Steel City Brewing

Steel City have gone all political in the wake of the election results! (A quick word from the editor – CAMRA is a non party political organisation – views here are from the brewer, who also advocates a system of democracy of one-man-one-vote as long as he is the one man with the one vote…) TMB13 Nobody The first brew after Britain sentenced itself to five years of pain is Just What Nobody Wanted, a name taken from a Skyclad track and very fitting given two thirds of people voted against the ruling party. The beer itself is a Transatlantic Pale Ale, featuring Columbus for bittering followed by Mosaic, Azacca and Pacific Jade for flavour. An even more politically explicit version for Glastonwick beer festival has added lemongrass and chilli and is named appropriately. The minikit was also fired up, though not politically… Sean from Beer Central came along to brew an exclusive bottling for the shop, a keykeg will also be produced for the Shakespeare. Mango Fruit Machine is, as the name suggests, a Mango IPA. Weighing in at 6.5%ish, Mangosaic features 120IBU of Columbus followed by Mosaic and Azacca for flavour, then mango pulp added both before and after fermentation. Approximately 60 bottles will be produced (Steel City’s new craft-as-you-like blue-glass swing-top bottles, no less!), look out for the announcements on social media (Beer Central and Steel City Brewing on Farcebook, @BeerCentralLtd and @SteelCityBrew on Twitter), they’re sure to not last long!  

Abbeydale Brewery

Firstly like to thank all those who came down to the beer tent at the Sheffield Food Festival (although as I’m writing this, its still a couple of weeks away!) and supported their local breweries and food outlets/suppliers. Secondly, we hope you also support the Three Valleys Festival on June 6th. We have a dedicated bar at the Manor House Hotel (High St, Dronfield) where you will find a range of our core beers like Moonshine, Deception and Absolution alongside some of our recent special beers including Demon Drink and the collaboration with Griffin Claw Brewing Co of Michigan USA! Thirdly, it’s not long until SunFest 2015 and planning is coming along nicely. If you haven’t already, get 9th-12th July in your diary, it’s not one to be missed. The usual set-up with 96 cask beers and a range of craft keg beers in the tent and the Abbeydale core range available from the bar inside! Plus all the usual fun and festivities! Now onto our beer for this month (finally!)… AbbeydaleBelfry Popular as ever, the summer months mean the return of Belfry, our 4.5% pale ale showcasing the lovely Cascade hops from the US. Lots of citrus flavour with a hint of spice means this is a perfectly refreshing beer for those nice Summer evenings! AbbeydaleSaladDressing Next up in our Dr Morton’s range is Morton Caesar, a 4.1% pale ale made with a combination of US and New Zealand hops to give a bold hop character with citrus and herbal aromas. We have the latest in the Albion British hop series this month featuring UK Cascade. Weighing in at 4.0%, perhaps compare this to the Belfry and see for yourself what happens when you grow the same plant in different climates.  Expect similar citrus flavours, but perhaps more rounded and not quite as intense. AbbedaleLarceny Larceny is rife at this time of year (well it is in our fermenters) and the beer is making a welcome return after a few years in hiding (probably for all that larceny!). Expect full on citrus hop flavours from the combination of American hops and a lasting bitter finish. Early July will see us all confused with our calendars as we release Dr Morton’s January Sales, but more to come on that beer in next month’s edition! Until then, mine’s a pint (of Moonshine!) Robin

CAMRA members discounts in Sheffield

The following pubs in Sheffield are known to offer discounts off a pint of beer to card carrying CAMRA members. Please note there may be some restrictions (eg not Fri/Sat nights) – check with pubs first. If you know of a pub missing from the list let us know and we will mention them next month. Ball, Crookes Castle Inn, Bradway Dog & Partridge, Sheffield City Centre Dove & Rainbow, Sheffield City Centre Hop, Sheffield City Centre Red Deer, Sheffield City Centre Additionally, the following City Centre pubs and bars offer discounts on real ale to all customers at certain times of day: Anchorage Old House Wick at Both Ends

Sheaf View

The Sheaf View, Heeley will be hosting a night not to be missed on Tuesday 9th June. We are delighted to be accepting the Sheffield CAMRA pub of the month award for June 2015 and are also taking the opportunity to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the pub re-opening under it’s current ownership. There will be a lamb roast on the go and we are very excited to combine the evening with the official launch of Sheffield’s newest brewery, Neepsend Brewing Company. There will be a range of Neepsend beers available on the bar for the first time ever and Neepsend beers will be permanently available at the Sheaf and our sister pub, The Blake Hotel going forward. The presentation of the award will be from 8pm but get there early for the roast! Neepsend Brewco

Acorn Brewery

The latest seasonal beers from Acorn include: Arcade 4.5% – Rich golden ale that takes its name from the UK Archer and USA Cascade hops. Citrus, lime and floral aromas, balanced with a sweet malty base from the Munich and Maris Otter malt. This brew is Ian Darvils first beer for Acorn and upon tasting I’m sure you will see what an accomplished brewer Ian is. ArcadeHi-Res-300x301 El Dorado IPA 5% – 2nd in our next series of IPA’s featuring American Hops. Rich golden coloured beer with bold fruity aromas and notes of Citrus Fruits and juicy Apricots and Peaches. Summer Pale 4.1% – One of our most popular seasonal beers makes a return for the next few months. A clear, light straw coloured wheat beer with slight bitterness and a floral aroma. The brewery will be celebrating its 12th birthday on the 4th July so we thought it was time for a slight freshen up of our branding before we become stroppy teenagers next year! All will be revealed the first week in July, hope you all approve.

Fuggle Bunny Brewhouse

Fuggles First Year

What an extraordinary year.  We moved into our unit on 1st February 2014 and started producing our ales on 26th April.  During the early start there were teething problems as with any business but then Fuggle started to get noticed, and we went from strength to strength. Within the first 8 months we had produced 7 Quintessential – Quaffable – Quality Ales, the last one to be created was Chapter 7 – Russian Rare-Bit 5.0% Imperial Russian Stout which incidentally went on to win first place in the stout category at the Steel City 40th Beer & Cider Festival in October 2014 held at Kelham Island Museum; we were absolutely surprised and thrilled. Our first Christmas was a busy one. We bought a pool table, and dartboard in readiness for the brewery tours, one of which was the Mosborough Rugby Team, all dressed in Xmas Jumpers – ‘wot a night’ – brilliant.  With Christmas over we thought it would be quiet, but quite the opposite, the orders kept coming. With March on the horizon we were gearing up for the SIBA BeerX 2015 at ICE Sheffield. We had entered the best design concept, never thinking in our wildest dreams that we would win anything, however we did, and we took the Industry’s Top Award for Best Total Design Concept 2015.  We could not believe our ears as the awards rang out, what a finish to our first year, this was the icing on the cake.  I have been informed that the curator from the Brewery Museum in Burton upon Trent has requested our exhibit which we created for the award we won, in order to place it in an exhibition in a glass showcase at the museum. In order to continue to keep up with demand we have just received delivery of our 3rd FV, which is now in-situ and ready to go. We also enjoyed the long awaited awards night for our stout which won back in October and collected it from the beautiful setting at Thornbridge Hall Hotel on Friday 27th March last, great evening thanks to CAMRA. Fuggle also rescued a damsel in distress who had been let down with her forthcoming wedding beer she was having created by another brewery.  After Eleanor contacted us we were happy to be able to create a special beer and personalised pump clip for their special day.  It was a huge success and they were so pleased that Fuggle came to their rescue. So we would like to thank everyone for your continued support and good wishes as we prepare to go into year 2, and look forward to the challenges and more fuggalicious ales.  Always be on the lookout for more hoppy adventures with Fuggle.

New beers

Limited edition beer to celebrate VE 70 Day – Pint of Pride 3.8%. Special for Barrow Hill Rail Ale Festival – a ruby red ale 3.8% called Black Forest packed full of fruity cherries… cherrylicious.

Dates

28th,29th and 30th May – we have been asked by Ossett Brewery for a special beer for the Three Pigeons Beer Festival in Halifax in celebration of their 10th Anniversary. 10th June – we are attending the Manufactured Yorkshire Food & Drink Trade Show at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield. Again, we will be taking along our pop up bar for tipples. 31st July, 1st and 2nd August – Fuggle is rather excited and getting out his best bib and tucker as he has been cordially invited to the Prestigious Harewood House.  We have been invited to showcase our beers at the CLA Game Fair at Harewood House.  This is the biggest game fair show in Britain.  We have created two special beers with bespoke personalised pump clips for this spectacular occasion, there is going to be a huge marquee which will house the round bar serving Fuggles finest ales in the beautiful grounds of Harewood.  There will be a host of activities in celebration of the Great British countryside.  Don’t miss an opportunity of attending this incredible show.

Planning news – pubs under threat and some new ones!

Potential lost locals… Kings Head, Poole Road, Attercliffe – planning application to convert into flats Fara’s, Worksop Road, Attercliffe – planning application to convert into flats Pike & Heron, Highgate, Attercliffe – planning application to convert into shops Thorncliffe Arms, Warren Lane, Chapeltown – planning application to demolish pub and build flats on the site. Sportsman on Denby Street, Sheffield 2 – planning application to convert into office and flats. Wellington, Main Road, Darnall – planning application to part demolish pub and form building into shops and flats. Masons Arms, Capel Street, Hillsborough – planning application to demolish the pub. Arbourthorne Hotel, Erringon Road, Arbourthorne – planning application to demolish pub. In better news…. Planning application to put a bar in the bottom of the Q-Park on Rockingham Street/Portebello Street in the City Centre. A small café-bar is planned to open soon on Chesterfield Road in the site of a former restaurant. The new venture is called ‘The Tramshed’. And in other news… Alex Barlow, well known for his Beer Tasting masterclasses, is aiming to open his planned Shoreham Street venue that will incorporate Sentinel Brewery in premises that will offer a bar, beer off licence and conference venue. This is still subject to funding and licencing permissions. Those who attended the Sheffield Beer Week closing party back in March had chance to enjoy an early Sentinel beer. The Devonshire Arms in Dore has applied for planning permission to add a wood-fired pizza oven to their outdoor area.

Save the Plough!

With over 20 pubs a week closing, another local under threat is not headline news and many people may not give it a second thought. However, a group of local residents have launched a strong campaign to save the Plough Inn on Sandygate Road, Crosspool. In response to rumours that the Plough is to be sold and converted into a convenience store, over 130 local people have signed a nomination form for the pub to be listed as a ‘community asset’. If successful, this would make it much more difficult for developers to convert the pub into a convenience store. Being listed as a ‘community asset’ can delay any change and allow for other options such as community ownership to be explored. Although centred on the local community, the Plough Action Group is looking to mobilise wider support for local pubs to remain at the heart of the communities they serve. They are asking people to support their online campaign by signing a petition on Change.org: https://www.change.org/p/enterprise-inns-and-othe-pub-companies-save-the-plough-crosspool You can also register your support on Facebook – search ‘Save the Plough’.

Pub of the Month June 2015

The Sheaf View is in Heeley, just off London Road. It’s an area that’s now starting to attract more attention, with the Brothers Arms and the White Lion both changing hands recently, but the Sheaf View was there first. Although the pub originally dates back to the 19th century, it took on it’s current format when it was bought, refurbished and reopened by James Birkett in 2000. 20150510_161335 20150510_171746 From the beginning, the focus has been good drinks. There are 8 handpumps, featuring cask beers from breweries both local and further afield, but it doesn’t stop there. There’s a real cider, a dozen continental beers on draught, and a blackboard lists the extensive range of bottled beers. The wall behind the bar displays an impressive array of malt whiskies. There’s no hot food, but home-made sandwiches are available. 20150510_170059 20150510_170027 The front door leads into the original part of the pub, a long room which leads through into the main bar. There are plenty of seats, the walls are covered with old brewery signs and posters, and there’s a selection of books and games in the corner. There are no TVs or music, this is very much a traditional pub. Past the bar is a conservatory, with more seating. There’s a choice of outside space – unusually, the deck is a no-smoking area, but there’s a covered patio at the back to accommodate smokers. The pub is always busy. It’s popular with locals, and gets very busy on match days as Sheffield United fans visit before the match. It also attracts visitors from further afield – the pub is in the Good Beer Guide, and has won Pub of the Month several times before. The Sheaf Valley Walk passes the front door. Join us for the presentation on 9th June from 8pm. The pub is 200 yards from the bus stop at Heeley Bridge on London Road, served by routes including the 20, 25/25A, 43/44 and 53. There is a car park at the rear of the pub. 20150510_165946 20150510_172214

Harlequin

The Harlequin now has a dedicated Cider Bar meaning that 3 of its 14 real ciders are available on hand pull. The rest are still available, obviously, but if you’re desperate for a pint to fill the 30 seconds required for someone to run to the cellar, you’ll not be left thirsty. Harlequin pic The pub also creates it’s own blends my mixing the ciders available – why not be brave and give it a go? They’re happy to advise you on their own favourite blends! Don’t forget you can also book your own Tasting Nights for any of the ales, ciders, or spirits. Additionally the food menu is being re-launched. As well as some of the old favourites, many of which are made with real ales and ciders, they will also be introducing new items. Anyone for Beer Battered Fish & Chips? Following on from the success of their charity quiz night held in aid of homeless charity Roundabout, the menu will feature a special burger with 50p of the purchase price donated to Roundabout. Vegetarian and vegan versions will also be available as well as the traditional beef burger. Eat, drink, and do something helpful at the same time!