Having just celebrated 15 years in business, award-winning Ilkley Brewery is about to launch its first-ever taproom with rotating cask ales and a new food menu in the heart of the town.

It’s been a special year for Ilkley Brewery and to mark their 15th anniversary, they are rolling out the barrel again with the arrival of their first bar, The Ilkley Tap.

Taking over the former Joel’s Kitchen and Bar on The Grove Promenade, the new venture marks the first of its kind for the business and co-owner Luke Raven says they can’t wait to open the doors and bring an extensive range of beers, wines and food to punters.

Luke has revealed the tap room, which has just opened, will feature over 20 beer taps including some of Ilkley Brewery’s top-selling cask ales.

It will also feature rotating specials on its 12-tap wall, including a dedicated alcohol-free line,  a carefully selected wine list supplied by fellow award-winning business Martinez Fine Wines,  plus an exciting fresh menu of small Italian plates from the team at Stuzzi.

In the last 15 years, the brewery has brewed 17.5 million pints with 365 different beers featured and the arrival of their first bar is a fitting tribute to their continued success.

Well known for its vast variety of draft, canned and barrel-aged beers, Ilkley Brewery has established itself not only locally but internationally having taken the world by storm since first launching its Mary Jane session pale back in 2009.

The brewery welcomed HRH Princess Anne in 2012. who unveiled their new site on Ashland Road and they even brewed a special beer for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee that year, which was listed in Harvey Nichols and exported to the US. Bespoke brews have since been commissioned for Harewood House, The Savoy, M&S and Booths.

Over the years there has also been collaborations with breweries in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Ukraine and around the world, as well as with many UK breweries and as they celebrate their 15th birthday there has already been eight brand new beers designed and released this year already.

Luke added: “It’s been an incredible journey to get to this point. From a homebrew kit in a garage and winning a national award in our first year, to the launch of our first bar is beyond what anybody could have imagined.

“I am so proud of everyone involved, and in particular our current team who work tirelessly to ensure the best pint is brewed, shipped and enjoyed. Fifteen years is just the beginning!”

“We are now looking forward to bringing our first ever tap room to the town where guests will be treated to over 20 beer taps, an extensive wine list and a food menu that will range from bar nibbles to brunches and Sunday roasts and we look forward to welcoming everybody through our doors.”

In 15 years Ilkley Brewery has brewed:

• 17.5 million pints. That is enough to fill four      Olympic swimming pools.

• 365 different beers. That’s an average of two new beers every month.

• Been awarded over 100 local, regional, national and international awards.

• Exported to 15 countries.

• Seven supermarkets listings in UK and listed in France, Italy, Finland and Sweden.

The Ilkley Tap, 60 The Grove Promenade, Ilkley LS29 9PA