Old Fireglass has been up in Yorkshire, frolicking with the finest fermentations imaginable. Excellent vittles and ales can be found in abundance; combine this with the beauty of the Dales and the wealth of history in its bustling industrial towns, and you have a destination fit for a kingly ramble. My taste buds and belt were stretched to the limit and my little piranha fish (the wife) likened me to a giant Yorky pud on my return.
    Goose Eye Brewery is a small independent run by father and son team Jack and Dave Atkinson. Let’s start with a seasonal ale : Summer Jacks, ABV 4.2%, combines spicy, peppery hops with rich malt flavours and a bitter-sweet after-taste with a hint of citrus fruits. This pale, refreshing brew comes out in June and is not to be missed. Brontë at 4% is as bonny as the fair maid Emily herself, and just as well schooled. It has a chocolatey, hoppy bouquet and an after-taste of spice and rich malt, as full-bodied and gorgeous as the Yorkshire lasses I met. Spellbound comes next, also 4% : a full-flavoured copper ale with its roasted malt and bitter hops; its malty flavours linger in the mouth leaving you bewitched. Goose Eye Bitter at 3.8% has a nose-tingling tasty hop aroma. Sweet malt and thirst-quenching hops slip over the tongue with ease - a pale golden beer which is a must for any zesty gander.
    Next on the agenda is Wharfedale, at 4.5% - caution is required lads! It’s a malty, hoppy brew with a dry and bitter after-taste, full of rich malt character and like the Prince of Ales himself, bursting at the seams with hops! Final choice : Pommies Revenge at a mighty 5.2% can be relied upon to send any Ozzie scuttling to the Outback in a spin, with its big malty body and pungent hoppy taste, sliding down the throat like velvet : a vengeful, superb substance.
    These ales feature as guest ales in the county and some houses take it full time. The Turkey in Goose Eye itself keeps a really good pint as well as delicious, substantial meals. The Castle in Bradford W.Yorks is distinguished by its well-kept cheap ales, basic but lovely food and they also do B&B at the right price. The Elm Tree in Embsey North Yorks is another good outlet : home-made food, cheap B&B, and especially handy if you’re a steam-train buff. Blind Jack in Knaresborough takes all the Goose Eye Ales as guest beers. Wuthering Heights at Stanbury (Brontë Country serves Goose Eye bitter permanently) is not to be missed and The Fox & Goose at Hebden Bridge takes the range as guest ales.
    Wherever I roamed in Yorkshire, I found the people down to earth and full of humour, and you can be sure of a warm welcome in this special part of Great Britain. If you wish to know more, contact Jack and Dave at the Goose Eye Brewery, Ingrow Bridge, South St. Keighley BD21 8AX. Tel : 01538 608807; they’ll be happy to arrange a brewery trip by appointment. How refreshing in this day and age to see a father and son working side by side in harmony!