Beer revolution puts Yorkshire ale into Europe

Brewers including Magic Rock in Huddersfield, Roosters in Harrogate and Little Valley in Hebden Bridge have been praised by the Campaign for Real Ale for re-inventing the Yorkshire pint.

Breweries are experimenting with different hops, including those popular with American craft brewers, to produce a range of beers with unusual flavours.

A handful of Yorkshire breweries have been singled out in Britain’s Beer Revolution, a new book published by Camra, which concludes that Yorkshire is no longer just about creamy bitter, dark mild and barley wine.

On the ‘new generation’ of young brewers, it says: “Cast your eye over a bar in Leeds and York and you’re just as likely to see something by Magic Rock from Huddersfield, whose big colourful beers - influenced by the American brewing revolution - are crafted by Stuart Ross, who some say is one of the most accomplished brewers in the country, never mind Yorkshire.”

Mr Ross told The Yorkshire Post that “Magic Rock is all about making beers very drinkable, with big, bold flavours.”

“We don’t want to make beer that someone only has a sip of. We are trying to make beers that you will want to drink more of.”

Magic Rock beers to look out for include Cannonball IPA which is 7.4 per cent and described as an “eminently drinkable hop bomb.”

The company, based in Quarmby, Huddersfield, has big plans to expand by moving to better premises in the town and opening a canning plant which will help boost sales.

The new production site could increase sales by up to 400 per cent over the next three years.

Sales to Finland, Denmark and particularly Sweden and driving Magic Rock’s export strategy.

“Sweden is the biggest - they can’t get enough beer from us,” said Mr Ross. “The Swedish market is the biggest in the world for off-sales.”

Magic Rock also exports beer to Spain and Italy.

At the Little Valley brewery near Hebden Bridge, husband-and-wife Wim van der Spek and Sue Cooper have achieved national and international sales with draught and bottle-conditioned beers.

Their Vanilla Porter - flavoured with vanilla pods - was commissioned by a Finnish company before a cask version was made for Britain. Beers to look for are Python IPA and Ginger Pale Ale.

* Priced £14.99, the book is published by Camra.