Bursting with social and industrial significance, The Tetley is drenched in history and is one of Leeds’ best-known landmarks.
Located on Leeds’ South Bank on Hunslet Road, The Tetley is now a beautiful contemporary art gallery, but it was once the home of Leeds’ oldest brewing dynasties, synonymous with the city for over two centuries.
The brewery was founded by Joshua Tetley in 1822, when he bought the site for a mere £400. A few years later in 1839 he made his son, Francis William a partner, creating Joshua Tetley and Son.
Construction of the new brewery began in 1852 and by 1860, Tetley was the largest brewery in the North of England. By 1875, annual beer production had reached a whopping 171,500 barrels.
At its peak, Tetley was Britain’s biggest cask ale brewery, employing thousands of people and owning around 1,000 pubs across England. In the 1980s, Tetley’s became the world’s largest producers of cask ale and was taken over by Carlsberg in 1988.
Unfortunately the brewery closed in 2011 and was demolished a year later, but the Leeds connection is maintained through the No.3 Pale Ale. The famous tipple is still being brewed in Leeds and uses the original recipe from 1868, using the same unique double strain of yeast that creates the distinctive, delicious taste we all know and love.
The building was transformed in 2013 and now hosts unique gallery spaces and studios for creatives to showcase their work.
There’s so much going on at The Tetley, from workshops and contemporary exhibitions to yoga classes and still life drawings. It is a real asset to Leeds and well worth a visit, make sure to sample a pint of Tetley in the gorgeous bar and kitchen whilst you’re there.
To find out what’s on at The Tetley, take a look at their website.
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Feature image: The Tetley
