Issue 504 February 2020 - CAMRA Sheffield & District
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Issue 504 February 2020 sheffield.camra.org.uk /sheffieldcamra @shfcamra
Issue 504 February 2020
The free magazine of CAMRA Sheffield & District
Issue 504 February 2020
News 5
CAMRA’s National Members’ Weekend, AGM and Conference
Lonely?
Opinion 6
3,000 monthly Tryanuary
Editor circulation
Andy Cullen
beermatters@sheffield.camra.org.uk Pubs 8
Heart of the City II and the
Articles, comments and Sportsman
suggestions are most The Plough, Sandygate
welcome so please send Carbrook Hall
them in*
Breweries 12
Advertising Welbeck Abbey
Alan Gibbons Kelham Island
advertising@sheffield.camra.org.uk Steel City
Abbeydale
Quarter Page £50+VAT Loxley
Half Page £70+VAT Trible Point
Full Page £100+VAT Acorn
Inside Front Cover £110+VAT
Back Cover £120+VAT
Discounts for regular placements
PDFs or high-res bitmaps
(300 dpi) only please Awards 18
Bankers Draft
Design from £30 Recent pub awards
Updates from £10
Next copy deadline
Friday 7 February Travel 20
Hopping around Serbia
Chantry Brewery trip
Opinions expressed are those of the
author and may not represent those
of CAMRA, the local branch or editor.
Beer Matters is © CAMRA Ltd.
Festivals 24
*For legal reasons a full name and
address must be provided with all
contributions. Diary 26
Committee 26
Issue 504 February 2020
newspaper or online. If you
are a member that cannot
attend the AGM, you can reg-
ister to vote for or against the
special resolutions online.
In York, the event starts
Friday evening with the
members bar opening, this is
basically a mini beer festival
featuring session beers from
local breweries and is open
exclusively to members who
are registered to attend the
AGM & Conference. This is a
great place to meet up with
other members for a relaxed
pint after conference or
before going into York to visit
the local pubs and bars.
There are also coach trips
out to breweries on the
Friday and Saturday nights,
these need to be booked in
advance online.
The AGM happens on Satur-
day morning, which is then
followed by the conference
for the rest of Saturday day-
time and Sunday morning.
CAMRA’s National Members’ Weekend, The fringe events, including
workshops, take place Satur-
AGM and Conference day late afternoon after close
of conference.
This years event takes place entitled to attend and can
from 3 to 5 April in York at register at camra.org.uk. The University of York is out
the University of York West of town, however a very good
Campus, in Central Hall. This year at the AGM there bus service shuttles from
are four Special Resolutions York City Centre to the cam-
There are several strands that have been put forward pus and York is easy to reach
to the event - the legally by the National Executive for by train from Sheffield.
required AGM, the conference a vote, these are to approve
where members debate cam- changes to the organisation’s Looking ahead to next year,
paigning policy, workshops Articles of Association to the 2021 event is being host-
to share experience running strengthen the governance ed by us in Sheffield at the
branches and the social side of the Campaign, following a City Hall and once the York
with a members’ bar, brewery review last year. There is also event is over, we will be get-
trips and pub crawls. a National Executive elec- ting busy with our organising
tion. More information can and will be putting a call out
All CAMRA members are be found in Whats Brewing for volunteers to help!
Issue 504
February 2020 News 
Lonely? Tryanuary
Did you know…? January is one of the most difficult times
Loneliness is considered one of the largest of year in the pub business with reduced
health concerns we face. According to the customer levels, mainly due to people be-
Campaign to End Loneliness, loneliness, living ing a bit skint after Christmas with all the
alone and poor social connections are as bad extra spending on gifts and everything else
for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. involved with the celebrations.
According to the Office for National Statisitics, It is being made even worse for the pubs
young people are more likely to feel lonely than and breweries that supply them now by
any other age group. Loneliness can affect any- various campaigns to encourage people to
one at anytime in their life. If you need support, turn their back on the pubs they love, stop
please check out resources provided by the Cam- drinking and give the money to charity
paign to End Loneliness or contact your GP for instead!
information on what’s available in your local area.
We say instead of dry January, get the new
Make friends down at your local year off to a good start with “Tryanuary”
Pubs play a vital role in tackling loneliness whilst still supporting the pubs, special-
and social isolation and are one of the last few ist beer shops and breweries that supply
places where people can come together to so- them.
cialise outside the home. Our latest campaign
aims to highlight the amazing work that pubs Why not make an effort to try new beers or
do to foster community spirit and encourage beer styles during January? Be that a mild,
social interaction. traditional bitter, blonde, IPA, stout, porter,
barley wine, saison, sour or one of many
Get involved! others, there is plenty to choose from.
CAMRA can help by connecting local people
with events happening around them - you can Wanting to be sensible after Christmas and
play your part by telling us what you’re do- new year excesses? You could still socialise
ing down at the pub. We can feature special at the pub and enjoy a session strength
events in Beer Matters, on our website or via beer or a low/no alcohol alternative - or
social media. even look out for those pubs and bars with
an interesting choice of soft drinks.
Also of course CAMRA members can get
involved with our local volunteer run branch Another way of enjoying Tryanuary might
(who produce this magazine!), come along to be to visit pubs you haven’t been to
socials and meetings we organise or volunteer before, there are lots of good ones in our
at beer festivals. area!
Issue 504
News Opinion February 2020
AWARD WINNING HAND CRAFTED ALES AVAILABLE IN CASK,
KEG, BOTTLE, MINIKEG, AND POLYPINS.
Henrietta
01909 512 539
Portland Black
Kaiser www.welbeckabbeybrewery.co.uk
Red Feather minikeg Red Feather
minikeg Brewery Yard, Welbeck, Worksop,
Harley minikeg
Nottinghamshire. S80 3LT
Cavendish minikeg
Issue 504
February 2020 
Inn Brief
A new micropub has
opened in Woodhouse
Mill, at the bottom of
Furnace Lane. The Oxbow
offers a range of beers on
both cask and keg.
The former Rising Sun near Bamford, in
the Hope Valley, which has sat closed and
derelict for a few years now, has had the
Heart of the City II go ahead from Peak Park Planning Board
and the Sportsman to be redeveloped with a new hotel on the
site. It is to be run by an independent oper-
Heart of the City II is the large mixed-use develop- ator aimed at visitors to the Peak District.
ment which is currently taking place in Sheffield
City Centre. The scheme aims to provide quality The Cavendish on West Street, Sheffield,
office space, 4/5 star hotels, flats, shops, food reopens following refurbishment on Satur-
outlets and more (heartofcity2.com). Included in day 25 January.
this development is the Sportsman on Cambridge
Street, S1 4HP. A new restaurant specialising in vegetarian
and vegan dishes has opened in Kelham
This pub is located in the area designated H1, Island in an old works on Cornish Street.
a space in which some old buildings are to be Named V or V, the bar also has real ale
retained. The Sportsman dates back to the mid and other craft beers for diners to enjoy
19th century. and is close to the site of the recently - all unfined and vegan of course!
demolished Athol Hotel. In the 1975 CAMRA Na-
tional Good Beer Guide, it was described as, ‘one of The Dorothy Pax at Victoria Quay has had
the few pleasant and comfortable city-centre pubs a bar refit and now boasts an increased
selling real ale.’ Electric-pumped Tetley Bitter was number of beer lines!
the single choice.
Sheffield Brewery Company’s tap room is
From 2014, the pub was run by Kelham Island Brew- now opening to the public most weekends
ery, as the Tap and Tankard. It closed early in 2018 to serve their beer to drink in the brew-
when surrounded by scaffolding as Heart of the City ery! Check their social media for opening
II began to gather place. It is now ripe for a planned hours.
re-opening. To the rear is the Grade II* listed, ‘Leah’s
Yard,’ one of the few remaining examples of the Also one that has opened since we pub-
courtyard workshops characteristic of Sheffield. The lished our guide to the Kelham Island area
Leah family after whom the yard is named carried is Saw Grinders Union in Globe Works at
out drop-stamping for the silverware trade. Shalesmoor. This smart bar has two cask
ales and a variety of other craft beers
Ideally, we would like to see the Sportsman return available along with cocktails and food.
to its old name as a traditional outlet. Such a de-
parture would complement both its surroundings On Abbeydale Road, the Two Thirds Beer
and other nearby food outlets. If anyone is aware of Company is now open. This bar in the unit
future plans for the pub, we would appreciate the previously occupied by Steel City Cakes,
detail. near the Broadfield, boasts 16 beer lines
with a mix of cask beers on handpump and
Dave Pickersgill (pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk) other craft beers on keg taps.
Issue 504
Pubs February 2020
Real Ale, Real Food & Real Fires
l
A Traditional 16th Century Coaching Inn
Market Place, Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 6RH
Established 1719
/TheOldHallHotel
@oldhallhope
Homemade Food Served All Day | 6 Cask Marque Ales
Outstanding B&B | Roaring Open Fires
Muddy Boots & Dogs Welcome | Friendly Atmosphere
A Pub Done Different
l
The Peak Districts’ Eccentric Alehouse
How Lane, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WJ
Established 1809
/ThePeakHotelCastleton Find us on TripAdvisor
@peakcastleton
Homemade Food Served All Day | Outstanding B&B
5 Cask Marque Ales & Large Selection of Craft Bottles
Muddy Boots & Dogs Welcome | Roaring Open Fires
Issue 504
February 2020 
responsibility for the condi-
tion of the site with the current
owner. By law, the building
should have been maintained
in a fit and proper condition for
its current permitted use as a
public house.
The Plough, Sandygate The site has deteriorated to
such an extent that some local
As previously stated, we The planning saga commenced residents claim it is an ‘eyesore.’
believe that the Plough when the previous owners, These concerns are currently
should be functioning as Enterprise Inns (Ei), decided the subject of a planning en-
a community pub, with to deliberately run-down their forcement enquiry regarding
the added attraction of its historically important asset the unauthorised use of the
key place in the history before closure in 2015. Since site as a waste disposal facility
of world football. A small then, there has been no serious and a storage site for unregis-
internal museum would not maintenance work. Ei and the tered vehicles. An enforcement
be inappropriate. However, subsequent owners, Spacepad notice has been recommended.
the Plough continues to be Construction Ltd, have left the Sheffield CC should issue a
under threat. pub to rot. Planning law places requirement for the building,
and site, to be reinstated to the
condition it was in at the time
of purchase from Ei. At that
point, an independent report,
commissioned by the Plough
Community Benefit Society Ltd,
demonstrated that, in order for
the pub to reopen, no major
building work was required and
that internal refitting costs were
manageable within a realistic
business plan. If the owners
Carbrook Hall fail to reinstate the property,
the council should exercise its
As you are probably aware, as This heavy use of white paint power to compulsorily purchase
a pub, the ACV-rated, Carbrook is the heritage equivalent of in order to avoid further dete-
Hall closed in March 2017 and taking white paint to the ceiling rioration.
over two years later reopened as of the Sistine Chapel (1471/81).
‘Starbucks Carbrook Hall.’ Just From 1508/12, Michelangelo The additional material recently
before Christmas, I finally visited. painted the Renaissance submitted to the planning
The Jacobean wood panelling frescoes on the ceiling. They application by the applicant is
in the ‘Old Oak Room’ has been remain to this day. The same essentially a remix of previously
retained and is in good condition. should have happened to the submitted documents, including
However, the ceiling has received paintwork on the ceiling of the correspondence concerning the
a heavy dose of white paint. On Old Oak Room. marketing of the Plough and
my previous visit, in April 2019 the exorbitant, and unrealistic,
while renovations were taking Suffice to say, that was my last rental valuation of £50,000 per
place, the ceiling was exhibiting ever visit to a Starbucks. annum. The additional material
the distinctive colourful design does not demonstrate continu-
which had been in place for years. Dave Pickersgill ous marketing of the Plough at
a realistic valuation as required
Issue 504
10 Pubs February 2020by widely agreed criteria such
as CAMRA’s Viability Test. Inn Brief
The recent planning history of a On 30 January Shakespeare’s The Fulwood Ale Club, a
site is also a relevant consid- are serving a range of Ameri- micropub by the same peo-
eration in planning decisions. can Sours, the Joiners Arms ple as the Ecclesall Ale Club,
In 2017, the local authority in Bakewell are hosting a is now open on Brooklands
rejected Sainsbury’s application Thornbridge tap takeover and Avenue.
for change of use based on the meet-the-brewer, and the Kel-
Plough’s listing as an ACV and ham Island Tavern is hosting a Opening late January is
it accepted that there were no ticket-only Tryanuary tutored Matilda Bar, an underground
alternative community facilities beer tasting. speakeasy style joint under
within a reasonable distance. the Sidney Warehouse gal-
In 2018, following the sale of The Devonshire Cat are lery space. Access is via a
the Plough, the local authority hosting a charity fundraising door on the corner of Sidney
re-listed the pub as an ACV. As dinner for Cavendish Cancer Street and Matilda Street.
there have been no material Care on 6 February. In return A membership scheme will
changes in the reasons why the for a generous donation you operate however anyone
Plough was listed as an ACV, will enjoy a three-course can sign in at the door. This
this should remain an overriding dinner and a gin & tonic. Of is in addition to the existing
consideration in any decision. course it being the bar it is bar in the gallery. Local craft
there will also be an excel- beers will be available on
The closing date for comments lent choice of ales on the bar keg tap. Just to add some
regarding the latest planning to buy too! Advance table confusion however, there is
application is 28 January 2020: bookings are required for this also rumour of the old Mat
sheffield.gov.uk/planning, event. ilda Tavern pub that has sat
reference: 19/02130/FUL boarded up for quite a few
The Jolly Farmer at Dronfield years reopening very soon!
Woodhouse sees managers
Karl and Ash celebrating 15 Toolmakers Brewery (on
years at the helm this month Botsford Street, which is
and they will be celebrating at behind their Forest pub
the pub on 8 February from on Rutland Road, just up
7:30pm. Expect live enter- the hill from Cutlery Works
tainment, food and beer to and the Gardeners Rest in
feature! Neepsend) continue to host
music events at weekends
The pub is adjacent to the Tiny Rebel have brewed a in their tap room. The first
ground of Hallam FC (the second range of special beers to cel- Saturday of the month
oldest football club in the world). ebrate their eighth birthday its Trojan Explosion from
Hallam occupy Sandygate, the and these will be available as 8pm to 1am featuring ska,
oldest football ground in the part of a tap takeover at the rocksteady and early reggae
world, the site of the first football Chesterfield Alehouse micro- music played on vinyl whilst
game (Hallam v Sheffield FC) as pub on 13 February. most Sunday evenings sees
recognised by FIFA. The Plough live music. Check their Face-
should be allowed to return as A recent opening is the Parrot book page for details.
both a community pub and a key Club at Neepsend, owned by
player in the developing Sheffield the same people as O’Hara’s The Royal Standard has
Football History experience. Spiced Rum. There isn’t any closed, Ei Group are adver-
cask beer, however a range of tising the lease so it should
Dave Pickersgill three craft beers from Triple reopen as soon as someone
Pub Heritage Officer Point is available on keg taps. new takes the pub on.
Issue 504
February 2020 Pubs 11Brewery Bits
The former Hopjacker based
underneath the Dronfield Arms
pub has been taken on by a new
business and is being launched as
the Gravity Brew Co.
Drone Valley are back up and
running following flood damage
back in November, the seasonal
special released before Christ-
mas that managed to escape the
devastation was named Flood
Red Ale to reflect the determina-
tion of the people involved with
this community enterprise based
in Unstone, Dronfield, to recover
and keep things going. The brew-
ery is now back to hosting tap
Welbeck Abbey sessions every Saturday after-
noon with cask beer available to
enjoy on site and bottles on sale
A we near the end of crisp tried by a court martial. He to take home. Buses 43 and 44
winter days and optimisti- was acquitted in 1779. The from Sheffield stop at the end of
cally head for spring we Duke of Portland and others the drive.
have three cracking brews were made commemorative
A beer for the new year from
to help you on your way! English gold anchor pins to Bradfield is Farmers 2020, a light
thank them for their support 3.5% ABV beer that is medium
Sleeping Beauty is a 5.3% to Admiral Keppel through- hopped with a sharp aftertaste.
Honey-sweet IPA made with out. Inspired by this piece
enchanting English ‘Beata’ of history we have created If anyone fancies a ride on the
Hope Valley train to New Mills
hops. These flowers impart a golden English ale brewed
this summer, Torrside have an-
subtle notes of honey, with Admiral hops which nounced their monthly brewery
apricots and almonds. This brings a pithy bitterness and tap dates for 2020. These are
English IPA is inspired by the delicate aroma of spiced 10/11 Apr, 23/24 May, 27/28 Jun,
the ornamental plasterwork oranges. 25/26 Jul, 29/30 Aug and 26/27
Sep. On these weekends they will
ceiling of the Titchfield
be open 12-8pm with 16 beers
Library here at Welbeck Ab- Finally, we have our first on draught, dogs and families
bey. The delicately entwined Foraged and Found brew welcome.
display of flora and fauna for this year, Wake Up And
has enchanted visitors over Smell The Coffee. Brewed Thornbridge are ready to com-
the years, and is said to have using the coffee grounds mence their monthly taproom
sessions at Bakewell Riverside
been inspired by the Sleep- from our friends at the too. These take place towards the
ing Beauty fairy-tale. Harley Café, this 5% Coffee end of the month, the Saturday
Porter has a rich roasted fla- socials kick off for 2020 on 29
Our second offering for Feb- vour. The Harley Café keeps Feb with the tap room open
ruary is Admiral Keppel, a the estate and it’s visitors 10am to 8pm and a street food
trader open from midday. They
golden bitter at 4.3%. Under well fuelled with quality cof- also open the previous Wednes-
Admiral Keppel’s com- fee from Darkwoods in West day in the evening for a Beer &
mand of the channel fleet in Yorkshire. A huge volume of Pizza night from 5pm to 9pm. TM
1778, a great battle against coffee grounds are generat- Travel bus 218 provides a regular
the French ended poorly. ed during the process, which link from Sheffield to Bakewell.
Keppel was accused of we have utilised to make this
Summer Wine has ceased trading.
treason by parliament and robust porter.
Issue 504
12 Breweries February 2020WHEN IT COMES TO FINE ALES ...
o u ’ll f in d u s
... y ou r f i e l d
o u ts t a n d i n g in
On-Site Brewery Shop open: Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm & Saturdays 10am-4pm.
info@bradfieldbrewery.com • 0114 2851118
www.bradfieldbrewery.com
BradfieldIssue 504
Brewery Limited. Watt House Farm, Visit our page on Facebook or follow us
High Bradfield, Sheffield,
February 2020 S6 6LG 13Steel City
Steel City’s collab with
Freigeist, Mein Herz Brennt
is doing the rounds now after
a launch in cask form at the
Shakespeare winter fest. Sweet
malt balances sharp acidity
Kelham Island and fruity hops in this resur-
rection of the extinct Berliner
Kelham Island will be And some February spe- Braunbier style. Also currently
kicking off the new year cials: in the wild is the Reise Reise
brewing a couple of January variant with the addition of
specials Liquid Weapon is A golden redcurrant and cranberry, while
ale brewed with pale and Blitzkriek has been tucked
Gauntlet is a triple hopped lightly toasted malts for away in a red wine barrel with
refreshing ale, using only a golden finish with just a cherry and redcurrant.
hops grown in the UK. hint of caramel. The blend
Brewed with the addition of of American hops give a The first brew of 2020 was on
blood orange zest and fresh balance of bitter and fruity the minikit. Following the sur-
grapefruit. Which gives this flavours with hints of pine prise totally expected success
beer an intense delicious below the surface. of the barbecue stout Luci-
tropical experience. enne off of the Shakespeare
Bête Noire is a behemoth was invited back along with
Crimson Chaos is a full stout brewed with a trio of McGregor off of the Facebooks
bodied American red ale roasted malts to give an to brew a Hoi Sin Stout. Too
will blast your taste buds aroma of sumptuous dark Drunk to Duck has a similar
with American hop flavours chocolate with a sweet profile to the BBQ, but this
with a subtle pine aroma, satisfying palate and silky- time the adjuncts are plum, five
and leaves an after taste of smooth finish. spice, cardamom, chilli, and
slight toffee and caramel. muscovado sugar.
Issue 504
14 Breweries February 2020Abbeydale
This month, we’re looking We’ve also got Demon com-
forward to unveiling the first ing up, a golden beer with a
of a new artwork series for biscuity backbone from the
2020, showcasing my per- addition of Vienna malt, and
The second brew is an sonal favourite little piece of Bobek and Spalt hops for an
exciting development but kit, our hop back! earthy, piney character, bal-
patience is needed – London anced by notes of citrus.
Beer Factory are bringing Originally our very first mash
their mobile coolship giving tun, and now used to ensure And a classic stout (4.8%)
SCB and Lost Industry an our beers benefit as much is to be the next version
introduction to the world of as possible from delicate of Salvation, we’re looking
spontaneous fermentation. hop oils and aromas that forward to going a little bit
would otherwise be boiled back to basics with this one.
Two brews will be done, the away and lost, it’s a special Also in the Brewers’ Empo-
first is in three wine barrels part of our brewing process rium range, after 21 different
in Sheffield and the second and we’re looking forward to versions we are having a re-
is going back to That Lon- giving it a bit of glory on our turn of the original Voyager
don to ferment in wine bar- pumpclips this year. Final recipe! Citra, Centennial and
rels there. The brew is part details of which hops we’re Mosaic hops get together
of a series by LBF where using in the first of the series to provide a clean and juicy
they brew a broadly similar are still to be confirmed, but body to this flavoursome,
recipe at various breweries we can promise a refreshing fruity IPA (5.6%).
and take the coolship out and quaffable pale ale from
to pick up local wild yeasts. this one. Finally, look out for Funk
Steel City will be keeping Dungeon - Chapter 3:
the barrels for at least a Doctor Morton’s Ship’s Heavy Nettle. A punchy,
year, and are looking at the Biscuit (4.1%) is making spicy saison weighing in at
possibility of repeating the a comeback after a long 6.66% and packed full of
process in 2021 and 2022, absence, having last been locally foraged nettles… our
with the eventual aim being seen in 2013! An easy drink- brewers don’t half go the
to blend the 1, 2, and 3 year ing beer, well balanced with extra mile for these beers!
old beers to make a ‘York- floral notes and a gentle
shire Ersatz-Lambiek’. spiciness. Laura
Issue 504
February 2020 Breweries 15Loxley
Loxley Brewery have been busy brewing over
the festive period, with the new Milk Stout at
5.0% ABV being the most popular hit over the
Christmas. Named Black Dog, this speciality
ale has a heart-warming face behind it – Char-
lie, our black lab brew dog. The beer also has
a musical twist, and those of you who love
Led Zeppelin will have spotted that straight Triple Point
away! The owner of Loxley Brewery is a Led
Zep superfan and it only felt right to include Triple Point have brewed their first anniversary
them in such a sentimental brew – check out special celebration beer. Aptly enough, it’s a
the pump clip! Tripel, and if well received could be the first of
many.
Things can only get bigger and better in
2020, with plans underway to create a This one will be ‘New World’ rather than
popular summer ale, to go alongside the ever Belgian in that they are using wonderfully aro-
popular winter brew. The last series of beer matic Galaxy, Wakatu & Wai-iti hops to deliver
commemorated local reservoirs, including passion fruit, peach, lime & vanilla notes.
Dale Dyke and Dam Flask. Who knows what
the next will be? Head Brewer Alex Barlow promises that there
are other tricks in store too, including some
You can find all things Loxley at the Wise- being put into Sauvignon Blanc barrels.
wood Inn, and now the Raven Inn – a newly
opened brew tap for Loxley Brewery. It is a
very cosy and modern pub serving the finest Acorn
cask and keg ales which go nicely with the
selection of pork pies and sausage rolls on of- A couple of limited edition brews from
fer. Loxley ales are £2.50 between 12pm and Acorn have hit the pubs this new year.
4pm weekdays, and you can’t get a better of-
fer than that! CAMRA discounts are available King Creole is a 4.2% ABV pale golden col-
at both venues. oured bitter brewed to celebrate music al-
bums of the 50’s. USA Cascade and Crystal
2020 is looking to be an exciting year for hops impart a floral, citrus grapefruit aroma.
Loxley Brewery, lots of events are planned so UK Goldings add a nice crisp bitterness.
keep your eyes peeled to see where you can
next get your hands on a pint. Happy New Krpan IPA (5% ABV) is the latest in a range
Year, or Happy New Beer (if you prefer!). of single-hopped IPAs. Slovenian Krpan
hops have a light grapefruit aroma.
Hannah
Issue 504
16 Breweries February 2020Issue 504 February 2020 17
Your pub needs your vote!
Our Pub of the Month award is a bit of positive campaign
ing, highlighting local pubs that consistently serve well
kept real ale in friendly and comfortable surroundings.
Voting is your opportunity to support good, real ale pubs
you feel deserve some recognition and publicity.
All CAMRA branch members are welcome to vote at branch
meetings or on our website.
It’s not one pub against another, simply vote YES or NO
Bankers Draft
as to whether you think the pub should be PotM. If we get Market Place
enough votes in time we will make the award.
Nomination forms are available at branch meetings and
on the website. The pub must have been open and serving
Pub of the Month
real ale for a year and under the same management for 6 February 2020
months.
JD Wetherspoon has come a
Winners compete alongside our Good Beer Guide entries long way since founder, Tim
for branch Pub of the Year, the winner of which is entered Martin, opened his first pub
into the national competition. in Muswell Hill, London in
1979. More than 40 years later
the estate boasts over 900
Pub of the Month nominees pubs spread the length and
breadth of the UK. Success
has been built on the provi-
Broomhilll Tavern sion of great value food and
Broomhill (buses 51, 52, 52a) drink in a warm and friendly
environment. From a real ale
Crown perspective this success is
Heeley (buses 10/10a, 20, evidenced by the 250 pubs
24/25, 43/44, X17) chosen by local branches for
inclusion in the 2020 edition
Fox & Duck of the CAMRA Good Beer
Broomhill (buses 51, 52, 52a,
120, 273, 274) Guide.
Sheffield got its first Wether-
Portland House
Ecclesall Road (buses 65, 81,
82, 83, 83a, 88, 272)
Vote spoon pub in 1996 when the
Bankers Draft opened at 1,
Swan online Market Place on the site of
the old Midland Bank build-
Ridgeway (bus 252)
Wisewood Inn
now! ing. This wasn’t a surprising
location as the company is
Wisewood (buses 52a, 61, 62)
well-known for renovating
and refurbishing old, and in
many cases, historic buildings.
The Bankers soon became a
sheffield.camra.org.uk/potm popular place for friends to
meet up in town. However,
Issue 504
18 Awards February 2020I believe that the pub has actually improved
greatly in the last few years, especially since
Jonathan Atkinson took charge. Jonathan and
his partner, Terrianne McHale have been with
the company for 15 years, the last eight years
at the Bankers Draft. They are keen supporters
of CAMRA. Local branch and nation and pub-
lications are prominently displayed in the pub. Recent pub awards
The venue has hosted branch meetings and
has been a regular sponsor of the Sheffield The Old Queens Head in Pond Hill is said
Steel City Beer Festival. to be haunted and CAMRA members were
in good spirits when they turned up for a
Regular real ales on the bar are Abbot Ale, special evening. Patrick Johnson (above,
Ruddles Bitter and Doom Bar. Additionally left) from the Campaign for Real Ale pre-
there are about seven or eight guest ales sented Pub of the Month award to manag-
available at any time. These are dispensed ers Zuzana and Michal who were delighted
from the 14 banks of hand pumps on the two with the award.
floors. They always try to offer a range of
styles, ABVs and a mix of local and national
brews. There tends to be a regular seasonal
ale. Favourite local breweries are Little Critters,
Bradfield, Kelham Island, Milestone and Acorn.
With the addition of Alex Crowe to the team
the Bankers is one of the few venues stocking
Welbeck ales. In any case the pub is a go to
venue for any new breweries in Sheffield.
I know that Jonathan is very keen to increase The Campaign for Real Ale also support real
the volume of real ale sold. To this end he Cider and Kev and Steph were delighted
has extended the normal company offer to when their pub, the New Barrack Tavern
CAMRA members by allowing an unlimited on Penistone Road was awarded Yorkshire
discount to card-carrying members. Cider Pub of the Year. CAMRA regional
cider co-ordinator Christine Jane made the
CAMRA is also an organisation that supports award.
real cider. It is therefore very pleasing to find
that apart from the Black Dragon on regular
offer there are five guest still boxed ciders
on at any time. These may include Broadoak
Moonshine, Snails Bank Rhubarb and Monkey
Mango.
Given the overall success of JD Wetherspoon
it is perhaps surprising that of their nine pubs
in Sheffield, opened at regular intervals since
1996, only one has ever been voted Pub of CAMRA members and staff at the Ball Inn,
the Month. I am therefore delighted that the Crookes, celebrated more than Christmas
branch has chosen the Bankers Draft as the as the pub was awarded Pub of the Month
winner of this prestigious award for Febru- by The Campaign for Real Ale. The pub
ary 2020. I know that Jonathan is too, and he has fourteen hand pumps and serves a fine
hopes that as many branch members as possi- selection of real ales. Chairman of CAMRA,
ble come along on Tuesday 11 February to join Glyn Mansell (left) presented the award to
him and his team celebrate this success. Kham, the duty manager.
Issue 504
February 2020 Awards 19Razbeerbriga stall
Hopping around Serbia
It may be 2020 now but to stop for a beer. My only an intriguing dark ale brewed
there’s still a few more coun- previous experience of Serbian with dark chocolate and
tries from last year’s beery ale was a Dogma Hoptopod roasted sesame seeds.
jaunt around Europe for me IPA that someone had brought
to get through yet. I hope to a Beer Central bottle share Our hopes raised, we set off
everybody has had a relaxing last year. I remember thinking around the city in search
festive break and is embrac- it was decent enough, if noth- of more excellent beer. We
ing the Tryanuary spirit. What ing too exciting, so I had fairly weren’t disappointed; Beer
better way to spend the long, limited expectations for the Store, Brick Bar, Tehnolog’s,
dark winter nights than with a Serbian beer scene. Škripa and Toster (the lat-
hearty stout or two? ter also serving wonderful
How wrong I was. The first Serbian-style hamburgers)
Our journey to Serbia was place we came across was all offered interesting local
an eight-hour train ride from Mazut Beer Shop. It’s an creations from breweries such
Budapest. How they managed unassuming place from the as Dogma, Salto Pivo, Crow
to make it take quite so long outside but step in and you and 3Bir. While we were in
I’m not sure; the train crawled find a beer lover’s paradise, Škripa, the barmaid informed
through the unwaveringly flat with half a dozen taps pouring us it was the last day of a free
Serbian sunflower fields at a local beers, as well as a wall music and beer festival at
snail’s pace, but eventually we of shelves full of bottles and Petrovaradin Fortress on the
arrived in Novi Sad tired yet cans from all over the world, other side of the river.
otherwise unscathed. Neither from Sweden to South Africa.
of us really knew what to ex- One of the best local craft Now, the fortress itself is stun-
pect from Serbia, but what we breweries is Kabinet, and we ning enough, but add in a beer
found was a beautiful, charm- both opted for one of theirs. festival and you really have a
ing city nestled on the banks Interestingly, both were col- winning combination. There
of the River Danube. laborations with some very were stalls from breweries of
big names: I went for the Vista all descriptions, from the big-
We spent the first morning Milk Stout (5.8%), a joint effort ger names we’d tried in town
exploring the town, but explo- with Mikkeller, while Poppy to tiny local nano-breweries
ration is of course thirsty work sampled the De Molen collab like Libeeri, RazBeerBriga and
and soon enough it was time Perfectly Imperfect (8.0%), Premier Beer. It was a wonder-
Issue 504
20 Travel February 2020BREWERY
� est.1996. Sheffield �
ONLINE SHOP Abbeydalebrewery.co.uk/shop
Our full range of cans
Plus badges, beanie hats, posters and more
Head over to our online shop to kit yourself head to toe in abbeydale gear!
WWW.ABBEYDALEBREWERY.CO.UK / 0114 281 2712
Issue 504
February 2020 21ful way to round off a great a bottle of Dogma Pluto- of flats over in Blok 67, was
start to our Serbian adventure. nium (7.5%), a zingy orange great too, a modern place with
milkshake Double IPA. The bar yet more new breweries for us
Soon enough, it was time upstairs, Samo Pivo, was also to try. This time, Academia’s
to leave Novi Sad and head pretty impressive, its horse- Dirigent Porter (6.5%) was the
to the capital city, Belgrade. shoe-shaped bar lined with takeaway of choice.
Eventually we figured out how dozens of taps.
to use Serbian bus stations The last stop of our Serbian
(they have a bizarre system Meanwhile, in Vračar district sojourn was Subotica, a small
where you have to pay not we found Pivodrom, a tiny town in the north of the coun-
only for a bus ticket, but for shop with a surprisingly varied try with one of the few bus
a separate token to enter the selection of beers, where we routes back to Hungary. It may
platform too) and got on our sampled 3Bir Shake (5.0%), a be home to the third-largest
way. Belgrade is a fascinating tasty milk stout. Nestled down synagogue in Europe (and
city where old meets new; the a nearby alleyway was Pivski possibly the continent’s fanci-
ancient citadel on one side of Zabavnik, a growler-fill shop est branch of McDonald’s), but
the river in stark contrast to which also sold beer by the sadly there was precious little
the seemingly endless tower glass to drink on their small on the beer front. We made do
blocks of New Belgrade on the outdoor terrace. with enjoying our purchases
other. from Belgrade as our brief
By far the best bottle shops, visit to the Balkans came to an
It’s also a city with plenty however, were to be found end. We’ll certainly be heading
of choice for the discerning in the urban sprawl of New back to this part of the world
beer drinker. There are craft Belgrade. Thrifty as ever, we in the future!
bars and taprooms dotted all decided to walk the 4 km
around the city, but we went journey to Pivopija, located in As I mentioned earlier, there’s
for a different approach and the imaginatively named Blok still a couple more countries
decided to explore Belgrade’s 21 district. Luckily, it was well to write about, starting next
bottle shops. Right in the worth the hike. We found a month with Romania.
city centre, we found 300 couple of beers from brewer-
Cuda. Part bottle shop, part ies we hadn’t seen before, Di- Or as always, you’re welcome
comic book shop, it offered lemma Hefeweizen (5.9%) and to head to our website,
a good range of beers from Crna Ovca Black Sheep (6.5%) hoppingaround.co.uk if you
Serbia and beyond (whether dark IPA – no relation to the can’t wait until then.
the comics were much cop, I Masham version! Beerville, sit-
couldn’t say). We picked up uated at the bottom of a block Dominic Nelson
Issue 504
22 Travel February 2020Chantry Brewery trip
A group from Sheffield micro bar where a choice of
CAMRA jumped on the tram three more Chantry beers
train to Parkgate to visit were available along with a
Chantry Brewery on Friday 10 great welcome! Our festival
January. We were also joined organiser Paul also attempted
there by some of our beery to demonstrate his guitar
friends from Rotherham and playing ability but thankfully
Barnsley. that moment was short lived...
As well as having a bit of a The final call of the day saw
nosy and seeing their 20 Bbl us get off the Sheffield bound
brew kit and four fermenting tram at Rotherham Central
vessels used by head brewer station and walk up to the
Mick Warburton, we were Three Cranes Inn on Rother-
able to test drive the still ham High Street with a choice
under construction tap room of four cask ales on the bar
upstairs, which they expect and a range of flavoured
to have completed around ciders.
Easter time with the intention
of having monthly brewery Unfortunately time ran away
tap events through the sum- and we didn’t have time to
mer with a full bar open to visit the two Chantry pubs in
the public. Things have been Rotherham town centre - the
expanding there since the Cutlers Arms and New York
brewery first opened in 2012! Tavern, however they are
easy enough to get back to
Thanks to team Chantry for and Chantry also now have a
the hospitality, we enjoyed Sheffield pub in Handsworth.
three excellent cask beers
on the evening - Hop Thief, The tram train dropped us
Hoppy Road and Rebel back at Sheffield Cathedral
Chocolate Stout. and some of us found that
very convenient to drop in
Following the brewery visit, the Church House to catch
we had a walk the short dis- the end of the live band’s set
tance up to the Little Haven there!
Issue 504
February 2020 Travel 23Bradford CAMRA
Festival guide Thu 20 – Sat 22 Feb March
Held at the Victoria Hall in
Saltaire featuring around Loughborough CAMRA
February 130 beers plus cider & perry. Thu 5 – Sat 7 Mar
Saltaire station is a short walk Held at the Polish Club with
Great British Beer Festival Winter away, from Sheffield change around 60 real ales and ciders.
Tue 4 – Sat 8 Feb trains at Leeds. Direct trains from Sheffield
The winter edition of GBBF to Leicester operated by East
takes place at its new home, Liverpool CAMRA Midlands Railway.
New Bingley Hall, Birming- Thu 20 – Sat 22 Feb
ham. A war of the rose themed Indie Beer Feast
beer festival in the Metropoli- Fri 6 – Sat 7 Mar
Chesterfield CAMRA tan Cathedral Crypt. Advance Held at the Abbeydale Picture
Fri 7 – Sat 8 Feb tickets advisable. Direct trains House, this is a popular craft
The annual beer festival at from Sheffield to Liverpool beer event where advance
the Winding Wheel Theatre in Lime Street operated by East tickets are essential. The
Chesterfield town centre fea- Midlands Railway format here sees a number of
turing three rooms of real ale great breweries hosting their
and other craft beers along Leicester CAMRA own bars around the venue,
with proper cider and perry. Wed 26 – Sat 29 Feb there is also a wine bar and
There are also food stalls and Held at the Haymarket street food traders.
the evening sessions fea- Theatre, featuring around 130
ture live music. The festival beers plus cider and perry. Sheaf View
opens for two sessions each Direct trains from Sheffield Fri 20 Mar
day, a lunchtime one from to Leicester operated by East The Sheaf View holds one of
11am-4pm and evening from Midlands Railway. their now regular events that
6:30-11pm. sees extra beers available!
Magna (Rotherham) Buses 10, 10a, 20, 24, 25, 43,
Advance tickets are avail- Thu 27 – Sat 29 Feb 44, X17 to London Road (Hee-
able (online sales are via The well established charity ley Bridge/Ponsfords).
chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk) beer & music festival returns
and recommended for the to Magna, a former steel
evening sessions, otherwise works, after a year off and April
pay on the door. Admission on the traditional week of
is £6.50 including glass and the year. The event features Doncaster Brewery Tap
programme. around 140 real ales on Thu 9 – Mon 13 Apr
handpump plus other craft Featuring 20 hand pulled cask
Buses 43, 44, 50, 50a, X17 beers, cider & perry, gin and ales, 10 keg beers, cider and
from Sheffield stop close multiple live music stages! perry, pizza and bratwurst.
to the venue or it is a short Open 5-11pm Thu, 12-11pm
uphill walk from Chesterfield Advance tickets are available Fri/Sat, 12-8pm Sun and 12-
railway station. online, however note there is 5pm Mon.
a discount for CAMRA mem-
Derby CAMRA bers that is only available on
Wed 19 – Sat 22 Feb the door. May
Their annual winter beer festi-
val, held at the Derby College Bus X1/X10 goes directly Lincoln CAMRA
Roundhouse building next to there from Sheffield City Thu 21 – Sat 23 May
the railway station. Centre and Meadowhall Inter- Beer, cider, food and music in the
change. Drill Hall. A regular train service
runs from Sheffield to Lincoln.
Issue 504
24 Festivals February 2020Dogs welcome
in the bar area
471 Fulwood Road, Sheffield, S10 3QA
Traditional pub and dining room showcasing 13 cask ales, craft kegs,
fine wines and spirits alongside a locally sourced menu
featuring modern twists on classic dishes
Bar open Food served
. Sunday -Thursday 12pm-11pm . Monday - Sunday
. Friday - Saturday 12pm-11.30pm . 12pm - 9pm
@risingsunsheff /RisingSun.471.FulwoodRoad @risingsunsheff
bookings@risingsunsheffield.co.uk | 0114 230 3855
Issue 504
February 2020 Festivals 25Committee meeting & Beer
Branch diary Matters distribution Committee
8pm Tue 25 Feb
Info and bookings: Dog & Partridge, Trippet Lane. Glyn Mansell
social@sheffield.camra.org.uk Chair
chair@sheffield.camra.org.uk
Branch meeting
Branch meeting 8pm Tue 3 Mar Patrick Johnson
8pm Tue 4 Feb Punchbowl in Crookes (upstairs Vice Chair
Usual monthly meeting where function room). 52/52a bus. vice@sheffield.camra.org.uk
members get together to
Phil Ellett
discuss branch business, share Festival planning meeting Secretary
pub, club and brewery news 8pm Tue 17 Mar secretary@sheffield.camra.org.uk
and catch up on what is hap- Gardeners Rest on Neepsend
pening in the campaign. This Lane in the upstairs room. Paul Crofts
month’s venue is the University Treasurer
Festival Organiser
Arms (in the conservatory). Beer Matters distribution treasurer@sheffield.camra.org.uk
8pm Tue 24 Mar
Pub of the Month Dog & Partridge, Trippet Lane. Dave Pickersgill
8pm Tue 11 Feb Pub Heritage Officer
pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk
Our members have voted the Branch AGM
Bankers Draft in Sheffield City 8pm Tue 14 Apr Andy Cullen
Centre as our February pub of All branch members are invited Beer Matters Editor
the month winner. Part of the to our annual general meeting beermatters@sheffield.camra.org.uk
JD Wetherspoon chain, the to elect a new committee for
Sarah Mills
manager here has been run- the year ahead, vote on any
Real Cider Champion
ning this pub for a few years motions for debate to amend
now and makes great effort the branch constitution or local Alan Gibbons
to promote well kept real ales, policy, inspect the branch ac- Pub of the Year and Good Beer
including some from local counts and hear the results of Guide Coordinator
potm@sheffield.camra.org.uk
breweries, offered at affordable the Pub of the Year competi-
prices! We’ll be at the pub from tion announced. This is fol- Andy Shaw
8pm to enjoy a beer or two lowed by the regular monthly Membership Secretary
and present the certificate, all branch meeting where we Beer Matters Distribution
Clubs Officer
welcome to join us! The pub is share pub, club and brewery
Beer Quality Scoring Coordinator
easy to get to, being right next news and more – all over a pint membership@sheffield.camra.org.uk
to Castle Square tram stop and or two of course. The venue is
close to many bus routes. the Greystones pub back room, Malcolm Dixon
bus 83 stops right outside the RambAles Coordinator
Festival planning meeting pub or various other buses
8pm Tue 18 Feb (81/82, 88, 218, 272) stop a
We continue planning our 46th short walk away on Ecclesall
annual Steel City Beer & Cider Road South.
Festival. If you are interested in
joining the organising com- Please note the deadline for
mittee please come along and submitting motions to debate
meet us! Venue is the Garden- is the March branch meeting
ers Rest on Neepsend Lane in and the deadline for voting for
the upstairs room. Bus 7/8/8a Pub of the Year is 10 February
stops outside the pub or Infir- (after which the area winners
mary Road tram stop is about as voted for will be judged to
5 minutes walk away. find the overall winner). CAMRA (National)
230 Hatfield Rd
St Albans
Herts AL1 4LW
Problem with your pint? www.camra.org.uk
Issue 504
26 Diary Contact Citizens’ Advice Sheffield on 03444 113 111. 01727 867201
February 2020Join up, join in,
join the campaign
From Discover
as little as why we joined.
£26.50*
camra.org.uk/
10reasons
a year. That’s less Includes
than a pint a £30
month! Real Ale
Cider & Perry
Vouchers
Join us, and together we can protect the traditions of great
British pubs and everything that goes with them.
Become part of the CAMRA community today – enjoy
discounted entry to beer festivals and exclusive member
offers. Learn about brewing and beer and join like-minded
people supporting our campaigns to save pubs, clubs,
your pint and more.
Join the campaign today at
www.camra.org.uk/joinup
*Price for paying by Direct Debit and correct at April 2019. Concessionary rates available.
Please visit camra.org.uk/membership-ratesYou can also read
