ONLY beers made in the town will be sold at next month’s inaugural Ilkley Beer Week.

The town’s two beer-makers are joining forces to stage the seven-day event from Sunday November 9 until Saturday, November 16.

The week will mark the tenth anniversary of Ilkley Brewery, which is based on Ashlands Road, whilst The Flying Duck public house on Church Street, which is also home to Wharfedale Brewery, is celebrating its sixth birthday.

The beer week will take place at The Flying Duck with Olicanian Cricket Club, whose pavilion was torched by arsonists in August, benefitting from two fund raising evenings.

These include a Fray Bentos pie night and a Questions and Answers evening with former Bradford City, Leeds United and Middlesbrough footballer John Hendrie, who is giving up his time to help. Both events are ticket only at a cost of £5 each from the pub, all of which will go towards the cricket club’s new pavilion fund.

A wide range of other events are planned, including a quiz night where all the questions are about Ilkley and an evening where beers will be sold at 2009 prices.

Ilkley Brewery director Luke Raven said: “We’ve been collaborating with the Wharfedale Brewery on things for a few years now and that’s gone really well so a week where only Ilkley beers are served makes a lot of sense.”

Jonathan Shepherd of the Wharfedale Brewery said: “We wanted to do something for the Ollies after the shocking attack on their pavilion and after putting our heads together with our neighbours at Ilkley Brewery, we came up with the idea of a launching an Ilkley Beer Week that would celebrate ten years since brewing returned to the town, whilst also raising some funds for a very worthy cause”

The week will feature nine ales with each of the breweries showcasing four beers, plus a ninth collaborative brew - Ilkley/Wharfedale XPA.

“We’re really excited about the week which, we hope, may become an annual event and we hope to raise lots of cash for the Olicanian Cricket Club’s pavilion building fund,” added Mr Shepherd.

Mr Raven added: “We think this will be the first time since brewing returned to Ilkley that one pub has served only beers made in the town and we’re looking forward to what will be a hectic but exciting week.”

The following events are planned for the week: Sunday: Open Mic Night; Monday: 2009 Price Roll Back; Tuesday: The Ilkley Quiz; Wednesday: Fray Bentos - Olicanian CC Fundraiser; Thursday: John Hendrie Q&A - Olicanian CC Fundraiser; Friday: Live music from Julian Socha; Saturday: Sounds from the 80’s (fancy dress optional); Further details can be found on The Flying Duck’s facebook page or at https://www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk/events/