Hellall,
am not going to tell you about each one of the cans and bottles I have consumed whilst self isolating, as I am aware that I have already mentioned a few. I wanted instead to focus on the Fourth of July here in England, a date on which, for the most part, every public house in England which met the stringent arrangements and requirements set out poorly by the government, could once again open their doors. I would be interested to know how your own independent experiences were, dear readers - I heard a lot of talk of misbehaviour and trouble and other details of rambunctiousness in areas such as West Street in Sheffield, a place where one might go if desiring a mob rule, slavvering sump of stupidity, but also that behaviour across Sheffield had mostly been quite good. Here is what I encountered......
So whilst not celebrating independence day from 1776 in the US, I left the house about 14.15 and got straight on a bus to town. Having seen my friend JB starting his day at the Tap House on Alma Street, and realising it was near the two people whom I was meeting later, I went in there first of all. It appears that sending a text message to a new number is neither my quickest or most enjoyable practice, but once done, and inside, I viewed the cask from the past on the bar and decided to sit outside. After a small niggle with the cash machine requiring the whole card number of my non contactless card to pay, I started on a pint of Elland 1872 porter. It was perfectly served, and very tasty - and 6.5%. Nearly finished, I spotted Matty whom had spoken to Diane at the Fat Cat earlier, so I decided to nip in there next, not least because I have known her since 1994. The Tap House is an interesting venue - although they did serve a range of basic keg beers they did state that they were going to concentrate on cask. There was a choice of about five, and on this basis they were well kept. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
I had to sign into a book to get in the Fat Cat - and saw a man I have known for years called Ian, as well as JB. I chose a hoppy pale from somewhere in London which has sadly escaped me, and went and sat at a table by myself in the beer garden. After a quick chat with Diane and a trip to the obviatorium I quickly left, meeting up with Vikkie and Matt outside and heading to a private do at Bar Stewards.....
So far behaviours had been excellent and this proved to be a feature here, and of the rest of the night. People had reserved seating and were served until 19.00 on tables outside. I started on a can of the excellent Festoon NEIPA from the excellent St Mars of the Desert, featuring grapefruit zest and excellent hops. I then moved onto a marvelous can of Chione from Alpha Delta in faraway Newcastle. It was about 7% and described as a Kveik IPA. It was cloudy yellow and absolutely delicious. As well as finally getting to meet the excellent Robert J Ward, and of course of seeing many regulars and the wonderful Al and Charlie, the main highlight of the three hours was the excellent range of beers. Next up was a can of the excellent Northern Monk OFS004, a Kveik DDH DIPA - and this was amazing. After a can of Pressure Drop Tambourine Mountain sour however my memories became unclear.....I know I ended up with tea at Vikkie and Matt's and slept there. It was then time to go out again......
Sunday I awoke with a sore neck - and a not that good head - and had a few cups of tea and an egg sandwich before we all headed out for a walk after midday to Gaard coffee hide. Due to their small size once ordered we had to sit outside, but the coffee I had - and the excellent sausage roll, were very enjoyable in the bright hot sunshine in their yard. I also saw and forgot the name of Matijas Kapstien, a name I still cannot properly spell. Finishing our treats we headed to the Gardeners Rest. Matty had been on IPAs the day before and wasn't feeling up to more beer but Vikkie joined me for a half and me a pint of 4.6% West Coast Pale ale. Sat in the beer garden having filled in a form with our details, there were a few others present, and after Vikkie had gone I got chatting to an older couple from Harthill along with a man from Hillsborough who may have been called John, and a youngster from Ull who may have been called Matty.....
Several pints of this and an Empire something beast 5% pale ale were had, along with pickled eggs from the past, before I attempted a frustrating and incredible long winded trip home on the Stagecoach 52 - a very unsatisfactory and expensive undertaking.
Finally, yesterday I traveled up to Crookes after meeting up with Mumraah, and had a couple of beers - the first was a pint of Deception from a reduced range at the otherwise ace Ball Inn, where I once again had to text my details, and the second was a half of a strong pale on keg from Shindigger in Manchester I think, at the never previously visited Early Bar at the top of School road. It was a lovely place to pop in for a quick half and very friendly - given that they initially opened about two weeks before lockdown forced them to close, I would hope that their reopening creates a surge in much needed trade and profit.
Once in town by the altered 52 route I walked to the Crow Inn on Scotland Street and started on a pint of North Tunnels of La West Coast IPA and then a half of the excellent Verdant pulp DIPA on keg from a choice of 7 or 8 keg and three hand pulled. Alas I had to quickly run to the nearest cash machine to pay for both as their new, and soon to be replaced, card reader, would not accept non contactless payments - this, and the rip off no change on a Stenchcrotch earlier in the month makes me think I may need to ask for a contactless card.....
I met up with good mate Robert J Ward and he had amongst other things a half of the 11% barrel aged sour which was immense, whilst I opted for a half of saison at 5% or thereabouts. Chatting to Ian and vicky (not certain if this is her correct spelling, but to point out hat it was not Vikkie) I also managed to get a pint of Atom stout at a similar strength on cask. We then all left for the Kelham Island Tavern and the wonderful Ed was working and saw us out to covered seating in the garden. Am fairly certain I started on North and finished with two separate halves of the excellent Buxton at 6.8%. A fabulous day of supping in all four venues.
Overall I have really enjoyed my experiences in the recently reopened pubs in fine sunny Sheffield. There were a few loud people leaving the Kelham later but overall behaviour and keeping within the rules has been perfect throughout. Lets hope that this continues as more and more pubs manage to reopen their doors whilst the awful pandemic lingers on.
Your very good health
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Showing posts with label North Brewery Co. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Brewery Co. Show all posts
Thursday, 9 July 2020
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
Sheffield Beer Week
Eefnin,
I think its fair to say that the timing of this year's Sheffield Beer Week was simultaneously brilliant and horrific - it was especially fortuitous that the event finished on the 15th of March, especially given the horrors announced on the twentieth, but that also represents the worst outcome - the initial closure of all pubs followed by their resounding efforts to arrange collection to take out which has now also been scuppered, is one of the worst things that could have happened to the many excellent folk running many equally excellent boozers. And worse than that it is entirely understandable, hence the finishing date representing such bad news.....
As many of you may know, I have found myself a trifle brassic of late - so I only got to four other Beer Week events in total, three of which alas were just brief stops. And only one was a full on "session" at my third home, details of which will follow on further down...
The first in fact came after I had already been to the Indy Beer Feast at Abbeydale Picture House. I chose not to post about it here since I was blogging exclusively about the festival but afterwards I did have sufficient crumbs to visit the marvelous Jabeerwocky on London Road. I had seen on Faceache that they were having a Wylam tap takeover on that same day so despite aiming to head out for scran I popped into the same to spend a few cohens, as WF would say, on a third - this time of the ace "Its not the end of the world but you can see it from here", an excellent DDH extra pale featuring El Dorado, Idaho 7, Citra and Azacca. I really enjoyed supping this sat at the table on the left and reading the other delights on offer.
On the Thursday, which I believe was the 12th, I headed into Bar Stewards after work for their excellent Pressure Drop and North Brew Co tap takeover. Original plans had been to perhaps set up a bar outside to serve more kegs but as supplies had already been a little low there were only two kegs not on so that idea was scrapped. Some folks did venture outside but I got a seat near the right hand wall and supped my delicious half of 5.2% Pressure Drop Tomorrows World which was an NEIPA. Alas this was simply too easy to drink and it wasn't long before I had finished that and moved on. Up next was a half or possibly two thirds of the North Brew Co Waving Flags which was a 7% DDH IPA, also on keg. This was likewise too easy to drink but I did slow down a little with some scran.
The 5% Voulez Vous saison on keg from Pressure Drop was my next half, an event which co-incided with my bumping into Michelle and her other half Vin for the first time in ages! I got them sat near me and, alas for them, that little fire, and we got chatting. It was great to catch up and upon hearing the maudlin announcement of a quiz, I decided to help us through it with a whole pint of the 8.5% DIPA Big House Waltz from North Brew Co - every bit as wonderful as I had hoped, and went down a lot slower than I had expected.
It turned out the quizzings was about boozers so I would probably have done alright but I persuaded my two chums to head up to the Crow for their last one. Here I had a fabulous half of IPA or perhaps a DIPA also from North, possibly, on keg from the future, and I thoroughly enjoyed it whilst we planned how to get M and V up to the tram to escape home.
Beer finished they headed off and I went back to Bar Stewards to find out that the quiz had finished and to have a couple of finishers, including another half of tomorrows World DDH NEIPA which I sat at one of the tables to drink, and possibly another, before sensibly deciding to head home. Despite not perhaps having much involvement with the Crow's event I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed both events entirely, the Tomorrow World and Big House Waltz probably being my favourite brews of all.
The final event was with Mr Grant on Friday the 13th that same week where we popped into Shakespeares to discover that they had their Collabracadabra on, mostly upstairs. On the recommendation of Jason I started on a fab pint of Shakespeares and Pentrich Brewing IPA on cask from the past and only £3.90 a go! It was a Hazy Pale, assuming, optimistically, that my memory works, and having quickly dispensed that I headed upstairs to grab a Beatnikz Republic US IPA and fetched a half of the Atom IPA for Mr G. It was good to bump into Curtains up there, as well as Dave Unpro and many others, and I followed this with another pint on cask of the Blue Bee pale which, given its appearance was not a black IPA, before I got a last half of Abbeydale dry hopped Voyager. It was great to catch up with the man from Blue Bee brewery - whose name I forgot then so you have no chance! - as well as various folk from Shakespeares including brewing sensation Lucienne Pinglewick to whom a massive amount of credit must be applied.
Thanks once again to the fabulous Jules for organising yet another sensational selection of beers and events and again to all the excellent folk running our cracking Sheffield boozers who made such a huge effort to up their game and provide a scintillating selection of ales for the event.
Alas I do not know when trips to any of such boozers can happen again but I hope that in the upcoming period of closure we can outstay the COVID 19 outbreak and return, healthily, to trips to the pubs as soon as its safe.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
I think its fair to say that the timing of this year's Sheffield Beer Week was simultaneously brilliant and horrific - it was especially fortuitous that the event finished on the 15th of March, especially given the horrors announced on the twentieth, but that also represents the worst outcome - the initial closure of all pubs followed by their resounding efforts to arrange collection to take out which has now also been scuppered, is one of the worst things that could have happened to the many excellent folk running many equally excellent boozers. And worse than that it is entirely understandable, hence the finishing date representing such bad news.....
As many of you may know, I have found myself a trifle brassic of late - so I only got to four other Beer Week events in total, three of which alas were just brief stops. And only one was a full on "session" at my third home, details of which will follow on further down...
The first in fact came after I had already been to the Indy Beer Feast at Abbeydale Picture House. I chose not to post about it here since I was blogging exclusively about the festival but afterwards I did have sufficient crumbs to visit the marvelous Jabeerwocky on London Road. I had seen on Faceache that they were having a Wylam tap takeover on that same day so despite aiming to head out for scran I popped into the same to spend a few cohens, as WF would say, on a third - this time of the ace "Its not the end of the world but you can see it from here", an excellent DDH extra pale featuring El Dorado, Idaho 7, Citra and Azacca. I really enjoyed supping this sat at the table on the left and reading the other delights on offer.
On the Thursday, which I believe was the 12th, I headed into Bar Stewards after work for their excellent Pressure Drop and North Brew Co tap takeover. Original plans had been to perhaps set up a bar outside to serve more kegs but as supplies had already been a little low there were only two kegs not on so that idea was scrapped. Some folks did venture outside but I got a seat near the right hand wall and supped my delicious half of 5.2% Pressure Drop Tomorrows World which was an NEIPA. Alas this was simply too easy to drink and it wasn't long before I had finished that and moved on. Up next was a half or possibly two thirds of the North Brew Co Waving Flags which was a 7% DDH IPA, also on keg. This was likewise too easy to drink but I did slow down a little with some scran.
The 5% Voulez Vous saison on keg from Pressure Drop was my next half, an event which co-incided with my bumping into Michelle and her other half Vin for the first time in ages! I got them sat near me and, alas for them, that little fire, and we got chatting. It was great to catch up and upon hearing the maudlin announcement of a quiz, I decided to help us through it with a whole pint of the 8.5% DIPA Big House Waltz from North Brew Co - every bit as wonderful as I had hoped, and went down a lot slower than I had expected.
It turned out the quizzings was about boozers so I would probably have done alright but I persuaded my two chums to head up to the Crow for their last one. Here I had a fabulous half of IPA or perhaps a DIPA also from North, possibly, on keg from the future, and I thoroughly enjoyed it whilst we planned how to get M and V up to the tram to escape home.
Beer finished they headed off and I went back to Bar Stewards to find out that the quiz had finished and to have a couple of finishers, including another half of tomorrows World DDH NEIPA which I sat at one of the tables to drink, and possibly another, before sensibly deciding to head home. Despite not perhaps having much involvement with the Crow's event I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed both events entirely, the Tomorrow World and Big House Waltz probably being my favourite brews of all.
The final event was with Mr Grant on Friday the 13th that same week where we popped into Shakespeares to discover that they had their Collabracadabra on, mostly upstairs. On the recommendation of Jason I started on a fab pint of Shakespeares and Pentrich Brewing IPA on cask from the past and only £3.90 a go! It was a Hazy Pale, assuming, optimistically, that my memory works, and having quickly dispensed that I headed upstairs to grab a Beatnikz Republic US IPA and fetched a half of the Atom IPA for Mr G. It was good to bump into Curtains up there, as well as Dave Unpro and many others, and I followed this with another pint on cask of the Blue Bee pale which, given its appearance was not a black IPA, before I got a last half of Abbeydale dry hopped Voyager. It was great to catch up with the man from Blue Bee brewery - whose name I forgot then so you have no chance! - as well as various folk from Shakespeares including brewing sensation Lucienne Pinglewick to whom a massive amount of credit must be applied.
Thanks once again to the fabulous Jules for organising yet another sensational selection of beers and events and again to all the excellent folk running our cracking Sheffield boozers who made such a huge effort to up their game and provide a scintillating selection of ales for the event.
Alas I do not know when trips to any of such boozers can happen again but I hope that in the upcoming period of closure we can outstay the COVID 19 outbreak and return, healthily, to trips to the pubs as soon as its safe.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Saturday, 29 February 2020
Payday away day
Afternooo
I once again must apologise about the use of the phrase I have chosen for this post - since, whilst I am treating myself to a trip to York later this month with Tash and Matty, I haven't in the details below, in fact left the wonderous area that I most regularly imbibe in.
So, after getting some fairly crap news at work, whatever that is, I met up with Tash on the 27th and bless her, to cheer me up. she took me out to the Bankers Draft for a curry tea and a drink. That said, although I appreciate the low prices, and sometimes the local ales, I do tend to find all visits to such a place quite a long winded episode with as many lows as highs. This time there were twenty people at the bar, most ordering food, and only one member of staff serving and this explains, rather than justifies, them not turning round the pump clips of the beers that were off, and perhaps also them recommending a gin for Tash that wasn't on the list of free drinks, along with not telling me that the naan bread or another snack was extra. That said I did order it to the wrong number of the table, and it came quickly. And the pint of Pride of Sheffield from Kelham Island was nice.
After seeing Tash off on the tram I wandered down to Shakespeares where they had a Howling Hops TTO and meet the brewer evening on, with the launch of some Yonder brewing keg stuff later. I and many others love Howling Hops beers and we were not disappointed - however, being the day before pay day I only managed to afford two thirds before heading home.
I started on Flashpoint, a 6.2% NEIPA on keg from the future which was excellent. Whilst at the bar I had a quick chat to Sean, who had a surname beginning with G, or any other numerous British letters, who was a sales rep and possibly also a brewer at the brewery. He kindly gave me a taste of his Roll on NEIPA at 7.1%. Both beers were beautiful, and he referenced their tank bar in London, which I am fairly sure is the only tank served brewery tap bar in London, or perhaps in the UK? It was great to catch up with him either way, and having seen Adam and Brett Morgan and others briefly, including a char with Brian who is still "ticking" at the age of eighty, this was the perfect inspiration to get a third of the Roll On NEIIPA next. A fabulous night.
Yesterday, having left work at 17.30. I returned to my second home and had a couple of pints of the excellent Howling Hops XX Pale at 5.2% on cask from the past. Loved a lot by Adam and many others this was on fabulous form, and went down well whilst I caught up with Mizzder Grizzwiggs from work with his three friends, Ian, Dave, and Jordan, whom am certain will be entirely happy with my pointing out, that reminded me a lot of John Rchardson.
I then had a half of the Neepsend 8% IPA or DIPA Hanuman, which was wonderful, and which I despatched sat round the back of the bar with fellow Sheffield beer blogger Peter Hudson.
After popping across the road to Bar Stewards to make a payment I didn't have time to stop, and next walked straight up to the Crow where I saw Mizzder Grizzwiggs once again as well as Steve Lycett with a number of folk. Having splashed out on a black pudding scotch egg I joined them at a table drinking a whole pint of North Brewery DIPA on keg from the future, before they very generously offered me a chunk of one of many pizza's they had ordered. As they went to the bar they very kindly bought me a pint of Abbeydale Heathen on cask and I was just supping the same when Chris Grant surprisingly wandered in! As we were both quite warm and it was very busy I went outside to dry a couple of chairs and we sat in the beer garden together finishing our drinks and chatting.
Despite only having had 4 and a half pints I suggested to Mr G that he drove me home, but I did get a take out can of 8% DIPA from a Netherlands Brew Pub called De Krommer Harring. I will be drinking this later today whilst watching the undoubtedly awful football results coming in....
So, despite somethings, its been an absolutely fabulous few days so far, and in the month ahead its Sheffield Beer Week - so have a look at the events and other details on the website here for details on what is happening, when, and where!
Wishing you your very best of health on what is possibly my first ever February 29th blog post!
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
I once again must apologise about the use of the phrase I have chosen for this post - since, whilst I am treating myself to a trip to York later this month with Tash and Matty, I haven't in the details below, in fact left the wonderous area that I most regularly imbibe in.
So, after getting some fairly crap news at work, whatever that is, I met up with Tash on the 27th and bless her, to cheer me up. she took me out to the Bankers Draft for a curry tea and a drink. That said, although I appreciate the low prices, and sometimes the local ales, I do tend to find all visits to such a place quite a long winded episode with as many lows as highs. This time there were twenty people at the bar, most ordering food, and only one member of staff serving and this explains, rather than justifies, them not turning round the pump clips of the beers that were off, and perhaps also them recommending a gin for Tash that wasn't on the list of free drinks, along with not telling me that the naan bread or another snack was extra. That said I did order it to the wrong number of the table, and it came quickly. And the pint of Pride of Sheffield from Kelham Island was nice.
After seeing Tash off on the tram I wandered down to Shakespeares where they had a Howling Hops TTO and meet the brewer evening on, with the launch of some Yonder brewing keg stuff later. I and many others love Howling Hops beers and we were not disappointed - however, being the day before pay day I only managed to afford two thirds before heading home.
I started on Flashpoint, a 6.2% NEIPA on keg from the future which was excellent. Whilst at the bar I had a quick chat to Sean, who had a surname beginning with G, or any other numerous British letters, who was a sales rep and possibly also a brewer at the brewery. He kindly gave me a taste of his Roll on NEIPA at 7.1%. Both beers were beautiful, and he referenced their tank bar in London, which I am fairly sure is the only tank served brewery tap bar in London, or perhaps in the UK? It was great to catch up with him either way, and having seen Adam and Brett Morgan and others briefly, including a char with Brian who is still "ticking" at the age of eighty, this was the perfect inspiration to get a third of the Roll On NEIIPA next. A fabulous night.
Yesterday, having left work at 17.30. I returned to my second home and had a couple of pints of the excellent Howling Hops XX Pale at 5.2% on cask from the past. Loved a lot by Adam and many others this was on fabulous form, and went down well whilst I caught up with Mizzder Grizzwiggs from work with his three friends, Ian, Dave, and Jordan, whom am certain will be entirely happy with my pointing out, that reminded me a lot of John Rchardson.
I then had a half of the Neepsend 8% IPA or DIPA Hanuman, which was wonderful, and which I despatched sat round the back of the bar with fellow Sheffield beer blogger Peter Hudson.
After popping across the road to Bar Stewards to make a payment I didn't have time to stop, and next walked straight up to the Crow where I saw Mizzder Grizzwiggs once again as well as Steve Lycett with a number of folk. Having splashed out on a black pudding scotch egg I joined them at a table drinking a whole pint of North Brewery DIPA on keg from the future, before they very generously offered me a chunk of one of many pizza's they had ordered. As they went to the bar they very kindly bought me a pint of Abbeydale Heathen on cask and I was just supping the same when Chris Grant surprisingly wandered in! As we were both quite warm and it was very busy I went outside to dry a couple of chairs and we sat in the beer garden together finishing our drinks and chatting.
Despite only having had 4 and a half pints I suggested to Mr G that he drove me home, but I did get a take out can of 8% DIPA from a Netherlands Brew Pub called De Krommer Harring. I will be drinking this later today whilst watching the undoubtedly awful football results coming in....
So, despite somethings, its been an absolutely fabulous few days so far, and in the month ahead its Sheffield Beer Week - so have a look at the events and other details on the website here for details on what is happening, when, and where!
Wishing you your very best of health on what is possibly my first ever February 29th blog post!
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Saturday, 16 March 2019
Bluvver Duck! It's Sheffield Beer Week!
Evenin all,
I have to admit that I do not know how to spell Bluvver Duck. I mean, I know that duck is correct but it could likewise be Bloover....to those that don't know, which many now include me, the phrase, in my experience, was used by my Belper born Mum instead of bloody. It seemed that during her childhood in the fifties that was too rude a word to espouse, and she used said phrase to avoid contempt. I was going to call the post "Fuck me sideways, its Sheffield beer week!" . And that's swearing. As a former manger used to say. There. Am glad we sorted that out....
Five years ago the wonderful Jules Gray assisted by numerous friends and fellow beer enthusiasts including my chum Clare, set up a celebration of all that is beer in Sheffield, and all that is good about it. This has since grown to include the Fem.Ale celebration of women in beer along with Indie Beer Feast, a festival of beers and breweries held in Abbeydale Picture House. This year, and previously, numerous pubs have put on showcases of numerous beers from numerous breweries, so here is a flavour of what I have enjoyed this year.
Monday night I headed to BrewDog to taste some excellent Left Handed Giant beers. I started with a half o their excellent Out of Sight, a four hopped 6.6% IPA. I also tried a third of their own Juicy IPA, as well as a third of their Paradox Islay. Its worryingly easy to sup at 14% and the hit of the peat and smoke comes in the wonderful aftertaste. Am not sure if this was in aid of Sheffield Beer Week but it was a great start to the celebration anyway...
On Tuesday I met my friends Vikkie and Matthew in Shakespeares where they were serving the excellent Amundsen Dessert in a can beers on draught. Given that they are all over 10% I only had two, the Coconut chop chip cookie and the pecan and maple pie imperial stouts, in thirds. I also had a pint of the excellent Vision Quest 7% IPA on cask, and a pint of the four way or more way Hop City Colab IPA. I then popped over the road to Bar Stewards to enjoy a pint of a Verdant beer and a beer whose name has since escaped me. Can't think why....
On Wednesday I popped into Shakespeares once again to enjoy a hugely satisfying pint of Turning Point Vision Quest, before meeting Reason, Gazza, Suethebrew and Dave and Patrick in the Bar Stewards for a pint of Loka Polly Spur, and to grab a final bottle of Yellow Belly. This was mostly part of their excellent South West Tap Takeover, although I understand there was a delivery issue with the Deya which may not be on yet...
On Thursday I went to see a gig by a "duo" and popped in the Rutland Arms first for a pint of Blackjack and a ridiculously strong and similarly delicious third of De Molen imperial stout, from a frankly amazing range of beers including Siren Maiden 2018.
My last "do" was at Shakespeares yesterday. Having taken the day off to recover and to arrive early I didn't actually get there until about 13.45, to behold and hugely enjoy the North versus the rest of the world Tap takeover. North Brewing had very kindly agreed to put five or six special keg lines into cask and these were competing with a range of keg lines from a variety of international breweries. I started on a half of the Dots and Loops, a super hazy DDH IPA at 6.5% that woke my palate perfectly. I then risked a pint of one of my all time favourite beers, North Transmission, a fabulous 6.9% IPA on cask at £4.20 a pint. This was despatched swiftly, and was frankly wonderful. After this wonderment I then had further, a half of their excellent Ursa Major, an extremely drinkable and joyously hopped DIPA at 8.1%.
One thing that I did like was seeing the stronger cask beers served in more appropriate, usually keg and can beer glasses - especially sine the transfer from Keg to cask was done so well and with such success.
More Transmission followed, now joined by Tony and Laura, before a final Full Fathom 5, a fabulous coffee and a half on keg of the Fierce and Verdant 01 Citra hop series, which went down far too well.
This was also the last shift at Shakespeares by Adam, very much a man of Dronfield, who will soon be moving up the hill on the other side of the road to the Crow Inn. I look forward to seeing you there soon mate!
All in all I have enjoyed every one of the events I have attended at Sheffield Beer Week 2019 and am now looking forward with just as much anticipation to a similar robust roll call of beery delights in the event next year. Well done to Jules and Will and all their many friends and volunteers in the brewing and pubs sectors who helped to once again make this a fantastic Sheffield Beer Week.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
I have to admit that I do not know how to spell Bluvver Duck. I mean, I know that duck is correct but it could likewise be Bloover....to those that don't know, which many now include me, the phrase, in my experience, was used by my Belper born Mum instead of bloody. It seemed that during her childhood in the fifties that was too rude a word to espouse, and she used said phrase to avoid contempt. I was going to call the post "Fuck me sideways, its Sheffield beer week!" . And that's swearing. As a former manger used to say. There. Am glad we sorted that out....
Five years ago the wonderful Jules Gray assisted by numerous friends and fellow beer enthusiasts including my chum Clare, set up a celebration of all that is beer in Sheffield, and all that is good about it. This has since grown to include the Fem.Ale celebration of women in beer along with Indie Beer Feast, a festival of beers and breweries held in Abbeydale Picture House. This year, and previously, numerous pubs have put on showcases of numerous beers from numerous breweries, so here is a flavour of what I have enjoyed this year.
Monday night I headed to BrewDog to taste some excellent Left Handed Giant beers. I started with a half o their excellent Out of Sight, a four hopped 6.6% IPA. I also tried a third of their own Juicy IPA, as well as a third of their Paradox Islay. Its worryingly easy to sup at 14% and the hit of the peat and smoke comes in the wonderful aftertaste. Am not sure if this was in aid of Sheffield Beer Week but it was a great start to the celebration anyway...
On Tuesday I met my friends Vikkie and Matthew in Shakespeares where they were serving the excellent Amundsen Dessert in a can beers on draught. Given that they are all over 10% I only had two, the Coconut chop chip cookie and the pecan and maple pie imperial stouts, in thirds. I also had a pint of the excellent Vision Quest 7% IPA on cask, and a pint of the four way or more way Hop City Colab IPA. I then popped over the road to Bar Stewards to enjoy a pint of a Verdant beer and a beer whose name has since escaped me. Can't think why....
On Wednesday I popped into Shakespeares once again to enjoy a hugely satisfying pint of Turning Point Vision Quest, before meeting Reason, Gazza, Suethebrew and Dave and Patrick in the Bar Stewards for a pint of Loka Polly Spur, and to grab a final bottle of Yellow Belly. This was mostly part of their excellent South West Tap Takeover, although I understand there was a delivery issue with the Deya which may not be on yet...
On Thursday I went to see a gig by a "duo" and popped in the Rutland Arms first for a pint of Blackjack and a ridiculously strong and similarly delicious third of De Molen imperial stout, from a frankly amazing range of beers including Siren Maiden 2018.
My last "do" was at Shakespeares yesterday. Having taken the day off to recover and to arrive early I didn't actually get there until about 13.45, to behold and hugely enjoy the North versus the rest of the world Tap takeover. North Brewing had very kindly agreed to put five or six special keg lines into cask and these were competing with a range of keg lines from a variety of international breweries. I started on a half of the Dots and Loops, a super hazy DDH IPA at 6.5% that woke my palate perfectly. I then risked a pint of one of my all time favourite beers, North Transmission, a fabulous 6.9% IPA on cask at £4.20 a pint. This was despatched swiftly, and was frankly wonderful. After this wonderment I then had further, a half of their excellent Ursa Major, an extremely drinkable and joyously hopped DIPA at 8.1%.
One thing that I did like was seeing the stronger cask beers served in more appropriate, usually keg and can beer glasses - especially sine the transfer from Keg to cask was done so well and with such success.
More Transmission followed, now joined by Tony and Laura, before a final Full Fathom 5, a fabulous coffee and a half on keg of the Fierce and Verdant 01 Citra hop series, which went down far too well.
This was also the last shift at Shakespeares by Adam, very much a man of Dronfield, who will soon be moving up the hill on the other side of the road to the Crow Inn. I look forward to seeing you there soon mate!
All in all I have enjoyed every one of the events I have attended at Sheffield Beer Week 2019 and am now looking forward with just as much anticipation to a similar robust roll call of beery delights in the event next year. Well done to Jules and Will and all their many friends and volunteers in the brewing and pubs sectors who helped to once again make this a fantastic Sheffield Beer Week.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
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