Beer Matters Is © CAMRA Ltd

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 register 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 Heart of the City II derelict for a few years now, has had the 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 ([email protected]) other craft beers on keg taps.

Issue 504 Pubs February 2020 Old Hall Hotel Real Ale, Real Food & Real Fires

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 Peak Hotel

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 condition 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 2020 by 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 Alehousemicro - 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 11 Brewery 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 brewery is now back to hosting tap Welbeck Abbey sessions every Saturday afternoon 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 Bradfieldis 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 hops. These flowers impart a golden English ale brewed Hope Valley train to New Mills 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 ceiling of the Titchfield Sep. On these weekends they will 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 2020 WHEN IT COMES TO FINE ALES ...

... you’ll find us outstanding in our field

On-Site Brewery Shop open: Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm & Saturdays 10am-4pm. info@bradfieldbrewery.com • 0114 2851118 www.bradfieldbrewery.com BradfieldIssue Brewery 504 Limited. Watt House Farm, Visit our page on Facebook or follow us High Bradfield,February Sheffield, 2020 S6 6LG 13 Steel 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 2020 Abbeydale

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 15 Loxley

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 offer 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 2020 Issue 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 Pub of the Month on the website. The pub must have been open and serving 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.

Portland House Sheffield got its first Wether- Ecclesall Road (buses 65, 81, Vote spoon pub in 1996 when the 82, 83, 83a, 88, 272) Bankers Draft opened at 1, Market Place on the site of Swan online the old Midland Bank build- Ridgeway (bus 252) ing. This wasn’t a surprising now! location as the company is Wisewood Inn 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 2020 I 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 theBall 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 19 Razbeerbriga 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 2020 BREWERY � 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!

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Issue 504 February 2020 21 ful 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 2020 Chantry 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 23 Bradford 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 festival, 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 2020 Dogs 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

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Issue 504 February 2020 Festivals 25 Committee meeting & Beer Branch diary Matters distribution Committee 8pm Tue 25 Feb Info and bookings: Dog & Partridge, Trippet Lane. Glyn Mansell [email protected] Chair Branch meeting [email protected] 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. [email protected] members get together to Phil Ellett Festival planning meeting discuss branch business, share Secretary pub, club and brewery news 8pm Tue 17 Mar [email protected] 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 Beer Matters distribution Arms (in the conservatory). [email protected] 8pm Tue 24 Mar Pub of the Month Dog & Partridge, Trippet Lane. Dave Pickersgill 8pm Tue 11 Feb Pub Heritage Officer Our members have voted the Branch AGM [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 welcome to join us! The pub is share pub, club and brewery Clubs Officer Beer Quality Scoring Coordinator easy to get to, being right next news and more – all over a pint [email protected] 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.ukIssue 504 26 Diary Contact Citizens’ Advice Sheffield on 03444 113 111. 01727February 867201 2020 Join up, join in, join the campaign

From Discover as little as why we joined. * camra.org.uk/ £26.50 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-rates