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.
On a Sunday in August that marked Abbeydale Brewery’s 30th birthday, a select crowd that had managed to get tickets gathered at their Beerworks tap room for a guided Funk Dungeon beer tasting led by the dungeon master himself, Jim Rangely, along with Laura Rangely, Abbeydale’s marketing manager.
Funk Dungeon is Abbeydale’s project that experiments with things like barrel-ageing, alternative fermentation and sour beer styles.
The tasting event focused on the Funk Dungeon’s story so far with bottled beers that have been laid away over the last few years and in some cases were the last ones remaining at the brewery.
There was a range of three beers produced for the ‘Funk Fest’, held at the brewery, including a bretted saison – both the original beer and a version aged in red wine barrels – along with a beer that had been live-brewed at the event using a portable koelship for spontaneous fermentation from wild yeast in the air. In total seven beers were sampled in the tasting.
To finish off all, were offered a slice of birthday cake along with the opportunity to sample more recent brews on cask and keg that were on the bar that day!
Women’s involvement with beer dates back millennia. Throughout the 9,000-year history of fermented drinks, archaeologists and historians have charted the role of women, both in the production and sale of beer. For example, in Medieval Britain, it was women who took charge of the production of beer, both for consumption within the home and for commercial sale.
However, women remain significantly under-represented in beer – as makers, drinkers and buyers – and in some areas, the numbers are heading in the wrong direction. As Women On Tap CIC marks its 10th anniversary, founder Rachel Auty unpacks what’s driving that gap: from the barriers women face working in the industry to why so many still don’t see beer as ‘for them’.
She’ll share what Women On Tap is doing to change that – from bursaries breaking down financial barriers to entry, to events and initiatives designed to bring more women into beer, as drinkers, brewers and industry professionals. It’s a talk about why closing this gap matters – not just for equity, but for the future health of an industry we all love.
You will be introduced to three beers, brewed by brewsters.
Each beer will be served in a third-pint measure.
The choice of beers will be finalised closer to the event.
The selected beers will provide a variety of both beer styles and a range of strengths.
This event will take place in the Power Room: over the bridge from the Upper Hall, then turn left.
This tutored tasting is part of the Steel City 50 Beer & Cider Festival. There is an extra charge of £4 per person.
You will need to enter the festival in advance of the tasting. This entry will incur the normal admission fee.
Photo by Ryan WalshScan to book tickets for the tutored tasting
Kirschewalder, the St Mars of the Desert collaboration with Torrside Brewery, a Rotbier using cherry-wood-smoked malt, is likely to be a special pour from a Stichfass barrel at Steel City 50 Beer & Cider Festival.
Also expected at Steel City 50 is a collaboration beer with Thornbridge, brewed on the Union, a SMOD first!
Thornbridge Brewery has had a good summer for their lager, with sales up on last year by 15%. Their regular lagers are Lukas, Bayern and Czech Mates.
Stancill‘s special brews for September included Secret Potion (4% ABV), Flapjack (oaty pale ale, 4% ABV), Bavaria (golden ale, 4.5% ABV), with No 7 English Pale Ale also making a comeback.
The brew schedule at Blue Bee slowed down a bit recently due to holidays, but new in the tanks has been a Nelson single-hopped pale ale alongside a fresh batch of their blonde. Looking ahead the popular American Five Hop series continues, and by the time this magazine appears in print, version 93 is likely to be out there on the bars!
Blue Bee are also scaling up the recipe of one of the four winners of the homebrew competition organised as part of Steel City 50, with the other three beers being produced by Little Critters, Little Mesters and Duality. You can try all four at the festival, where we’ll be judging them to name an overall winner.
Drone Valley Brewery’s latest seasonal beer is an American pale ale. The previous special was Abbey Valley First Gold, an amber ale brewed with First Gold hops in collaboration with Welbeck Abbey Brewery.
Bradfield Brewery’s autumn seasonal beers are Farmers Harvest Gold, Farmers Dust Settler and Farmers Jack O’ Lantern. These will then give way to the annual November release of their Christmas beer – Farmers Belgian Blue.
Gardeners Rest celebrate their 10th anniversary of community ownership on Saturday 26 September with live music, BBQ and a special beer. The event is on from midday until 9pm.
High Green Club has gone through into the national Club Awards 2026.
JD Wetherspoon’s Rawson Spring pub in Hillsborough has a new ale champion working there and has organised a number of beer events including a Roosters tap takeover on 21 September, a Buxton meet-the-brewer on 22 September and a beer festival from 30 September.
Another branch of JD Wetherspoon hosting a beer festival is Bluecoat in Rotherham town centre – their ‘Octobeerfest’ takes place from 7 to 18 October featuring some specialty ales and international brewers. A range of 30 beers will be available, spread between the regular bar and a pop-up festival bar. Other Wetherspoon pubs will also feature the festival bars on rotation.
Those of you who drink in the Woodseats area may have noticed a lack of cask ale on the bar at the Boston Arms during the heatwave; this was due to their cellar cooling system failing. They now have a brand-new cooling system installed and cask is back.
Blake Hotel in Walkley, which is owned by Trust Inns, is being advertised as available to lease.
Shakespeares are hosting one of the final tap takeovers of the now-closed Queer Brewing with a selection of their kegs featured on 31 October.
It has been revealed that the refurbishment of the Foresters on Division Street in Sheffield city centre will bring a new name for the pub; it will reopen as the Six Barrel Drafthouse, operated by the Pub People Company.
Shepley Spitfire at Totley is under new management. Gradual changes are planned, including extended food hours.
Sir William Hotel in Grindleford closed last December, and Greene King Brewery have put the property on the market.
Hare & Hounds in Barlow has reopened after being closed for at least six years. The old landlady closed the pub and retired before Covid. After she sadly passed away during Covid, the pub was put on the market, with local expectation of it being converted to fully residential use. The pub hadn’t changed in many years and was listed in CAMRA’s heritage inventory for its interior. Prior to reopening, the pub has had significant renovations and refurbishment, losing all the heritage and now has a smart, modern look. However, actually being open as a pub is something of a win! There are two cask ales available on the bar.
It’s that time when pubs start advertising Christmas festivities. Among recent events advertised is a Christmas retro disco at the Anchor near Tideswell on 19 December.
The George in Castleton made it into the final of the Pub Aid Community Pub Hero Awards for their sustainability initiatives. They were up against three other pubs in the final, from Surrey, Wandsworth and West Suffolk. At the time of going to press, the winner was not yet announced. The award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament was on 8 September.
The current tenants at the Travellers Rest at High Moor, Killamarsh, moved on mid-September to instead run the Red Lion in Cloughton near Scarborough. The lease had come to its end, and the new lease being offered included a substantial rent increase. The pub is owned by Thwaites Brewery.
A new venture has opened on the junction of Ecclesall Road and Rustlings Road. Manfred’s is a coffee shop/bar named after owner Patrick McClure’s German grandfather who hailed from Wesel, near Düsseldorf. After finishing his degree in Durham a few years ago, Patrick was lured to Sheffield by friends from the area, and has now managed to combine his love of good coffee and German lager.
The bottle fridge has an excellent selection of lagers, including some no-alcohol options, and Patrick is looking to offer a couple of draught options at some point in the future. Wine is also available. For anyone drinking in, the chilled glasses are a nice touch, and pastries are on offer for anyone feeling peckish. Hours are 8am to 8pm Wednesday to Friday and 9am to 8pm at the weekend.
Richard Hough writes: “I owe the good folk at the Itchy Pig Banner Cross a heartfelt apology. In August’s Beer Matters, I wrote a piece focusing on the price of beer across Sheffield. I got the price wrong at the IPBC. All cask ales are either £4.20 or £4.50 a pint, on top of which they offer a loyalty discount scheme. Excluding JDW pubs, this makes the Itchy Banner Cross one of the best value-for-money pubs I encountered. Apologies to all concerned.”
Sheffield has some absolutely breathtaking countryside and cracking rural pubs on its doorstep and a large chunk of the Peak District falls into the Sheffield & District CAMRA branch area.
Over the spring and summer we’ve run a series of pub guides in Beer Matters showing you how to get there by bus or train, however, by popular demand, here’s a repeat of the network map for our part of the Peak District showing all the pubs that serve cask ale. Breweries on our patch include Intrepid Brewery in Brough and Eyam Brewery in Great Hucklow (note their taproom is in Tideswell).
Bus routes:
62 Castleton to Buxton via Hope and Edale
65 Buxton to Sheffield via Litton, Tideswell, Eyam, Calver, Grindleford and Ecclesall
173 Castleton to Bakewell via Hope, Bradwell, Tideswell, Litton and Monsal Head
218 Bakewell to Sheffield via Chatsworth, Baslow and Totley
257 Bakewell to Sheffield via Eyam, Calver, Grindleford, Bamford and Crosspool
272 Castleton to Sheffield via Hope, Hathersage and Ecclesall
BLUE – open-top Peak Sightseer tour Chatsworth-Castleton (seasonal – 23 May to 10 October)
RED – open-top Peak Sightseer tour Chatsworth-Bakewell (seasonal – 23 May to 10 October)
The Hope Valley train runs from Sheffield to Manchester calling at Dore & Totley, Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale.
A Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket gives you a day of unlimited bus travel in the area on all the local services except Peak Sightseer, for £9. There is also the option of including off-peak train travel for £17. You can buy from bus drivers, the TravelMaster app, Sheffield station ticket office and Northern ticket vending machines. Single fares on buses are currently capped at £3 per ride.
Note Baslow and Bakewell are in the Chesterfield CAMRA branch area but included for completeness as the bus routes pass through!
The selection process has now begun for regularly brewed beers that could be named the best of British in 2028. A year of judging via blind tastings at local, regional and national level takes place up to the final but the first step is for CAMRA members to vote for which beers get entered into the competition in the first place.
A network of local Brewery Liaison Officer volunteers maintains CAMRA’s national brewery database (‘Pilgrim’) of regularly brewed real ales, and all those beers on the system are available to vote for online.
If you are a CAMRA member you can participate, whether you wish to support our local brewers or help recognise some amazing beers you have recently enjoyed from around Britain, by signing in as a member at camra.org.uk/cbob. Voting closes on 31 October 2026.
The top three beers in the Champion Beer of Britain 2026 competition were Bristol Beer Factory’s Independence (4.6% ABV American pale ale), Cairngorm’s Wildcat (5.1% ABV premium bitter) and Driftwood Spars’ Alfie’s Revenge (6.5% ABV strong red ale).
The real ale trail around Kelham Island, Shalesmoor, Neepsend and Hillsborough – The Upper Don Valley – is pretty much the modern history of Sheffield’s real ale scene. Much of the area is a former industrial district, but is now in advanced stages of gentrification with lots of pubs, bars, cafes, breweries and residential developments as well as a little remaining industry.
There are two key public transport corridors through the valley – the Blue and Yellow tram route down one edge and the number 7 and 8 buses down the other. Shalesmoor tram stop is a useful gateway to the whole area while the buses will take you close to the Neepsend pubs.
You can also stay on the tram to Hillsborough where there is a run of pubs and bars both small and large; however, this article focuses on the Kelham Island and Neepsend area – check out our Hillsborough guide for venues further up the valley.
Alder bar was previously the Sheffield Brewery Company and is located in the former Blanco Polish factory, which supplied the British troops in the second world war. Beer was brewed here from 2006 until the coronavirus pandemic, on kit arranged on the traditional tower principle. The bar in the brewery was rescued from a student halls of residence that has since been demolished and fits in style with the Victorian building. Currently brewing has been suspended until further notice and the bar is now operated independently as Alder with a range of guest ales and regular special events. Bus 7,8 or nearest tram stop is Shalesmoor
One of the newest pubs on the real ale and craft beer scene with the addition of en-suite hotel rooms upstairs, brought to you by the same people as the Rutland Arms. Bar snacks primarily include pork pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls. A short walk up Lambert Street from Shakespeares pub and the rest of the Kelham Island circuit. Bus 31 or walk up from Gibraltar Street
The granddaddy of Sheffield’s real ale pub scene – the first real ale free house to feature beers from outside the area and the first to offer a no-smoking room! An old, traditional multi-room pub that hasn’t changed in many years and has a great beer garden. The pub was previously associated with Kelham Island Brewery, which has since changed ownership. Simple snacks including pork pies, sausage rolls and sandwiches are normally available. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Forest / Toolmakers – Rutland Road/Botsford Street
The Forest is just that little bit up the hill away from the popular Kelham Island circuit, allowing it to remain a simple locals pub with reasonable beer prices, yet is still welcoming and comfortable. Toolmakers is a separate taproom building behind the pub that opens up on a part-time basis for special events including live music and open-mic sessions – check their social media for details. Both venues were previously associated with an on-site Toolmakers brewery, which is no longer in production. Bus 7,8 to Neepsend Lane
One of Sheffield’s classic real ale pubs featuring around six regularly changing cask beers. The pub has three rooms – the main lounge, snug (featuring bar billiards table) and conservatory, leading out to the quite wonderfully eccentric riverside beer yard. The pub is now community-owned and gets involved with a lot of community initiatives. Note: card payment only. Bus 7,8 stops outside or Infirmary Road tram stop is walkable
Small container bar boasting a spacious outdoor garden with heating and covered seating areas. Serving cask, keg and bottled delights alongside a carefully selected range of hand-picked spirits and mixers. Note: this bar doesn’t normally open in the winter. Buses 7,8 or nearest tram stop is Shalesmoor
Fairly big L-shaped pub, recently reopened following refurbishment under the same management as the Rutland Arms and Crow Inn. The bar features seven varied cask ales plus cider along with an interesting range of craft beers on keg. An ethos of only stocking independent producers where possible applies to all the beers, wines and spirits! Tutored tasting events are held now and again. The lower area at the back of the pub features a dartboard and also hosts live music some weekends. There is a small outdoor drinking area at the rear. A simple menu of good-quality, home-cooked food is served at meal times; look out for the specials board on the bar. Buses 7,8,75
One of the area’s long-established real ale pubs that has won many awards over the years, including National CAMRA Pub of the Year for two consecutive years. It is a basic pub with two rooms and a beer garden that is kept well presented, large beer range with all basic styles including mild, stout/porter and traditional bitter alongside popular pale hoppy offerings and more across 13 handpumps, usually including some from Blue Bee Brewery. A number of craft beers on keg also feature. Bar snacks include pork pies, bhajis and samosas. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Formerly a museum exhibit celebrating Sheffield’s pub and brewing history, this traditional pub room is now open full time as a public bar with real ale and other craft beers available along with a simple food menu. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Friendly multi-roomed roadhouse pub owned by Castle Rock Brewery but operated independently by Kev and Steph. Popular with the more discerning fans of Sheffield Wednesday FC and Sheffield Tigers Speedway team while the weekend live music and comedy events also draw a crowd. Usually a good selection of real ales on the bar and an extensive cider and bottled beer selection also features. Bamforth Street tram stop or buses 7,8,86.
Bar owned by True North Brewery offering their beers plus guests and food is available. As the name implies, there is also an extensive outdoor drinking area overlooking the river Don. Buses 7,8,75,83
One of those old places that has been around for years and dates back to the days of being a coaching inn with stables at the back for the horse and carriage. It only really became noteworthy from a beer point of view in recent years since becoming independently owned and operated. The interior is a basic ale house style with several rooms on the ground floor plus a live music room and games room upstairs. The bar offers an extensive range of craft beers on cask and keg served by knowledgeable staff. They also boast quite an extensive top shelf spirit choice. Buses 57/57a, 81,82 and 86 or nearest tram stop is Cathedral or Shalesmoor
New-build pub/restaurant, initially opened as ‘Stew & Oyster’ but has since been refurbished and become Salt brewery’s Sheffield bar pairing craft beer with bao buns to eat. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
Old-fashioned, two-room pub next to Shalesmoor tram stop operated by Neepsend Brewery featuring craft beer on cask and keg from their range plus guests. Also known for its cheap sandwiches and whisky selection! The kind of pub where you sit and enjoy quiet conversation or read the paper. Beer garden also available. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
Former industrial building expensively renovated with part of it converted into a bar (the other part is a clothes warehouse for the Drop Dead Clothing designer brand). The bar features craft beer, cocktails, vegan fast food, photo booth, classic coin-op arcade games, PlayStation pods, pool table, music and riverside balcony. Sounds hipster as hell – actually a really cool, relaxed place to chill with a beer. Cask ale sometimes available. Infirmary Road tram stop or buses 7,8,86
The new kid on the block, a converted industrial building containing a craft beer bar with 30 taps and a fridge full of exotica. Oh, and a mini games arcade. The kitchen is operated by a third party, currently Firepit BBQ. On-site brewery not currently in production. Infirmary Road tram stop or buses 7,8
Bar in, as the name suggests, an old former workshop! Features a range of craft beer, premium spirits and vegan fast food, in a laid-back atmosphere. Buses 7,8 or Shalesmoor tram stop
Takes place the first weekend of most months in an old warehouse and surrounding courtyards, featuring a craft beer bar with a different guest brewery each month, numerous street-food traders, makers’ stalls, music and more. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 7,8
Smart but relaxed bar and dining room serving cocktails and craft beer. Outside courtyard area also offers seating. Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
In recent years events where multiple venues collaborate seem to have really caught the imagination of drinkers with the likes of One Valley, Abbeydale Road, Ecclesall Road, Ridgeway, Eckington and Tramlines Fringe all proving popular. All have similar principles – you can visit a number of venues in one day each offering different beer, food and music.
In a Similar vein, Sheffield also has its annual Sheffield Beer Week with many venues across the city celebrating good beer, coordinated by Jules from Hop Hideout.
The 2.5 MPH Real Ale Festival is being led by Mark Simmonite of the Perch Bar and attached Dead Parrot Brewery, inspired by the one off Steel City Beer & Cider Festival on Tour organised just after Covid. The inaugural event takes place 24-27 September across 16 venues around central Sheffield, including Perch. The intention is each of the 16 venues will offer a different selection of cask ales and all are within walking distance of one another.
The festival circuit begins at Perch where you can pick up a leaflet featuring a map of all the participating venues (while stocks last!)
we were at the Rambler Inn at Edale on 11 August to present Jo, Chris and their team with a well deserved Pub of the month award. A fantastic range of cask beer was on the bar, the pub was busy with a mixture of locals, guests and visitors and a delicious buffet was laid on!
The list of venues for the 2026 Half Pint Marathon has been published and it is quite a long one this time with 32 pubs, bars and taprooms taking part!
All of the venues will be serving at least one of the two special charity beers throughout September, which have been brewed by Triple Point and Abbeydale. It is expected that one will be cask and the other keg.
For every pint sold, 25p will go to Sheffield Mind, a local mental health charity which provides vital services, information and advocacy across the city, helping people access support when they need it most.
The event, co-ordinated by True North Brew Co, also celebrates Sheffield’s independent bars, pubs and taprooms encouraging drinkers to explore the city trying new places – you can do a bit of a crawl enjoying a half pint in each bar! Pick up a Half Pint Marathon card and get a stamp in each venue you order a half of the special beers and when you collect 13 stamps you can exchange the card for a limited edition print.
