Category: Pubs

My Personal Favourites by Jordan Lee Smith – Brothers Arms

Posted on by Andy Cullen
I’m actually from Hillsborough, but, despite the divides of football rivalry, ask me my favourite area to drink in Sheffield and without hesitation I’ll tell you – Heeley. From continental pub/bar hybrid the Sheaf View to the very traditional Victoria and White Lion, I can always guarantee a great night out around the S2 district with my fellow ale enthusiasts Jake and Lee. However, I was never under any illusions that every pub in the area was great and Ye Olde Shakespeare Inn on Gleadless Road was never featured on our ale trails through the area. In fact, I specifically remember suggesting we nip in to my brother Jake one night when the ever popular Sheaf View was packed to capacity and being met with a doubtful look. I pestered him though and when we eventually climbed the steep staircase into a dingy room with a very limited selection of lagers and predictable mass-produced beers we quickly retreated. He was right about that place. First impressions are powerful so when my Dad suggested a trip there last Summer I was definitely resistant. He argued he’d heard great things recently, but I wasn’t convinced. I protested, he insisted and eventually I gave up (he had offered to pay after all!). So okay the name had changed to the Brothers Arms, but as we climbed the unaltered narrow staircase, I was already wondering if we’d get a table in the nearby Sheaf View when I proved this definitely wasn’t amongst Heeley’s finest watering holes. However, emerging at the top I was left speechless by the transformation. The bar was fully stocked with a wide range of local ales, namely those of the locally renowned Bradfield Brewery and the walls were decorated with vintage Yorkshire tourism posters. I was instantly won over – sorry for doubting your dram shop expertise Dad! On returning home a quick internet search told me the pub had been bought up by Sheffield’s ukulele-wielding cult band The Everly Pregnant Brothers (featuring Steel City’s most recognisable artist since Joe Scarborough, Pete Mckee). Their passion for good beer and long-standing ambition to own a boozer of their own had finally come together. Yet the Brothers Arms is not a self-glorifying tribute to its owners’ achievements, there’s no Everly Pregnant Brothers records on constant loop and speaking to the Sheffield Star in July last year Pete emphasised “It was my intention from the start to make it a McKee-free zone and not to have any of my work on display in the pub.”[1] As his initial impressions were the same as mine, it took some coaxing to get him in there too, but now my friend (and own hopeful future partner in the landlord business!) Lee will tell you, the Brothers Arms is now amongst our city’s best pubs, and with its rustic yet modern décor, selection of local and continental hand-pulled ales and ciders and one of the most spectacular beer garden views in Sheffield it’s hard to disagree with him. Guinness’ Dublin Porter on draught is perhaps our drink of choice here. So now, as it fast approaches a year since it first opened under the Brothers Arms name, the pub has become an essential for any night out round Heeley. In Summer it has the beautiful views of the beer garden and in Winter the coal fires and a warm pork pie. I imagine that our Heeley Ale Trail isn’t the only one forced to incorporate another permanent stop! Cheers! [1] http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/sheffield-brothers-in-the-arms-1-6758938 Brothers Arms, Well Road, Heeley, Sheffield S8 9TZ Buses – alight outside Ponsfords on Chesterfield Road at Heeley Bridge: routes 10,10a,20,24,25,43,43a,44,X17.

Closed Shop, Commonside

Posted on by Andy Cullen
To coincide with CAMRA cider month, we will be hosting our first cider and sausage festival over the weekend of the 28th-30th October.  We will have a wall of cider boxes from all over the country and an array of award-winning sausages from our local butcher, Beeches of Walkley.  There will also be live music and spoken word performances, as well as a Halloween-inspired quiz on the Sunday night. Chris Rodgers

Harlequin, Nursery Street

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The downstairs exterior of the pub has had a much needed spruce-up, with a new paint job and a complete change of colour. Landlady Liz attended the Morning Advertiser National Pub Awards in London after reaching the finals of National Cider Pub of the year. ‘Unfortunately, we were pipped at the post by Mr Foleys of Leeds. Just being nominated by this respected pub industry journal was fantastic’ The Harlequin has been Sheffield & District CAMRA’s Cider pub of the year, 2011, 2013 & 2016. The popular themed quiz nights take place every Wednesday evening and live bands continue to feature on most Friday & Saturday nights. Live music for November looks like this: 5th Slingshots (rockabilly) 10th Modern Jazz Project (jazz/swing) 11th Searching for Sylvia (original rock) 12th Glam Box (70’s glam rock) 19th Gav Coulson (awesome rock blues guitar) 25th Band with no name (rock/blues) 26th Blaze (high octane rock)

Inn Brief

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The Jolly Farmer in Dronfield Woodhouse is holding a Halloween party on 29th October, from 8pm. The Botanist at Leopold Square, Sheffield City Centre, has now opened and has cask ale served on gravity. Look out for the blackboards above the bar for details. The Miners Arms at Hundall have extended their CAMRA members discount to include real cider as well as real ale.

Heritage pubs with Dave Pickersgill – Carbrook Hall

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Carbrook Hall (537 Attercliffe Common, S9 2FJ) has an historic pub interior of some regional importance. The original building was owned by the Blunt family from 1176. It was rebuilt in 1462, and was bought by Thomas Bright (Lord of the Manor of Ecclesall) in the late 16th century. His descendant, John Bright, was an active Parliamentarian during the English Civil War, and the building was used as a Roundhead meeting place during the siege of Sheffield Castle (1644). Most of the building was demolished in the 19th century, what survives is a Grade II listed stone wing that was added ~1620. By 1860 Carbrook Hall was listed as a common beer house. A 1917 plan indicates that the pub was multi-roomed (for brewers Messr’s. J.Richdale & Co.Ltd. By Hall & Fenton, 10 Paradise Square, 28/01/17). Alterations were approved by Sheffield Licensing Justices in January 1917. Further plans (24/11/1925) indicate that, at this point, the central Tap Room was opened out with the bar becoming repositioned. A further set of plans (F.Ratcliff, Orchard Chambers, Church Street 2/12/1937, approved 15/03/1938) indicate extensions for ‘Urinals, Coats and Garage.’ The panelled room is now designated as ‘Old Oak Room,’ previously it was described as ‘Smoke Room.’ A further set of plans (approved 26/10/1943) indicate a relocation of the bar area and the removal of a staircase from the bar area. The central Smoke Room is now designated as ‘Lounge.’ 1965 brought the addition of interior toilets. The next change is in 1970. Plans from Bass Charrington North Ltd (Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson and Partners) show a further reconfiguration of the bar area into its current position. A final set of plans for Wm.Stones (Melling & Ridgeway, Charter House, Moore Street, S3 7UR, August 1982) also have the current lay-out. The ‘Old Oak Room’ includes a 17th.century panelled ground floor room with vine trail plaster frieze and enriched cross beam ceiling, also with vine trail. There is also an elaborate early 17th.century oak chimneypiece with Corinthian columns and allegorical figures and Latin inscription on the over mantel. The motif represents Wisdom trampling upon Ignorance. It also has framed panelling with painted decoration and larger stone chimneypiece with corniced mantelshelf and over mantel flanked by unusual caryatids. Carbrook Hall was a CAMRA GBG entry in the 1990’s: we hope the recent re-introduction of cask conditioned beer heralds a renaissance of the pub. Thanks to Sheffield Archives for assistance in located various plans.carbrook-hall-1

Welcome Students!

Posted on by Andy Cullen
So, freshers, by the time this issue of Beer Matters hits the pubs you’ll have been in Sheffield a couple of weeks perhaps and moved into your accommodation, visited the student union, gone through a whirlwind of freshers fairs, society recruitment events, welcome parties and much more. Maybe you’ve even started venturing out and exploring the city you will call home for the next few years at University. This is the annual article aimed at pointing you in the direction of good beer (we already know you are that way inclined – you’ve picked up this magazine, most likely in a good pub!). There is no shortage of good beer in Sheffield of course, but a variety of places to drink it is no bad thing. If you are at the University of Sheffield we would encourage you to join their real ale society who meet in the student union at Interval Cafe Bar every Thursday for a social, heading out to different places each week. They also organise visits to breweries, beer festivals and more – a bit like CAMRA really (don’t forget if you are under 26 you get cheaper CAMRA membership!) If you are a Hallam University student there is no real ale in the HUBS  but not to worry – there are loads of good pubs around the campus area and there is a  newly formed real ale society organising beery socials. Also worth noting that Sheffield Brewery open to the public for beer club the first weekend of each month (Fri/Sat evening) and True North Brewery at Devonshire Green opens to the public very ocasionally for special events. CAMRA’s Steel City Beer & Cider Festival takes place in October each year and SIBA’s BeerX takes place in March, with the Sheffield Beer Week running alongside it. In June (first Saturday of), at the end of the academic year, there is the 3 Valleys festival nearby in Dronfield which is spread across around 15 venues linked by a free bus. So lots going on in our area all year round! CAMRA volunteers maintain a national database of every real ale pub and you can search for pub information via our pub guide website, WhatPub. (if you find any wrong, out of date or missing information we would appreciate it if you help out by finding out the correct details and submitting them to us). Below is a guide to real ale outlets in the city centre plus London Road and Bramall Lane. All these are walkable from both Universities, however if you can’t be bothered to walk there are plenty of buses and trams around.

Sheffield Hallam side of town

University of Sheffield side of town

Somewhere in between

Champs Sports Bar – Ecclesall Road

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The team at Champs Sports Bar in Sheffield is celebrating after being shortlisted as a national finalist in the Great British Pub Awards for the Second year running. Licensee Danny Grayson has been recognised as one of only five finalists in the Best Student Bar and Best Sports Bar categories and will go on to compete in the national awards which take place in London in October. Champs on Ecclesall Road opened in August 2012 following a joint £500,000 investment with Punch Taverns, which transformed the former Pomona into a cool and contemporary sports bar, With 31 large TV screens showing high profile sports all day every day, from Premiership football matches to horse racing and superbikes, Champs is a sports lover’s dream. The modern and welcoming interior, complete with a wide range of sporting memorabilia including a full-size motorbike (which proves very popular with our Student customers) gives it a real edge over other venues. Licensee Danny Grayson said: “I could see the potential with Champs and its History on Ecclesall road dating back to 1996, Champs Sports Bar taps into our fascination with sports and thanks to a creative approach and a focus on standards, we’ve created a winning concept. But, Champs is much more than that; it’s at the heart of our Student community, sponsoring Student football teams and creating a space where Students can come together and enjoy the match or just relax.” The sports interior is complemented with a strong food and drink offer, based on good quality and value for money. With a striking American grill theme, the menu includes favourites from American Ribs to Build A Burger and the Kamikaze Wing Challenge. All of the bar’s the food is from local suppliers and cooked fresh on the premises. Commenting on the recognition, Danny Grayson said: “The team have worked extremely hard to create this successful venue. It’s not just about the sports; it’s about the staff, all of whom are highly motivated and passionate about customer care and it’s about the customers – a winning combination in anyone’s book! Let’s hope we bring home the trophy.” Danny Grayson. team-champs678472 national-finalist-logo678471

Inn Brief

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The Original Bierkeller on West Street have installed two handpumps on the smaller of the two bars in the venue with beer from Stancill available. The Graduate and the Globe have both benefited from a refurbishment, real ale continues to be available at both. The former Varsity bar on West Street, which had been closed for a while, has now reopened in the new guise of ‘Bar and Beyond‘ offering craft beer, cocktails and street food in the early evening before morphing into a nightclub with djs entertaining until the early hours. Anchorage in West One Plaza (off West Street) is no more – following a refurbishment it is now the Hope & Anchor. The Old Crown on London Road is now under the management of Reet Ale Pubs, who also run the Rutland Arms, Three Tuns, Closed Shop and Reet Pizza at the Punchbowl as well as own Blue Bee Brewery. Following a soft opening, a launch party is due to take place on 28th September. As well as real ale and cider, the Old Crown has a pool table, simple food offering and regular live music. Another Reet Ale pub, the Punchbowl at Crookes, has had a minor refurbishment to improve the seating and add a fireplace to make it feel more pub like. The Shiny Sheff near Lodge Moor has been bought by Marstons Brewery and is to undergo a refurbishment. The Place at Broomhill is to be refurbished and renamed ‘Bloomery‘, apparantly a steel making reference. The Porter Brook on Ecclesall Road has undergone something of a makeover. The Stocks and Greyhound in Ecclesfield and Carbrook Hall in Carbrook have all recently introduced real ale to the bar. The Alehouse on Fraser Road in Millhouses is under new ownership and all are welcome. The pub offers a range of reasonably priced real ales, home cooked food also features at tea time. The Harley Hotel is offering discounts on real ale to tram ticket holders as part of Stagecoach Supertram’s Tramendous deals scheme. A couple of bits of people news – from the Three Tuns and Shakespeare’s – Kate Major and Chris Bamford have both left their managers roles in the respective pubs, we wish them all the best for their new projects. There are stirrings again at the Boardwalk… watch this space for further news! A correspondent who is a regular at the Forest on Rutland Road emailed following last month’s PUBlic transport feature which listed all the real ale outlets along the section of tram route and 7/8 bus route in that part of the Upper Don Valley and asked we point out that the Forest is so much more than just the Toolmakers brewery tap – there is also  open mic’ night’s, quiz’s, live entertainment, Sunday lunches, a choice of guest beers and a soon to be opened new sun terrace. JD Wetherspoons are running one of their regular real ale festivals from 12th to 23rd October. Sheffield pubs include the Bankers Draft at Castle Square, Benjamin Huntsman and Waterworks by the City Hall, Francis Newton by the Hallamshire Hospital, Rawson Spring at Hillsborough tram stop, Sheaf Island on Ecclesall Road, Woodseats Palace at Woodseats and the Steel Foundry at Meadowhall. True North Brewery are due to open the Blue Stoops in Dronfield this October  – check their website – bluestoops.co.uk – for the latest news. Expect real ale, craft beer, gin and food. Buses 43/43a will get you there from Sheffield. The Chequers at Coal Aston has reopened as a Greene King Hungry Horse pub. The Inn at Troway is due to reopen early October. Planning permission has been granted to build a house on the rear car park of the George & Dragon in Holmesfield. Meanwhile over the road the Angel continues to provide Gluten Free beer and food options. The Peacock at Barlow is due to reopen in its new guise at the end of September and there are plans to add a microbrewery in an outbuilding, hopefully later this year. Further down the road at Whittington Moor in Chesterfield, the former Rose & Crown opposite the football stadium has reopened following a major refurbishment as ‘Spireites free house‘ with a range of 6 real ales – Hopjacker beers plus guests. It is under the same ownership as the Dronfield Arms. Buses 43, 44, 50, 50a and X17 from Sheffield all stop pretty much outside the pub. The Old Hall Hotel at Hope now has live music in the bar most Friday evenings, once the restaurant has finished service at 9pm.  

Old Crown, London Road

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The Old Crown on London Road is now open serving a range of ever changing local and nationally sourced real ales with a newly developed food menu to launch shortly. The pub is the latest addition to Reet Ale Pubs, so you know what to expect really, the same level of charm and tomfoolery as our sister pubs, Rutland Arms, Closed Shop, Three Tuns and Punchbowl. We have a really amazing space that we’re hoping to become a part of Sheffield’s already thriving live music and entertainment scene, and would love to hear from any bands, djs, comedians, poets or promoters if you have ideas for an event. Our pub is your pub, so pop in and grab a pint! Our launch party is going to be on the Weds 28th September, so we would love it if you could spread the word! Cheers Cara, Manager at the Old Crown

Pub relaunched – The Abbey, Woodseats

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Following a £550,000 refurbishment by Punch Taverns, the Abbey in Woodseats reopened its doors to the general public on 12 August. At a pre-launch event the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Denise Fox, cut the ribbon officially reopening this historic former coaching inn on the junction of Chesterfield Road and Abbey Lane. The general manager, Wayne Morton, an experienced licensee from Sheffield, is presenting four real ales – two regular ales, including Sharp’s Doom Bar, and two guest ales. The pub is also offering a popular pub classic menu, with a twist. The refurbishment has been sympathetic, with an unchanged room layout, but has also brought the upstairs function room back into use (featuring its own bar), and provided a welcome upgrade to the adjoining bowling green facilities.