A NEW Bradford brewery its making its mark on the beer scene.

Barker Bridge Brewery, founded in 2022 by Matthew Barker, has just been added the Bradford CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

“It’s going very well but I’m only a one-man band,” said Matthew, owner of the Cullingworth-based brewery. “I’ve got quite a few pubs I’m supplying.”

Matthew started brewing beer in the building formerly occupied by the Old Spot Brewery in Cullingworth.

“They stopped brewing and the building laid dormant,” said Matthew, who got in touch with one of the former brewers there.

“Chris Thompson taught me how to brew and I was left to my devices to get it up and running.

Matthew also took up a brewing course to help him hone his trade and now, at aged 21, the young entrepreneur is starting to earn the plaudits.

One of the first steps is getting a mention in the new Bradford CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

“I think it’s brilliant and it’s quite an achievement,” said Matthew, who described his journey to brewing beer.

“I grew up on the family farm overlooking Hewenden Viaduct.

“I wanted to do something that I could really sink my teeth into and call my own.

“I like real ale, so I thought ‘why can’t I brew beer’?”

Matthew is now running Barker Bridge Brewery from the site on Station Road, Cullingworth.

“We’ve got no tap room at the moment – it’s just a brewery.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Arch Blonde, one of the first beers brewed by Barker Bridge Brewery.Arch Blonde, one of the first beers brewed by Barker Bridge Brewery. (Image: UGC)

He has brewed four beers so far, starting out with Arch Blonde and 3B’s Bitter. His newest additions are called Dark Day and Supping Up.

“It all goes out in cask and then I sell it to pubs. The next step, after building my pub base up, is to brew it and sell it in cans and bottles online. I want to reach a larger audience.”

Barker Bridge Brewery has only been going about a year and Matthew reflected on the first pint of one of his beers sold to a local pub – the Bay Horse in Oxenhope.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Matthew Barker, of Barker Bridge Brewery, celebrates selling a pint of the first cask of beer he sold to a pub.Matthew Barker, of Barker Bridge Brewery, celebrates selling a pint of the first cask of beer he sold to a pub. (Image: UGC)

“I’m only 21 and I pulled that pint on my birthday at the Bay Horse.”

The logo of Barker Bridge Brewery features a picture of Hewenden Viaduct.

“I grew up overlooking that viaduct. It was the view I had growing up, which is why I wanted to represent it on the logo.

“It’s a big old structure and fit with the brewery being in Cullingworth.”