New brewery seeks to educate

A microbrewery with a difference has opened its doors in West Yorkshire.

Paul Simpson and Tony Gartland spent £500,000 on developing the Saltaire Brewery in Bradford.

The pair claim the brewery has filled a gap in the market.

Managing director Simpson said: "We're real-ale enthusiasts and we want to educate consumers about what their beer is made of. Wine drinkers are well educated and we think beer drinkers want to know why certain beers taste the way they do."

Head brewer Gartland has produced a range of cask and bottled ales and all beers are named after the dominant hops used to make them.

He said: "It's time people knew the difference between, say, Fuggle and Golding hops. Our Fuggle Bitter and Goldings Ale showcase these hops and our bottled beers clearly show each recipe on the label."

Saltaire beers are already available in around 200 real-ale pubs across West Yorkshire and plans are underway for wider distribution.

Simpson added: "We're a 20-barrel brewery and throughout the summer, we plan to do three brews a week.

"We've done a deal with Punch Taverns to be included in its finest cask ale rotation throughout the summer."

All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group secretary Robert Humphreys officially opened the brewery.

He said: "In all my years at Bass closing breweries, it's nice to open one."

Humphreys said Simpson's idea will set him apart from other brewers.

He added: "What he's doing is taking a leaf out of the new world wine producers' book and his idea will help people better understand the characteristics of beer."