Dronfield; it`s not that bad

How do? OK we have a nice little ale amble developing over there in Dronfield, which is not that far from civilisation. Catch 43 or 44 bus or even a cheeky train trip and you`re there. Tha don't even need t'passport!

The Three Tuns is a nice pub especially if you are a fan of Spire beers. This is their tap house and it has many ales on cask. This pub also plays a central part in the forthcoming (and usually excellent) Three Valleys beer festival; there's usually plenty of food on the go and the bar gets busy, busy, busy.

A five minute meander along the A61 and you've got The Dronfield Arms. Again, this place is nice inside, sleek `n` shiny, and the ale offerings have jumped up a league level or two recently. Edd off of / out of (?!) The Bath has arrived as el gaffer so this place is now definitely worth a look. Cheers!

Two minutes away and you can get a pint at the new Dronfield Bottle Stop. There are usually a couple of cask ales available and you can sit at one of the picnic tables inside to enjoy them. When I bobbed in there was Dronfield Pale and the Wild Millionaire, the salted caramel one, on the bar; a decent double act for an offie, eh? The bottle selection itself is excellent locals and national heavyweights like Beavertown and Marble plus a smattering of overseas stars such Mikkeller `n` that.

The walk then to the esteemed Coach and Horses is a little longer, mebbe ten minutes, and so you'll need to grab a seat here and stop a little longer. Get some food too. This is the original and best Thornbridge tap house and they offer five hand-pulls plus some nice kegged stuff alongside a warm welcome from James and the team.

Sheffield and South Yorkshire have a historical habit of expanding it's borders, albeit a century or two ago, but the we could do worse than to take Dronfield under it's RePublican wing. Until then, cross-border raids are the way forward,

Two Ton (11% Double IPA) by Buxton

Now then. Buxton might well be our favourite brewery at the moment. Or it might be Siren. Or possibly Thornbridge. However and whatever, the release of Two Ton was one not to be missed.

Sheffield, being the beer capital of Britain, was afforded a triple- headed launch of the latest legacy from a very Stronge supplier of craft ales. The latest hoppy offering from the High Peak heroes appeared simultaneously today at Beer Central, Shakespeare's (best pub in Sheffield, unless you are a Sheffield Camra Member) and Abbeydale ale experts, Hop Hideout. Oh, and in 8 European countries, la-di-da.

The rebirth of 448 Abbeydale Road dovetailed sweetly with this event as they unloaded this hop heavy hit onto an unsuspecting South Yorkshire (rep)public, and hats off to Jules and Will for their handy DIY-work  in transforming this place into a beery Mecca in double quick time.

Two Ton? Lots on the nose here. Moderately carbonated, you get aromas of grass and pine followed by ripe, deep fruits, mango and maybe even strawberry. The deep amber-caramel body with an off-white head last well whilst a peachy-mango over-ripe hit is complimented by a lingering boozy , bitter aftertaste. The two tons of malt give this brew a balance that belies an 11% DIPA, (which is a full 2% heftier than the Brewdog version. Imperial? TIPA?). hmm, Hardcore, phew!

Hop Hideout V2

Fancy a swift one?

Just a quick heads up and hats off (tricky manouver!) in the direction of our beloved Hop Hideout.

The dynamic duo of Jules and Will have been hard at it this year. Fresh from their hob- nobbing and award-winning in that there London, they have organised all sorts. As previously blogged, Jules (along with Feast and Glory Clare) made a splendid success of Sheffield's inaugural Beer Week. Next HH pulled the strings to help the cool kids at Picture House Social have a blast with their first beer festival showcasing some firkin marvellous ales (check out MnM's mouthwatering review here). Best of all though, they're expanding imminently, and it's nowt to do with over-carbonated keg beers!

From tomorrow (Friday 10th April) they will be moving all the way to 448 Abbeydale Road i.e. next door to where they were previously into what was the Electric Candlelight cafe. It'll be a bigger space to showcase their tremendous ale selection the likes of which I have enjoyed immensely recently, despite still telling folk ,"I don't really drink beer at home." A big Buxton beer will be launched there too; I can't wait to meet Two Ton IPA! This one will also be simultaneously debuting at Beer Central.

Buxton's Berry Saki Bastard (10.1%) went down a storm at Beer Central's 7th Bottle Share.

 Siren keep hitting the high notes too. I loved Love of Work, an easy-drinking Earl Grey 3.6%er.

And Bones of a Sailor is one of the best drinks I have ever had! PX Barrel-aged with big hits of raspberries and chocolate. I know, you need a sit down! Hopefully, Hop Hideout v2 will have a seat or two to allow a leisurely libation from the kegs they plan to have. Also longer opening hours are promised plus it is even closer to the brilliant Broadfield. Spring is definitely here!