July 2026. Sheffield.
As you’ll know by now, I care little about beer, but much about beer quality in pubs. Perhaps only someone who’s had an NBSS 5 Doom Bar and an NBSS 2 Harvey’s Sussex will understand the distinction.
In truth, I reckon cask quality has got a little worse over the last year or two, having improved post-COVID. Even in Sheffield.
But that’s only an opinion, I’d look to Sheffield Hatter for the objective Truth. Time for my quarterly visit to the UK’s top pub for quality.
Kelham Island changes,
but the Tavern changes not.
If anything, it gets better, whether due to a wider catchment of potential locals as the flats go up, or because of those links with Blue Bee Brewery that only Will understands.
I started with another Sheffield brewery,
Duality’s Hazy Pale being cool and chewy. A bit too intense, but that’s the beer, not the pub.
If that’s a 4, the Blue Bee Five Hop (version 90, and the Sheffield Hatter probably has samples of all 90 in Panda Pop bottles) was “superb !”, and it’s vital you add that ” ! “to your comments on the CAMRA website or they won’t let you give it top marks (“Excellent”) and these things matter.
Just as importantly, the KIT was ticking over nicely with nice people. I got chatting to a lovely chap called John, here (2nd right) with his mates of 50 years in their Prog Rock band.
Catch them in the Grove in Leeds on 1 August*.
*Unless Rockin’ Rich’s band are playing the same night.
retiredmartin 
Love that pub. Very welcoming and the decor just makes me want to stay. Beautiful.
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Always nice when you get a seat in the main bar. The conservatory feels very distant.
My main issue is why other pubs can’t serve beer as well as the KIT.
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I think i’d go see that band instead of us !!
The pub, one of my Sheff favourites, and that beer looks good, sorry Excellent!.
I found two pubs today that had only one cask on (presumably drunk dry after late opening for the Eng match) and plumped for the St Austell Tribute over the Doom bar, even though i’m about equidistant from Snozzle and the actual Doom bar at the minute. Doom is not for me, esp not now Eng are through to the last 8, and USA are out.
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But ARE the USA out? Surely best of 3, or some appeal process ?
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Trumps Cheaters Team thrashed by plucky Belgium says the headline in my head…..
Roll on Sat 10pm, but will you be watching it in a pub on the Camino trail…??
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I should visit
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You really should, Morten ! (though you have exceptional pubs down your way)
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