“FFS, not the craft bar !”

February 2025. Sheffield.

Consternation in CAMRA-land at the imminent closure of Torquay’s Hole in the Wall, pretty much the only pub worth leaving the upcoming Members Weekend.

Luckily for Paul Mudge, I have found an alternative “venue” to take him to during the interminable discussions on the definition of real cider or another pointless change to NBSS, and it’s seemingly Torquay’s only hipster craft joint;

Actually, TQ Beerworks has cask beer scores of three pint pots, so I might just persuade the Stafford Mudge here.

Pic What Pub

Or, perhaps not.

“Getting Paul Mudge Into A Craft Bar” is one of the many fringe activities at CAMRA’s annual shindig, and persuading Will Larter to join me for an (unwise) half of keg last Sunday was almost as challenging.

But you can’t come to Ecclesall Road,

home to 13.5% cocktails,

and Snuff Mill Lane,

without acknowledging a bit of craft (& berry).

Neighbourhood bottle shop/craft bar, with a speciality of 12.2% Triple Choc Imp Stouts.

I know who’d love this place you know, and they live in Blackpool, not Stafford or Sheffield.

I had a half of the fruited sour collaboration between folk in Mold and Waterbeach, wherever that is.

Gorgeous, but not one for the lacings fan.

The lovely owner came and said hello, Will looked a bit disgruntled, I made a mental note to bring Mrs RM here once they extend the tram line out west.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

10 thoughts on ““FFS, not the craft bar !””

  1. Accommodation booked, trains booked, I should be looking forward to Torquay.
    Well I am really, Paddington’s Victoria on the way there, bus for Paignton on Friday evening, train for Newton Abbot on Saturday evening and Shepherd Neame’s finest in Mabel’s Tavern on my way home.
    I can’t wait !

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      1. No, but probably Uttoxeter on the Monday.
        For after Torquay I am considering Edale on a Saturday with my Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket so maybe you and Martin could join me for an OBB in the Brown Bear and a pint in the Sheffield Tap.

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      2. I have an idea for a Channel 4 reality TV show where the people in the Vaults in Uttoxeter are moved into a trendy craft bar in Stafford and vice versa and have to debate Discourse topics of the Day for cash prizes.

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      4. It seems like the “like” button has been permanently disabled, so I’ll just have to write out in full that I really like your idea for the game show. Do the winners get half a bottle of stale Doom Bar?

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    2. I wondered why I hadn’t been to an AGM since 2019 in Dundee, but then remembered it was a home fixture in 2023 and COVID scuppered 2 years, with family dramas in the Eastbourne and Dundee years.

      I really ought to make it to Torquay and do my first Devon pubs since completing the Guide.

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