Next from our Mythical Creatures inspired series we have Hydra, a 3.9% pale ale single hopped with Elani. Vibrant and tropical, with aromas of guava and lime alongside a delicious peachy character and a zesty zing in the finish.
The light vs dark duo of Archangel and Dark Angel make a return – both 4.5% and hopped with Simcoe and Vic Secret, the beers partner each other perfectly. In the pale version, expect a bright tropical character and a piney, fresh finish. In the stout, the hops meld with the rich malt backbone for tasty fruitcake flavours and a long-lasting bitter finish.
Through the Hopback – Superdelic (4.1%) is a delicious pale ale featuring an exciting and unique new hop! Fruit forward in flavour with notes of red berries and citrussy notes, paired with a sweet candy character.
And our 2024 vintage of Old Ale is on the way too – rich, mellow and well balanced, this release is a blend of two years of craftsmanship. Flavours of toffee, fruitcake and raisins meet a light wood character and a subtle spiciness from UK grown Fuggles and Olicana hops. Smooth and sensuous with a warm, lingering finish. 8.0% ABV, designed to be savoured.
Thornbridge have become one of the latest members of the Zero Carbon Forum, a non-profit organisation, empowering members to reach sustainability targets with more speed, efficiency, and profit as a united effort.
As part of Thornbridge’s commitment to social responsibility they are striving to making their operations more sustainable by assisting with measuring their carbon footprint, addressing their emissions and environmental and social governance as a matter of priority.
Zero Carbon Forum stated ‘At Zero Carbon Forum, we’re working with over a third of the UK’s hospitality and brewing sector to drive the changes we need to ensure our restaurants, bars and pubs can be enjoyed for generations to come.’
Jim Harrison, Co-Founder and Chairman of Thornbridge, explained ‘Our journey to improve the environmental impacts of our beer is a key part of our business for the future and we are proud to be a new member of the Zero Carbon Forum to work with businesses embracing the same ideals.’
The Forum has provided a space for Thornbridge to work with like-minded businesses in sharing knowledge and new ways of working. They are excited to become an integral part of the Forum in the future.
As part of the celebration of a significant birthday I decided to return to Brussels for the “Belgium Beer Weekend”, an annual beer festival that happens in the Grand-Place Brussels.
I had been to the event over ten years ago, and had visited many of the classic brussels beer venues (Cantillon Brewery, Au Bon Vieux Temps etc). This time I was armed with a long list of venues from Dan and Martha at Saint Mars of the Desert, and Eurostar tickets for my Wife and I.
We arrived early Friday evening and first had a delightful seafood meal at “L’Océan” where you select your own fresh fish from a wide range on display, and they then cook it for you. Next on to the bars!
We had to walk past the Poechenellekelder, as it had a queue to get in, so went round the corner to GIST. This is a modern feeling craft beer style bar, with outdoor seating in a square. Its beer list was almost all new to us, but for a first drink we played it safe with a 5% Pils and 6% Hoppy blond. The outdoor bar experience on a warm evening watching the world go by is something not to miss when you get the chance.
Around the next corner was La Porte Noire, which from the outside didn’t promise much, but is a proper cellar bar, with an arched roof and exposed brickwork, and a more traditional Belgium beer list, draft and bottles. For a couple of old rock fans the hook was the music being played all evening, a mix of old and newer classics (Hendrix, Nirvana, Sabbath etc), such that it felt like a sophisticated return to our old Sheffield Wapentake Friday nights. Beers we had included Manneken Pils 6%, Val Dieu Blonde 6%, Barbar 8%, and Noir de Dottignies 8.5% all on draft. I need to mention the bar snacks, where a “portion de fromage” turns out to be enough bread and cheese to feed a family!. We ended up leaving after midnight, having wisely resisted the excellent whisky selection on offer.
Saturday drinking started with À La Mort Subite, the first Brussels bar I ever visited, and which again allowed us to sit outside in the sun. It offers draft Timmermans Faro, a style not seen in the UK very often, that has always appealed to my sweet tooth (do I need to mention the Chocolate shops in Belgium?). Next we tried A l’Imaige Nostre-Dame, but sad to say it may be closed down for now.
So round the corner to À la Bécasse, a classic old Belgium bar, where I very much enjoyed the draft Bourgogne Des Flandres 5%. Unfortunately a group of very noisy tourists turned up to the small bar, so we moved on.
After a stop for some of the belgium classic, Moules Frites, we had to walk past the Poechenellekelder, as it had a queue to get in (can you notice a theme), so went round the corner to La Fleur en Papier Doré, a bar famous for its surrealist patrons. A shorter beer list on offer, but Stouterik was a nice change of pace, a 5% dry stout.
Next we went to Cafe Bebo on the way back to our hotel. It says a lot for the belgium beer scene that even an ordinary bar will offer an interesting beer list, so I tried a beer/brewery I’d not come across before Lutgarde IPA 6.5%, and La Chouffe blonde 8% for my wife. Even when we got back to the hotel bar we were able to have some classic Belgium beers, Leffe Blonde 6.6%, Karmeliet 8.4%, Chimay blue 9%.
Sunday afternoon, and time for the festival in the Grande Place. Over 50 breweries present, 500+ beers. A very modern festival, with no entrance fee, and all beer bought via a specific smart card you charged with money, and beer measures costed in “tokens” (2 euro each) taken by the brewer, including 1/2 tokens. In common with almost every bar you go to, the Belgium beer scene that insists you drink your beer in the correct glass, and this applied at the beer festival!!.
You were “charged” a deposit for the glass for every drink, which was put back on your card when you returned it. Alternatively if you liked the glass you could keep it for the cost of the deposit. We ended up keeping our favourites, from Barbar and Martha (for a gift). Highlights of the beers were Bruges Zot Bok 6.5%, Lupulus Hopera 6%, Vicaris Lino 6.5% (brewed with flax), Vicaris triple 8.5%, Barbar Rouge 8%.
The festival was busy but felt very relaxed, with children allowed in, and take your own food in if you wanted.
For a little peace on a Sunday evening we went to the quirky bar at Royal Puppet Theater Toone, which also has a quiet beer garden. It was perfect for avoiding the crowds, and siping a Bush Ambrée 12%.
On the way back we had to walk past the Poechenellekelder, as it had a queue to get in yet again. Finally we tried a random bar near our hotel, Meia-Bar Saint-Gilles and enjoyed St Hubertus Triple Ambre 7.2%.
For a nightcap in our room a bottle of Vleesmeester Brewery Black Pudding bourbon barrel aged impy stout 12% fit the bill, and for the first time in the weekend not in the correct glass.
I can highly recommend a beery trip to Brussels, for the Belgium Beer weekend festival or not, there’s always somewhere interesting just around the corner. I know I’ll return, if only to finish my list of venues, and finally get into Poechenellekelder.
The new Chancellor is presenting her budget on 30 October. With a brand-new government, and a large number of new MPs, we would like to see targeted support for pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider makers in the upcoming Budget.
We are calling for a further reduction in draught beer and cider duty, a reform of the Business Rates system in England, a VAT cut for hospitality businesses, a review of the definition of cider and a 50% juice minimum in cider, as well as the removal of unnecessary rules that prevent sales of takeaway pints. The more people who use our template to email their local MP, the higher the chances of ensuring our pubs, independent breweries and cider makers are at the heart of the new Government’s Budget.
A 20% discount for tax on pints in pubs would create thousands of new jobs and contribute £70 million to the economy, as consumers are encouraged to move from supermarket alcohol back to being able to support their local pubs and social clubs.
The Chancellor has also been urged to stick by the Labour manifesto promise on reforming Business Rates in England. The current system unfairly penalises pubs and makes it harder for all bricks-and-mortar businesses to compete with online shopping. CAMRA’s own figures show the shocking extent of churn in the pub trade, with over a thousand businesses closing their doors so far this year.
Now the Campaign is calling on all beer lovers and pub-goers to get involved and use their simple online tool to contact their MPs ahead of the Budget. The quick and easy to use e-lobby tool can be found on CAMRA’s website.
Ever since Beer Central opened in the Moor Market back in November 2013, it has been a go to location for beer lovers across Sheffield and the UK. Deborah Jackson and Sean Clarke has become a legends within the beer industry, has influenced and taught a lot of people about beer but sadly as many of you will know, Sean is now moving on to pastures new helping people set up new businesses in Sheffield.
This month, the new owners Megan Lindop and Ross Lindsay have took over Beer Central. Megan and Ross will take over Beer Central with plenty of experience within the beer industry owning Krafty Fine Drinks in Scotland (kraftyfinedrinks.co.uk). The link to Sheffield is strong, Megan is originally from Sheffield and her love of craft beer started with the help of Sean at Beer Central.
Living in Scotland, Megan and Ross will leave the everyday management of Beer Central to new Store Manager Gavin Kieran. Gavin may already be known to a few customers at Beer Central having helped Sean out previously, covering holidays and regularly ‘working’ on the counter with his laptop since 2021. ‘Beer Central and Sean have taught me a lot about beer, I’ve also spent a lot of money and saved a lot of beers here in the boxes. Sean has been a great help to me within the industry and personally, it is a shame he’s moving on to new things. It is a privilege and a big challenge to be stepping into Sean’s shoes and managing Beer Central, I am excited and nervous to be taking this opportunity’. Gavin has over a decade of experience within the beer industry working with and helping various breweries such as Lost Industries, Steel City, Sheffield Brewery, Beer Ink, Lords Brewery Co and Craven Brew Co.
Even though Beer Central has new owners and management, it will endeavour to remain the same. We will continue to sell a wide range of beers from local, national and international breweries, saves boxes and deliveries in the local area will continue as will the social media posts. There will be one or two small changes. For example, we will be introducing a small range of wine and spirits, a website, and Gavin is hoping to bring back the Beer Central Bottle Shares and look at putting on other events in the future.
We’re all really looking forward to the Steel City Beer & Cider Festival, taking place from 16th-19th October and always one of the highlights of the year! We’re hosting a tutored tasting on the Thursday evening, showcasing a selection of our beers including a limited edition release from our Funk Dungeon project! We hope to see you there.
On to the beers! The big news first, it’s almost time for the return of Last Rites (11.0%)! A bold and full-bodied barley wine still brewed to the original 1997 recipe. Single hopped with Willamette for delicately spicy notes and hints of zesty lemon. Smooth, robust and luxurious with a tempting aroma of rich caramel and warming flavours of toffee, candied peel and dried citrus fruits. A long standing favourite and a beer to truly savour.
New from our Salvation series is a Black Forest Gateau Stout (5.2%). Decadent and delicious, seemlessly melds chocolate and cherry flavours in a homage to a rich and retro cake that’s a classic for a reason! Smooth and creamy, with a fruity-sweet finish.
We have a New Zealand IPA coming up from the Wanderer series (6.0%), brewed using a brand new hop, currently known as NZH-106, which we’re amongst the first in the world to trial! Tropical fruit and zesty lime and grapefruit dominate the flavour, with complementary herbal notes layering up the backbone.
In cask only Doctor Morton’s Non-Stick (4.1%) is on the way, a refreshing golden beer with Mosaic, Columbus and Chinook hops. Aromas of mango and subtle melon which continue to develop throughout alongside a tasty pine character and a crisp bitter finish.
We are very excited to be teaming up for a collaboration brew with Liverpool’s Neptune Brewery – the name is still TBC but it’ll be a 5.0% “Retro IPA” featuring UK hops, and will come under our gorgeous Travel Poster series.
And finally, making a welcome return is our classic ESB from the Restoration series, using UK grown Fuggles and Goldings hops. Deliciously drinkable and a great choice as we start to move into autumn.
Nominations opening soon for CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition
Nominations will be opening on Thursday 12 September for CAMRA members to vote in the Champion Beer of Britain 2026 award. Once nominations close in November, regional heats will take place across the country before the final judging and announcement in 2026.
All beer judging adheres to a vigilant blind tasting process. Last year, Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter was crowned overall winner, and previous winners include Surrey Hills’ Shere Drop and Siren’s Broken Dream Breakfast Stout.
Winning the prestigious title is the ultimate honour for UK breweries and has helped many brewers gain both national and international acclaim. Beer lovers will have until midnight on 4 November to make their submission on CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain platform and can choose up to five beers across each of the categories. This initial vote is exclusive to CAMRA members.
The beer style categories for Champion Beer of Britian are:
Milds: up to and including 4%
Session Bitters: up to and including 4.3%
Premium Bitters: 4.4% – 6.4%
Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: up to and including 4.3%
Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: 4.4% – 6.4%
British & New World IPAs: 5.5% and above
Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds: up to 6.4%
Session Stouts and Porters: up to and including 4.9%
Strong Stouts and Porters including Imperial Stouts and Baltic Porters: 5.0% and above
I have friends who live in Nether Edge, in Catcliffe and in Hillsbrough. My wife and I live in Dagenham and visit Sheffield a few times a year, we visited last month for the Tramlines music festival.
We felt the line up on Saturday was not to our liking so my friend John decided it was time for a pub crawl around an area of Sheffield that I hadn’t visited before, around Chesterfield Road and Abbeydale Road.
We took the bus easily from the city centre and met at The Sheaf View at lunchtime. The landlord was very chipper commenting on my Sheafs t shirt from the now disbanded band (hello lads if you’re reading this). He said it was the best pub with Sheafs in the name, that the left hand corner pump was the most popular and that the bagels he sells are the best in the city. Bold claims for sure!! I chose a pint of Bessemer Blonde from local Blue Bee brewery and sat in their garden. It was a clean crisp pint which I scored 3.5 out of 5 on a well known beer app.
We’d soon all met and finished our first drinks so we took the short walk up the hill to what is now called The Brothers Arms but from the outside used to be known as Ye Olde Shakespeare Inn. Again we sat in the garden which had a fantastic view. I chose a pint of Nectaron by Pictish Brewing Company, another solid pale ale that I also scored at 3.5.
Down the hill next to the White Lion. It had had started raining as we got to the pub so we sat in one of their snugs. I do like a pub with a snug. As I was on the quest for new beers I chose Park Life from the Tiny Rebel brewery in Newport, South Wales rather than the always fantastic Titanic Plum Porter. A bad mistake!! The beer was fresh but just not to my taste. I scored it 2.5 the lowest score of the day.
We tried to go into The Crown Inn but one of our 11 is only 9 and they only had a license for adults so they missed out on some good income especially as we were all ready for a bit of food.
Instead we walked across the River Sheaf and on to The Broadfield Ale House on Abbeydale Road where I had a pint of Twin Coast by Sharps Brewery in Cornwall. Again well kept. Again fresh and tasty. Again scored 3.5. At least I’m consistent!! It was a busier pub and had a younger crowd shown by all the check in’s on the app. I have to give a shout out to the sausage rolls which are to die for with each having a couple of pork scratchings on the top!!
The next stop was almost next door, to Two Thirds Beer Co, another venue for the young uns, where I enjoyed a pint of Sundancer from another local Sheffield brewery Triple Point, a hazy IPA that I scored yet another 3.5. On first sip I thought I should have ordered two thirds of a pint instead given the name of this bar!!
We then visited the basement bar Picture House Social a real games venue where we all played the weirdest game of Shuffle Board I’ve ever seen. Played with big sticks and down a lane around the length of a bowling alley. In London it’s more of a long table top game. Who was the best player? 9 year old Evie of course!! As we were so close to the brewery and as they were on, I had two from Abbeydale Brewery, a pint of Daily Bread scored at just 3 and a half of the ever popular Deception scored at a high so far of 3.75 brought down a little as served in a plastic due to us playing the game.
Next we decided it was time for some music as The Fringe festival was on. We headed for the city centre but stopped for a quick half in Jabbarwocky where we saw the end of a set by a 2 piece band, a guitarist and a trumpet player where I enjoyed Ribbons of Distinction Nelson Pale Ale by Carnival Brewing Company over in Liverpool which also scored 3.75.
A taxi was called over to Dorothy Pax, a very pleasant pub by the canal where we sat outside and heard sets by 2 bands. Here we were also served in plastics and I had a pint of Black Sheep Respire which I thought was very good and should be as mainstream as Black Sheep Bitter. I scored it 3.75. I also had a pint of IPA by Peak Ales a flavoursome beer at the day’s strongest 6%. I only scored this 3.25 of 5 probably because my taste buds were used to weaker beers.
We then decided to go for a curry but had time for one last beer in one of our favourite pubs The Crow Inn where I enjoyed a pint of Small Town by MBH Beer from Knutsford, Cheshire which I scored 3.5. We then walked back down the hill to 7 Spices Tandoori for what was a fantastic and very well needed curry.
We visited 9 pubs 7 of which were new to me. I enjoyed 10 pints and managed 11 new beers on the day which was very good for my quest for new beers. None of them were spectacular but I would have had a second pint of 10 of them.
I had a fantastic day. Each pub was different to the next, each had their quirks and each is worth a visit. Most importantly each knew how to keep and serve their beer. A visit to this part of the city is equally as rewarding as a visit to the popular Kelham Island. Maybe next time we’ll visit some of the hostelry’s we missed out this time.
Recent research has illustrated how alcohol played a unique role in the life of cites, shaping their development, growth, and identity. Now, Prof Phil Withington and Dr Nick Groat from the University of Sheffield are exploring what the slippery label of ‘craft’ has done for the history and future of Sheffield by putting brewers and beer enthusiasts at the forefront of this conversation.
What do you understand by the term ‘craft’? How are ideas about ‘craft’ changing the way alcohol is made, sold, and consumed in Sheffield?
Our new project, Place, Craft and Alcohol in Historical Perspective, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council,is exploring these questions with the help of locals, brewers, and publicans, and discussing what the city’s relationship with ‘craft’ is. Sheffield’s played a significant role in the ‘craft revolution’, starting back in the 1990s, that helped define the key characteristics of ‘craft’. That relationship between the city and beer though goes back much further, setting the stage for a new ethos of alcohol production that’s flourishing today. We’re mapping the history of alcohol in Sheffield, from when the city came to prominence, to recent explosion of ‘craft’ as a self-identifying term for producers, retailers, and establishments. Understanding how this new idea of craft fits within the deeper story of Sheffield is key to thinking about how the city can, or should, align itself with such an asset.
There’s been much said and debated about ‘craft’ since the term first started springing up. Multinationals buying out small producers, ‘macro’ craft breweries, and the lack of official terminology have diluted any sense of what craft is supposed to mean. Of course, there’s a big difference between ‘craft’ as a label, and the ideology of craft, or what it represents. Independence, sustainability, locality, authenticity, artisanal, premium – all these and more have been rolled into definitions of craft, irrespective of if these values exist in craft producers. For many, this can be a point of contention, but also one of pride and respect amongst wider maker communities.
Aside from brewing, we’re putting this question into a wider historical and modern picture, working with our network of partners including Sheffield Archives and local distillery, Locksley Distilling Co. Ltd to get a multidimensional view on what craft means, and how the city has responded to changes in alcohol culture. We’re hoping to collect a wide understanding of what people think about ‘craft’ and how it influenced the city. We’re looking to talk to beer enthusiasts across Sheffield to hear their personal stories, thoughts, and opinions about how our city has been shaped in response to new trends and styles of beer. We’re wanting to hear from Beer Matters readers as people who are interested in the many faces of beer. So, if you’d like to talk to us about your place in Sheffield’s intoxicating history, visit: http://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/place-craft-and-alcohol or scan this QR code to get in touch!
