Author: Andy Cullen

The Sheffield area has an enviable list of breweries and many of the have either an on site tap room, their own pubs or an independent pub of choice for trying their beers! Here is our guide to the best places to sample local ales. Abbeydale Brewery Rising Sun, Nether Green This pub is a large suburban roadhouse operated by local brewer Abbeydale. There are two comfortably furnished rooms with is a log burning fire between the main bar and the glass roofed extension, which also has glass panels in the end wall. A range of Abbeydale beers is always served, with up to six guests mainly from micros, dispensed from the impressive bank of 13 handpumps. Also has 9 keg taps serving continental lagers and keg ales. Quizzes are on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. The Sunfest beer festival is in the second week in July. Getting there: bus 83a or 120 Blue Bee Brewery Kelham Island Tavern, Kelham Island Former CAMRA National Pub of the Year (2008 and 2009) and regular regional and local winner, this small gem was rescued from dereliction in 2002. A two roomed free house with impressive garden. Twelve handpumps dispense an impressive range of beers, always including a mild, a porter and a stout. In the warmer months you can relax in the pub’s multi award-winning beer garden. Regular folk music features on Sunday evenings and quiz night is Monday. No meals Sunday. Getting there: tram to Shalesmoor stop or buses 57/81/82/86 Bradfield Brewery King & Miller, Deepcar This pub was originally a three roomed village local which is now two roomed. The large public bar has fixed seating, two good windows and a separate pool area at the rear through a widish doorway and stone walls – Victorian fireplace with coal fire, button upholstered fixed seating. There are some fine etched Tennant Brothers (two internal and one external) windows each with a colourful stained and leaded crest. The pub was taken over as their second pub by Bradfield Brewery in April 2018 in order to provide up to six beers from the Bradfield range. After sympathetic refurbishment, it reopened in October 2018. Getting there: bus SL1/SL1a (link bus – connects with trams at Middlewood) Nags Head, Loxley Tap for the nearby Bradfield brewery, this friendly two-roomed country pub is on the main road towards High Bradfield. Six beers are available, including both seasonal and special one-offs, all at very competitive prices. Good home-cooked food is served (no food Sunday evening, Monday or Tuesday). Excellent views of the Loxley Valley can be enjoyed from the outdoor drinking area. The games room includes a ¾ size snooker table. Opens early at weekends (10:00) to cater for anglers and walkers. The front of the pub was extended in 2019, to enlarge the main bar area. Getting there: bus 61/62 (rural bus – connects with trams and other buses at Hillsborough Interchange) Wharncliffe Arms, Wharncliffe Side A pub since the 1830’s, closed by Punch in Nov 2011, reopened as a free house in Sept 2012. A long single room split into distinct areas by the bar, open fires at both ends. A locals pub with a focus on conversation. Local carol singing Sunday lunchtimes in December. Also hold fairly regular charity auctions. Bought by Bradfield Brewery, September 2019, and reopened on November 21st. Getting there: bus 57/SL1/SL1a Brew Foundation The Ale Club, Ecclesall Road The Ecclesall Ale Club is an ale house and bottle shop run by Brew Foundation selling beer in cask, keg, bottle and can from independent breweries. Five hand pumps and eight keg taps. Getting there: bus 65/81/82/83/83a/272 The Ale Club, Fulwood Cosy drinking den & bottle shop, the second tap from Brew Foundation, the sister to the Ecclesall Ale Club. Opened on 14th December 2019. Getting there: bus 83a/120 Chantry Brewery Chantry Inn, Handsworth Traditional pub in St Mary’s churchyard. Three rooms with low ceilings supported by oak beams. One of four pubs in the UK with claims to be built on holy ground. Originally house for chaplains from mid-13th century becoming a public house in 1804. Sword dancers practice here in the winter. Re-opened as a Chantry Brewery pub., 16th.May 2019. Getting there: bus 30/30a, 52/52a, X5, X6 Cutlers Arms, Rotherham Originally dated 1825, the pub was rebuilt for Stones Brewery of Sheffield in 1907. Architect R. Wigfull was responsible for the impressive façade and other features. It was faced with demolition in the early 2000’s but was saved following statutory listing in 2004. Following a period of closure it was newly restored to its original Edwardian splendour by Chantry Brewery, reopening in February 2014. It retains some of the original art nouveau windows, tiling and original curved bar counter with elegant dividing screen. Local craftsmen were employed on the restoration. Offering a full range of Chantry beers, guest ales, two real ciders and quality craft beers on tap. Live music is on every Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon and most Fridays. Featured in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. No formal meals served but snacks such as pickled eggs and specialist pork pies are. Getting there: Bus X1 or walk from Rotherham Central tram & train station. Brewery tap room, Parkgate The brewery is in a double industrial unit near Parkgate shopping park and now has a tap room upstairs on the mezzanine level offering the opportunity to drink the beer at source! The bar is open to the public Thursdays 6pm-11pm and Saturdays 1pm-11pm. On Friday evenings they often host live music gigs 7pm-11pm which require advance tickets, otherwise the bar opens to the public 5pm-11pm. Getting there: Tram Train to Parkgate terminus Dead Parrot Perch, City Centre The newly opened tap room at the brewery featuring the Dead Parrot beers plus guests. Burgers and Pizza available to eat. Don Valley Brewery Blind Monkey, Walkley Re-opened 27th April 2018 after extensive renovation. The formally open-plan pub is split into four separate areas. Decor was obtained from a large variety of sources. Much is ‘of age,’ little is recent. The bar area includes, possibly unique, pump handles and lots of design-care. The outside area is well planned and offers a comfortable experience on sunnier days. Food is available. Getting there: bus 135 Drone Valley Community Brewery Drone Valley Brewery, Unstone Community-owned five brewer’s barrel establishment which commenced brewing in 2016. The brewery is primarily volunteer operated and welcomes new members and shareholders alike. Opens to the public serving cask and bottled beer on Saturday afternoons. Getting there: bus 43/44 Fuggle Bunny Fuggle Bunny Brew house, Halfway Brewery with on site bar which opens every Friday for their “Fuggle Friday” tap session. Getting there: tram to Halfway Park & Ride, bus 80/80a Heist Craft Brewery tap room, Neepsend Heist’s old industrial building at Neepsend has been repurposed and now features their brewery and bar along with a Slap & Pickle burger outlet, coffee & doughnuts and a variety of games including shuffle board. Kelham Island Brewery Fat Cat, Kelham Island Opened in August 1981, this is the pub that started the real ale revolution in the Kelham Island area. Beers from around the country are served alongside those from the adjacent Kelham Island Brewery. Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes feature on the menu (food 12-3 and 6-8 Monday – Friday; 12-7 Saturday; 12-3 Sunday). The walls are covered with many awards presented to the pub and brewery. In June 2018, local artist Matt Cockayne, spend three days painting a mural on the outside corner wall. Beer festivals are held every August and at various other times. Monday is curry and quiz night. Getting there: tram to Shalesmoor, buses 57/81/82/86 Lost Industry Brewing Industry Tap, City Centre Specialist craft beer bar featuring a keg tap wall with 21 lines plus a fridge full of cans and bottles. The bar is no longer associated with Lost Industry Brewing although their beers are still usually featured. The tap list is displayed on a TV screen above the bar. A simple bar food offer of pizza and panninis is available to accompany your beer. Getting there: Various City Centre bus routes Loxley Brewery Raven, Walkley Formally, the Palm Tree, renamed as The Raven, November 2019. Traditional friendly community pub. Live music, open mic nights, karaoke. Since September 2019 operated by the owners of Wisewood Inn and Loxley Brewery. The pub closed for renovation and reopened on Friday 15th.November 2019. Six handpumps (including four Loxley beers) and nine craft keg taps. Getting there: bus 52a Wisewood Inn, Wisewood A pub popular with drinkers, main bar has three rooms (including a pool room). The cellar bar downstairs is available for hire for all occasions. A large garden to the rear, possibly the largest beer garden in Sheffield, overlooks the Loxley valley. The varied food menu includes continental sausages, pizza and tapas. Adjacent to the cellar bar is located the Loxley Brewery, which commenced production in February 2018. CAMRA Pub of the Month July 2017 and April 2020. Getting there: bus 61/62 (rural bus – connects with trams and other buses at Hillsborough Interchange) Neepsend Brewery Blake, Walkley Guest beers from small/independent breweries include a stout or porter. The pub also provides probably the largest selection of whisky in Sheffield with over 200 available. At the top of a steep hill (pedestrian handholds provided), this community pub reopened as a free house in 2010 after seven years of closure. Extensively restored, it has many Victorian features, including etched windows and mirrors. At the rear is a large decked garden. No electronic games, TV or jukebox. Getting there: short walk from bus 95, 95a or 135 Sheaf View, Heeley A nineteenth century pub near Heeley City Farm, the Sheaf experienced a chequered history before becoming a real ale oasis since re-opening as a freehouse in 2000. The walls and shelves are adorned with assorted breweriana and provide an ideal background for good drinking and conversation. A wide range of international beers, together with malt whiskies and a real cider complement the eight reasonably priced real ales. Six guest beers (one of which is always from Neepsend Brewery) and an extensive range of bottle Belgium and continental beers. Great value and a warm welcome come as standard. A busy pub especially on Wednesday quiz night and Sheffield United match days. Getting there: buses 10/10a/11a/18/20/24/25/43/44/252/X17 Wellington, Shalesmoor Traditional cosy, three roomed real ale pub. Neepsend beers are brewed on a separate site but still form the core beer range here alongside a range of guest beers including a stout or porter. Getting there: Shalesmoor tram stop is next to the pub or bus 57/81/82/86 Stancill Brewery Albion, London Road Recently returned to it’s original pub name of the Albion and very much a Sheffield United supporters pub although a relaxed venue on non-match days. Operated by Stancill Brewery and offers up to 10 beers on handpump. Getting there: Bus 20/43/44/75/76/86/97/98 Closed Shop, Commonside Traditional friendly local in a residential setting, with a focus on customer service and traditional pub values. Following a significant refurbishment in 2013 and further changes in 2017 when Stancill Brewery took over the operation of the pub, there are 10 handpumps, dispensing beers from Stancill and guests. Weekly quiz each Wednesday. Getting there: bus 95/95a The Brewery of St Mars of the Desert SMOD tap room, Attercliffe Tap room in building adjacent to brewery around the same courtyard. Opens to the public most Fridays and Saturdays (this can vary at the moment, check social media for latest updates) with a selection of their beers on keg tap plus bottled beers available to take home. Sometimes new beer launches take place at the tap room sessions. The tap room bar is normally staffed by the brewers themselves who can answer questions about the beer and will from time to time conduct brewery tours. Getting there: bus 9/9a/52/52a or tram to Attercliffe. Tapped Brew Co Sheffield Tap, Sheffield Station Opened in 2009 this was originally the first class refreshment room for Sheffield Midland Station, built in 1904. After years of neglect the main bar area has been subject of an award-winning restoration retaining many original features. Included on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. Further seating has been provided in the entrance corridor and to the right of the bar. Usually three beers are from the on-site Tapped Brewery, opened in 2013 in the impressive former dining room and which can be viewed behind the glass screen. Foreign beer includes over 200 bottled beers. Getting there: Train or tram to Sheffield Station, buses to Sheffield Interchange Thornbridge Brewery Coach & Horses, Dronfield The pub is located next to Sheffield F.C, (the world’s oldest football club}’s ground on the northern edge of Dronfield. It is operated by Thornbridge Brewery and showcases a good range of their beers and guest ales across a wide range of beer styles. The large outdoor drinking area is particularly popular when Sheffield F.C. have a home fixture, or when live music is being played. Good value meals are available throughout the week. The pub hosts a quiz night on Sundays and Thursdays and an open mic. acoustic night on Monday evenings. Getting there: bus 43 Greystones, Greystones Large community pub reopened by Thornbridge in 2010 after extensive restoration. Open plan bar with raised seating area to one side. The back room is home to regular live music and a comedy club. Getting there: bus 83 Hallamshire House, Commonside Operated by Thornbridge Brewery, and known locally as The Tardis, the pub has two small comfy rooms at the front, and leading through bar area are a large lounge and an oak panelled snooker room with full size table.There is a courtyard drinking area downstairs with ample seating and soft furniture in the covered area. At least 5 Thornbridge cask ales plus guest beers and a wide range of bottled beers. Quiz night is on Monday and some Saturdays there is live music or a DJ. Getting there: bus 95/95a Stag’s Head, Sharrow Operated by Thornbidge Brewery. Formerly three rooms around a central bar but now opened out but retaining distinct areas. A conservatory leads into the pleasant garden. A total of eight real ales are offered, with two regular Thornbridge beers, an additional six changing Thornbridge beers, and two guest beers. Getting there: bus 218 Toolmakers Brewery Forest, Neepsend Brewery Tap for Toolmakers Brewery just around the corner. Refurbished and exterior facelift in April 2016. Karaoke on Friday nights. Open Mic nights Wednesdays and Sundays. A short walk from the popular ‘Valley of Beer’ pubs. There is also a separate brewery tap room next door that opens for special events such as live music or comedy. Getting there: bus 7/8 Triple Point Brewery Triple Point Brewery + Bar, City Centre Impressive conversion of an industrial shed type building that used to be a carpet showroom. Originally Sentinel brewery and tap bar. Became Triple Point after a father and son obtained the premises from the Liquidator of Sentinel Brewery. There are six handpumps on the bar showcasing the range including both core and seasonal beers, served in a choice of measures – 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or pint and served in appropriate glassware for the style of beer. Also home to the Twisted Burger Company. Getting there: various City Centre bus routes. True North Brewery Broadfield, Broadfield Operated by local company True North Brew Company and with a deserved reputation for good beer and good food. Dating from 1896, the Broadfield became part of what is now the True North Brew Co in 2011. It has established a reputation for quality food with an extensive menu including hearty pies and home made sausages. A large range of bottled beers and whiskies supplement the nine cask ales which always include beers from their own True North Brewery. Situated within the City’s antiques quarter, the Broadfield is now a leading player in the Abbeydale social scene. Getting there: bus 10/10a/75/76/86/97/98 Old House, City Centre After a refurbishment in Aug 2017, the Old House became the Devonshire. There are seating areas either side of the entrance corridor leading into the main bar area, with table service. Food ranging from snacks to hearty mains is home cooked and available throughout the day. The True North beers are brewed just around the corner and are offered for £2.50 a pint between 4pm and 7pm everyday. Bottled world beers available, as are cocktails and gins. Getting there: tram to West Street, various City Centre bus routes Riverside, Kelham Island On the banks of the River Don, with a pleasant terrace overlooking the river. The interior is largely open plan but with a separate room to the right of the main entrance. Furnishings comprise a mix of comfortable sofas and armchairs together with more spartan canteen style tables and chairs. Operated by True North Brew Co. Getting there: bus 7/8/83/83a/95/95a Wagon & Horses, Millhouses A family friendly long narrow pub on three levels adjacent to Millhouses Park, with part of the building converted from an 18th century farmhouse. Most of the food is home cooked. Getting there: bus 97/98 York, Broomhill Occupying a prominent site in the centre of Broomhill, the York was built in the 1830’s and was originally a blacksmith’s and alehouse called the Travellers Inn. Extensively refurbished in 2010, with parquet flooring and wood-panelled walls, it now offers high-quality dining. There is one regular beers from the group’s own True North Brewery together with a range of seven guest ales (including several true True North, and other local beers from the likes of Abbeydale, Arbor, Bradfield, Kirkstall, and Thornbridge), plus two real ciders, and over 60 gins. Beer and food events feature regularly throughout the year. Getting there: bus 51/52/52a/120