Last Orders in Leeds

Last updated : 26 January 2009 By Shrimpers24
The beer consumer group, the Campaign for Real Ale, is rather annoyed by the decision of Carlsberg UK to close the iconic Tetley Brewery in Leeds by 2011. CAMRA has criticised the company for failing to promote the famous Tetley beers at a time when consumer interest in real ales is growing. What will the England cricket team drink?

However, while Carlsberg has announced it will be closing Tetley's brewery in the city a potential successor to the operation is expanding and preparing to open its third pub.
The venture is the Holbeck-based brewers' latest foray into drinking outlets, The Leeds Brewery Tap, (18-24 New Station St.), having already opened the Midnight Bell pub in Water Lane, Holbeck, and The Pin wine bar in Dock Street, Hunslet.

As well as the usual range of Leeds Brewery ales, of which there are three permanent beers, Best Bitter, Leeds Pale and the dark malt Midnight Bell, there are always quality draft guest beers. The pub also boats its own small brew plant which should be ready by the time of the match and it will be used to produce their own lager, which will be exclusively available on site.

Both the recommended pubs, the Tap and Scarborough, are next door to each other, see map below. If arriving at the city bus station follow signs to the railway station.

Scarbrough Hotel

The Scarborough Hotel:
Next to the train station and a twenty minute walk from the coach station. A very busy pub post match but hopefully not so much for a Tuesday game. If your looking for a good selection of real ales, this is a comfortable 'traditional' style pub where beer quality and range were consistently great last season and served in peak condition. I am told they have cut down on selection since a refurbish, will have to find out. Then you can fall onto the bus or a cab to the ground!

Grove Inn: This pub is in the Holbeck area of the city, (along with the Midnight Bell in Water Lane, see map below). Heading north of the M621 heading from the ground to the City Centre. This is a traditional real ale drinkers pub with Adnams Broadside, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Caledonian 80, Moorhouses Black Cat, Wells Bombardier plus other guest beers. This is an old-fashioned pub dating from 1850, contrasting with the more modern office blocks that have since sprung up in the area. Go back past the train station and catch the buses to the ground which are clearly seen.


Drysalters:
Missing the home pub, the Old Peacock, this is the nearest pub to the ground that is considered OK for away fans and the best if arriving by the supporters coaches. It's situated at the South-West corner of Elland Road, close to Junction 1 of the M621. You'll pass it as you're coming into the Elland Road car parks from that junction. It's not a great pub for real ale drinkers but if you like a pub full of mainstream lagers and fizzy cider, along with four plasma screens, pub grub served from 12.00 noon, then this is the place to be! Just a few doors down from the Old Peacock pub close by is the United Fisheries chippy, which does brisk business on matchdays. There is also a McDonalds outlet across the road from the East Stand.


Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground!

If this has convinced you it's worth making the trip, for all the ways you can make it to Elland Road on Tuesday January 27th, go here: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW4&id=428713