Beer lovers are already pretty spoilt for choice in Leeds, thanks to the huge range of lovely pubs and bars in the city.
For those who want to delve a little deeper into the craft side of things, though, there's now a tour that'll show you the best of the best in the city.
The Leeds Craft Beer Tour is the brainchild of Mike Hampshire, who also runs the popular Leeds Beer Tours.
During the 3 hour and 30 minute tour, you'll visit three of Leeds’ leading craft beer venues and sample some of the freshest beer the city has to offer.
The Turk's Head is the sister pub to 300-year old Whitelock's Ale House / Image: Leeds Beer TOurs
Your experienced tour guide will take you to modern craft ale brewery Nomadic Beers, quality craft beer pub The Turk's Head, and North Brewing's city tap which serves as the home of the brewery’s pioneering craft beer creations.
You'll start at Nomadic, one of Leeds' leading micro-breweries, specialising in craft beer inspired by traditional styles, taking the time to see the brew kit, learn about the brewing process and sample some of Nomadic's brews right from the source.
From here, the tour moves to The Turk's Head, the craft beer sister bar of 300 year old pub Whitelocks Ale House.
Nomadic beers are tipped as one of the best craft ale houses in the city / Image: Nomadic Beers
You'll get to explore a little bit of medieval and Victorian Leeds whilst learning about the rich history of the two pubs and trying a variety of pioneering craft beer styles, before finishing up at one of Leeds' most famous breweries.
At the City Tap, you'll learn about North Brewing's story and taste some of their fantastic ales - tipped to be the best in the city.
Speaking on the new tour, tour guide and company owner Mike Hampshire said: “I’m really looking forward to showing tour guests Leeds’ uniquely vibrant modern beer scene.
“It’s going to be a privilege to take guests to some of our great beer places, Nomadic Beers, Turk’s Head and North Brewing’s City Tap.”
Tickets cost £40 and include all your beer, a brewery tour and tutored tastings.
Dates for the new craft beer tour start in July, but can be booked now via the Leeds Beer Tours website.
Feature image - Leeds Beer Tours
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Georgina Pellant -
17th June 2021 
