When ordering your favourite beer, have you ever wondered how it was made?

How hops, barley, malt and other ingredients were transformed into golden ales or dark, brooding porters?

Well the good news is, Yorkshire has a wealth of opportunities for you to find out.

These five breweries, all less than two hours from Huddersfield, offer fascinating tours of their facilities (and the chance to taste some of their wares, of course).

Here are five brewery tours to boost your ale knowledge:

Black Sheep Brewery

Black Sheep Brewery
Black Sheep Brewery

One of Yorkshire's most famous breweries welcomes tour groups to see how Black Sheep ales are brewed — and offers a tasty lunch or dinner in its taproom afterwards. Based in the pretty market town of Masham, the brewery's visitor centre is open Monday to Wedneasday 10am-5pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am-11pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. Daily tours, which lasts about an hour, cost £8.50 for adults (childrens tickets cost £4.95) and includes three third pint samples in the bar afterwards. The brewery also hosts evening tours on Thursdays and Fridays which include a Yorkshire supper and a pint of your favourite Black Sheep ale. To book, or for more information, call 01765 680100.

Theakston's Brewery

Theakston's Brewery
Theakston's Brewery

In Masham you have the choice of not just one but two brewery tours —Theakston's Brewery is a short stroll away from the Black Sheep centre. Its tours offer the chance to taste brews fresh from the cask and follow the brewing process from beginning to end. Visitors can also chat to brewery staff, ask questions and smell the hops in the air! The tours run daily and cost £7.25 per adult, and £4.75 for child tickets. Tickets include a complimentary pint or soft drink, which can be enjoyed in Theakston's brewery tap, the Black Bull in Paradise. For tour times and to book, click here.

York Brewery

York Brewery tap
York Brewery tap

A relatively new name on the brewing scene, York Brewery began in 1996 and has won several local and national awards since then. Based inside York's famous city walls, close to the historical royal entrance Micklegate Bar, its brewery suite was built in the late 16th century. The brewery offers guided tours Monday to Saturday at 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm and 5pm, with a gallery above the brew house that offers a viewing platform for visitors. Adult tickets cost £8 and include four third-pint tasters, children cost £4. To book, call 01904 621162.

Great Newsome Brewery

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To East Yorkshire now, where ale brewing and farm life meet at the Great Newsome Brewery. Based on the coast near Hull, the family-run brewery started producing ales in May 2007 and now sells five cask beers and five bottled beers at any one time. Tours are available for groups of 10 (minimum) and 15 (maximum), offering the chance to explore the brewery and sample its ales, guided by a member of the Great Newsome team. Tours must be pre-booked and last around two hours — for more information on the tours available and took book, call 01964 612201.

Saltaire Brewery

Saltaire Brewery
Saltaire Brewery

Strictly speaking, Saltaire Brewery, in Dockfield Road, Saltaire, doesn't offer guided tours. But it does host the Saltaire Beer Club on the last Friday of each month, ideal for ale fans who want to find out more about the brewery's offerings. The mini-beer festivals boast three bars and a whopping 13 pumps, serving Saltaire brews as well as ales from guest breweries. Held from 4pm-10pm, Beer Club evenings also include a hog roast and veggies burgers, and all beer is £2 a pint. Tickets cost £5 and include a drink — click here for dates and to book.

Why not book a tour and see how your favourite tipples are brewed? Of course, if you'd rather just enjoy your best brews closer to home, there's some lovely beer gardens in Huddersfield to drink them in!