CAMRA Sheffield & District
Sheffield & District branch of CAMRA
Did you know that Mike Pomranz from the Old Shoe is in a band called Pancho Grande or that Dann from the Brewery of St Mars of the Desert is in a band called Am Elektrogeist?
Did you know that the Harlequin pub has a house band called Children of Bamford that also features staff members from their sister pub The Crow?
Well, you better believe it – because all three bands are playing on the same bill at the Yellow Arch Studios on Wednesday 11 November with advance tickets a fairly reasonable £8.
Responding to the Government’s announcement that the Pubs Code for England and Wales will continue and be strengthened, CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said:
“We’re glad that the Pubs Code will be kept in place, as it’s needed more than ever. Ordinary drinkers are being denied choice and value by the global brewers that dominate the UK beer market, including how beer is sold to pubs. We’re looking forward to seeing the details of how more tied pub tenants might be able to challenge the beer tie.
“However, we still have a supply-led beer market that is dominated by global brewers, which means that licensees, independent brewers, and ordinary drinkers lose out.
“We need to see bolder reforms like guest beer rights for tied tenants, and the Department for Business must stop dragging their feet and publish the outcome of the review of access to the beer market for independent brewers.”
CAMRA has reacted angrily to the closure of Sharp’s brewery in Rock, and is demanding new consumer laws. This follows confirmation that Molson Coors will be moving cask production of ‘Cornish original’ Doom Bar 417 miles away to Hartlepool. The group now wants a ‘pasty-style’ guarantee, in law, to prevent the beers being marketed as Cornish.
Molson Coors announced plans to close the brewery earlier this year, with no confirmation where it would move beer production to. At the time, CAMRA Cornwall raised fears that the brewing giant could follow in the footsteps of Carlsberg, who market Wainwright as a ‘Lake District Original’ despite brewing it more than 100 miles away in Wolverhampton.
Dave Pedlar, Cornwall CAMRA Chairman, said:
“This is a betrayal of the founders of Sharp’s, the 40 people whose jobs are at risk, and the locals that have supported this business for decades.
“We’ve known for a while that the Sharp’s cask production was moving out of the Duchy, but Hartlepool is 417 miles away, which is as far from Rock as Brussels. We need ‘pasty-style’ consumer protection laws that stop Molson Coors from continuing to market these beers as Cornish.”
Since Molson Coors announced their intentions to close Sharp’s in February 2026, CAMRA have launched a new, UK wide campaign and ‘Beer in the UK’ report to raise awareness of the tactics of global brewers in the UK beer market. The campaign highlights misleading marketing practices, and how independent brewers struggle to get their beers onto bars.
Tom Stainer, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:
“It’s entirely ridiculous that a beer named after a sandbank in the Camel Estuary, and marketed as a ‘Cornish original’, is now going to be made in Hartlepool. Once again, global brewers are closing breweries, trashing our reputation as a great brewing nation, and misleading ordinary drinkers.
“This is why we’ve launched our new campaign to expose ‘Big Beer’ in the UK, their misleading marketing tactics, and demand that the Competition and Markets Authority investigate how global corporations dominate the beer market. We need decisive action to deliver a fairer beer market for independent brewers and ordinary drinkers.
Albert Johnson, from Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company, has won CAMRA’s 2026 Pomona Award for championing the promotion of real cider and perry in the UK.
The Pomona Award honours people who have made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.
Albert, whose father won the Pomona Award in 2009, grows a phenomenal collection of around 120 different apple varieties and 30 different pear varieties. This means that he has introduced the largest range of single variety ciders and perries in the UK, if not the world.
Between new orchard plantings and maintaining established orchards over 35 acres, Albert has made an outstanding contribution to preserving a vast number of diverse apple and pear varieties. His Oak Meadow Orchard project futureproofs the DNA of rare, heritage commercial use varieties, within the UK cider scene, on his family farm.
A highly respected figure in the cider and perry industry, Albert is taking the traditional drink to a higher level of quality, authenticity and provenance while inspiring future generations of orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers.
He shares his knowledge widely and has been instrumental in launching a number of initiatives to promote and provide education about these products.
An award presentation is taking place at Perry Fest, Museum of Cider in Hereford from 4.15pm.
Albert, reacting to the win, said:
“I’m humbled and delighted to receive the Pomona Award. It’s an honour to have been nominated by peers and friends across the cider industry. In 2009, my father Mike Johnson was also recognised by the Pomona Award and it brings me great pride to know that seventeen years later, the same values of hospitality, inclusivity, and openness are what characterise my decisions and the work that everyone at Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry do on a daily basis. The joy of working in cider is the co-operation and collaboration between cidermakers, retailers and advocates, of whom I am lucky to call many my great friends.”
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pomona Award Coordinator, said:
“It is an honour to reward Albert as this year’s outstanding Pomona Award winner; his advocacy in the industry is not only inspirational but commendable, encouraging current and future orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers to help safeguard our cider and perry heritage and helping to promote these products to a widespread audience.
“Albert’s impressive work in collecting and future proofing apple and pear varieties and the orchards that grow them, and sharing his knowledge, is truly inspirational in protecting an entire industry of great drinks made by independent producers for consumers.”
CAMRA has reacted with anger to the news that Carlsberg intends to close its Burton brewing site in 2027.
The consumer giants have renewed demands for the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate how global interests have consolidated the UK beer market and are supportive of Carlsberg’s assertion that they are seeking “suitable long-term custodians” for some of the cask beers in their portfolio.
The global manufacturer, which bought Marston’s brewing business outright just two years ago, initially entered a joint venture with Marston’s in 2020, and then acquired soft drinks giant Britvic in 2025.
This is not the first time it has closed a historic brewing site, impacting heritage, the local economy and devasting the industry. Ringwood and Wychwood breweries have closed. Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth and the Tetley Brewery in Leeds have thankfully found success in alternative, independent ownership.
Closure of the historic brewing site in Burton puts around 300 jobs at risk, with dramatic consequences for the town which has been a centre of brewing knowledge for centuries.
Carlsberg wrote to CAMRA as the announcement was made, setting out their reasons for the decision and highlighting that they will be seeking long-term custodians for some of the cask beers within their portfolio.
CAMRA recently launched its ‘Beer in the UK’ report and wider campaign urging the Competition and Markets Authority to launch a formal investigation of the UK beer market.
Representing ordinary drinkers and pubgoers, CAMRA maintains that independent brewers are locked out of the market by global conglomerates, despite providing genuine innovation and choice to drinkers.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman, said:
“I was born and raised in Burton, and I’m proud of our place at the centre of British brewing. Unfortunately, statements from Carlsberg about understanding the importance of the brewery to the town come far too little too late for most people, CAMRA included.
“This announcement is an absolute disgrace, and the latest in a string of actions that show how little they care about our brewing heritage or the nation’s drinkers.
“However, we do agree with Carlsberg on one thing. The time is right to think about alternative, independent, brewers who are willing to become custodians of Carlsberg’s cask brands and will finally do the beers the justice they deserve.
“Like the rescue of Jennings in Cumbria by passionate and experienced brewers, I hope the Burton brewery can be saved. I’ve got fond memories visiting the brewery in better days, and maybe I’ll be able to go again if it’s handed over to independent owners.”
Pubs across the UK are being urged to enter CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards.
This coveted award not only celebrates the UK’s most picturesque hostelries, but seeks out hidden gems where people have converted a building into a pub.
One of 2026’s winners was St Peter’s Tavern in Liverpool, set inside a stunning 1788 church, while converted high street shops providing communities with a local struck gold.
Working with Historic England, the renowned CAMRA award showcases stunning pub architecture across the UK. First introduced in 1983, dozens of locals have been recognised, with visitors flocking to marvel at the winning pubs.
Judged by a panel of experts, the awards recognise the highest standards of pub refurbishment and conservation, plus the construction of brand-new pubs and spaces being converted to pub use.
There are five different categories: Conversion to Pub Use, Historic England Conservation, New Build, Refurbishment and Community Local.
From majestic Art Deco era establishments, innovative creative projects to build or convert new pubs, and street corner locals lovingly renovated by their community, the awards invite history buffs and pubgoers alike to explore and appreciate these inspirational buildings.
Nominations open Thursday 8 October to all pubs that meet the criteria, which can be found on CAMRA’s website.
And nominations are open to all – whether you are a pub owner, a tenant, the architect behind the transformation, a CAMRA member or a punter, we look forward to discovering the best of the best!
Nominations close 18 November 2026.
Historic England’s Andrew Davison, Chair of CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards, said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of our annual Pub Design Awards. They are a wonderful opportunity for owners, publicans and communities to show just how much creative flair, craftmanship and imagination goes into protecting, refurbishing and repairing their much-loved locals and creating brand-new pubs.
“The judges are always so enthused and encouraged to see the wide range of entries, making our job very difficult indeed! To see these fabulous design projects come to fruition is both humbling, while creating a sense of community for generations to come. This is especially important at a time when pubs are struggling against a difficult economic backdrop and gives us the opportunity to celebrate these amazing buildings.”
To enter the competition and see previous winners, visit: camra.org.uk/awards/pub-design
CAMRA responds to the announcement of independent review of how pubs and hotels are valued for business rates in England and Wales
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA chairman, said:
“This is another promising step from the new Government. Our pubs have suffered for far too long under the current ratings system, which punishes bricks and mortar businesses, and creates the ridiculous situation where global giants pay less per square metre for warehousing than a licensee does for their pub.
“An independent review is a great way to look at this, and we will definitely be taking part on behalf of beer drinkers and pubgoers. As always, the real difference will be dependent on the results. Hopefully, there will be fundamental changes to the out-of-date ratings system and publicans will have the certainty and incentive to grow their businesses.
“We hope the right stakeholders will be involved to make sure that the best outcome is found for publicans and pubgoers.
“Ordinary drinkers want their locals open, busy and at the centre of communities. Tackling our unfair business rates system will help if the review delivers lower and fairer bills.”
Locally, Sean Clarke of Business Sheffield has been encouraging local publicans to participate in the call for evidence which seeks views from businesses, representative bodies, valuation professionals and other interested stakeholders; this will help inform recommendations to Government ahead of the next revaluation. The documentation is available on the government website and responses need to be emailed to pubsandhotelreview@hmtreasury.gov.uk by 16 October.
A beer museum? In Sheffield? We’ll drink to that!
Picture it: you’ve just stepped out of the Sheffield Beer Museum’s latest engaging exhibit. You’re enjoying a locally made ale in its adjoining taproom, thinking about all of the interesting beer facts, history and culture you just learned about. You might tell a friend about this place and are already planning your next visit. What a fine way to spend an afternoon in the wonderful city of Sheffield.
The only problem? The museum doesn’t exist. Or at least not yet.
The Sheffield Beer Museum has now entered a public consultation phase, which means you get to help it take shape. Do you think the UK needs a beer museum? Would you visit a museum about beer? Do you think Sheffield is a good fit for such an attraction? Whether the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘not sure’, your views are vital in helping to move the project forward. For the Sheffield Beer Museum to truly be built for the community and by the community, the feedback of residents of Sheffield and beyond is fundamental.
The Sheffield Beer Museum project began with a simple problem: a passionate collective of beer lovers wanted to visit a beer museum in the UK and realised there wasn’t one. From this initial spark came the crazy idea to do it ourselves. And many months later, that raw vision is starting to become a tangible reality.
At Sheffield Beer Museum, we think there’s more to beer than drinking. Beer is a thing to be explored, savoured, talked about and protected. It is steeped in history, from the earliest manifestations of brewing among ancient civilisations, all the way to your local micropub doing things with beer you didn’t think were possible, or necessary, but somehow are. It is as much a part of our culture as fish and chips, Morris dancing and queuing, and we think that deserves to be celebrated.
At this year’s Steel City 50 Beer & Cider Festival, be sure to come and find the Sheffield Beer Museum stall, where you can find out more about the project and get to know the team. Whether you’ve got a burning question, a brilliant idea, a crazy story about beer or simply want to drop by for a beer and a chat, we want to hear from you!
If you’re not going to make the festival this year, don’t panic! You’ll find plenty of other ways to get in touch below.
In the meantime, watch this space. Spread the word. Something is brewing in Sheffield, and we want you on board. Fill in our survey and join the mailing list.
Follow us on Instagram @sheffieldbeermuseum. Email us at enquiries@sheffieldbeermuseum.co.uk
The status quo needs to go: Beer and pub campaigners want Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the UK beer market
A new report, published today by CAMRA, shows how independent brewers are being excluded from bars across the UK, and sets out the case for the Competition and Markets Authority action.
‘Beer in the UK’ is the authoritative consumer view on how the UK beer scene actually works, or doesn’t work, for beer drinkers and independent brewers.
The report lays bare the stark state of British brewing – that it is dominated by four international conglomerates with little affinity with our brewing heritage, or what beer drinkers want.
Other headlines from the report include:
• Seven of the top ten selling ‘craft beers’ in the UK are made by just four global brewing conglomerates.
• Many of the UK’s favourite ‘continental’ and ‘import’ lagers are brewed in the UK.
• Data from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) shows that the demand for independent beer is 280% higher than the share that they have of the pub market.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman said:
“Ordinary drinkers are being short changed when it comes to choice and quality at the bar. Our report proves how the global players are exploiting the status quo to squeeze out independent brewers, to the detriment of ordinary publicans and beer drinkers.
“The Government needs to step up, start taking the issue seriously, and take action that matches up to their statements about supporting pubs and the communities they serve.
“Andy Burnham recently said that ‘People need to be able to look forward to a night out’. The best way he can deliver on that is by ordering a proper market investigation to sort this mess out and deliver a fair deal for publicans and drinkers, and the independent brewers that they want to support.
“If this report makes you as angry as it makes me, that’s good. CAMRA is fighting for changes to the status quo, and I hope you’ll join us and get involved.”
Tim Webb, Report Editor, said:
“The fact that a narrow clique of multinational corporations dominates the UK brewing industry is a national embarrassment. They only make beers that suit their production facilities, ignoring the types that beer lovers want to drink. They do not know how to reverse beer’s downward spiral, make little profit, and brew nothing worth exporting. They cannot grow the UK economy.
“The way that better, independent, brewers are excluded from the on-trade beer market is scandalous. Brewing is a business that competition authorities need to investigate, take apart, and reassemble, so the UK can return to playing a leading role in the world of beer.”
Who owns what? Some examples
Banks – Carlsberg
Bass – AB-InBev
Beavertown – Heineken
Boddingtons – AB-InBev
Brakspear – Carlsberg
Brixton – Heineken
Brooklyn – Carlsberg
Camden – AB-InBev
Dark Star – Asahi
Fullers – Asahi
Gale’s – Asahi
Goose Island – AB-InBev
Marstons – Carlsberg
Meantime – Asahi
Sharps – Molson Coors
Wychwood – Carlsberg
Youngs – Carlsberg
There are tens of thousands of pubs across the country serving cask beers, and many of those serve really good pints.
For lovers of a decent pint, it’s important to be able to find them. CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide has been the ‘bible’ for finding the very best ones since 1974 and continues to be relied upon by tens of thousands of people.
CAMRA’s online pub guide camra.org.uk/pubs can also help because beer quality is indicated by the ‘3 Pints’ symbols that CAMRA members can see when logged in.
Pubs and clubs that serve really excellent pints, and serve them consistently well, can be potential candidates for the Good Beer Guide.
To help identify them, CAMRA members score their pints whenever they have the opportunity. Their scores help local branches determine candidates for the Guide, and these can change year on year because the standards are high. Serving live cask beer requires skill in the cellar and attention by bar staff all the time. Competition for a place is stiff because only 4,500 places are available.
Up until now, the scoring system has used a numbering system of 0 to 5. But there are problems with this. It requires memorising the criteria for each score and using them consistently, but memories can be variable. Some people genuinely struggle with numbers, so they don’t take part. It becomes open to individual interpretation with resulting inconsistency between scorers. There’s also the potential for individual bias and a reluctance to ‘award’ high scores.
We all know when we are drinking a good pint that’s been well-kept, and we also know when a pint is very good or excellent – who cannot resist telling everyone else about it! And likewise, a pint that is simply OK or, hopefully not often, undrinkable.
So, to make things easier for everyone, a new intuitive ratings system is being introduced, which is more descriptive of the beer being drunk.
Each of the new ratings has a description and a likely reaction to help you pin down the most appropriate rating.
Ratings can be recorded on CAMRA’s online pub guide camra.org.uk/pubs by all CAMRA members so start rating your beer now.
CAMRA has launched a new award to recognise the achievements of a group who have revitalised a historic heritage pub.
From grand Victorian gin palaces to rural time warps, the Heritage Pub Revival Award is open to all pubs on the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors – a list compiled by CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group, which identifies pubs with intact traditional interiors, or which have features and rooms of national historic importance.
Previously known as the Heritage Award, part of CAMRA’s annual Pub Saving Award, it is now a standalone competition, aiming to promote and preserve historic pub buildings, while recognising and rewarding those who run them.
The award will go to a pub or pub operator showcasing activity which has reinvigorated it, while benefiting the business and having a positive impact on its local community.
Nominations are now open here.
The winner will be announced during Heritage Open Days, a week of free events across the country, celebrating heritage and history between 11-20 September. Similar events will also be taking place across Scotland and Wales.
Previous winners of the former Heritage Award include the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton, Devon, a 17th century inn which has remained unchanged for 100 years, and the Vine in Pittshill, Stoke-on-Trent, a Grade II listed back-street Victorian local.
Pick up a slice of history – for the last time!
Have you ever fancied owning a slice of brewing history? Then this Auction is just the thing for you. Run by the Campaign for Real Ale, the National Breweriana Auction returns to Burton on Trent’s Town Hall on Saturday 24th October but sadly, after 40 events, this will be the very last national one so don’t miss it!
It will have circa 150 interesting auction lots; everything from mirrors to trays; advertising signs, water jugs, flagons, bottles, books and pump clips as well as a few more unusual items. Plus there will be a number of stands selling brewery memorabilia adding to the atmosphere in this wonderful Victorian venue.
There are all sorts of items from all over the country to decorate your home. What about a flagon from Wadworths? Wadworths is based in Devizes, Wiltshire. They were founded in 1875 and remarkably are still owned and run by the descendants of John Smith Bartholomew, the co-founder of the brewery.
Or what about a limited-edition commemorative Millennium Ale set comprising of an unopened bottle, glass and bottle opener in a lovely metal container. This is from Mansfield Brewery, who first started brewing in 1855 in North Nottinghamshire, taken over by Wolverhampton and Dudley in 1999 and closed in 2002. Wolverhampton & Dudley then took over Marston’s and adopted that name. Sadly, following acquisition by Carlsberg, the Wolverhampton Brewery was closed in 2026.
There are numerous items that you can either use, or more likely display. What about a tray from Bass and there are a number of lots from Worthington including an ashtray (well used!), a match holder and the famous Worthington Mayor jug. And straddling the two brewers is a trio of leaflets listing their bottlers . These two Burton on Trent breweries were founded in the mid/late 1700’s with Worthington 16 years older. By the late 1800’s, Bass was the biggest brewery in the world and merged with Worthington in 1927. Bass sold the brand to Coors (now Molson Coors) in 2002. Maybe their best known brand was Worthington White Shield; an iconic British style IPA, which ceased production in 2023 but you can still purchase it in Norway and the Netherlands! Included in the lots is an unusual display card advising customers to order their last bottle at last orders ‘to allow for the care necessary in pouring the last rush of orders for Worthington White Shield”.
And the Auction wouldn’t be the Auction without a Guinness item or two. This year we have a mug and a display stand among the lots.
These are just a few of the items on sale, each with a history to tell. You don’t have to be an expert to attend the National Breweriana Auction. The Auction is great fun to take part in (or even just to watch) and it’s an opportunity to get some great bargains plus many of the items on sale can appreciate in value. And, of course, like any CAMRA event, there is some good beer on sale all day (from a local brewery).
Burton on Trent is less than an hour by train from Sheffield and the Town Hall is just a short walk from the railway station. The event starts at 10.30am with the opportunity to view the lots and browse the breweriana stands that will also be there. Bidding starts at noon and is normally finished by 3pm, giving a chance to have a final perusal of the stands before visiting some of Burton’s iconic pubs and heading home.
Entrance is by catalogue (£3.00), available on the day, or in advance by post: £6.45 (first class) via https://tckty.camra.org.uk/e/559/national-breweriana-auction. If you can’t get there, postal bids are accepted, just contact Bill Austin: 07831 688276 or baustin1951@btinternet.com. Wheelchair accessible. For more details, see: www.gandc.camra.org.uk.
Christine Cryne
Thanks to Micropub Adventures (Scott Sinclair) and Sheffield with Pubs (Niall Green), for joining several of us on a recent guided Pub Heritage walk. We took the Neepsend route (as in our walk-booklet) before going, via the New Barrack, into Hillsborough. The booklet is available from our website with paper copies obtainable at several local outlets.
We were very impressed by both the range and quality of the available beers, but also, by the many bar-staff we encounted – polite, professional and enthusiastic: an excellent advertisement for the city. Thanks for looking after us.
Neepsend pubs visited were: Church – Temple of Fun, The Old Workshop, Alder, Forest, Heist Brew Co. and the Gardeners Rest. We also passed the ruins of both Stones Cannon and Deardens High House Breweries. In addition, I played bar billiards for the first time in about twenty years, and managed to rack up over 1000 points. In all, an excellent afternoon.
Sheffield City Council have ruled regarding the recent retrospective planning application (25/030409/FUL) for the Royal Standard: Refuse with Enforcement Action.
‘The Local Planning Authority (LPA) consider that the impact of the works, principally the introduction of inappropriate windows and works to the entrance including the loss of historic fabric have a detrimental impact on the character and architectural and cultural heritage of the building which is a non-designated heritage asset. No clear justification for alterations has been put forward. The building could have been brought back into use in a manner that respected the character and history of the building. It is considered that the proposal is unacceptable and harms the character of the building itself and the immediate locality being contrary to paragraph 135 and 216 of the NPPF and policies BE5 and IB9 of the Unitary Development Plan and Policy CS74 of the Core Strategy.’
The current owners of the building made many alterations to this 19th century public house, without obtaining planning permission. Their retrospective planning application has been refused.
The Planning Officers Report states that: ‘It is therefore expedient to require removal of unauthorised works with a remedial scheme to be provided by the developer and agreed with the Local Planning Authority to reinstate the original building fabric.’
We await developments with interest.
