WHILE there is no well-used Latin word for a 160th birthday, that is what one local brewery will be celebrating this year.

So I thought I would look at a potted history of our current Keighley brewing scene and discovered a few more birthdays along the way.

Timothy Taylor’s – 160 years

Mr Taylor started in Cook Lane in 1858 in partnership with James Shackleton & John Naylor. Five years later he bought them out and moved to the Knowle Spring site. In 1894 he bored a deep well at the brewery which is still used today.

Originally there was a maltings on site where barley was prepared for production, but this ceased in 1928. At one point they owned over 40 pubs and off licences, 25 of which were in the Keighley/Haworth areas and nine of which still sell Taylor’s Beers today.

They have a team of five brewers, who are led by head brewer Andy Leman. The firm employs around 100 local staff.

Goose Eye Brewery – 40 years

Originally started by Brian Eastell in 1978 opposite the Turkey Inn, it closed between 1982-1985, moving into the adjoining Mill Buildings where it stayed until 1988.

The brewery again closed briefly before relocating to Ingrow Bridge, in 1991 and Jack & Linda Atkinson took over, assisted by their son Dave (1996) and later being joined by his grandsons Joe & Jack. The brewery relocated again in July 2017 into purpose built premises at Crossflatts.

Naylor’s Brewery – 17 years

Brothers Stephen & Robert Naylor owned The Old White Bear Pub in Cross Hills and purchased the Old Bear brewery kit when it relocated, beginning brewing themselves in 2001. They expanded to Midland Mills, Cross Hills, where they now brew cask conditioned and bottled ales and have an annual cider day pressing.

They house the BeerBelly Kitchen and Bar, where you can sample their brews and enjoy a meal.

Bridgehouse Brewery – 8 years

Starting in Keighley in 2010 before moving to Oxenhope they joined forces with the Old Bear Brewery (started 1992 behind the Old White Bear, Crosshills) before creating a bespoke brewery behind the Airedale Heifer, Sandbeds. This brewery now runs six pubs, including five in the local area.

Wishbone Brewery – 3 years

Started in 2015 and a short walk from Keighley Railway Station. They hold open days to showcase their many brews which are often vegetarian/vegan.

Cobbydale Brewery – 1 year

Our “new baby” brewer produces one beer only for his pub. It is based behind the Red Lion, Silsden.