Category: News

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide enlists the help of a music icon

The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide – the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide – is celebrating its 51st edition with a striking cover and a foreword supplied by Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. The Guide, which surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs.

Dickinson’s foreword shines a spotlight on the cultural tradition of pubs within the United Kingdom, the importance of protecting the heritage, charm and welcoming nature of pubs and clubs, and not taking them for granted.

Pubs and clubs are a rite of passage for many bands and musicians starting out in the UK, and Iron Maiden themselves began their career almost 50 years ago playing in London pubs. The conviviality of these venues creates the perfect atmosphere for burgeoning music scenes, and helps to drive footfall into pubs, especially after a challenging period for them brought on by the pandemic.

The cover of The Good Beer Guide 2024 features Eddie, Iron Maiden’s mascot and icon of the band’s range of Trooper beers, brewed by Stockport brewery Robinsons. Trooper celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and has become one of the UK’s most established ales in that period.

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said: “We’re honoured to have Bruce Dickinson pen the foreword for The Good Beer Guide 2024. As we enter our second half century of producing the Guide, there is no one better to introduce this year’s edition, and highlight what makes these institutions so worth visiting.

“The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs open and thriving. I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s Guide to visit the very best pubs across the UK and support them for generations to come.”

The Good Beer Guide 2024 is set to be published on 28 September, with options to order the standard editions, alternative cover and hardback editions available on the CAMRA shop. To pre-order, go to https://shop1.camra.org.uk/

CAMRA responds to Ringwood brewery being put up for sale 

Responding to the announcement that Carlsberg Marston’s has put Ringwood Brewery and associated brands up for sale, CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said:  

“Founded in 1978, Ringwood Brewery has been a stalwart of the British brewing scene for decades, being one of the first cask ale producers in the country. I sincerely hope whoever takes up the reins continues with its long-standing, valued traditions. 

“It is encouraging that brewing of its flagship beers will still take place on the site while a new buyer is sought. It is important to note the reasons for selling is not due to a failing business, but the current owners wanting to expand other areas of its operations which is not possible at the current location.  

“CAMRA campaigns for pubs, pints and people – we never want to see the closure of any brewery as too many across the country are closing their doors. This can have a detrimental impact on local communities, including employment as well as the social benefits a tap can bring. I hope it continues to thrive under new ownership, who will honour the production of the Ringwood live beers consumers have come to love and respect. 

“Ringwood has been hugely successful over the years, moving from its original site in 1986 after outgrowing it. CAMRA will be keeping a watchful eye on the sale and will be urging whoever takes over to ensure these traditions remain at the heart of its operations. It would be a sad day for beer enthusiasts if this was not the case. 

“Ringwood’s Old Thumper was a former Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 1988, an accolade awarded at CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival Winter.” 

CAMRA celebrates cider education

Collaborating with esteemed writers, influencers and film makers, the award-winning Learn & Discover site hosts an abundance of articles, videos and audio material, exploring the world of pubs, beer, cider and perry.

A new beginners’ guide is freely available for CAMRA members and non-members alike:

Intro to sparkling cider – The first of a new cider series by celebrated drinks writer Rachel Hendry exploring why some ciders are still while others are sparkling. Rachel details the science and processes involved in making different styles of cider, from the importance of fermentation to the multiple methods of carbonation.

For cider and perry enthusiasts wanting to learn more about their favourite drink, there is a fantastic new documentary film available exclusively for CAMRA members*:

World of cider: Hardanger – The second instalment of CAMRA’s World of Cider video series, renown cider expert Gabe Cook, otherwise known as The Ciderologist, meets Norwegian cider producers in Hardanger. Attending the Hardanger Cider Festival, Gabe learns of the history of Norwegian cidermaking, the practicalities of producing cider in Norway and the country’s ever growing cider tourism scene. Filmed by Haritz Rodriguez, the documentary boasts of breath-taking shots of fjords and the stunning Norwegian landscape. The trailer for the film is free to view on CAMRA’s YouTube channel here.

Catch up with the first episode of Gabe’s word tour, in which he travels to Scotland here.

CAMRA supports and campaigns for cider and perry throughout the year, highlighting them in month-long celebrations throughout October and May, during which time local CAMRA branches organise cider and perry events across the country.

Alex Metcalfe, CAMRA’s Learning & Discovery Manager, said: “Working with creative filmmakers and talented writers, these new guides highlight the variation and complexity in cider, making it such a well-loved beverage in the UK and across the world. I was blown away by the high-quality production of the World of Cider video, which rivals that of a big budget TV series. As always with Learn & Discover, there is more on the horizon, I can’t wait for people to see what is in store for the platform and our growing YouTube channel.”

High street pubs could be lost for good unless Government thinks again, warns CAMRA

he Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is leveraging its 150,000-strong membership to ensure that the planning protection won for pubs in 2017 won’t be undone by the Government’s latest levelling up proposals. 

Members are writing to their MPs, letting them know that Government proposals for ‘High Street Rental Auctions’ cannot go ahead in their current format, and asking MPs to take action. CAMRA won landmark protection for pubs just five years ago, with the removal of permitted development rights that had let developers convert or demolish pubs without giving communities their say through the planning process.  

High Street Rental Auction proposals are currently under consultation with the aim of rejuvenating highstreets by letting Councils auction leases for a range of vacant property types, but these proposals miss the mark by reintroducing permitted development rights that would see pubs converted, divided up into multiple units, or gutted of fittings without the need for planning permission. 

The e-lobby campaign follows a letter sent to Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison MP by CAMRA National Chairman, Nik Antona, asking the Government to think again about removing pub protections with High Street Rental Auctions. 

Commenting, Nik Antona said: “Last week the Government opened the latest round for bids to the Community Ownership Fund, while at the same time, consulting on taking planning protection away from the kinds of venues that so many communities are working to save.  

“It’s vital that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which is responsible for both the Community Ownership Fund and High Street Rental Auctions, takes a more joined-up approach to legislation surrounding the trade, and offers meaningful change that empowers communities to support, or even run, their locals. 

“I urge everyone to contact their MP and ask them to stand up for high street pubs.” 

Black Sheep Brewery sold

Black Sheep Brewery has been sold to London Investment firm Breal Capital after being place into adminstration, reports the Stray Ferret news website, however the sale has left suppliers owed £3m and unlikely to get paid. The biggest unpaid invoices include Simpsons Malt (£83.4k) and Sustain Drinks Packaging (£33.8k).

Thanks to all who attended the recent Members’ Weekend for their generous donations to Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity : £659.76.

Pictured are two members of the MW Organising Committee, Harriet Keynes from the Charity and a very large cheque.

Summer of Pub is CAMRA’s summer-long campaign to promote pub and club-going, highlight the social and cultural importance of the UK’s pubs and social clubs. It launched in May and runs to September, when the 2024 edition of the Good Beer Guide is published.

It’s been a tough winter for the licensed trade with energy and business costs skyrocketing, so we feel now it is especially important to encourage you to get out and enjoy our great pubs and clubs this summer!

Summer of Pub kicked off on the second May bank holiday which didn’t exactly see great weather but it was the weekend of King Charles III’s Coronation. Pubs played a big role in facilitating communities getting together for “a bit of a do” whether that involved bunting, entertainment and showing the cermony on TV or providing an alternative event for those who weren’t interested – such as the Dog & Partridge who instead of a Coronation party ran a fundraiser for the Shelter homeless charity and a collection for the S6 food bank.

There are various pub based events coming up over the summer including beer and music festivals, organisers are invited to submit their events for national listing online at camra.org.uk/pubs-and-clubs/current-campaigns/summer-of-pub/ (or you can find our own festival guide here)

Of course, as the weather turns warm and dry for the summer (well occasionally, this is England after all!) thoughts turn to outdoor drinking and we have some great options in our area. You don’t even need to head out to a country pub – we have waterside options at places like Dorothy Pax, Riverside Kelham and Gardeners Rest, hidden away City Centre beer gardens and patios at pubs like the Washington or University Arms and suburban pubs offering a great view over the city such as the Brothers Arms. Meanwhile head to an area like Kelham Island where you can do a crawl of urban beer gardens and yards at pubs like Shakespeares Ale & Cider House, West Bar Tap, Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat, Wellington, Crow Inn, Grafters Bar, Millowners Arms, Happy’s Bar, Alder and more!

If the weather does prove to be a bit more British and wet this summer then of course pubs are indoors and provide a great place to get together with friends, enjoy a nice beer and maybe a bite to eat! Alternatively if you are on your own and bored head to a pub with entertainment such as live music!

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 50^th 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

A working group has over the last year been looking at how the volunteering hierarchy works. It is structured with branches reporting to a regional director who reports to the national executive.

Issues have been identified with how the regions are working and some changes have been recommended and one of these affect Sheffield & District branch which currently straddles both Yorkshire and East Midlands creates a complication working with two different regional directors.

Therefore the proposal is for the Derbyshire part of Sheffield & District to be separated and ideally give the Peak District part (primarily the Hope Valley and out towards Buxton as far as Millers Dale) its own branch, run by members who live in the area.

If you are a CAMRA member in the Derbyshire part of our branch and would be interested in joining a committee of locals running a new branch please get in touch. It will include organising meetings and socials in the area, surveying the pubs and encouraging them to provide any news. There are also two breweries in the area – Intrepid and Eyam – to build a relationship with and keep their details up to date in CAMRA’s Brewery Information System. The branch will also need to run an awards programme, choose which pubs go in the Good Beer Guide and attend East Midlands regional meetings.

All at Sheffield and District CAMRA mourn the loss of Eddy Munnelly and send our condolences to his family and friends, especially Pat Wilson, the other half of ‘Pat and Eddy’.

Eddy started running pubs at the East House (subsequently Morrisseys East House) with his friend Brian Morrissey. Later he moved on to the Wortley Arms along with Pat and then to Morrisseys Riverside.

In 1998 he and Pat bought The Gardeners Rest at Neepsend, a Mansfield pub that had been closed for a short while. Building up trade from scratch purely on their reputation for serving well kept Real Ales and hosting regular live music evenings, the pub was soon established on the real ale circuit, with the local CAMRA pub of the year award being won in 2000. If you were lucky enough to be there when the blackout curtains were drawn and the front door locked, you knew you were in for a ‘lock in’ and that’s when lock ins were a thing!

In 2006, Eddy and I started the Sheffield Brewery along with local business owner Peter Rawlinson. Apart from a slight hiccup when both the Gardeners and the Brewery were badly flooded in 2007, the brewery flourished, winning over 20 awards. In 2011 the brewery brewed the cask ale for the Tramlines festival. Eddy hosted many brewery tours with pie and peas suppers and it was also the venue for parties and four weddings. At one time 6 to 8 18s from the FIVE RIVERS, SEVEN HILLS, BLANCO BLONDE and CRUCIBLE BEST core range were delivered to the Gardeners weekly, along with a couple of 9s each of SHEFFIELD PORTER and the monthly special.

Famous for his range of flamboyant waistcoats, Eddy was a keen historian and the pub hosted several local history groups as well as showcasing the work of local artists. Eddy was also instrumental in establishing the Upper Don Walk and took groups along the river delving into Neepsend’s industrial and brewing traditions. Sheffield City Morris made the Gardeners their home after practice and he was keen to promote them; there was also a popular Sunday night quiz. Eddy was always a supporter of the wider community, believing there was a place for everyone. He supported those who would otherwise find it difficult to find work, Gary who cleaned the pub for 20 years and Andy who washed barrels at the brewery were just two.

In 2017, Eddy decided to retire for a life on the ocean waves, well the historic waterways of England. Our shares in the brewery were sold to Peter, who was keen to take it forward in a different direction. The pub was bought by the regulars, keen to continue what Pat and Eddy had built up, and they set sail on their narrowboat. He could be a grumpy sod at times but we loved him all the same.

Tim Stillman

Cut in help for energy bills could spell end for nation’s locals

Commenting on the impending reduction in the Government’s help for businesses with their energy bills from 1st April, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: 

“Sadly for publicans, this isn’t a bad April Fool’s joke from the Government. With our pubs and breweries continuing to face rocketing costs and customers tightening their belts, the last thing licensees need is vital support with sky-high energy bills to be pulled out from under them. 

“This change puts the future of many of the nation’s beloved pubs, social clubs and breweries under threat of having to close their doors for good – with communities losing vital parts of their social fabric as a result. 

“CAMRA is urging the Government to think again, reinstate more help for the licensed trade with their energy bills – as well as making business rates fairer and cutting VAT so that pubs can survive and thrive in the months and years ahead.” 

Tax reforms brilliant news for small brewers and cider makers, but changes needed to avoid a stealth ban on takeaway pints

Nik Antona, CAMRA National Chairman, has responded to the publication of details on reforms to the Alcohol Duty System, coming into force on 1 August 2023.

On the new draught duty rate for beer and cider:

“CAMRA has campaigned for many years to secure a draught duty rate, and we are pleased that this has come to fruition. We particularly welcome the confirmation that traditional gravity dispense will be captured within the new, lower, duty rate.

“With the Chancellor extending the differential between the general and draught duty rates to 9.2% in the Budget, we look forward to campaigning to further increase that differential to the benefit of pubs, social clubs, and consumers.”

On the new Small Producer Relief Scheme:

“Small brewers and cider makers will be pleased to see the details of the new Small Producer Relief Scheme, so that they can start planning for the future.

“With stubbornly high inflation and the impending cliff-edge drop-off in energy bill support, small producers need more help than ever to compete with the purchasing power and economies of scale enjoyed by the global producers that dominate the UK beer and cider market.

“Small cider makers will also benefit from a progressive duty system for the first time ever, supporting them to grow and increase choice of artisanal ciders for consumers.”

On the announcement that decanting from draught-duty paid containers for consumption off the premises will be prohibited:

“Despite our formal representations and extensive engagement with the Treasury, a workable solution to allow pubs and social clubs to make incidental takeaway draught sales has not been found. It’s good that specialist bottle shops will be able to buy casks and kegs with the general duty rate paid on them to make takeaway sales, but most publicans – who the draught duty rate is designed to benefit – won’t be able to afford or accommodate extra draught containers just to make takeaway sales.

“This, if implemented, will equate to a stealth ban on takeaway pints and is extremely disappointing for licensees and consumers, and especially designated drivers that like to take away a pint or two to enjoy responsibly at home. We will continue to campaign for a workable solution.”

This is last year’s form. Please use the Good Beer Guide 2025 form.

Voting is now open for our entries into the Good Beer Guide 2024. As in recent years, we are hoping to nominate 30 pubs within the Sheffield city boundaries and a further six from the Derbyshire part of the branch.

All Sheffield & District CAMRA members are able to take part in voting by selecting the allowed number of pubs on the form below.

Forms must be received by 7 February 2023 to allow the selection committee time to visit the nominated pubs to confirm they are eligible.

Sorry, voting has closed.

Our big Sheffield pub survey started life many years ago now as the “Beer Capital Survey” as a bit of friendly competition between Derby, Sheffield and some other cities to prove their claim to the title of the real ale capital of Britain. Consistently, Sheffield proved to have the greatest number of different beers available on one day. Although it started as a bit of fun, the data collected proved a useful way of taking a snapshot of the city’s beer scene. We can track changes to the range of beers, which brands are most commonly found, how many real ales are offered and more. In later years the survey was referred to as the “Annual Beer Census”.

Since we last did this annual survey in 2019, we have had lockdowns and restrictions, followed by the cost of living crisis. This has meant changes in many pubs beyond the beer range, such as opening hours. We‘ve seen many pub closures… but also some new openings.

For this year‘s survey we are asking participants to not just log the range of beers, but also check information on opening hours, food service, facilities, accessibility etc. so we can make sure the pub‘s entry on WhatPub is up-to-date and accurate, which may prove useful given that over a thousand beer tourists are expected to visit Sheffield for the national CAMRA Members’ Weekend in April and will be exploring the city’s pubs.

The survey is conducted on a number of different routes, which we invite you to join us on. Each route has a leader assigned who will help the group have a good day out while collecting this valuable data.

Many daytime surveys start in the outer suburbs at midday and work their way into the City Centre, along with some dedicated City Centre routes. In the evening we meet up and spread out across the Kelham Island and Neepsend areas.

If you can’t make it onto one of the survey routes but are happy to nip down to your local on the day, we’ll also have an online facility for you to submit your data, and all help will be appreciated!

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Survey routes with a leader – you are welcome to join in simply by meeting the leader in the first pub at midday. We suggest buying an all day travel pass such as Citywide as use of public transport will be involved with most routes.

Abbeydale Road corridor – meet at the Cross Scythes in Totley. Leader Andy Cullen. Buses 97 and 218 go there.

Walkley, Crookes and Commonside – meet at the Walkley Cottage Inn (Leader Paul Crofts. Buses 52a, 95 and 95a go there) or the Ball (Leaders Phil Ellet & John Beardshaw, buses 52/52a go there)

Ecclesall Road corridor – meet at the Greystones (leader Glyn Mansell, bus 6 goes there) or Hammer & Pincers (leader Alan Gibbons, bus 88 goes there)

At the end of the daytime crawls we meet up at the Red Deer in Sheffield City Centre, have a bite to eat then head out on evening survey runs around Kelham Island and Neepsend.

If you wish to survey independently, you can log your data online here.

Alternatively you can print out a paper form to fill in by hand below.