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.

Sheffield Brewery Co. open day

Posted on by Andy Cullen
We can’t wait for this year’s festival and what a fantastic venue and showcase for all things Sheffield at the Kelham Island Museum. In support of the festival Sheffield Brewery are planning on opening our doors and the bar to CAMRA members from 30th Oct – 1st Nov and will offer a great range of our quality real ales plus a few guests. There’ll be hot food and a marquee to shelter from the inclement or Indian summer weather – never can tell! Should be great though so look out on our website for further details

“Electrifying Ale” to commemorate 60th anniversary of first electrified main line

Posted on by Andy Cullen

Don Valley Railway , the group behind plans to re-introduce passenger services to the remaining section of the Woodhead railway line on the East side of the Pennines between Stocksbridge and Sheffield,  wish to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the opening of Britain’s first electrified inter city main line between Manchester and Sheffield, which was officially opened on September 20th  1954.

 We, The Sheffield Brewery Company, whose brewery is a few hundred yards from the line, are delighted to be brewing a hoppy light, zesty electrifying ale for Don Valley Railway in its memory. The Woodhead Railway built back in Victorian times was electrified in work starting before the war in 1938 and only completed in 1954, making it Britain’s first electrified inter-city railway line. DVR plans are being proposed to feature revolutionary new Light Rapid Transit vehicles that are low fuel, low cost, easy to run vehicles that could revolutionise the operation of rail branch lines from highly subsidized to break even, and the line to Stocksbridge could be at the start of this. Don Valley Railway head of publicity Chris Hyomes says: “Alas the government called time on the Woodhead Railway, but as well as a drink to the memory of its opening 60 years ago, we’d like to raise a toast to a new future for the route.” We’ll be selling the special direct to landlords so don’t delay in ordering this momentus ale!  

Steel City Brewing

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Two Steel City beers are currently doing the rounds. Firstly, He’s Not The Messiah is in the ‘usual’ Steel City style, ultra pale with 127IBU of US Magnum followed by loads of Centennial and Motueka after flame-out, and Citra & Chinook in the fermenter. Good enough for Jehovah himself! False beards not required. TMB08 Messiah V2 The second brew is a home collaboration with American brewer Ken Fisher of Grateful Deaf Brewing. The beer is a variation on Ken’s American Pale Ale recipe, though hardly pale by Steel City standards! The usual Maris Otter and Wheat malts were supplemented with Carared and Belgian Aromatic for both flavour and a light amber colour (Ken’s recipe called for crystal malt, which was substituted for obvious reasons!). A relatively restrained 70IBU of US Magnum followed by a rare (for Steel City) late boil addition, in this case Chinook. More Chinook post flame-out, and yet more Chinook in the fermenter, supplemented by Columbus. Supplies are limited, but look out for it in the Shakespeare, the Sheaf View and at Nottingham Beer Festival.

Royal Oak, Beighton

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Fears that a Sheffield village pub could be eventually turned into a supermarket have been raised by concerned residents. Plans to make alterations to the closed Royal Oak pub on High Street, Beighton – including a single-storey side extension, removal of a stairway and car park alterations – have been approved by Sheffield Council. Documents submitted by the applicant Langar Estates say they intend to retain the premises for class A4 use, which covers drinking establishments, and that 10 staff will be employed. The ground floor will become a ‘modern restaurant/dining and bar room accommodation’. The pub has been closed since December. However, some local residents fear other moves could be planned as the applicant for the case has purchased another pub in Manchester and turned it into a Tesco supermarket without the need for change-of-use approval. The applicant’s agent, Edgeplan, say they are not aware that the site would be used for retail. Aubrey Hill, of Beighton, said: “Residents of Beighton were elated to hear The Royal Oak is to be revamped and reopened as a restaurant or pub. But are we being hoodwinked? Those named on the application have apparently been involved in buying up vacant village pubs which are then quickly converted into a Tesco Express before anyone can create a fuss. Apparently they are able to do this without applying for any change of use. I believe old, traditional pubs, like The Royal Oak, should be kept as an asset for the community if at all possible and not as an asset for the greedy supermarket chains.”

Steel City Beer Festival

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Sponsor a barrel! Fancy a works do at this year’s festival, why not promote your business at the same time? Group of friends who fancy doing something different on a night out? Something to celebrate? You can sponsor a barrel for just £100 and your name will appear on the beer label behind the bar, plus your name will be included in the programme and on the website, sheffield.camra.org.uk/festival.  We will provide you with 6 complimentary tickets to the festival and a free pint to get you started. We can also discuss any corporate hospitality requirements you may have. For more information please contact festival@sheffieldcamra.org.uk.

WORKING AT A BEER FESTIVAL – by Steve Cook

 Ever wondered what it is like helping out at a Beer Festival? I did for a number of years. It was one of the reasons I joined Camra back in 2000. I had worked in pubs and bars for 17 years, during which time I looked after a number of pubs whilst the manger went on leave. It was hard work but I got a buzz out of it.

I volunteered my services for the 2000 Beer Festival at the Students Union in Pond Street, (is it still there?). How different it was to what I was used to. There were no keg beers, lagers and spirits. There was no asking the customer if they wanted ice and lemon in their G & T, no asking if they wanted crisps or nuts they didn’t want but the pubco wanted them to buy. For various reasons it wasn’t until 2012 I worked the festival again, doing a few sessions on the bar and helping with the breakdown. 2013 I decided to go the full hog and work the whole week, setting up, working the bar and breaking down. And what a week it was. I put more hours in that week than I did in a normal week at my everyday job, (all for the love of real ale and Camra). Being a novice at the set up, I saw how much was involved to get the venue ready. I have to smile at the fact we were in a sports hall. There were many experienced and knowledgeable heads orchestrating without being demanding. Racking went up, the bars went up, and the beers went on the racking. After 2½ days of set up the festival opened. I couldn’t believe how many people turned up for the midday opening. In the blink of an eye I went from being festival constructor to barman. As the afternoon passed, the adrenaline kicked in and the barman in me came out. I was in my element, giving quality service and having banter with those who came in. The bar staff were a mixture of old heads and those new to bar work. The newbies soon learnt the ropes with help at hand from the experienced. Two of the newbies enjoyed their time so much they wanted jobs in pubs. There is one regret I have; it is not having worked the festivals more than I have. The buzz, enjoyment and what I get out of working what I have is on the highest of bars, sorry pedestals. I must have ticked a few boxes last year as this time I have been asked to be Deputy Bar Manager. There are still a good number of weeks before the festival and I already have the buzz. Set up for this year’s festival starts on October 27 with breakdown on November 2 with the  festival open October 29 – November 1, so if you fancy helping out, whether it be a session or two, (can you stretch it to three?) on the bar and /or helping with the set up and break down email ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­festivalstaffing@sheffieldcamra.org.uk. Nearly forgot, there is good beer (and cider) to be enjoyed. Fancy brewing beer?  Blue Bee logoSheffield Brewery Company logo  To celebrate 40th Steel City Beer and Cider we are having two beers brewed in advance that will go on sale in local pubs in September and October to promote the festival. Blue Bee Brewery and Sheffield Brewery Company have both kindly agreed to brew a beer especially for the occasion. CAMRA members will be gathering on the morning of Saturday 5th September at Blue Bee brewery to help head brewer Josh brew the beer which as yet is unnamed but will be a 5% beer. If you want to experience the hard work that goes into brewing beer and lend a hand contact us at festivalstaffing@sheffieldcamra.org.uk for more details.

Sheffield Brew Fest @ Bath Hotel

Posted on by Andy Cullen
sheffbrewfest Sheff Brew Fest is a group of beer loving individuals who have come together inspired by the fresh crop of independent beer festivals popping up across the UK from London to Liverpool.

Their first event is a lovingly curated, hop forward beer festival to be held at The Bath Hotel on Victoria Street from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th October 2014. The event will feature more than 20 specially selected draught beers from around the country, a wide range of hard to find and international bottled craft beers and a hand-picked selection of quality ciders.

Festival organiser, Jules Gray explains, “As individuals and as a group we’re excited by Sheffield and Yorkshire breweries on our door step. We’re also energised when you search out and find fresh, interesting beers from further afield. We wanted to showcase a good mix of the two together under one roof. Beer is so diverse, with its multitude of styles and it’s about coming together to celebrate that.”

The objective is to host fundraising pop-up beer events in the run up to a larger scale beer festival in October 2015. The Bath Hotel is a beautiful heritage pub known for having a well selected range of cask ales and provides the perfect back drop for this first event.

The festival starts at 5pm Thursday and is open all day over the weekend.

 Examples of breweries showcased include: Buxton Brewery, Magic Rock, On the Edge, Steel City, Quantum, Anarchy, Black Jack, Weird Beard, Wild Beer Co., Thornbridge, De Molen, Siren, Founders, Odell, Rogue, Beavertown, Burning Sky, The Kernel, Arbor, Ilkley, Moor and 3 Fonteinen. 

The Sheff Brew Fest team includes members from Sheffield Homebrew Club (@SheffBrewClub), Edd Entwistle (manager of The Bath Hotel), Sean Clarke (Beer Central @BeerCentralLtd) & Jules Gray (Hop Hideout @HopHideout).

SheffBrewFest1

Pub heritage news

Posted on by Andy Cullen
‘Yorkshire’s Real Heritage Pubs : Pub Interiors of Special Historic Interest’  (2nd.Edition) was available at the recent CAMRA Great British Beer Festival at Olympia and is now available nationwide. The official launch is at Whitelocks, (Leeds), on 29th.August. In attendance will be the MP for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland. Greg is Chair of ‘Save the Pub,’ an all party parliamentary group which aims to preserve and protect the Great British pub. Sheffield pubs featured are: The Bath Hotel, The Cross Keys (Handsworth), The Grapes, The Manor Castle, The Railway (Brightside), the Sheffield Tap, The Travellers Rest (Oughtibridge) and The White Lion. The book costs £4.99 (£3.99 to CAMRA members) and is available from the CAMRA shop. Also in hand is the creation of a local list of Sheffield pub interiors which, whilst not of national or regional importance, nevertheless contain elements of historic interest like some old fixtures and fittings or much of their original layout. Examples include: Carbrook Hall, The Dog and Partridge,  Fagans,  The New Barrack, The Old Crown (London Road), The Princess Royal, Ye Olde Shakespeare Inn (Heeley), Shakespeare (West Bar), The Sportsman Inn (Blackburn), The Wagon and Horses (Heeley Green), and The Wellington (Shalesmoor). There are a number of other pubs who have distinctive historical exteriors. These include Bloo88 (Hallamshire Hotel), The Rutland Arms and The Ship Inn. We are grateful to the Sheffield Star, Morning Telegraph and the Yorkshire Post for mentioning the creation of the local list and a number of subsequent suggestions from readers. We welcome other examples of Sheffield pubs with distinctive historical features. Please email information to: dpickersgill1@gmail.com

Inn Brief

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Maurice Champeau  is the new manager at the Crookes Social Club, some will know him from his days as bar manager at the Hearty Oak in Dronfield Woodhouse. Plans are afoot to improve the real ale range at the club, more next month! The Tickled Trout in Barlow reopened after extensive refurbishment on August 5th.  Owners Derek and Chris Mapp, together with their management team of Margaret Robbin, Tom Schofield and Lauren White welcome all customers, both old and new, to the much improved premises. Four real ales are available on handpump. Regular is Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. there will be three guest beers at all times. At the reopening these were Oldershaw Heavenly Blonde (an excellent sample was enjoyed), Abbeydale Moonshine and Welbeck Abbey Portland Black.  Quality food is served daily (pub closed Mondays). The Bowhsaw Inn (Toby Carvery) at Bowshaw roundabout near Dronfield reopened after refurbishment in mid-July. A planning application to replace the car park in front of the Robin Hood pub in Millhouses with an outdoor space have been rejected by Sheffield Council Planning Committee. The planning application was  to pave the area and install a heated ‘jumbrella.’ Almost 30 residents objected as they feared the move would force customers to use already limited parking nearby, affecting them and local traders. Following an hour-long debate Councillors voted 10-2 against the plans, despite a recommendation to approve being made by council officers. They also decided to add extra weight to a planning condition from alterations approved in 2001, which said parking facilities must be retained. 30 years ago, in July 1984, Theakston’s brewery was sold to Matthew Brown of Blackburn. MB were later taken over by Scottish and Newcastle. To-day Theakston’s is independent again. Sheffield band, the Everly Pregnant Brothers have taken on The Shakespeare at Heeley.  It  will soon become The Brothers’ Arms. The six-piece Sheffield band is leasing the building from pubco Punch Taverns, who will carry out a refurbishment. The Brothers’ Arms will be free of any tie to a specific brewery. A planning application has been submitted for a residential development on the site of the currently closed Fleur de Lys pub in Totley. The current building was built on the site of previous pubs in 1933 – ‘Mock Tudor’  style – a popular 1930’s style for both houses and pubs. Possible sources of the Fleur de Lys name are: (i) the heraldic iris on the coat of arms of the Barker family who lived at Totley Hall OR ii) the arms of King Edward III who was King of both England and France. Angel at Spinkhill update – to confirm: all monies are now in place from both community offered loans and the principal investor group. Completion of the purchase of The Angel is all set to be completed towards the end of August as planned. Hopefully we’ll see the pub open again before too long! The New Barrack Tavern is hosting a charity music festival over the weekend of 22nd to 24th August.

Champion Beer of Britain

Posted on by Andy Cullen
CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition sees a selection and judging process over almost a year, with initial county categories selected by an online vote open to all CAMRA members followed by a programme of judging in their categories at various beer festivals around the country until the finalists are judged by a blind tasting panel at the Great British Beer Festival with the winner crowned at the trade session, which was this year on Tuesday 12th August. Amongst breweries near us there were a couple of honourable mentions with Peak Ales’ Chatsworth Gold getting a bronze in the speciality category and Spire Brewery’s Prince Igor Imperial Russian Stout getting a bronze in the real ale in a bottle category. The overall winner, just pipping Oakham Citra to the post was a classic Yorkshire bitter – Timothy Taylor Boltmaker. Timothy Taylor isn’t exactly one of the more fashionable breweries in the ‘craft beer revolution’ being stubbornly and proudly traditional, however there is no denying their commitment to quality beer. Nik Antona, Champion Beer of Britain Director, spoke in praise of today’s winner. He said: “It is fantastic to announce Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker as the Champion Beer of Britain 2014. This full flavoured bitter is a modern classic that is as impressive today as the day it was first brewed. ” Head Brewer Peter Eells said, “I’m speechless. We work very hard to produce great beers and we really believe this is the best beer we can brew – so to have it acknowledged in such an important competition is absolutely fantastic.” Managing Director Charles Dent added, “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s our favourite, it’s the brewers favourite, it’s the beer that you drink if you’re drinking with us and it’s named after one of our favourites pubs – The Boltmakers.” The full results by category: Overall winners- Gold – Timothy Taylors, Boltmaker Silver – Oakham, Citra Bronze – Salopian, Darwin’s Origin Mild category- Gold – Bank Top, Dark Mild Silver – Branscombe Vale, Mild Bronze – Castle Rock, Black Gold Bitters category- Gold – Timothy Taylor, Boltmaker Silver – Mighty Oak, Captain Bob Joint Bronze – Flowerpots, Flowerpots Bitter & Sambrook’s Wandle Ale Best Bitters- Gold – Salopian, Darwin’s Origin Silver – Red Willow, Directionless Joint Bronze – Purity, Mad Goose & Langton, Inclined plain bitter Golden Ales- Gold – Oakham, Citra Silver – Hawkshead, Cumbrian Five Hop Bronze – Salopian, Hop Twister Strong Bitters- Gold – Church End, Fallen Angel Silver – Blue Monkey, Ape Ale Bronze –Loch Ness, HoppyNESS Speciality Beers- Gold – Saltaire, Triple Chocoholic Silver – Offbeat, Way Out Wheat Bronze – Peak Ales, Chatsworth Gold Champion Winter Beer of Britain (from category winners announced in January 2014)- Cairngorm, Black Gold (Stouts Category) Dunham Massey, Dunham Porter (Porter Category) Exe Valley, Winter Glow (Old Ales & Strong Milds) Kinver, Over the Edge (Barley Wines & Strong Old Ales) Champion Bottled Beer of Britain winners  (Sponsored by Beer Hawk) Gold – Marble, Chocolate Marble Silver – St Austell, Proper Job Bronze – Spire, Prince Igor Imperial Russian Stout

Pub Matters

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Pubs Matter Final Logo CAMRA has launched a new hard-hitting campaign to urge the Government to close national planning loopholes. The campaign, ‘Pubs Matter: So why can’t we have a say’, aims to give power back to local communities by ensuring planning permission is always required before the change of use or demolition of a pub. Local pubs are currently closing at an alarming rate and every week two pubs are converted into supermarkets. CAMRA says the current planning system too often leaves local communities powerless to act in the face of big companies and unscrupulous developers keen to exploit these loopholes. Under current planning law, pubs can be demolished or converted into several other uses including supermarkets and estate agents without requiring planning permission. CAMRA says allowing pubs to be converted without a planning application is ludicrous – and Government must step in and close these loopholes as a matter of urgency. Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s Head of Communications said: “Popular and profitable pubs are being left vulnerable by gaps in English planning legislation as pubs are increasingly being targeted by those wishing to take advantage of the absence of proper planning control. “It is wrong that communities are left powerless when a popular local pub is threatened with demolition or conversion into a Tesco store. “It is time for the Government to stop standing by while pubs are being targeted due to gaps in planning law.” With a simple amendment to the General Permitted Development Order 1995, any demolition or change of use involving the loss of a pub would require planning permission. This small change by Government would save hundreds of pubs from closure and give communities a powerful new weapon in the battle to protect our pubs. To support the campaign please go to www.pubsmattter.org.uk Pubs-31

Pubs support over 1 million UK jobs and inject an average of£80,000 into their local economy each year.

31 pubs close every week.

Research by CAMRA found that 2 pubs are converted to supermarkets every week between January 2012-2014.

69% of all adults believe that a well-run community pub is as important to community life as a post office, local shop or community centre.*

75% of all adults believe that pubs make a valuable contribution to life in Britain.**