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.
Tickets are now on sale for both the summer and winter editions of the Great British Beer Festival in their new locations for 2025.
The winter festival takes place from 12-15 February at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, just 5 minutes bus ride from Meadowhall Interchange on route X3.
The summer festival takes place from 5-9 August at the NEC in Birmingham, which is a 5 minute walk from Birmingham International railway station.
Both festivals feature a huge range of UK cask ales, craft beers in keykeg, world beers, cider & perry, learn & discover bar, entertainment and more. Judging takes place for the Champion Beer of Britain at both events too.
The festivals are organised and staffed by volunteer CAMRA members with a little support from the team at CAMRA HQ, if you’d like to help out please fill in the online staffing form.
A Saturday in early October saw your editor out in the Hope Valley getting in some Beer Matters magazine deliveries before visiting Intrepid Brewery’s open day.
The afternoon started jumping on the local train from Dore & Totley station with an intention of heading to Edale, however the two car Northern train was seriously overcrowded so the decision was made to bail out at Hathersage and start deliveries at the Little John Hotel in Hathersage instead, where a beer from Red Willow brewery was enjoyed.
Following the earlier experience of the train service it was decided to use buses instead and the Peak Sightseer Blue route open top bus was utilised for a ride up the valley to Castleton for deliveries and quick halves in the Peak Hotel, Olde Nag’s Head and SwissTap.
That quick pub crawl matched the time it took for the open top bus to go up Winnats Pass to the Blue John Cavern and back and it was rejoined to head down the road to Hope for the Old Hall Hotel.
It was time to visit Intrepid Brewery next, located at Brough Mill which is on the road to Bradwell. Some buses on First’s route 272 go that way but not many and the one that was due failed to operate, however around the same time was the Hulleys bus 173 which runs once every 2 hours so that was boarded for the short run to the brewery!
The set up for the open day involved a pop up bar in the brewery whilst the yard outside had tables and seating along with Sunshine Pizza’s van. A pin was sat on the end of the bar containing a special imperial edition of the Stanage Stout so a half of this was tried, accompanied by a spicy/meaty pizza and both were enjoyed!
It was time to go home and the bus network provided another challenge as the 272 provides an hourly service towards Castleton but no service towards Sheffield for several hours, however it was proved possible to ride the Castleton bound bus to the main road by the Travellers Rest, quickly cross the road and join the Peak Sightseer feeder bus to Woodseats.
An open top bus ride at 6pm in October proved rather cold so the coat was zipped up as high as it would go and my lack of hat was regretted, however there was a reward as the bus climbed up into the hills above Hathersage as a beautiful sunset over the valley was witnessed!
This was pretty much end of season for the Peak Sightseer open top buses, with the last day of operation for 2024 being Saturday 26 October. It was obvious why of course, when I connected onto the regular Stagecoach number 25 to Bradway the existence of a roof and heating was appreciated!
Sheffield based Abbeydale Brewery Ltd is delighted to announce that it has become an Employee Ownership Trust, strengthening the commitment to its talented team, safeguarding its long-standing values and securing the legacy of the business. This change of ownership covers the whole business, encompassing the brewery itself and their pub, The Rising Sun in Nether Green. Both the brewery and pub are now 100% employee owned, with a company name chosen by the new employee owners of Sheffield Beerworks EOT Ltd.
The Rising Sun at Nether Green – Abbeydale Brewery tap
Since its foundation in 1996, Abbeydale Brewery have always utilised a people-focused ethos, growing organically over the past three decades and being open to learning from the team.
The business, which employs over 50 staff (split between the brewery itself and their pub, The Rising Sun in Fulwood), has always been firmly rooted within the community. It benefits from an engaged and committed workforce, all of whom reside within the local area.
Abbeydale’s core range of cask ales at the Rising Sun (photo credit Mark Newton Photography)
Employee ownership will ensure that the business can continue to drive forwards with the values of independence, community and teamwork which it holds as key – overall retaining, building upon, and further developing the principles held for the past 28 years. Selling owner Sue Morton says “as well as trying to grow the business safely and organically, we have always tried to maintain an inclusive and supportive culture with the people who work with and for us. The future of the business is important to us, and we have always said we would not sell out to the ‘big boys’. We can think of no better option to secure the legacy of Abbeydale Brewery than to trust our team with the business they have helped us to build, together – we’re looking forward to seeing the exciting new developments they will bring forward”.
A limited-edition beer will be released to commemorate the occasion. With a recipe that was democratically chosen by the team, “Trust” will be a sessionable pale ale, intended to capture the essence of the beers that have enabled the business to reach this milestone. It will be available in cask, keg and can, and will launch at the Rising Sun on Monday 14th October, and will also be on the bar at the Steel City Beer Festival at Kelham Island Museum from Wednesday 16th October.
Abbeydale Brewery founders Pat and Sue Morton (photo credit Mark Newton Photography)
Brewery founders Pat and Sue Morton will continue to be involved with Abbeydale Brewery – whilst they will step back from the day-to-day running of the business, their positions on the Board of Directors will remain, and they will continue to play an advisory role in the management of the business.
The board of trustees of Sheffield Beer Works EOT along with the Abbeydale Brewery trading board
The new Board of Trustees will be comprised of Jon Conroy who will be the independent chair, Pat Morton (selling owner), Dan Baxter (Co-Managing Director of Abbeydale Brewery Ltd and Abbeydale Inns T/A The Rising Sun), and two employee representatives – Finlay MacDonald who is a bartender at the Rising Sun and brewer Christie McIntosh representing the manufacturing side of the business. Dan says “I could not be more proud of our team and everything we have achieved together over the years. We are a humble bunch, mentored by Pat and Sue, and have a vast skill set amongst our staff at both the brewery and the Rising Sun. The future for the business is very exciting! The support of our customers and our community is paramount as it always has been. So a massive thank you for enjoying our beer. We will continue to do what we do best”.
Abbeydale Brewery join a growing movement of EOTs that also includes companies such as Aardman Animations, cosmetics supplies Lush, and fellow Sheffield based Gripple and Swann Morton.
Brewer Jim Rangeley with Abbeydale’s marketing manager Laura. CREDIT: Noelia Amado Photography
Sheffield’s Abbeydale Brewery are celebrating this week, after their Lead Brewer, Jim Rangeley, was named Brewer of the Year at the 2024 Brewers Choice Awards.
Jim was presented with the prestigious award at a London ceremony earlier this week, where he and the team celebrated alongside hundreds of their brewing industry peers at the annual industry event. Jim, 35, who hails from Sheffield and this year celebrates a decade of working in the beer industry, heads up Abbeydale’s small batch, mixed fermentation “Funk Dungeon” project, alongside being a valued part of the brewteam.
Jim says “I’m privileged to have a job I truly enjoy, working as part of a brilliant team for a company that puts its trust in me. To have even been shortlisted was incredibly humbling and it’s a true honour to have won.”
Judged by a panel of industry experts, this accolade recognises Jim’s talent and passion, as well as his strong sense of values and commitment to progress within the wider industry. Beer writer and judge Melissa Cole said “What Jim has achieved at Abbeydale is nothing short of excellent. From the Funk Dungeon to churning out great core ranges and being a decent human at the same time, this award is well-deserved.”
Tim Sheahan, editor of The Brewers Journal and organiser of the awards, added: “The level of competition for the ‘Brewer of The Year’ category is always incredibly high and in 2024 this was no different. But the judging panel at The Brewers Choice Awards recognised not only Jim’s ability to produce a wealth of different styles with unerring ease but his commitment to the industry, too.”
In addition, Abbeydale Brewery were also shortlisted in the Branding of the Year category for their cask beer focused Travel Poster series, the artwork for which is created by designer James Murphy, who has been working with Abbeydale Brewery since 2016. James described making the top three in this hotly contested category as “fantastic”, adding that the unique branding for this range is intended to invoke an emotional connection between the beer, the place, and ultimately the drinker.
Abbeydale Brewery, Sheffield’s longest established brewery, are well known for producing a huge range of beers (in particular their flagship pale ale, Moonshine), blending innovation with heritage and reflecting these values across their beers.
Abbeydale Brewery Funk Dungeon brewer Jim Rangeley – CREDIT Mark Newton PhotographyAbbeydale Brewery brewer Jim Rangeley mashing out – CREDIT Mark Newton Photography
Eyam Brewery is in our branch area and their beer always prove popular at our Steel City Beer & Cider Festival so when they announced their third and final open day of the year and we hadn’t got anything on that day we arranged a branch social trip.
The Stagecoach 65 bus from Sheffield drops off in the centre of Great Hucklow village just around the corner from the brewery providing a handy way of getting there, with some fantastic Peak District scenery to enjoy as part of the ride.
We arrived in the village at 12:30pm, half an hour before the brewery was due to open so we visited the Queen Anne pub first, which had two real ales available – Bass and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. Food was also being served.
At the brewery a pop up bar was set up serving a varied range of 5 cask ales and 4 keg beers, most of which have plague themed names. All were delicious. Sunshine Pizza (who can also be found at our beer festival!) were pitched up outside to provide food to soak up the ale whilst next door the Ground Effect coffee roasters had opened up selling bags of their coffee, showing people around as well as serving cups of coffee to drink!
The bus back was at 4:47pm, providing four pleasant hours in the village for us all!
inside Eyam BreweryThe Sheffield & District CAMRA group sat outside Eyam BreweryGround Effect coffee roasters and a fantastic view were just across the yard from the breweryInside Ground Effect Coffee including their bean roasting machine!
Hop Hideout began its journey on Abbeydale Road as a small craft beer shop with keg taps and a tasting room. When Kommune food hall opened with an attached independent retail area, the opportunity arose to relocate to a City Centre location. Hop Hideout left Kommune a few months ago, and there are now no shops there. Since then, some pop-up events in collaboration with local brewery taprooms have taken place.
Jules has now launched the third iteration of Hop Hideout at the newly regenerated Leah’s Yard on Cambridge Street in Sheffield City Centre. Leah’s Yard is home to a cluster of small independent businesses, including a Pete McKee gallery, designer clothing shops, ceramics, and various food and drink retailers.
The format for Hop Hideout is similar to before, with a cosy shop unit featuring fridges full of craft beer, cider, and natural wine, along with taps for draught beer and cider. There are also tables inside and outside if you want to sit and enjoy your drink on the premises. Moving from Kommune to their own space means Hop Hideout can now do much more on the special events side of things, so you can expect tutored tasting sessions hosted by brewers, winemakers, and cider producers.
Hop Hideout’s new opening was part of the launch of the entire Leah’s Yard development during the August bank holiday weekend, which attracted a lot of interest. The shop continues to see many new faces popping in, as well as a lot of old regulars who have followed them to the new location. The spot is ideal, in a busy part of the City Centre near City Hall, and it is looking fantastic following recent regeneration work. Leah’s Yard has the Cambridge Street Collective as a neighbour, along with many new shop units along the same street.
Once Jules has had a chance to catch her breath after getting the shop open, training the staff, serving the many customers, sorting out rewards for crowdfunding contributors, and getting everything organised and tidy, we will be having a chat with her for a future issue of Beer Matters, by which time some of the special events will have been announced!
Jo Doyle, previously of the Sheaf View and Anglers Rest, is now assistant manager at Old Nag’s Headin Edale. Here there is a range of five cask ales including Abbeydale Moonshine and a house badged beer – Nag’s 1577 (also known as Theakston Old Peculiar!) along with three rotating guests. Real cider is added to the bar for the summer months. They are now offering CAMRA members a 10% discount on pints of cask ale. Looking further ahead there will be celebrations locally next April to mark the 60th anniversary of the Pennine National Trail, which is accessed close to the pub and the Nag’s is planning to host a beer festival with beer from breweries along the route.
Old Queen’s Head in Sheffield City Centre is now serving food. The menu features typical pub grub dishes, burgers and sandwiches.
Dove & Rainbow in Sheffield City Centre is hosting a Dovestock music festival 22-24 November.
Changes to opening hours at Happy’s Bar in Neepsend – it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays then Wednesday and Thursday its 5pm to 1am, Friday and Saturday midday to 4am, Sunday midday to 1am. Food served until 10pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Sportsman Innon Harvey Clough Road, Norton Lees, is under new management. They are promising free pool all day Monday, quiz night and bingo, Chatty Crafters Wednesday Gossip, open mic nights, Murder Mystery Club and weekend entertainment. Opening hours are 1-11pm on weekdays, midday to midnight on Saturdays and midday to 10:30pm on Sundays.
The people behind Two Thirds Beer Co. bar on Abbeydale Road are involved with opening a new City Centre venue in the ground floor of one of the new office blocks on the junction of Carver Street and Wellington Street.
The Castle Inn at Bradway has closed down at very short notice. The pub, which was focused on dining, saw its sister venture, Bakers Chippy in Bradway, continue to trade. The Castle Inn was leased from Stonegate pub company, who are expected to offer the lease to a new tenant. This closure leaves Bradway without any pubs, as Old Mother Redcap, owned by Samuel Smiths Brewery, remains closed but is currently advertising for a live-in management couple. The nearest alternatives for real ale are Shepley Spitfire or Tunnel Tap in Totley.
Dog & Partridge on Trippet Lane in Sheffield City Centre has launched an exciting new Irish food menu. Highlights include “Boxty,” a potato pancake topped with sausage and mushrooms in a stout and Henderson’s gravy, and the increasingly popular “Spice Bag,” inspired by Dublin’s Chinese takeaways, featuring chicken wings, chips, stir-fried veg, and curry sauce. The pub’s events calendar is growing too, with the ever-popular Tuesday quiz night, live music sessions every Sunday, a Thursday games night offering board games and retro video games, and a fun event where people bring their dogs to the Dog for a bit of fuss!
Drone Valley Brewery‘s latest release is one of their classics making a comeback – Station Porter, a 5.7% ABV porter. A new range of seasonal specials is being launched, known as Pick & Mix, although this is about the hops rather than being themed on bags of sweets! The first in the series features Brewers Gold and Amarillo hops and is a sessionable 4% ABV. The brewery is also planning for the run up to Christmas, expect a spiced amber ale and an 8.4% ABV imperial Russian stout to make an appearance.
Collyfobble Brewery‘s next seasonal brew is a yet unnamed hoppy red ale.
Bradfield Brewery’s annual release of Belgian Blue in cask is planned for 4 November.
Eyam Brewery launched a new beer at their recent open day – “Bring Out Your Dead”, a 4.4% ABV Cappuccino Stout, brewed with beer from Ground Effect Coffee roasters located next door to the brewery!
Chantry Brewery have some of their bottled beers available at the new ARC cinema on the Forge Island development, located across the river from Rotherham Central station.
Fuggle Bunny Brew Houseare hosting an Oktoberfest event as an extra tap session at the brewery on Saturday 28 September, 2-9pm, featuring live music (at 4:30pm), Northern Burgers and special beers.
Sheffield and District CAMRA are again using eBay to invite bids for three full sets of beermats which advertise the forthcoming beer festival. All proceeds will be donated to the festival charity, Weston Park Cancer Care (WPCC).
The full set for 2024 consists of nine mats, sponsored by Abbeydale Brewery, Abel Magnets, Blue Bee Brewery, Bradfield Brewery, Chantry Brewery, Heist Brewery, MKM Builders Merchants, Peak Brewery and Triple Point Brewery.
Now I’m not personally that into sportsball of any flavour, however being Sheffield born and bred the local culture declares that it is mandatory to be the supporter of a local football team so I follow the family loyalty to Sheffield United. So obviously, one Saturday afternoon at the beginning of the new football season, I found myself persuaded to go and see Rotherham United play Bristol Rovers at the New York Stadium…
The reason for the trip to Rotherham was my friend Kevin wanting to embark on a new project of seeing matches at football grounds of interest he hadn’t been to before, combined with a few pubs before and after the game. He’s just moved to Rotherham hence being first on the list.
I caught the Tram Train from Sheffield’s Castle Square tram stop through to Rotherham Central station then walked up the hill to the Bluecoats Wetherspoons to meet him. On the way I noticed a venue that was declaring itself an officially designated away fans venue with families welcome, yet it appeared to be a lap dancing club. I’m not sure if perhaps Bristol Rovers fans have a reputation? Either way, the ‘Spoons was busy with fans of both the home and away teams all getting on well together, the Welbeck Abbey beer proving popular and on good form, whilst in contrast a Fuggle Bunny beer was served in poor condition and disappointed.
We also stopped off at the Cutlers Arms, a heritage pub fairly close to the ground, which as you’d expect was busy. This is one of two Chantry brewery pubs located close together and the handpumps were going like the clappers. This pub was making a special effort to promote a family atmosphere before the match with hot dogs and sweets available for the kids.
The match itself was enjoyable enough even if it wasn’t the best football you’ll see, ending with a goal less 0-0 score. There was no beer of interest in the stadium, where the choice beverage was Bovril to wash the Pukka pies down!
After the football we headed to Chantry’s other nearby pub, the New York Tavern for a couple of pints and a chat. The range of Chantry cask Beers included regulars such as Full Moon, Steelos, New York Pale and Iron & Steel Bitter plus a couple of specials and their stout.
With a walk up into the town centre we called in the High House which tends to have a lively atmosphere with football on TV in the afternoon and a DJ on at night but no real ale or craft beer available, as expected. We then headed on to the Three Cranes on the High Street, located in a historic building and has the feel of a micropub on the ground floor but has a large games room upstairs. This used to have a couple of real ales on handpump and the odd craft beer on tap alongside the more mainstream industrial beers, however they’ve now been swept away and the handpumps redundant, in favour of Beavertown, I assume the Heineken sales rep must have been and made them a good offer! The drink of choice here was a black cherry flavour cider from Seacider.
A fast food and non-booze stop was made at McDonalds before continuing to the Bridge Inn, located by the river and Central station. Downstairs this is a rock pub and owned by Old Mill brewery with a couple of their ales on the bar including Stirian Wolf. Upstairs is the Hive live music venue and they had an evening programme of several bands with free entry, we ventured up there in time to catch the end of the first to perform. The headline band was called the Death Wheelers and reassuringly there was a rather impressive collection of motorbikes parked outside the pub! Also outside we ran into former Rotherham beer festival stalwart and Wath Tap regular Glyn, on his way home from work!
To finish the evening we returned to the Cutlers, which hosts live music on a Saturday night across two stages. There was a Bon Jovi tribute band playing a ticketed gig on a big stage set up in a marquee behind the pub followed by “Rock of Ages” on a smaller stage inside the pub afterwards. By the time we got there Bon Jovi Forever were about three quarters of the way through their set and we were able to nip in to see them and we can confirm they were good!
First bus X3 (Doncaster to Sheffield) picks up across the road from the Cutlers so the 22:45 bus took me back to Sheffield Interchange and a final beer was enjoyed in town before ordering a taxi home!
The options for good beer in Rotherham town centre are sadly limited these days but aside from Wetherspoons the flag is still being flown for both real ale and live music by Chantry and Old Mill breweries and an enjoyable day was had!
