Ship Inn Shalesmoor

[DnAuK]

If it has had sediment removed in the brewing process it won't have gone through secondary fermentation in the cask/keg so cannot be real ale. Real ale doesn't need gas adding as the secondary fermentation process creates a natural sparkle, again if gas is added it is no longer considered real ale.

 

In the old days the comparison was real ale on cask was the traditional quality option whereas keg was the poor quality option that was all about mass production at the lowest possible cost and designed to have a long shelf life with gas added to breathe a bit of character into it. Probably a modern example of poor keg beer is John Smiths Smooth.

 

Nowadays there are kegged beers brewed with a committment to quality ingredients and bold flavours. Some have yeast sediment and some don't, most are served with gas added for carbonation. These are the ones branded as craft beer.

 

That is why I suggest these days you look up and down the handpumps and 'craft' keg fonts and try the various beers and styles and drink on the basis of what you think tastes good and what you enjoy.

 

When we talk of CAMRA - the campaign for real ale - promoting the real ales is the organisation's heritage and that is focused on, but as a beer drinkers consumer group looking to where we are today there is no big need to campaign for good beer to be available - we currently have an embarrasment of riches in that respect, at least in Sheffield anyway - where the campaigning is needed and focused now is supporting pubs with issues such as tax, pub company regulation, planning rules etc - so we have places to drink all this great beer!

 

So anyway, with talk of pubs that brings us nicely back on topic to the Ship Inn... as you have read above the refurbishment is underway and it looks like the Ship should be back in business towards the end of the month.

 

Good news!

 

So... an ale that has gone through the bottling process and had yeast added back to it to encourage secondary fermentation is real...? Or not? This happens in some key kegs too. And nice sidestep of the 'bright beer' question at your CAMRA festivals. I know you had several of these at Sheffield last year. ;c)

 

Personally I don't care whether an ale is real or not. Most of the best beers in the world would not pass your definition, yet I would habve been a poorer man had I not tried them. My issue is with those who simply won't try something because it's not classed as 'real'. An argument I know you witnessed at the awards night at Thornbridge Hall earlier this year. And as much as I like the comedians Ellis James and John Robins - their insistance that Brewdog is nothing more than fizzy grapefruit beers show they have never tried Dogma either. One of the best beers in the world IMHO.

 

Back on topic though, is it true that the Ship will mainly be tied to Greene King? Because if so that's disappointing.

[jemson]

I`m hoping the addition of the new Ship and new Welly will encourage me to venture from Shakey`s when in that part of town. I used to do the trail from Harle but rarely find much of interest at KIT and don`t like Fat Cat tbh.

[DnAuK]

I`m hoping the addition of the new Ship and new Welly will encourage me to venture from Shakey`s when in that part of town. I used to do the trail from Harle but rarely find much of interest at KIT and don`t like Fat Cat tbh.

 

You and me both mate

[Norbert]

FAO Chalkboard

 

Please encorage the new owners to keep the pool table and to serve 'til midnight and you've got 4 regulars guaranteed.

[DnAuK]

FAO Chalkboard

 

Please encorage the new owners to keep the pool table and to serve 'til midnight and you've got 4 regulars guaranteed.

 

Ooh. Real ale pub + pool table? You're going to upset a lot of people, you know that, right? Next you'll be asking for music or, God forbid, sport on the TV...

[Norbert]

Ooh. Real ale pub + pool table? You're going to upset a lot of people, you know that, right? Next you'll be asking for music or, God forbid, sport on the TV...

 

I can't just rub pomade into my beard and take tasting notes all night you know.

[TJC1]

You know by adding a rustic chalkboard youve just added 50p on the price of a pint....thanks for that

[muddycoffee]

And another thing that wonderful 1970s interior better be intact otherwise there will be hell to pay.

[Bilge]

If they don't completely ruin the inside it could be a really good pub. Thousands of people pass every day and so it's well known even if you've never been in. It's bang opposite Shalesmoor tramstop so very convenient for transport and the other cask ale pubs.

 

The Wellington/Cask and Cutler is also nearby but it's not very welcoming to non-enthusiasts (i.e. most people). I hope the Ship aims to cast its net wider.

[muddycoffee]

Unfortunately I have seen a picture of the inside taken through the window and the inside appears to have lost all of its classic features. No doubt the owners feel that a unique pub is not wanted and a bare shouty interior with acoustics like a school classroom with bare walls is what is required now.

 

A very sad outcome.