‘Kirkstall makes the best beer in Leeds now’: Readers name city’s favourite pints in YEP debate
From modern craft IPAs and dark imperial stouts to nostalgic memories of Tetley’s brewed with Yorkshire squares, Yorkshire Evening Post readers have had their say on the finest beer in Leeds
When the Yorkshire Evening Post asked readers to complete the sentence "The best beer brewed in Leeds is ________ - and why?" on our Facebook page, the responses came thick and fast.
Out of nearly all the replies on social media, local pint drinkers fiercely debated the city's pint-drinking landscape, splitting their votes between modern craft icons, neighbourhood microbreweries, and nostalgic brewing heritage.
Leeds has long held an undeniable reputation as one of the UK’s premier beer capitals.
From the towering industrial heritage of the former Tetley’s brewery in Hunslet to today’s bustling ecosystem of independent taprooms tucked under railway arches from Holbeck to Kirkstall, the city's brewing identity has evolved dramatically over the decades.
Today, West Yorkshire boasts a sprawling network of active breweries producing everything from delicate, sessionable cask pales to punchy, experimental craft IPAs, ensuring almost every pub-goer has a fiercely defended favourite.
That deep-rooted passion was on full display throughout the debate, where decades of pub tradition clashed with modern craft culture.
While some readers were quick to champion the cutting-edge microbreweries pushing boundaries with small-batch releases, others turned back the clock to celebrate the iconic heritage pours that originally put Leeds on the map.
The result was a vibrant snapshot of what local drinkers are actually ordering when they pull up a stool across the city.
The Undisputed Winner: Kirkstall Brewery
Taking top spot among currently operating breweries, Kirkstall Brewery emerged as the overwhelming favourite across the city.
Readers praised the Kirkstall Road team for bridging the gap between traditional Yorkshire cask ale and vibrant modern craft styles. Standout nominations went to their extra pale ale Three Swords, alongside their popular Dissolution IPA and rich Black Band Porter.
Reader Mark Gibson noted that Kirkstall currently makes the best beer in Leeds because they tackle both traditional and craft styles exceptionally well, a sentiment echoed by readers Dave Hammill, Ben Greaves, and Alan Denise Pearson.
Cult Craft & Local Microbreweries
Beyond the big names, local craft enthusiasts threw their weight behind the city’s thriving independent microbreweries.
High-gravity specialists Tartarus Beers earned passionate mentions for standout releases including Abaddon and Cactus Cat.
Other readers singled out Holbeck’s Northern Monk, Wilde Child Brewing, Bramley’s independent favourite Sunbeam Brewery, and dark beer producers Anthology, proving that Leeds' neighbourhood taproom scene is as strong as ever.
The Tetley’s Nostalgia & Pub Classics
Unsurprisingly, no Leeds beer debate is complete without a nod to the city's industrial heritage.
A large contingent of readers looked back fondly on Tetley’s, recalling its classic mild and bitter fermented in historic Yorkshire squares in Hunslet before the site closed its doors in 2011.
Meanwhile, others shouted out enduring local staples like Leeds Pale and classic Yorkshire bitters enjoyed in historic city centre haunts like The Angel.
Whether you side with modern juicy pales or nostalgic cask classics, the debate proves that Leeds remains one of the finest beer cities in the country.