Three Yorkshire cities ranked as some of England's top cities for British pint pride
Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford have been named as some of England’s top cities for British pint pride, according to a new ranking, with top pubs across the city amongst the most likely to stock British brewed beers.
The study from multi-award winning independent British brewer Freedom Brewery, supported by new YouGov data, analysed the top 20 biggest UK cities by population. It looked at how often drinkers mention British or local beers in online reviews for each city’s top ten rated pubs, according to Tripadvisor.
Mentions were counted across Tripadvisor and Google reviews to create a final ranking, with London coming second in the rankings, despite being the country’s capital.
Matthew Willson, managing director of Freedom Brewery, said: “It’s brilliant to see these Yorkshire cities performing so strongly in the ranking. The pride people take in UK beers really shines through and it mirrors what we’re seeing across the country. People want authenticity and connection in what they drink, and premium British beers offer exactly that. There’s something special about knowing who brewed your pint and feeling rooted in that tradition.
“Here in the UK, we have so many fantastic breweries right here on our doorstep, but it’s disappointing that when you step into many UK bars, their taps are flooded with ubiquitous mass produced faux foreign lagers. These results show that consumers do see the value in British beers and want to see them at their favourite establishments.”
What are England’s top cities for British pint pride?
| Rank | City |
| 1 | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 2 | London |
| 3 | Leeds |
| 4 | Leicester |
| 5 | Manchester |
| 6 | Bristol |
| 7 | Plymouth |
| 8 | Sheffield |
| 9 | Nottingham |
| 10 | Bradford |
As part of the study, the team from Freedom also teamed up with national data company YouGov to assess the nation’s attitudes towards support for British beers. Surveying more than 2,000 respondents, the data revealed that 37% of UK adults say they support local or independent breweries always, often or sometimes, while 35% say they choose British beer over imported options.
The survey found broader patriotic sentiment in consumer behaviour, with 44% of UK adults supporting British brands always or often, and only 6% rarely or never choosing them, indicating a strong appetite for products made at home. When asked about British-brewed beer more generally, 55% described it as either excellent or good, highlighting the high regard drinkers have for beer made in Britain.
Matthew continues: “What’s clear from both the ranking and the national data is how strongly British and local beers are valued by drinkers. We’ve always believed that beer carries a real sense of place and belonging, and this research shows how much that matters to people, whether they’re choosing a local beer or a well-crafted British lager. People want authenticity and connection, and they want to know the story behind the pint in their hand.
“The results highlight that pubs need to cater more to the growing demand for beer produced in Britain, as many drinkers feel the current offering doesn’t always reflect what they want. At Freedom Brewery, we aim to be the solution to mass produced, inauthentic foreign beers by offering premium British beers with purpose and personality at their heart.”
The YouGov findings also revealed that when asked what would make them more likely to choose a British beer brand over a non-British beer, 34% of respondents said ‘availability’, while 46% stated ‘supporting local businesses and jobs’. These results highlight a willingness to support local as well as the strong appetite for British beers, and suggests that punters want to see more available on taps across the country.
Matthew adds: “This year, we’re encouraging Brits make 2026 the year they spare a thought for where their next pint has come from and to support our British brewers. Opting for a British brewed beer means you’re supporting a fantastic UK community steeped in history too.”
Freedom Brewery has been proudly setting the gold standard for British beers for more than three decades, and is considered to be one of the pioneers of premium British lagers. The brand is passionate about unlocking the pride and spirit of UK brewed beers.
With more people seeking out beers that feel rooted in place, Freedom hopes to play a leading role in shaping the next chapter of British brewing.
To read the full report, visit https://freedombrewery.com/news-events/news/englands-top-cities-for-british-pint-pride-revealed/
For more information about Freedom Brewery, visit https://freedombrewery.com/