retiredmartin

March 2025. Sheffield.

Last week on CAMRA Discourse I attempted to inflame a lively debate about reducing the number of Beer Guide entries by declaring that cask beer in GBG pubs was, all things considered, pretty good.

“My own experience of visiting over 500 GBG pubs in the last year is that only a tiny number scored below NBSS 3, which to me reflects well on the ability of local CAMRA branches to select quality pubs for inclusion in the Guide.“

This appears to be a heretical position, with much of Discourse raging about poor cask quality (often in other branches, not their own, it has to be said).

And my apparent generosity in NBSS scoring isn’t down to only going to renowned ale shrines,

though if I did only visit the Kelham Island Tavern I could push my average up from 3.3. to 4, easy.

But I hadn’t been in the KIT for nearly a year, as I’m all about new and shiny. Talking of which, Goole pubs up next.

I don’t actually have a lot new to say about Sheffield’s best pub for beer (in a crowded market);

Will was otherwise engaged so I couldn’t buy him a pint of the latest iteration of the Blue Bee Five Hop,

in pretty much perfect condition*, even if the Tavern seemed to be going through a rare quiet spell.

It filled up a bit, and not with the CAMRA crowd either, younger chaps in what appeared to be Hawaiian shirts asking if they could pay in Euros.

I had, unwisely, a sensational Sureshot stout, which is hard to say when you’ve also had a “fruited IPA” from Deya to finish.

I always finish my hour in the KIT with a half of something daft on craft, just to see the foam rise when you decant it into the pint glass.

Everyone needs a tradition.

*I scored it 4.5 though, as it’s common knowledge that NBSS 5s are discounted as perfection is impossible (unless it’s Doom Bar) or something.