Local

Hello,

       we are quite spoiled in Sheffield in having so many great pubs - not just the nationally known and renowned valley of beer destinations, but also some classic country boozers on the outskirts and a good mixture of traditional and more modern venues in and around the centre.

When choosing where to rest my hat, I'm an after work kind of person when it come to pubs - because with Shakespeares, the Kelham and Cat, and the Harlequin and Riverside only minutes away, going home first just seems daft. However, one of the problems with this is that unlike a couple of years ago, I now don't seem to go anywhere local in Handsworth for a pint.

Don't get me wrong there isn't exactly a lot of choice - as an example, I almost popped in the White Rose earlier out of curiosity, to see if the latest landlord was selling real ale, knowing if it was it would be Tetleys, but I really couldn't be arsed. Up the road the new Sword dancer pub is the proud purveyor of perhaps the worst selection of drinks in South Sheffield, with a reported (albeit a couple pf months ago) range of Guinness, a.n.other lager and Strongbow. The Turf has been resolutely non real ale for yonks and despite its rebranding am not sure if the advertised real ales at the Handsworth Inn were a token gesture. There are however, two stalwarts still flying the flag. The Old Crown, and the Cross Keys.

Miss N had never been for a drink in Handsworth and I was telling her about the dearth of venues one day when we realised that our expedition to fetch ingredients for a dish of lemon potatoes and roast veg had been missing one product - potatoes. So we walked up to the shop at Handsworth top and having secured our important goods decided to pop in the Cross Keys.

As well as being interesting for having part of the building situated in a graveyard and therefore assunedly being on consecrated ground, as well as the unusual mish-mash of different ages of building that comprise the pub, not to mention its inclusion on the regional inventory, the Keys also serves real ales. I've written before about the peaks and troughs of its fortunes since I first drank in Handsworth in the late nineties, but unless I'm mistaken the present incumbents seem to have been in charge of the Keys for a while now, bringing some much needed continuity.

It was warm and very busy when we arrived. I'd hoped to show Miss N the paralleled room at the back but it was completely packed so we sat in the main bar and got ourselves some beer. The Golden Pippin had run out - this has been on sale numerous times over the last five years at the Keys, so is presumably popular. The Old Peculier seemed a bit heavy for a starter so we had pints of Tom Woods Gold at 4% and £2.90 a pint.

There were plenty of groups of locals of all ages drinking in the Keys and the pub was reassuringly abuzz with conversation, and seemingly free of half nursing wash-back sippers - everyone seemed admirably thirsty. We drank our beers in keeping with the preferred speed of he locals and went to get more pints. The Tom Woods ran out but the landlady very kindly gave us what must have been at least two thirds of a pint for free, whilst we moved onto the OP.

Despite growing up hundreds of miles apart, somehow myself and Miss N seem to have both had teenage real ale initiations on Old Peculier. I don't drink it very often but it doesn't seem to have changed. It was about £3.20 a pint (I didn't check) and was the ideal tipple to protect us against the biting winds on Handsworth Top.

It was a pleasant change to sit in a traditional locals pub supping real ales on a Sunday evening, when each beer seems to taste all the better for being the last thing you treat yourself to after or before your Sunday meal. It was free of tickers and cocktail orderers and oak aged raspberry stouts.  It was busy and full of people who knew each other and enjoyed the company of others. It was warm and comfortable and friendly. And evidence that despite Sheffield's riches in the Valley of beer and beyond,  I don't think my drinking life could be considered complete without a quality pub within walking distance, with a warm welcome and decent real ale.

Cheers!

Wee Beefy

Handsworth supping - Cross keys and Old Crown Handsworth Road

Hello again,

some news from much closer to home now re the pubs of Handsworth. I am focusing on the two pubs that sell real ale for definite and that I know are good, and leaving for another time the subject of the New Crown which may now have given up on real ale altogether, and the wannabee restaurant that is the White Rose, my nearest watering hole which I almost never visit on account of it being a bit grim.

So, on the 1st of May, having recovered from our skip filling exploits, which was the way we chose to celebrate the royal wedding, me and Waarf went for a wander through Bowden Woods, a short amble that I suspected would take us to Handsworth top after a while, and thus promised a pint or two.

The woods look fantastic at the moment, the unbroken sunshine and lack of rain has meant the paths are bone dry and easily passable (notably the unfavoured ones that head off into the undergrowth where briefly, you can imagine you aren't sandwiched between a dual carriageway and a housing estate), but also the flora and fauna is in bloom and there are bluebells and other green shoots in the dappled light to enjoy.

Of course, its difficult to spend more than 10 minutes in Bowden woods without encountering a retard on a mini quad or trail bike tearing up the path, usually to the delight of a gawkish crowd of easily amused simpletons, or young people as I call them. Mind you, lets be clear, this is not a mono generational phenomena, quite often doting law breakers come along to see their water headed offspring zoom around illegally on footpaths in the best countryside for miles around. On this occasion, a mixed bunch of adults and the larger infantile were amassed at a cross section cheering on an unseemly quiche of Johnny no stars as they attempted to race around every path or track in the woods, and who delighted in racing past us at 30mph, much to the assembled morons pleasure.

Somehow we escaped unscathed, but annoyed at having the peace and of course the law, broken by irresponsible persons, only to get through the second part of the woods and out onto the path to Richmond road to observe a gang of mini quad riders speeding towards us in unison, their faces covered.

Naturally, if you have an inbuilt tendency towards selfish stupidity, this is quite normal behaviour, but on planet earth it shouldn't be. So, and this is not an excuse, I promised myself that I had good reason to be ready for a life soothing drink at the pub when i had finished the walk with Waarf.

We walked along the road straight on towards the allotments and up the path across the field to the church before Chala announced that she wanted to go in the Cross Keys. Once in there, I noted one handpump had the clip turned round, but didn't mind as Cocker Hoop was still on, but when the barman went to pull it another staff member told him it had gone - he stopped as I sighed at the expected alternative, but didn't turn the pump clip round. I have to be very calm to overlook that deceit.

So, with only the grimly innocuous malt and water mouthwash of Bombadier, once a beer that actually had ingredients in it, on offer, Chala checked if I wanted to stay. Of course, I'd have rather gone for a better range elsewhere but I checked twice that there was something she wanted and proceeded. Having got my pint, Chala then ordered a coke with ice. Inspired.

In the end, more out of annoyance at earlier events, and that we could have been having something that wasn't a Bombadier and a coke, I had two pints, before we sloped off home for a very nice meal.

The next day, having missed my chance before, I went to the Old Crown on me tod and was very surprised to see 3 White Rose brewery beers on offer. I had a pint of their Spring Hoppiness, which was quite nice but a bit tired and cloudy, and then a pint of the better Hopping Mad, which was similar, but clearer and with a little more bite. I also had a chip butty to soak up the effects of my lunchtime tippling, before treating myself to a final half of the Blonde - the Hopping Mad had run out. Mind you, as I sat back down, the landlady very kindly came over with a free half of the beer that had just run out. Full marks then to the Old Crown for having something different on and being generous to boot.

So, back to today, and after painstakingly pissing away two hours uploading losing and moving parts of my last post, we went on said walk again, this time undisturbed by the great unthinking, and walked, through the lesser used paths, all the way from Handsworth Avenue entrance to the bridge out of Bowden woods, in silence, and dappled sunshine.

Feeling a bit devil may care, we then headed for the TPT towards Beighton but took a walk across the playing fields, shortening our walk to Handsworth top by a few minutes. This time I insisted on The Old Crown being first choice, although to be fair to the Keys, it was rammed, so perhaps they had got 3 beers on this time?

Alas we shan't find out as we went in the Old Crown, and found 3 White Rose ales on offer once more. Their Blonde appears to be the regular, the Spring Hoppiness was on the same pump but this time clearer and fresher, and the unfortunately named Kate's Willy was on pump 3. I tried 1 pint and a half of the spring offering, and, despite misgivings about a potential cheap novelty ale bandwagon, I did try their royal wedding ale, which wasn't as good as the spring beer.

Also, whilst stood at the bar I noticed a Spire Golden (something) Ale pump clip above the bar, suggesting perhaps they have had it in the past, or it will be coming on soon. I get the feeling that the Keys is owned by a pub company, or certainly that they have a say, and this is a crying shame. On a purely aesthetic note I much prefer the Keys, and I think both of them are selling real ale at the same price, £2.65 a pint, but consistently the Crown comes up with interesting or just generally better beers, and for that reason, is currently nudging ahead in my Handsworth affections.

Lets hope then that the choice, assuming these are the only two choices for real ale drinkers in Handsworth, long continues.

Wee Beefy

Sheffield pubs update

I am finally back on the site after B.T contrived to piss away my Internet connection for 3 weeks and my computer got ill - twice. Its still not fixed but can now mercifully access tinterweb, and here I am to bring you up to date.

Me and Davefromtshop, Wee Fatha and Mr P went to the South in October - a detailed trip report will follow in the next few weeks.

For now, I am able only to update you on dearest Sheffield and its weird beery ways.

The Blake on Blake Street has reopened, possibly but not definitely 4 years after anti competitive pub closure specialist enterprise inns ( although you could insert the name of any faceless bank owned foreign pub company ) closed it and put a restrictive covenant on the lease preventing its reopening as a pub. This weak minded two fingers to free trade was designed no doubt to protect other nearby gems they owned that didn't sell real ale, seemed unnervingly similar to other pubs and were being run into the ground to prime them for housing stock. It says a lot about the company's interest in viable pubs, and about how crap they know some of their boozers are....

Mercifully the pubco lost and James Birkett of Sheaf view pedigree has opened it up selling a range of ales, bottled foreign beers and cider. Its changed a bit since my last visit 11 years ago, when I recall only the far side of the bar area and part of the room with the entrance now in it. Perhaps the passage of time has made me remember it smaller than it is now…

Anyhoo, supposing you are fit you can reach it by walking up Whitehouse lane then Burgoyne road from the Hillsborough Hotel and across the park, or downhill from South road, likely Industry Street and right at the bottom.

Have only made it in twice but the highlight last time ( apart from the range and the convivial atmosphere ) was the Globe porter from Glossop and a Dark Star IPA.

Up in sunny Handsworth changes are afoot, albeit slowly.

I may have previously mentioned that the Cross keys was up for sale, or it maybe just the lease - not very good at technical and legal stuff am afraid. Landlord Lee has decided to move on to another challenge and although he was in before Christmas on my last 4 visits there have been other people behind the bar.

It’s a real shame, but, possibly down to the uncertainty, or perhaps because the beer is cheaper next dooreven after a winter price cut at the keys, there seems to be considerably fewer customers in these days. Not because of that, but I wasn't in at new year as I usually would be, and a friend of mine reported the pub virtually deserted after 22.00. I know myself that in the past after an initial scrum from 20.00 to 21.30, from 22.00 is a quiet period and then it fills up again nearer 23.00 and onwards, but that sounds like bad news. Poor trade begets poorer trade, people are maybe less inclined to visit if it always seems empty. Mind you, as a miserable arse whinger I quite like the silence, but not at the expense of viability. And I can confirm that the beer has been fine or every good the last 4 times have been in.

Meanwhile the Old Crown continues to sell Bradfield and Acorn beers and now advertises Marstons, and real ale is £2.30 a pint. The added attraction of Zlatec lager on draught, giving the non real ale masses a decent alternative to lemonade like Carlsberg, perhaps helps explain the pubs popularity.

Food is available now, am cerain there are no kitchen facilities in the Cross keys, and as far as I know the accommodating side still operates. The sad thing is, whilst a pub selling local real ale is a bonus, one wonders if this is a sign that Handsworth with its recent traditions of dreadful pubs and dreadful beer, can’t support two real ale pubs.

Previously the unshakeably Whitbread tinged New Crown was the flagsip with two real ales on and food available. I went in the New Crown about 9 months ago, only to find one real ale and the loudest and most antagonistic licensee/landlord you could meet, ramping up football rivalries and behaving generally in the manner of someone who he should have been asking to quieten down or leave.

The Magnet was the sacrificed ale, which now I suppose is the case across the UK, but that only leaves Greedy King old speckled hen. So unimpressed was I by this great example of how not to run, and encourage all the worst aspects of a pub, I have not been back to see if they have persevered with the GK ale.

The Turf, which is a very traditional pub in terms of interior and exterior, is another I have not visited for ages, but this time years. That said, the pub itself seems very nice, its just that they never have, as far as I know, sold real ale, so I have supported those that have instead. Meanwhile, the White Rose has those huge long swan neck dispense things and may not sell real ale anymore, and the Norfolk Arms is a nursery.

Just a 10 minute bus journey towards Attercliffe and the excellent Sportsman continues to do well and sell one or two real ales, regularly showcasing beers from the excellent Barlow brewery and Concertina, and this week those from Grafton in Worksop.

Paul tells me he has some Barlow Imperial Stout ageing in the cellar along with some already vintage last rites. I believe last time it was on the last rites retailed for £3.00 a pint, although I wonder if this will change for the matured version. Full marks though to Paul for his dedication to real ale and sensible prices, and to his customers who are never afraid to give him feebdback on the beers, and aren't frightened of the stronger brews which so rareyl make it on to the bar in Sheffield these days....

Finally, news from new regular Wee Beefy venue the Rutland Arms on Brown Street. There are about 8 handpumps dispensing local and further afield beers from micros and the occasional regional, as well as an absurd number of ciders, and draught and bottled continental beers including Vedette. Food is good and sensibly priced and served until 20.00, or it might be 21.00. There is often a beer from new brewing outfits in Sheffield such as those operating on others plant, like Blue Bee and Steel City Brewing.

The final draw I have to say is an incredible juke box with a fantastic range of music - although being an old before my time 36 year old it was really only 70's rock, blues and a few decent early noughties metal tracks that I parted with my money for.

Heartily reccommended.

So that just about wraps up the Sheffield scene for now.

Hopefully I will have chance to update more regularly in future, to Tell you, amongst other things, about my Lincolnshire and South Derbyshire trips and Huddersfield escapades.



Wee Beefy.