Yorkshire boasts more breweries than any other region in the UK. At last count there were over 70 compared to just 16 in the early 1970s. But its principal city didn't have its own independent brewery until 2007 when two young entrepreneurs opened Leeds Brewery.

With sales now exceeding 20,000 pints a week, founders Sam Moss and Michael Brothwell have certainly made up for lost time. Leeds Brewery sells its ales through three of its own distinctive pubs, as well as through traditional and fashionable watering holes across the city and further afield.

With tributes to its quality ales flowing in from beer festivals around the country, Leeds Brewery has fast become a stylish ambassador for the northern city.

Keenly aware of the renaissance in independent British brewing, not least through their own appreciation of traditional ales, Brothwell and Moss spent time researching suitable locations for their planned venture while still at university. They were surprised to find Leeds lacking such an enterprise and immediately registered the name.

"Studying at York University, we were aware of Leeds's vibrant night scene and the city's burgeoning reputation for professional services and manufacturing excellence. It made our choice of location very simple and we were delighted to find no-one had previously registered the name," says Sam Moss.

"Consumers continue to turn away from the huge brands which are seeing their sales fall, while craft brewers are meeting the renewed appetite for local food and drink. Small brewers' market share is growing in the face of a declining pub industry nationally and Leeds Brewery certainly appears to be in the right place at the right time."

Changing British tastes
Against a long tradition of beer drinking, British tastes continue to change and Leeds Brewery is a prime example of the need for diversity in brewing today. Not entirely dependent on the basic pubs most often associated with real ale enthusiasts, it is grasping new opportunities that tap into changing markets.

In trendy Chapel Allerton, north of Leeds' city centre, the company supplies stylish independent bar The Angel's Share with serious quantities of Leeds Best. In the city centre, the Victoria and Commercial Hotel is one of Leeds' best real ale venues and stocks the brewery's ales alongside regional stalwarts including Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Tetley Bitter.

Leeds Brewery's forward-thinking ethos combines quality products served with a contemporary edge and this is reflected in the three pubs the young entrepreneurs have opened in the city. Each has a very different atmosphere, from the warm red brick of the centuries old Midnight Bell, to the comfy sofas of The Pin and the clean, modern fit-out at The Brewery Tap, but all are friendly and welcoming.

While the connection with the brewery makes these pubs unique, they're not just about serving the home brands. They also stock a wide range of draught lagers, bottled beers and spirits and have excellent wine lists compiled by highly rated local merchant
Playford Ros. Food is important too: each venue offers menus using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Leeds Brewery's forward thinking ethos combines quality products served with a contemporary edge


The beers
A rediscovered strain of yeast, last used 50 years ago by a West Yorkshire brewer, is key to creating the unique flavour of all Leeds Brewery's beers, and remains a closely guarded secret. Indeed, all the ingredients of Leeds Best are British. The classic Yorkshire Bitter, full-flavoured with a superb, hoppy finish is made with malt from Castleford, hops from Worcestershire and pure Yorkshire water.

Genesis of a business
Southerners Sam Moss and Michael Brothwell met at York University and soon established a shared passion for real ales. After a stint for Michael at for forging a business from hops, yeast and water. Researching "a commuting circle" from their York homes they identified obvious tourist spots such as Whitby and the Dales. Then Leeds popped up, which Moss describes as "a flashlight moment".

"We knew from the start that opening our own pubs would be central to the business. We found a site in Holbeck we desperately wanted for our first pub, at which point the decision for Leeds was made," he explains.

"What's happening in Holbeck is unique in Leeds and it's a perfect fit for us, creating a business with 21st century values and ideas in an industry which goes back centuries. The mix of industrial heritage and creative dynamism is second to none and we wanted to be part of it."

Getting started
It's interesting to note how two young graduates with no trading history, no capital, no beer to tempt investors and very limited experience of brewing moved swiftly from dreaming over a couple of pints to running a high tech, awardwinning brewing operation.

"Holbeck developers CTP St James were pretty good to us and believed in us when we said we wanted to open the pub. They took a risk on us at a time when, at 22 and 23, no banks would touch us," says Moss.

Brothwell and Moss raised some capital by selling a house and investing the equity in the business launch. They took advantage of a government-backed small firms guarantee scheme which reduced the risk for lenders and gave the York branch of HSBC the confidence to lend them £125,000.

Firmly planted and warmly welcomed in the city, Leeds Brewery finds much of the inspiration for its beers from the area, recently creating a new brew for Leeds United named ‘Radebeer'. Named by the club's fans after legendary player Lucas Radebe the new beer is sold at Elland Road and in city-centre pubs.

With plans this year to bottle its beers for retail far beyond the city, the duo have established a rapidly growing business with a great product for which there is a strong and growing demand. Their recipe for success is a combination of enterprise and innovation, a mixture which has long been the hallmark of successful manufacturing companies in Leeds.

For more information please visit www.locateinleeds.co.uk