THE STAMMTISCH AT ST. MARS OF THE DESERT

March 2026. Attercliffe. Sheffield.

Quosh was in town, headed for St Mars of the Desert; I felt duty bound to save him a seat.

20 minutes along the Five Weirs path from the KIT to SMOD, where you wait outside the Smallest Carrot.

I guarantee that The Smallest Crarrot will be a craft bar, exclusively serving carrot sours and carrot cake before the decade is out.

If the KIT is Sheffield top cask outlet then SMOD is definitely its most celebrated keg taproom.

I joined a queue at opening time and took stock of an exciting looking barrel.

So new it’s not on the menu,

this Red Lager looked like it wouldn’t last till Quosh arrived.

Nuremberg style Rotbier with proper Northern head, it was sensational (I think, it was a long day).

Almost beer garden weather outside, but I like watching the bar. Two tables reserved, I took a seat at the end of the “sharing table” noted by Boak & Bailey, which also has a Stammtisch sign. Does that mean you can only share if you’re a regular ?

For ten minutes after opening folk came in, saw me at the end of a table for six saying “please, it’s a sharing table“, eyed me up and moved on.

I have that effect of people. It seemed people would rather get wet outside than share. But eventually a few folk took the bait.

I’ve had mixed feelings on SMOD; interesting but carbonated beer, a difficulty getting a seat where I felt comfy. But this was great, and the soundtrack (Flamin’ Goovies sounding very Stooges here) was a perfect volume.

Quosh turned up, complained I’d made him drink strong beer (the 9.5% Bebe Sauvage), but you have to, don’t you ?

Blimey, aren’t thoses glasses magnificent ?

11 thoughts on “THE STAMMTISCH AT ST. MARS OF THE DESERT

      1. Jess, who is not given to emotional hyperbole, said that Rotkäppchen, an homage to the red beers of Nuremberg, nearly made her cry.

        Oh, they seemed to like it. I wonder what you’d think, Paul.

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      2. Apologies, but have been absent from commenting, and blogging, due to continued IT issues, this time affecting my desktop.

        Yes I was a regular subscriber to NME, before it went all political. “Sounds” was a much better read IMO.

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  1. Flaming Groovies. Wow. Had the vinyl, still have CD. Teenage Head best song? Partial to Shake Some Action & Yesterday’s Numbers. Thanks for the memories

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    1. I think any teenage Brit who read the New Musical Express in the late ’70s/early ’80s would be familiar with the name Flamin Groovies without knowing any of their songs ! I think I may have got them mixed up with the Raspberries in my memory !

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