Steel City Beer & Cider Festival – it is this month!

Steel City Beer Festival returns to Kelham Island After a successful switch last year from Ponds Forge to Kelham Island, the 41st Steel City Beer Festival returns to Sheffield’s “Valley of Beer”. Taking place within the Kelham Island Museum on Alma Street over 4 days from Wed 21st to Sat 24th of October the festival will be even bigger than last year, and will be officially opened by guest of honour, Sheffield ‘s Master Cutler, David Grey MBE. The festival’s nominated charity this year is the Master Cutler’s Challenge. Real Ale fans from all over Yorkshire and even further afield will arrive to sample the best the UK brewing scene has to offer. Expect to see over 200 different beers and around 30 ciders and perries from some of the countries finest breweries and cider makers.  A mix of old favourites and new or rare speciality beers from around the UK will be available on cask in 3 separate bars within the museum, with drinking and seating areas split across 2 levels. All 18 of Sheffield’s breweries will be represented and a number of unique beers are being brewed specially for the festival. Once again live music will be featured on 3 of the evenings. Thursday night sees the Leeds City Stompers playing their brand of retro blues, Friday night is local blues-rock legends Downtown Roots, and Saturday features Loxley Silver Brass Band in the afternoon, and an evening set from the high energy Rock ‘n’ Rollaz. As an interesting twist on the festival entertainment, close-up magician Ben Z will be mingling with visitors on Friday and Saturday and amazing them with his sleights of hands.  Festival Entertainment Officer Bob Swift said “I am delighted to have booked some of the best acts in the region for this year’s festival who will be appearing on a large stage with first class professional sound and lighting systems. Live music is a big part of the local real ale scene and the festival will offer a very high standard of entertainment”. More stalls are planned for this year. The usual wide selection of food stalls will be there as well as a dedicated bottle bar so beer fans will be able to take home some of their new found delights.  Traditional pubs games are on offer at one of the stalls, including cheese skittles, shove halfpenny and bar billiards (Wednesday only)  The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) will also have a stall selling a variety of books on beer, pubs and brewing. Further information can be obtained by visiting the website sheffield.camra.org.uk/festival.  Anyone wishing to volunteer to help during the festival, or take up one of the few remaining sponsorship opportunities, can also find relevant information on the website.