twobeergeeks` Sheffield Pubs of the Year 2018

Here we go, yet, again! Now then, our list is a dynamic one, subject to change; although most of our opinions are pretty closely matched, there are one or two places that certainly divide our opinion a little. To be honest, this list has been a reyt royal one to do, based on a few texts and stuff but the last one annual appraisal bagged 10000 views!  We cogitated and contemplated ish upon beer quality and selection firstly, and then the pub itself and service provided. Our scoring system is not set in stone because those three selection criteria can vary in importance so we have additional points available for whatever takes our fancy:-

1. Shakespeares- Retains top spot. Many great events, consistent quality ale at Sheff-friendly prices with enthusiastic, expert leadership. A butty for < £1. Close but winner by a head or so. Cheers!!

2.  Rutland Arms (Up 1! )-  amazing beer (and food!) and inventive events aplenty. Super soild leadership and staff much-improved. On the up, still.

>>> Top 2 so close regarding beer. Service strong at both now. Mebbe investment into pub next....

3. The Bar Stewards (NEW!) - it took us a while to warm to this place but we`d now call it as the city`s finest micro-pub. Small in stature but punches well above its weight now under the esteemed daily leadership of Jase Kerr.

4.  The Beer Engine -  a great spot for the discerning drinker. Now added fire power with even more keg lines! Quality. And food, and still below the radar of many visitors.

5. The Wellington (NEW!) - THE transformation on Shalesmoor! Beautiful considered refurb with plenty of tasty beer, always including Neepsend`s newest offerings and a back bar. Great work.

6. The Sheaf View (DOWN 1) - Super reliable. The pub for all people in all seasons. Dan`s local.

7. The White Lion  (DOWN 1) - Beautiful boozer offering a reyt ale experience. Cornerstone of the `vegan quarter` with proper pizza next door and other offerings so close too!



Green with envy!?

8. The Beer House (DOWN 1) - a lovely place to refuel after a stroll on Eccy Road or a play in Endcliffe Park..

9. The Broadfield  - always attentive staff, lush interior and another strong year on the beer front. Truly TN`s best boozer, although Waggon deserves a mention too! Both have beer AND food!

10.  Brewdog (NEW!) - been lurking for a good while but 2018 has been a decent one on Div Street to say the least. A big step up with the top takeovers and Tramlines at Brewdog was INSANE. Bossman  Matt must be mega proud!

All the Brews!

(NEW! = New place in our top 10.)                              2015 list HERE

So, two of the Birkett portfolio in our selection but none from Thornbridge again this time.  Most intriguing will be the Kelham Island Tavern -  a few barbs aimed at 2BGs in the past but new custodians and so we look forward to seeing the KIT in it`s 21st century guise. Also the usual footnote that we tend to drink in South West Sheff plus the city centre with occasional wander to the Kelham Island area so there are a few contenders that we rarely visit TBH. Shout up and we`ll endeavour to visit soon!

That is all. Peace. Mike `n` Danny x

2BG`s Beers of the Year 2018

OK. So this is impossible really. Last year, we didn't even try but, this year, we have a little list of memorable beers. No winners, just lots of admirable ales. We believe that beers can be situational and subjective; if that fourth pint of Magnet after a point away at Oakwell was your best then... that's fine.

Ergo, in no especial order, the Best of British:-

Imperial Cherry Stout - Marble . A Winter beer supped at a Summer bottle share but still epic. Limited edition too. Deep and rewarding.

A rare marvel, indeed.

Green Path IPA by Burnt Mill at The Broadfield. This Sussex, possibly Suffolk, brewery do occasionally appear at select spots around the Steel City. Tidy tackle. Trust. 

One true path.

Divine Elements by Black Iris. Again, this was possibly at the Broady too. Great beers these days, this Derby collective have moved up many a gear over the past 18 months or so.

The Green Tea one - Abbeydale and the Birdhouse Tea Company. Summer supping. Refreshing and beautifully balanced. A meeting of marvellous minds, we think.

Also, along the same lines, Gunnamatta from Yeastie Boys. A stronger brew, 6.6% from Berkshire.

Loopaloosa - by Neepsend Brewey at Bar Stewards and the Sheaf View and Steel City CAMRA festival. OK, we can`t really recall what it was called but it was one of the very finest beers from over 100 already produced by Neepsend at Neepsend. Award-winning ale from one of our own, we've enjoyed it on keg and cask . Great job.

Brut IPA by Almasty at the Steel City fest. One of 2018's break-through brewers at another fantastic Sheffield CAMRA beer festival. We both like this new style but, between Dan and Wee Beefy, this cask didn't last long. Abbeydale do a decent Brut too fwiw - Splash It!

Pressure Drop`s Mimic -  was also a moment to remember at Kelham Island museum.

Sounds of Islay - Buxton from their Cellar bar. Big and smoky. Nice place (small and not smoky).
We loved Buxton`s Cranachan this year too. Many supped and a glorious result when Danny took this to a Beer Central bottle share. Winner!

To the regiment----- !

Tokyo, Dog G and I Wanna Be Your Dog - Brewdog. Really can't say enough good stuff about the beers at our most local anarchistic ale providers. A bar for all seasons, we have seldom been short of a decent drink on Division Street in 2018. The G had SSSOOOO much going on but nailed it. Coffee, habaneros, chocolate - yes! AND then age on rye whiskey barrels. 17% or something? Heavyweight and probably the Champion. This year has been a good one, especially if you like the dark side...

THE G.

twobeergeeks` Brewery of the Year 2018

So, with no further ado, in fact no do at all, we are pleased to announce our Best Brewery of 2018 as …….  Torrside Brewing!

Following in the footsteps of previous winners Neepsend, Hop Jacker, Lost Industry and last year's victors Abbeydale Brewery, Torrside have caught our eye with some monstrous efforts. OK , these guys aren' t quite as `local` as our previous winners but they're not too far away. Despite only being founded in 2015 as a home-brewing collective, this innovative New Mills` beery brains-trust are pushing boundaries and testing tastebuds .  Us two are in agreement (for once!) that, just ahead of North Riding Brewery and ever-improving locals Abbeydale, Torrside deserve our accolade this time around. Core beers are solid but their Monsters series are absolutely (and appropriately!) out of this world! To be honest, some of them sound like they might not 'work' but they just do. Genius. And beyond!

That won`t work! Will it?! (with Mashtun & Meow).

`Power Stance` was a collaboration with expert enthusiasts Jim and Laura Rangely (aka blog-sperts cum brewery bods Mashtun and Meow) showcasing a super-strong ginger beer. Meanwhile Torrside`s `No More Tuesdays` (an Imperial Blonde with Raspberries and Bergamot) was sublime and placed a proud second at a hugely competitive Beer Central Bottle Share in August. Sampled at the event, held at The Wellington, the Blonde, fruity, slightly sour but with earl grey tea notes. went down wonderfully well, losing narrowly to a marvellous Marble brew provided by White Lion Jon, the smug so and so......

All the ale with Beer Central. Marbleous.

The artwork on the bottles is courtesy of Emma Sidwell (a part of the family , we believe - ?), and certainly helps Torrside to stand out from the crowd. Keep an eye out for them! Look at local experts Beer Central, Hop Hideout and Dronfield Beer Stop for your best bet.  Try a Torr - you won't be disappointed!

And got these two lined up next!!!!

Last year`s selection - HERE !

               http://twobeergeeks.blogspot.com/2017/12/twobeergeeks-brewery-of-year-2017.html

                                                                          2016? here