Saturday April the 16th 2011, was the northern craft brewers first visit to the Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire. Members from as far afield as, Congleton, Hull, Lancaster, Leeds, Bolton, Heald Green and even as Far as Bradford, made the journey in glorious weather, to chat, drink, learn and share brewing knowledge in the wonderful old converted Tram House that is the Saltaire Brewery. The Brewery even though its only 6 years old is revered for great beers, and the meeting attracted, representatives from Elland Brewery, Molson Coors, Ridgeside Brewery and Hopzine Magazine, we had a National guild Judge in attendance and also a few winners from Last Years CBA National Competition.
The day started with an informal gathering in the spacious and welcoming bar area on the first floor of the brewery, Beers on tap were Saltaire Blonde,Saltaire Hazelnut Coffee Porter,Saltaire Trio, and a one off beer brewed especially for the event Double Oat Pale Ale. All at a very reasonable £2 per pint with proceeds from the Double oat pale going to the Leeds charity SAD, £60 was raised on the day, A big thank you to all the members for contributing & to Adrian for organizing it, The double oat was a stunning beer as were all the others on tap.
Tony Gartland Saltaire Brewery's head brewer, made the trouble to come and meet us all and made us all feel very welcome. Tony took us all on a tour of the brew house and answered our pressing questions with gusto, a few of us were very surprised that the brewery are on the 800 and odd generation of their original yeast, strain, & the compact 20 barrel brew house was a well thought out gem.
Right Photo, Tony Gartland talking Shop to Elland Brewery's Head brewer and Ian Priddy CBA National Prizewinner
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Above, Adrian has a go at pulling a pint of Double Oat Pale.
The group would like to thank all the new members who took the trouble to come and join us last Saturday afternoon hopefully you all enjoyed yourselves, and will come to some of our future meetings.
I am sure we will be re-visiting this excellent Venue in the future, If you get the chance to visit this brewery soon do it, before they get too big, you will not be disappointed.
Last but not least The Northern Craft Brewers would like to thank Tony Gartland for opening his business up on a Saturday and for making us all feel so welcome, a big thank you must go out to Adrian for sorting the Visit out and thanks must also go the Emma for the photo's and providing us with well pulled Pints, very well done for a Novice.
See you at the Next meeting in July.
Copyright 2011 The Northern Craft Brewers