Well here we are again, for the third time in as many months a pub I nominated for Pub of the Month has won – if any publicans wish to avail of this service my rates are very reasonable… 😉
As a big fan of the Rutland Arms (see Beer Matters 515) I had high hopes when Chris and Kate told me they were looking for a second pub. After exploring a couple of options they were successful in securing the former Crown Inn on Scotland St (more recently known as Sleep Hotel and before that a nightclub), in partnership with Sheffield pub legend Wendy Woodhouse, who previously reopened the Harlequin (the former Manchester Hotel) and later worked behind the bar at Shakespeares. The slightly shortened Crow Inn name comes from Kate and Chris being in no way monarchists, plus an incident some may remember at the Rutland where opening for the day was delayed by the ingress of a large crow. There does however remain a large Crown Inn sign embossed into the external brickwork and a mosaic floor inside the main entrance. The pub itself was built in the 19th century and has been the scene for Chartist plots as well as assassinations.
The pub has a traditional two-room layout, and is decorated with paintings of various members of the corvus family. The bar features five handpumps including one permanent beer from Abbeydale and four ever-changing guests, while six permanent keg lines are matched by eight guests from UK and beyond. Regular beer events are held such as tap takeovers and meet-the-brewers, and have included hosting Cantillon Zwanze Day, a Tilquin takeover and a Yonder meet-the-brewer. There is also a selection of cans and bottles in the fridge, an extensive range of malt whiskies and bourbons, a selection of ports and wines, as well as plenty of rums and gins. There is no kitchen but food is served in the form of Kevin’s Pies along with the usual (and sometimes unusual!) bar snacks.
As part of the refurbishment the bedrooms were also refitted, all being converted to en-suite as well as comfortable new beds – living in Sheffield I’ve not yet had cause to stay but friends who have speak highly of them. It is of course the ideal place to stay for a beery visit, with the Shakespeares and Bar Stewards round the corner and Kelham Island within a few minutes’ walk.
Dave Unpronounceable
Presentation is on Thursday 3 November, join us there for a beer from 8pm.