Tetley and Leeds is my cup of beer

Why Tetley and Leeds is my cup of beer x 3.

You might, of course, be more familiar with the very different Tetley’s brew of tea.

And, of course, you wouldn’t be wrong.

And it is one of those quirks of a name and a history and geography that both the Tetley’s beer and the tea firm originate in Yorkshire.

The tea story is for a different day but I’ve just been on a Flixbus coach from Edinburgh and I’m thirsty.

Here for Leeds’ beer

Thankfully Mike from Leeds Beer Tours knows the best pubs in town and the Tetley Museum.

And the Scarborough is just next to our hotel, the grand the Queens, centrally based by the railway station.

Apt really as Queen Victoria visited the Scarborough (we’d put her down more as fine wine, but who knows?).

As well as Charles Dickens. A fine old curiosity bar if you will.

And composer Liszt… guess he got well and truly Brahms and Liszt as the Cockneys would say.

Memory Man Mike

With a thirst on we ventured to the temple of beer in Leeds, the once Tetley’s brewery, now an art gallery and events space.

Where Memory Man Mike walked us through the history of the family as they looked down on us from their framed pictures on the walls.

The Adelphi was our next stop where we snuggled up in the snug to drink St Austell’s Anthem beer.

And learn about how black beer from what is now modern-day Gdansk found its way to Leeds via the ships.

And how former British Chancellor George Osborne killed it off by removing its special tax status.

The Leeds witch

Leeds Beer Tours and Mike certainly know their ales but walking through the city and across the River Ayre he shared much more.

About the historic Leeds Witch who seduced the locals with her diet of better health and wealth back in the day.

Before she met her fate.

But that’s enough about Liz Truss!

Taylor-made

We finish off our two-hour tour, Mike normally walks, talks and drinks you through an extra hour, at the Duck and Drake.

In their spectacular beer garden where we quaff a darker Timothy Taylor as the sun beats down on us and the flowers bloom.

There are stems shooting out of a man’s jeans by the garden wall… boy is this stuff strong.

And I am happy to plant myself here for the day and take root.

But I have my Media Getaway international travel fare function at the Hilton DoubleTree to attend.

And refreshing Washington State rosé wine from fair sponsors to imbibe, just to wash down the barbie you understand.

I’ll be back out after though. I’ve decided Tetley’s and Leeds is my cup of beer.