Yarndale, Skipton's popular annual wool and yarn festival, is taking place at Skipton Auction Mart on 28th and 29th September.
Known for its vibrant atmosphere, the event attracts thousands of visitors from all across the UK and the world to browse, buy, and enjoy various workshops and demonstrations by a wide array of exhibitors.
This year, a new initiative will mean that visitors to the town as well as local residents over the show weekend will be able to enjoy a pint of an exclusive new Yarndale beer called Brenda and an accompanying YarndALE trail.
This bespoke beer is the result of a unique partnership between Yarndale, Carleton Brewing Co and Skipton Business Improvement District (BID) and is named after the 2024 Yarndale mascot, Brenda.
The beer is being brewed by Carleton Brewing Co; a nano brewery which is 100% voluntary and has a team of around half a dozen keeping the beers brewed and the pubs topped up.
The team is passionate about their beer making and all their beers are named after people’s first-names, so it was the perfect choice for this new venture.
It also aligns with the three objectives of Skipton BID; to improve the economic opportunities for businesses, increase footfall and spend and market the town locally and regionally.
Kate Beard of the Yarndale team said,
“We’re really excited to launch Brenda Beer and we hope that visitors to Skipton over the show weekend and local residents will enjoy it.
"Because people can leave the show and return, we are encouraging people to head into town and enjoy a pint, maybe with a spot of lunch.
"It’s important to Emma Sandoe and myself that the show benefits the local economy which is why we’re delighted to be working with Skipton BID on this initiative.
“Last year we worked with Sarah from the BID on a Find the Fleecy Flock trail around town where we hid all the 12 Yarndale mascots and had a competition to find them.
"We are always looking at bringing additionality to the event and brewing an exclusive ale in partnership with a local nano brewery seemed to be the perfect solution.”
Brenda Beer is an Extra Pale Ale with the extra pale malt used in this beer giving it the lightest of colour.
The juicy centennial hops give piney and floral notes alongside amarillo which imparts a spicy citrus flavour- plus a hit of orange and lemon from the huge citra dry hop.
The result is an outstanding refreshing real ale with just the right amount of bitterness.
Brett Butler from Carleton Brewing Co said:
“We were thrilled to be asked to be involved with the YarndALE trail.
"We were only established formally in January of 2024, so to be approached to develop an exclusive ale for the event was a huge surprise”.
The YarndALE trail will be available in town with the support of the local pubs; Skipton is lucky to have a number of independent bars which have the flexibility to stock a variety of ales.
As Carleton Brewing Co is a nano brewery, only five casks could be produced making Brenda Beer an exclusive ale. It will only be available the week of the show in five different locations around the town.
Sarah Howsen, Skipton BID Manager said
“One of the core principles of Skipton BID is to ensure the businesses in the town benefit from the economic impact of events.
"Working in partnership with an award-winning event and two amazing local organisations to raise awareness of Skipton and the fantastic businesses in the town was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down.
“You will be able to pick up a map and explore the town and find Brenda. To extend the trail you can enjoy other sheep themed beers in other locations around town. It really will be a celebration of all things woolly!”
Tickets for Yarndale are available at: www.yarndale.co.uk. For more information about Skipton BID, visit: www.skiptonbid.com.
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