Move over Lancashire - it's all about Yorkshire beer now...

Rob Speake, manager at The Duke of York in King’s Square, says the pub’s cross-Pennine “war of the roses” events have run their course, in no small part because the Lancashire brewers became frustratingly non-committal and unreliable.

Now though, he and his colleagues have launched a new series of monthly spectacles, pitting local Yorkshire breweries against each other. Each of the “Brew-offs” will consist of two breweries and four beers – but only one winner.

The first event is this Thursday, when Ainsty Ales and Little Brew lock horns, in a mouthwatering bar-top battle.

Ainsty Ales, the cuckoo-brewers who have been borrowing local plants including Brass Castle’s in Malton, will serve up Flummoxed Farmer and Wankled Waggoner. Little Brew, the Clifton Moor outfit who left London for brighter things up north, are more tight-lipped. Owner Stu Small says only that he will choose either his gold or ruby ale, and another newer creation, yet to be revealed.

Drinkers will be invited to try all four beers, before selecting their preferred brewer by placing a voting chip in the one of two bowls. At the end of the night, the chips will be counted and the winner declared, with the victor’s beers then being given preference on the bar in the subsequent weeks. If only the long, looming General Election campaign were so simple and such fun.

“We are hoping to do this once every month,” says Rob. “Each time, the two brewers will pick one of their most well-known beers that they sell most of, and also one that’s more unusual.

“We used to do the ‘war of the roses’ nights, but the guys from Lancashire became a bit expensive and would not take the barrels back or deliver on time, so we thought we would have a bit of fun with our local breweries.

“It’s not really a battle as such; for me it’s more about giving brewers a bit of exposure and generating some excitement.”

Both brewers are relishing the chance to reach another wave of new drinkers, as they look to go from strength to strength.

Stu from Little Brew says he has been delighted with the reaction to his beers since he launched last year, and his accreditation with the Society of Independent Breweries has helped him reach more pubs. His bottled range has also proven popular, and he is looking to do a special brew for the Tour de Yorkshire in May.

Andy Herrington from Ainsty Ales, meanwhile, says he is relishing the chance to meet new drinkers at a pub that has helped him a lot.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he says. “The Duke of York has been really supportive. We have had beer on the bar there on or off for about three months. Rob and Leeds Brewery have been great for us.”

The beers will be available all evening and the event is open to all. If you can’t make it along, then try again next month, when drinkers will be encouraged to drink “bad beer” – from Bad Seed Brewery of Malton and and BAD Company of Dishforth.

• STUDENT pubs have come a long way in the 15 years since I moved to York, it seems.

Stonegate Pub Company invested heavily last year in The Graduate, formerly Varsity, in Lendal and credit where it’s due, they’ve done a great job.

The student pubs I recall churned out immense quantities of cheap lager and the occasional pint of a token real ale, but the range here is infinitely more impressive.

When I popped in for a recent meeting, breweries represented included Harvieston, Thornbridge, Great Yorkshire and Dogfish Head.

The developers also opened up previously blocked-off areas, created a couple of separate meeting rooms and equipped all the tables with USB ports and plug sockets for anyone who does want to work.