Your once-a-week dose of retail therapy from Singletrack’s Premier Dealers, stockists and advertisers:
Tuesday Treats gives you a quality serving of independent bike retailing and a chance to win big in this week’s prize draw.
This week, we revisit Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery.
Okay, okay, we know – Tuesday Treats is very quickly starting to feel a bit like a ‘Drink beer at your desk Friday’ promotion. Well, here’s to longing for the bell on Friday afternoon, anyway.
Today, we’re revisiting the crew responsible for brewing real ale in our good name. The MTB mad lot at Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, one year on, continue to go from strength to strength. Stu Taylor’s been riding his bike in anger too. Cheers!
If you have just stumbled upon us, we’re a Micro Brewery established in 2009 and situated in Kirkby Lonsdale (at the foot of the South Lakes where Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire meet).
We’re in the Old Station Yard, just on the outskirts of town. We brew a range of cracking cask beers in a variety of different styles from sessionable bitters, cloudy Wiess beer to Imperial IPAs at 8.2%. We’re also rather pleased to have hooked up with the makers of some fine MTB material which resulted in the creation of the Singletrack Flowy Ale.
What’s the riding like on your doorstep?
We ride right out of the backdoor of the brewery up and over Bullpot and into Barbondale. This can be a short blast or an epic hike-a-bike onto valley tops, depending how loud the pub is calling! We are also only a half hour away from Gisburn Forest which we regularly squeeze a ride in after a hard brew-day.
JLO our drayman/brewer (he’s still renowned for having a snooze in laybys round here), supports me as head brewer and we’re joined by Andy in sales and Ben, our part-time brewer.
What’s hot, product-wise?
Our best selling beer is still our Monumental Blonde 4.5%. It’s a citrusy, floral ale which we have been brewing for four years. Singletrack Flowy Ale continues to do rather well, recently being awarded Gold & Silver awards at Norfolk & Lancaster beer festivals, with Singletrack Black also bagging a Silver! If you’re desperate to get your hands on our product, we do limited bottle batches direct from our HQ here.
What was the last custom build you did?
Lets go ‘Custom Brew’ again! We rolled out ‘Winter Sun’ this year which is a super pale refreshing ale (3.2%) and is full of summer memories. We’re also working on some extra curricular development ales, including something wheat derived, to support the new grit.cx site and mag.
What’s changed since we last checked in?
We’ve got plans in at advanced planning stages, to create a brewery visitor centre and bar with various MTB memorabilia added to the mix in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale and I’ve been busy myself, riding out at the Trans-Savoie, spreading the Kirkby Lonsdale message through the only way we know how … the bottle.
Have you have chance to try out the new wheel size yet?
Absolutely. I’m well into the bigger wheels myself, currently riding a Stanton Sherpa 29er hardtail which is a trail slaying weapon. The Santa Cruz Bronson C 27.5″ do anything/ride everything bike is the other favourite of the moment.
How can we keep up to date with all things KLB?
We’re over on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
Is there a regular shop ride or forthcoming event you think our readers should know about?
We ride on Thursday nights in and around the local trails and usually one of the days at a weekend with whoever we can, or solo days out in them hills up yonder.
What tea bags do you use?
Tea bags? Seriously, come on. Tea? That’s always a last resort around here.
Lastly, remind us. What do Singletrack Premier Subscribers get from you guys?
For Singletrack readers specifically and to be redeemed at The Orange Tree Hotel in Kirkby Lonsdale, buy any 3 pints or bottles of KL Brewery beer and get 2 free.
Tuesday Treats Prize Draw
Click here to win this week’s prize!