Tartarus Beers are one of those breweries I found myself going back to again and again, almost without noticing.
I’d try one beer, then another, then a few more, and it slowly clicked; I was sat in the House of Ales micropub one day, drinking yet another Tartarus beer, and realised they’d joined my mental list of “safe bet” brewers. That’s why they’re my Brewery of the Year for 2025.
Tartarus Beers are based just outside Leeds, but they still feel firmly rooted in the heart of Yorkshire.
They’re a microbrewery producing small batch craft beer, and you can taste it in every glass, nothing feels mass-produced or soulless. Their beers feel like someone has taken the time to do them properly.
One of the first things you notice when you look at their beers is the mythical theme they use, every beer has a creature or legend tied to it, along with a unique name and some incredible can art; and these aren't throwaway designs, they’re detailed, creative, and part of what makes Tartarus stand out when people start talking about the best brewery conversations.
But every beer drinker knows this simple truth ... Great labels don’t mean anything if the beer inside doesn’t deliver. With Tartarus, that beautiful liquid absolutely does, the artwork pulls you in, but the beer is what keeps you coming back.
Over the past year I’ve tried a lot of their beers; different strengths, different styles, and I had the same reaction again and again, a little smile, quiet nod, and that internal voice saying, yeah, they’ve done it again.
They brew across loads of styles and they definitely don’t play it safe.
You’ll find darker beers, stronger releases, quirky specials, and more traditional options, they don't seem afraid to experiment, but it never feels like chaos or gimmicks, some bigger, more well-known brewers lean on gimmicks, Tartarus don’t ... everything feels controlled, thoughtful, and confident.
For me, the real hook has been their IPAs and Pale Ales, if you love hop-forward beer, this is where Tartarus starts creeping into best brewery territory. As I always say with their beers, they hop VERY well, the hop character is bold, layered, and clean,nNo muddled fruit salad flavours, just proper flavour that builds as you drink.
There’s always balance, and there should be with beers, there is always plenty of aroma and body, but nothing harsh or clumsy, you don’t get that rushed, unfinished taste you sometimes find elsewhere.
You get depth, patience, and the sense that someone genuinely cared from concept, to recipe, to brew day, fermentation and canning.
And then there’s the consistency ...that’s what really lifts them. Anyone can brew one brilliant beer (I think I've had one or two great homebrews), but doing it beer after beer, across styles, at this level, is something else.
There’s also something very Yorkshire about them, and I mean that in the best way - no shouting, no hype for hype’s sake, no big drama, just good beer, brewed well, with honesty, pride, and respect for the drinker. Each beer feels grounded, and I love that.
When I looked back over my reviews this year, Tartarus kept appearing in my thoughts. I realised I trust them completely, if I see their name on a shelf, I’m happy to spend my money.
That level of trust isn’t common, especially with so many craft breweries around.
So when it came to choosing my Brewery of the Year for 2025, it wasn’t a debate ... it felt obvious.
Tartarus Beers earned it, release after release. They impressed me with quality and consistency, not noise.
A quick and slightly emotional side note. My shortlist also included Phantom Brewing, but on the very day I made my decision, news came out that they were struggling and starting a restructuring process.
When they’re back on their feet, they’re definitely still one to watch.
If you’re hunting for one of the best breweries to explore in the UK right now, put Tartarus on your list.
Pick up an IPA, a pale ale, maybe a darker beer, maybe something mythical and weird, take your time with them, let the beer do the talking.
And to the team at Tartarus Beers, well done.
This isn’t about one standout beer ... it’s about a full year of great brewing, thoughtful choices, and a clear sense of identity.
I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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