August 2023. Kelham, Sheffield.
I realise that I’m the Pollyanna of pub blogging and my relentless positivity must be crushed, but it must be said; beer quality this year is the best I’ve ever had.
Take August. Average NBSS score of 3.43, with 3 the normal minimum for GBG entry. Obviously when CAMRA branches do their stocktakes (looking at you, Norwich) they count the handpumps, but it’s the quality that counts. Let’s hope it survives the late summer heat.
The highpoint came in Kelham Island on a Friday afternoon.
OK, OK, it’s the Kelham Island Tavern, one of the top cask pubs in the world, it should be good (and always is), but it was better than that.
I’m there because Will has invited me to join him and his mates to discuss Luton’s chances of winning the Premier League this season.
To protect their identity I’ll call them “Paul” and “Jeff”, two of the cheeriest folk you could meet despite one of them living in Rotherham. “Jeff” lets me photograph his notes, conscious that this is the pub history that will eventually end up in the Pub Museum in Wolverhampton Spoons.
I ask the barman what I should have and he says the Blue Bee Triple Hop and of course it’s as close to a 5 as you’re allowed to give once you’ve given the one 5 you’re allowed as a CAMRA life member. Annual CAMRA members can score a beer 5 EVERY year.
“Jeff” tells me the Harley sells good Doom Bar, but instead of heading straight there I have a North Riding (NBSS 4.5)
and then an unwise Torrside beer that’s 8%.
And the Tavern is doing all the magic things it does.
And then everyone goes home. Except me.
retiredmartin 
Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
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As I recall, you could have gone home too but you popped into the Wellington as we were passing. No doubt that will be the subject of your next blog….
I’ve just checked and found that I have only awarded one NBSS 5 at the Kelham Island Tavern this year, a beer called Hop Kettle Element 4.2%, of which I have no recollection whatsoever. I wonder if that was a fat-finger error on the GBG app? I have awarded 25 NBSS 4.5s, of which the largest proportion (seven, or 28%) have been at the KIT. One of the top cask pubs in the world, as you quite rightly say.
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KIT such a special place. How is all that cask kept in that condition? Beer good to exceptional every time I visit. 🫡
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It’s all down to those of us who go drinking there on a regular basis. Rapid turnover means better beer quality.
No need to thank me.
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