Pub of the month gallery
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.
Blue Stoops, Dronfield
The Blue Stoops on Dronfield High Street has now reopened following extensive refurbishment and renovation of this historical building by True North Brewery.
The bar has four handpumps serving real ales from True North and guests along with various keg beers and ciders, a wide selection of gins and other spirits.
Food is served all day in the restaurant area and is family friendly until 8pm with the cooking described as ‘Classic British with a modern twist’. There is also a function room and beer garden.
The pub is open 11:30am to midnight Sunday-Thursday and until 1:30am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Special events are planned to take place from time to time with the first being a Christmas market on 3rd December.
Gardeners Rest, Neepsend
We’re proud to announce that the Gardeners Rest Community Society has reached its lower funding target of £100,000 in its effort to take the Gardeners Rest in Neepsend into community ownership following the retirement of Pat and Eddy, the current owners and managers.
We are now in a good position to negotiate grants and loans sufficient to make a competitive bid to buy and preserve the pub for its community of supporters. To this end, we’ve announced our first stretch target – £50,000, which will enable us to put together a truly competitive offer to the current landlords.
With just under three weeks left to go on our Crowdfunder campaign, we are optimistic that we can reach and even exceed this goal!
Chris Olewicz
Interim Director of the Gardeners Rest Community Society Ltd
News Inn Brief
The Three Tuns in Sheffield City Centre have a new food menu offering good hearty food, sandwiches and chip butties. On 1st December they are hosting a Blue Bee Brewery tap takeover.
The public beer festival at SIBA BeerX in 2017 will be called ‘Beer Alive!‘ and take place from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th March with a number of changes from previous years. As with the last couple of years, Sheffield Beer Week will again run on the same week that the SIBA conference is in Sheffield.
The Miners Arms at Hundall is hosting their Christmas Carol service on 22nd December at 7pm.
The Howard in Sheffield City Centre, a Marstons pub, has been closed for a refurbishment, reopening on the 18th November.
The Jolly Farmer at Dronfield Woodhouse is hosting a Christmas charity fundraiser for Chesterfield Macmillan Cancer Centre appeal on 18th December from 4:30pm. This is suitable for all the family with Santa present with gifts for the kids, carol singing, raffle and more.
Advance notice for those with busy diaries is Toolmakers brewery’s hospitality room being open and hosting live music on 18th February 2017.
On the Edge Brewery will be hosting their next 9 Pin evening in May 2017.
A new small cafe bar called Drink Inn appears to be in the process of being opened on Commercial Street next to Ponds Forge (across from Fitzalan Square tram stop). Nothing appears to have been publically announced at the time of writing.
Stagecoach bus are running a special 5 travel all day for a fiver promotion in Sheffield on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of January – perfect for groups doing pub crawls by bus! See www.stagecoachbus.com for details.
Sheffield Asset of Community Value update
University Arms ACV rejection – no meeting with SCC
In late September, Sheffield City Council (SCC) refused our application to register the University Arms (UA) as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The decision then was ‘called-in.’
Our Chair and myself attended the Scrutiny Committee 20th.October, during SCBF42. The ACV rejection decision remained unchanged. However, we posed a series of six questions. In the meeting Ccl.Jack Scott, the SCC Cabinet Member for Community Services and Libraries, agreed to respond to our questions, in writing, within a week and also agreed to meet with ourselves. Such a meeting was originally promised in an email to ourselves dated 3rd.October.
A written response from SCC finally arrived on 9th.November. However, despite reminders, at the time of writing, almost five weeks after the initial promise, no meeting has been arranged. SCC have not suggested a date/time or venue. They seem reluctant to meet with ourselves.
There are currently two other ACV applications for pubs with SCC: both lodged by local community groups:
White Lion, London Road – a decision was due on 3rd.November.
Cherry Tree, Carterknowle Road – decision due 2nd.December
The planning application to alter the ACV-listed Plough (Crosspool) into a Sainsburys received 157 responses from the public (151 against the plan). SCC have yet to make a formal decision, although this was due in late October
In short, SCC are not keeping to legal deadlines, seem to be interpreting the rules in their own manner and do not seem to wish to meet with interested parties.
– Dave Pickersgill – Pub Heritage Officer, Sheffield and District CAMRA
Blue Bee Brewery
As the festive season begins we keep ploughing forward with new specials non of which are particular festive (Bah Humbug). The first of which is yet another in our seies of Geek beers which always uses what has to be our favourite hop Mosaic. We have showcased this American hop in Voyage Geek 5.0% which is an IPA that has big tropical, grapefruit and pine like flavours leading to a dry finish.
On top of this we have brewed Dana Pale 3.9%. A crisp, refreshing, session pale which is the first beer we have brewed using Slovenian hops, Dana is used to give lemon and pine flavours with a floral finish.
As well as this we have brewed our first Black IPA for a while this time using plenty of New Zealand hops. All Black IPA 6.0% combines Motueka, Orbit, Pacific Jade and Pacific Gem to give a big fruity hop flavour bcked up by a roasted malt body.
Steel City Brewing
In 2015, Steel City managed to brew 7 times.
Dave decided this was a frankly ridiculous state of affairs, so with grit, determination and sheer hard work has managed to get 2016’s tally to 4…
The final brew of the year is a collaboration with Imperial brewery of Mexborough (well, Dave has emptied their hop store a few times now…), a strong stout featuring Steel City’s favourite sugar, dark muscovado. In keeping with the ‘Black Metal series’ the beer is named Mayhem, after the band but also making passing reference to Theresa Mayhem PM (ooh, little bit of politics there…). Mayhem weighs in at 6.66%, and is 66.6EBC and 66.6IBU. A little bit more politics in view of America ‘Trumping’ the UK in the mad decisions stakes, a special version for the Shakespeare is dry-hopped with American and English hops and named ‘Dumb & Dumber’.
After the death of the minikit earlier in the year, a borrowed boiler was put to use for ‘Nigel Fromage’s Schokolade-Kirschkäsekuchen‘, a Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Imperial Stout which should end up well over 10% ABV. The brew features lactose, cacao nibs, cherries and shortbread. A pin will be making its way to the Boardwalk for Chris & Kate’s grand opening whenever that may be, and the rest will be bottled, available from Beer Central, Hop Hideout and Cotteridge Wines.
Speaking of Black Metal, the long awaited collaboration with Black Metal Brewery is finally happening in December, no details yet apart from it’ll be an Imperial Stout.
Finally, Dave and Gazza were pleasantly surprised to be invited to the European Parliament British Pub & Beer Group xmas reception in Brussels. Unfortunately there’s no Turkey’s Voting For Christmas left to send… Might have to brew a new one and call it ‘Economic Suicide’…
Dave Szwejkowski
After the death of the minikit earlier in the year, a borrowed boiler was put to use for ‘Nigel Fromage’s Schokolade-Kirschkäsekuchen‘, a Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Imperial Stout which should end up well over 10% ABV. The brew features lactose, cacao nibs, cherries and shortbread. A pin will be making its way to the Boardwalk for Chris & Kate’s grand opening whenever that may be, and the rest will be bottled, available from Beer Central, Hop Hideout and Cotteridge Wines.
Speaking of Black Metal, the long awaited collaboration with Black Metal Brewery is finally happening in December, no details yet apart from it’ll be an Imperial Stout.
Finally, Dave and Gazza were pleasantly surprised to be invited to the European Parliament British Pub & Beer Group xmas reception in Brussels. Unfortunately there’s no Turkey’s Voting For Christmas left to send… Might have to brew a new one and call it ‘Economic Suicide’…
Dave Szwejkowski Pub of the Month November 2016
Now my association with the Hillsborough Hotel goes back a long way. From the heady days of Dell Tilling, when the bar only opened Thursday to Sunday and we packed in to drink Brian Hendry’s excellent Crown HPA and Stannington Stout.
Well since then the Hillsborough has gone through some ups and downs and in recent times more downs, culminating in what looked like the end last October (2015). News of its demise was premature as I received a text from Tom and Brigitte Delaney to turn up as usual for my Tuesday Quiz. Tom who has been involved in a previous management along with his now wife, Brigitte, a former barmaid at the Hotel, had taken over and were re-launching,
There had to be changes, the previous owners had dismantled the brewery, so there was no more of the Wood Street Beers which in the latter days had been of poor quality.
Tom set about trying to regain the Hillsborough’s reputation and started with improving the beer quality. Anyone can slap a handpump on the bar and sell it but to sell it in good condition is an art. Throughput is important but cleanliness is paramount. Tom completely deep cleaned the cellar and lines and looked after his beer from day 1 of re-opening. Now a wise landlord friend of mine had said the secret of good ale was ‘Clean lines and Clean glasses’, this certainly was the rule now. Building up the beer range as the trade increased there are now at least 7 handpulls working selling a variety of LocAle and national ales with two regular beers Tapped Mojo and Acorn Barnsley Bitter both priced competitively at £2.60 a pint.
The quality and consistency is there to be tasted and that is reflected in an increase in punters who can always find a warm welcome coupled with a fine glass of beer.
Tom is also a well respected Chef and the kitchen soon started to turn out good home cooked food using fresh locally sourced produce with wonderful Sunday Lunches.
There is a very popular Quiz run by some Scottish bloke on Tuesday night. Live bands perform regularly on Fridays or Saturdays, usually at least once a month. A Pop Music Quiz on the 2nd Thursday. By popular demand the Folk Music Sessions have returned on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Other events like the Alternative Burns Night and Gin Tasting have also been hosted.
A Year on it has been great to see the Hillsborough filling up again and getting the ‘buzz’ back. With many of the former great members of staff returning behind the bar and also in the kitchen, making a fantastic spirit to Team Hillsborough
Our current Chair Kate Major said about the Hillsborough in a blog about ‘Bars to Visit in Sheffield’ – ‘The Hillsborough Hotel has gone through some lean times but if anyone can revive the place then it is this couple’
Well done Tom, Brigitte and staff on winning this well deserved award.
Jim McDonald
The award will be presented on the evening of Tuesday 8th November, all are welcome.
Buses 57,81,82,85 pass outside, Langsett Primrose View tram stop is just around the corner.
Sheffield Brewery Company
It’s the most wonderful time of year to live in Sheffield. There’s nowhere more magical than walking down Fargate during the festive season, savoring the smell of roasted chestnuts, enjoying the hearty brass bands of Yorkshire, and taking in the fairy lights hanging from the Christmas trees.
We end our tenth year celebrations this month with our final Ten of the Best range special: Ginger Secret Santa is a full bodied, winter warming, Chocolate Ginger Bread Stout celebrating Sheffield at Christmas. Mashed with a variety of specialty malts and more packets of ginger nuts than you can cram into a stocking, Ginger Secret Santa is Christmas in a pint glass.
It doesn’t stop there with the celebrations! This Christmas, you can purchase a selection of The Sheffield Brewery Company beers in 500ml bottles. Beers on offer are Seven Hills (4.1% Pale Ale), Millowner’s Ale (4.3% Best Bitter) and new comer Brunswick Black (3.4% Porter).
Gift packs are available from www.sheffieldbrewery.com with collection from the brewery, or down your local bottle shop.
We end our tenth year celebrations this month with our final Ten of the Best range special: Ginger Secret Santa is a full bodied, winter warming, Chocolate Ginger Bread Stout celebrating Sheffield at Christmas. Mashed with a variety of specialty malts and more packets of ginger nuts than you can cram into a stocking, Ginger Secret Santa is Christmas in a pint glass.
It doesn’t stop there with the celebrations! This Christmas, you can purchase a selection of The Sheffield Brewery Company beers in 500ml bottles. Beers on offer are Seven Hills (4.1% Pale Ale), Millowner’s Ale (4.3% Best Bitter) and new comer Brunswick Black (3.4% Porter).
Gift packs are available from www.sheffieldbrewery.com with collection from the brewery, or down your local bottle shop. 
Abbeydale Brewery
That time of year already! It’s going to be a storming end to 2016 for us here at Abbeydale as by the time you read this the new artwork for our core beers – Moonshine, Deception, Absolution, Black Mass and Daily Bread – will have been unveiled! We hope you’ll agree that the new designs form a much more coherent and modern looking range whilst at the same time paying homage to the history of the beers they represent. We’re thrilled with how they’ve turned out! We also hope you’ve been loving the new look Devonshire Cat, recently reopened just in time for festive frolics!
Anyway, onto the beers. Kicking off December will be Destiny at 4.3%, destined to have a hearty Munich malt backbone, and single hopped with Simcoe at different stages of the brewing process. 
Our popular Beer Heads series now has a little Reveller to add to its repertoire, another session IPA at 3.9%. This one has a blend of American Simcoe, Summit and Chinook hops for a cornucopia of fruity flavours including pink grapefruit and passionfruit.
Surreal Ale #1 is making a return at 4.1%, and the next in our Animal Vengeance series will be out this month too… this time it’s the Crocodile Farmer! A 4.0% pale, promising to be full snappy Motueka and Rakau hops from down under.
The first beer of 2017 will be a return for Doctor Morton’s Crispy Automatic Duck, pale and aromatic with a distinctive orangey bouquet. We can also announce that January will witness an evolution of the range which began with Heathen earlier this year. Full details still to be confirmed at this stage but expect an exploration into exciting ingredients, forward-thinking beer styles and more of that amazing artwork that makes Heathen so instantly recognisable!
Finally, may I wish you all a very beery Christmas and a hoppy New Year!
Laura
Anyway, onto the beers. Kicking off December will be Destiny at 4.3%, destined to have a hearty Munich malt backbone, and single hopped with Simcoe at different stages of the brewing process. Our popular Beer Heads series now has a little Reveller to add to its repertoire, another session IPA at 3.9%. This one has a blend of American Simcoe, Summit and Chinook hops for a cornucopia of fruity flavours including pink grapefruit and passionfruit.
Surreal Ale #1 is making a return at 4.1%, and the next in our Animal Vengeance series will be out this month too… this time it’s the Crocodile Farmer! A 4.0% pale, promising to be full snappy Motueka and Rakau hops from down under.
The first beer of 2017 will be a return for Doctor Morton’s Crispy Automatic Duck, pale and aromatic with a distinctive orangey bouquet. We can also announce that January will witness an evolution of the range which began with Heathen earlier this year. Full details still to be confirmed at this stage but expect an exploration into exciting ingredients, forward-thinking beer styles and more of that amazing artwork that makes Heathen so instantly recognisable!
Finally, may I wish you all a very beery Christmas and a hoppy New Year!
Laura