Following the successful tutored beer tasting led by Roger Protz at the previous Steel City Beer Festival back in 2019, the recent 2022 edition saw three tutored tastings plus a couple of talks.
Mike Pomranz, from the Cider Hole, led participants through four ciders. These included Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry, Flakey Bark S.V.P. 2020 (6.4%) and Sheffield brewed, Exemption Ciderhouse, Steel City Spontaneous Speed Run (5.8%). The latter involved apples which were on thru tree a few weeks earlier. Mike gave us the benefit of his experiences across the Atlantic, providing wide-ranging comments and opinions.
Julia Gray, the owner of Hop Hideout and the driving force behind Sheffield Beer Week, led two tutored beer tastings, each concentrating on a different set of five beers, a mix of cask and key-keg. Skilfully weaving her story and comments about beer history and production, Julia led us on an exploration of beer styles. A bonus was unscheduled inputs from Dan and Martha (Saint Mars of the Desert Brewery) who provided a potted history of their experiences in brewing and talked us through one of their beers. This was the music equivalent of attending a gig by the Rolling Stones and seeing Bob Dylan drop-in.
Dave Pickersgill twice delivered a talk about Sheffield, heritage and pubs. On each occasion, the slides were identical but different pubs were explored as comments from the audience influenced the verbal input. Several books were sold (and autographed) and the speaker was embarrassed when one attendee described the talk as ‘inspirational.’
One of the volunteer staff team who fetched and served the various beers and ciders described his Friday afternoon as different, eye-opening and to be repeated.
Thanks to all our speakers and the staff who made it happen. We intend to host similar events at SCBF47, and at the forthcoming national Members Weekend. We hope to see you at a future event.
