for all the information visit Steel City 50 – CAMRA Sheffield & District
Author: Andy Cullen
Andy has been actively involved in CAMRA since the early 2000s after being recruited to sit on a National Younger Members Task Group.
Since then he has held roles on the branch committee including Secretary, Membership Secretary, Magazine Editor, Chair and now Social Secretary.
Andy has also been involved with the Steel City Beer & Cider Festival almost every year since becoming active in the branch.
PUBlic Transport
It is expected that there will be very few improvements to bus services before franchising comes in and replaces the existing operating model in September 2027, however a few little bits to report.
Not strictly speaking in our area, but a new demand responsive bus service “SYPN on Demand” has now launched in parts of Rotherham and Doncaster. This is a pre booked ride share minibus which in Rotherham covers the Dinnington area (as far across as Harthill) and the Waverley area with journeys between those areas and Crystal Peaks bus station, Kiveton Park railway station and Meadowhall Interchange possible. Seats are booked via an app or over the phone.
Meanwhile over in North East Derbyshire there has been a change of operator due to the previous one ceasing trading, the Derbyshire on Demand service has now been merged with Notts on Demand with the Notts app required to book rides now. In our area this service includes Killamarsh.
A relatively new Sheffield bus operator, SMT, has dipped their toe in running public bus services and launched some new routes, albeit with a limited timetable to utilise buses and drivers outside school runs. The routes are 27 Rotherham to Crystal Peaks, 43 Rotherham to Meadowhall and 63 Sheffield Centre to Crystal Peaks.
In the Peak District First bus have announced cuts to their service 272 on Sundays this winter with the frequency reduced to every 90 minutes. An hourly service is expected to be restored next summer.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority continue to work on the “Mini Switzerland” project in the Hope Valley which will see many key bus routes in the area running hourly all day every day and timed to connect with trains at stations like Bamford, Hope and Edale. Very little details has been announced as yet but it is expected for the first improved bus routes to launch in summer 2027.
On the trams the Blue route to Halfway continues to be closed beyond Gleadless Townend after an old mine shaft opened up under the tracks in the Birley area. A revised timetable is in operation with Blue route trams running to Herdings Park and replacement buses linking Gleadless with Halfway. Elsewhere on the network there is rail replacement work planned between Shalesmoor and Middlewood/Malin Bridge from 24 to 31 October and a minor timetable tweak from 1 November.
Details of bus and tram services over the Christmas and New Year holidays are not yet announced, train services should already be available in the National Rail journey planners. Keep an eye online at travelsouthyorkshire.com.
Bus 173 revisited
Having featured crawls around central Sheffield in recent months we’re back out in the Peak District part of our branch area for an updated look at places for a beer along rural bus service 173. This bus is operated by Andrew’s of Tideswell and shuttles between Bakewell and Castleton during the daytime every day except Sunday. This is a route we’ve previously featured, but with a number of new openings and closures it seems a good time to have another look!
If you are connecting from the Sheffield direction, buses 218 or 257 will take you to Bakewell, bus 65 will take you to Tideswell or bus 272 will take you to Castleton. The 173 bus also passes Hope railway station. This service does participate in the government supported fare cap scheme, which currently means that the maximum single fare is £3 per ride, alternatively a Derbyshire Wayfarer all day bus pass is available for £9 from the driver or the Travelmaster app. Bus timetables are available on the Travel Derbyshire website with live tracking available at bustimes.org.
There is a choice of pubs in Bakewell, however the 173 bus commences just around the corner from the Joiners Arms micropub, making that a convenient starting point!
Coming out of Bakewell, the first stop of interest is at Thornbridge Brewery tap room. It is located in one of the big sheds on the brewery complex, shared with the smaller batch brew kit and features a bar showcasing their range of cask and keg beers along with a pizza kitchen and shop selling merchandise and bottled beers.
Next along the route is the Ashford Arms in Ashford-in-the-Water. The bus drops off on the main road just outside the village but it is only a short walk to this pub, restaurant and hotel owned by the Longbow Hospitality Group which saw a huge investment in renovations when they bought it closed and boarded up. Its a fairly smart place with several rooms that can cater for different moods – a pint of cask ale in a cosy room by a fire or nice meal in a bigger dining room with tables adourned with crisp linen tablecloths are both catered for!
In Great Longstone there are two pubs, both owned by Robinsons Brewery. The White Lion is a modern local with the bar in the lounge area at the front of the pub and a dining area at the back. At the time of writing this pub was closed for refurbishment and change of management.
The other pub in the village is the Crispin, a big traditional pub building with a quirky feel thanks to a massive collection of ornamental tankards hanging from the ceiling.
Heading up the hill in Little Longstone is the Packhorse Inn. This cosy pub started out life as a couple of miners cottages but has been welcoming drinkers since 1787! Their ethos of serving fresh, local produce is applied to both the food and the beer, the latter coming from the nearby Thornbridge brewery. This is a very popular dining destination and booking is advisable. There is an additional area for drinkers at the rear through the beer garden.
At the top of the hill, behind the Monsal Head Hotel, is the Stables Bar. A range of cask ales and food menu is available here but the big attraction is the breathtaking view from out front over the valley where you can look down and see the former railway viaduct which is now part of the Monsal Trail.
Two buses a day dive down the hillside from the pub car park into Cressbrook Dale, which is an interesting ride, however all the other trips on the 173 you can be dropped off on request near the Three Stags Heads (which is also served once a day by bus 257a to Sheffield) at Wardlow Mires.
This is an absolutely legendary heritage pub that is like a living museum. Licencees Kath and Andy hold court along with their Lurcher dog facilitating an atmosphere where strangers sit around the open fire enjoying conversation and a pint. A choice of 4 cask ales are available, usually from Abbeydale, Eyam and Intrepid breweries including the house beer “Black Lurcher”, a strong stout. Note this pub only opens Thursday to Sunday and is cash only.
The next village the 173 bus arrives at is Litton, home of the award winning Red Lion pub. This is the classic country inn with multiple cosy rooms with low beams and fireplaces. The small tap room containing the bar is at the far end of the building whilst the rest of the pub is generally used by diners – the food here is popular! The bar has a range of cask ales and keg beers, always including some from local breweries. There are also hotel rooms upstairs.
Tideswell offers a pub crawl in its own right. At one end of the village is the Horse & Jockey, a traditional local pub spread across three areas. The bar features a regular changing range of cask ales and home cooked pub grub is served.
There are two pubs in the centre of the village, the Star and the George then at the far end of the village on the industrial estate is Eyam Brewery’s tap room.
The tap room opens from Thursday to Sunday and serves a range of Eyam’s beer on both cask and keg, has an open kitchen offering a smash burger menu and a shop offering bottled and canned Eyam beers to take away as well as branded clothing.
Heading out of Tideswell, on the crossroads, sits the Anchor, a Robinsons brewery pub that also serves food. It has benefitted from significant investment in refurbishment, although the bit that hit the headlines was creating a dedicated parking space for tractors.
Next the bus passes through Great Hucklow, the village where Eyam’s actual brewery is based, however there is currently no pub here – the Queen Anne is currently closed and up for sale following the long standing licencees retirement. There is the option of leaving the bus on the B6049 and walking up the country lane into Little Hucklow for the Blind Bull, a restored pub that offers food and hotel accommodation.
Bradwell has a choice of 3 pubs. On the main road served by bus 173 is the Shoulder of Mutton whilst just up the hill from the infamous “Bradwell Gap” that bus 272 squeezes through is the White Hart, which is associated with Bradfield Brewery. Stay on another stop then walk uphill into the residential area for Ye Olde Bowling Green Inn which features a beer garden with a view!
Brough is home to Intrepid Brewery and High Peak Cider, who host the occasional open days in the summer whilst the only pub there is the Travellers Rest, on the main road down the Hope Valley with a camp site at the rear.
In Hope we’ve regularly mentioned the Old Hall Hotel, Woodroffe Arms and Cheshire Cheese over the years which are all going strong, however they are now joined by Hope Valley Tap & Bottle. This is a specialist bottle shop that also has a number of craft beers on tap with the option of drinking in – there is an upstairs seating area. The beers on tap are usually from Derbyshire brewers such as Torrside, Buxton or Intrepid.
Finally, into Castleton. Little has changed here. Cask ale options include the Swiss Tap, Olde Cheshire Cheese, Peak Hotel. Old Nags Head (look out for the Lucky Hoof house beer supplied by the local Intrepid brewery), Bulls Head (Robinson Brewery), Castle Inn (Mitchells & Butler Vintage Inn chain) and the George.
Shakespeare’s landmark
Shakespeare’s pub on Gibraltar Street has a couple of beery landmarks to celebrate. Since reopening as an independently owned freehouse in 2011, they have been keeping a tally of how many different beers they’ve had on the bar and this is displayed on a blackboard.
During Sheffield’s Steel City Beer & Cider Festival in October they clocked up 9,000 different cask ales served. In anticipation of this some of the team from the pub visited Big Trip Brewery in Manchester for a collaboration brew which was to be reserved to go on the bar as number 9,000.
A further landmark is serving 13,000 different beers – cask & keg combined, with this being celebrated by hosting a beer festival!
The beer festival is being held from 23 to 29 November with a rack of 12 extra beers set up in the snug. It is expected that being a special occasion the festival beer list will include some unusual styles, weird and wacky beers plus some heavy hitters to raise a glass to their milestone number!
Brewery Bits
The 3 October, an unseasonably warm, sunny day, saw Intrepid Brewery and High Peak Cider jointly host a tap yard event. High Peak Cider have recently moved from Furness Vale to Vincent Works in Brough, near Bradwell – a few doors down from Intrepid! Both producers opened their premises with a pop up bar showcasing a range of their beers and ciders with tables out in the yard. As is usual at these events Sunshine Pizza Oven were trading there too!
Seasonal beers appearing from Acorn Brewery in October included Sinister Sparkler (4.2% ABV lightly ginger spiced oatmeal stout) and Phantasm (4.2% ABV hoppy pale ale).
Things have been quite busy at Blue Bee Brewery with recent brews including a 5% Nectaron and Riwaka hopped pale ale, version 93 of American Five Hop, Ginger Beer, Oat Stout (5% ABV), single hop Simcoe (3.8% ABV) and a 6% ABV hazy IPA called A Little Cup of Ambition. They have also brewed one of the winning beers from the home brew competition organised for the Steel City Beer & Cider Festival held at Kelham Island Museum 21-24 October.
Sheffield & District CAMRA committee member Neil Harvey (our press office) recently took a trip over to Mallinsons brewery in Huddersfield for a collaboration, with the end product supplied to our Steel City Beer & Cider Festival. The beer is a 5% ABV Porter described as smooth, rich and fruity. We’re told he did help dig out the mash tun but alas, there is no photographic evidence of this..
Thornbridge‘s Year of Beer monthly special in cask for October was “Autumnity”, a 4.8% autumn ale. This is due to be followed in November by “Roggenwolf”, a 5% ABV rye IPA, then in December it is “Ena”, a 4.6% ABV milk stout.
Tartarus Beers in Leeds have launched a crowdfunding campaign to open a tap room in their home city.
Bradfield Brewery have collaborated with local artist Luke Horton with new beer “Mardy Moo” bearing his artwork. A couple of rather special Bradfield beers made an appearance at the Steel City Beer & Cider Festival – Holy Cow (7.8% IPA), Imperial Milk Stout (7.4% ABV)
Apparently Rotherham day is a thing and was celebrated on 18 September with Chantry Brewery producing a special Rotherham Pale (4% ABV) for the occasion. The tap attached to their brewery in Parkgate continues to host a programme of ticketed live music gigs – see their socials for details, the brewery is a short walk from the Tram Train terminus. They also have pubs in Rotherham town centre and Handsworth.
Fuggle Bunny had a couple of beers at the Steel City Beer & Cider Festival this year, the newer of the two being “It’s a Bee Thing”, a 4% ABV session IPA sweetened with honey. The brewery, located between Halfway and Killamarsh, continue to host tap sessions every Friday plus the last Saturday of the month.
Drone Valley Brewery, a community enterprise based at Unstone near Dronfield, also had a couple of beers at the festival. Sgt Pepper Stout is one from the old Spire Brewery of Chesterfield that is brought back from the archives now and again, brewed with black pepper to give it a little spicy kick. The other is a newer release, Crossover, a 4.2% Anglo-American pale ale brewed with Olicana and Mosaic hops. This brewery host tap sessions every weekend in a tent attached to the brewery, staffed by volunteers (profits go to local good causes).
Temper Brewing has closed and the kit is up for sale. The room below the Dronfield Arms that housed the brewery is expected to be converted into a small function room.
Inn Brief
The Blind Monkey in Walkley is no longer showing Sky Sports due to the subscription fee being increased to a level that isn’t viable for the pub. They are looking to replace screening football with a new programme of entertainment events.
The Centre Spot at Basegreen has temporary closed with the departure of the licencee. Stonegate pub company are advertising the lease so it should reopen as soon as a new tenant is recruited. In the same situation is the Hyde Park in Dronfield and Angel in Holmesfield, amongst others!
A number of Stonegate’s branded venues are being moved from managed to leased models. In Sheffield City Centre The former Yates on Cambridge Street is closed for refurbishment and is expected to reopen as Barkers & Co whilst also being advertised for tenants to take over is the Graduate on Surrey Street and the now closed Walkabout on Calver Street.
The Stocks in Ecclesfield opened at the start of October.
Beerworks on Abbeydale Road took part in SIBA’s Drop the Pint Day on 9 October. This saw the price of a pint of Abbeydale Moonshine reduced in price to what it would cost if we paid German levels of tax on beer – in the UK we are taxed 10 times higher.
The dates have been announced for Sheffield Beer Week 2027 – 8 to 14 March. This sees a huge list of venues across the city putting on special beery events including tap takeovers, meet the brewers, food & beer pairing menus, themed quiz nights and more. There will however be no Indie Beer Feast, which is taking a year off and is expected to relaunch at a new venue in 2028. However Jules isn’t simply taking it easy, she will be running some special beer week events in Leah’s Yard outside her Hop Hideout shop/bar.
The Dog & Partridge on Trippet Lane in Sheffield City Centre held another “Dogfest” event on 10 October with a busy schedule of live music from 3pm onwards with 12 different artists on the bill. These events have been run for a couple of years now and continue to be popular. Also look out for their other music events including Dog Jam on the first Thursday of the month and Americana(ish) sessions on the last Thursday of the month.
The Old Queens Head, next to Sheffield Interchange, now opens for breakfast at 10am.
We are reminded that Christmas is coming and there are a number of pubs that host brass bands and carol singing. The Three Merry Lads on Redmires Road in Lodge Moor are hosting Loxley Silver Band on the evening of 23 December.
The Albion on London Road in Sheffield hosted a Little Mesters tap takeover on 18 September.
It is expected that by the time this issue arrives from the printers the former Foresters on Division Street in Sheffield City Centre will have reopened after refurbishment as the Six Barrel Drafthouse. There are six handpumps on the bar for cask ale.
There’s been lots going on at the Commercial in Chapeltown recently including their Oktoberfest celebration featuring the Frumptarn Guggenband followed the next day by a charity chip butty day with guest of honour being John “The Man with the Pram” Burkhill.
The Eyam Brewery tap room in Tideswell continues to develop. New toilets have opened upstairs, heaters have been fitted above the tables ready for the winter and the open kitchen is built with the first burgers coming off the griddle on 9 October. The kitchen is using local suppliers wherever possible including Hancocks Butcher in Stoney Middleton, potatoes from Mosleys in Wormhill, bread from Tindalls of Tideswell and the rest from Holdsworth’s in Tideswell.
The shop area remains selling branded clothing and small pack beer to take away and of course the bar showcases their range on both cask and keg.
With the change of season many pubs have launched new food menus, including the Old Hall Hotel in Hope, Red Lion in Litton and Scotsmans Pack in Hathersage.
the arrival of autumn has also seen the fires lit in country pubs including the Peak Hotel in Castleton and the Three Stags Heads in Wardlow Mires.
The Horse & Jockey in Tideswell has taken halloween decorating time as the start of winter which means the fire is now getting lit on cold nights! They’ve also adjusted their opening hours following customer feedback and opening at noon every day with a new lunch menu served 1200-1430 Monday to Thursday. The kitchen is also open 1700 to 2030 those days, midday to 2100 Friday and Saturday then midday to 1900 on Sundays.
The Shoulder of Mutton in Bradwell has been running a fundraising campaign for causes associated with Sheffield Childrens Hospital including a darts knockout and raffle. 33 players took part in the darts tournament and lots of raffle tickets were sold on the night, raising £1,560. Further fundraising plans include a kids halloween party and a Christmas hamper raffle.
The White Hart in Bradwell has been running a happy hour offering a 10% discount off all drinks between 4pm and 8pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
A party was held at Ye Olde Bowling Green Inn at Bradwell on Saturday 24 October to celebrate the first anniversary of the current management getting the keys to the pub!
Hope Valley Tap & Bottle in Hope have extended their opening hours – Sunday to Thursday 3pm to 9pm and Friday/Saturday midday to 9pm. It is predominantly a bottle shop but for those drinking on site (there’s seating upstairs plus in the evening some tables outside) also has some keg taps showcasing local beers from brewers like Intrepid, Buxton and Torrside plus they have a small list of wines available by the glass.
The landlord of the White Lion in Great Longstone has moved on with the pub closing for refurbishment. This Robinsons Brewery pub will be reopening with a new couple running it and a new look!
The beer festival held at the Anglers Rest in Bamford raised £500 for the Bamford Carnival Committee, which supports local community organisations such as Bamford Pre School and Bamford Tennis Club. The pub has an ongoing rotation of weekday promotions and events including half price main meals on Mondays, pizza & pool Tuesdays, curry & quiz night on Wednesdays whilst every third Thursday is 2 for 1 burgers and music on vinyl then Friday is all about fish, chips and cocktails.
The Rambler Inn at Edale now has a station departure board in the pub. They also celebrated a year of Jo and Chris at the helm on 17 October with a party featuring live music.
If you are a budding artist that enjoys painting as well as a pub pint then the Calver Arms Sip & Paint events may be for you. The next one is 3 November with a theme of “Tiggy Tales”.
Frustration at the Plough at Leadmill Bridge near Hathersage with the road past the pub being closed from the Grindleford end and buses diverted for a fair few weeks, the good news if you fancy a trip there is the road reopened on 16 October and the 257 bus can drop you off near the pub again!
The Bank House bar in Hathersage celebrated its 8th birthday with a bit of a bash on 2 October.
Steel City home brew competition
To celebrate Sheffield beer festivals 50th year it was decided to run a competion for homebrewers throughout the region to bring their best brews. The format of the competion was to be as creative as possible, to bring to the festival, beers that are different to the main and to show flair and talent within parameters.
Each winning beer would be then brewed by a Sheffield based commercial brewery to be showcased at the festival. The main parameter is that the beers brewed would need to be commercial and that they would not be able to be barrel aged or difficult to replicate. This gave some guidance as to what to brew and what could be turned around quickly.
I entered an old favourite of mine, based upon an old recipe from a few years ago. This ended up being a battle between the homebrew clubs of Sheffield, The Kelham Island Homebrew club and Sheffield Homebrew club. Both clubs meet monthly, one at Heist in Kelham Island, usually on the second Thursday of the month at around 7pm and the other meet at Sheffield Tap on the last Sunday of the month meeting at 2pm.
Both clubs are friendly and helpful to anyone with an interest in brewing their own beers from first timers to old hands of brewing. If you are at a loose end then pop along or find them on social media for more info. The guys and girls from both of these clubs are keen to offer practical advice and tips that improve the standard for all.
The breweries that offered the facilities to scale up a home brew recipe were:-
- Little Critters
- Little Mesters
- Duality
- Blue Bee
All of the breweries are renowned for producing flavourful and enjoyable beers in their own rights and the judging of the homebrewed beers fell to the brewers from these breweries.
The winning amateur brewers are Brian Glossop, his beer “Dust from another sun” has been brewed at Duality, A New England IPA, knowing Brian this will be brimmed full of punchy hops. Jamie Smith’s beer “A cup of Ambition” brewed at Blue Bee is a New Zealand Pale ale. Joe Lee brewed and amber ale named “King Salmon” has been crafted at Little Critters and an unnamed Saison beer has been brewed at Little Mesters to Liz and Steve Philpots recipe.
All of these beers will be marketed by the breweries concerned into their usual outlets after the festival but will be on the bar for the Sheffield 50th Beer Festival.
Rob Barwell
Sheffield beer scene gig
Did you know that Mike Pomranz from the Old Shoe is in a band called Pancho Grande or that Dann from the Brewery of St Mars of the Desert is in a band called Am Elektrogeist?
Did you know that the Harlequin pub has a house band called Children of Bamford that also features staff members from their sister pub The Crow?
Well, you better believe it – because all three bands are playing on the same bill at the Yellow Arch Studios on Wednesday 11 November with advance tickets a fairly reasonable £8.
National Campaign news
CAMRA: Pubs Code Review outcome shows Government is taking a cautious first step to tackling issues of ‘Big Beer’
Responding to the Government’s announcement that the Pubs Code for England and Wales will continue and be strengthened, CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said:
“We’re glad that the Pubs Code will be kept in place, as it’s needed more than ever. Ordinary drinkers are being denied choice and value by the global brewers that dominate the UK beer market, including how beer is sold to pubs. We’re looking forward to seeing the details of how more tied pub tenants might be able to challenge the beer tie.
“However, we still have a supply-led beer market that is dominated by global brewers, which means that licensees, independent brewers, and ordinary drinkers lose out.
“We need to see bolder reforms like guest beer rights for tied tenants, and the Department for Business must stop dragging their feet and publish the outcome of the review of access to the beer market for independent brewers.”
‘A betrayal of the founders of Sharp’s’: CAMRA reacts to confirmation of Sharp’s closure
CAMRA has reacted angrily to the closure of Sharp’s brewery in Rock, and is demanding new consumer laws. This follows confirmation that Molson Coors will be moving cask production of ‘Cornish original’ Doom Bar 417 miles away to Hartlepool. The group now wants a ‘pasty-style’ guarantee, in law, to prevent the beers being marketed as Cornish.
Molson Coors announced plans to close the brewery earlier this year, with no confirmation where it would move beer production to. At the time, CAMRA Cornwall raised fears that the brewing giant could follow in the footsteps of Carlsberg, who market Wainwright as a ‘Lake District Original’ despite brewing it more than 100 miles away in Wolverhampton.
Dave Pedlar, Cornwall CAMRA Chairman, said:
“This is a betrayal of the founders of Sharp’s, the 40 people whose jobs are at risk, and the locals that have supported this business for decades.
“We’ve known for a while that the Sharp’s cask production was moving out of the Duchy, but Hartlepool is 417 miles away, which is as far from Rock as Brussels. We need ‘pasty-style’ consumer protection laws that stop Molson Coors from continuing to market these beers as Cornish.”
Since Molson Coors announced their intentions to close Sharp’s in February 2026, CAMRA have launched a new, UK wide campaign and ‘Beer in the UK’ report to raise awareness of the tactics of global brewers in the UK beer market. The campaign highlights misleading marketing practices, and how independent brewers struggle to get their beers onto bars.
Tom Stainer, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:
“It’s entirely ridiculous that a beer named after a sandbank in the Camel Estuary, and marketed as a ‘Cornish original’, is now going to be made in Hartlepool. Once again, global brewers are closing breweries, trashing our reputation as a great brewing nation, and misleading ordinary drinkers.
“This is why we’ve launched our new campaign to expose ‘Big Beer’ in the UK, their misleading marketing tactics, and demand that the Competition and Markets Authority investigate how global corporations dominate the beer market. We need decisive action to deliver a fairer beer market for independent brewers and ordinary drinkers.
Inspirational orchardist who is futureproofing cider and perry wins outstanding CAMRA award
Albert Johnson, from Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company, has won CAMRA’s 2026 Pomona Award for championing the promotion of real cider and perry in the UK.
The Pomona Award honours people who have made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.
Albert, whose father won the Pomona Award in 2009, grows a phenomenal collection of around 120 different apple varieties and 30 different pear varieties. This means that he has introduced the largest range of single variety ciders and perries in the UK, if not the world.
Between new orchard plantings and maintaining established orchards over 35 acres, Albert has made an outstanding contribution to preserving a vast number of diverse apple and pear varieties. His Oak Meadow Orchard project futureproofs the DNA of rare, heritage commercial use varieties, within the UK cider scene, on his family farm.
A highly respected figure in the cider and perry industry, Albert is taking the traditional drink to a higher level of quality, authenticity and provenance while inspiring future generations of orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers.
He shares his knowledge widely and has been instrumental in launching a number of initiatives to promote and provide education about these products.
An award presentation is taking place at Perry Fest, Museum of Cider in Hereford from 4.15pm.
Albert, reacting to the win, said:
“I’m humbled and delighted to receive the Pomona Award. It’s an honour to have been nominated by peers and friends across the cider industry. In 2009, my father Mike Johnson was also recognised by the Pomona Award and it brings me great pride to know that seventeen years later, the same values of hospitality, inclusivity, and openness are what characterise my decisions and the work that everyone at Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry do on a daily basis. The joy of working in cider is the co-operation and collaboration between cidermakers, retailers and advocates, of whom I am lucky to call many my great friends.”
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pomona Award Coordinator, said:
“It is an honour to reward Albert as this year’s outstanding Pomona Award winner; his advocacy in the industry is not only inspirational but commendable, encouraging current and future orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers to help safeguard our cider and perry heritage and helping to promote these products to a widespread audience.
“Albert’s impressive work in collecting and future proofing apple and pear varieties and the orchards that grow them, and sharing his knowledge, is truly inspirational in protecting an entire industry of great drinks made by independent producers for consumers.”
“An absolute disgrace”: beer drinkers react to Carlsberg plans to close Burton brewery
CAMRA has reacted with anger to the news that Carlsberg intends to close its Burton brewing site in 2027.
The consumer giants have renewed demands for the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate how global interests have consolidated the UK beer market and are supportive of Carlsberg’s assertion that they are seeking “suitable long-term custodians” for some of the cask beers in their portfolio.
The global manufacturer, which bought Marston’s brewing business outright just two years ago, initially entered a joint venture with Marston’s in 2020, and then acquired soft drinks giant Britvic in 2025.
This is not the first time it has closed a historic brewing site, impacting heritage, the local economy and devasting the industry. Ringwood and Wychwood breweries have closed. Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth and the Tetley Brewery in Leeds have thankfully found success in alternative, independent ownership.
Closure of the historic brewing site in Burton puts around 300 jobs at risk, with dramatic consequences for the town which has been a centre of brewing knowledge for centuries.
Carlsberg wrote to CAMRA as the announcement was made, setting out their reasons for the decision and highlighting that they will be seeking long-term custodians for some of the cask beers within their portfolio.
CAMRA recently launched its ‘Beer in the UK’ report and wider campaign urging the Competition and Markets Authority to launch a formal investigation of the UK beer market.
Representing ordinary drinkers and pubgoers, CAMRA maintains that independent brewers are locked out of the market by global conglomerates, despite providing genuine innovation and choice to drinkers.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman, said:
“I was born and raised in Burton, and I’m proud of our place at the centre of British brewing. Unfortunately, statements from Carlsberg about understanding the importance of the brewery to the town come far too little too late for most people, CAMRA included.
“This announcement is an absolute disgrace, and the latest in a string of actions that show how little they care about our brewing heritage or the nation’s drinkers.
“However, we do agree with Carlsberg on one thing. The time is right to think about alternative, independent, brewers who are willing to become custodians of Carlsberg’s cask brands and will finally do the beers the justice they deserve.
“Like the rescue of Jennings in Cumbria by passionate and experienced brewers, I hope the Burton brewery can be saved. I’ve got fond memories visiting the brewery in better days, and maybe I’ll be able to go again if it’s handed over to independent owners.”
CAMRA opens nominations for the UK’s most picturesque pubs
Pubs across the UK are being urged to enter CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards.
This coveted award not only celebrates the UK’s most picturesque hostelries, but seeks out hidden gems where people have converted a building into a pub.
One of 2026’s winners was St Peter’s Tavern in Liverpool, set inside a stunning 1788 church, while converted high street shops providing communities with a local struck gold.
Working with Historic England, the renowned CAMRA award showcases stunning pub architecture across the UK. First introduced in 1983, dozens of locals have been recognised, with visitors flocking to marvel at the winning pubs.
Judged by a panel of experts, the awards recognise the highest standards of pub refurbishment and conservation, plus the construction of brand-new pubs and spaces being converted to pub use.
There are five different categories: Conversion to Pub Use, Historic England Conservation, New Build, Refurbishment and Community Local.
From majestic Art Deco era establishments, innovative creative projects to build or convert new pubs, and street corner locals lovingly renovated by their community, the awards invite history buffs and pubgoers alike to explore and appreciate these inspirational buildings.
Nominations open Thursday 8 October to all pubs that meet the criteria, which can be found on CAMRA’s website.
And nominations are open to all – whether you are a pub owner, a tenant, the architect behind the transformation, a CAMRA member or a punter, we look forward to discovering the best of the best!
Nominations close 18 November 2026.
Historic England’s Andrew Davison, Chair of CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards, said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of our annual Pub Design Awards. They are a wonderful opportunity for owners, publicans and communities to show just how much creative flair, craftmanship and imagination goes into protecting, refurbishing and repairing their much-loved locals and creating brand-new pubs.
“The judges are always so enthused and encouraged to see the wide range of entries, making our job very difficult indeed! To see these fabulous design projects come to fruition is both humbling, while creating a sense of community for generations to come. This is especially important at a time when pubs are struggling against a difficult economic backdrop and gives us the opportunity to celebrate these amazing buildings.”
To enter the competition and see previous winners, visit: camra.org.uk/awards/pub-design
Micropub Adventures
Scott from the Micropub Adventures blog has refreshed a couple of his rail ale trails, which encourages people to enjoy a day out visiting pubs along railway lines using the train to hop between them.
Sheffield to Retford
The trail has stops at Sheffield (Sheffield Tap) Woodhouse (The Oxbow), Kiveton Bridge (Kiveton Tap), Shireoaks (Ticking Clock Brewery tap room), Worksop (Mallard and Station Hotel) and Retford (Beer Under The Clock, Brew Shed, Idle Valley Tap and Retford Craft House). Northern run an hourly train service along this line on the Leeds to Lincoln route. The bit between Sheffield, Woodhouse and Kiveton can also be done using the X5 bus.
You can find details of this trail online at sheffieldretfordtrail.co.uk.
Three Counties – New Mills to Bredbury and Disley
There are two railway stations in the Derbyshire town of New Mills – Central station on the Sheffield to Manchester line and Newtown station on the Buxton to Manchester line – and both feature on this trail which is a circular starting and ending in New Mills!
At New Mills it features the Beer Shed micropub and Torr Vale Tap – plus the Torrside Brewing tap room which opens one weekend a month over the summer.
On the line from New Mills Central there are four pubs in Marple – the Bevi, Dig Inn, Samual Oldknow and Traders then its on to Romiley (Hop Haus and Crafty Vendor) and Bredbury for the Steel Works. Over on the Newtown line in Disley is a micropub called Malt Disley. Yes, I know!
It is about a 10 minute walk between the two stations in New Mills.
You can find details of this and other trails online at micropubaventures.co.uk.