Northern Monk

The brewery began in a domestic kitchen before moving in 2014 into The Old Flax Store, a Grade II listed mill in the Holbeck district of Leeds. A second, larger production facility opened in 2017, significantly expanding brewing capacity. Northern Monk has raised over £1.5 million through crowdfunding to fund that growth, remaining independently owned throughout.

The alcohol-free range launched in 2020 using a low-alcohol yeast strain rather than dealcoholisation (the process of brewing beer at full strength and then stripping the alcohol out afterwards), which preserves body and flavour from the start. The AF lineup spans hazy pale ales, IPAs, and lagers, alongside a rotating series of seasonal and limited-edition releases. Core AF products reach mainstream supermarkets as well as specialist alcohol-free retailers, whilst limited seasonal releases are available through specialist channels and directly from the brewery.

Northern Monk sits in the premium bracket for craft AF beer, consistent with its positioning across the full catalogue. The combination of an independently owned heritage brewery, a crowdfunded ownership base, and a process-led approach to AF production gives the range a credibility within craft beer circles that few equivalent AF programmes can match. Sober-curious drinkers after craft-brewery provenance and progressive styles have a deepening range to explore across the Northern Monk AF lineup.