BRADFORD’S new Bishop visited Keighley’s world-famous Timothy Taylor’s brewery on a scorching hot spring day... and never touched a drop.

Bishop Toby Howarth was staying as a guest of the Keighley Deanery as part of his plan to taste life across the district and was given a tour of the brewery which has been on site since 1858.

Head brewer Peter Eells gave a guided walk around the historic Knowle Spring site yesterday, where water is still drawn from a deep natural well.

A £12 million improvement and expansion scheme was completed last summer at the site.

“I think Timothy Taylor’s points out that there is still room for niche markets if people have the vision and creativity to make it happen,” Bishop Toby said.

Bishop Toby had earlier visited award-winning manufacturer Airedale Springs and paid them similar compliments.

Mr Eells explained how hops were added to the brew like herbs to a stew and Bishop Toby recalled how his mother had worked at hop-picker.

that even with so many traditional methods being put under serious pressure in this day and age,