Author: Andy Cullen

The Norfolk Arms, Grenoside has also been acquired by Stancill Brewery and plans to sell the full range of Stancill beers. At the time of writing, the pub is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment and aims to re-open in late October.

Beer Engine: the modern side of Real Ale My visit to the Beer Engine goes beyond the usual: Sunday roast, DJ set and grilled food. The Beer Engine is the CAMRA Pub of the month of August 2016. I visited it in a sunny Sunday, tempted by a great English classic: the Sunday Roast. Pub crawling, though, is not just drinking. It means digging in the soul of the visited premises. The pub has built a good cuisine reputation – with beer firmly remaining the main offering. The offer is twofold: during the week there are Spanish tapas and an 8 dishes menu which changes weekly; Sundays there is the already mentioned Sunday roast in three variants (meat, vegetarian and vegan). As proud omnivore I had no doubt: meat. Three slices of pork roast accompanied by plenty of sides: red cabbage salad, vegetable cream, applesauce with raisins, caramelized carrots with orange and thyme, boiled broccoli, cauliflower in cheese cream, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and the inevitable gravy. Pairings were not the best but with all these ingredients it was funny trying all possible combinations. The best one? Roast pork and cauliflower in cheese cream. At the Beer Engine you drink modern Real Ale. It claims it from the entrance: huge white walls with black writing, clear and large font. The furniture confirms even though it shuffles the cards. I  would imagine a minimalist pub with street furnishings, home of hipsters and beer nerds. There are as well as tradition: a long bar full of beers, the details (chimneys, brick paving) are all in classic style. The choice of wood is elegant, in clear and bright colors. 3 rooms and a beer garden make it a cosy pub. The hall houses the bar equipped with heavy artillery: high abv tap list, especially the kegs. While drinking you will enjoy the ambient/chillout music, inviting to quiet and staid pace. In the beer garden the situation changes radically: the DJ set takes over with Reggae and dance hall music. Chicken, rice and peas, along with vegan food, are being served in the beer garden. Eating, though, puts a certain thirst. It ‘time to drink! Blonde, Neepsend Brew Co., Blonde Ale from 4% abv. Thin but dense foam, creamy in appearance and colour; persistent and adherent. Very light golden colour with straw nuances; clear appearance. The nose is American with an English stamp. I refer to the malty backbone, fragrant and almost chewy. Sugar fruitness with a pulpy residue (melon, peach, orange, tangerine). The prevailing malty note is that of bread crust. Toffee, crackers and orange honey close the circle. The first sip shows more than what its modest alcohol content would had imagine. Texture and sweetness, balanced by hoppyness and a sour end. Bread, honey and cereals. Then orange peel, melon, peach and a bit of canned pineapple. Watery interlude, after which the fruit returns, here reaching fullness. The grassy notes clean the palate from any residual sugar. A light peppery final grain is left perceived in the back of the tongue. Zero bubbles, medium body, liquid bread mouthfeel. It is a magical beer: fulfilling, flagship for the “less is more” advertise. This is the result of English malts combined with stars and stripes hops (Cascade, Citra and Brewer’s Gold). Best Bitter, Dark Star, Best Bitter from 4% abv. Incredibly consistent foam. Fine texture, creamy and beige in colour. Copper colour with orange nuances; clear appearance. The aromatic welcome is offered by the caramel. The body turns to crackers, crusty bread and a bite of toast/pizza crust. The heart is orange honey.   In the mouth it is fleeting: no carbonation, medium body, slight watery consistency make it go down like down a slide. Bread, cereals, caramel, toffee, honey. No traces of its passage but a slight roasted bitterness (toast, hazelnut). Ethyl aftersmell, dry aftertaste (butterscotch). A classic bitter which deserves a nutty accent and a fuller body. Millionaire, Wild Beer, Milk Stout with salted caramel and chocolate by 4.7% abv. Thick, firm foam. It is like a cappuccino: creamy, hazelnut color, to eating with a spoon. Ebony and ruby highlights; limpid aspect. The nose is weird but delicious, exactly as stated on the label: caramel, dark chocolate, milk/cream and salty tinge reminding of the crisps. The body is sweet and malty, with black bread and toffee notes. Spicy heart, between paprika and curry. It is the divine goodness what is revealed in the mouth. The sweet prevails but a wise work ensures no cloying. Black bread, toffee, full caramel (Twix), salty chocolate, cocoa powder, sugared charcoal. Even milk and candy fruit (cherry). Medium-bodied, velvety mouthfeel. Nesquik aftersmell, chocolate aftertaste. I’m not greedy but I “devoured” it in a matter of minutes. The Beer Engine is worth a visit. It might lack the charm of the old fashioned English pubs. But times change, the taste as well and the modern side of the Real Ale is not bad.

The Beer House micropub: tiny but so cute The Beer House is a small pub but with a great choice of beer, gin and whiskey. The Beer House is one of the youngest beer premises in Sheffield. It opened its doors just a year ago but has already get to the heart of beer-lovers (and not only them). It was not easy: as Sheffield is the best city for Real Ale beer after London it attracts hordes of entrepreneurs. This makes the competition fierce. Floating in the mare magnum of local pubs is tough. Yet The Beer House has achieved the goal. A quality-oriented management earned it the titles of Best New Bar in 2015 and CAMRA Pub of the month of April 2016. Micro Pub, in name and in fact. A blackboard on the roadside gripped my attention. It was indicating the presence of a urban beer oasis. There was no need to look far away: it was just right there, a miniature version of a beer garden. The hall is practically a room of about 25 square meters and is equipped with L-shaped bar featuring a 9 taps (6 hand pump and 3 pins). Next to the hall there is another room of the same size. It ‘a traditional pub. No kitchen but the possibility to order pizza from the nearby pizzeria it doesn’t feel the lack. The furnishings: frugal, praise of simplicity. The Beer House doesn’t stand out for its furniture. Somehow this very little attention to detail enhances the beverage offering. Decor is spartan, decorated with wooden furniture. Cosy and friendly, animated by the copious chatter of those coming and going. The beer choice is mostly local. Whether it’s cask or keg, The Beer House is betting on the local brewing scene. The aim is making the freshness of beer paramount of the quality. Beer is not alone. To accompany the offering is well equipped with a selection of Gin and Whisky. The reviews Full Nelson, Tiny Rebel, Pacific Pale Ale 4.8% abv. Clear, golden colour and straw reflexes. No foam as only the cask pouring can. The aromatic welcome is gooseberry. New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops is obvious. Even though there is no trace of tomato sauce or “cat’s pee”. Several cereals (bread, crackers, hay) and fruit, landing on a carpet of yogurt. The heart is tropical (canned pineapple). Light mouthfeel and no carbonation. Slightly sweet, low attenuation and little sour ending. Medium body tasting like liquid bread. Huge amount of fruit (gooseberry, peach, melon, pineapple, orange peel). A harsh and slightly acid halftime (yogurt, apple juice) breaks the tie with the past and open the path to maltiness, partially fragrant: bread crust, crackers, acacia honey. Sweet finish yet dry, with a zesty hint of lemon. Floral aftersmell, pineapple aftertaste. New Zealand Western. Plum Porter, Titanic, Porter by 4.9% abv. A timeless classic, a lighthouse in uncertain waters. Elegant burgundy colour with ruby counterlights; clear aspect. The aroma has prominent fruity notes. No suggestion: there is plum like if there was no tomorrow. Nor sour nor dehydrated but ripe, luscious and sweet. Body of black/red fruits (blackberries, wild strawberries, blueberries) and trace of apricot syrup. The heart reminds of ice cream (licorice and cola). In the mouth it is flat; medium to full body and velvety mouthfeel. The first sip is like opening the Pandora’s box: red fruits (raisins, prunes), stone fruits (peach, mango, apricot) and dark notes (barley, licorice root, milk chocolate). It finishes with a sweet cherry presence. Sweet but not cloying end, cleaned by the roasted bitterness (bottom of coffee, cocoa powder, chocolate). Ethyl aftersmell, warm aftertaste (Whisky). Evergreen (or everblack). Cwtch, Tiny Rebel, Welsh Red Ale from 4.6% abv. Amber colour, orange hues and thinly veiled look. Very intense aroma. Very seductive as well: acocktail of orange (peach, melon, orange) and tropical fruits (mango, pink grapefruit, passion fruit). Above all there is a resinous base, praising the best of American hops. The heart is like going to a circus: caramelized hazelnut and cotton candy. In the mouth it is even more delicious. Medium to full body, round mouthfeel with sharp tips (pepper, peppermint). The mouth is filled with fruitness (melon, peach, curaçao, passion fruit) but there are even malts (caramel and orange honey). The sugar is well balanced by light roasted notes (caramel, hazelnut) and fruity sourness (bitter orange peel, grapefruit). Full attenuated end. Butterscotch aftersmell, bitter orange peel aftertaste. Supreme. To succeed selling smoke is useless: quality makes the difference. The Beer House understood this as well as its aficionados.

I’m actually from Hillsborough, but, despite the divides of football rivalry, ask me my favourite area to drink in Sheffield and without hesitation I’ll tell you – Heeley. From continental pub/bar hybrid the Sheaf View to the very traditional Victoria and White Lion, I can always guarantee a great night out around the S2 district with my fellow ale enthusiasts Jake and Lee. However, I was never under any illusions that every pub in the area was great and Ye Olde Shakespeare Inn on Gleadless Road was never featured on our ale trails through the area. In fact, I specifically remember suggesting we nip in to my brother Jake one night when the ever popular Sheaf View was packed to capacity and being met with a doubtful look. I pestered him though and when we eventually climbed the steep staircase into a dingy room with a very limited selection of lagers and predictable mass-produced beers we quickly retreated. He was right about that place. First impressions are powerful so when my Dad suggested a trip there last Summer I was definitely resistant. He argued he’d heard great things recently, but I wasn’t convinced. I protested, he insisted and eventually I gave up (he had offered to pay after all!). So okay the name had changed to the Brothers Arms, but as we climbed the unaltered narrow staircase, I was already wondering if we’d get a table in the nearby Sheaf View when I proved this definitely wasn’t amongst Heeley’s finest watering holes. However, emerging at the top I was left speechless by the transformation. The bar was fully stocked with a wide range of local ales, namely those of the locally renowned Bradfield Brewery and the walls were decorated with vintage Yorkshire tourism posters. I was instantly won over – sorry for doubting your dram shop expertise Dad! On returning home a quick internet search told me the pub had been bought up by Sheffield’s ukulele-wielding cult band The Everly Pregnant Brothers (featuring Steel City’s most recognisable artist since Joe Scarborough, Pete Mckee). Their passion for good beer and long-standing ambition to own a boozer of their own had finally come together. Yet the Brothers Arms is not a self-glorifying tribute to its owners’ achievements, there’s no Everly Pregnant Brothers records on constant loop and speaking to the Sheffield Star in July last year Pete emphasised “It was my intention from the start to make it a McKee-free zone and not to have any of my work on display in the pub.”[1] As his initial impressions were the same as mine, it took some coaxing to get him in there too, but now my friend (and own hopeful future partner in the landlord business!) Lee will tell you, the Brothers Arms is now amongst our city’s best pubs, and with its rustic yet modern décor, selection of local and continental hand-pulled ales and ciders and one of the most spectacular beer garden views in Sheffield it’s hard to disagree with him. Guinness’ Dublin Porter on draught is perhaps our drink of choice here. So now, as it fast approaches a year since it first opened under the Brothers Arms name, the pub has become an essential for any night out round Heeley. In Summer it has the beautiful views of the beer garden and in Winter the coal fires and a warm pork pie. I imagine that our Heeley Ale Trail isn’t the only one forced to incorporate another permanent stop! Cheers! [1] http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/sheffield-brothers-in-the-arms-1-6758938 Brothers Arms, Well Road, Heeley, Sheffield S8 9TZ Buses – alight outside Ponsfords on Chesterfield Road at Heeley Bridge: routes 10,10a,20,24,25,43,43a,44,X17.