Author: Dave Pickersgill

Dave has been a CAMRA member since the 1970s and has worked at almost 40 Sheffield CAMRA festivals, plus a fair number of others. He is Brewery Liaison Officer (BLO) for Abbeydale, Blue Bee, Bradfield and Loxley. He was also the Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the 2023 national CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference. A member of the National Pub Heritage Group, he leads on planning and pub heritage issues. He also edited the Sheffield's Real Heritage Pubs book, for which downloads vastly exceeded expectations. The hard copy was available in October 2018 and again in 2021. On both occasions, it was a sell-out. The 5th edition (2023) is available as both a hard copy and a free download.

Members’ Weekend 2023

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

CAMRA Sheffield & District recently hosted the 2023 national CAMRA Member’s Weekend, AGM and Conference: April 21-23 at the Octagon and adjacent Students Union building. There were 790 attendees, including 77 from our branch area. We previously hosted this event in both 1991 and 2011 and were also due to host the 50th anniversary conference in 2021: this was cancelled due to Covid.

The weekend included fringe events, brewery visits (both formal and informal), a tutored cider tasting and a guided pub heritage walk.

There was also a Members’ Bar. Construction commenced on Tuesday 18 April. During that day, all 63 cask beers were stillaged. By the end of Thursday, all beers were vented, tapped and labelled. The bar opened at 4pm on Friday 21 and closed, never to reopen, two days later. Visitors also took the opportunity to sample many of the 300+ beers which were available across the city in our excellent breweries and pubs.

We’ve had lots of positive feedback from the brewery visits:  the friendliness, the knowledge and the variety. After one visit, a visitor commented, in amazement, ‘the finance guy knew about brewing …..’ apparently, this is an unknown in her part of the UK. Not in Sheffield.

In addition, two new Sheffield pub heritage publications were available; over one in ten attendees purchasing a copy. As one happy customer said, ‘The updated Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs book and Sheffield Pub Heritage Walk booklet are both exemplary publications – well worth every penny.’

Feedback from the weekend has been very positive. The Members’ Bar was highly praised: ‘Whoever was in charge of the beer selections; well done! I converted from IPAs to darks after volunteering at Eastbourne last year and the range and taste of the darks was incredible.’

Other positive comments included:

‘All packed and ready to exit Sheffield. It’s been a fantastic venue for Members Weekend, AGM and Conference. The Team of Volunteers and Staff at the venue worked tirelessly to accommodate our needs. The cider tasting was one of the best.’

‘The organisation was exemplary as was the beer selection and service.’

‘Well done the organising committee, and all the volunteers and staff who made Sheffield such a well-organised and friendly event – an exceptional Members Weekend.’

‘You and your local team hosted a great and successful event. Well done to everyone and thank you. The challenge is now on to meet, or better, the experience from Sheffield in Dundee next year.’

We believe that Sheffield 2023 will be remembered in CAMRA history as one of the best ever Members’ Weekends: another winner from the best beer city in the world.

Thank you to everyone: attendees, brewers, pubs, staff and over eighty volunteers – who assisted with this event, we could not have done it without you.

Dave Pickersgill
Chair, Local Organising Committee, Sheffield MW2023

Pub of the Year 2023 (Cider)

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Congratulations to Mike Pomranz and all at the Cider Hole (unit 1.3, Krynkl, Shalesmoor, S3 8UL) for being voted the Sheffield and District CAMRA ‘Cider Pub of the Year’ 2023.

Since 2006, Mike has been writing about beer professionally, appearing in a wide array of publications including Time, People, Travel + Leisure, VinePair, and Playboy. He joined the staff of Food & Wine Magazine in 2014 and soon expanded into covering cider. He first experimented with making cider in 2015 and became a Certified Cider Professional in 2017.

In 2016, Mike moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Sheffield, where he continued his interest in cidermaking, focusing on using locally-collected garden apples. In 2020, he launched Quality Ferments and began importing cider and other alcoholic beverages from around the world.

Then, on 17th September 2021, The Cider Hole opened – an urban microcidery, bar, and bottle shop – where he makes and serves his own Exemption Ciderhouse cider along with over 60 other hand-selected canned and bottled ciders, craft beer and natural wine. In June 2022, Mike organised the first Sheffield Craft Cider Festival.

Last October he led a tutored tasting at the Sheffield CAMRA Steel City Beer Festival and more recently led a similar event at the national CAMRA Members’ Weekend.

Please join us for this well-deserved presentation on Saturday 27th May at 15:00. This is likely to be the last day of opening for the Cider Hole as Mike will shortly be moving into bigger premises on Orchard Square: The Old Shoe, a joint venture with the Bear (Abbeydale Road, S7 1FE),  will offer 20 taps, three cask lines and a wide selection of artisan ciders, cans and bottles. It will also become the new home of Exemption Ciderhouse.

Heritage pub book

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

The recent Sheffield Heritage Fair highlighted the importance of our local heritage: how we learn about our past and how it shapes our future. One integral aspect of this interest is pubs: for centuries, the home of personal interactions and a barometer of social change.

For example, the recent Sheffield Beer Week saw 23 enthusiastic participants join a sell-out guided pub heritage walk in the Kelham Island/Neepsend area. On this occasion, parts were recorded for posterity:    https://tinyurl.com/dad8ezmt. Thanks to the Fat Cat, the Wellington and Alder Bar for hosting us. Similar guided walks are planned for Sheffield Walking Festival in September.

The recent Members’ Weekend, AGM and Conference saw the launch of, not one, but two new Sheffield-based Pub Heritage publications. Paul Ainsworth, Chair of the National Pub Heritage Group, also led a pub heritage walk. However, we knew more would want to follow the route than was possible to lead. 

Hence a 32-page, A5, full-colour booklet, including directions and background information was printed, providing walking instructions and information about local pubs and attractions on a 1.5 mile walk from the University Arms to Fagan’s. Suggested calling stops en route are the Bath Hotel, the Red Deer, the Grapes and the Dog and Partridge. 

In addition, a new edition of ‘Sheffields’ Real Heritage Pubs’ is now available: 120 pages, A5, full-colour, over 70 new images and many text changes. 

Thanks to the sponsors who have supported these publications: Abbeydale Brewery, Alder Bar, Bradfield Brewery, the Crow, the Dog and Partridge, Hop Hideout, the Rutland, Sheffield Beer Week and the University Arms. Copies of both publications are available at several local outlets. Please contact pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk for postal and retail enquiries. They are also available as free downloads from the Sheffield CAMRA website: https://sheffield.camra.org.uk/rhp/

New Heritage Guides

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

The recent inspirational Sheffield Heritage Fair and the equally successful, South Yorkshire Listing Project, continue to highlight the importance of our local heritage: how we learn about our past and how it shapes our future. One integral aspect of this interest is pubs: for centuries, the home of personal interactions and a barometer of social change. Pubs are part of our heritage; places where our ancestors lived, worked and relaxed: places that have had a major effect on the development of our city.

The latest edition of the book, Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs will be available for the forthcoming national CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM and Conference (21-23 April). Compared to the previous edition, this A5, 120 pages, new expanded version includes over 70 new images, new entries and considerable text changes and additions. As Exposed magazine stated:’ A must-have for any pub aficionado or history-buff.’

In addition, we also have a new 32 page Pub Heritage Walk illustrated booklet. This provides detailed instructions for a heritage walk from the University Arms to Fagan’s. Included en route are several pubs. This has been on sale from early March: two of the retail outlets (Beer Central and the Millennium Galleries) were forced to re-stock after less than a week. Other outlets include Kelham Island Books and Records and the University Arms.

Both publications are also available by mail order. Contact pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk for both post details and retail enquiries. 

Thanks to our sponsors who have assisted with publication costs: Abbeydale Brewery, Alder, Bradfield Brewery, Crow Inn, Dog & Partridge, Hop Hideout, Rutland Arms, Sheffield Beer Week and the University Arms.

Indie Beer Feast 2023

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

In early March 2020, I visited the 3rd edition of Indie Beer Feast (IBF), the kick-start to Sheffield Beer Week. This was an excellent afternoon at the 1920s, Grade II listed Abbeydale Picture House: the only Beer Festival venue with spider plants in the toilets. 

The 2021 4th edition was cancelled and my advance ticket then saw two postponements and a change of venue. The next IBF finally took place in March 2022 at Trafalgar Warehouse, a whitewashed ex-industry space – unfortunately, after two years of careful avoidance, Covid caused me to miss the event……..

Finally, three years after my last visit, 2023, saw a welcome re-acquaintance with IBF. There were no spider plants. However, a new distinctive glass, the 20 Fl.Oz. Barley, greeted the wide beer range provided by the various brewery bars: some cask, mostly keg, but all interesting.

The available beers covered a large variety of beer styles: the Redwillow range of Saisons, a 15.2% barley wine from Little Earth Project and many more. 

Included were pop-up tastings. Les O’Grady from the Magull-based Brewery, Neptune, led a session on Friday afternoon: all Neptune beers are vegan, there is no forced carbonation. Hence, all their beers are classed as real ale. The brewery is currently a team of seven, with a projected expansion to nine. 

Their ‘Lost at Sea,’ 6.2% IPA was sampled. This was originally a lock/down collaboration with Lost and Grounded. It utilises Golden Promise and crystal malt, Challenger hops in the boil and is dry-hopped with Centennial, Columbus, Simco and Brava hops. Les also commented that Brexit has killed off possible overseas sales. 

Trafalgar works was originally built in the late 19th century as a medium sized integrated factory for the production of edge tools, and later cutlery and blades. It was then part of the larger Trafalgar grinding wheel complex.

Yet again, IBF proved a positive start for Sheffield Beer Week: lots of innovative variety in, for myself, a new venue. 

Arkrights

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

As you left their recent (excellent) beer festival, I’m sure you all spotted the pane of glass above the inner entrance door at Shakespeares. Apparently, this was acquired at an auction some years ago, but where did it originate?

It could be Arkwright’s Brewery (2011): originally based at The Real Ale Shop, Lovat Road, Preston. The shop closed in 2014 and the brewery re-located and upgraded to a 10 Bbl plant. In 2015 it was renamed Darkwave Brewing, ceasing production in 2018. Arkwright’s beer was available at nearby Fat Cat in August 2013.

Or perhaps, it’s from the set of the Ronnie Barker Open All Hours TV series (1976/1985) – the name above the shop is Arkwright.

Any ideas?

Dave Pickersgill & Lucienne Pinglewick

Sheffield pub heritage guides

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

The latest edition of the book, Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs is currently in production and is expected to be available for the forthcoming national CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM and Conference. Compared to the previous edition, this new expanded edition, 128 pages, includes over 70 new images.

In addition, we are also producing a 32 page Pub Heritage Walk booklet: from the University Arms to Fagan’s.

Both publications will be available from local outlets and by mail order (email pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk).

Thanks to our sponsors who have assisted with publication costs: Abbeydale Brewery, Alder, Bradfield Brewery, Crow Inn, Dog & Partridge, Hop Hideout, Rutland Arms, Sheffield Beer Week and University Arms.

Members’ Weekend

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Next month, CAMRA Sheffield and District are hosting the 2023 Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference on 21-23 April at Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield. A full conference schedule, plus details of trips and activities will shortly be available.

Over 1000 CAMRA members will attend. They will also take the opportunity to visit several of the many excellent breweries and pubs spread across the city. We also need volunteers to assist with the many jobs which will need covering. 

Assuming you’re a CAMRA member, we hope to see you there.

CAMRA members can register and volunteer at camra.org.uk/agm. Further local information to help plan your weekend in Sheffield is available here.

What’s on

Thu 20 Apr – Meet & greet and live brew day at Sheffield Tap.

Fri 21 Apr – Brewery open days and tours. Ticketed tours are at Abbeydale, Chantry, Neepsend, Stancill, Toolmakers and Triple Point. Members’ Bar open in the evening.

Sat 22 Apr – AGM and conference followed by fringe activities (Health and Safety, What Makes a Successful Branch, The True Cost of Beer, Promoting Cask and Increasing Footfall). Members’ Bar open lunchtime and evening. Ticketed events in the evening include a cider tasting with Mike from the Cider Hole, a guided heritage pub walk and brewery tours at Abbeydale, Chantry, Stancill, Toolmakers and Triple Point.

Sun 23 Apr – Conference in the morning, Members’ Bar open early afternoon.

Pub heritage walks

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

As part of Sheffield Beer Week 2023, we are leading two pub heritage walks. On Sunday 5 March at 2:30pm we’ll be in Kelham Island, and on Thursday 9 at 5pm we’ll be on West Street. Both walks will include Victorian tilework, terrazzo flooring, art deco glasswork, a mention of long-gone Sheffield breweries and much more…

Full details and booking information are available:

If you can’t wait until Sheffield Beer Week, you could try the latest edition of the Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pub book: sheffield.camra.org.uk/rhp.

CAMRA Members’ Weekend 2023

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

In April, we are hosting the 2023 national CAMRA Members’ Weekend at the Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield. It officially starts at 4pm on Friday 21 when both registration and members’ bar open. The AGM and conference occur over the weekend, with many trips and activities also taking place.

A full schedule will be available nearer the time. 

We’re expecting over a thousand CAMRA members to attend; most will register in advance so they don’t miss out on information about booking trips and activities. They will also take the opportunity to visit several of the many excellent breweries and pubs across the city. We’ll also require volunteers to assist with the many jobs that will need covering. 

Hope to see you there!

Register and volunteer at camra.org.uk/agm.