Eats

Kirkstall Brewery’s historic beer festival is set to return on early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Early bird tickets are on sale now.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 23rd February 2024

Beer lovers rejoice, because Kirkstall Brewery has announced the triumphant return of 'The Great Exhibition of Grand Ales'.

The heritage-themed beer festival is set to see breweries from across the country compete to win medals in ten categories of historic beer styles.

After last year's huge success, the festival will now run over the course of three days instead of just one.

Held at Kirkstall Brewery itself, the festival will be held across May Bank Holiday Weekend from Friday 3 - Sunday 5 May 2024.

Image: Supplied

Each ticket grants entry to your chosen session, as well as a unique, commemorative glass, programme and first beer token.

Grab an early bird ticket now for the price of just £15 from now until 1 March.

Already confirmed to be pouring pints are local breweries Northern Monk, North and overall champion medal winners Amity Brew Co.

Breweries from further afield, such as London’s The Five Points, Scotland’s Newbarns Brewery and Reading’s Siren Craft Brew will also be in attendance.

Image: Supplied

And it's not just beer, you'll be able to enjoy live music throughout the weekend as well as street food from local favourite  Manjit’s Kitchen, Mr D’s Magnificent Pie Machine and Kirkstall’s very own fish and chip shop pop-up.

Chris Hall, Kirkstall’s Brand Manager and organiser of the festival, said: “Last year we established a new kind of beer festival that joined breweries large and small, old and new, to celebrate the innovations in brewing that have occurred throughout our history. Over thirty-five different breweries poured beers inspired by the 20th century, 19th century and even older. One brewer even recreated a Bronze Age Ale!

“This year we wanted to go bigger, and even better, we’ll be pouring an even wider variety of beers so that there really is something for everyone to enjoy, and we’re inviting local spirits and soft drinks brands to be part of the fun, along with great food and live music.”

It's set to be an incredible weekend, and you can grab your tickets here.

Featured image - Supplied

Eats

A dedicated matcha bar made famous in Sheffield is opening in Leeds city centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Matcha girls assemble, because a new cafe dedicated to it is opening right here in Leeds.

It seems like matcha has taken the world by storm over the past year or so, more often than not you'll see caffeine enthusiasts walking around with bright green drinks over a cup of coffee.

If you're one of those people then you're in luck, because a cafe dedicated to the stuff is opening right here in Leeds.

Introducing Made Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year.

Images: The Sheff

And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.

Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site, the beautiful plant shop hasn't been around for long and sadly closed quietly without much noise.

So, what can we expect from Made?

This pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.

Images: The Sheff

You can get everything from a Strawberry Shortcake Matcha to a Sticky Date Latte, and you can pretty much guarantee that every time you go they'll have a few more specials on the menu.

Our mates over at The Sheff recommend the Banana Bread Matcha and to be honest, you don't have to tell us twice.

Not only do they serve gallons of the good green stuff, but you can also get fresh açaí bowls, sandwiches and superfood smoothies.

We've got a feeling this spot will be very busy post-pilates class on a Saturday morning, and to be honest we'll see you there.

There's no opening date yet, but we'll keep you in the loop.

Read more: Leeds foodies rejoice as much loved restaurant brings back their ‘legendary Pie Nights’

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Where to find the very best pizza in Leeds and the surrounding areas

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Circle or square, thin crust or deep dish, pizza is always a good idea.

From double-fermented sourdough to Fior di Latte mozzarella, the pizza options in Leeds leave you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the cobbled streets of Rome.

But of course finding that perfect slice for you can be hard, so we've rounded our very favourite spots in and around Leeds where you can try to find it - in no particular order.

Rudy's

Image: The Hoot Leeds

With three locations in Leeds, Rudy’s is an absolute classic if you're looking for a banging Neapolitan style pizza.

Their dough is made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), which is then topped with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.

Wash it all down with a classic Aperol Spritz or Campari soda, and you’ve got the perfect combination.

Dough Boys

Image: The Hoot Leeds

For anyone who spends their weekends chilling out in Belgrave Music Hall, you’ll know the pure joy of ordering a slice of Dough Boys.

Describing themselves as having a ‘love affair with dough’ they are famous in Leeds for their slices and pies with some delicious innovative flavours as well as the loved classic. The pizzas are hand stretched using all fresh ingredients, sourced from local producers.

You can grab slices for half price Sunday to Thursday until 7pm.

Homeboy Pizza Co.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Probably one of Leeds' most famous indies, Homeboy Pizza Co sling out some of the best slices in the city.

Now with two locations, one in Roundhay and one in Burley - it's the only place to order from if you're looking to get tucked up on the sofa and get stuck into a proper pie.

Poco

Pizza at POCO with fresh vegetables

Fried Sicilian calzone and Pizza Al Taglio have become a Leeds foodie staple all because of POCO.

The flavours here are imaginative, but authentic. Think spicy Calabrian ‘Nduja sausage with roast peppers and mozzarella, pear and gorgonzola or even ham and potatoes (and by potatoes, we mean mini fries) across huge oblong slices of pizza; with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to compliment the seemingly never-ending selection. It makes for the perfect takeaway lunch.

Pizza Pilgrims

Images: The Hoot Leeds

A relatively new addition to Leeds, Pizza Pilgrims on Boar Lane make some absolutely banging pies.

Known for their iconic leopard crust, their pizzas are authentic and made with the best quality ingredients. We'd recommend ordering a few of their sides too, the cucumber salad is out of this world.

Edges Pizza

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Located on Green Room's rooftop, Edges Pizza are bringing a slice of New York City to Leeds. Thin, crispy bases which can be dipped into a range of sauces - it's the perfect slice to dive into with a couple cocktails on the side. Bliss.

Livin' Italy

A fresh pizza at Livin' Italy

Fancy a trip to Rome whilst staying within the LS postcode? Take a trip to Livin' Italy where they specialise in authentic Italian food, and they do it very well.

They’ve got a great selection including a spicy pizza with tomato sauce, goat cheese, mozzarella fiordilatte, grated parmesan, Calabrian chilli sausage ‘Nduja, and spicy salami spianata. These kind of flavours, you won't find anywhere else in Leeds. Looking for something more classic? We'd recommend with mozzarella fiordilatte, pecorino romano, goat cheese, grated parmesan, sweet gorgonzola, walnut crumble & fried sage. 

Water Lane Boathouse

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Not just famous for hosting arguably Leeds' best quiz night or the huge ourdoor terrace looking over the canal, Waterlane Boat House are excellent at making pizza.

Their pizza dough is made using just three ingredients: Organic Yorkshire flour, water and salt - that makes it a proper Yorkshire pizza doesn't it? The Spinach & Blue Cheese is a real crowd favourite; San Marzano, fior di latte, spinach, blue cheese, mushroom, red onion with crumbled walnuts.

Culto

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Over in Meanwood you'll find Culto, a firm local favourite that serve up brilliant pizzas which you can take out or enjoy inside their beautiful dining space.

They've won awards for their pizzas and it's not hard to see why, we'd recommend kicking things off with an antipasti board first.

Read more: The best places to get a great bowl of ramen in Leeds

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

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