Northern Monk arrived during the first major wave of modern UK craft beer and somehow managed to become both hugely popular and still fairly well respected, which is harder than it sounds.

Founded in Leeds in 2013, the brewery built its identity around hop-forward pale ales, collaborations and strong branding rooted in northern culture without becoming unbearably nostalgic about it. Faith became one of the defining British hazy pale ales for a reason. Soft, juicy and approachable enough that people who “didn’t like IPA” suddenly realised maybe they actually did.

The beers themselves cover a broad range now. Modern pale ales and IPAs remain central, packed with citrus and tropical fruit character, but the brewery also produces strong stouts, lagers and occasional mixed-fermentation projects. Even the bigger beers usually retain balance underneath the hype and adjuncts.

What made Northern Monk particularly influential was the way they built community around the brewery. Refectory spaces, collaborations with artists and musicians and a very visible connection to Leeds all helped the brewery feel rooted somewhere real rather than simply existing online.

The UK craft scene changed massively after breweries like Northern Monk appeared. Better freshness, broader styles and far more people drinking quality beer casually rather than purely as enthusiasts.