The Hop, Leeds

Absolutely packed on our Friday evening visit. Lots of people stood outside as it was a warm night. A covers band playing in the upstairs area, pretty good they were too, along with loads of people who had come along to see them. Every seat taken in the quieter area to the right of the bar. Got served OK though. I couldn't see what else was along the bar, but my Ossett Madeline Lily was excellent. We managed to find a fairly quiet place to lean though. I think I'd like to visit at a quieter time to fully make my mind up about the place, but it's certainly buzzing at weekends.

I find it very hard to make my mind up about this place. The Hop is an Ossett pub opened in 2009 as part of the new Granary Wharf development, a short "hop" from the station (geddit?). As oldboots has said, it is built into the railway arch and is quite dark inside, all exposed brick and mirrors. Upstairs there is a small area for private parties (often to be found occupied at the busy periods after work on thursdays and fridays). The ale selection is usually decent, with four Ossett beers (not all to my taste, it has to be said) and guests, which on a recent visit included two from the Nethergate brewery and one from the Vale brewery in Buckinghamshire. It can get very busy with the after work crowd, and service can be slow; plus the place to my mind lacks character, although that probably can be attributed to its recent birth. Pies are available and are good value, and ultimately I'm sure it will prove successful. Nearby, The Grove, The Brewery Tap and the Cross Keys better this place, I think.

A new addition to the Leeds drinking scene, owned by Ossett Brewery, repeating the real ale and music format that’s worked so successfully at the bar’s sister venue in Wakefield. Situated next to the massive canal and riverside developments, it’s housed in two arches, under a platform of Leeds train station. Internally, it’s a large U shape, with a sizeable mezzanine floor above the bar. Overhead, the brick built vaulted ceiling is an engineering marvel. There are partitioned areas to either side of the bar, offering a variety of seating styles, plus further tables upstairs. Those close to the window offer fine views over the canal basin, towards Bridgewater Place. (The highest building in Leeds and rather less than affectionately nicknamed ‘The Dalek’.) A large space is kept clear in front of the bar, to accommodate ‘vertical drinkers’ and also to enable a view of the bands performing above. Recently some large picnic tables have appeared outside for fine weather drinking. Overall, the interior is quite dark, not helped by the rear walls backing onto the underground access driveway. However, that allows the stained glass, the etched brewery logo and beer names to be highlighted. Can’t say I’m a fan of the ‘edgy’ urban art and rock murals, but I’m sure they’ll provide amusement to some, in working out who’s who. (I was told local band The Cribs are in there somewhere.) At the business end of things, there were nine hand pumps on the go during my visit, plus one not in use. Ossett beers featured heavily, as you’d expect: ‘Yorkshire Blonde’, ‘Pale’, ‘Excelsior’ and ‘Big Red’. Also, one each from associate breweries Fernandes: ‘Centennial’ and Riverhead: ‘March Haigh’. The three guest ales were Atomic ‘Fusion’, Anglo-Dutch ‘Special’ and Phoenix ‘Black Bee’. As I was due to meet friends elsewhere, I only had time for one and opted for the ‘Black Bee’. It was in good condition and a decent temperature, as with most Ossett pubs. Service was a little curt, but it was the start of the bank holiday weekend and three deep at the bar. A good buzz from a large after work crowd would suggest that Ossett already have another hit on their hands, even without taking the music events into consideration. Regular jazz nights are every Thursday and cover bands play on Fridays and Saturdays. Finally, if walking down from Leeds station when visiting, I’d ignore the first sign that directs you into the tunnelled driveway. (A little isolated at the best of times.) Rather, continue down under the bridge to Little Neville Street, a little further on the right. Once you’ve crossed over the footbridge, The Hop is on the right. I’ll definitely visit again, as there are now four very good real ale venues close to each other (The Grove, Midnight Bell and Cross Keys.) A fantastic mini-crawl, if ever there was one.