Our friends behind Sheffield’s first permanent Micropub, the Beerhouse on Ecclesall Road, are opening a new bar in Hillsborough. It’s been 6 months in preparation, but the aim is for a late May opening so they could already be trading by the time you read this!
Following the same style as the original, they will have a good range of well-kept beer featuring 6 cask lines and 5 keg, as well as “Yorkshire Tapas”, namely pork pies and sausage rolls!
A tie-in with the S6 foodbank will also help local people as well as fostering a community spirit within the pub.
Positioned by the Supertram stop opposite the old Hillsborough baths, the new Beerhouse S6 will become part of a rapidly-developing part of town. A number of interesting new bars and restaurants have opened in the last couple of years, making Hillsborough a great place for a night out.
On Saturday 11 February, members of the Sheffield & District branch headed all around the city and its surrounds to complete the Sheffield Pub Survey (the first we have done since lockdown). The purpose of the event was to take a snapshot of the range and cost of real ales and to update CAMRA’s WhatPub database with post-Covid opening times.
Groups on various different routes set off at midday and met up at the Red Deer in the City Centre. From here, those that could still make it, headed out to other areas and pubs which had not yet been surveyed. As during our last survey (Sep 2019) the weather was good especially considering the survey is not normally in February.
131 Pubs were surveyed (fewer than we would have liked), but a respectable 561 beers were recorded. From this data 309 unique beers were identified from 129 different breweries. Given the time of year, the general trend of reduced beer ranges post-Covid and surveying fewer pubs, we still believe Sheffield can claim to be the Beer Capital, offering the widest choice of cask ales. In fact, for the 110 pubs which were surveyed in person (rather than using data available via social media) an average of 4.6 cask ales per pub were available for sale on the day, the same number as during the pre-Covid survey in Sep 2019! For 77 pubs which were surveyed both in 2019 and again this year there was a decrease in the range of beers from an average of 5.52 beers per pub, down to 4.95. This represents a drop of only 10% in choice which with all things considered is quite positive.
The average cost of a pint of real ale was £3.63 (up 40p/12% compared to Sep 2019). If Wetherspoons and Samuel Smiths are excluded from this data the average cost per pint was £3.90 (up 56p/17%). With no beer duty increases since the last survey, prices are up in excess of 3.5% per year but we suspect most of the increase has been in the last two years. The cheapest beers were Green King’s Ruddle’s Best and IPA at £1.71 a pint. The dearest was a 9.5% Monsters English Barleywine 2021 by Torrside Brewing at £6.60.
Local breweries dominated the pumps with Bradfield (63), Abbeydale (51) and Thornbridge (28) being the top three most widely available.
The top spot this year was taken by Bradfield’s Farmers Blonde available in 28 of the pubs surveyed, with Abbeydale’s Moonshine and Sharp’s Doom Bar taking the second and third spots.
A special thanks to everyone involved in going out to venues and gathering all the data to make up this survey.
Exciting news broke recently about a joint venture between Matt from the Bear on Abbeydale Road, and Mike at the Cider Hole in Shalesmoor. A unit inside Orchard Square is in the process of being fitted out as we speak, with a planned opening some time in June, although a name hasn’t yet been chosen (updated, it is to be called the Old Shoe!).
Apparently, the new venue will feature 20 taps, including 3 cask lines and cider too. We can also expect the same wide range of cans, bottles and artisan ciders for which both existing businesses are well known.
It is anticipated that the Exemption Ciderhouse production will relocate here from the Cider Hole.
It looks like being a great stop off for anyone arriving at Midland station heading for Kelham Island. We’ll have more details to announce next month, and will feature a full report once they are open.
On Friday 24 March Paul and Kate celebrated 30 years of running the Commercial in Chapeltown in quite some style with a surprise party including special beers from Abbeydale, Durham and White Rose breweries.
In addition to the cask ales, the Commercial is also renowned for it’s extensive range of Sprits and hosts whisky tasting nights. And now there is also a special Single Cask Whisky from Milk & Honey Distillery in Tel Aviv, to celebrate 30 years of Paul and Kate running The Commercial. The pub is also home to Sheffield Distillery, who produce Sheffield Assay Gin and Vodka.
With chip butty nights on Wednesdays and naan bread pizza nights on Thursdays the Commercial is an outstanding community pub and a real jewel of the North Sheffield pub scene. Here’s to the next 30 years of quenching Chapeltown’s thirst!
The Globe closed on 10 April for a refurbishment and was expected to reopen on 22 April as one of Stonegate’s Craft Union partnership pubs.
The White Lion at Heeley is expected to reopen at the beginning of May under the same management as the Crown, just up the road!
The Bear on Abbeydale Road is hosting an event with Balance Brewing & Blending on 27 April, they will be treating ticket holders to a few of their fantastic mixed fermentation beers and blended wild ales, accompanied by a snack or two.
The Ladybower Inn reopened on 7 April. Initially it was just the bar that was open, by the time this issue of Beer Matters hits the street it is expected the kitchen and accommodation will be up and running too.
The Rose House at Walkley has now lost its “wooden curtains” and has new windows with the pub being prepared to reopen at the end of April. The pub is owned by Stonegate and is being leased to a local operator.
Vocation & Co launched their Sheffield bar on 14 April. This is the former Old House on Devonshire Street. It features 5 cask ales and 22 keg lines with beers from Vocation and guests, cocktails are also available. Food is described as “upmarket burgers and subs”.
The Hallamshire Hotel on West Street, Sheffield City Centre, reopened on 20 April, under the same management as the Washington. It nailed its colours to the mast of being a music orientated venue from the word go with Barry Krisp & The Bangers performing on opening night and they are keen to reclaim the pub’s musical heritage with an ongoing programme of live music and DJs! The initial opening saw the venue still configured as it was when it closed as Bloo88 but there are plans longer term to make changes which will include bringing back the upstairs function room into use and a bar refit that will introduce cask ale alongside craft beers and cocktails.
After raising quite a substantial amount of money for a local charity, the Blue Ball Inn at Worrall was nominated as Community Pub of the Year and progressed through to the final 50. They were invited to attend the ceremony in London where the finalists would be assessed and a shortlisted to five. The Blue Ball made it through to the final but were pipped at the post by the Dog & Parrot, Eastwood, Notts. Carl and Emma who run the Blue Ball said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and whilst disappointed not to win thought the Dog & Parrot were worthy winners.
Whilst in London Carl and Emma took the opportunity to meet with their local MP, Olivia Blake, at the Houses of Parliament. They petitioned Olivia about the level of support publicans currently receive in the light of the hike in energy prices and how this had affected the pub trade. Whilst accepting the points Olivia made about support to the brewery trade made a strong argument for this to be cascaded down to pubs or a more targeted support to pubs rather than just breweries.
Since taking over the tenancy of Blue Ball, just prior to Covid and lockdown, they have very much concentrated on improving their cellar, their beers and developing a community focussed pub. The pub we see today is very different to on the one Emma and Carl took over, with regular local community group activities, such as local business club meetings, held in the pub, supporting and sponsoring local activities and soon hoping to host a local produce market in their car park on Saturday mornings.
All of this coupled with award winning Timothy Taylor’s ales on cask makes for a great offering for anyone wanting to enjoy a warm friendly atmosphere, some great food on Friday evenings and a great pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord or Knowle Spring.
The recent inspirational Sheffield Heritage Fair and the equally successful, South Yorkshire Listing Project, continue to highlight the importance of our local heritage: how we learn about our past and how it shapes our future. One integral aspect of this interest is pubs: for centuries, the home of personal interactions and a barometer of social change. Pubs are part of our heritage; places where our ancestors lived, worked and relaxed: places that have had a major effect on the development of our city.
The latest edition of the book, Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs will be available for the forthcoming national CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM and Conference (21-23 April). Compared to the previous edition, this A5, 120 pages, new expanded version includes over 70 new images, new entries and considerable text changes and additions. As Exposed magazine stated:’ A must-have for any pub aficionado or history-buff.’
In addition, we also have a new 32 page Pub Heritage Walk illustrated booklet. This provides detailed instructions for a heritage walk from the University Arms to Fagan’s. Included en route are several pubs. This has been on sale from early March: two of the retail outlets (Beer Central and the Millennium Galleries) were forced to re-stock after less than a week. Other outlets include Kelham Island Books and Records and the University Arms.
Both publications are also available by mail order. Contact pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk for both post details and retail enquiries.
A timely reminder of the musical legacy of Fagan’s famous musical gatherings has appeared in the form of a new CD from local folk singer Fil Tebbutt.
Fil is one of the many musicians to have graced the back room at the pub during Tom & Barbara Boulding’s time as landlord and landlady and has now teamed up with several other regulars to produce an album combining both traditional and modern folk songs.
“When the martins take to the wing” features songs that Fagan’s regulars will have no doubt heard drifting across the bar, and one of them “The Girls of Glossop Road” even includes Tom’s own voice on the choruses.
It’s an excellent collection of tunes, all expertly sung and played, and great to play at home if you’re missing the craic. All profits from the CD go to charity, and you’ll probably have to visit the pub on a folk night to try and get hold of a copy. I heartily recommend you do.
Fagan’s Stories
As readers will know, Tom and Barbara Boulding, landlords of Fagan’s pub, retired in February after 37 years behind the bar. In the weeks before their retirement, Tom took time to record some of the stories and history behind the objects and artwork hanging on the walls of the pub, with pub regulars Tegwen Roberts, Ed Wynn and Dave Young.
One of the videos involves Tom talking about the day of the Hillsborough football disaster, which he remembers vividly. Did you know that the Mayor of Osaka once came to Fagan’s for his tea? Or that the former landlord Joe Fagan served in Bomber Command, and was a member of the Caterpillar Club? Hear these and other stories on YouTube @FagansStoriesSheffield.
Tegwen has also recorded a podcast about the early history of the Fagan’s – which goes back to the late 18th century – with support from Ed, Dave and producer Steve Dunbobbin. The podcast is a short dive into the early history of Fagan’s (formerly the Barrel Inn) told through the stories of some of the many people who have been part of the pub and its community over the past 200 years.
The podcast includes interviews with musicians who have played in the pub’s legendary back room, artist Pete McKee who created ‘the Snog’ mural on the gable wall, and CAMRA’s own Dave Pickersgill.
The podcast is available on Soundcloud; again just search for Fagans Stories Sheffield. There is currently one episode available, with another episode to come shortly with more stories from the pub’s community. As Tom says, ‘It’s Fagan’s, so there’s always a tale’.
This area of pubs is a short distance out the City Centre in a South West direction and is made up of two areas – the “Heeley Triangle” with pubs on the main Chesterfield Road and the hills above it along with venues along Abbeydale Road which combined make up a bigger triangle shaped pub crawl.
Regular buses on the Chesterfield Road corridor (20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17) serve the Heeley side of the triangle, buses on the Abbeydale Road corridor (75/76/86/97/98) run regularly on the Broadfield side with the bit in-between being walkable in under 10 minutes (or there is a limited bus service, the 10/10a).
This can also be combined with a visit to pubs on London Road (see separate article on our website). There are also a number of classic community locals in the Nether Edge area which is walkable from Abbeydale Road. It is also only a short bus ride up to Woodseats where there are three micropubs, a number of traditional locals and a Wetherspoons.
The Heeley area is a classic real ale pub crawl that has been a favourite for many years whilst Abbeydale Road has been a more recent development with an eclectic selection of little bars and cafes springing up alongside the bigger venues.
More information on the pubs is available on CAMRA’s pub database website – whatpub.com; bus timetables and maps are available at travelsouthyorkshire.com.
Sheaf View, Gleadless Road Previously a failed, closed and boarded up Marstons pub, James Birkett bought the pub in 2000 and transformed it. Two rooms, both clean and simple, good range of real ales and continental beers at reasonable prices, knowledgeable staff and an outdoor drinking area. There have been few substantial changes to the winning formula since, even with recent changes of ownership. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
Brothers Arms, Well Road Previously known as the Olde Shakespeare, this pub was taken over by a member of the Everley Pregnant Brothers Ukelele Parody band who’s day job is a brewery rep! Inside the pub has a traditional layout with cosy corners and a dart board, there is a great choice of beers at fair prices and basic bar snacks are available. Outside, the pubs hillside situation means the extensive beer garden offers fantastic views over the City. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
White Lion, London Road One of Sheffield’s Heritage pubs that still has a corridor and multiple small rooms as well as the bigger open plan rooms towards the back. The pub is also known for having live music at the weekend and also has a Wednesday quiz night! The bar features a selection of cask ales on handpump, usually including the more well known favourites such as Oakham Citra and Titanic Plum Porter. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
A small bar operated by Little Mesters Brewing featuring a mixture of mainstream beers, guest beers and their own brews. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
Crown Inn, Albert Road Traditional and comfortable two room pub with a great beer garden. A range of cask ales are available, mainly from the better known breweries. Food is available, primarily pies. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
Tramshed, Chesterfield Road Small neighbourhood bar with craft beer (no cask) and attached dining room. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44
Hardy Pick, Broadfield Close Part of Greene King’s Hungry Horse chain with the associated food menu, family friendly, feel of a motorway service station, range of cask beers from Greene King plus a couple of guests. Get there: buses 10/10a
Broadfield, Abbeydale Road Pub & Restaurant owned by True North Brewery with large patio area at the rear. Always an interesting selection of real ales and other craft beers plus cocktails etc. The dedicated dining area offers table service and booking is advisable for food whilst the relaxed atmosphere of the pub side offers broad appeal. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Two Thirds Beer Company, Abbeydale Road A neighbourhood craft beer bar with 16 lines of varied cask ales & keg beer, and a bottle bar. Slogan – don’t drink shit beer. Sounds fair to me. Food available. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Picture House Social, Abbeydale Road Located underneath the old Picture House, it consists of a lounge bar, pizza diner, games room and music venue. 2 or 3 real ales normally available along with a few other craft options. There is also an outdoor drinking area accessed via steps from the diner. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Over the Yardarm, Abbeydale Road A neighbourhood bar inspired by the catina culture of Barcelona and Seville, serving coffee, cocktails, craft keg beers and wine, with bar snacks and sharing platters. Beers include offerings from Abbeydale, Salt and Camden. No cask. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Abbeydale Tap & Snap, Abbeydale Road A small neighbourhood bar with two handpumps and a simple food menu of flatbreads, fries and nibbles. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Cole’s Corner, Abbeydale Road A record & art shop that is also a cafe with craft beer available in cans! A pretty cool place to sit outside for a snack and drink. No cask or keg. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Beer Works, Abbeydale Road Abbeydale Brewery’s new tap room, in the premises previously occupied by Turners Bottle & Tap. Not yet open. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Dead Donkey Bar, Abbeydale Road Neighbourhood bar offering craft beer on keg along with grilled cheese sandwiches. No cask. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
The Bear, Abbeydale Road Small bottle shop and bar with a number of craft beers on keg. Bear is an acronym – Beer Emporium Abbeydale Road. No cask. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
The real ale trail around Kelham Island, Shalesmoor, Neepsend and Hillsborough – The Upper Don Valley – is pretty much the modern history of Sheffield’s real ale scene. Much of the area is a former industrial district but is now in advanced stages of gentrification with lots of pubs, bars, cafes, breweries and residential developments as well as a little remaining industry.
There are two key public transport corridors through the valley – the Blue and Yellow tram route down one edge and the number 7 and 8 bus down the other.
Shalesmoor tram stop is a useful gateway to the whole area whilst the 7/8 bus will take you close to the Neepsend pubs.
You can also stay on the tram to Hillsborough where there is a run of pubs and bars both small and large, however this article focuses on the Kelham Island and Neepsend area – check out our Hillsborough guide for venues further up the valley.
Alder Bar – Burton Road Alder bar was previously the Sheffield Brewery Company and is located in the former Blanco Polish factory, which supplied the British troops in World War Two. Beer was brewed here from 2006 until the Coronavirus pandemic, on kit arranged on the traditional tower principle. The bar in the brewery was rescued from a student halls of residence that has since been demolished and fits in style with the Victorian building. Currently brewing has been suspended until further notice and the bar is now operated independently as “Alder” with a range of guest ales and regular special events. Get there: bus 7,8. Nearest tram stop Shalesmoor.
Crow – Scotland Street One of the newest pubs on the real ale and craft beer scene with the addition of en suite hotel rooms upstairs, brought to you by the same people as the Rutland Arms. Bar snacks primarily include pork pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls. A short walk up Lambert Street from Shakespeares pub and the rest of the Kelham Island circuit. Get there – bus 31 (or walk up from Gibraltar Street)
The grandaddy of Sheffield’s real ale pub scene – the first real ale free house to feature beers from outside the area and the first to offer a no smoking room! An old, traditional multi-room pub that hasn’t changed in many years, has a great beer garden and a simple, affordable food menu that always includes a veggie/vegan and gluten free option. The pub was previously associated with Kelham Island Brewery which has since changed ownership. Get there – Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Forest / Toolmakers Brewery tap room – Rutland Road/Botsford Street The Forest is just that little bit up the hill away from the popular Kelham Island circuit allowing it to remain a simple locals pub with reasonable beer prices, yet is still welcoming and comfortable. The beer on the bar is from the Toolmakers Brewery located around the corner owned by the same couple as the pub, the brewery has a tap room that opens up on a part time basis for special events including live music and open mic sessions – check their social media for details. Get there – bus 7/8 to Neepsend Lane.
Gardeners’ Rest – Neepsend Lane One of Sheffield’s classic real ale pubs featuring around 6 regularly changing cask beers. The pub has 3 rooms – the main lounge, snug (featuring bar billiards table) and conservatory, leading out to the quite wonderfully eccentric riverside beer yard. The pub is now community owned and gets involved with a lot of community initiatives. Note card payment only. Get there – bus 7,8 stops outside or Infirmary Road tram stop is walkable.
Grafters – Percy Street Small container bar boasting a spacious outdoor garden with heating and covered seating areas. Serving cask, keg and bottled delights alongside a carefully selected range of hand picked spirits and mixers. Note this bar doesn’t normally open in the winter. Get there: bus 7,8. Nearest tram stop Shalesmoor.
Harlequin – Nursery Street Fairly big L-shape pub, recently reopened following refurbishment under the same management as the Rutland Arms and Crow Inn. The bar features 7 varied cask ales plus cider along with an interesting range of craft beers on keg. An ethos of only stocking independent producers where possible applies to all the beers, wines and spirits! Tutored tasting events are held now and again. The lower area at the back of the pub features a dartboard and also hosts live music some weekends. There is a small outdoor drinking area at the rear. A simple menu of good quality home cooked food is served at meal times, look out for the specials board on the bar. Get there – buses 7,8,75
Kelham Island Tavern – Russell Street One of the area’s long established real ale pubs that has won many awards over the years including National CAMRA Pub of the Year for two consecutive years. It is a basic pub with two rooms and a beer garden that is kept well presented, large beer range with all basic styles including mild, stout/porter and traditional bitter alongside popular pale hoppy offerings and more across 13 handpumps, usually including some from Blue Bee Brewery. A recent bar refit has also increased the number of craft beers on keg. Bar snacks include pork pies, bhajis and samosas. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Millowners Arms – Kelham Island Museum Formerly a museum exhibit celebrating Sheffield’s pub and brewing history, this traditional pub room is now open full time as a public bar with real ale and other craft beers available along with a simple food menu. Get there – Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Themed bar serving beer and food. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or bus 7, 8
New Barrack Tavern – Penistone Road Friendly multi room roadhouse pub owned by Castle Rock Brewery but operated independently by Kev and Steph. Popular with the more discerning fans of Sheffield Wednesday football club and Sheffield Tigers Speedway team whilst the weekend live music and comedy events also draw a crowd. Usually a good selection of real ales on the bar and an extensive cider and bottled beer selection also features. Get there: Bamforth Street tram stop or buses 7,8,86.
Riverside– Mowbray Street Bar owned by True North Brewery offering their beers plus guests and food is available. As the name implies, there is also an extensive outdoor drinking area overlooking the river Don. Get there: bus 7,8,75,83
Shakespeares – Gibralter Street One of those old places that has been around for years and dates back to the days of being a coaching inn with stables at the back for the horse and carriage, it only really became noteworthy from a beer point of view in recent years since becoming independently owned and operated. The interior is a basic ale house style with several rooms on the ground floor plus a live music room and games room upstairs. The bar offers an extensive range of craft beers on cask and keg served by knowledgeable staff, they also boast quite an extensive top shelf spirit choice. Get there: bus 57,81,82. Nearest tram stops Cathedral or Shalesmoor.
Ship Inn– Shalesmoor Classic pub that won an award for its last refurbishment. Laid back atmosphere. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop is across the road or buses 57,57a,81,82,86.
SALT – Green Lane New build pub/restaurant, initially opened as “Stew & Oyster” but since refurbished and become SALT brewery’s Sheffield bar pairing craft beer with bao buns to eat. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
Wellington – Henry Street Old fashioned two room pub next to Shalesmoor tram stop operated by Neepsend Brewery featuring craft beer on cask and keg from their range plus guests. Also known for its cheap sandwiches and whisky selection! The kind of pub where you sit and enjoy quiet conversation or read the paper. Beer garden also available. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
Former industrial building expensively renovated with part of it converted into a bar (the other part is a clothes warehouse for the Drop Dead Clothing designer brand). The bar features craft beer, cocktails, vegan fast food, photo booth, classic coin-op arcade games, Playstation pods, pool table, music and riverside balcony. Sounds hipster as hell, actually a really cool, relaxed place to chill with a beer. Cask ale sometimes available. Get there – Infirmary Road tram stop or buses 7,8,86
Heist Brew Co – Neepsend Lane The new kid on the block, a converted industrial building containing a brewery, burger joint, coffee and craft beer bar with 30 taps and a fridge full of exotica. Oh and a mini games arcade. Cask beer sometimes available for special events. Get there: Infirmary Road tram stop or bus 7, 8
Small craft beer bottle shop and bar on a modern residential development. Get there – Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Old Workshop – Hick Street Bar in, as the name suggests, an old former workshop! Features a range of craft beer, premium spirits and vegan fast food, in a laid back atmosphere. Get there: bus 7,8 or Shalesmoor tram stop
Peddler Market – Burton Road, Neepsend Takes place the first weekend of most months in an old warehouse and surrounding courtyards, featuring a craft beer bar with a different guest brewery each month, numerous street food traders, makers stalls, music and more. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or bus 7, 8
Saw Grinders Union – Shalesmoor Smart but relaxed bar & dining room serving cocktails and craft beer. Outside courtyard area also offers seating. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86.
Brothers Arms
Crown Inn
Broadfield
Picture House Social
Cole’s Corner, Abbeydale Road
