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.
Happy new year to all readers, and especially our local members in Sheffield & District CAMRA!
We’ve already started planning the branch diary for 2026 which will see
monthly branch meeting
monthly pub award presentation
monthly pub trip social – this will be a walk around an area of Sheffield in the winter, bus or train trip out into the Derbyshire countryside in the summer.
monthly RambAle during the spring/summer (these are country walks incorporating stops at pubs along the way)
occasional beer tasting nights, brewery visits and dining socials.
You can find listings of everything we’re doing for the next month or two in the back of Beer Matters magazine and on our website, sheffield.camra.org.uk.
We’re also starting to plan our 50th Steel City Beer & Cider Festival which is to take place at Kelham Island Museum from 21 to 24 October. If you’d be interested in joining the organising committee please come along to the next planning meeting at the Gardeners Rest on 17 February, for more details email festival@sheffield.camra.org.uk. We will of course also be looking for volunteers to help out at the event nearer the time!
There are also more opportunities to volunteer with us – as well as committee roles we need a few more people helping distribute Beer Matters magazines – if any of the pubs in our area you drink in regularly don’t get any copies and would like some, we’d appreciate it if you could deliver some there – pick copies up from the Dog & Partridge snug and let us know you are doing so by emailing beermatters@sheffield.camra.org.uk.
We’d also find it incredibly useful to receive pub updates for the national online guide at camra.org.uk/pubs (for example if opening hours, food offering or beer range has changed or you’ve taken a good photo we can use), these can be submitted using the link on the pub’s page. Also don’t forget to score your beers on there!
We are sad to report that long standing CAMRA Sheffield & District member Alan Gibbons passed away peacefully in bed at his home in Banner Cross back in November, not long after returning from one final holiday in Spain, somewhere he enjoyed going each year. He also enjoyed watching cricket, dining out and going to the theatre.
However, we all know him from his many years volunteering with CAMRA and was involved with our branch pretty much from the beginning, when it covered a much wider area and the beer and pub scene was very different. He also got involved in the Yorkshire and East Midlands regional organisation, attending meetings and judging pubs for county awards as well as working at the Great British Beer Festival and attending national Members’ Weekend conferences for many years. Locally, he held many positions on the branch committee, his final role being treasurer, before retiring in 2023. Although he had stepped down from the committee, he continued to be involved with the branch, volunteering at the beer festival and helping distribute Beer Matters magazines, something he had done for around 50 years. He also held the role of Brewery Liaison Officer for Kelham Island Brewery for a number of years.
Over the years he had been involved with a number of campaigns too and photos made it into the press when he took part in a funeral parade marking the closure of Wards Brewery.
My first notable memory of Alan was at the first ever branch meeting I attended, at the Bankers Draft Wetherspoons in Sheffield City Centre, where he made me feel welcome by buying me a pint. I don’t recall whether he asked for a receipt! Since then he was a constant, knowledgable presence that offered advice and encouragement as well as being quick to discourage any nonsense!
During my time as editor of Beer Matters magazine he also wrote a number of the Pub of the Month articles under is pen name “Wils Gee”.
Here are some other people’s memories of Alan:
“Liz and I often saw Alan on the bus going to various pubs in the City. A few years ago, when elected to branch chair, Alan was very supportive. Alan’s extensive knowledge and expertise enabled me to manage this challenging role.” Glyn Mansell Vice Chair, CAMRA Sheffield & District
“My earliest recollections of meeting Alan probably go back to the late 1980’s/early 90’s and two particular events stood out:
the Beer Matters Stapling Socials when a few of us met in the former Royal Standard and upstairs in the Rutland to staple the A4 sheets together. I wouldn’t be surprised if the large staplers we used were still in Alan’s house somewhere!
the meetings in the Washington when, armed with the latest Camra Good Beer Guide, we would select the beers for that years beer festival.
Andy Morton Treasurer and Beer Order Coordinator, Steel City Beer & Cider Festival
“Back in 1980, Alan was at the first CAMRA event I attended (a branch meeting at the long-gone Moseleys Arms). Since then, he has been one of the constant features in my life: someone I saw occasionally, someone who did loads for CAMRA, someone who seemed to know everyone, someone was always ready to provide sound advice – the latter was very useful to myself when we recently hosted the 2023 National Members’ Weekend. Alan is the only person who was on the organising committee all three of the National CAMRA weekends which have been held in Sheffield.” Dave Pickersgill Pub Heritage Officer, CAMRA Sheffield & District
“Very sad news. I have know Alan for more over 20 years, in the early days at GBBF and since moving to Yorkshire. He was a periodical visitor to the pub when he was in Scarborough for the cricket he much beloved, as well as seeing him every year at Sheffield BF. I will miss especially his very dry humour.” Mark Bates Three Bs Micropub, Bridlington
“Very, very sad. Lovely man and always supportive. He also had many friends in the wider CAMRA world both regionally and nationally where he was well respected and liked.” Christine Cryne Ex-National Chair, CAMRA
The funeral will take place at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium at 11:15am on Friday 16 January with the wake following at the Greystones pub.
Alan (right) at a branch Christmas dinner social with Tim StillmanAlan with fellow volunteers at a beer festival (thanks to Andy Parkin for sharing the photo)Alan (centre) after presenting an award to the Anglers Rest in Bamford
A number of our members like to make the effort to deliver copies of Beer Matters magazines to bars in other countries they visit, here is Martyn Stevens, a fan of beer and heritage buses, who more regularly drinks in the Chapeltown and Kelham Island areas in Narke kultur Brewery’s tap in Orebro, Sweden. This is one of his favourite breweries and is an hour and a half by train from Stockholm.
Brews towards the end of 2025 at Blue Bee included American 5 Hop version 86 (Columbus, Citra and Azacca, dry hopped), Nectaron Superdelic 5.6, a stout, five malt mild v3 and Little Nectaron (3.5% ABV single hop pale).
Blue Bee have kicked off 2026 with three brews, the classic Hillfoot Best Bitter, Citra Simcoe IPA and Amercian 5 Hop v86 which includes Cashmere, Columbus and Comet hops among the five!
A planning application has been made to convert the former Kelham Island Brewery into a seafood restaurant and takeaway. The original brewery ceased trading after Covid and the current company brew their beer at Thornbridge, in Bakewell.
Thornbridge have published their “year of beer” planner for 2026. Cask releases include Salted Caramel Lucaria (ice cream porter) in January, Venn (blonde) in February, Hirundo (spring pale ale) in March, Quasar (European pale) in April and Present (coffee mild) in May.
Sunday 28 December saw the inaugural Great Drone Valley Barrel race take place. This saw teams competing to be the quickest to carry empty beer casks from Drone Valley Brewery up the hill to the Cross Daggers pub in Coal Aston. The pub’s festivities continued into the evening with live music to keep drinkers entertained!
Fuggle Bunny Brew House have announced they will be hosting additional tap events on Saturdays once a month throughout 2026, on the last Saturday of the month. The Saturday events also feature live music and a food vendor with the first one being on 31 January when the bar will be open 3pm to 9pm with live music from 5pm and wood fired pizzas available. The brewery is a short walk from Halfway tram/bus terminus towards Killamarsh.
The first seasonal brew of 2026 from Bradfield Brewery is Farmers Mild. It’s a rather sessionable 3.4% ABV with a well rounded malty body and moderately fruity hop finish.
Little Mesters have had some new brew kit installed, more about this soon!
Torrside Brewery in New Mills have now announced the dates of their tap weekends in 2026. These are 3/4 April, 29/30 May, 26-27 June, 24/25 July, 28/29 August and 25-26 September. In most cases they are open 4-9pm on the Friday and 12-8pm on the Saturday. These events see a bar open in the brewery and usually a street food trader outside. We are planning a branch social trip on the train in July. The brewery is walkable from New Mills Central station on the Sheffield-Manchester line but closer to New Mills Newtown station on the Manchester-Buxton line.
Ticking Clock Brew Co in Shireoaks continue to open their tap room Thursday to Sunday (4pm to 9pm Thur/Fri, 12-9pm Saturday, 12-6pm Sunday) often with street food traders outside. They have now expanded with a second room called “The Cold Store” which hosts events, including on Saturday 31 January a metal night with live music from 6pm. The brewery is a short walk from Shireoaks railway station, on the Sheffield-Lincoln line.
Recent brews from Ticking Clock include “Just Like Yesterday” (4.4% best bitter) and “Be There Two O’Clock” (4.2% oatmeal stout) in cask and “Where’d all the time go” (7% hazy IPA hopped with Strata and Talus) in keg and can.
Eyam Brewery Tap & Shop in Tideswell opened for its final weekend of the November/December run of pop up events on 30 December. Eyam are now going through the process of gaining planning permission for change of use and a permanent licence for the premises after which they’ll be getting the builders in to convert the industrial unit into a proper tap room bar, kitchen and shop. In the meantime you can order bottled beers to drink at home online with a click & collect facility at their brewery in Great Hucklow and of course various pubs in the region serve their beer including the Outbreak bar in Chesterfield.
Resting Devil Brewery, based at the Chesterfield Arms pub in, erm, Chesterfield, launched their take on a dark Belgian ale in December. It’s called Leuven, is 6.7% ABV and is brewed with an authentic Trappist ale yeast.
Ashover Brewery, based at Clay Cross in South Chesterfield, have launched a new range of merchandise.
Duality Brew Co took delivery of new fermenting vessels in December which will increase their capacity significantly.
Neepsend Brewery are brewing a Pilot series of experimental single hop beers. Spotted on the bar at the Wellington (their tap) recently was Pilot #2.
Brampton Brewery on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, have announced the dates they are hosting brewery tours this year. They take place on Friday evenings once a month, starting on 27 February. Tickets cost £15 each (from their website or brewery shop) and include 2 pints in their bar as well as illustrated talks and a tour. The hours are 7:30-10:30pm.
Intrepid Brewery in Brough (between Bradwell and Hope) have got the new year off to a start with a new brew of Pecsaetan IPA and a bottling of Stanage Stout.
The 257 bus, operated by Andrews of Tideswell, is one of the regular but lesser known bus links from Sheffield to the Peak District, leaving Sheffield Interchange hourly in the daytime every day except Sunday, running to Eyam and Bakewell via “the scenic route” taking in Crosspool, Yorkshire Bridge, Bamford, Hathersage, Grindleford, Calver, Stoney Middleton, Eyam, Baslow and Bakewell.
The 65 bus, operated by Stagecoach, runs from Sheffield Interchange a more direct route to Grindleford via Ecclesall and Fox House then follows the same route to Eyam as the 257. It continues beyond Eyam to Foolow and on to Buxton via Great Hucklow, Tideswell, Litton and Millers Dale. This bus is less regular, running about once every 2 hours, although it does operate seven days a week!
Most of both bus routes are within the Sheffield & District CAMRA branch area – our patch stretches to Millers Dale on the 65 whilst on the 257 Baslow and Bakewell is the only part not in our area. The majority of both routes offer some breathtaking Peak District scenery as well as great country pubs!
This pub sits quite close to the junction on the A57 where the road heads on a viaduct over the reservoirs and up onto the Snake Pass. The recently reopened pub is leased from Batemans Brewery (a family business based in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire) by the same people at the Psalter in Sharrow, Sheffield and has a cosy bar and restaurant (full food menu launches in January) plus hotel rooms. Bus 257, 257a or 257b.
This pub is on the road to Bamford just a short distance beyond Derwent dam with a traditional bar, separate restaurant and hotel rooms. Bus 257, 257a or 257b.
The only pub left in the village and is community owned but leased out to a local company to operate. A recent refurbishment has cleverly divided the pub into sections to give the feel of tap room, games room, lounge and restaurant. The cask ale range features local beers, usually from Intrepid and Eyam, alongside a well known brand. The pub shares the building with a post office and tea room and there is an outdoor drinking area alongside the car park. Bus 257, 257a or 257b.
A smart bar, restaurant and hotel with patio area at rear operated by Longbow Venues Group who also have venues in Grindleford, Owler Bar, Ashford in the Water, Rowsley and Bakewell. The cask ale choice includes a house badged beer from Thornbridge. Bus 257, 257a or 272.
A long, thin, L-shaped pub with food and hotel rooms, this has recently seen a change of management and a refurbishment that has given it a much smarter feel. All moods are catered for, whether it’s a pint and game of pool or a spot of lunch! 3 cask ales are available. Bus 257, 257a, 272 or train.
Located a short distance out of Hathersage on the road to Grindleford is this traditional pub, restaurant and hotel that also benefits from a choice of outdoor drinking areas in a rural setting. Bus 257 or 257a.
Another Longbow venue, this is primarily a hotel and regularly hosts weddings, however the bar and restaurant is normally open to the public. It is located at the end of the station drive, a short distance outside the village. Bus 65.
In the centre of the village on Sir Willam Road, this hotel, bar and restaurant sits on the side of the hill that rises out of the village, which is in the bottom of the Hope Valley with the beer garden enjoying an attractive setting! Bus 65, 257 or 257a.
Reopened in August 2025 when the Refined Pub Group took on the lease, this is a cosy pub with food located at the cusp of the river Derwent that manages to be both traditional and modern in style at the same time! It also has a great beer garden. The beer range includes some local choices such as Abbeydale, Peak Ales and Thornbridge alongside the mainstream brands. Bus 66, X66, 257 or 257b (or walk from routes 65 at Calver Sough).
Handpumps on the bar at the Calver Arms. Photo: James Brown.Calver Arms. Photo: Richard Allen
Recently bought by a local businessman, renamed and refurbished. It has a modern, smart feel but with some cosy, traditional touches. There are two rooms, the smaller of which can be used for functions or dining occasions – at other times it adopts the role of a sports bar. Food is a menu of pub classics. Three cask ales available.Buses 65, 66, X66, 257, 257a or 257b.
A freehouse that has been a village pub since 1821 with a changing selection of real ales, extensive gin range, pub classic food menu, beer garden and hotel rooms. Buses 65, 66, X66, 257, 257a or 257b.
Toll Bar Fish & Chips – photo: Richard Allen
A special mention in Stoney Middleton is the Toll Bar fish & chip shop. As well as excellent food they stock bottled beer from Eyam Brewery and the riverside garden has a local history information board that tells you about all the pubs that used to exist in the village!
Village pub, restaurant and hotel rooms. Three cask ales are available, generally from local breweries such as Peak Ales or Eyam. Has a beer garden. Bus 65, 66, 257, 257a or 257b.
Standing in the picturesque, limestone hamlet of Foolow, this pub has several rooms including a cosy bar and restaurant. There are hotel rooms upstairs and a beer garden outside. Their mantra is old skool done well. Bus 65, 66 or 257b.
Hidden off the main road down below by the river Wye, this pub has three rooms including a tap room with pool table, traditional lounge and dining room. Bus 65.
Watch out for a small number of route variations on the 257 around 3/4pm – the 257a uses a different route between Eyam and Bakewell (via Wardlow Mires and Monsal Head) whilst the 257b uses a different route between Eyam and Bamford (via Foolow, Bradwell and Hope)!
Bus timetables and route maps are available from Travel Derbyshire. Fares are currently capped at £3 per ride, however if you are exploring the area then a Derbyshire Wayfarer all day bus pass may be better value costing £9. Those tickets are available from the bus driver or on the Travelmaster app, which also offers live bus departure information.
A new bar has opened on Victoria Quays in the unit where Dorothy Pax was previously found. The Lock Inn is brought to you by the same people as the Dark Horse at Banner Cross and has cask ale from Little Mesters brewing on handpump. There are now three bars at Victoria Quay (the others being the Tavern on the Quays and True Loves), however the Lock Inn is the only one with real ale and is offering a discount to CAMRA members.
Hot on the heels of the Lock Inn has been a second new opening in Sheffield! The Botanical Arms is a new micropub at 507 Ecclesall Road and two handpumps adourn the bar with cask ales available on the opening day being from Kelham Island (Thornbridge) and Acorn Brewery.
The Castle Inn at Bradway is open again. with the lease taken on by Tom South. This is the second pub in the hands of Tom and his team after the Masons Arms in Thorpe Hesley. The food menu is the same at both pubs with pub classics served along with a Sunday roast. Some of you may recognise Tom having worked in a number of pubs including the Cross Scythes in Totley and the Cremorne on London Road in the past.
The Florist in Walkley is expected to reopen before Christmas after a three month closure. It is a pub company lease and the new operator is Bala Kata, who has run pubs in Manchester previously.
The recent sale of micropubs Mesters Tap and Heeley Artisan to Boston Brewery has fallen though after that brewery appeared to cease trading, and ownership of the two pubs have now reverted to one of the original owners. The Mesters Tap reopened just before Christmas, and Heeley Artisan has been renamed Heeley Tap and will be open by the time this Beer Matters appears. Both bars will be featuring beers from Little Mesters Brewery, as well as rotating guest beers. Initially the lines are all keg, but a cask line is imminent at Mesters Tap, and currently being considered at Heeley Tap. The bar at Heeley had been refitted by Boston Brewery and opened with 8 cask beers to choose from until the financial problems hit and it closed!
The Fat Cat in Kelham Island held their Christmas beer festival on 13 December.
The Boston Arms in Woodseats held a dark beer takeover from 11 December. The two cask ales featured were Thornbridge Jaipur Noir (5.9% ABV black IPA) and an Ossett / Amundsen collaboration which was a 5% ABV chocolate stout.
The Rutland Arms in Sheffield City Centre held their annual Christmas lights switch on party on 4 December. Naturally lots of delicious beer were available!
The Banner Cross now offers a discount to CAMRA members.
The Wobbly Dagger in Walkley has had a cask line installed and is serving handpulled Abbeydale Moonshine.
The Walkley Cottage Inn reopened under new management in December with four cask ales available. A bar snack menu was launched initially with plans to develop the pub’s offering more in the new year.
A planning application has been made to convert the former Chiquito restaurant at Valley Centertainment into a JD Wetherspoon pub.
You may recall back in 2019 there was talk of converting the old substation on Charles Street in Sheffield City Centre (between the Red Lion and Rutland Arms, near Hallam University student union) into a bar called “WattBar” with building work starting then all going quiet. The project is back on and the bar is expected to open in “early 2026”.
The Railway at Wadsley Bridge has been closing on weekdays during early/mid January to allow the pub to receive a bit of a fettle but continued to open Friday to Sunday.
The Waggon & Horses in Millhouses closed for 2 weeks after the new year for a refurbishment, reopening on 15 January.
Also taking advantage of the January lull to undertake repairs or refurbishment has been the Riverside Kelham and the Swan in Ridgeway.
A licensing application to open a new micropub on White Lane at Gleadless Townend was facing objections from Sheffield City Council Environmental Protection service and South Yorkshire Police according to the Sheffield Star newspaper. Issues to work through include documentation for electrical systems and proposed opening hours. The good news is they now have the appropriate approvals and coming soon is the “Pig & Whistle”, this is the unit that was previously a vets.
Turner’s Bottle & Tap on Abbeydale Road have announced they are closing after 7 years with a combination of factors leading them to the decision. January saw them selling off remaining stock and equipment.
The currently disused Ball Inn at Darnall is up for sale and expected to be converted to other uses.
The Queen’s Ground Hotel in Hillsborough no longer has cask ale permanently available, although it does apparently get put on from time to time if they expect to be busy for a football fixture.
The Closed Shop on Commonside saw Sophie and the team close the pub after Sunday 11 January due to financial pressures. It is leased from Heineken Star Pubs who are looking for new tenants to open it.
Nether Green micropub The Wonky Labradorclosed for a refurbishment in early January. This popular venue features 8 keg lines and a well stocked bottle & can fridge. The initial batch of events are also booked in, featuring Meet The Brewer events with Wiper & True (Non-Alcoholic range) in January; Tartarus in March, as part of Sheffield Beer Week; Only With Love Brewery in May; Duration Brewing in June and Yonder Brewery in July. Full details will be on their website shortly.
The former Middlewood Tavern in Oughtibridge has gone on the market having been converted into a 4 bedroom house.
Greene King brewery are proposing to rename the Big Tree as the Masons Arms following a refurbishment and lease it out on their Nest franchise scheme. It is currently a managed pub.
The Ladybower Inn, a Batemans brewery lease, has reopened under the same management as the Psalter in Sheffield. Both venues offer a public bar, restaurant and hotel rooms. That management is Tom Lawson, his values are hospitality, community and quality.
The Midland in Killamarsh, we assumed was being converted to residential use since is closure and sale, however in fact it has reopened as the 1873 bistro and bar following significant refurbishment.
The Castle Inn at Castleton closed on Sunday 5 January for a refurbishment and is expected to reopen on Saturday 7 February.
The Eckington Beer & Music festival is planned for Saturday 27 June. This sees a number of pubs and bars in the area putting on live music, usually with a minibus service linking them at regular intervals.
The Angel in Holmesfield has been suffering a bit of a run of bad luck with their premises, the most recent was a closure caused by a water leak which damaged their electrics! The pub was hoping to reopen again after that on 14 January but got delayed another few days after more issues were found in the property, which is leased from Stonegate pub co.
The Chantry Brewery Tap in Parkgate, Rotherham, operates as a live music venue, mostly featuring classic rock and retro tribute bands. However they are organising a battle of the bands competition for local bands that perform their own original material. The first round of gigs will be late May and early June with a semi final and grand final to come after. The brewery is a short walk from the Tram Train terminus.
The Canary, on Olive Lane shopping street in Waverley, has started the year as they mean to go on with regular events. Sundays tea time sees music – either DJ based or a live performer, alternate Tuesdays is quiz & pizza truck and various other evenings see a food vendor in attendance or music/entertainment of some description! Check their social media pages for the latest diary. The bar features 3 cask ales and 7 keg beers, including some good quality craft options.
Bus 173 is a handy little rural bus operated by Andrew’s of Tideswell that shuttles up and down once every two hours between Castleton and Bakewell via a number of villages passing some fantastic country pubs along the way. The route from Castleton as far as Great Longstone is in the Sheffield & District CAMRA branch area. Ashford in the Water and Bakewell is covered by the Chesterfield CAMRA branch.
A number of branch members including your Beer Matters editor have recently enjoyed a few days out visiting some of the pubs on the route and we’ve featured a few of the highlights here, however a full list of pubs along our part of the route is provided!
On our trips we’ve travelled from Sheffield using the 218 bus to Bakewell or the 65 to Tideswell or Litton in order to connect with the 173 and travel up and down between some of the pubs on the route, finishing in one of Bradwell, Hope or Castleton and catching the 272 bus back to Sheffield.
All the buses in the area charge no more than £3 a ride for single fares, however better value is the Derbyshire Wayfarer all day bus pass costing £9, you can buy that from the bus driver or on the Travelmaster app.
A Robinsons pub with a range of their cask ales, including Old Tom strong dark ale on our visit and traditional pub grub. It is a characterful pub with huge displays of tankards and ornaments, pub cat and friendly bar service.
A cosy Thornbridge Brewery pub known for its food. If you can’t get a table in the pub itself head for the beer garden at rear with both indoor and outdoor areas available!
Stables Bar, Monsal Head (also served by bus 257a once a day!)
Run by the same management as the Packhorse Inn, the Stables bar is in an outbuilding behind the Monsal Head Hotel and has a range of cask ales and serves food. Head outside for a breathtaking view over the valley!
Three Stags’ Heads, Wardlow Mires (also served by bus 257a and X66, both once a day! Note two buses a day on the 173 use an alternative route via Cressbrookdale and bypass Wardlow)
An absolutely legendary little pub where time has stood still. Leave your attitude and expectation at the door, buy a pint of ale (cash only), sit down in front of the fire and enjoy beer & conversation whilst taking in some of the eccentricities and history on display. Included in CAMRA’s national inventory of historic pub interiors.
Cosy old multi roomed country pub with a range of mainly local cask ales, home cooked food and hotel rooms. Management and staff are friendly and organise special events from time to time.
Friendly local pub split into three areas. As you walk in there are lounge areas to your left and right with the bar at the far left, then up some steps there is a further area with a pool table. Two cask ales are available.
Recently reopened under the new management of Atlantik Inns, this pub is leased from Greene King Brewery and has a lounge, dining room, games room and courtyard.
Open in November and December 2025 on selected Fridays and Saturdays then every weekend from Easter 2026 as a pop up bar, this is in an empty industrial unit and featuring a range of their beer on cask and keg with merchandise also available to buy. The unit is due to be converted into a proper tap bar and shop soon following a crowdfunding campaign. The conversion will include the addition of a kitchen, until then selected dates will see a street food trader outside – check the brewery’s social media for updates.
Operated by Atlantik Inns who lease the pub from Robinsons Brewery, this is a classic pub that has recently benefited from a huge investment in renovation and refurbishment. It still has a multi room style layout with areas for both drinkers and diners. Cask ale from Robinsons brewery is available. The pub made headlines recently for having a dedicated space in the car park for tractors.
Classic village multi roomed pub with a couple of real ales and food available.
Blind Bull, Little Hucklow (a 7 minute walk from the bus stop, also served by bus 257b once a day)
In a village located down a country lane off the main road the buses use, this 12th century Inn spent a few years derelict before recently being restored and reopened, winning a national CAMRA Pub Design Award in the process. It is independently run, smart and offers ale, good food and hotel rooms.
White Hart, Bradwell (also served by bus 257b and 272)
A traditional stone flag floored local pub, now run by Bradfield Brewery. Note being in Derbyshire the Yorkshire Farmer ale is rebadged as White Hart ale!
Old Hall Hotel, Hope (also served by bus 62, 257b and 272)
This is a popular venue featuring a bar with cask ales (mainly well known brands including Theakstons) and an extensive Scotch Whisky selection, restaurant, tea room and hotel rooms. A beer festival is held in a marquee outside on most bank holiday weekends featuring beers from Derbyshire and Scotland along with live music and food.
Woodroffe Arms, Hope (also served by bus 62, 257b and 272)
Traditional local pub offering ale, food and sport on tv.
Cosy old pub down a country lane towards Edale with two rooms on split levels and a beer garden. Cask ales and food available, also offers accommodation.
SwissTap Tap, Castleton (also served by bus 62 and 272)
A micropub located across two rooms on the ground floor of the Swiss House Bed & Breakfast house. Two cask ales from Abbeydale brewery are available and TV screens show sporting action.
Also on the route but outside the Sheffield & District CAMRA branch area is Thornbridge Brewery tap room near Bakewell and the Ashford Arms at Ashford in the Water. For pubs in Bakewell please see the guide to bus route 218.
The end of October saw Blue Bee brew version 84 of their American Five Hop, this time involving Columbus, Loral, Azacca, Cryo Mosaic and Idaho 7. Early November saw a Centennial hopped pale ale at 5% ABV brewed in a North Amercian style with different yeast.
Eyam Brewery hosted a pop up tap event on 7 and 8 November in the Tideswell building that is soon to be converted into a permanent brewery tap room and shop. The event saw a range of beers available on cask, keg and in cans plus on the Friday evening Sunshine Pizza oven joined them there. This is set to be repeated each weekend until 13 December.
Fuggle Bunny Brew House is hosting another bonus tap event (they open every Friday all year round) on Saturday 29 November from 3pm to 9pm. As well as their beers the afternoon will feature live music from 5pm. Food will also be available with Steak & Fuggle Ale pie & peas from Baker’s Dozen.
Triple Point Brewing are hosting a beer and chocolate pairing night in conjunction with Bullion chocolate. The event is from 6pm to 8:30pm on 1 December and the £30 ticket includes 5 beers and 5 chocolates and experts from both hosts to talk you through the decadent tasting experience! Advance booking required.
New from Drone Valley Brewery is “Yippee Ki IPA”, a 5.5% ABV pale ale hopped with Chinook, Citra and Mosaic.
Chin Chin Brewery near Moorthorpe is hosting a tap event 5 to 7 December. Open 1pm to 9pm each day.
The Dove & Rainbow in Sheffield City Centre now hosts an open mic night on two Wednesdays each month, including 3 and 17 December. It is open to bands, solo acts, comedians, poets and really anything else deemed appropriate! The Dove (in its current guise) has also recently celebrated its 19th birthday!
The Railway at Wadsley Bridge launched a fortnightly blues jam night on Thursday 6 November with an 8:30pm start. In December dates are 4th and 18th.
The Old Queen’s Head in Sheffield City Centre (by the bus station) is offering a 10% discount off pints of cask ale for CAMRA members that produce their membership card at the time of ordering – check with the pub for terms & conditions.
The Three Tuns in Sheffield City Centre is also offering a discount on cask ale for CAMRA members – check with the pub for terms & conditions.
The Walkley Cottage Inn has had a change of management with Sophie leaving, she’s now concentrating on the Closed Shop which recently launched a new food menu.
The Masons Arms in Crookes has reopened but is not serving real ale.
The Heeley Artisan bar has had a refurbishment and reopened under the new management of Boston Brewery on 14 November with 8 cask lines! A name change is expected.
Mesters Tap has been sold and is expected to be renamed. Little Mesters are intending to set up a tap room near the brewery in Attercliffe instead. The new owners are believed to be Boston Brewery (no relation to the Boston Arms nearby!)
The Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre has introduced a twice monthly Celtic Sessions event hosted by Sharon Dreadz featuring acoustic traditional & contemporary songs and tunes. This is from 8pm on the first and third Thursday of the month.
The Peacock Inn in Stannington has introduced a pie night on Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm.
The Tunnel Tap micropub at Totley Rise is hosting a Belgian beer night on 12 December.
The Foresters in Sheffield City Centre has reopened and now has a range of 5 cask ales on handpump. Other changes include opening until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights with a DJ on.
The Castle Inn at Bradway closed at the end of November with 2 weeks notice after Stonegate Pubco terminated the lease. New tenants have already been lined up and believed to be the same people who operate the Cross Sycthes in Totley.
The Miners Arms in Dronfield Woodhouse has been running an early bar offer Monday to Thursday with £1 off a pint of cask ale 2pm to 5pm.
The Manor House Hotel on Dronfield High Street is under new ownership with Kevin Gage handing over the reigns to Isobel Ford (his step daughter) and Elliot Hill. They are bringing new energy, enthusiasm and ideas and building on what Kevin has achieved with the venue over the last 17 years. The relaunch party was held on Saturday 8 November from 6pm with live music, DJ and food.
The Blue Stoops in Dronfield reopened on 17 November after a major refurbishment.
The Coach & Horses in Dronfield, which is now under the management of Sheffield FC and just opens sporadically for selected football matches, no longer offers real ale or any kind of craft beer and has been deleted from the current Good Beer Guide.
Drone Valley Brewery’s Tap has had another upgrade to the tent to ensure it continues to be a comfortable place to be during the winter months! An increasing number of special events are being hosted there, see their social media for dates and ticket info.
The George & Dragon in Holmesfield, run by Boston Brewery, currently has special beer prices on Wednesdays with all the Boston Brewery ales reduced to £3 a pint. The pub also now has an all day food offering with breakfast served from 8:30am and main menu served from midday until 8pm (hot roast sandwiches on Sundays).
The Hyde Park In Dronfield has reopened under new management with cask ale available and has now launched their new food menu.
A long established December tradition in some areas including north Sheffield and the Peak District is for brass bands and choirs to tour pubs for Christmas carol concerts, sometimes with pub customers invited to join in the carol singing.
The Unite Brass Band are holding an annual Christmas concert at the Gardeners Rest in Neepsend on Thursday 11 December from 8pm whilst Stannington Brass Band are doing a full “Pub Carols” tour around the city from 3 December onwards. Venues include the Waggon & Horses (Millhouses), Riverside Kelham, Crown & Glove (Stannington), Broadfield, Punchbowl (Crookes), Rose & Crown (Stannington), Bulls Head (Ranmoor), The Ball (Crookes) and Dog & Partridge (Sheffield Centre). They also have a ticketed event at Grafters Bar in Neepsend.
Tideswell band have a number of Christmas concerts planned, including some carol events in pubs – the George Inn, Tideswell, on 19 December; Anchor, Tideswell, on 21 December and the Old Hall Hotel in Hope on 22 December.
The Crispin at Great Longstone has Cressbrook band performing sing along Christmas Carols on Tuesday 16 December from 7pm with mince pies also available!
