4 July 2006

Anton Drake picks up his last load of brewers’ grain from Timothy Taylor

Anton Drake of Fieldhead Farm, Flappit has been collecting brewer’s grain from
Timothy Taylor’s Knowle Spring Brewery since 1979.  Last week, with retirement from farming imminent, he picked up his last load.

Anton has run his all grass dairy farm with 70 milking Friesians in partnership with his father since 1969 but is now leaving farming to pursue other interests.

The weekly collection of moist grain roughage, which is extracted from the bottom of the mash tonne, is fed straight to the cows all year round, either just before or after milking.
Anton commented: “There’s no doubt the cows milk better on brewer’s grains and at just 1p per kilo for every dry grain put into the mash it represents excellent value for money.  The cows are to be sold next week and I’m sure they’ll miss their weekly feed of grains.

Timothy Taylor’s Head Brewer Peter Eells added: “We are very lucky in having a number of good stockmen like Anton who farm close by and collect the surplus grains after every brew.  It’s a win, win situation.  The farmer gets good cattle feed at a low price and we get rid of the leftover grains.”

22 March 2006

The Royal Oak in Ripon

Trudy Pilmoor - The Royal Oak in Ripon

One of Ripon’s best known pubs, the Royal Oak, has been bought by Timothy Taylor.  Like the Keighley based brewer, the Grade II listed pub on Kirkgate, Ripon, has Royal connections.  Twice on visits to the city The Prince of Wales has been served in the historical pub which now has one of its rooms – Charlie’s Bar – named in his honour.  The Prince also visited  the Timothy Taylor brewery  in 2002 and on this occasion he pulled his own pint.

After successfully running the Woolly Sheep in Skipton for three years, Trudy Pilmoor has moved across to Ripon to manage the Royal Oak.  Commenting on the move Trudy said, “This is a completely new challenge for me and one I’m looking forward to.  In many ways the Royal Oak is very similar to the Woolly Sheep, being situated in the centre of a busy market town, which is recognised as a base for tourists looking to explore the Yorkshire Dales.”

Tied Estate Manager, Andrew Daykin added, “The Royal Oak fits perfectly into the Timothy Taylor portfolio of pubs.  It is our intention to develop the full potential of the facilities including the 6 letting bedrooms, whilst at the same time retaining a traditional English pub environment in which our customers can relax and enjoy good beer and good food.”

For more details look on 'Our Pubs' Page.

1 March 2006

Left to Right Nigel Aston and Andrew Daykin

Timothy Taylor has been short-listed as a finalist for the prestigious Publican newspaper 2006 awards.

The Knowle Spring brewery’s Tied Estate has been nominated for Pub Company of the Year in the Tenanted / Leased (10-99 Outlets) category and will be up against two other leading pub-owning companies. Following a visit to Yorkshire from Hamish Champ of the Publican, who visited the brewery and a number of pubs, Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin and Operations Manager Nigel Aston underwent a lengthy interview in London before the judging panel and now await the announcement of the winner at a glittering awards ceremony at The Grosvenor House Hotel, London on Tuesday
21st March.

Asked why he thinks Timothy Taylor should win, Andrew Daykin commented: “In recent years we have invested over £6million in our pubs to ensure they are maintained to the very highest standards. In 2005 capital expenditure was almost £1million. We also insist our tenants and managers provide a traditional English pub environment in which our customers can relax and enjoy good beer and good food. Our mantra is always quality, quality, quality.”

28 February 2006

One of Ripon’s historic city centre pubs is to change hands with Keighley based brewer Timothy Taylor exchanging contracts to buy the Grade II listed Royal Oak.

Timothy Taylor, famous for brewing Madonna’s favourite beer Landlord, owns 26 pubs that vary in character from country wayside inns to local community town centre taverns. The majority are in West Yorkshire but they also successfully operate the Woolly Sheep in Skipton which, in many ways, is very similar to the Royal Oak, being situated in the centre of a busy market town recognised as a base for tourists looking to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

In recent years over £6million has been spent ensuring its pubs are kept up to the company’s highly demanding standards.

Commenting on the acquisition Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin said: “The Royal Oak fits perfectly into the Timothy Taylor portfolio of pubs. It is our intention to develop the full potential of the facilities including the function room and the 6 letting bedrooms whilst at the same time retaining a traditional English pub environment in which our customers can relax and enjoy good beer and good food.”

Timothy Taylor is the last independent, family run brewery of its kind left in West Yorkshire and has been brewing traditional cask ales for almost 150 years. The company’s classic strong Pale Ale Landlord is nationally renowned and has won more UK awards than any other beer. This includes 4 times as Champion at the Brewers’ International Awards and 4 times as CAMRA’s Beer of the Year. Landlord also has the unique distinction of holding both accolades simultaneously.

The Brown Cow on Cross Leeds Street has beaten the Government’s ban and will, on 1st March, be the first pub in Keighley to go Non Smoking. The ban has, however, nothing to do with this week’s vote in the House of Commons for tenants Barry and Carol Taylor, of the Timothy Taylor owned pub, have been planning their ban for a little while as Barry explained “We carried out an extensive survey of our customers and they came out overwhelming in favour of the ban. It will go well with our policy of no swearing!”

Since taking over at The Brown Cow three years ago Barry and Carol have built up quite a reputation for serving excellent cask conditioned beers. The pub currently holds Keighley & Craven District CAMRA Pub for the Winter season and has just been nominated for CAMRA Yorkshire Pub of the Year.

Timothy Taylor Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin commented “Barry and Carol are to be commended for taking the initiative on this issue. Having consulted with their customers they obviously feel this is a sound business move and we will do everything we can to support them”.

Commenting on the vote on a complete smoking ban which will come into force next year Mr Daykin added “As a brewer and pub operator we would have preferred the government not to interfere. However, having done so, it is better to have a blanket ban across the board which provides a level playing field. If smoking had been allowed in private clubs it would have seriously affected smaller pubs, including many in Keighley”.

19 December 2005

Barry and Carol Taylor of the Brown Cow receive their CAMERA Award

The Brown Cow, Timothy Taylor’s popular community pub in Keighley is toasting yet another CAMRA Pub of the Season award.

Barry and Carol Taylor have earned a reputation for serving excellent cask conditioned ales and have won a number of CAMRA accolades.  This time they picked up the Winter Season award after CAMRA members tasted a variety of beers on offer at the Cross Leeds Street pub.

Carol Taylor said “we’re delighted.  Serving quality beers in prime condition was one of our aims when we took over the pub just over two years ago”

The Brown Cow regularly serves four Timothy Taylor beers plus another two guest beers.

Carol and Barry received a plaque in recognition of their achievement from Richard Candeland of Keighley and District CAMRA.

Mr Candeland said “The Brown Cow is a haven of calm and sanity in what can be a very lively end of town”.

01 December 2005

Gary Cahalin

The Albert Hotel on Bridge Street, Keighley has a new Manager.  Gary Cahalin took over the license at the Timothy Taylor owned town centre tavern last week.
Gary brings with him many years experience having previously spent 17 years with Tetleys, which included running Porterhouse Steak Houses, followed by 15 years with Thwaites.

His intention is to utilize his catering background by introducing home cooked food onto the menu.  First onto the list is Steak & Ale cooked using Timothy Taylor’s beer.  He is also keen to maximise the potential of the pub’s function room.  At the moment the room hosts a Rock Night every Friday night, which is growing in popularity but Gary, feels it is also ideal for Business Meetings and Training Courses as well as social functions and parties.

Commenting on the appointment Nigel Aston Timothy Taylor’s Managed House Manager said “There is no doubt about it experience will play a key role in running a well managed town centre pub in today’s climate, particularly with the new licensing laws.  We are confident, in Gary we have the right man for the job”.

17 November 2005

It is just over two years ago that Madonna appeared on the Jonathan Ross Show extolling the virtues of the British pub and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord beer.

Last Saturday night the American pop idol was at it again, this time discussing our pub culture and the finer qualities of English ale with Michael Parkinson, describing the Keighley brewery’s flagship beer as “The Champagne of ales”.

Commenting on this second amazing endorsement for Taylor’s products Managing Director Charles Dent said: “It is wonderful she is continuing to take such an interest in the British pub and traditional English ales. Doesn’t she look good on it!”

18 October 2005

Download Adobe Acrobat reader

Download our October 2005 newsletter (pdf file 4.2MB)

30 September 2005

Duke of Wellington Colonel of 33rd Foot 1806-1813

Havercake Ale, which was first brewed in 2002 by Timothy Taylor to celebrate the Tercentenary of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, will once again be available from selected outlets this Autumn. Launched in October Havercake Ale will be available on draught and also, for the first time, in bottles. Head Brewer Peter Eells describes this special brew as “A robust Yorkshire ale (4.7% ABV) brewed to match the qualities of the famous West Riding Regiment – it has strength, balance, clarity and a good head!”

Havercake Ale

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment – The old 33rd of Foot – is the County Regiment of Yorkshire and for over 250 years has recruited its soldiers from the Pennine areas of the old West Riding, taking in most of the major towns and cities including Skipton, Keighley, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Soldiers of the ‘Dukes’ have always been affectionately nicknamed ‘The Havercake Lads’. The name is derived from the oatmeal break cake which for centuries was a staple food of the Pennine towns and villages. Reputedly the recruiting sergeant went around with a Havercake on his sword when out looking for ‘volunteers’. It seems the promise of being regularly fed on Havercakes was an irresistible bait. No doubt plenty of ale also played its part in the process!

Recruiting Sergent with Havercake, 33rd of Foot circa 1810

Timothy Taylor has long had close ties with the ‘Dukes’. Indeed, Timothy Taylor himself was a member of the Volunteer Rifle Corps based in Keighley in 1859. Since that time, through successive generations, members of the brewery staff have served with the regiment – most notably Pte Arthur Poulter, who won a VC in April 1918 whilst a ‘Dukes’ stretcher bearer. History reveals that Private Poulter worked in the brewery’s maltings in Leeds just prior to the outbreak of war. He was awarded the Victoria Cross after rescuing 10 badly wounded men whom he carried on his back to safety under intense enemy machine gun and artillery fire. All this took place close to the railway crossing at Erquinghem-Lys during the German offensive of April 1918. When asked by a local journalist where he got his strength from he put it down to his days working for Timothy Taylor humping eight-stone sacks of barley.

In 1998 the ‘Dukes’ provided the guard of honour when the small French town erected a memorial to Arthur Poulter to mark the 80th anniversary of the Armistice. The regiment will return to the town in November when they will be honoured with the keys of the town and Timothy Taylor will provide the ales for the reception which will include Havercake Ale. Managing Director Charles Dent is confident it will once again be well received. “Seven years ago Timothy Taylor’s cask conditioned English ale was served to the French townsfolk and they loved it. This perhaps is no surprise, for as the mayor of Erquinghem-Lys explained at the time, it’s an area of Northern France that produces and appreciates good beer!”

Click here to find out your nearest stockist of bottled Havercake Ale or the nearest pub serving this special brew.

3 October 2005

Madonna

It’s official - Madonna has become a confirmed Anglophile and says she loves English ale, to which she was introduced by her husband Guy Ritchie.

And her favourite ale? Timothy Taylor’s Landlord served at the Dog and Duck in Soho.

The mega star revealed all this in an interview with Jonathan Ross during his popular Friday night chat show when she said: “I have learned to love ale. Timothy Taylor’s the best – real ale”. She added: “We go to the Dog and Duck and with my flat cap drawn over my face I order a pint and a half of Timothy Taylor’s”.

Managing Director Charles Dent said: “We are absolutely delighted and thrilled, Madonna obviously has good taste! He added: “This could open up a totally new market. The industry as a whole is excited with its latest convert. Real ale breweries and The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have been trying to attract younger and, in particular, female drinkers for a number of years. Now a few comments by Madonna may well have triggered a new trend.”

Head Brewer Peter Eells said: “This endorsement confirms what we have known for some time now, that Americans are becoming more and more interested in traditional English ales. We are over the moon this icon of pop enjoys Landlord. All the brewing team and, I suspect, one or two other members of the brewery staff, are queuing up to introduce her to our other beers.”

Landlord is the Keighley brewery’s renowned classic pale ale and has won more awards than any other English beer. In 2000 Landlord achieved the unique distinction of becoming the first beer to simultaneously hold both The Brewing Industry International Championship Trophy and CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain Award.

3 October 2005

Timothy Taylor, along with many of the country’s other leading national and regional brewers, will be attending the Great Northern Beer & Fine Food Weekend being held at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd October.

Described by the organisers, the North East & Yorkshire Beer & Pub Association, as a celebration of good taste, the best of British beer complemented by the finest food producers, the event will feature Antony Worral Thompson, James Martin, Oz Clarke, beer chef Richard Fox and Betty’s Cookery School, all demonstrating how beer and food make the perfect match.

Visitors will have the opportunity to attend food and beer tastings as well as browse, sample and buy from a diverse range of gourmet food and cask ale producers.

The Timothy Taylor Stand will be offering free tastings of all the Keighley brewer’s beers including a special brewing of Havercake Ale which was first produced to celebrate the Tercentenary of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, whose soldiers are affectionately known as ‘The Havercake Lads’.

Commenting on the Weekend attractions Timothy Taylor’s Managing Director
Charles Dent said: “This is an ideal opportunity for top producers to celebrate their products and show how well British beer and fine food complement each other. The whole theme ties in very nicely with Timothy Taylor’s latest marketing initiative ‘Perfect Partners’.

As well as free tastings Timothy Taylor (Stand B5 & B6) will also be giving away hundreds of prizes by inviting visitors to ‘Take a Dip in the Timothy Taylor ‘Hop Tub’!

28 September 2005

Since taking over the Grouse Inn, Oakworth, two years ago Mark Narey and his business partner and Head Chef Carl Rowlett have built up quite a reputation for serving the finest home cooked food and cask conditioned beers. In addition major alterations, completed in May, now ensure the enlarged bar takes full advantage of the stunning views across the Worth Valley.

Grouse Inn, Oakworth

With its reputation spreading fast it is not surprising the popular Timothy Taylor owned pub has been short listed for Yorkshire Life Magazine’s Food & Wine Award – Traditional Pub
of the Year. The prestigious awards take place annually and the Grouse is facing stiff competition from three other pubs from across Yorkshire.

Commenting on the nomination Mark Narey said: “Yorkshire has probably the largest and best choice of pubs in the country so we feel very privileged to be short listed. Everyone at the pub is very excited and we’re all keeping our fingers crossed.”

The awards ceremony takes place at Rudding Park on Monday 3rd October.

23 September 2005

David & Jeanette Hill outside the Hare and Hounds

For several months now David & Jeanette Hill at the Hare and Hounds, Wadsworth have been selling second hand books, videos and DVDs. A strange diversification for a pub you may think but it is all in a good cause for all the proceeds are being donated to the local
Old Town Primary School. So far the Timothy Taylor owned country inn has raised almost £700, which has been used to buy playground equipment and help fund transport for
school trips.

Commenting on the success of the scheme Jeanette said, “This has really caught the imagination of our customers. We now have a special bookcase full of books and videos and “Porky” our Charity Pig collects all the money.”

At the same time the moor edge pub which is situated above Hebden Bridge has had its 5 en-suite bedroom accommodation upgraded by the Yorkshire Tourist Board to 4 Diamonds.
Jeanette added “We are delighted with this recognition. We try very hard to make a stay at the Hare and Hounds a bit special by adding little extras in the rooms such as quality toiletries and chocolates. We are hoping this upgrade will encourage commercial and business guests, particularly midweek through the Autumn and Winter.”

The Whire Horse

14th September 2005

The White Horse, set high above Thornton, Bradford is the latest addition to the Timothy Taylor Tied Estate. The tenancy of the pub is in the very capable hands of Ross & Anita Walker who also run the Dog and Gun, Malsis and their experienced Manager Kevin Ingram. Food is very much Ross and Anita’s forte – Ross is a highly trained and experienced chef – so they will be looking to build up this side of the business whilst at the same time serving an excellent pint of Taylor’s Landlord and Golden Best.

Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin commented, “We are always keen to expand our portfolio of pubs as and when the right one becomes available. The White Horse is an ideal fit. Ross and Anita will be virtually starting from scratch, as the pub had been closed for quite a few months. Despite this I’m sure they will do an excellent job”.

Early in the New Year a major refurbishment will bring The White Horse up to the standard of Timothy Taylor’s other pubs offering customers a traditional English pub environment in which they can relax and enjoy good food and fine cask ales.

Mark Evans Click image to enlarge

14th September 2005

Keighley based brewer Timothy Taylor has strengthened its Sales Team with the appointment of Mark Evans as Assistant Sales Manager.

Mark, who has extensive trade experience most recently with Daniel Thwaites, will be responsible for managing and developing Key Free Trade accounts under the guidance of Sales Manager Tony Howlett.

5 August 2005

Landlord, Timothy Taylor’s renowned cask conditioned ale has been awarded a Bronze medal in the Best Bitter category of the 2005 Champion Beer of Britain Awards. The awards are organised every year by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, and were announced at last week’s Great British Beer Festival in London.

At the same time one of the finalists judges and respected beer writer, Roger Protz selected Landlord as one of his Top Ten Beers. Mr Protz picked his top ten ales from a selection of 300 beers featured in his new book ‘300 Beers to Try Before You Die’ which was launched at the Festival.

Landlord is a classic English strong pale ale and has won more awards nationally than any other beer. This includes four times as Champion at the Brewers International Exhibition and four times as CAMRA’s beer of the year.

7 July 2005

New licensees of the Cross, Heptonstall, Colin and Hazel Ward Click image to enlarge

After running Fanny’s Ale House in Shipley very successfully for four years Colin & Hazel Ward have recently taken over the tenancy at the Timothy Taylor owned
Cross Inn at Heptonstall.

Set in a conservation village near Hebden Bridge the Cross is popular with both tourists and locals. And it is the local trade the couple are looking to concentrate on and boost. “We’re aiming to create a friendly atmosphere and ensure, from now on, the Cross is at the very heart of the community”, said Hazel.

She went on to add: “The pub already has an excellent range of beers so we will be looking to build up the food side of the business by serving good quality home-cooked food.

Both Colin & Hazel have extensive trade experience, indeed Hazel has been working behind a bar since she was 18 when her father John Lindley ran The Cricketers in Keighley.

12 May 2005

Download Adobe Acrobat reader

Download our May 2005 newsletter (pdf file 1.32MB)

24 March 2005

Mark Davey at The Royal Oak Click image to enlarge

The Royal Oak, Damside, has a new Licensee. Mark Davey, who hails from Wetherby where he ran The Angel Inn, has taken over as Manager at the popular Timothy Taylor owned pub. One of the many attractive features of The Royal Oak is its low ceiling. Mark, however, happens to stand 6ft 8in tall so he has had to get used to ducking!

“It was a lesson I learned extremely quickly”, said Mark, who has several scars on his head to prove it. Timothy Taylor’s Managed House Manager Nigel Aston is convinced Mark must be the tallest Licensee in Keighley.

As for his plans, he is looking to make The Royal a food-led pub with good quality home cooking and with this in mind he has already introduced traditional Sunday Lunch. In the Summer he intends to take full advantage of the excellent beer garden facilities by starting themed barbecue nights.

24 March 2005

Phil and Val Booth at the Boltmakers Arms Click image to enlarge

Phil Booth has been pulling pints in and around Keighley all his working life. Last month, however, he fulfilled his long held ambition to take charge of his own pub when he became Tenant of the Timothy Taylor owned Boltmakers Arms on East Parade.

Phil, who most recently was Assistant Manager at The Fleece Inn, Haworth and his wife Val are relishing the challenge. “The Boltmakers is a great little town centre pub with a reputation of serving excellent Timothy Taylor cask ales. People come from far and wide. It is our intention to build on that reputation.” He added “Val and I have talked about running our own pub for years but with a young family we didn’t feel it was right. The kids are now grown up so we’ve been able to achieve our goal”.

The previous Licensee Ray Green and his wife Eileen have moved on to take the tenancy of another Timothy Taylor pub – The Cross Inn at Heptonstall near Hebden Bridge.