Loxley Brewery commenced brewing on 26 February 2018. This microbrewery in situated in the cellar of the Wisewood Inn (Loxley Road, S6 6RR) and uses water from a natural spring which runs some 70 metres under the pub. The brewing kit, made by Sheffield company Northern Fabrication, was installed in mid-January. There are two fermentation vessels each with a capacity of 6 bbl (700 litres, 16 casks).
The first brew, Wisewood One, a 4.0% Pale Ale utilising Chinook Hops, made its way upstairs to the bar, and disappeared very quickly. Wisewood Two, a 4.3% New Zealand hopped golden ale quickly followed. Wisewood One is likely to remain the core brew. Head brewer, David Woodhead, and his assistant, Michael Hampshire, aim to increase brewing from weekly to twice-weekly with an increasing variety of styles. Their first outside sale was at the Norfolk Arms at Ringinglow.
The Wisewood Inn itself has a long history. It was a Tennants Pub, and then Greene King (via Hardy’s & Hanson’s) before it was purchased from Mayfair Leisure. It reopened in August 2015 and was awarded Sheffield and District CAMRA Pub of the Month in July 2017. The pub takes all its water from the natural spring. Hence, it is one of few businesses in Sheffield who do not pay water rates. There are plans to add CO2 and bottle this natural spring water in the future.
The brewery logo, a crow, was originally drawn as part of a college project by the son of the owner, Steve Wesley. Branded beermats, glasses, casks, T-shirts and tote bags are all available.
Dave Pickersgill
The first brew, Wisewood One, a 4.0% Pale Ale utilising Chinook Hops, made its way upstairs to the bar, and disappeared very quickly. Wisewood Two, a 4.3% New Zealand hopped golden ale quickly followed. Wisewood One is likely to remain the core brew. Head brewer, David Woodhead, and his assistant, Michael Hampshire, aim to increase brewing from weekly to twice-weekly with an increasing variety of styles. Their first outside sale was at the Norfolk Arms at Ringinglow.
The Wisewood Inn itself has a long history. It was a Tennants Pub, and then Greene King (via Hardy’s & Hanson’s) before it was purchased from Mayfair Leisure. It reopened in August 2015 and was awarded Sheffield and District CAMRA Pub of the Month in July 2017. The pub takes all its water from the natural spring. Hence, it is one of few businesses in Sheffield who do not pay water rates. There are plans to add CO2 and bottle this natural spring water in the future.
The brewery logo, a crow, was originally drawn as part of a college project by the son of the owner, Steve Wesley. Branded beermats, glasses, casks, T-shirts and tote bags are all available.
Dave Pickersgill