Brewers in the Bradford district are playing a key role in helping West Yorkshire become the brewing capital of the UK.
New figures reveal that West Yorkshire now has 34 breweries, followed by Norfolk with 31 and North Yorkshire with 28.
The annual Good Beer Guide, published by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), provides evidence of a growing passion for small-scale brewing in the district.
The largest brewery in the district is Timothy Taylor’s in Keighley, which marked its 150th anniversary last year. The growth in micro breweries is particularly noticeable in towns to the north of Bradford, such as Ilkley, Otley and Skipton.
But established brewers have sounded a note of caution, claiming there could soon be too many companies vying for a share of the same market unless more Free Houses are opened up to accommodate new beers.
Daniel Gent, of the Salamander Brewery, in Dudley Hill, Bradford, said: “Obviously we don’t want there to be too many breweries around because there’s only a limited market of Free Houses out there, so that’s enough now, but it’s certainly a growth area.”
Jack Atkinson, chairman of Goose Eye brewery at Ingrow Bridge, Keighley, said his family-run business was busy.
He said: “Every man and his dog is brewing these days, which means customers are getting more choice. But in the long run, somebody will bear the brunt because the market can only take so many.”
On the beer map
Breweries in our district:
Timothy Taylor, Keighley.
Goose Eye, Ingrow Bridge, Keighley.
Copper Dragon, Skipton.
Naylor’s Brewery, Cross Hills, Keighley.
Salamander, Dudley Hill, Bradford.
Saltaire Brewery, Dockfield Road, Shipley.
Old Spot, Cullingworth.
Rodham’s Brewery, Otley.
Atlas Mill, Brighouse.
Dark Horse, Skipton.
Halifax Steam, Hipperholme.
Ilkley Brewery, Ilkley.
Moorview, Burley-in Wharfedale.
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