West Yorkshire is a powerhouse of independent food and drink, with a brewing scene that rivals anywhere in the country and a farm shop culture rooted in generations of Yorkshire farming.
The brewery list reads like a hall of fame. Timothy Taylor has been brewing at Knowle Spring in Keighley since 1858, and their Landlord pale ale has won CAMRA Beer of the Year multiple times. Northern Monk Brew Co, based in a Grade II listed building in Leeds, has become one of the most cutting-edge breweries in Yorkshire since launching in 2013. Magic Rock in Huddersfield produces bold, flavour-packed beers from their Quarmby Mills taproom. Kirkstall Brewery revives a brewing tradition that began with Cistercian monks at Kirkstall Abbey in the 12th century. Saltaire Brewery in Bradford, Ossett Brewery near Wakefield, Vocation in Hebden Bridge, North Brewing Co in Leeds, and Little Valley near Cragg Vale all add depth to a scene that has 76 open breweries across the county.
The food scene is equally strong. Hinchliffes in Huddersfield is believed to be Britain oldest farm shop, started in the 1920s when Allen Hinchliffe sold eggs from a horse and cart. Lishmans of Ilkley is a multi award-winning butcher famous for National Champion of Champions sausages. Farmer Copleys near Pontefract won Harvey Nichols Taste Awards for their beef and steak pies and produces honey from 40 beehives on the farm. The Rhubarb Triangle Farm Shop in Carlton sits on land that was one of the earliest producers of forced Yorkshire rhubarb. Blacker Hall Farm Shop in Wakefield has Yorkshire first drive-thru cafe. Swillington Organic Farm has been farming sustainably near Leeds for three generations.
Yorkshire Dama Cheese in Sowerby Bridge makes award-winning halloumi-style cheese from British cow milk. Yorkshire Fine Cheese in Huddersfield produces soft mould-ripened cheese from pure bred continental cattle. North Star Coffee is Leeds first roastery. Leventhorpe Vineyard has been producing wine near Leeds since the 1980s.
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