The story so far ...
It all started on January 26th 2011 with a "flash in the pan" idea which led to "can this be done?" The plan was created and the hunting began for a suitable venue, where customers far and wide could to get to and park with ease. A place to where brewers from across the North could deliver. The name was created after realising that "Yorkshire Bottle" is a gas bottle company in Doncaster. We thought of something different and what better than Beer House but wanted to give it that Belgium/Dutch feel and so Bier Huis was born. After much empty shop hunting, for one which ticked all the boxes, our place in Ossett was signed and sealed - although it took time! We had hoped to be ready and open for July 2011, but sadly one of neighbours were none too keen. After emails back and forth the landlord agreed and we were in.
We pre opened on June 26th 2011 at Ossett's Farmers' Market. This was a huge success and we kept doing this, along with other markets, 'til we opened on Saturday 26th November 2011. At the time of opening we had about 130 beers and ciders in stock. Now we have almost 500!
We have grown the business each year in terms of sales, products and events. During this time we have completed a number of special projects including having exclusive beer brewed for us. The first UK stockist of Rabarcello and Rhucello. We have had many "Meet the Brewer" nights including a brewery launch. We've gone live to Antwerp Belgium beer day fest. and hosted our own Oktoberfest. This hard work has given us an every growing loyal customer base and from this we have gone on to be nominated for many local and national awards. With this we are still looking at how to improve and whichwhat beers to bring in and more. The licence of the shop was changed in November 2014 to allow us to give us more flexibility with Sunday opening and hosting more in shop events. This now has also allowed us to not only sell draught beer and cider to take away which we have done since day 1 long before the hype of the growler but now to allow you to sit down and enjoy a beer before deciding what beers to take home with you.
We thank you all who have supported us so far and if you haven't been as yet then next time your passing pop in and see what you can discover.
AWARDS
2014 Wakefield Retail Awards - Best Specialist Retailer - Finalist
2014 Ossett Civic Trust Retail award
2015 Drinks Retailing awards - Best Independent Beer retailer Finalist
2015 Wakefield Retail Awards - Best Food Retailer Highly Commended Honour
2016 Wakefield CAMRA Cider pub of the year
2016 Celebrate British Beer Awards Finalist
2017 CAMRA Good Beer Guide
2017 Drinks Retailing Awards - Best Independent Beer retailer Finalist
2017 Drinks Retailing Awards - Best Independent Cider retailer Winner
2017 Wakefield Business Awards - Best Independent retailer Winner
2018 Drinks Retailing Awards - Best Independent Cider retailer Finalist
2018 Wakefield Business Awards - Best Independent retailer Winner
2018 CAMRA Good Beer Guide
2019 Drinks Retailing Awards - Best Independent Cider retailer Finalist
2019 Think Gin Awards - Best Independent Gin retailer Finalist
2019 Wakefield Business Awards - Leisure & Retailer Highly commended
2020 CAMRA Good Beer Guide
2020 Drinks Retailing Awards - Best Independent Cider retailer Finalist
2020 SIBA Awards - Best Independent beer retailer finalist
2021 CAMRA Good Beer Guide
2021 Wakefield CAMRA Cider pub of the year
2022 CAMRA Good Beer Guide
2022 SIBA Awards - Best Independent beer retailer finalist
2022 Drinks Retailing Awards - Best Independent Beer & Cider retailer Finalist
2022 UK Enterprise Awards 2022 - Best Specialty Beverage Retailer
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AS SEEN OR HEARD IN THE MEDIA
BBC Radio 4 - Sunday Programme feature on Ampleforth Abbey
BBC Radio Leeds - Feature on strong beers
BBC Radio Leeds - Mid Morning Show feature on bier huis
BBC Radio Leeds - Breakfast show feature on the world cup
BBC Radio Leeds - Coronoavirus crisis within business
BBC Radio Leeds - Rhubarb festival feature
BBC Look North - Feature on event we attended where our stall can be seen
BBC Look North - Rhubarb festival
Channel 4 - Come dine with me Beers provided for one of the guests
Channel 4 - Sunday Brunch Simon Rimmer showcasing Ilkley Siberia purchased from us at Rhubarb Festival