Hello,
after last Friday and Monday's announcements by the government about restrictions on movement and socialising, a point reiterated a number of times since, I thought I might try remembering the sort of things I got up to in the recent past. Admittedly some shops and breweries are doing deliveries but lets be honest, even home delivered bowze comes no where near the enjoyment of meeting up with friends, or strangers, in an excellent boozer and drinking the night away in company. To which end I thought I might try as best as my slightly less effective brain can manage, to recollect those same halcyon days.
Its probably a year or two ago that I first came across Salt Beer. I recall I was in my second home, Shakespeares, and found an IPA or possibly a DIPA from the same on keg, at a very reasonable price for it's strength. Not only that but I was equally surprised by its flavour - well balanced, fruity and hoppy but without any lingering sweetness.
After this episode I saw them a few times more and I may have purchased a can from Beer Central - although I may have not - but despite enjoying the first two I tried I was still somewhat concerned. Am guessing it must have been their residing in Saltaire that reminded me of some of the rather disappointing and middle ground market led beers of Saltaire Brewery, whose brews I had quickly started to avoid for fear of the way their flavour profile had changed. Against this backdrop, I was interested then to see their cans in Bar Stewards, selling at a comparatively low price, and was pleasingly chuffed when I started tasting them.
Suddenly they were launching - or perhaps I should instead claim all along they had been launching, hoppy and fruity beers with sufficient bite and citra notes to blend well with their background bitterness. In effect this describes many of the beer styles that I love, but I was sufficiently impressed to try a couple of IPA's and, if am right, as well as a DIPA.
As my supplies of scran and beer dwindles pre payday, I found that I had two Salt Beer Factory beers left, and last night I tried a can of their Alpaca, a 6.6% DDH IPA with tropical flavours and once again very well balanced by the bitterness. What's more, and I realise I perhaps favour this more than necessary, the beer was unfined and therefore reassuringly cloudy. I still find it disappointing to hear drinkers observing a beer with a sign below, or indeed written on the clip, stating that it is unfined and therefore cloudy, claiming that this fact alone means the beer is off. Sadly that still happens, but luckily this has not dissuaded Salt from encompassing this process, and as a result, their beers are blessedly easy to drink.
During a recent conversation in Bar Stewards it was suggested that a former Cloudwater brewer or other employee had moved to Salt. Whether this is true or not remains irrelevant as, although they might share the latter's reluctance to confirm the hops used, they also share the ability to make excellent beers. And as I have previously pointed out, it had got to the stage in a number of cases where knowing the hops and yeast used perhaps changed the level of enjoyment based on the gaunt spectre of expectation. Their beers are good, tasty, and accurately described. That matters, and is an aptly satisfied desire.
Once we escape from the stultifying doom of isolation I am indeed looking forward now to seeing their beers both on keg and cask - although, if am honest, am not certain whether they do the latter or not.
Either way, I shall anticipate the next tasting of their brews with confidence.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Friday, 27 March 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
Tuesday, 17 March 2020
The Oxbow
Hulloo again,
a month or two ago myself Tash and Matty bumped into veritable Sheffield beer legend Peter Hudson, wot rites the Sheffield pub blog - here is his blog address link: sheffieldalepub in Two Sheds on Crookes. I had already noticed, perhaps through the drinking craft beer in Sheffield group on Faceache, that a new micropub had opened in Woodhouse Mill, and he had been days earlier. After a debate about where it was (given his surname he referenced Hudson Lane) we had a good chat and I was pleased to hear him tell me that it was exactly as described on their Faceache page and was very enjoyable. So on the 29th February, now over two weeks ago, I planned my first visit.
Walking to the bus stop the trip started well as a 52 Stenchcrotch bus turned up first - the Wirst 52A am fairly sure does not go up Furnace lane but the 52 does - that said I alighted on the last stop on Retford Road to catch a glimpse of the bus timetable coming back for later, before walking round the corner.
Described by some friends as Purdy's, which was, or probably still is, very nearby, this micropub sits at the junction of tiny Hudson Lane and the busy Furnace lane, and has a sign outside, although outside drinking is not allowed unfortunately. Inside, on the bar are four handpumps with four beers on cask from the past and four kegs from the future, including Freedom lager, and a dark beer, as well as possibly a box of cider, along with wines and canned beers in the fridge.
I started on the Toucan play at that game from Brew York, an American pale ale at 4.5% on cask. This was ludicrously easy drinking and I was back in ten minutes for another. An excellent start. After this I got a pint of Heathen on keg from the future and sat by myself near the door assessing the wines before chatting to the man who runs the bar, who comes all the way from daarn saarf in Essex. It was good to chat to him about his venture and also his plans for the future - he suggested he was thinking of widening his can and bottled beers choice and recently on Faceache I saw him post that he had a number of decent cans - although, alas, a check of Faceache just now suggests I may have imagined this - he is called Dave by the way, and the lovely lady who also served me was probably called Rachael - both fine folk!
On my third pint I was starting to get hungry - and they have a good range of snacks and other snafflements. From the box on the left end of the bar I went for a pack of Ten Acre "when chicken got barbecued" crisps, which are vegan approved, as well as a small bag of Posh Nosh Southern Chipotle bites. Both were well priced, and crucially, delicious.
Dave had told me that they were putting a fourth keg on soon and it was a Buxton IPA. And at 18.30 this did indeed happen, resulting in my coming away with an absolutely cracking soupy IPA at about 6.5% on keg from the future. This slab of hoppy delights was very easy to drink and finished the night off a treat, and although I had to leave at 19.50 to head into town I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my nearly three hours at this excellent establishment.
Wishing all their staff and customers the very best of health, and of course luck with trade, over the coming months (what with the restrictions which are being put in place). I look forward to seeing you all again in April.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
a month or two ago myself Tash and Matty bumped into veritable Sheffield beer legend Peter Hudson, wot rites the Sheffield pub blog - here is his blog address link: sheffieldalepub in Two Sheds on Crookes. I had already noticed, perhaps through the drinking craft beer in Sheffield group on Faceache, that a new micropub had opened in Woodhouse Mill, and he had been days earlier. After a debate about where it was (given his surname he referenced Hudson Lane) we had a good chat and I was pleased to hear him tell me that it was exactly as described on their Faceache page and was very enjoyable. So on the 29th February, now over two weeks ago, I planned my first visit.
Walking to the bus stop the trip started well as a 52 Stenchcrotch bus turned up first - the Wirst 52A am fairly sure does not go up Furnace lane but the 52 does - that said I alighted on the last stop on Retford Road to catch a glimpse of the bus timetable coming back for later, before walking round the corner.
Described by some friends as Purdy's, which was, or probably still is, very nearby, this micropub sits at the junction of tiny Hudson Lane and the busy Furnace lane, and has a sign outside, although outside drinking is not allowed unfortunately. Inside, on the bar are four handpumps with four beers on cask from the past and four kegs from the future, including Freedom lager, and a dark beer, as well as possibly a box of cider, along with wines and canned beers in the fridge.
I started on the Toucan play at that game from Brew York, an American pale ale at 4.5% on cask. This was ludicrously easy drinking and I was back in ten minutes for another. An excellent start. After this I got a pint of Heathen on keg from the future and sat by myself near the door assessing the wines before chatting to the man who runs the bar, who comes all the way from daarn saarf in Essex. It was good to chat to him about his venture and also his plans for the future - he suggested he was thinking of widening his can and bottled beers choice and recently on Faceache I saw him post that he had a number of decent cans - although, alas, a check of Faceache just now suggests I may have imagined this - he is called Dave by the way, and the lovely lady who also served me was probably called Rachael - both fine folk!
On my third pint I was starting to get hungry - and they have a good range of snacks and other snafflements. From the box on the left end of the bar I went for a pack of Ten Acre "when chicken got barbecued" crisps, which are vegan approved, as well as a small bag of Posh Nosh Southern Chipotle bites. Both were well priced, and crucially, delicious.
Dave had told me that they were putting a fourth keg on soon and it was a Buxton IPA. And at 18.30 this did indeed happen, resulting in my coming away with an absolutely cracking soupy IPA at about 6.5% on keg from the future. This slab of hoppy delights was very easy to drink and finished the night off a treat, and although I had to leave at 19.50 to head into town I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my nearly three hours at this excellent establishment.
Wishing all their staff and customers the very best of health, and of course luck with trade, over the coming months (what with the restrictions which are being put in place). I look forward to seeing you all again in April.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Monday, 16 March 2020
Indy Beer Feast 2020
Artnoo yall,
this year I was lucky enough once again to be able to return to the Indy Beer Feast at the Picture House Social in Abbeydale, sunniest Sheffield. And indeed it was sunny - despite my recent neshness I was so warm when I walked down the road that I even rolled up my sleeves - and I was only wearing three layers. Unfortunately this "hot" weather at 11 degrees also warranted an unpleasant appearance enroute by what I described as the recalcitrant unwashed. I know we have far fewer belting hot summers but I think my recently added non use of public transport may warrant an extension if we ever get hot weather....
Once inside, and having introduced myself to a lovely lass who wanted to meet me based on my name on the list (this one, obvs) I walked into the festival and immediately started assessing the beers on offer. Many stood out but alas, having foolishly paid all my bills this month including Stepchange, I was down to just £9.00 for bowze. To start a trend of thirds, having spoken to folks from Lost Industry, I started at Black Iris.
One of the issues of having had about three phones since 2012, along with a potential movement of staff, is that its difficult to keep in touch with folk. On my third phone ago I used to have the numbers of two people, one of whom I may still be friends with on Faceache, who both worked with Black Iris brewery. Alas despite often tasting and enjoying their beers at the Broadfield, and then much further afield including a beer festival at the Flower Pot in Derby, am not sure I ever met them - and am equally unsure that I kept their numbers. Introducing myself to the chap serving he didn't know who I was - and fearing looking a trifle foolish I quickly ordered my third of Lavender Grisette at 4.3% and made my way to seating. The beer was lovely by the way, as are all their beers.
After a quick look at the rather excellent range on offer at Turning Point who are almost entirely likely to be based in or from Kirbymoorside near York, I spotted my friends at St Mars of the Desert. I wandered over for a gawp at their ales and a chat and started on a third of their 6.9% Fieldmouse's Farewell, described as a golden and an extremely well rounded sup. After a lengthy chat, including my making both Martha and Dann chuckle by stating that I had never seen his equipment on full display - you had to be there.... I sat down for a while before having a chat with a guy called Brett at Cloudwater's bar. Alas I could not take the opportunity to try anything because it was cash only and I only had 80 pence in my account but it was good to chat to him about their output and also to finish my beer, before moving onto the Abbeydale Brewery bar.
Having bumped into Dave Pickersgill once again and tried a mouthful of his super strong tasting BA 1868 at 11.7%! I went lower next with a third of their 4.3% Not just a phase, a citrussy well hopped pale brewed especially for beerweek. Having thoroughly enjoyed this, as well as taken a few stickers and badges as well as welcoming Christy with another excellent cask, I turned back up the hall and went to visit Torrside.
Torrisde, as any fuel kno, are based in New Mills in Derbyshire. And am certain their brewery tap will be open again soon - they do shut it in February and January as its too cold to heat with its ludicrously high ceillings. I enjoyed my catch up with two men who had human names, as well as trying a third of their Valour, a whopping 7.7% 1917 recipe imperial stout. Whilst there I also tried a taste of their Dogs of War bottled Eldeberry Barley Wine at 10%, before heading up to see the folk at Lost Industry.
By now I was starting to get quite cold - my sleeves had been rolled down by now I should point out - so I asked for a taster of their recent Wild honey Braggot. Am unable to remember it's strength, so no change there then, but I did thoroughly enjoy it and my catch up with those that I chatted to. Next I moved onto both the Double Barrelled and Orbit beer stands. At Double Barrelled, whom I suspect may be from Reading,, I tried some of their excellent Parka, a 4.5% Citra Dry Hopped Pale, and at Orbit I purchased a delicious third of their Nico Kolsch lager. As well as a couple of their beers on draught they also sold large strong bottled versions for a tenner each - and the Kolsch was excellent. I also found time to have a quick chat with the lass behind the Anarchy Brew Co stand, and to point out that the last time I had tried one of the beers she had on was up in Berwick, which is at least nearby their brewery...
My last stop was once again at St Mars of the Desert and I finished on a third of their Long Way Round - a truly excellent Citra NEIPA at 5.4% brewed with Young Master, which is either an ingredient, a person, or a copy of an early Jackie Chan film.....
I said my goodbyes to Martha and went and sat up at the top with a man from Doncaster who I have seen since but cannot quite remember the name of - really interesting to meet a man of his slightly older age who was more than happy to try keg beers in what was after all, an almost entirely keg only festival (there may have been hand pumps on the Thornbridge Bar but am not sure....).
Thank you once again to organiser Jules who provided me with a trade ticket, and to all the amazing brewery staff and their equally excellent products which managed to provide an excellently wide ranging selection of delicious potations for everyone to try. And, as with last time there wasn't a bad beer on and all the brews were reasonably priced.
Really looking forward to returning in March 2021 for the next Sheffield Beer Week Indy Beer Feast!
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
this year I was lucky enough once again to be able to return to the Indy Beer Feast at the Picture House Social in Abbeydale, sunniest Sheffield. And indeed it was sunny - despite my recent neshness I was so warm when I walked down the road that I even rolled up my sleeves - and I was only wearing three layers. Unfortunately this "hot" weather at 11 degrees also warranted an unpleasant appearance enroute by what I described as the recalcitrant unwashed. I know we have far fewer belting hot summers but I think my recently added non use of public transport may warrant an extension if we ever get hot weather....
Once inside, and having introduced myself to a lovely lass who wanted to meet me based on my name on the list (this one, obvs) I walked into the festival and immediately started assessing the beers on offer. Many stood out but alas, having foolishly paid all my bills this month including Stepchange, I was down to just £9.00 for bowze. To start a trend of thirds, having spoken to folks from Lost Industry, I started at Black Iris.
One of the issues of having had about three phones since 2012, along with a potential movement of staff, is that its difficult to keep in touch with folk. On my third phone ago I used to have the numbers of two people, one of whom I may still be friends with on Faceache, who both worked with Black Iris brewery. Alas despite often tasting and enjoying their beers at the Broadfield, and then much further afield including a beer festival at the Flower Pot in Derby, am not sure I ever met them - and am equally unsure that I kept their numbers. Introducing myself to the chap serving he didn't know who I was - and fearing looking a trifle foolish I quickly ordered my third of Lavender Grisette at 4.3% and made my way to seating. The beer was lovely by the way, as are all their beers.
After a quick look at the rather excellent range on offer at Turning Point who are almost entirely likely to be based in or from Kirbymoorside near York, I spotted my friends at St Mars of the Desert. I wandered over for a gawp at their ales and a chat and started on a third of their 6.9% Fieldmouse's Farewell, described as a golden and an extremely well rounded sup. After a lengthy chat, including my making both Martha and Dann chuckle by stating that I had never seen his equipment on full display - you had to be there.... I sat down for a while before having a chat with a guy called Brett at Cloudwater's bar. Alas I could not take the opportunity to try anything because it was cash only and I only had 80 pence in my account but it was good to chat to him about their output and also to finish my beer, before moving onto the Abbeydale Brewery bar.
Having bumped into Dave Pickersgill once again and tried a mouthful of his super strong tasting BA 1868 at 11.7%! I went lower next with a third of their 4.3% Not just a phase, a citrussy well hopped pale brewed especially for beerweek. Having thoroughly enjoyed this, as well as taken a few stickers and badges as well as welcoming Christy with another excellent cask, I turned back up the hall and went to visit Torrside.
Torrisde, as any fuel kno, are based in New Mills in Derbyshire. And am certain their brewery tap will be open again soon - they do shut it in February and January as its too cold to heat with its ludicrously high ceillings. I enjoyed my catch up with two men who had human names, as well as trying a third of their Valour, a whopping 7.7% 1917 recipe imperial stout. Whilst there I also tried a taste of their Dogs of War bottled Eldeberry Barley Wine at 10%, before heading up to see the folk at Lost Industry.
By now I was starting to get quite cold - my sleeves had been rolled down by now I should point out - so I asked for a taster of their recent Wild honey Braggot. Am unable to remember it's strength, so no change there then, but I did thoroughly enjoy it and my catch up with those that I chatted to. Next I moved onto both the Double Barrelled and Orbit beer stands. At Double Barrelled, whom I suspect may be from Reading,, I tried some of their excellent Parka, a 4.5% Citra Dry Hopped Pale, and at Orbit I purchased a delicious third of their Nico Kolsch lager. As well as a couple of their beers on draught they also sold large strong bottled versions for a tenner each - and the Kolsch was excellent. I also found time to have a quick chat with the lass behind the Anarchy Brew Co stand, and to point out that the last time I had tried one of the beers she had on was up in Berwick, which is at least nearby their brewery...
My last stop was once again at St Mars of the Desert and I finished on a third of their Long Way Round - a truly excellent Citra NEIPA at 5.4% brewed with Young Master, which is either an ingredient, a person, or a copy of an early Jackie Chan film.....
I said my goodbyes to Martha and went and sat up at the top with a man from Doncaster who I have seen since but cannot quite remember the name of - really interesting to meet a man of his slightly older age who was more than happy to try keg beers in what was after all, an almost entirely keg only festival (there may have been hand pumps on the Thornbridge Bar but am not sure....).
Thank you once again to organiser Jules who provided me with a trade ticket, and to all the amazing brewery staff and their equally excellent products which managed to provide an excellently wide ranging selection of delicious potations for everyone to try. And, as with last time there wasn't a bad beer on and all the brews were reasonably priced.
Really looking forward to returning in March 2021 for the next Sheffield Beer Week Indy Beer Feast!
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
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