The Owl, Leeds

A substantial stone building opposite The Rodley Barge,to the right of the entrance is a public bar with pool table and large flat screen while to the left is a carpeted lounge with a long banquette ,circular tables and stools,smaller screen and it's own bar access on the otherside.The lounge leads onto a restaurant section with it's own door to a fairly large garden .The food was proving popular and expertly served by the no nonscence landlady.We were there only for the beer and on seeing more handpumps on the lounge side ,decided to base ourselves there.The barman,despite wearing a Greene King sweatshirt,was very knowledgeable about his seven handpump selection and was extremely friendly,as were the locals who engaged us in pleasant conversation.Dotted around the interior were owl miscellany without being overdone,and there was light background musak playing. The condition and variety of the ale on offer during our trip was top notch ,and this pub fully deserves it's 2012 GBG entry,there is also a 10p per pint CAMRA discount,the only one in Leeds we were told. We were offered unusual and attractive glass tankards to drink from and the Wheat Beer from Offbeat Brewery proved as good a pint as those supped in serveral GBG regulars in Leeds city the previous night. Lots of banter with the barman,a friendly local well used by a cross section of the community,this is a pub well worth seeking out and spending time exploring their ale range.I will most certainly return when next in the area.