Leeds Heritage Beer Guided Tour
Explore 300 years of beer in Leeds, learn about the heritage of beer in the city, and enjoy five half pints of ale, included in the price.
About this event
The tour begins at The Tetley, which was the headquarters for Leeds' most famous brewery, Joshua Tetley and Son. Here, learn about the history of the brewery & look around the site.
The second stop is The Adelphi, Tetley Brewery's flagship pub built in the late Victorian period. Here, learn about the history of the pub and also about the brewing process, as told through the eyes of a Leeds-based brewery in the mid-1900s.
From the Adelphi, the tour walks to the Duck & Drake via other sites of historical interest. These include the location where one of the world's first motion pictures was filmed & Leeds Minster church. Find out why the nearby railway embankment is covered in gravestones! The Duck & Drake is on Kirkgate, Leeds' oldest street with a dark past. Learn about the history of the Duck & Drake, plus more about Kirkgate's reputation.
Stop four is The White Swan on Briggate, one of the first venues to introduce music in a pub to Leeds, and the birthplace of Leeds City Varieties. Here, with the aid of maps and photos, explore other old breweries in the city & how it compares to the modern brewing scene.
Finally, the tour ends at Whitelocks Ale House, also on Briggate. At over 300 years old, this is arguably Leeds' most iconic pub, with its internal décor dating to the 1890s. Here, guests will hear stories about the rich history of Whitelocks. From its time as a pub plagued with crime, to the transformation after the Whitelock's family took over the pub in the 1860s.
A half of traditionally brewed beer (or equivalent drink for non-beer drinkers) is provided at each pub stop (five in total) & is included in the price of the tour.
Please read Leeds Beer Tours' Code of Conduct before travelling.
This tour is only for those 18 years or older. Many of the venues operate a Challenge 25 policy, which means if you are fortunate to look younger than 25, please make sure you have a valid ID with you.
Please arrive at the tour starting place ten minutes prior to the advertised tour start time. If you are late, the tour itinerary cannot be adjusted to accommodate. Please allow plenty of time to get to the starting venue, as Leeds City Centre can be very busy.
