OTLEY Pub Club is to hold an alcohol-free beer tasting evening in conjunction with Ilkley Brewery.

The event will take place at The Rookery, Kirkgate, Otley from 7.3pm to 9.30pm on Thursday, January 27.

The evening will be compered by Luke Raven, a director of award-winning local independent brewery, Ilkley Brewery who will introduce each beer, including two of Ilkley’s alcohol free beers, Virgin Mary and Nowt Mary as well as alcohol free beers from other breweries.

A spokesman said: "In January, pubs and brewers need support more than ever, even more so this year after a very difficult December, so Otley Pub Club are organising the tasting evening to get the message across that you can and should still support pubs and local breweries even if you are not drinking alcohol. Alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers are the fastest growing category in the beer sector – and these days many of them actually taste great. All beers at the Otley Pub Club event classify as alcohol free (which in the UK means 0.0% to 0.5% alcohol).

"Many people are doing (or attempting) Dry January, but with pubs offering more alcohol-free drinks, as well as being about far more than just having an alcoholic drink, people can carry on supporting their local pubs. Alongside Dry January, beer fans organise Tryanuary every year, encouraging people to try new beers every January and the unique Otley event allows being to take part if they are doing either or both."

Tickets are £4 and are available via EventBrite (who charge 76p admin fee) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alcohol-free-beer-tasting-evening-with-ilkley-brewery-at-the-rookery-otley-tickets-247065257837

Rob Skinner, Chair of Otley Pub Club said: “We are excited to present this unique alcohol-free beer tasting event and delighted that the award-winning Ilkley Brewery are hosting it. January is the toughest time for pubs and we want to get the message out that people can and should continue to support our pubs and small brewers even if they are not drinking alcohol.

“There are more and more alcohol-free options, as well as food, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Plus whether or not you are drinking alcohol, you can continue to enjoy a beer, including from excellent local breweries, in our important local pubs.”

Luke Raven, Director of Ilkley Brewery said:“It’s a great idea to have an alcohol-free beer tasting evening, to show people the quality and range and alcohol-free beers these days and we are delighted to be hosting the Otley Pub Club event. Alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers are the fastest growing category in the beer sector and sales, and in fact our own Virgin Mary is now our 3rd biggest selling beer.

“We look forward to an enjoyable evening at The Rookery and hope that more people see that there are great beer options for them even if they aren’t drinking alcohol, which will help support pubs and brewers."