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Rather than adapt their new beers to some company format or corporate branding, each has been allowed to retain its individuality.

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So there's the octagonal motoring badge of Old Speckled Hen, the oval rural scene of Ruddles County and the crusader's shield of Olde Trip.

Smoke and mirrors. Despite appearances, these are all now part of the Greene King empire. When I'd visited the brewery all those years ago, we saw IPA, Strong Suffolk and Abbott ale in preparation – these other beers were still being brewed in their home towns of Abingdon, Langham and Nottingham respectively. And there have been plenty of quibbles from drinkers in each of these places, that the new product simply doesn't match up to the old.

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Of the beers I spotted on Woodies' bar during my visit, only the premium St Edmund's Bitter owed its true allegiance to Suffolk – and even here it has been given a makeover with its artistic pump clip blending 21st century typography with the stained glass arches of Bury's beautiful abbey.

And it was this beer which occupied most of my attention during the hour or so I spent in Woodies this week. It is beautifully soft, gently bitter, packed with rich fruity tastes, and treads lightly across the palate, quenching and refreshing as it goes. The barmaid at Woodies had also taken care to pull it into an attractive branded St Edmunds glass
– almost a straight pint tumbler, but with a very slight taper, and a repeat of that arty motif.

Greene King have had Woodies for the best part of a decade now, and a recent re-fit – new flooring, new upholstery, new high definition televisions – has been aimed at making it a flagship house for the brewery and one which others can judge themselves against.

The installation of the numerous HD TVs will seem anathema to many, but Woodies has always thrived as a popular venue for live televised sport.

The proximity of Headingley stadium, as well as the sports facilities at Weetwood and Beckett Park, have long made this a watering hole of choice for those to whom sport is an essential part of life, either as spectator or participant.

The glorious Yorkshire Evening Post football team were regulars following home games at nearby Glen Road – though sometimes we called in for fish and chips from Bryan's on the way.

Appropriately enough, boss Allan Ware was out playing football when I called in, so I spoke instead to duty manager Ben Wetters.

"Greene King have really started spending a lot of money here," he told me. "We want to make this a focal point for Greene King in West Yorkshire, and perhaps use some of the ideas we've developed here at the brewery's other pubs in the area."

He was keen to show off the HD TVs. "One of the simple things people have noticed is that text on screen is so much easier to read – and the high definition coverage is brilliant.

"We do all the sports. Allan's a big boxing fan, so we usually get a late extension if there's a fight from Las Vegas at four in the morning or something."

The menu offers cheap and cheerful pub grub, with simple, wholesome choices like beef and ale pie, an eight bean chilli, ham and eggs, and an all-day breakfast - each for a thoroughly competitive £3.50.

And say what you like about Greene King's new status as a major national player, the beer here seems pretty good and the food's sensibly priced for an area where students predominate.

And while I'd rather this were a genuine free alehouse, I have to say that Woodies seems to be in fairly capable hands.