Andy C Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 The 900 members of the Sheffield & District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale were recently invited to vote for their favourite real ale pubs in Sheffield and North East Derbyshire, from a shortlist of pubs that are either listed in the Good Beer Guide or have won a Pub of the Month award in the last year. Two winners are announced, a Sheffield Pub of the Year, which goes forward into the Yorkshire regional round of the national competition, and a District Pub of the Year which goes forward into the Derbyshire heat of the East Midlands regional round of the national competition. This year has seen an encouraging number of new entries in the top twenty, including the Wig & Pen and Dove & Rainbow in the City Centre and the Coach & Horses in Dronfield amongst others, and in all these cases it is recognition that the management and staff have put in a lot of hard work to make their pub amongst the best. It is also good to see such diverse styles of pubs and bars - there are real ale showcase pubs, traditional locals, smart city centre bars and gastropubs, cosy country inns and music based venues, all with one thing in common - quality real ale. The Sheffield (and overall) winner is once again the Kelham Island Tavern. The Kelham has up to 10 real ales on the bar at a time - three regular beers, the rest constantly changing, there is often something you have never tried before. The pub has friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere, is always perfectly turned out and has an award winning beer garden, quite an achievement given the location! The District winner is the Grouse at Longshaw. The pub is a very pleasant country pub in a remote spot by Froggatt Edge run by a very charming couple who have been in charge for many years now. They know their regulars by name and treat them almost like one of the family, and new customers are also made very welcome. The beer range consists of up to four 'popular classics' such as Banks Bitter and Caledonian Deuchars IPA, always in good condition. THE TOP 20 01 Kelham Island Tavern, Kelham Island 02 Fat Cat, Kelham Island 03 Bath Hotel, City Centre 04 Commercial Inn, Chapeltown =5 Hillsborough Hotel, Upperthorpe =5 Devonshire Cat, City Centre 07 Rising Sun, Nether Green 08 Sheaf View, Heeley 09 New Barrack Tavern, Hillsborough 10 Ranmoor Inn, Ranmoor 11 Wellington, Shalesmoor 12 Grouse, Longshaw 13 Harlequin, City Centre 14 Wig & Pen, City Centre 15 Coach & Horses, Dronfield 16 Dove & Rainbow, City Centre 17 Cobden View, Crookes 18 Red Lion, City Centre 19 Millstone, Hathersage 20 Fagans, City Centre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gularscute Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 I can't believe Fagan's was at the bottom of the list! What it lacks in the amount of real ales it more than makes up for in quality not to mention the atmosphere, history, music and a fantastically eccentric landlord. It's the least trendy and pretentious out of all the ale pubs of Sheffield, a wonderful dusty gem that sticks with what's important in a pub. Sheffield will crumble to dust the day that Fagin's becomes something else. I'm not keen on the Devonshire Cat or Wig and Pen but otherwise it's a good list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ousetunes Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 I can't believe Fagan's was at the bottom of the list! What it lacks in the amount of real ales it more than makes up for in quality not to mention the atmosphere, history, music and a fantastically eccentric landlord. It's the least trendy and pretentious out of all the ale pubs of Sheffield, a wonderful dusty gem that sticks with what's important in a pub. Sheffield will crumble to dust the day that Fagin's becomes something else. I'm not keen on the Devonshire Cat or Wig and Pen but otherwise it's a good list. In a way I prefer it to remain largely unknown. You're right, it's an absolute gem but let's keep that to ourselves eh? Also, a mention for the New Barrack Tavern. Don't be put off by its exterior; this place is a real ale gold mine. A dozen real ales and to top it all, a jar of pickled eggs on the back shelf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank1985 Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Can't believe the commercial was only 4th?! People dont know what they're missing on the outskirts of the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
npatchett Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I know, I'm amazed too. Especially after we gave everyone lovely free food at the Pub of the Month award last year. ;-) I thought that would have "bribed" our way into the number 1 spot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasilRathbon Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I know, I'm amazed too. Especially after we gave everyone lovely free food at the Pub of the Month award last year. ;-) I thought that would have "bribed" our way into the number 1 spot! Assuming you're one of barstaff at the Commercial, whilst I'm very fond of your pub myself, I took a couple of non-real ale drinkers in there last year and they hated it. Said it was tatty, the seats were uncomfortable and the whole place smelt of chip fat! Still, you can't please everyone and I'm more than happy to drop in for one of your occasional Durham Brewery ales whenever I'm passing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasilRathbon Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I can't believe Fagan's was at the bottom of the list! Slight pedantic point - it's at the bottom of the list of the top 20. So it's still judged to be one of the 20 best pubs in Sheffield (out of 500 or so?) so this is still a positive recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaks Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I can't believe Fagan's was at the bottom of the list! What it lacks in the amount of real ales it more than makes up for in quality not to mention the atmosphere, history, music and a fantastically eccentric landlord. Fagan's is a good boozer, however this is for the Real Ale Pub of the year and most of the pubs on the list are superior when it comes to the range of ales available. Fagan's only ever has two ales on which never vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gularscute Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 In a way I prefer it to remain largely unknown. You're right, it's an absolute gem but let's keep that to ourselves eh? Also, a mention for the New Barrack Tavern. Don't be put off by its exterior; this place is a real ale gold mine. A dozen real ales and to top it all, a jar of pickled eggs on the back shelf! I take it back Fagins is terrrible, they never have karaoke, 80s theme nights or tooth shatteringly cold Carling. Where is the giant Connect 4 and Jenga for flip's sake?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy C Posted April 10, 2008 Author Share Posted April 10, 2008 I know, I'm amazed too. Especially after we gave everyone lovely free food at the Pub of the Month award last year. ;-) I thought that would have "bribed" our way into the number 1 spot! Actually that 4th place spot is something to be proud of as the top 3 are all more or less city centre, so that gives the Commercial the title of best suburban pub in Sheffield! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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