With pub going a bit more normal now the JD Wetherspoon chain is once again running a national beer festival this autumn with the Sheffield launch taking place at the Sheaf Island on Ecclesall Road on 20 October.
There is a list of 20 real ales in the festival in a brochure containing tasting notes with each pub being allocated around half of them which will be rotated across the pumps, so you will need to visit more than one pub to try them all!
On launch day the Sheaf Island will feature five of the festival beers alongside their regular ales and they will be celebrating the launch with a pub quiz and games.
The festival beers expected at the Sheaf Island are:
PurityAPA A 3.9% gluten free session pale ale brewed especially for Wetherspoons with Nelson Sauvin, Galaxy and Columbus hops.
AdnamsOld Ale A 4.1% ruby red ale with caramel and chocolate aromas, flavours offering hints of liquorice and berries with a bitter finish.
Bath Ales Queen of Hearts A new 4.3% amber ale brewed for Wetherspoons.
Hogs Back Citrus Pale Ale A new seasonal beer, this is a 4.5% pale ale offering floral and citrus notes, the bitterness from the Fuggles, Mosaic and UK Cascade hops balanced nicely by the subtle malt flavour making the beer an easy drinking, light hoppy beer with a dry finish.
Thornbridge Shelby A 5% golden/amber ale with aromas of stone fruit and berries which leads to a gentle maltiness on the palette balanced by a citrus and lemon bitterness from the Bramling Cross and Fuggles Hops. An official beer of the Peaky Blinders TV series and inspired by beer recipes of the era.
Greene King Ruby Abbot This 5.2% ruby ale is a special edition of Abbot Ale brewed for Wetherspoons.
Wadworth Sweet Molly A 5.5% red ale brewed for Wetherspoons.
Bank’s (Marstons) New Wave IPA A 6% golden IPA brewed for Wetherspoons.
The George Hotel in Hathersage has reopened under new management following a revamp. It is being run by the same people as the Maynard in Hathersage and as well as a restaurant and hotel rooms has a public bar with real ale available.
Late August saw an arson attack on the Sheaf View at Heeley. Work has been progressing will to get the place fixed up including a new door, new floor, electrics, new firedoors and a full clean and treatment to remove the smell of smoke. At the time of writing work was about to start on the windows, plastering and decorating and they are hoping to be back open in October.
The programme of Heritage Open Days in the middle of September saw a number of pubs joining in the festivities. The Gardeners Rest in Neepsend, as well as running tours of the building, ran a festival of local food and drink with all the ales sourced locally as well as bar snacks including pork pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches on locally baked breadcakes and cheese platters featuring (amongst others) Hendersons Relish cheese! Meanwhile alongside the Castlegate festival and Waterfront festival the Social on Snig Hill and Dorothy Pax at Victoria Quays hosted various events.
The live entertainment room at the Greystones has received an investment in an upgrade to the facilities and sound system and has a busy upcoming programme of gigs.
The Industry Tap now has a sister bar, Industry Hophouse on Leadmill Road, also offering a selection of craft beer on keg and in can.
Another new opening in Neepsend is a small courtyard bar named Grafters offering craft beer on both cask and keg. You can find it on Percy Street, on the other side of the crossroads from Sheffield Brewery and across the side street from Peddlers Warehouse venue.
Another couple of new real ale venues opened at the beginning of September on the fringes of the City Centre.
Perch is the tap room bar located at Dead Parrot Brewery on Garden Street. On the opening night there were four cask beers brewed on site available on the bar on handpump alongside some more mainstream brands on keg plus a fridge with a varied range of cans and bottles from around the UK and beyond. The venue also has a courtyard area at the back by the brewery available for outdoor drinking which in the future will be hosting various events.
A number of works in progress were evident with a canopy due to be built soon to cover the outdoor seating from the elements and also the introduction of a pizza menu – on opening night various tests from the pizza oven were shared around to gauge reaction ahead of the launch of the bar’s food service. There isn’t (at the time of writing) prominent signage, just a birdcage over the door and strings of fairy lights, however once you’ve found your way in a very pleasant, smart bar awaits!
The other new opening is The Social on Snig Hill. This is located within a small art gallery that sits in two adjoining former shop units run by not for profit company Yes2Ventures, an organisation that is all about training people to get into work who have potential but face disadvantages getting jobs.
The Social has four regularly changing cask beers and a cider on handpump plus a couple of craft beers on keg alongside the usual range of other pub drinks offered in a civilised, friendly atmosphere! Bar snacks are available, often alongside the usual crisps are canapes prepared by the trainee chef in the kitchen downstairs. The Social is open from 3pm-9pm Wednesday and Thursday; 12pm-9pm Friday and Saturday and is conveniently situated to be somewhere nice to meet before walking down to Kelham Island or up into the City Centre.
The Old Bulls Head in Little Hucklow was a regular Good Beer Guide entry in the 1970s and 80s when it sold a fine pint of Buxton-brewed Winkle Saxon Cross Bitter (3.8%). It later sold Wards Bitter.
The Old Bulls Head has historical interest dating back to the 12th century with claims to be the fiftholdest pub in England. Little Hucklow was once the scene of much mining activity, with considerable remains of old shafts, gravel hillocks and rakes still surrounding the village. The Bull’s Head pub contained a collection of mining relics. In addition, the handpumps had Shakespearean characters carved in wood.
In more recent years, the building sat derelict for about a decade, until two years ago when renovation work started. This involved alterations to the pub building, including the addition of a glazed ‘seed room’ extension, the addition of an external stone stair, an extension to the south-west corner, removal of the porch, alterations to openings, and internal layout changes. In addition, the car park was altered to accommodate a new building which includes six letting rooms.
The pub re-opened in July 2020 as the Blind Bull and offers a choice of four real ales, with a regular house beer The Blind Bull IPA, designed and brewed with Eyam Real Ale Company, and three regularly changing beers predominantly from local brewers, including Eyam Real Ale Company, Pennine Brewery, Peak Ales Brewery, and others. The varied food menu includes vegetarian and vegan options. The overnight accommodation is due to launch soon.
The Blind Bull was entered into CAMRA’s National Pub Design Awards and we are pleased that it has been recognised as the joint winner in the refurbishment category.
The Blind Bull now and as the Old Bulls Head in 1984
Perch is the name of the new bar and bottle shop opening at Dead Parrot Brewery on 27th August, featuring brewery fresh beer and food to enjoy in the bar, courtyard or take away. You can find it on Garden Street behind Butlers Balti.
Bar Stewards on Gibraltar Street recently celebrated their 4th birthday with a special beer line up, including a number of exclusive dry hopped casks.
The Killamarsh branch of Guzzle micropub has now opened for business.
Hawthorne Leisure, the pub division of New River Retail, has been sold to Admiral Taverns. It appears all their pubs have been temporarily closed and boarded up, this includes the Ship Inn at Shalesmoor.
The Chantry Inn at Handsworth, venue for our next branch meet on 7 September, now has 5 cask ales from Chantry brewery with rotating specials including Wentworth Red, Styrian Wolf, Cashmere Time & Full Moon supplementing the ever presents of New York pale, Iron and Steel bitter, special reserve and Diamond Stout.
The proposed Tunnel Tap micropub at Totley Rise now has licence approval and is now planning the fit out of the shop unit.
The tap room at Toolmakers Brewery is opening for open mic nights every Sunday and Wednesday. The venue is on Botsford Street (off Rutland Road behind the Forest pub) near Neepsend. Check their Facebook page for details of all their events.
The Social on Snig Hill in Sheffield City Centre is currently open as an art gallery and provides opportunities for those disadvantaged in the workplace to gain skills and experience. It is part of a network of ventures operated by Yes2Ventures and they are opening a micropub on the same site, featuring a bar built by their own staff. It is expected to open Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 9pm (alcohol from midday).
Sheffield breweries, True North Brew Co. and Loxley Brewery have teamed up to bring the Sheffield Half Pint Marathon back for its sixth year.
The month-long charity event will run throughout September in 13 of Sheffield’s favourite bars and pubs, with each brewery creating a brand-new beer especially. One For t’Road from True North Brew Co. and Get Em In from Loxley Brewery will be available in all participating venues and with each Half Pint Marathon beer purchased throughout September, a donation will be made to local charity Sheffield Mind.
Sheffield Mind is a Sheffield based charity which provides support to people with mental health issues. Sheffield Mind Business Development Manager Lindsay Doyle-Price said ‘Sheffield Mind are delighted to be partnering with True North Brew Co. and Loxley Brewery in this year’s Sheffield Half Pint Marathon. We have been lucky enough to be beneficiary of the promotion for the last two years and are grateful to all the participating bars for their ongoing support.
‘We very much hope that the people of Sheffield get behind the promotion, as every penny donated to Sheffield Mind will be invested in local service delivery.
‘It’s been a tough year for local people and local business and talking part in the marathon is a great way to support both.’
The premise of the Sheffield Half Pint Marathon is simple – at the starting venue of your choice you will receive your Half Pint Marathon card, then for each venue you visit and purchase one of the speciality beers you will receive a sticker. When your card is filled simply register via truenorthbrewco.uk/halfpintmarathon by 30 September and you will receive an email to let you know when and where you can collect your limited-edition print.
The Sheffield Half Pint Marathon print features hand drawn illustrations of the participating venues by the incredibly talented Will Rea.
Participants can complete the marathon at their own pace, in a day, week or even over the whole month.
True North Brew Co.’s Marketing Manager Krissie Petfield said ‘Mental health is often ignored in the hospitality industry and there is still a long way to go to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those working within the industry.
‘The last few years have been especially difficult with the ups and downs of the pandemic and we’re working towards providing further support to those suffering at True North Brew Co.
‘We are happy to be bringing back the Sheffield Half Pint Marathon alongside Loxley Brewery to raise money for such a worthy cause. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get together with friends and family and raise a (half) pint to support one another.’
This month-long celebration of some of Sheffield’s best independent bars and pubs is aimed at giving people a chance to contribute to a great local charity whilst exploring Sheffield.
Hannah Hebb, Loxley Brewery’s Business Coordinator said ‘It was a great honour to be asked to be a part of the Sheffield Half Pint Marathon. Over the last 18 months mental health has become more important than ever, so we at Loxley Brewery are proud to be supporting Sheffield Mind.
‘It would be fantastic to see people get together for such an amazing cause, supporting local businesses as they go, having a pint and putting the world to rights. It is important to remember that mental health is real, and it matters.’
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, beer lover or beer novice, the Sheffield Half Pint Marathon is not to be missed!
The Sheffield Half Pint Marathon runs throughout September 2021. More information is available at truenorthbrewco.uk/halfpintmarathon or on socials @sheffhalfpint.
The venues
Bar Stewards (Gibralter Street, Kelham Island. Buses 57,81,82,86)
We’ve listed the bus routes and tram stops by the venues above. You can get network maps and timetables from Travel South Yorkshire and all day travel passes (currently discounted until 27 September) from TravelMaster. You can track buses live on a map using the independent BusTimes.org website.
The normal beer festival at Abbeydale Picture House has been unable to happen this year due to Covid, but the Festival trail is here over the weekend of 6 to 8 August. Here is our mini-guide to the venues taking part.
The Indie Beer Feast Festival Trail Facebook event has the latest information.
There are some discount deals on public transport passes at the moment, for example a Citywide pass for all day unlimited travel on any bus or tram in Sheffield costs £3.80 (normally £5.10). More information about this can be found on the Travelmaster ticket website whilst timetables and maps are available from Travel South Yorkshire.
THE VENUES
Bar Stewardsget there on buses 57, 81, 82, 86 or Shalesmoor tram stop is a short walk away
Shakespeare’sget there on buses 57, 81, 82, 86 or Shalesmoor tram stop is a short walk away
THE BEERS
AT SHAKESPEARE’S
CASK
Neptune Enzili Pale Ale 4%
Neptune Galene Session IPA 4.3%
Neptune Mosaic Pale Ale 4.5%
Neptune Nelson Sails Again NZ Pale 4.5%
Neptune Camulos Belgian Dubbel 6.9%
Torrside If You Build It oak smoked Pale 4%
Torrside Slice of Heaven NZ IPA 6.2%
Torrside Valour 1917 Imperial Stout 7.7%
KEG
Neptune River Runs Free Pale Ale 4.5%
Neptune Ostara Currant Bun Saison 5.6%
Torrside Franconia Smoked Beer 5.2%
Zero Ducks Raspberry IPA 6.2%
AT BAR STEWARDS
Abbeydale DRY HOPPED Heathen 4.1% American Pale Ale which has been dry hopped in the cask with extra Mosaic for an extra hoppy kick!
Abbeydale Double Deception 8.2% Nelson Sauvin DIPA on CASK! An extra special beer to celebrate Abbeydale’s 25th birthday and we’ve only gone and got some on cask
Abbeydale Celebration 2.8% Mimosa Quarter IPA. To balance out the craziness of that DIPA we’ve got a nice sessionable fruity small IPA, an equally celebratory beer but at a lower ABV.
Abbeydale Wanderer 6.0% Outlaws IPA. A lovely Willamette and Nelson Sauvin IPA, a crispier take on the New England IPA.
PLUS – beers from Lost Industry and Turning Point.
AT HOP HIDEOUT (INCLUDES CIDER TOO!)
At Hop Hideout we’ll be pouring @rockleopardbrewing@pomonaislandbrew @wildernessbrew @rosscider @hoganscider (bottle only)Each day Jules will be hosting a short mini-tasting, limited samples, once they’re gone they’re gone! Head to the counter:Fri 6th 1pm Rock Leopard Sat 7th 1pm Hogans / Pomona Island 4pmSun 8th 1pm Wilderness / 4pm Ross
AT KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
AT RUTLAND ARMS
AT THE CROW INN
KEG:
Duration: Shifting Bassline – 5.0% Mosaic pale
Duration/ Beak: Sail – 4.2% Cellared saision
Duration/ DEYA: Crocs in the Coolship – 5.7% Coolship wit
Mobberley: Summer IPA – 6.0% IPA with Citra and Mosaic
Mobberley: Circuit Breaker – 10.5% Imperial Stout
CASK:
Mobberley: Elysium – 4.7% Session IPA.
Black Iris: Divine Elements – 6.0% IPA.
Black Iris: Stab in the Dark – 5.0% New Zealand stout
The new micropub in Mosborough has a name and is now open!Craftworks can be found at 38C-D High Street (the main road through Mosborough, bus route 50/50a) and features a range of beers including four on cask and six craft kegs along with a lager. A double shop unit has been converted into a modern and stylish bar. Whilst Coronavirus restrictions are in place table bookings are being taken and advisable at the more popular times.
Also newly opened is the Beer Dogshop at 108 Charlotte Rd, near Bramall Lane stadium. This is owned by the same people as the Ranmoor Castle off licence and Berlin Calling bar and as well as a range of craft beer in bottle and can there is a range of draught beer to go, including one on cask and is a good place to obtain beer from the Crosspool Ale Makers.
Over in Crookes, the Old Grindstone has now reopened as a True North Brewery pub with a range of their beers plus guests on both cask and keg. The pub will feature sport on tv and live music, food is expected to launch early 2022 when the kitchen has been developed, until then customers are welcome to order takeaway meals to be delivered to the pub!
Jabbarwocky bar on London Road is hosting a tap takeover with Full Circle beers on 5 August.
Many of you will know of Guzzle micropub at Woodseats, a little neighbourhood bar with five real ales, well they are now opening a second one in Killamarsh this summer. It can be found at 193 Sheffield Road in the middle of a row of shops, this road is the main road down the valley and on bus routes 26/26a, 80/80a.
Another micropub planning to add a second location is Itchy Pig, the award winning bar in Broomhill, with plans to convert a shop in Banner Cross into a micropub. Meanwhile also at Banner Cross there are plans to convert an old bank into a pub called the Dark Horse!
The Wagon & Horses in Millhouses has opened their new beer garden located between the pub building and the park. This area of decking has plenty of tables and an ice cream kiosk!
A new bottle shop and bar called the Bear (Beer Emporium Abbeydale Road) is planning to open on Abbeydale Road in the premises that were previously the Rude Shipyard Café & Bookshop. As well as numerous fridges and shelves full of bottles and cans that appeal to most tastes and budgets there will be six keg lines. The shop is planning to open from 23 June with the drink in option likely to be introduced once Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Talking of new bottle shops, Maison du Biere, who run a popular beer shop and tap room in Elsecar are opening a new shop in Stocksbridge at 492 Manchester Rd, this was previously a butchers shop!
Without planning permission, the Royal Oak (Mosborough), was recently demolished. The owners, Bar 24 Ltd., have to apply for retrospective planning permission. Their assertion is that toxic waste was dumped in the car park, and the situation became so bad that the only option was to demolish the pub. The building dated from 1843, becoming a beerhouse in 1870.
Clive Betts, the local MP disagrees, ‘the issue of the toxic waste and chemical spills on the site is in my view a red herring. There has been a problem with toxic chemicals but the explanation from the owners that they contacted the Environment Agency about demolition does not in any way obviate the need to apply for planning permission to demolish: the two are separate issues.’
Sheffield and District CAMRA agree with Clive. In October, environmental experts assessed the situation and didn’t find anything to justify demolition. This suggests that the spillage has been used as a pretext for taking short cuts to potentially secure profitable redevelopment of the site. Surely waste could have been removed without having to knock down the pub.
We also believe objections to the anticipated planning application should initially focus on the importance of retaining pub use on the site and the lack of any justification for the demolition. The Carlton Tavern (London) sets a clear precedent.
This Carlton closed in April 2015: then two days before Historic England was due to recommend the pub be granted Grade II listed status, the owners demolished the building, without planning permission. They expected a £5000 fine. However, Westminster Council had a different opinion. They ordered the owners: CTLX, to rebuild the Carlton brick by brick. Earlier this year, having been totally rebuilt, it re-opened.
Sheffield and District CAMRA will comment when the planning application for demolition is submitted to SCC Planning. We encourage you to do the same.
