GAVIN AITCHISON reports on an outbreak of beer rivalry in York

FEW things have been more pleasing for local beer lovers in the past year than the rapid growth of York’s brewery scene. The city has long held its own when it comes to pubs but only recently have we witnessed such diversity of breweries.

In the past year, York’s tally has risen from one to five, with York Brewery in the city centre being joined by Treboom at Shipton, The Hop Studio at Elvington, Urban Brewhouse in Leeman Road and Four Thorns in Heslington.

Only slightly further afield, Brass Castle in Pocklington have been making waves ever since they launched 14 months ago.

And across Yorkshire as a whole, exciting new operations have been springing up week after week, joining the older favourites we’ve been enjoying for years.

If you’ve found it hard to keep up with all the newbies – or if you simply want to revel in this golden age – then next weekend could be the excuse you’ve been waiting for.

Slap bang in York city centre, two of the city’s oldest and most wellknown pubs are hosting the mother of all local derbies, and drinkers are in for a treat.

The Ackhorne in St Martin’s Lane and The Red Lion in Merchantgate have teamed up to host The Bonfire Weekend Battle of the Breweries Festival, featuring 12 beers from six breweries over two days. Drinkers are encouraged to visit both pubs and vote for their favourite beer, with prizes available for brewers and punters alike.

The event begins at The Ackhorne on Saturday, when Brass Castle, The Hop Studio and Treboom will each have two beers on the bar.

Then a day later, the action moves to The Red Lion, where Urban Brewhouse, Revolutions of Wakefield and the relative veteran Rudgate will be holding the fort.

Let battle commence!

 

• IF that little tête-à-tête doesn’t get you excited then wander up to Brigantes in Micklegate, where World War III could break out any minute.

Scotland and the USA have gone head to head in a Trans-Atlantic conflict, which is being fought out on the bar as we speak.

If you’re confused – as well you might be – then let me explain.

BrewDog from Fraserburgh and Flying Dog from Maryland have each used the same ingredients to brew a beer called “International Arms Race”, and are fighting it out head-to-head in a battle for hearts and minds.

Both beers are hopless IPAs, the hops having been replaced by a range of other bittering ingredients: spearmint, bay leaves, rosemary, juniper berries and elderflower.

On a joint tour of BrewDog pubs around the UK, Flying Dog’s version narrowly won the public vote.

But BrewDog won hands down for me.

Be warned, the beers are not cheap – £3.75 or £4 a half – but you won’t find stuff like this very often, so pop along to Brigantes if you want to nail your colours to the mast. Global warfare has never been such fun.

 

• YORK’S two JD Wetherspoon pubs, The Postern Gate in Piccadilly and The Punch Bowl in Blossom Street, are taking part in the company’s latest festival.

There will be up to 50 ales over 19 days, including ones from Japan, Lithuania, Holland, Australia, Canada, Italy, the USA and Belgium as well as dozens from the UK.

The event began on Wednesday and runs until November 11. Beers are £1.99 a pint and tasting notes are available in the pubs.

 

• WELL done to Pivní in Patrick Pool for a fantastic “beer and cheese pairing” night on Wednesday.

There were six rounds, with some excellent combinations to enjoy.

The highlights for me were the Isle of Mull Cheddar with Bernard Pilsner and the Gruyere with Anchor Porter.

A similar event is planned for December, matching beer with festive foods. Watch this space.

 

• PAUL and Diane Watkinson, who run The Black Horse in Wigginton, have also taken over The Cottage in Haxby.

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