retiredmartin

April 2025. Sheffield.

Not only has the UK got a trade deal with the US of A to sell them Pipers crisps at only 10% tariff, we’ve also got a heatwave, that if we can just forget is due to global warming will boost our spirits and tourism immeasurably.

The emergence of the sun in Sheffield brings folk to the pub, much like the Eloi drawn to the sphinx by the air raid alarm.

I set off for Kelham, determined to find a decent non-alcoholic beer.

Ninkasi’s bottle shop has lots of low ABV check-ins on Untappd, but is resolutely closed, so Sardinian restaurant Domo is mopping up the early evening trade.

If in doubt, pop in the Fat Cat, I guess.

Sadly, it’s dropped the amazing home-cooked food for now, but there’s still pies (resist, resist).

And in normal circumstances this is one of the best places anywhere to while away an afternoon,

but it’s 23 degrees (US – quite warm, thanks) outside and the garden is packed with young Kelham.

But there’s some plain tables facing the Kelham Island industrial museum,

and I take the last one to try and enjoy my bottle of Erdinger (NA).

And I almost succeed, honest. £3.40 for a properly brewed German import served cool in its own glass, I could do this.

Except, after 10 minutes, even the Moretti/Guiness/Budweiser/Sol (not a pint of cask in sight) looks appealing, and I go in search of Proper beer.