Brew York Review 2026: York’s Best-Kept Craft Brewery

Brew York has to be Yorks best-kept secret. I love living in York, it’s a beautiful city. The only problem is that everyone else agrees that it’s a beautiful city. Everyone knows there are loads of cool places to eat and drink so on a Saturday, we get trainloads of people coming to drink and eat.

This is great but means a lot of our favourite places to drink are a no-go on a Saturday, we tend to hang around the edge of York and avoid those bars that are on the way to and from the station, as that’s where most of the ‘tourist drinkers’ go.

About Brew York

Brew York is a craft brewery in York, England. It was founded in 2016 by Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham with the goal of creating exciting and unique beers that showcase their passion for brewing.

Brew York has quickly gained recognition for its diverse range of beers, innovative recipes, and eye-catching can designs. They produce a wide variety of beer styles, including IPAs, pale ales, stouts, sours, and experimental brews. Their beers often feature creative flavour combinations, using a range of ingredients to produce interesting and memorable taste profiles.

The brewery takes pride in using high-quality ingredients and brewing techniques to ensure the best possible flavours in their beers. They focus on both traditional brewing methods and experimentation, allowing them to push the boundaries and create distinct brews that stand out in the craft beer market.

Brew York’s commitment to quality and creativity has been widely recognised in the industry. They have received numerous awards for their beers, including accolades from prestigious beer competitions such as the World Beer Awards and the International Beer Challenge. They have continued to pick up awards through the early 2020s and remain one of the most recognised independent breweries in the north of England.

In addition to its brewing operations, Brew York operates a taproom and brewery shop in York, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy their beers in a welcoming and vibrant environment. The taproom offers a rotating selection of their beers on tap, giving customers a chance to experience the full range of Brew York’s offerings.

Our Visit to Brew York

Last Saturday when we went out my boyfriend mentioned Brew York and said it’s a place he wanted to go to. So we went.

Brew York can be found at the Enterprise Complex, Walmgate. It’s tucked away and I’m pretty confident you wouldn’t stumble across it by chance, which makes it a perfect spot to escape the crowds that fill the more obvious bars in the centre.

The brewery has a rotating selection of cask and keg beers on tap alongside cider — the line-up changes regularly, which is half the fun. Check their website or social channels for what’s pouring before you visit.

If you’re ever in York and want to check out some of the local beer, then Brew York is the place to visit!

Brew York is one of those places that makes living in York feel like a proper privilege. It’s been going since 2016 and it keeps getting better — new beers, new awards, and still tucked away enough that it hasn’t been swallowed up by the tourist circuit. If you’re coming to York and you want one drink that feels genuinely local, make it here.

Want more places to drink in York? Check out my ultimate guide to York.

FAQs About Brew York

Where is Brew York in York?

Brew York is at Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, York, YO1 9TT. It’s a short walk from the city centre but off the main tourist drag, which is exactly why it’s worth making the effort.

Is Brew York free to visit?

Yes — there’s no entry charge to visit the taproom. You just pay for your drinks.

What beers does Brew York make?

Brew York brews a wide range of styles including IPAs, pale ales, stouts, sours, and seasonal specials. The tap list rotates, so there’s usually something new to try.

Can you buy Brew York beers to take home?

Yes — the brewery shop stocks cans and bottles to take away. Their beers are also available in various independent shops across York and online.

Is Brew York dog-friendly?

Brew York has generally been welcoming to dogs — worth checking their social media for the current policy before bringing yours along.

How is Brew York different from BrewDog?

Brew York is a fully independent York brewery, founded locally in 2016 and still brewing on site. BrewDog was a Scottish chain with a bar on Micklegate that closed permanently in 2025. Brew York is the real deal.