The Beer Engine in Skipton is the T&A's Pub of the Week

For The Beer Engine in Skipton - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - a clutch of accolades from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) left owners Adam Davies and Steve Gregory “in complete shock”.

“We won the Branch Pub of the Season Winter 2022 award and the following March we were awarded Branch Pub of the Year, then to our complete shock, we were awarded Yorkshire Pub of the Year 2023,” says Adam.

“From there we made it into the final four in the National Pub of the Year campaign - the winner to be announced in January.”

He adds: “We are absolutely blown away and elated by these awards. We and our team are still wrapping our heads round it. We're delighted to know that people love what we have done with The Beer Engine.”

Adam, left, and Steve are thrilled by what they have achieved

The micropub sits on Albert Terrace, between the canal and High Street, in a building that was originally a Catholic school, later becoming a woollen mill then a general store, before being divided into units to house shops and restaurants.

Adam and Steve have owned it since September 2020. Steve managed it for the previous owners, former solicitor Steve Banks and his partner Janet Langton, for around five years beforehand, so knew it inside and out.

“Steve and Janet wanted to create a one-room micropub specialising in cask beer, in the heart of Skipton,” says Adam.

In February last year Adam and Steve extended the pub, knocking into an adjacent unit, creating more seating and rebranding the Beer Engine as a cask and craft specialist.

The original room

Part of the 2022 extension

“The added space allowed for the installation of keg craft beer. The Beer Engine went from a one room micro serving five cask ales to a two-room craft bar serving six cask and six kegs beer. The range of wine, cider, bottled and craft can beers, non-alcoholic beers and soft drinks were increased too," says Adam.

“We only have two permanent lines, Thornbridge Lukas, our one craft lager, which is gluten-free. And one line that is almost always a Tiny Rebel beer, usually Clwb Tropica. All other lines rotate after every barrel, but are ranged according to styles, so customers who have a preferred beer style can generally find something they will enjoy on the bar. From darks, bitters and blondes, to hop forward IPAs, pale ales and even sour beers.”

Pump heads at the bar

Colleen Holiday, Keighley & Craven Camra branch chairperson, with Adam, left, and Steve, and their Pub of the Year finalist award

Adds Adam: “We are about the beer and conversation. We don’t have distractions like music, TVs or gambling machines, it’s all about the people, and the atmosphere is better off for it in our opinion. People often enter as strangers and leave as friends.

“Any events we do plan are built around beer, such as Tap Takeovers."

Adds Adam: “The pub gets a lovely mix of stalwart regulars, passers-by, tourists, young folk, older people, everyone is made to feel welcome by our amazing team.”

The original room has changed very little, with quirky decor. The new room has a rustic/industrial design, while also being cosy.

The Beer Engine is dog friendly “as long as they are well behaved.”

Between them Adam and Steve have 40 years’ experience in the pub trade. “I have been in it for 20 years, since I was 16,” says Adam. “I have always enjoyed meeting new people and being sociable. No two days are the same -these are the things I enjoy about hospitality.

“We are delighted to know that people love what we have done with the Beer Engine, and it really does make all that stress and worry during the extension worth it.”

*The Beer Engine, 1 Albert Terrace, Skipton BD23 1JD