Inn Brief
In early February, the Royal Oak at Deepcar was taken on by Jeana and Simon from the nearby Wharncliffe Arms as a food/real ale outlet to be run by the two of them, in parallel with the Arms. Two new handpumps have been installed, initially providing Bradfield beers.
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The Hill Top Sports & Social Club in Dronfield is now admitting CAMRA members, just show your membership card to be signed in as a guest.
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Plans to turn the former Vine Inn on Cemetery Road into four three-bedroom properties have been approved by Sheffield Council. The development includes a two-storey rear extension.
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Amended plans to knock down The Wheel pub on Plumbley Hall Road in Mosborough and build seven homes were conditionally approved at a council planning meeting on 17th February.
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The Timbertops and Rivelin Valley Hotel are the latest two pubs reported to be for sale, freehold.
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The Peaks Inn at Castleton has now reopened under new management.
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The Wanted Inn at Sparrowpit has reopened as a freehouse.
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The Norfolk Arms on Dixon Lane now has real ale.
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Brewdog Sheffield is now open on Devonshire Street, as expected no real ale and fairly expensive prices, however there is plenty to keep the craft keg fan happy.
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Mick and Denise are leaving the Castle Inn at Bradway at the end of March and celebrated their last month there by offering all beers at £2.50 a pint. They have chosen not to renew the Enterprise Inns lease, with the pub company apparently having no plans to invest anything in the pub.
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The Horns in Holmesfield has closed again and is boarded up, Enterprise Inns has had a number of offers to buy this pub that has been put on the market freehold, the majority of which according to the parish council involve plans for residential development.
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Chesterfield CAMRA’s Pub of the Season is the Chesterfield Alehouse micropub on West Bars, a few minutes walk from the town’s market place.
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Hallowes Golf Club in Dronfield now has real ale on the bar.
Craft Beer 3
(a follow-on from two articles published last year in ‘Beer Matters’)
The American Brewers Association has recently updated their definition of “craft brewer.” The change attracting the most attention is the word ‘traditional.’ Before the update, their definition was, “A brewer who has either an all malt flagship or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.”
Now it means, “A brewer that has a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose flavor derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation.” The new definition allows brewers to use virtually anything (including corn or rice) and still be considered “craft.” Interestingly, the Americans do not define ‘craft beer’ – perhaps they agree, that as their definition of a ‘craft brewery’ becomes ever more wider, ‘craft beer’ has become a meaningless marketing term?
For example, our local supermarket sells ‘Hatherwood, Ruby Rooster,’ (3.8% abv) described, on the label, as ‘Craft Ale.’ The reverse states that it ‘has been traditionally craft-brewed using Burton water, 100% British barley and a blend of Pale, Crystal & Chocolate malts.’ The only other clue to the brewer is the London address of the supermarket – Lidl Uk GmbH. After a bit of research, I discovered it’s a product of that well-known ‘craft brewer,’ Marstons plc ……. the price of this ‘Craft Ale’ was 99p for 500 ml, perhaps an indication of the quality of the ingredients?
Regarding quality of ingredients, Brewdog have recently opened a new bar on Division Street. The tiling is not yet finished but high abv ‘craft keg’ beers are available at over £4 for 2/3 of a pint. At these prices, the ingredients need to be the highest quality possible.
– Dave Pickersgill