July 2023. Sheffield.
One of the big draws of a move to Yorkshire was the ferret racing Sam Smiths pubs.
But no sooner than I arrive than Sir Humphrey started closing them, albeit for completely understandable reasons like “failure to serve Humphrey’s favourite pudding“.
So imagine my delight to read better news in the Sheffield Star last month;
“Sheffield pubs: Pledge to reopen Old Mother Redcap, Bradway, Cow and Calf, Grenoside and Royal Oak, Ulley“. All three of those would be bonuses.
Of course, the pledge is actually to reopen those when Sam Smiths finds a suitable management couple willing to clamp down on swearing, mobile phones, children and fun, and the article “urged anyone interested in running them to get in touch“. Mrs RM and I will NOT be applying.
I was also shocked to see the Brown Bear closed for a bit last month, too, but Sam’s central Sheffield star bounced back in time for Tramlines (joke).
Just as well, or Stafford Paul would have no reason to return to Sheffield.
At the bar, there’s copies of Sam’s glossy publication listing all their expensive bottled beers, with barely a mention of the draught.
Luckily I had my vintage Kodak on me so I can bring you the evidence that the OBB at least is up to scratch.
Cool and rich, a confident NBSS 3.5 to mark its return. Despite its abundance of cask riches Sheffield CAMRA have put the Brown Bear in the Guide regularly over the years, so who know what GBG25 holds.
It’s not as if Sheffield lacks places to get good beer for half the price of London, but I guarantee there’s some relieved Old Boys celebrating this quick reopening.
I reckon we might have to wait a bit longer for the rest.
retiredmartin 
“Just as well, or Stafford Paul would have no reason to return to Sheffield” except that there would still be the Bath Hotel, Fagan’s and the good company of both PubMen.
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I still think you’d be loathe to visit knowing the Brown Bear is temporarily shut, Paul ! I notice it was also shut for a while 5 years or so ago, so not a unique challenge.
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But with it open I should soon consider Sheffield for £7 return ( bus pass + Derbyshire Wayfarer ).
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The Flemish Bond brickwork is by far and away the best thing about the Brown Bear, I’d say.
Over the years I must have spent more than a month of my life in there.
That’s more than enough.
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Good grief.
I find it really hard to spend a prolonged time in there when I can’t use my phone to plan my next bit of travel.
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Wonder if they’ll ever reintroduce cask Museum Ale.
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I hope so. You never know with Sam Smiths; the reintroduction of cask OBB to Sinclair’s caught us unaware.
Museum was the first Sam’s beer I ever had, at the (recently re-opened) Swan in Holmes Chapel in 1996.
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I love the Sam Smiths pubs. Just a shame about the beer, and now – the prices! I refuse to pay £6-7 pounds for fizzy keg.
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Where is that, Morten ?
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London! I paid £6.20 in a Sam Smiths pub in Fitzrovia in May. When there are great pubs, even in London, where you get good cask for less than a fiver, I can’t see the point of being ripped off by Humphrey.
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Blimey. I knew London prices were up but that’s daft.
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I know the one you mean Morten.
Yes, there are far better pubs nearby. Even the GK one.
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