Emma Discovering the heritage of Leeds through beer
It was a glorious day in Leeds so what better way to spend it than indoors with a beer! Thankfully Mike Hampshire at Leeds Beer Tours had a route marked out for us to try some local beer and grab some sun at the same time.
It’s no secret that I like beer (so much so that myself and a friend held the Southside Beer Festival in 2013) so to wander around a new city to me, look at some old buildings and drink some beer – well, hold me back!
As I was visiting Leeds as part of a media get-together event, this was a taster of the Heritage Beer Tour from Leeds Beer Tours. Although a taster, there was no skimping on information from Mike. The stunning Art Deco Tetley building was our first stop. Supping a half pint in the old boardroom of Tetley’s surrounded by paintings of the generations who started and built up the brewery. No longer the Tetley headquarters, the building is now known as `The Tetley and is an art gallery, artist studios, bar, restaurant and venue.
Our next stop was The Adelphi, a step inside a Victorian-style bar showcasing the fashion at the time for secluded rooms for the various classes of gentlemen who wishes for a drink. With its table side buttons for ordering, high ceilings to circulate smoke and all-round grand decor, The Adephi would have certainly been the place to have a business meeting.
We soon arrived at the Duck and Drake after a side wander to Leeds Minster. Another fine example of a Victorian bar, this time it must have been more of the pub for working men, no table service buttons here, just a cosy, well-worn and loved pub. With the sun shining, the beer garden beckoned where we had our final half beer, banter and some historic maps of Leeds to look over.
The full Leeds Heritage Beer Tour from Leeds Beer Tours takes 3 1/2 hours to complete and can be booked via Leeds Beer Tours website.
Many thanks to Mike at Leeds Beer Tours and Visit Leeds for the opportunity to visit.
