Duality Brewery have recently relocated to Sheffield. Registered, by Ben and Brendan, in Todwick in March 2024 after winning a home brew competition, the duo are now producing their beers in a unit located on Percy Street in Neepsend, next door to Alder bar.
Many of their beers are styles where hops dominate such as a New England IPA, however they’ve also been known to produce other beers too and they showcased their range in Sheffield recently by hosting a brewery bar at the Neepsend Craft beer festival.
At the moment Duality continues to be a part time operation with Ben and Brendon working a day job during the week then brewing on a Saturday, however with them making a name for themselves quite quickly who knows how that may change in the future!
Little Mesters have acquired the former Lost Industry brewing kit and moved away from Mitchells at Meadowhead to a new location in the Attercliffe area.
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Thornbridge Brewery‘s Dominic Driscoll has collaborated with fellow 2024 British Guild of Beer Writer award winner Ruvani de Silva to brew a limited edition cask ale celebrating their recognition. Dominic was awarded brewer of the year whilst Ruvani won the Michael Jackson Beer Writer of the Year award.
Ruvani is the first woman of colour and the first queer person of colour to win the Michael Jackson Beer Writer of the Year award, and the first writer to win in five categories in the same year. Her work tells stories of beer culture, history and community, with a focus on issues including DEI, sustainability and innovation, with an international perspective.
The beer, which will be released on March 3rd, is a nod to Ruvani’s Sri Lankan heritage and Thornbridge’s ongoing commitment to quality and innovation – combining classic modern IPA flavours of Amarillo and Citra hops with a Maris Otter-forward malt blend and two traditional Sri Lankan spices.
The RUVANI was inspired by a homebrew that Ruvani made with her husband during lockdown, and combines two South Asian spices with contrasting but complementary flavours, both known for their healing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger’s tangy sweet heat is often paired with turmeric’s warm, earthy bitterness in dishes including teas, curries, soups, health drinks and even desserts – so why not beer? Thornbridge have used their brewing experience and expertise to adapt Ruvani’s concept into a British-South Asian fusion IPA bursting with bright hops and an exciting new-to-beer spice blend.
Steel City are still ‘between hosts’ but thanks to Bang the Elephant brewery kindly hosting, the long-awaited ‘Men of Steel’ collab is out very soon.
The beer is a collaboration with Ukrainian brewery Ten Men along with Bang the Elephant and the Crow Inn, as part of Ten Men’s ‘100 Collabs’ project (https://tenmen.beer/100-collabs/), to raise funds to rebuild their brewery after the original fell to the Russian invasion.
The brew is a fruited sour based on the Ukrainian drink Uzvar, a variety of kompot, and after fermentation saw Dave and former Steel City business partner Gazza, Crow manager Ellie, and label artist Lewy join Nigel and Michael at Bang the Elephant for a very scientific (ahem) tasting session involving a few litres of the base beer and a few glasses of apple, pear, plum, cherry and apricot juices/purees and trying various combinations of dosage rates.
Once the optimum ratio (top secret, obviously!) was ascertained, the fruits were added to the two conditioning tanks, while one was also dosed with Madagascan vanilla and lactose to make a smoothie version.
Both versions will be launched at the Crow as part of Sheffield Beer Week on Saturday 8th March. Cans will be available from various retailers including Beer Central. All profits from the brew will go to Ten Men’s fundraiser, link here for further donations https://tenmen.beer/brewhub/.
Due to popular demand, IT’S BACK! Dark Mild from our Restoration Series (4.0%) is making a comeback after a single year, rather than the decade it took us last time, and very pleased about it we are too. Expect smooth, balanced malt sweetness, a touch of roast character and hints of coffee. The ultimate classic British hop, Fuggles, provides a gentle bitterness.
From our beautiful Travel Poster series, our next collaboration is coming up with County Durham’s McColls Brewery. The name is currently TBC, but we do know it’ll be a 4.6% West Coast style pale ale, piney and resinous with Centennial and Citra hops. Punchy bitterness is balanced by rounded malt sweetness and a crisp, refreshing finish.
And towards the end of the month – praise be! From the depths of the Abbeydale archives, a much requested favourite returns, and still brewed to the original recipe! Marking the start of a series of “Legacy” beers as we approach our 30th anniversary, welcome back Holy Water (6.0%)! A wonderfully smooth and well-balanced premium pale ale made using Willamette, Citra and Centennial hops. Notes of zesty citrus backed up by delicately sweet orchard fruits, followed up with a gentle, lingering bitterness.
We hope to see you at Indie Beer Feast (7th-8th March) or at one of our Sheffield Beer Week events, please keep an eye on our website and social media to find out where we’ll be!
After sparking his interest in brewing from cider making from his own apple trees in 2012, Homebrewer Joe Lee has spent over 10 years working on his own recipes by starting with cider making and IPA Homebrew kits, to now recently becoming a competition winning homebrewer for his beer “When Willamette you again”.
Speaking about the start of his homebrewing career, Lee explains, “My wife bought me a home brew kit for Christmas and I tried a Young’s American IPA malt extract kit, which was excellent. It was not until Covid I got into all grain, gradually building up from 1 gallon batches on my kitchen hob to 5 gallon bathes in all one system”. He continues “I was hooked on all grain, amazed how good my first batch of a Citra IPA sated compared to my malt extract kits. I also really enjoyed the process and the nerdy and scientific rabbit hole you can go down with brewing!”
The competition would provide the winner the opportunity to brew their own recipe at the Huddersfield based brewery Mallinson’s Brewery Company and see it sold at collaborating pub, The Sportsman.
Speaking about the ideas behind his recipe, Lee explains, “I was planning on trying to brew beer similar to Abbeydale Moonshine (who doesn’t love Moonshine?) when I heard about the competition, so I decided to do this as it met well with style guidelines of the competition. The main hop in the beer was Willamette, hence the terrible pun that my wife suggested!”
After judges chose him as winner, Lee headed to Mallisons Brewery Company to create his beer into a product to be sold with friend and second place winner, Graeme Dodgson. Lee said, “It feels amazing to see my beer on the bar. As part of the prize, I was given eight pints of it that I shared with my friends. I was proud to see it on tap, seeing my friends and others enjoying it, and it being demolished so quickly” after he explained that the beer had only been put on that day and by the time he had left the pub, they had already started their third cask.
Lee took on the task of brewing his recipe with friend and second place winner, Graeme Dodgson who since bought a cask and took it to Elland Beer Festival in and following the beers initial success, the product then went on to be named the events’ ‘Beer of the Festival’. Making his home recipe, a double competition winner.
Lee adds, “I feel inspired to continue developing my recipes and enter more competitions”, as he shows no intent to slow down following his success, entering the Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA home brew competition to see how his own recipes bid elsewhere.
“I got into brewing seriously when I bought my first house in 2012 which had 3 apple trees in the garden, so I got into cider making. My wife then bought me a home brew kit for Christmas and I tried a Young’s American IPA malt extract kit, which was excellent. It was not until Covid I got into all grain, gradually building up from 1 gallon batches on my kitchen hob to 5 gallon bathes in all one system. I was hooked on all grain, amazed how good my first batch of a Citra IPA sated compared to my malt extract kits. I also really enjoyed the process and the nerdy and scientific rabbit hole you can go down with brewing!”
“I was planning on trying to brew beer similar to Abbeydale Moonshine (who doesn’t love Moonshine?) when I heard about the competition, so I decided to do this as it met well with style guidelines of the competition. The main hop in the beer was Willamette, hence the terrible pun that my wife suggested!”
“It feels amazing to see my beer on the bar. As part of the prize I was given 8 pints of it at The Sportsman that I shared with friends. I was really proud to see it on tap, seeing my friends and others enjoying it, and it being demolished so quickly (they were on the third cask of it by the time I left the pub having only put it on that day). Also, I get more leeway from the family now, so I can brew more!”
“I feel very inspired to continue developing my own recipes and enter more competitions. In fact, I have just entered the Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA home brew competition to see how my beers fair. I will be doing quite different beers in this one”.
The Homebrew Heroes competition was organised by The Sportsman Pub in Huddersfield, supported by Mallinsons Brewery Company.
Came first with Graeme Dodgson a very close second. Both me and Graeme did the brew day at Mallinsons.
Graeme bought one of the casks and took it to Elland Beer Festival where it won Beer of the Festival.
Thornbridge Brewery launch ‘1838’ a new Union-exclusive beer at GBBF Winter
In 2024, Thornbridge Brewery worked to preserve a historic piece of British brewing heritage, the Burton Union system. They transported this iconic equipment to Bakewell, where it has been in active use ever since, including for a special batch of their legendary IPA, Jaipur, and collaborations with renowned breweries Odell Brewing and The Kernel.
Following the installation, Thornbridge introduced The Union, a classic-style IPA crafted with British ingredients, into their core range. The beer has been met with widespread acclaim in both bottle and cask. Building on this success, they are now launching a second core Union brand.
Named after the year Peter Walker patented the Burton Union system, 1838 is brewed exclusively on this historic set at Thornbridge. This premium pale ale showcases the finest ingredients, blending Maris Otter malt with Savinjski Goldings hops to create a full-bodied beer with a light amber hue. Expect rich, biscuity malt flavours, balanced by floral hop notes and a crisp, refreshing finish. Thornbridge will unveil 1838 at CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival Winter, held from February 12th to 15th at Magna in Rotherham. As part of the launch, they will host a tasting with esteemed beer writer Roger Protz on the 13th, run a Discovery Bar on Friday the 14th, and maintain a Brewery Bar featuring both cask and keg options throughout the festival
As you no doubt know, January is a tough time for the hospitality industry and there are many calls for people to support our pubs and help counter the post-Christmas lull.
Obviously we fully endorse this view, but would also remind you that our local breweries need that support as well.
We estimate around 5,000 people read Beer Matters, so if each of our readers were to buy an extra couple of pints from one of our breweries it would add thousand of pounds to their income. And if that additional money was spent in one of the numerous brewery taps it would help them even more.
Here’s a run-down of all our breweries with details of where you can buy their excellent beers.
Abbeydale Brewery
Sheffield’s oldest brewery, now owned by its employees and winners of multiple awards. They have a vast range of beers available through their online shop, and at their pub, The Rising Sun, in Nether Green.
Blue Bee Brewery
One of the smaller breweries in Sheffield supplying quality cask beer around the city, particularly in the renowned Kelham island Tavern, run by the same owners. Their ever-changing American 5 Hop Pale Ale is currently in its 75th incarnation!
Bradfield Brewery
20 years old this year, and a well-known name on the city’s bars. As well as the on-site brewery shop, Bradfield have 3 pubs. The Nags Head, near Dam Flask reservoir, the King & Miller at Deepcar, and the Wharncliffe Arms at Wharncliffe Side
Dead Parrot Beer Company
A 15 barrel plant based in the courtyard of their brewery tap, Perch Brewhouse on Garden Street, West bar. The brewery has recently been involved in the revival of the Allsopp’s brand.
Emmanuales
Basically a small Walkley-based home brewery, but Emmanuales have been around for over 10 years and supply a wide range of beers in cans to many of our local bottle shops, usually with religious based names.
Fuggle Bunny Brew House
Launched in 2014 in an industrial unit in Halfway, Fuggle Bunny open their on-site tap room every Friday, with a number of beers on handpull, and usually featuring a food vendor.
Heist Brew Co.
Decent size brewery and tap house in the heart of Neepsend featuring mainly keg beer and cider, but also the occasional cask. In-house food provided by Talon.
Little Critters Brewing Company
Another Neepsend-based Brewery, supplying throughout the city. Although they have no tap of their own, they are regularly seen in cans at local bottle shops.
Little Mesters Brewing
In the process of moving to new premises and installing larger brewing kit. Their beers can be found in their tap on Chesterfield Road in Woodseats, as well as cans at local bottle shops.
Loxley Brewery
Small brewery based underneath the Wisewood Inn at Loxley. The brewery also owns the Raven Inn at Walkley. and the recently opened micropub No3 at Sharrow.
Neepsend Brew Co.
No prizes for guessing where these are based. 10 years old this year and well known for producing mainly one-off beers. They also own the Wellington pub at Shalesmoor.
The Brewery of Saint Mars of the Desert
Internationally renowned brewery producing keg beers in a range of styles. Their tap room in Attercliffe reopens in March, but their beers can be found in many local pubs and bottle shops at any time.
Stancill Brewery
Established in 2013 using the old Oakwell Brewery kit and recreating their Barnsley Bitter. Often seen in many bars locally, as well as their own pub, The Albion, on London Road.
Steel City Brewing
A cuckoo brewer who’s worked in a number of locations and probably the most adventurous of the local breweries since the demise of Lost Industry. Not brewing at present but you might find some of their beers in local bottle shops.
Tapped Brew Co.
Small brewery which can be seen brewing in the back room of the Sheffield tap, which is where you will also find plenty of their beers. Their American Flyer brown ale won the Champion beer of Sheffield at the 2024 Steel City Beer & Cider Festival.
Toolmakers Brewery
Small 5 barrel plant established in 2013 in an old tool making factory. The brewery has it’s own function room and its beers are always available at their pub, The Forest on Rutland Road.
Triple Point Brewing
Modern brewery visible from the bar and with a large outdoor seating area. Flagship beer Debut is a previous Champion Beer of Shefield winner. On site food offer from Twisted Burger Co.
True North Brew Co.
Located on Eldon Street, behind forum, the brewery mainly produces beers for True North’s own venues, ten in Sheffield and one in Barnsley. Their Devika IPA won Champion Beer of Sheffield in 2022.
We hope we’ve given you a bit more information to encourage you to search out some of the breweries and their beers in the coming months. It really is a case of ‘use them or lose them’. Sheffield has a proud brewing culture and we’re sure you’re just as keen as we are to preserve it.
Outside of the City of Sheffield there are three further breweries within our branch area – Intrepid based in Brough (near Bradwell), Eyam Brewery based in Great Hucklow (near Buxton) and Contour based in Grindleford.
For more information and up to date news on all our breweries, visit www. sheffield.camra.org.uk/breweries.
Neepsend Brewery have launched their first Gluten Free beer as a trial. The beer involved is Sicla, a Citra hopped pale ale. It appeared on the bar at the Wellington – their tap, along with other pubs including the Sheaf View over Christmas. The brewery also celebrates their 10th birthday this year!
Bradfield Brewery‘s first seasonal cask beer for 2025 is Farmers Mild, an easy drinking 3.4% ABV ale with a well rounded malty body and fruity hop finish. Into February and making its annual outing ready for Valentines day is Farmers Blushed, a light and fruity 4% ABV ale that is blushed with strawberries to give a sweet, refreshing finish.
True North Brew Co has acquired Abbeydale Picture House, where they intend to make an investment in restoring the old picture house building as well as taking over the Picture House Social bar in the basement.
Chantry Brewery, of Parkgate in Rotherham, have brewed a special beer in collaboration with the Rotherham Hospice, which is the chosen charity for the Great British Beer Festival Winter this year, where Chantry are hosting a brewery bar showcasing their full range. Meanwhile at their brewery tap and at the Cutlers Arms they already have a programme of live music gigs lined up for the months ahead.
Heist Brew Co. haven’t brewed since the ownership changed with a new company set up, which is still going through the red tape involved with a new brewing licence! Until that is resolved the tap room is selling a wide range of guest beers.
Little Mesters Brewing has retired the Stan beer brand, which commemorates Sheffield’s last Little Mester knifemaker, Stan Shaw, who passed away in February 2021, following a ruling by the Portman Group that the brand promoted anti-social behavior and knife crime. Portman Group is set up to self regulate the alcohol industry and is funded by the big producers.
Intrepid Brewing Company have been experimenting with barrel aged beers. Due for release is 30 month rum barrel aged imperial Stanage Stout whilst the current project involves a continental pale ale fermented with New England and Belgian yeast, perry lees and an old barrel.
Dead Parrot beers recently spotted on the bar at Perch, their tap, include Jet (Stout) and Vitriol (Bitter).
During the freezing temperatures of early January, the LoxleyBrewery beer at the Wisewood Inn that proved the flavour of the day was their Black Dog stout.
Triple Point Brewing have launched a new cask pale ale – Kramos. It’s 4.4% ABV and dry hopped with liquid hop extract for extra juicy and tropical flavours. The hops used are Krush, Citra and Mosaic bringing Mango, Nectarine and lychee character to the beer. This one is gluten free but not vegan.
Thornbridge Brewery celebrates 20 years of brewing in 2025
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Thornbridge Brewery, and they couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has supported them along the way. Their journey began in the small Stonemasons Workshop at Thornbridge Hall, and has grown into the state-of-the-art Riverside Brewery in Bakewell. Today, they produce 9 million pints of beer a year and annually welcome over 100,000 visitors to the Taproom.
Over the years, they have brewed hundreds of beers, from crisp lagers to complex barrel-aged sours, even being able to utilise their own Burton Union set, in doing all this they have amassed over 400 awards.
To commemorate 20 years, Thornbridge have created a special limited-edition logo that will be found on glassware, t-shirts, beer mats, and seasonal beers throughout 2025. As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, they will be reviving several beloved classics. These will be available through Thornbridge Beer Club or as part of their Year of Beer programme for pubs and bars. They are thrilled to spend 2025 celebrating this incredible achievement and sharing it with everyone who has supported them over the years.
The brewery’s flagship beer, Jaipur IPA, will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary on 7 June 2025, among the early successes was an award win at Sheffield’s Steel City Beer & Cider Festival and for a few years Thornbridge Hall hosted a beer of the festival awards ceremony.
Our big news for February is that we should, fingers crossed, be having two big and shiny new tanks installed! This will increase our production and packaging capabilities and hopefully give us even more flexibility in terms of the beers we’re able to make, but it does mean that our plan for releases this month is just a little up in the air at the time of writing. So please do forgive us if there’s something here that ends up being not quite as correct as we’d like!
We’re also incredibly excited to be part of Winter GBBF this year, and will have a bar there for the duration of the festival (12th-15th February at Magna), as well as getting involved with the Learning & Discovery Bar on the Saturday – so please pop along and join us for a beer if you’re there!
Talking of beer, here’s a flavour of what we’ve got coming up. Sheffield Rocks (4.1%) and Sheffield Stout (4.5%) are both returning favourites paying homage to the beer heritage of our fantastic city and starting to get us ready for Sheffield Beer Week. And we’ve teamed up with our very own pub, The Rising Sun, to create Drop By Your Local – a classic 4.2% pale ale hopped with Willamette, Citra and Centennial. Designed to be enjoyed in good company and celebrate all our wonderful local pubs.
Dr Morton’s Safety Beer (4.1%) featuring the Aussie combo of Galaxy & Vic Secret hops is always a crowd-pleaser of a pale ale, with a tropical melange of passionfruit, mango and pineapple on the palate. And also taking inspiration from Down Under, we have Fremantle (5.0%) on the way, hopped with Enigma, Cascade and Chinook. Quaffable and thirst-quenching with a crisp, refreshing bitterness.
