Father’s Day Pub Crawl

Yesterday was my Father’s Day treat, a pub-crawl with Tom. This tradition started in York last year, this year Leeds was the chosen venue, early November being the first time we could find a free slot in both our diaries. For the most part it was a cold crisp day that was ideal for walking, talking, and drinking.

We met at Leeds Station at around 11am maybe a little early for our first pint, so we repaired for a coffee in a very hipster café near the station, I almost felt that I needed to grow a beard to be served, still the coffee was excellent and not in the least hairy!! We walked through the area south of the railway station near to the canal. Now it is probably two years since I have ventured into this part of Leeds, and I was impressed by the amount of sensitive regeneration that has taken place. Old industrial buildings have been sensitively turned into hubs of the knowledge economy.

Our first stop was the Northern Monk Brewery and a mild disappointment. Under their licensing terms they could not serve us for ten minutes until the clock moved to midday. No matter we made friends with the sheep dog that roamed the floor and discussed which of their sixteen cask beers to sample. It was a little stout heavy, but that turns out to be because they had been to a black beer festival the previous weekend. We however selected a light IPA of only 3% proof. It was a lovely drink and would have been really great on a hot day outside. No matter we moved onto a classic IPA that was superb. As we had started drinking so early we decided it was time for a burger and chips to line the stomach. In truth I could of stayed here all day, it was a great venue matched with fantastic beer and food. In fact it was the best beer of the day, or perhaps I appreciated the first beers best.

So it was a walk to The Calls and the Lamb and Flag to sample some Leeds Brewery beer. I have to say that this was disappointing on two fronts. I thought that the best bitter that we drank was a little flat to the taste, maybe not kept quite to the optimum. The pub also had a corporate feel rather than one belonging to a small brewery. At this point I persuaded Tom that we needed a coffee. A great little shop called Kappow.

Then it was a walk through the town centre that was by now getting busy as people finished work. So it was appropriate that we went to a typical old town centre pub, Whitakers. Full of character and crowded, we stood jostled at the bar. Tom ordered Theakston’s best, which we both agreed was a little too sweet for our taste, although it was well kept.

So we moved further through the town to The North Bar, at this stage I admit that I have forgotten what beer we sampled, only that it was excellent. Looking at the picture the chances are that it was a pale ale from the Kirkstall brewery. Throughout the day the conversation flowed to and fro as we caught up and speculated on the dire state of politics and Brexit dominated Britain.

By this time it was nearly time for me to catch the train home, so we headed to Archie’s Bar to sample beer from the Ossett Brewery. Really good although the bar was schizophrenic, as it could not make up its mind whether it was music, sports, or drinking venue. Unfortunately the last beer was a little hurried.

Then it was off to catch the train home. It was a lovely Father’s Day treat well organised by Thomas. I shall have fond memories even if I did feel a little left over this morning.