Timothy Taylor & Co. Ltd. - Knowle Spring Brewery, Keighley, History, Details, Photographs

Timothy Taylor began brewing beer in Cook Lane in the West Riding town of Keighley. He clearly struck upon a successful formula for in 1863 he set up and built a larger brewery at Knowle Spring where the company has remained ever since. A key factor in the success of Taylor's ales is the spring water that wells up from deep under the Pennines which is still used today to produce their traditional cask ales. The brewery remains in the Taylor family and is now the last independent brewery of its type left in West Yorkshire. This independence has enabled Taylor's to survive as one of the few brewers still brewing true cask ales in the same way it has always done. Taylor's beer have won many awards and world-wide acclaim. The Landlord won the 1999 Champion British Ale at the CAMRA Olympia Festival and this was not the first time it had won this prestigious award. © Copyright. Images supplied by Digital Photographic Images. Landlord Bitter 4.3% Madonna's favourite tipple is Landlord Bitter. This multi-Champion Beer of Britain is quite splendid with its full-flavoured balance of hops and fruit. A classic strong pale ale, Landlord has won more awards nationally than any other beer. This includes four times as Champion at the Brewers' International Exhibition and three times as CAMRA’s beer of the year. Bitter 4.0% A well-balanced, genuine Yorkshire Bitter with a full measure of maltiness and hoppy aroma. The only problem is that it is rarely seen in the Midlands' region unless, of course, you know different - anyone seen this as a regular beer in any pub other than the Green Dragon at Bishop's Frome? Dark Mild 3.5% This rich and creamy dark mild is a consistent award-winning ale. As the title suggests, it's a dark brown ale with caramel overtones. Quite a bitter and sweet combination. It is especially popular in East Lancashire. Golden Best 3.5% I enjoyed some fantastic pints of this light mild when on holiday in the Pennines but have yet to see it on sale in the Midlands. Anyway, if you spot this buy several pints because the amber coloured is simply divine. It has a lovely hoppy flavour with a hint of fruit. At 3.5% it can make a really good session ale. Porter 3.8% This is only sold by special order so you'll be lucky to find it in your local. It is a unique, sweet, malty stout with glorious colour. Ram Tam 4.3% A dark, strong beer that has a reputation as a 'Winter Warmer'. Wholesome and satisfying, this mellow beer has body and depth, leaving a pleasant fruity afterglow.		If you have a genealogy story or query regarding this brewery you can contact me and I will post it here in addition to including your message within the website pages for Staffordshire Genealogy. “Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.” Jack Handey

Timothy Taylor began brewing beer in Cook Lane in the West Riding town of Keighley. He clearly struck upon a successful formula for in 1863 he set up and built a larger brewery at Knowle Spring where the company has remained ever since.

A key factor in the success of Taylor's ales is the spring water that wells up from deep under the Pennines which is still used today to produce their traditional cask ales. The brewery remains in the Taylor family and is now the last independent brewery of its type left in West Yorkshire. This independence has enabled Taylor's to survive as one of the few brewers still brewing true cask ales in the same way it has always done.

Taylor's beer have won many awards and world-wide acclaim. The Landlord won the 1999 Champion British Ale at the CAMRA Olympia Festival and this was not the first time it had won this prestigious award.
© Copyright. Images supplied by Digital Photographic Images.

Landlord Bitter 4.3%
Madonna's favourite tipple is Landlord Bitter. This multi-Champion Beer of Britain is quite splendid with its full-flavoured balance of hops and fruit. A classic strong pale ale, Landlord has won more awards nationally than any other beer. This includes four times as Champion at the Brewers' International Exhibition and three times as CAMRA’s beer of the year.

Bitter 4.0%
A well-balanced, genuine Yorkshire Bitter with a full measure of maltiness and hoppy aroma. The only problem is that it is rarely seen in the Midlands' region unless, of course, you know different - anyone seen this as a regular beer in any pub other than the Green Dragon at Bishop's Frome?

Dark Mild 3.5%
This rich and creamy dark mild is a consistent award-winning ale. As the title suggests, it's a dark brown ale with caramel overtones. Quite a bitter and sweet combination. It is especially popular in East Lancashire.

Golden Best 3.5%
I enjoyed some fantastic pints of this light mild when on holiday in the Pennines but have yet to see it on sale in the Midlands. Anyway, if you spot this buy several pints because the amber coloured is simply divine. It has a lovely hoppy flavour with a hint of fruit. At 3.5% it can make a really good session ale.

Porter 3.8%
This is only sold by special order so you'll be lucky to find it in your local. It is a unique, sweet, malty stout with glorious colour.

Ram Tam 4.3%
A dark, strong beer that has a reputation as a 'Winter Warmer'. Wholesome and satisfying, this mellow beer has body and depth, leaving a pleasant fruity afterglow.

If you have a genealogy story or query regarding this brewery you can contact me and I will post it here in addition to including your message within the website pages for Staffordshire Genealogy.

Jack Handey
“Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.”
Jack Handey

History of Timothy Taylor & Co. Ltd. of the Knowle Spring Brewery at Keighley in the county of Yorkshire. Research is augmented with photographs, beer labels, pump clips, stories of local folklore, newspaper articles and a genealogy connections section for those studying their family history.