So Farsley, so good

It’s near impossible to overstate the charm of Sunny Bank Mills, with the iconic, tastefully restored 200-year-old textile mill in Farsley, West Leeds, today housing an eclectic mix of independent businesses, galleries, eateries and artists' studios. Amongst them, of course, you’ll find our friends at Amity Brew Co, a brewery so dedicated to its surroundings, that various beers in its core range — for example, Sunnybank APA, Festoon Lager and Red Lane Extra Special Bitter — are named after buildings around the mill’s complex.  

With all three of the brewery’s directors, Russell and Verity Clarke, and Richard Degnan, all living locally to the mill, their interest in and commitment to the Farsley community has underpinned all four years which Amity have now been operating. Going beyond brewing exceptional beer, Amity Brew Co actively participates in local initiatives, supporting the community orchard, summer festival, and food waste charities. For example Farsley Flyers, a local running group, not only meets weekly in the taproom but also brewed a co-branded beer with Amity. The brewery’s taproom also stocks local suppliers like Mill Kitchen and Farsley Fire and Smoke, and stocks locally sourced gin, wine and rum.

Amity is currently in planning mode for its annual beer festival AmityFest (5-7 July) with 13 breweries including Duration, Future State and Sierra Nevada coming along for the three day extravaganza. Its ambitious five-year plan includes the establishment of a large production site, further taproom expansion, and exploration of on-trade and export avenues.