Cross Daggers, Coal Aston, Derbyshire.

 Morning Readers!

                I ealise this is a bit early to be posting my first Blog article in four months but am off this week and am an early riser in the summer!

So am going to tell you about a great pub situated down a lane in Coal Aston - possibly called Brown Lane - which despite moving to Sheffield in 1978 am going to say have never previously heard of or been to ? Am not going to blithely claim to have been to all of the pubs in around Coal Aston and Dronfield (I suspect Coal Aston might actually be part of Dronfield but didnt want to tread on anyones toes) but even then am puzzled how I seemed not to have heard of this pub.

I was accompanying Tash to the Garden Centre to collect her bag (long story) and having collected it we sat outside in the sunshine supping Fentimans Dandelion and Burdock from Hexham, and after a short pootle around I tried to plan a trip to one of the 3 or 4 pubs.

I had - obvs - searched the maelstrom of misinformation which is google for Coal Aston pubs and that is where I found the Cross Daggers - many years ago in the 3 Valleys fest I suspect the bus stopped outside a pub on the main road possibly called the Yew Tree, but Cross Daggers was new to me and having read both Stans guide ( who confirmed the opening hours of the Gate at Troway many years ago) and the local CAMRA guide, I was well informed enough to visit.

I have to say that wandering round Coal Aston on foot is quite difficult - having got out of the Garden centre we had to cross the busy main road and then back over to the other side to walk down Eckington Road and past the Chequers and found a sign advertising the Cross Daggers at the bottom of the lane on the other side of the same road! Because the time was about 1630 the Eckington Road was really busy and there didnt seem to be any crossings.

Nae mind, having explained to Tash that the Chequers was just like the Sword Dancer on Handsworth Top hence we hadnt gone in, we could soon see the Cross Daggers - an excellent white two story building with a distinctive red Tetley pub sign showing two daggers entwined. It was initially dark when we entered but I could soon see the floor was flat as we walked to the bar which I sadly didnt photograph, but along with possibly Tetley and Adnams Ghost Ship they had Drone Valley Brewery Summer Fayre Pale Ale at 3.7% on cask from the past -I had heard they sold beers from Drone Valley brewery - indeed there's a Drone Valley Brewery sign on the bar, but it was on such good form, and despite it being Babbeh Miluk at just 3.7%,  myself and Tash had 3 pints each!

There was a lovely lass behind the bar who had a name and everything, along with a young lad, both of whom offered to carry the second of the two pints to our table, possibly because am not that steady on my feet, which was very much appreciated. The pub was really clean and had a pleasing traditional interior, and the view out of the window behind me suggested the beer garden was well worth a visit.

Just to point out - and am fairly sure about this, and it specifically doesnt bother me, they don't do food here. Its a it traditional wet-led pub, and is all the better for it.

Sadly we didn't fancy risking our lives crossing the main road and back down to the petrol station to catch the late bus so we treated ourselves to a taxi back into town where we visited the Old Shoe for quite a few lasts!

I really enjoyed my first visit to the Cross Daggers in Coal Aston and will try and arrange a return visit soon - cracking boozer.

Kind Regards

Wee Beefy

'

Indie Beer Feast Sheffield 2026

 Hello there - am a bit delayed with my first post of the year, and this time its all about the Indie Beer Feast beer festival here in fine, sunny, Sheffield!

Am going to boldly claim that have never missed one, but am well aware that may not be true! The first time I went it was in Abbeydale picture house and I went with my chum Mr P, and I recall we ended up finishing in the Hop Hideout bar and bottle shop nearby - which is where it used to be, and obviously makes sense since it is the planning and organising skills of the fabulous Jules - founder and owner of Hop Hideout - that means the festival exists!

For the last three or 4 years its taken place at Trafalgar warehouse, Trafalgar Street, near Corp in Sheffield off West Street. It features a fascinating range of Brewers and Breweries from all around the UK and has tutored tastings, chances to chat with brewers, numerous food stalls, guest speakers, Sheffield history themed information and details of the city's numerous independent trades and and businesses. All breweries supply their own beers to taste, mostly on keg dispense, sometimes in bottles, and this year am sure Ashover and Thornbridge breweries served their beers from cask via handpump.

This year they gave out a Sheffield Beer Week map and Inside it listed the description about Synth City, an exploration of Sheffield's music history, specifically famous synth pop bands, and notable nightclubs and venues of the past, along with a map and a list of the 11 Sheffield Breweries involved in Beer Week collaboration brews!

It was great to catch  up with Abbeydale Brewery, Courier Brewing whom have found out are from Manchester, Liquid Light from Nottingham, Neptune from Liverpool, Cloudwater also from Manchester and Siren Brewing. I also talked to the reps from Kelham Island Brewery regarding their involvement with Fagans pub, and brewing a Fagans beer. I sadly missed the tutored tastings, but one of the things I always enjoy is meeting up with people I know - mainly from pubs  (supping or working in) or through breweries or working in beer shops.

Its difficult to recall exactly which beers I enjoyed most on my two visits (and I went with Tash for the first time on Friday) but the Cloudwater DIPA, Siren DIPA, Ticking Clock and Duality collabs for Beer Week were all excellent,  Ashover Zoo was delicious, Cloudwater Take it with you 7% DDH IPA was immense! Pink Moon raspberry wheat from Liquid Light, Thicane West Coast from Siren, Cloudwater export lager, were likewise noticably excellent - the only thing I didn't do this year was keep  the glass! Oh - and Tartarus Abbadon stout at 17% was mad......

I look forwards to seeing you again next year

kind regards

Beefy 

0

Newbies

 Hello again so soon - I wanted to provide an update on two bars/pubs opened recently in fine, sunny Sheffield.

Firstly I should start with Fargate, a pub formed to a high standard in the former Yorkshire Bank at the top of Fargate looking towards Orchard Square. Its owned and run by Pivovar - of Sheffield Tap fame, and Thornbridge, whom are a posh brewery, now thankfully running less pubs in Sheffield. The Fargate is right in the centre of Sheffield, and as everybody knows, irrespective of the cost of the lengthy refurbishment, this location attracts a stoopidly high rent. Its privately owned and run, but in addition to Thornbridge beers they also sell guests on what might be 12 handpumps for the old, and maybe 8 keg lines for the modern minded - indeed on my last visit they were selling a Track IPA at around 5.7% on keg from the future, no less.

So - do we get the deal? Do we realise its not a Wetherspoons owned morality shambles, but is instead a privately owned and expensively run city centre business with expected realistic and higher than wetherspoons prices? And there's the problem. People don't now this. People expect Ruddles County on cask for £1.29 a pint. This is nonsensical, and non managable. But this is so widely misunderstood by those visiting.

As I went in on my first visit 3 old blokes wandered past and one chuntered "this is another shithole that dunt sell carlin" as they all shook their heads in disgust en route to the Bankers. The issue here is, its specifically not meant to be yet another Spoons - thats what makes it worth going in. I sat with the bar at my side and stared at the doorway and saw loads of folk walk in, not find Carlin-Darlin or Fosters, and strop out. Goodness knows what would have happened if they had gone to the Old Shoe - they wouldn't have recognised anything and for similar business and location reasons nothing would have met their absurdly low price expectations - no Betamax video recorders or bags of stolen Children's Christmas presents in here gents, sorry.

I actually don't mind the Fargate - I would prefer to go in on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon as it would be quieter and finding a seat is actually quite challenging, but they have one or two guest casks on the side of the bar and nearby and on the bar back 2 x guest kegs where the marvelous Track was found!

My next review is sadly shorter - not least because have only been once (it would be quicker to walk  from my house than to try using shambolic public transport service to Waverley) and also because I expect that Waverly is actually in Rotherham, and therefore not a Sheffield bar location.

The pub/bar is at Olive Lane in Waverley in Rotherham and is the Canary Microbar - it serves 5 handpumps of cask and possibly 3 kegs - or 5? You can tell have only been once (and keet drove me there and back) because I didn't take a pic of the bar! I have to say I was impressed with the keg range on opening - they sold both Verdant Sharks beers including Whale Sharks DIPA and on my single visit they sold me a pint of Wylam Jakehead IPA on Keg from the future! 

I admit that I probably need to go back for a second look to get a full feel of the place, and that might happen next year but even on my first visit I enjoyed it so fully intend to revisit!

All the best to both pubs - cheers!

Wee Beefy

Manchester in October 2025

 Hello readers,

          I was going to call this post "Liquid sunshine in the chicken boiling capital" but I didn't want to create ire with my possibly Manchester based readers....

On 26th October myself and Tash and Matt went to Manchester to meat our kilt wearing chum Mr Payne to go and see Fields of the Nephilim, whom are a popular beat combo. We had five hours prior to meet, visit a few pubs, book into our hotel and visit a couple of more pubs enroute to the gig. We were meant to meet in the Black Bulls Head but it was sadly closed so we met Martin and waddled along back roads to the Lass o Gowrie, which, sadly is definitely a greedy king pub so all the "guests" are theirs. I started on a pint of Belhaven which am fairly sure they either own or have an involvement in before heading by taxi to out hotel, accross from the Crown and Kettle. This was our next pub, where I had pints of Ghost Brewing and Neighbourhood brewing (whom may be Stockport) and possibly a half of Coach brewery 7th birthday.

Next to Bar Fringe for a pint of Oakham Citra on cask from the past and sat in a massive high backed chair before we headed possibly down Oldham Road to the Castle, a Robbies pub. In here had already ordered a rather underwhelming hopaslop or similar which I had to down as I saw a Cloudwater and Robinsons Red Rye ale collab on keg from the Current! We then got a taxi to the venue and watched the gig. It was immense. I don't recall having anything to drink in the 3 hours or more but it remains wonderful!

Afterwards - and I missed Last Exit for the Lost because I went suddenly hypogylcaemic, we struggled up to XBar or RockX where they did actually have Robinsons Trooper on cask so I had a couple of pints of that before having a sour and then returning to the hotel about 1:15AM!

The next day we went to a local Mexican place for breakfast but ended up having just cups of coffee - Matty recommended the crafty pig nearby, Martin said his mate had said it was garbage, so we opted to go for a look. Now - before I say anything else, I should point out that I recognise there is no legally binding definition of "craft". However, it does create some expectation, and specifically, I would suggest, no Molson Coors? And specifically, there was nothing but Molson Coors. Three pumps of one of their London trio, and, despite asking  a confused staff member, absolutely nothing independent. There - have said it.  We walked out, and headed accross the road and near to what used to be known as Mother Macs, before wandering to the Unicorn, a Craft Union pub selling only one beer - Bass on cask from the past at £3.40 a pint! I realise some of you may be thinking that Bass, a mass produced probably Burton Union system brewed beer, is the very antithesis of Craft, but the thing is, I still like the current version of Bass, and more importantly, the Unicorn did not describe itself as a Craft bar, as it clearly wasn't! A modicum of honesty is all I ask.

We stayed here for 3 pints - all of Bass for me - before heading for Soap Street and what might be called "This n that" - those of you who know it - including its real name, also know of its excellent value range of curries and curried items. I got a can of Dandelion and Burdock and a chicken and spinach curry with rice for about £5.50 all in! Stomachs lined and filled we walked for just a couple of minutes to the Lower Turks Head on Shudehill. I was on a pint of Bootleg Brewing Chorlton pale ale on cask from the past! The interior of the Turks is brilliant and the beer was delicious. Nearly next door is the possibly National Inventory listed Hare and Hounds, a fabulous Holts pub with their beers and one or two guests - I was on a pint or two of Osset White Rat at 4% and this was well kept and refreshing.

Next was me and Matt heading cross town to near the Co-op Bank headquarters on Balloon street before heading into the square and into the fabulous Cloudwater run Saddlers Cat, which used to be Pilcrow, and serves a range of 14 or 15 fabulous keg beers from the present, including a number of guests! We had a pint and two halves each in here, and all will have had names, and one of the halves was possibly a Cloudwater DIPA! Sadly we had to say goodbye to Martin at this point as he was getting a train back to Burnley but once joined by the lovely Tash we got a taxi to our last Manchester stop which is the excellent Northern Mon on Tarriff Street.

Am not 100% sure what it was we had in here because I didn't photograph the bar but I know I finished on a £7.80 half of a 9% collab but am sadly unable to recall the name. Either way we left about 21:20 to undertake the short walk to the train station station to trundle back to Sheffield and home!

As always I really liked my twice or thrice yearly pop to the chicken boiling capital, and really enjoyed visiting a few new pubs to me, including the Saddlers Cat and the Unicorn.

Your very best of health

Wee Beefy

Brizzle 2025

 Hello there  

     On Friday just gone (it was in fact 22nd August!) I went to Bristol - or Brizzle - after work, to attend the Forwards festival (Music), and also the East Bristol Brewery Trail, visiting for the first time a number of Taprooms in Bristol. On the Friday night we started in the marvelous kings Head - where owners Good Chemistry were celebrating their 10th birthday! Just the one in here, both myself and Matty enjoying a 6% Baltic  porter collab called Smooth Operator with fabulous Shefielders Abbeydale! We enjoyed this sat outside in the last of the sunshine

After booking in to the Ron Clayton hotel we headed next for BrewDog where the manager plays almost exclusively metal music, and sells a whopping range of beers as well. We had a pint of Marine Hazard Extravaganza and White Dog Will it float and finished on halves of their Habas and Fierce Very Big Moose barrel aged imperial stout. Having met Simon, Matt's dad, we finished the night in the Strawberry Thief where we enjoyed pints of Lost and Grounded Helles on draught and bottles of Augusteiner Helles and others, which I did not photograph....

The next day after a marvelous breakfast nearby we wandered through the city up to Arbor Ales Taproom for 12, once again meeting Simon at about 5 minutes before they opened. This was our first stop on the East Bristol Brewery trail and by 12 there was a hefty crowd waiting to get in! I started on Arbor C Bomb a Citra pale on keg from the current, and Simon bought me a second before we wandered off the trail slightly to a new Brewery and Tap to me.

At strength and Noble they had 6 of their beers on keg and two guests and we had 2 pints each of theirs and 3 halves to finish - we were once again sat out in the sunshine and enjoyed all of their beers, and I have to say the food smelled fantastic! Over the motorway next and down to Clark street where we walked up and into Wiper and True - this was really busy but we got a table for the 3 of us and ordered a few halves from an amazing range of 15 beers available - sadly I didn't take a pic of the line up but I know I had a fabulous pint of kaleidescope IPA on keg from the now, before we returned to the trail and headed straight for Good Chemistry Taproom for my also first ever visit!

I now I had a pint of Pure Celebration Party Pale also on keg, and at a pleasant 5.8 % and once again enjoyed that sat outside in the none sunshine! Off next back into town where we headed to Little Marthas brewing brew pub under a railway arch where we all ate delicious food, and once again sat outside as the clouds darkened the sky above us. We next went to the Portwall Tavern, which is not a brew pub and sadly, since my last visit in 2003 the beer selection seems to have gone downhill somewhat. No doubt based on it being a Craft Union pub, I had a pint of their Bonville Pale om cask from the past before myself and Matt hurried on up to Small Bar, which was not very welcoming, but  we finished on several excellent pints in the fabulous Famous Royal Navy Volunteer where we were both on pints of 8.2% Wibble DIPA on keg which was a fab collab between Balance Brewing and Cloudwater - possibly the best beer of the whole trip.

The next day was Forwards Festival and despite being the day before Bank Holiday Monday it was rather warm! Me and Matt opted to walk to the Downs in order to get some pre festival beers and we started in Zero Degrees Brewery Tap where we started on a clear lager before walking out onto St Michaels hill/Mount and despite its incline we quickly reached the comparative Darkness of the Highbury Vaults - I was once again on kaleidescope and Matt may have been on Otter Oak IPA as we sat in the back . Off next to the nearby turning for Brewhouse and kitchen where we stayed for just one, possibly a pale before visiting a new pub recommended by Simon - up a little side street past a closed pub was a marvelous micropub called Last Port of Call - a tiny 2 roomed boozer selling a great range of local beers where I started on a delicious pint of Gloucester Gold a pale at 3.9% on cask from the past and finished once again on a pint of kaleidoscope as its correctly spelled! A cracking pub to which I will return.

Beer at Forwards was once again cans from Lost and Grounded but £5.50 a can seemed lie a good festival price! We only watched about 4 bands this year, the best being Squid and Nea Archives - we were therefore back in town to make a quick final stop at BrewDog where I now we had Mad Scientist blackcurrant sour at 8.4%!

On Bank Holiday Monday I wandered off by myself post breakfast and made my first visit to the king Street Brew Pub where I sat inside looking at the busy Street outside enjoying a pint of their Hazy IPA at 4.8% before thanking them and waddling accross for my also first visit to the Llandoger Trow where I had a whole pint of their Three Acre Extra Special best at 5.4% which was a very easy drinking bitter on cask from the past.

A toddle next to the Grain Barge parked on the river where I had two beers - I know that they were both Bristol Beer factory but I forget which - before paying my first visit of the trip to The Myrtle Tree for a few excellent pints of Bass straight from the barrel - I even sat outside in the sunshine with two gents eating a cheese and onion cob, before being joined by Tash Matt and Rhodhri. Round the corner to the Bag O Nails next where not only does it smell less "feline" but also had a great selection of ales - I had Uley Guilty pleasure and something without a pump clip on keg before walking, now with Simon, up to a new pub  to me called the Three Tuns where we had a print of Bristol Beer Factory, and then walked into the Limekiln. Always worth a visit, this time it sold in its range Lenton Lane Big Dreams IPA at 6.5% on cask from the past so I was on that before me and Simon headed into town to get a burger and we all re met in the Old Hatchet Inn which used to sport a door made with possibly human skin? All I can say is that the beer selection was really underwhelming so we only stayed for one and I didn't even photograph it!

Our next to last day was quite cloudy and after our usual breakfast in Cafe Revival we went our seperate ways with a plan to  catch up later - I started by meeting a lovely lass on the bridge before walking up to see the church of the Holy Cross ruin and waling out to visit the fabulous Cornubia -a fabulous beer selection as always and I started on a pint of Burton Bridge XL Mild on cftp, then a Bobs your uncle IPA from Electric Bear at 5.4% from also cftp before walking to the Bridge on Passage Street, where the bar had a fab collection of beers on offer. I did ask the chap about Moor Brewing whose owner had posted an explosive outburst on the Friday about almost every customer and type of customer, and whom agreed not to take part in the East Bristol Brewery trail. He does sell quite a lot of their beers so I was happy to try some since he had paid for them, but I started on Newbarns Canopus IPA at just 4.5% which was delicious, then Misfit Brewing Astro Zombie IPA before finishing on Moor.

Next I headed to the Seven Stars for a pint of Hop Union Classic Gold which I enjoyed drinking outside, and then headed a trifle refreshedly for Left Handed Giant. It was really busy and in the end I was so surrounded by by shouters I opted to leave for food at the Fullers Old Fish Market where I met Tash and Matt and Rhodhri for scran whilst on Fullers Olivers Island before finishing in BrewDog on more plus 8% beers and getting cans of Chubbles for our journey home the next day.

After our final breakfast at Cafe Revival we walked together to the the Cornubia for pints of Electric Bear and then to the ruined Abbey for a look round and just got in the kings Head as it started to pee it down! Tash and Rhodhri only stayed for halves as they were off to catch an earlier train so me and Matt stayed for a few including two excellent pints of Good Chemistry kokomo weekday Hazy Pale on Keg and to finish on thirds of fabulous Vault City 7th birthday 14% stout between us, and to buy two Good Chemistry celebratory cans for our trip home.

Still time to pop in Simon's least successful recommendation, the Sidings, which sold no cask ales and sold only Beavertown mass produced beer on keg! We had halves, and I once again did not take any pics whatsoever.

So that was Brizzle! A mostly hugely enjoyable dawdle round some truly fabulous pubs and bars, mostly with fabulous ales and breweries!

Kindest regards

Wee Beefy

Cloudwater Chubbles X 10th Birthday QIPA!

 Hello there readers

       back in April this year Cloudwater put out a message about the hop line up along with their intent, to brew their first QIPA - a special 10th Birthday strong Chubbles! Not only did the hop line up - Centennial, Mosaic, Strata, Columbus, Galaxy, Enigma, Citra, Nelson and El Dorado - excite, but it seemed to sit perfectly with the expected extra 2% ABV - and today, am currently trying my second taste of this absurd Miasma of tropical Hops.

The cynical amongst you may simply claim that this is just Cloudwater showing off the" easy"  spectacle of mixing numerous hops at a higher ABV - not least if you had perhaps encountered negative brewing operations previously. But weirdly, the excellence of Cloudwater's existing I, D and T IPA mixes meant that this was likely much of that - but when its as accessible and easy drinking as this - who cares?

One of the beauties of Chubbles is their pairing with The Veil Brewing, possibly in Albany, New York. I dont now much about them as a brewery but I have to say have enjoyed everything that they have thus far produced. Perhaps its heir love of producing cloudy, hop heavy, soup, that is so deliciously easy drinking. Such values do not dissipate in this offering - drinking the same now am happy to confirm that it retains a dark yellow, slightly orange appearance, and despite it being a hefty 12% it remains ridiculously easy drinking.

I realise that my knowledge of QIPAs is slightly restricted by a lack of them being produced in the UK, even more so since never ending rising fuel and ingredient costs in both the brewing and indeed the home living sectors - but - I have to mention once again how stoopidly easy drinking this remains!

Incidentally - I also wouldnt normally drink a QIPA as my 3rd beer of the day, however I did want to make sure that I at least was able to demonstrate a reasonable snifter of its taste attributes whilst I write - theres a heck of a lot of Mango and possibly stone fruit, and some sweetness - in the aftertaste - but you cant escape a truly excellent lingering Citra bitterness in the bite. This is a dry and simultaneously fruity adult beer at the very top of its game, and quite likely also the limit of the margins of its possibility of retaining bitterness in that absolute wall of citrussy hops.

In short - its basically, everything I expected of a beer of this magnitude, but brewed well.

Finally - I did half jokingly ask a few of my regular pub haunts if they were considering purchasing cans or a keg of this beer - I ordered it the Friday dinnertime on the day it appeared on their webstore - but I suspect that although it may have appeared at their bar in Manchester or London, it might not be available on KftF at any time soon,  which is a shame, because I offered to buy half a keg if they did.......

With warmest regards

Wee Beefy

 

Sobremesa

 Afternoon readers - am going to post about a new brewery to me that I came accross at Indie Beer Feast back in March. 

This year I secured 2 tickets and before I went to the first session i received a text from the lovely Tash about a chap she had met or been introduced to in the Old Shoe who specialised in Saisons - he was called Adrianne and was showcasing his products at Indie Beer Feast. Half an hour after arriving, and finishing my bold opening pint, I spotted what sounded like his bar, and I introduced myself. After a quick chat, I promised him I would pop back later on to purchase some saison, although I did get to try a sample of his bottled saison, and I admit I absolutely loved it.

So having finished my starter and after meeting up with kieron and RJW, I went back to his bar and got a half of his Farmyard ale - a saison style brew which was lovely, but sooooooooo easy to drink! I cant accurately recall if you could buy bottles to take out from the Beer Feast, but he assured me that his beers were available in Hop Hideout, and also the Old Shoe - infact, on my next visit there they were indeed selling two of his beers on draught!

The brewery is based in some out buildings at a farm in rural Wales - writing this post has pointed out to me that there are some facts which I need to check out - in the meantime - here is a link to their website: Brecon Breacons Craft Beer & Tap Room | Farmhouse Beer & Natural Cider | SOBREMESA Drinks

I admit that I had forgotten that they had a taproom in the Brecon Becons, for example......

I also forgot the meaning of Sobremesa - it describes the period post meal when friends and family members chat with each other sat at the table......

And also that they produce their own cider.

And I cant recall definitely if Adrianne's name is Adrianne......

What I do know is that his beers are marvelous!

Last week I popped into Hop Hideout and bought a can of his Farmhouse Pilsner, a 750ml bottle of his Farmhouse Ale, and an as yet untried bottle of his Damson Saison. I had the whole bottle of his Farmhouse Ale last night - it was poured over about an hour but I finished it all and after a large meal and a few hours in the pub this was an ideal finisher!

This is a link to the details of their Rosalind Yeast -Rosalind yeast | SOBREMESA Drinks

I always like to read these sort of facts at such a detailed level on a brewery website because many breweries seem reluctant to share this amount of info? Not an industry criticism, of course, but a valid observation - its reassuring to see the length of preparation undertaken by the brewery and cidery before they started - and thus far, possibly affected by the yeast used, their output has been fabulous!

Aswell as ordering online from the brewery in Talgarth, you can probably still buy from Hop Hideout here in fine sunny Sheffield! So I would recommend that you should pop in there to get a bottle or a can.....

Finally - and this is not proven - I suspect that Adrianne is probably Spanish - although his name may still not be Adrianne - have had a sleep since then.......

Warmest regards

Wee Beefy

Sheffield SU's Beer and Cider festival 2025

 Afternoon, readers

       sadly I don't know which year this was in terms of numbers of Sheffield SU beer festivals previously. I now I went to SU Beer Fest in Sheffield in May 1994 for my first ever beer festival aged 19, so its more than 30 years old....

I would also like to point out that :

it is still on today;

and, crucially, that it is staffed by volunteers - so hopefully no staff received embolisms from spluttering drunkards.......

I arrived about 1415 and saw Mr Ciderman, who told me that they had sold all of yesterdays cider as well as half of today's cider the day before - it seems Friday had been a thirsty day! Am no expert on cider by any stretch but am always impressed to find a large range of ciders, many of which I admit I have never heard of.....

I started on a whole pint of evil filthy Thornbridge - their Day Maker, a 4% session IPA - as I supped,  the sky darkened and broiling clouds of wrath simmered in the air above - but thats just May. It went straight back to bright sunshine afterwards.

Next up I ventured into what seemed like the pitch black chasm of Hades, which was the main cask and keg bar - I couldn't see the pumpclips, less so the sheets of info, so I asked the lass behind the bar what she suggested - she froze - so I opted for a pint of Two by Two on kftc - it was a tasty if surprisingly flavoured pineapple sour - not that sour to be honest, but it was refreshing!

Having now selected Hopworks Ferocious Citra IPA and secured a table, my next visit involved finding out that they didnt think that was available, nor my second suggestion which was Triple Point Flux,  (which was on later) so I opted for a pint of Brol Future Depends, which I paid for - sadly the guy serving that said it had run out and the lass serving me said they couldnt do refunds so I opted for a pint of Pollys Little petal at 5.2% which cost the same. I went next for a pint of Bristol Beer Factory laser Juice which was a delicious and cloudy pale which I supped chatting to a chap called Tyler, who was probably from Leicestershire. I was then told that the Thornbridge DIPA had run out, but I opted to check on my next bar visit.

Sadly it really had, but the Triple Point Flux NEIPA was now available so I went for that before having my next to last which was to risk the Necessary Evil whisky aged stout at 13.5% so I only had a third,  and, I have to say - it was fairly easy drinking for its strength!

By now the luffly Tash and George had arrived to see me, along with Meathill who was working, and we quickly (not for me!) went for food, where it transpired that probably due to the level of University student demand, everything meat was chicken! I had a spicy chicken burger and chips which was very nice, along with my final pint which I think was Neptune Hidden Cove IPA - sadly all I know is it was cloudy!

So in summary - some aspects were misleading and therefore disappointing, and the lack of knowledge of what was available was frustrating, but, I did enjoy everything I tasted and I think that overall the festival was well organised - I don't know how the cider bar will be doing today with reduced stock but I hope all goes well!

Warmest regards

Wee Beefy

Neepsend Craft Beer Festival

 Hello again readers - as usual am a bit late reporting events......

Also - if am honest - I  wasn't actually planning on going - it was only because my good friend J offered two free tickets for the Saturday session that I went at all - so I went with Meathill, obviously.

It was held at Peddlers Warehouse, right next door to the Factory Floor - there was a decent queue to get in, and you showed your ticket on your phone at the door, where you received a tag and a glass and a free pint card (where you could also choose your favorite cask pint) - in fact, the Sheffield cask bar was the first place I visited for a pint of Duality Citra on the Dock of the Bay - a tasty 4.1% session pale, followed by a half of the fabulous Neepsend Double Century IPA at 7.2%. One of the advantages of this festival was an old fashioned printed  list - of the cask beers, which I admit proved very beneficial in this post!

Other features included Pangolin Micropub and Bottle shop from Hillsborough, Quality Ferments drink  importers, a Low and No alcohol bar, and a fabulous selection of street food vendors - as you now I no longer eat food, but I did get some fabulous German Sausage from Get Wurst, with tasty  loaded fries.

So what about the keg beer bars?

Well, I have to say the selection was very good! Highlights included Anthology, Atom, DEYA, Neon Raptor, Dark Element, Sureshot, Zapato and Vibrant Forest - I had a fab pale ale from  Anthology, a strong stout at around 10% from ATOM, a marvellous cloudy IPA from Vibrant Forest, a strong Zapato ale, a dark and hoppy ale from Dark Element from their caravan, and having masticated, I finished on 2 whole pints of DEYA DIPA (possibly saturated in Citra?) from the lovely folks on their bar!

Sadly I was probably only there for a few hours or so as I was going to the secret Birthday do for my chum Dave "Hudares" Howard from the world of music, taking place at Sidney and Mathilda, but despite the shortness of my visit I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

One last comment is that, discussing this festival with a person in the Harlequin where i started on two pints, one cftp, the other kftf, I was told that some of the brewers that had served there had been disappointed by the attendance, and it hadn't been considered a success - all I can say is that it seemed well attended in my experience, there had been plenty of locally brewed cask (from the past), the food had been excellent, and I had really enjoyed meeting representatives from all of the breweries I had bought from! I do also suspect that the spiraling costs in the brewing and hospitality sector could have likely undermined some of the excellent features of the festival, and maybe reduced visitor numbers?

Either way - am sending a big thanks to the organisers, traders and suppliers at the Neepsend Craft Beer Festival!

Warmest regards

Wee Beefy

Its 2025 - whats happening?

 Afternoon readers

          its only March and am already penning my first post!

So I realise I could mention the take over of a number of popular breweries by Keystone, or indeed the continuing demise  in numbers of unspoilt national Inventory pubs in the UK, but instead I wanted to write about ranting, by customers, at pub staff.

I am well aware that I "perhaps" drink too much and also that when I become drunk I simultaneously become a nodder, but in other people drunkenness bears a ferocious aggressive and solipsistic child, whose reason leaves them and they cling instead to imagined powers that they do not posess, like earlier this week. Allow me to Elucidate...

It was late on a midweek night in a popular Sheffield pub and probably about 30 minutes prior to closing. Two men I didn't know came in and sat down and started chatting but quickly one expressed his extreme irritation at them playing rap music, a phrase he couldnt accurately pronounce. After a couple of minutes he shouted "why dont you play some proper music instead of this rap shit" His friend told him to stop shouting which riled him further so he decided to storm over to the counter and shout the same accusation directly at the barman - who said, politely and calmly, that what they were playing was all music, and may even have suggested that some people liked the music they had chosen. Cue embolism number 2.

The stroppy man returned to his seat to complain that he didnt see why they didn't play proper music, instead they played this fuffin rab schyit.

I reneged the opportunity to ask him why he thought that rap wasn't music, and neither did I choose to explore which particular facet of the musical style he was unable to pronounce that enraged him so, nor did I enquire if he didn't like every single one of the millions of rap tracks ever recorded because of its established cultural backgrounds and influences. Instead I simply ignored them as best as I was able and then I awaited their threatened departure. Then came the line that really caught my attention. The loud guy returned to the bar as they were on their way out and once again started ranting about "rap shit" and then said " n I know xx and xx and I'll tell them about you and get this pub removed from the Good beer guide and (probably) youll never win pub of the month". 

Erm What now?

And this is when I realised that they were CAMRA members.

And I knew both of the gents he mentioned, one for nearly 30 years. And I was amazed that both those men had carried out surreptitious undertakings in Sheffield and Dronfield CAMRA as a Siloh of Silent Assassins to destroy and therefore close down any public houses or bars, which didn't meet strict musical requirements, weapons loaded, court orders at the ready and bile spilling between their clenched teeth pre action.

And do you now how the angry persons finished their visit?

As the bar man said that he didn't appreciate being shouted and sworn at and harrassed, they both said "fuck off" in unison before one said "gerra fuckin grip" as they stormed out. Children.

Lets just list all the normal and CAMRA benefits of the pub which they did not consider:

6 to 8 cask handpulls (admittedly these are just numbers - it could be 9) selling cask beers and ciders;

10 keg lines selling further and often stronger beers and ciders;

3 fridges selling further canned and bottled ales and ciders;

High quality fresh food produced in the newly refurbished kitchen;

Available function room upstairs for hire;

And what did the CAMRA members hate?

The style of music being played at closing time.

Interestingly - am not especially a massive fan of Rap music as a genre - because I have my own tastes in music. But in the event that a venue I liked or even one that I had first visited, played a style of music that I didnt like, I wouldn't undertake a roaring embolism of chuntering and swearing at bar staff, I would instead remember that I didn't live there, and go somewhere that I believed to be more appropriate. What an absolute shit show by these two Cameroids!

With kindest regards

Wee beefy

 men I

Fondly Dave

 Afternoon readers,

  for those of you who don't pay that much attention to my blog - like - well, me, this is description number 5 in my now 4 or 5 years old "Pub fruit loops" series.

For info, we have so far had:

Man in his 60s taking his incontinent Mother out in her pygamas to have a series of ickypo air raids whilst he slags off all beer and beer drinkers (whilst doing exactly that);

Racist dog man - the chuntering Banslih bittoh drinking racist who blamed all his behavioural failings on his presumably oft replaced dog;

The erstwhile saliva spluttering Badge Hat Andrew, AKA the sadly now passed away Andrew Smith (see "Alan Chimpanzee");

And lastly, the "i'm a silent partner, don't you know" bloke, the nutcase who infuriated and creeped out both customers and staff in the Rutty in about 2019.

Number 5 - Fondly Dave - goodness - where do I start?

For info, lets make clear that this isn't to be confused with Maudlin Dave, a white haired chap whom have known for many years and sounds like Alan Bennet. I do know his real name, but it seems inappropriate to share.......

My brotaar WK, met Fondly Dave in Shakespeares one night when he had been on call for a week and was having his first beer in 8 days. Spotting us, FD joined us and within just 5 minutes he was spouting his usual nonsense about the fact that the Royal family all had lizard heads covered in paper and that all royalists were genetically matched to lizards from space. I hope you all know that am no royalist, but thats where my interest stops - Dave was like a non funny Chris Morris in Cake, and an ever so slightly more mad and even more stupid, David Ike. My brother quickly told him to stop spouting absolute nonsense and to go away, which he did.

The next time I met FD he strangely seemed to have forgotten how annoying he was, but I did kindly say hello to him before going to sit in the Clock room at Shakespeares. At this point this was the only pub that I went in that he wasn't barred from. And here's the reason why:

When FD spotted a lady, and seemingly only ever a single possibly stressed or refreshed lady, he would saunter over and say along the lines of "Hi, I can see your obviously distressed, just to let you now that I am a registered Reiki healer, would you like me to try and heal you?" The obvious response would be no, get away from me you dishonest weirdo but FD was very persistent, and usually, agreement or not, proceeded to put his hands on them to "release the bad energies".

Usually, and likely because of where he put his hands, most recipients would say no, or take your hands off me, but if bar staff didn't notice and the first victim left, he would then try it on again with the next available female. By now harassed and criticised by people who had seen what was going on, he would then be barred (often again) and removed from the premises. This is why I thought that at one stage he was barred from every pub in Sheffield, and have only ever seen him once more, where he claimed he didn't do that sort of thing anymore.

Only he did.

Which is probably why I haven't seen him in about 3 years.

With kind regards - and a happy new year

Wee Beefy

Memories - what do they mean? Like, birds, we'll never know........

 Afternoon

     just to point out that when I say birds I mean the Avian ones - am not being crude.

I realise that I might have pointed this out already but just to remind you that in 2019 I had a brain injury. Without going on, it was when I started taking Tresiba, a more effective Background insulin that am still on. My then diabetic nurse encouraged me to switch from possibly Novorapid Long  Acting or worse still Humalog, which I was taking twice a day, and to take just one injection in the morning, of Tresiba. She suggested I take 40 units, but that would have been nearly twice what I was already taking so I went for just 30. I still had an overwhelming hypoglycaemic attack, and leaning against a pillar eating chocolate I blacked out, fell forwards and split my head open. I was in hospital for 6 weeks, and upon returning to the pub world I initially struggled to remember names, and actually tolerate drinking strong beers. After a whole year of testing and memory training, they said it would take a minimum of 6 years to retrieve my memories, and those of you who see me regularly, will know that I continue to often forget persons names.

Its interesting however that if you read my pre brain injury, more prolific blog posts, I was already a bit "memory light" not least about beer names - so without overexaggerating, its sadly been a slow decline......

However - I recently reminded my Lancastrian chum about Sheffield's numerous off licences, and I mentioned the Dram Shop and this, reminded me about Brendan Dobbin at West Coast Brewing in Manchester which, after its closure, it, or Mr Dobbin, moved to Marble, brewing behind the Marble Arch. I think I got 4 different bottles of West Coast Brewery beers from there before it closed, and the Dram Shop was also the first place that I spotted Fraoch, then brewed by Heather Ales.

I remember that the three Wee men visited the brewery in the early thousands - then likely at Strathaven, and it was lovely to take away 4 pints of their Scottish fruited beer which was likely Grozet - not to mention what may have also been their kelpie seaweed ale.

They gave me 12 bottles of that and asked me to give a bottle to ten of my favourite Sheffield pubs with their email address - most of which were warmly received, except the guy at the Sheaf view who said he was offended by my giving him a free 500ml bottle of beer and their email address - um - what now?

The final memory I have of the still open Dram Shop is a full bottle of 1953 (or similar) whisky stood alone on a high shelf sticking out possibly from a support pillar? I wonder what happened to that?

More (or less) memories next time!

kind regards

Wee Beefy

Restricted sizes of drinks

 Hello again 

        I wanted to find out what you readers think about many pubs and bars - especially ones part of a chain - refusal to serve beers of a certain strength to anyone in measures of a pint or even sometimes, in two thirds?

Just to point out, I can assure you that I know and have discussed this with a number of persons who currently work behind bars in Sheffield and whom have their own opinions and reasons - so whilst I find it frustrating - and sometimes nonsensical - I do at least understand the logic applied - which I will try and set out below.

The principal reasoning seems to be based on managers/owners and staff being concerned - and knowledgable of - the affect that large quantities of beer at 8, 9 or 10%, often has. A good example being a guy who said he wasnt happy serving pints of 8% cider, because cider affects drinkers differently, and is well known for "removing the legs". I also realise that this does not apply to all cider drinkers, however.......

Sadly - and I would hope not in my personal case - am aware that pints of drinks such as DIPAs and TIPAs in such circumstances can also cause people to become argumentative and in some cases aggressive. In which case, clearly, the employer needs to consider the safety of their employees. And then, one could also argue that being blithely assessed as being unable to acceptably handle a strong ale, could in itself contribute to argumentative behaviour of the customer?

I am well aware that I sometimes unwisely choose to drink one too many strong drinks but am fully confident that I would accurately be assessed as being capable or not of supping another pint - which is why the automatic restriction on purchases is needlessly frustrating - arguably because that assessment is not always accurate.

Am not in anyway criticsing bar staff either - as a regular last Friday before Christmas drinker I have seen many completely inexcusable behaviours towards persons just doing their jobs, which is  unacceptable. However, arguably, the introduction of these pre arranged measures could be putting staff at unnecessary risk, whilst simultaneously  annoying customers at the same time.

I would be happy to hear from readers what they think about this practice in pubs and bars in the Uk?

Yours, respectfully,

Wee Beefy

Wuzza - AKA Wirksworth, Derbyshire

Morning Readers

       some of you may know that I had been trying to complete my post on myself and WK's trip to Liverpool back in May, but 2 weeks ago I was trying to complete it and whilst typing CAMRA it replaced the letters MRA over the entirety of my whole post - and as I came out and went back in it then,  proceeded to save the 3 letters - instead of 3 pages - of text - as just that. So its not a rejection of my trip to Liverpool, rather a distinct change in information.....

Not that this should in any way reflect on my appreciation of Wuzza, mind - despite the dubious quality of bus services from Sheffield and later into Derby, I do still go every few months or so - and out of the 5 pubs have been to, today I will concentrate on my favourite 2, regular, bowzers

First up is The Feather Star - previously known as the Red Lion, a large former coaching Inn on the side of the square previously run by Marstons - I think I only went in once or twice and they may have sold Pedigree? Either way, it was took over by the fab folks who ran - and run - the Feather Star.

As everyone knows, Feather Star is a term given to a fossil - possibly an Ammonite? Which is found locally. Their micropub was run out of a small former  Antiques shop a little further down the road, but I suspect the owners of the building may have wanted the venue to move on, and the Feather Star folk recognised the need for a bigger premises and so eventually managed to purchase - and move into - The Red Lion. 

The first thing to acknowledge is the massive increase in beer choice - The Feather Star has 5 or 6 handpumps for cask from the past and possibly 6 keg lines? Have had a number of marvelous pints of Cloudwater IPA around 6-7% on my visits and their range of breweries is fantastic! Often also sell Aldwark Ales which is reasonably close to Wuzza. I highly recommend a visit.

Nearby on what I thought was John Street but is listed as North End, is the fabulous Royal Oak, a possibly 17th (not sure) century, unspoilt locals pub with 5 handpumps for excellent cask from the past along with the addition of 2 guest keg lines, often serving kernel or Verdant. There is a large fire in both rooms and outside there is a walk through barn which has seating in it through to a pleasant garden with further outdoor drinking areas.

They regularly sell Whim Ales from the Hartington Brewery on cftp, including their IPA and Flower Power at 6% - but mainly the range changes regularly - also often sell Shiny and other small local independent brewery beers.

Also - the loos are outside, and although it no longer appears to be National Inventory listed

(?) - am certain it used to be - it still remains unspoilt and the interior appears to contain many numerous original features.

Although check the opening hours if you are panning a visit!

So - there are my 2 favourite pubs in glorious Wuzza!

Cheers

Wee Beefy

The Crask Inn, Crask. near Lairg, Sutherl;and, North East Scotland

 Evening Readers - assuming there are any of you left......before I start I should add a quick caveat. So I know that even my my own cacky handed mismanagement of my own out put that my first blog post this year taking place in November 2023 is somewhat taking the piss. And am sorry about that. Apart from a recent op and a few holidays there really aren't any reasosn let alone excuses - its just that I haven't. Its nothing personal I promise.

So back in the 1990s my central heating bust in late November and for a number of reasons we didn#'t manage to get it fixed pre Chrimbo. We all wnt home at the same and my mate came back into the freezinjg house for one night before coming home. I returned on what I think was the 28th and found a frozen glass of water onh the side. It was so cold when I went to bed that night I had to turn the TV round so its back faced me to get heat and I slep fully clothed in a sleepoing bag covered in blankets. That morning haing turned it back round I saw footage taken outside the Crask Inn showing at what I thought was minus 36 making it the coldest place in the UK ever. Sadly the met office have a weather station aat possibly Tallus a few miles away which measured it lower, but I never forgot about this. And then my life happened.

A few years ago I jokingly asked WK if he fancied driving me the 509 miles to Crask - surprisingly he seemed interested but insusted he definitely wasn't promising. I started following - and still do - the Crask Inn on Faceache. I was quite shocked to hear that the pub was to be sold to the Scotttish Episcopa;ian church abd told WK. On my birthday he said if I could get the first week in July off he would take us. I did. And he did.

We stayed the firsdt night in Glasgow - starting our drinks at the Old Toll Bar, a large N.I pub about a mile away from our hotel. Years ago they sold one or two cask beers - this has thankfully been replaced by at least 6 Craft Kegs. I know both WK and I got a pint of Black Isle each and possibly also a pint of Camper Van but there were plenty of crackers in the range!

After we made the lengthy trek through the pissing rain to the fabullous bon Accord where WK got a pint of sunshine on Keith which may be Spey Valley and I know I got the same and another Spey Valley. Was last in the Bon Accord in 2009 and it didn't seem to have changed much!

Next to last was my first visit to the Pot Still - WF and Frank Glasgow (as I call him ) both recommended and we may have been on Loch Lomond - am sadly not in a position right now to confirm if either of us tried any of the ridiculous range os shiskeys.

Our dinal stop was little further along the road to the Shilling Brewery Tap. Along with a few of their own they also sold about 6 kegs and 12 cans of the fabulous Overtone. Me and WK shared truly fantastic hagguis pizzas and it was a short walk back to the hotel.

The next day it was a short wander round Glasgow before we got off to find the motorway and were soon travelling up the coast on the A9 - just 256 miles or similar to Crask. An early chat with new manager Shane presented us we thought with mints and dough Balls at half 6 - and after two Waterfall stops and a trundle down a lengthy single track A Road we finally arrived about 18000. Soon into our included evening meal it turned out that mints was instead mince - and bloody nice it was too - and we got chatting to a few other guests and afterwards made it into the bar.

Am not going to pretend that I wasnt disappointed upon discovering they no longer stocked Black Isle Beers on their two keg lines - Shane told us that they had discovered it was difficult to control their beers and so they now only stocked Isle of Skye beers - a pint of Gold and a pint of Dark for me ans WK. They also appeared to stock their full range of cans and bottles, which was a pleasant surprise.

Later Shane asked me why had visited - so I told him everything - including my horror at its upcoming sale to the church. shane pointed out it had already been sold and was already a church - a fact I was surprised at = ni his defence Shane asked if I had noticed any churchiness = I had to admit I hadn't.

we stayed for three nights in all - the first full day a trip to the Casser;ey falls followed by a nearer waterfall and finished by a wander up to Tongue. The Highlands guide said both of the two premises in Toungue sold real ale but the hotel had been sold and served keg in the bar - I opted for a pint of Black Isle at about 3.7% and something like £8 a pint before heading to he Ben Loyal - here I was told the handpumps hadn't been able to stand the recent high temperatures so they had stopped selling real ale. Its a shame because both served a good number of kegs but sadly not cask from the past

After a further excellent tea we once again spent a couple of hours back in the Crask Inn bar where we chatted to Shane's wife - sadly both myself and WK are unable to recall her name but enjoyed chatting to her none the less. Shane and his family had moved about 6 months ago to Sutherland from Alabamha - his wife said she loved the haggis and black and white pudding and venison and also that the only difference between there and here was that 15 degrees was colder - I said we would speak to her next year after her first highland winter!

The next day we drove don to Arrochar where we stopped in a large hotel hoping to visit the Village Inn. Sadly it was not possible to eat there so we ate at the hotel and then walked down to the Village Inn for one of about 4 real ales - mostly Fyne Ales. The Village Inn was a regular stop off for WF so even thopugh we could not eat there it was still noce to get back.

Next we headed - actually am not sure when - tp the Grog and Gruel in Fort William - this may well have been before Glencoe? A couple for me in there were very nice either way. We also stopped off in Ayr at the Chestnuts Hotel - not least to shelter from the rain - and I enjoyed a pint before me and WK returned to Culzean Castle to see the spot where WF and Grandad's ashes are scattered, before we ended up in Dumfries. On my last visit had visited the New Bazaar at the side of the river - now sadly closed.

We started at the Douglas Arms where they had a fabulous range of cask on and Drygate Gladeye IPA and others on keg. We then poped out for tea before finishing our night in the fantastic Riverside Tap, a bar selling about 8 keg ales including at least two Tempest and possible two Overtone - one of which was a fantastic DIPA!

Overall it was obviously very tiring for WK so am very much in appreciation of uis efforts and on every level, I have to say I enjoyed every where we visited and especially the Crask Inn at Crask!

Cheers

Wee Beefy 

A night out in sunny Sheffield!

 Afternoon readers - long time no write I admit!

Yesterday was my day off and I decided to make my first ever trip to the Itchy Pig up at Banner Cross - its been open a year or so (possibly) and I felt I deserved a look...

I was quickly into town on the peasant tractor, and after much guesswork I figured out where the Ecclesall Road busses left from, and walked a long way up the side of Arundel Gate to find a timetable free bus stop - although to be fair I didn't wait long for the 88, and the driver assured me he was going to Banner Cross. Within 15 minutes had got off at a building numbered near that of the Itchy Pig, but  having worked out it was on the other side of the road I popped in the Banner Cross Hotel.

Inside they had a choice of 4 cask from the past, but nothing I wanted to taste on keg, but I opted for a pint of Moonshine at £3.90 a pint and sat by myself at a big table ignoring the darts being shown on a big screen - the pub was quite busy, but I didn't linger long.

Accross Ecclesall Road and up I found the Itch Pig and was likewise pleased to discover a good range of real ales on cask (ftp) along with an excellent range of Keg. I started on a pint of Torrside and Grizzly Grains collab at 4.8% on cask called Big Words, and sat at one of the tables near the entrance. Its notable that the door needs to be closed properly to stop it partially opening once you are in, and sadly about 3 people entering and sitting at the back did not maanage this, but I was more observant of how popular it was! There were absolutely loads of people after about ten minutes!

Next up was a p[int of Azvex Disco Castle pale ale at 4.2% on keg from the future and that was likewise excellent - got chatting to two gents sat near me and I asked them if it was feasible to walk to the Rising Sun at Nether Green and they assured me it was. After some early confusion about direction I found the first turn on my directopms but sadly not the next...

After stopping somebody I headed for what I thought was Carrington Road but nevertheless ended up on Rustlings road before finding Oakbrook Road to clamber up - sadly I did not find Nethergreen road but I did make it up to Ranmoor on Fullwood road and so I was soon at the Rising Sun.

This pub was likewise very busy and I started on a pint of Abbeydale Black Mass at 6.6% on cask from the past, and found an empty table to sit at viewing the crowd of people who were drinking - and drinking only - as the kitchen was closed.

After finishing my cftp I had a whole pint of Deliverance on keg - with Sabro, Talus and HBC 472 in a gloriously hoppy IPA with Yakima Chief! I will say that the cask was quite expensive - I know am way out with my desire not to pay more than a pound a percent but the Black Mass was £5.40 a pint on cask from the past - a style in which my experience is that its always far cheaper...

Leaving for the 120 I was soon heading down West Street and got off half way along to head onto Trippet Lane. I popped into the Dog and Partridge for one and had another Sheffield brewed pint - Abbeydale Hibernator pale on cftp and it was delicious!

I finished my night in the Shakespeares where I know I had another pint of Electric Bear also on cftp, although am unsure what I had next - am guessing a pale...

So, 5 busy pubs, one new route, and plenty of excellent beers to plug the gap between Christmas and New Year in fine, sunny, Sheffield!

Cheers!

Wee Beefy

A new road named beer fest

 Afternoon yall. Long time no read eh?

Later am going to the West Bar Triangle beer festival - but 3 or 4 weeks ago I went to the Abbeydale Road beer festival - here]'s what I encounteerd.

The day before I had met a chap in S.M.o.t.D whose name I have forgotyten - he said he may be interested in going to the Abbeydale Road beer festival, and despite my concerns that it was all Sheffield beers (not all of them are good lets not fiorget) I opted to start at about 1400 - at the Beer Engine. Which is not on Abbeydale Road. As ever the beer was ace - a Black IPA at 6.7% from Phantom brewing, which I enjoye sat in the sushine in the garden.

From there I snaked my way along the back streets before coming out accross from the Cremorne - not been in for a few years and I had an excellent half of track on Cftp. And then I started - sort of. Jabarwocky (AKA Jabeerwocky) is right at the end of London Road. Sat in the beer garden you can see the Abvbeydale Road Sign - and talking to Chris the licensee - they weren't invited. So I got a whole pint of Kernel IPA at 7.1% on keg from the future and sat in the beer garden with Peter Hudson - who had just finished the Abbeydale Road Beer Festival.I have to say we were both gobsmacked that this wasn't part of the same. Cracking pub.

I officially started just over the road at the Bear. It was packed. I queued to get in, and saw the drunkest lass I think have ever seen. Its important to point out that I too get drunk sometimes - there's a reason why am called the Beefdozer - but having watched her clamber the stairs from the back room with 6 glasses on her hands and arms, half of whivich she dropped, one of hwhich the barman saved), I felt I had to ask her who she was and where she had been.

she was a Sheffield lass called Sarah who had spent a long time at school and uni in Lancaster. She claimed to have done the who;e festivel and to be heading home soon. A man from the saaaaarf joined us and she quickly stole his half and downed it and fell out of the door. I said " I think that lass has gone" He said " I reckon she already was gone!". I supped and left shortly after this - in all the excitement I sadly forget what I had but there was a pint of it - maybe Loxley?

Next to the equally rammed Dead Donkey - in here am certain I was on BbNo and had a pint of their session IPA also on kftf. I got the last seat inside and watched the crowds of drinkers outside.

I avoided Tap & Snap because it looked like an 18-30 bar in Menorca and instead popped into Turners. Inside they had a good range of S.M.o.t.D on and I saw the fabulous Kieron Turney who had come in with some former pupils (now in their early 20's!). It was great to catch up with Mr Turney whilst enjoying what may have been the excellent Laska Pils, and it's such a long time since I last went in there I have to mention how much it has changed!

Next to a new pub to mme - The Barrow Boy. In here I received my first stamped card, and had a pint of Heist from kftf. I also got a table and sat in the melee in relative calm! My first trip wa much appreciated.

Next was the most disapointing venue - the Picture House Social. It was so dark when I got in that I walked carefully and slowly to the bar - and then couldn't see what was on. When the lass told me I asked her which brewery they were (they may have all been Thornbridge?) she didn't know but once aware I bought a half and slithered aimlesly towards what I hoped was a seat. Mr H later said that there was a festival bar on the left in a brightl;ylit room - but obvs, I couldn't see it!

Penultimate stop was Two Thirds - which was also busy. I got a pint of Triple Point and what was Sheffield Brewery People's Republic of IPA - initially I had to stand at the last available table but when the guy came to collect the glasses I asked him for a chair and he got me one straight away!

Having missed the Little Critters at Gin Bar as I assumed they would all be in bottle, which they weren't) I finished in the Broadfield, where I had an excellent pint of Abbeydale Voyager IPA on keg from the future!

I went straight home from, there and then on the Tuesday was discussing it with a chap who worked at the Broadfield - he said he appreciated the funds but was dissapointed to find it was mainly all Sheffield beers - not least becuase they are very prevalent in Sheffield. We discussed the suggestion of a whole West Bar beer festivalm - and that is wehere am going in an hour!

Cheers!

Wee Befy

Derbyshire, Cheshire and a touch of Staffordshire.....

 Evening all!

         on Sunday I was collected by my great friend Mr G for our next crawl around the best pubs in Derbyshire (and beyond). Having failed last time to adequately check out the George ta Alstonefield (lost to food and no beer) I was determined to get this right. I googled the Crag Inn at Wildboarclough and found that it had doubled up as still a pub but mainly as a water bar - having found a spring on the property. According to Whatpub it was still a pub and served two real ales. I decided to go.

After an hour and twenty minutes we arrived in the glen like Wildboarclough and turned into the Crag Inn car park. We spotted folks sat outside with beers so assumed everything was fine - and got in and found they no longer sell drauught beer, or any other draught drinks. They did however sell bottles from Nearby Wincle brewery, although, not from the fridge, and we sat down with a bottle each of Wandering Wallaby and chatted. Whilst there about 20 people came in asked what they sold on draught - qall were told the answer was none. Having passed through a room end and corrridor of bottled water I visited the loo - finding handwash but only a single wet towel to dry my hands on. Whilst Mr G went to the same I asked the guy behind the lit, blue bar, what the deal was re it being a pub - he said they hadn't been a pub for two years, and now no longer sold real ale. Sound familiar?

Back in the car I recalled this to Mr G and he said - we could have paid £15 each for a mineral water e3xperience. But who would?

Driving into Wincle we lost connection to the Sat Nav and for some reason my phone so we asked a couple sat outside the Ship if they knew where Wincle Brewery was - luckily it was just down the road on the right in Danebridge! Soon there they had a tasting room selling a large number of bottles and three handpulled beers - I went on a pint of Wincle Hen Cloud andf a half of Straight Furrowand Mr G a half of Hen Cloud and we basked in the sunshine outside. An excellent stop.

Next we drove into Macclesfield and quickly found and parked accross from the excellent Red Willow Tap. Three real ales and about 14 kegs saw Mr G on alcohol free lager and myself on a pint of their 6.7% IPA! lovely place, and selling excellent Black pudding and mustard crisps, after a half of the sadly disappointing  Kernel Porter, we used Mr G's phone to walk up to the Park Tavern on Park Road about 5 minutes away.

This is a pub ran by Bollington Breweryu and they had about 8 of their beers on, including on Keg. I went for a pint of their Eastern nights with Mr G on a soft drink before heading back to the car. One thing I will say about the Park Tavern is that it was drearily dark sinside - yet on the way out down a passage behind the bar there was a lovely, bright - yet empty - room, at the front.

Our last stop was the pub of the night - the excellent Three Stags Heads at Wardlow Mires. First visit for may years and sadly I was unable to see Pat after the sad passing of Geoff on Good Friday. The range is similar but two Abbeydale and two guests - I started on the Black Lurcher (obvs) and Mr G a half of Deception. Was absolutely fabulous to catch up with former Barman/or/Landlord Robin, whom I had a good chat with!

Just one note btw - as I always remember - the pub is cash only - just for info!

Mr G dropped me in town and I got a tram to the Welly for a pint of Kernel and then went to Tesco for scran and ended up in Shakespeares, where I saw the lovely Abbeydale couple of Jim and Laura.

Anoother fabulous and enjoyable day out with my mate.

Cheers!

Wee Beefy

Alstonefield to Bargate crawl

Afternoon there,

      as is a regular occurrence, have been out with Mr G for an evening drive in Derbyshire and Staffordshire again - sadly Mr G got stuck in traffic travelling from Manchester so  did not pick me up until about 1800 but using his ever reliable sat nav we trailed through the peaks to our first stop at the George, Alstonfield.

I have to admit that I only glanced at the Whatpub page of the same so knew it would be open when we arrived - sadly, not as a pub, instead a restaurant. Stumbling in through the darkness we went through the door to the bar to be asked if we had booked a table - whilst viewing the cloth covered handpumps I explained we had come for a pint - and was told they hadn't been a pub for two years! We were told to head for the Watts Russel at the top of Hopedale which is where we were headed anyway. By now Mr G was ready for a drink....

Soon we pulled up at the Watts Russel - for only my second visit. They had Thornbridge Jaipur and Lord Marples on cftp along with a guest, so Mr G had a half of the Lord Marples and myself two pints of Jaipur - I was thirsty by that stage too! The pub was filled mainly with diners but we got a seat each and enjoyed our refreshments.

Next we used the Sat Nav to take us to the nearby Old Dog at Thorpe - a pub I have tried to go in twice previously, both times finding it closed. Sadly, nothing has changed it seems - the sign stated "temporarily closed". We carried on it to Ilam and headed out to Ashbourne to refuel. We didn't find a petrol station but we did make it to the Queens Vaults.

Two pints on cask (from the past ) and a few national keg brands and I had a pint of each with Mr G on soft drinks. King George's bitter at 4% from littleover Brewery and a pint of Peakstones Rock Wayman's Milk Stout at 5.4% were enjoyed whilst observing the quiter Thursday city centre shenanigans in Ashbourne!

Into Belper next to refuel, and a first ever visit to Angels Micropub off the market square. In here Mr G was back onto soft drinks and I had a pint of Nice Weather from Dancing Duck, whilst we enjoyed a pork pie each and fussed a lovely dog sat next to us.

Our final stop was not far away - the White Hart at Bargate. Only my second visit here and I had one pint - in two halves - of Shiny DIPA, - perhaps called Praise the Sun? Delicious at 8% on keg from the future, although am a little disappointed to have to have it it two halves!

Once more Mr G was very efficient at reaching all the pubs - including those closed - and even though it took him so long to drive to pick me up am glad to say that he got home in good time and a good state! Its grim new about the George, I have to admit, but sadly a kot changed in the loackdowns and this is another example. The Old Dog appeared to sell a good range but hopefully that will reopen again soon - and I may make my first ever visit!

The very best of health

Wee Beefy  

Hops

 Evening readers - long time no see, I admit....

But am here now so.....

Hops eh kids? What are they? Like the future, it seems, some people, will never know.....

     last night I was in the Bar Stewards micropub and bottle shop in Sheffield for a CAMRA pub of the month. I got chatting to a bloke have known for well over 25 years, and described to him that I really liked the Gibraltar Triangle - on being asked I confirmed that this was Shakespeares, The Stewards and The Crow.

" you like the Crow then do you ?" he asked. I confirmed. He said he had only been in once and didn't like it as he couldn't find anything he wanted to drink. I assured him that they sold four cask ales as well as kegs and cans just like here - I pointed to the bar and he said " I don't like Abbeydale Heathen - its vile". A bit surprised I asked why. " well its an American style pale" I told him that I had enjoyed the Grizzly grains for three pints and he said it wasn't bad because he hadn't expected to like it because it had Citra hops in it, which he didn't like. He hates Citra Hops. He suggested it was maybe due to Azacca - a hop he had never heard of which sounded Spanish or Mexican......

He also advised he didn't try anything with Mosaic hops in - as he hated them - a trifle surprised at his dislike of one of the original foreign hop brands, as well as his dislike of one of the popular newer hop types I asked him if he liked any Sheffield beers - admittedly a bit of an over-reaction on my part!

He admitted he liked their Moonshine - although that surely has hops init? I asked him what he thought of Abbeydale's 8.5% Rye DIPA in cans and he said "oh no I wouldn't know about that". I found it strange that his principal hatred of any beers featuring Citra or Mosaic and likely also in cans or keg, was based on a lack of tolerance - and perhaps knowledge, of hops.

I worry of course that this maybe my age as am a child like 48, the type of people I go drinking with whom all love hoppy beers or sours ( I din't even bother asking about that !) or whether perhaps my preferences subdued the sensibility of my reaction. But - even though he admitted to being "an old fuddy-duddy about beer" - I couldn't avoid the old fashioned reaction to modern beers.

As I may have told you previously - having met at least three separate CAMRA member reactions to my purchase of " Evil keg" I have received some frankly ridiculous reactions to my buying keg with my own money which is my right - including having blokes I had never met chanting " Evil keg, Evil Keg" at me at an IPA Tap Takeover in Shakespeares,  and being told by a man I had never met at the Bath Hotel on finding out my beer was Keg that he had tasted keg in the seventies and had refused to try it ever again. It was 2016.....

Am not suggesting that my mate or these (and many other keg haters) represent fully the outlook of all  CAMRA members,  but I realise that one of the criticisms agsint them is not only that they appear stuck in the  past, but also that they are full of exclusively old people. The youngest man there was probably about the same age as me. The average age must have been 60. Seems a trifle - predictable?

Even when a man in his late 60s did the description of the pub he only described their 4 excellent cask ales - and then said he wasn't willing to get into an argument about the keg and cans they also sold. What is there to argue about? Surely just list the different reasons people like it? Pretending that a product doesn't exist is not a viable attack on the seemingly ghastly threat of keg on traditional beer is it.....

Sheffield CAMRA of course have a keg bar at their annual beer festival - a brilliant and in terms of previous incumbents groundbreaking change of availability which respected the likes and opinions of every single visitor whilst not in any way undermining the high sale of traditional cask. Of course the team received lots of written abuse from anonymous persons who considered it heresy to invite the vile sewage of future drinks into their glorious beer festival, but hey.......

Despite this odd approach to describing and praising a venue I should say a very well done anyway to the Stewards for their second pub of the month award.

Many congratulations!

Your kindest regards

Wee Beefy