Baildon's Junction pub tops area poll of real ale drinkers (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Tommy's tipples impress drinkers

9:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Julie Tickner, T&A Reporter

A pub which runs its own brewery has been voted best in the area by real ale drinkers.

The Junction, in Baildon, which started brewing a year ago, has been named Bradford Campaign for Real Ale’s pub of the season for winter 2012/13. Owner Tommy Brown said: “The Camra members vote for it. They go round different pubs and all get a slip to vote. The Junction was voted the best, which is quite different.”

Mr Brown took over the pub three years ago.

“I was gobsmacked to win. We just didn’t expect it,” he said.

Camra chairman David Boothroyd officially presented Mr Brown with a plaque last night.

Mr Brown said the pub produces seven real ales which it supplies to other pubs in the area, and sells about 800 pints a week from its bar in Baildon Road. It also sells its own bottled beers which people buy as gifts.

“Brewing seemed to be the way forward. It’s not easy – far from it. It’s a lot of work,” he said.

“Everybody’s palate is different. You’ve to get something that goes down with everyone or is similar to other popular ones. The customers will soon tell us if they don’t like it!”

Camra member and Bradford Beer Festival organiser Tony Constable said members visited about 30 pubs a season, trying to visit all in the Bradford area each year, to vote for awards.

He said The Junction was the only one with its own brewery.

Votes are mainly based on the quality and consistency of the beers.

Mr Constable said: “The Junction is a very nice pub. It’s very friendly, very brewer-orientated with a good selection of different beers. A good friendly local pub.”

Two of The Junction’s brews, Tommy’s Tipple and Dark Thoughts, featured at Bradford Beer Festival last weekend. Mr Constable said a total of 3,162 people visited the three-day festival held at Victoria Hall in Saltaire, which featured more than 100 beers, plus ciders, perrys and fruit wines.

Votes were cast by drinkers for their favourite beer of the festival, which are being counted by Mr Constable.