Brewing Up To Date

Huddersfield still continues in the vanguard of brewing and recently has provided a plethora of new breweries to satisfy the needs of the locals. It is rumoured that despite its recent difficulties, Ron at the 'Sair' will be brewing Linfit ales again soon. The Nook Brewhouse has recently come on line and its beers are finding their way to festivals and the bar at 'The Nook' in Holmfirth too of course. Summer Wine based at Honley goes from strength to strength, as does Brass Monkey in Sowerby Bridge. Riverhead beers are regulars in the Ossett estate pubs, but the real local success must be Mallinsons.

Tara Mallinson still manages to produce a massive range of beers for a one (and a bit) man band and they are appearing at pubs and festivals far and wide. She has recently managed to brew a house regular for the Crescent in Salford, and excellent it is too, getting much praise from the locals there. At home, we have seen her efforts eulogising 'St Georges Square', celebrating local character 'The Menace' and Rob Allen's new offspring 'Xavier'.

In addition there have been ranges glorifying rivers, follys and not so classic cars - if you read this Tara, can you brew 'Riva' again please - I nearly missed it!!! I do believe that there are efforts in hand to install a third fermenter to increase the brewing capacity(!) - and I'm having trouble keeping up with what she produces at the moment! Look out for 'Maori Warrior' doing the rounds now. Made with New Zealand hops it is a clean, refreshing 4.5% beer, and the 3.9% 'Stainborough Castle' is just far too drinkable as the regulars at the 'Star' will verify.

And talking of the 'Star', it is hoped that sometime this week Steel City's 'Hop Manifesto' will make an appearance. Brewed by Dave Unpronounceable and Gazza in Sheffield, it will certainly not be lacking in hops according to those in the know.

And on the subject of hops, try the Brewdog 'Nanny State' at the Grove. It is 1.1%, (no, thats not a misprint) but crammed full of the stuff. It's just a shame it tastes like flavoured water in my opinion, as it is an interesting idea - though born more out of the ludicrous reaction to Tokyo than anything else surely.