Leeds beer blogger and food writer Leigh Linley has become something of a local legend thanks to his hit site The Good Stuff , so who better to pick out the five best Real Ale pubs in Leeds? From iconic bars to young upstarts, Leigh takes us through the city’s top places for a quality pint… The Midnight Bell Leigh says: “Leeds Brewery’s flagship pub is the place to head if you want to enjoy flagship beer Leeds Pale in the sun-trap of a courtyard out back, or a quiet meal upstairs with a comforting pint of Midnight Bell. The food is excellent here, too, and is well worth the short walk out of Leeds Centre.” 101 Water Lane, LS11 5QN www.midnightbell.co.uk The Adelphi 1-3 Hunslet Rd, LS10 1JQ www.theadelphileeds.co.uk Leigh says: “The Adelphi is a Leeds landmark – for a long time the unofficial tap of the now-demolished Tetley Brewery. Now it mixes period and modern decor to good effect, and is another popular spot with the after-work crowd. Still, it’s not all hipsters; the beer and food are both excellent. Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Leeds Pale are always popular, and the burgers are among the best in the city.” The Hop Dark Arches, Granary Wharf, LS1 4BR www.thehop-leeds.co.uk Leigh says: “With a massive slant towards live music, The Hop is more than just a place to see local bands. Owned by Ossett Brewery, The Hop is a great location to try Ossett’s excellent range of beers – from the strong pale ale Excelsior to the rich and malty Big Red. Another pub with an outside beer garden to sit in during warmer months.” Whitelocks 4 Turks Head Yard, LS1 6HB www.whitelocksleeds.com Leigh says: “Whitelocks was rescued from becoming a footnote in Leeds’s pub history last year by Mason & Taylor, who have restored the somewhat dog-eared pub to former glory. With a strong focus on quality food, it’s not just a place to eat – there’s an excellent and diverse range of well-kept beers on offer from the likes of Four Thorns, Burley Street Brewhouse and Revolutions Brewing Co.” The Cross Keys 107 Water Lane, LS11 5WD www.the-crosskeys.com Leigh says: “The elegant sister of North Bar, The Cross Keys combines award-winning food with great beer. Friendly staff and a good atmosphere complement the Real Ales (Kirkstall and Little Valley are regular), and there’s a great selection of beers from the US and Europe in the fridges. I can highly recommend the Scotch Eggs and Cheeseboards too.” Do you have a favourite real ale pub? Let us know. For top ten real ale pubs visit WOW247 About The AuthorYorkshire Food & Drink Yorkshire's only dedicated food and drink website from Yorkshire Post Newspapers and its sister titles in the region. Showcasing everything Yorkshire has to offer from the fruits of the sea to the fields of the moors and beyond. It includes unbiased restaurant reviews by renowned food critics, recipes and 'how to' videos from some of Yorkshire's finest chefs and latest food and drink news and blogs from around our amazing county. And you can have your say either on the site or via our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Let us know what you think comments
