Harrogate Brewing Co has won the region's best beer at the 2025 Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards.
The long-established local brewery took home the top spot for its Harrogate Best Bitter at this year’s event, which celebrates Yorkshire’s thriving food and drink industry.
The annual awards have grown to become the largest of their kind in the North of England, attracting hundreds of entries across 26 categories from businesses across the county.
Judging took place over the summer, led by Head Judge and artisan food champion Nigel Barden.
The expert panel included chefs, industry specialists, writers and supermarket buyers, who tasted and assessed every entry before selecting the finalists announced in September.
Winners were revealed this week at a black-tie dinner that showcased a menu featuring many of the shortlisted products.
Alongside the product and business awards, the event also recognised the Rising Star winner, the 2025 Judy Bell Yorkshire Food Hero, and the overall Supreme Product Champion.
Harrogate Brewing Co, run by Joe and Julie Joyce with their daughter Martha, impressed judges with the quality and depth of its Harrogate Best Bitter.
The beer was praised as “complex and intriguing with a nose that beckons you on,” offering “a multi-layered mouthful packed full of flavour, followed by a long, satisfying and gently bitter finish.”
The family-run brewery operates a popular Tap Room and recently acquired The Old Bell Tavern in Harrogate, where they serve their range of beers alongside a new food menu designed by chef James North.
Head Judge Nigel Barden said the awards highlight the strength and innovation of Yorkshire’s food and drink sector.
He said:
“The Taste Awards are a real testament to the strength of our industry here in Yorkshire. It’s great to see that businesses here in God’s own county continue to innovate, collaborate and thrive, producing products of such a high standard.”
Other 2025 Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards winners included:
- Best Bakery Product: Bondgate Bakery – Fruity Muesli Bread
- Best Beverage (Cold): Equinox Organic Kombucha – Pink Grapefruit & Guava
- Best Beverage (Hot): Dark Woods Coffee – Colombia Villa Betulia Maragesha
- Best Cheese & Dairy: St Helen’s Farm – Goats Butter
- Best Confectionery: Mallowdramatic – Malted Caramel Popcorn Marshmallow
- Best Fish & Seafood: Yorkshire Speciality Foods – Traditionally Cured Gravadlax
- Best Free From: The British Premium Sausage Company – Gluten Free Cumberland Sausage
- Best Fresh Meat: Lishman’s of Ilkley – Heritage Breed T-Bone Steak
- Best Ice Cream: Ryeburn of Helmsley – Mango & Passion Fruit Frozen Yoghurt
- Best Pantry Product: Blacker Hall Farm Shop – Korean BBQ Sauce
- Best Pork Pie: J A Mounfield & Son – 1lb Pork Pie
- Best Prepared Meat (Cold): Lishman’s of Ilkley – Pork, Pepper & Garlic Salami
- Best Prepared Meat (Hot): Anna’s Happy Trotters – Free Range Guanciale
- Best Ready to Eat: Anna’s Happy Trotters – Free Range Sausage Roll
- Best Savoury Condiment: YoYo Laos Sauce – Pineapple, Chilli & Roasted Pepper Sauce
- Best Spirit: Fairfax Distillery – Black Tom Gin
- Best Sustainable Product: Soanes Poultry – Higher Welfare Whole Chicken
- Best Sweet Spreads & Preserves: Rosalind’s Larder – Blueberry, Pinot Noir & Liquorice Jam
- Best Independent Retailer: Cedarbarn Farm Shop
- Best New Business: The Yorkshire Deli
- Best Use of Local Produce on a Menu: Elsworth at the Mill
- Best Wholesaler: Grandma Wild’s
- Rising Star Award: Chris Hobson – The View Restaurant
- Judy Bell Yorkshire Food Hero Award: David Lishman – Master Butcher
- Supreme Product Champion: Bondgate Bakery – Fruity Muesli Bread
Read more about this year's winners online here.
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