good head retention;
- Taste : Strong spent coffee meets Rum and Raison, it warms the belly with its hint of ginger, very morish and wholly traditional.
Now this is something that i know both Peter and Mark have had in the past but I myself have not, so I had to give this Cask ale a go, it feels like forever since I had a really good traditional beer, and this scratched an itch I wasn’t even aware was there!
Our overall rating: 4.0/ 5.0
Name: Siege of Khartoum (6.5% ABV)
1. Brewery: Wilde Child, Leeds
2. Aroma : Initial aroma is banana which is subtle rather than overpowering. This is followed by the peanut butter in the background that becomes more evident the longer the aroma is inhaled.
3. Appearance : Pours black, and a dissipating tan coloured head. Once settled in the glass this has the appearance more of a cola than a beer.
4. Body : Medium to full body, low carb, no head but smooth in the mouth.
5. Taste : In contrast to the aroma, the first thing I tasted was peanut butter with the banana coming swiftly afterwards. It reminded me of those little banana sweets you used to get in corner shops.
Yes, yes i know… we have had this one before, but it was there and it was a lovely stout! Tartarus also had an offering too but I have not reviewed that…because I believe a certain someone is reviewing that on the horizon!
Also Kayla and I shared a Pizza, so I needed a dessert!.. this works right?..
Our overall rating: 4.2/ 5.0
Name: Pale Ale (2.5% ABV)
1. Brewery: Two Rocks
2. Aroma : A little Zest and a mild hop scent.
3. Appearance : Very Clear Golden colour with an open white head when poured.
4. Body : light, good level of carbonation with ok head retention.
5. Taste : Crisp and refreshing a nice wash of malt and mild hop flavour, surprisingly flavourful for the ABV and no gimmick.
This was a fantastic easy drinker, and a designator driver delight.
I’ve not really heard a lot about this brewery before either and yet again its a stones throw away from my home base however in the opposite direction to Truth Hurts, as Two Rocks are in Skipton.
It looks like they specialize in low ABV beers, so I know we will be looking at them a little closer.
I can feel another trip to Skipton coming on..
Our overall rating: 3.5/ 5.0
All in all, Brewed in Leeds was a cracking showcase of just how strong the local brewing scene has become. We all had a great laid back evening laughing amongst the outside chatter before stumbling home.
So three big cheers to Horsforth Brewery for hosting, and to all the Leeds brewers who brought their best!
The|Eternal|Hoptimitsts 