Breaking beer bite news!

Just a quick extravasation of pulsing beer facts tonight.....

The Three Cranes, Queen Street, Sheffield, Reopens!

(Rumour Mill win....)

Its official launch night is still 48 hours away but as of Monday 10th October 2011 the 3 Cranes was open and serving a range of real ales and most other drinks (snacks en route ) accompanied by a decent selection of piped music ( so often dreadful but, as demonstrated by the Red Deer, potentially brilliant) to test customer interest and levels of trade.

Inside there doesn't appear to have been radical change, likely just a clean up, but the island bar has been retained, and flyers are available now proclaiming this new addition to the real ale scene in Sheffield, in an area sparse on choice, despite obvious bibulous choices Fagans and the Three Tuns being nearby.

Friday i am told promises live music and a full selection of real ales and draught continental beers and crucially snacks. For this visit, it was notable that nearly all the handpumps were in use, dispensing : Stones Bitter (£2.55 a pint ), Westons Old Rosie, Sharps Doom Bar (possibly not yet on ) Abbeydale Moonshine, Blue Bee Bees Knees bitter (pending) and an excellent pint of Blue Bee Nectar Pale Ale (£2.70 a pint).

Although its not strictly in the city centre, the prices bode well, since previously, despite the efforts of numerous licensees, the strangulating policies of the pubco's made beer expensive, and even as long ago as 1995 I considered the Three Cranes the most expensive pint in Sheffield, long ago breaching the £3.00 a pint mark for real ale. The recent sensible pricing policy will hopefully entice customers back to this venerable paradise quarter venue.

And in other news....

Anglers Rest Millers Dale

Omitted from my last essay was news of the Anglers Rest Millers Dale. Out on a Monsal trail amble appreciating the tunnels recently, I forgot to mention that I visited the Anglers for a mid walk pint. On the bar were 3 real ales, including Adnams Southwold and local brewery Storm Silk of Amnesia, at below £3.00 a pint. This proves that you can get decent local ale from within 50 miles in a traditional pub and not pay bistro prices. Looking forward to visiting again in the next few months.

Wee Beefy.