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Friday, October 08, 2010

Veritas Ale & Wine Bar, Leeds


Leeds welcomed another set of beer pumps to choose from this week, with the opening of Veritas, situated on Great George Street, just behind the town hall. Market Town Taverns are known for their tasteful and stripped-back treatments of drinking dens, and Veritas follows that blueprint closely.

The paint only just dry, I popped in for a couple of beers. The good thing about MTT pubs is that you sort of know what to expect - no music, some decent bar food, and walls covered in repro vintage beer posters. On my visit, the staff were friendly, the place buzzing along nicely with a lunchtime crowd of suits, and some decent beers to choose from.


Despite being quite Northern-Centric, the range was good - Black Sheep Bitter, Thwaite's Wainwright, Ilkley's Black and Mary Jane, Tim Taylor's Best, Marston's Oyster Stout and Wharfebank Blond adorned the pumps, and there was the usual bottled range including Kuppers Kolsch, Veltins and Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout to name a few. In a pale sort of mood, I opted for two new, but tried-and-tested thirst-quenchers; the citrussy Mary Jane from Ilkley and the maltier, more floral Blond from Wharfebank. Both beers were in good nick , and I settled down for a quiet lunch with my head in the sports pages. Which is all I want, really. I'm a simple man.

Veritas seems like a decent addition to the circuit, and forms a nice little triangle in that part of town now along with comrades Foley's and The Vic, just down the road. On a related note, Ilkley wil be launching thier new oatmeal stout, Stout Mary, in conjuction with Market Town Taverns in the upcoming month. Keep an eye out.

9 comments:

Timbo said...

The Ilkley 'Stout Mary' was on the bar in the Star in Huddersfield last week. An excellent example of an oat stout, smooth and rich. Well worth hunting out..Timbo

Sarah said...

Did this place used to be the Hogs Head? Will pay a visit soon!

Leigh said...

Sarah - yes, it did. That was also the last time I was in it, circa 2000. God knows why i'd want to drink in the 'Waterhole Wine Bar'...

Bill said...

Of all the good points you have made you missed out the absolute rip off prices. Bill

Donk said...

Great tip, sounds like one to check out!
Rumour has it that MTT are opening a new premises in the Three Horseshoes in Otley too.
Speaking of Otley, have you tried the latest real ale pub - The Old Cock? Fantastic!

Leigh said...

Donk - the old cock is 'on the list' - read about it in last month's Tyke Taverner and was intruigued. A visit will be paid shortly! Bill - thanks for the comment....

Leigh said...

Donk - the old cock is 'on the list' - read about it in last month's Tyke Taverner and was intruigued. A visit will be paid shortly! Bill - thanks for the comment....

Neil, Eating isn't Cheating said...

Nice review!

I like the balance between ale bar/restaurent/bistro this place has.

It featured in an article I wrote about the best places for food and beer in Leeds. You can have a read here if you want: www.eatingisntcheating.blogspot.com

great blog by the way, I've read it for a while and will tonight add you to my 'blogs I read' section on the above.

Leigh said...

Neil - nice to meet you - thanks for the linkage, will check your blog out!