North Brewing Co has announced a series of beer collaborations with Leeds 2023, celebrating culture across the city.
The first of these beers,Waking the Artist, launched nationwide on Wednesday. The beer label was born out of Leeds 2023’s call for local artist submissions, as part of a project called The Awakening. The chosen design, Mood, by Claudia Bowler, has been reproduced on the beer label, spanning the whole canvas of the can.
Leeds 2023 decided to crack on with the City of Culture plans, despite not being the official winner of the Europe-wide competition.
North Brewing took inspiration from the spirit of Leeds 2023’s mission to make culture accessible to all when deciding on the style of the beer.
The brewers designed a 4.2% ABV pale ale using Citra, El Dorado, and Centennial hops, with a focus on drinkability and refreshment. The hops bring flavours of mango, candied orange, and pink grapefruit, resulting in a tropical burst as vibrant and energetic as Leeds itself.
The beer is available across North’s family of bar,s which stretch across Leeds and West Yorkshire, and also include Birmingham and Manchester. Online shoppers can get their hands on a can via the North website, and the beer will be making its way to a series of bars celebrating culture in the city. Look out for its appearance at Leeds 2023’s WOW Barn in May!
“Art and culture has always been a massive part of what we do at North,” said brewery co-founder, John Gyngell. “From the designs of our cans to the exhibitions in our bars to the people who we work with.
“When we heard that Leeds 2023 were going ahead with their City of Culture plans, we jumped at the chance to be involved. I cannot wait to relax with a Waking the Artist at a cultural event this spring.”
Heather Thornton, from Leeds 2023, added: “It’s really exciting to see Leeds 2023 collaborating with North Brewing on a new Waking the Artist beer. The Waking the Artist Project led on from the fantastic ballot entries at the Awakening and it’s really showed how creative the people of Leeds are.
“We’re thrilled that the North Brewing x Leeds2023 will be the final piece of the project, and the people of Leeds can make a cheers to creativity!”
