This Beer of the Moment comes from one of the newer breweries in these parts. The Ilkley Brewery Company has been around for less than a year, but recently achieved its first award at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) North Regions beer competition held at the Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria.

The brewery’s popular light session beer Mary Jane won the gold medal in the Bitters and Pale Ales category beating 56 other brews from breweries across the north of England to top spot. Mary Jane was originally brewed as a summer special but has become the brewery’s most popular brew and is now a permanent feature on many bars.

Mary Jane (you remember, her as was being courted bar t’at on the moor) is a light crisp hoppy beer made with Amarillo hops giving it a refreshing citrus character. At an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of 3.5% it’s an ideal session beer. It’s also had the seal of approval from no less an authority than celebrity chef (and CAMRA member) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, seen here at the Ilkley Literature Festival.

Ilkley Brewery’s beers can now be sampled in many pubs throughout the region including locally at Bar t’at and The Riverside Hotel in Ilkley, The Wheatley Arms in Ben Rhydding, the Swan in Addingham, the Queens Head in Burley in Wharfedale and The Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey. In Leeds they’ve been seen in Mr Foley’s.

More information on both cask and bottled beers is available on the company’s website at www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or give them a call on 01943 604604.