Stuart's Beer Page

Personal notes about Pubs round and about West Street in Sheffield.
Miscellaneous pictures, in and around the pubs on West Street
Good news ! Beer is good for you.
Good news ! Beer is good for you.
Good news ! Beer is good for you.
Good news ? Lager is good for you.
Good news ! Beer fights cancer.
Good news ! Beer not fattening: official.
The Campaign for Really Authentic Pubs C.R.A.P.
Tetley Brewery visit report.
Toilet visit the most important room in a pub.

mmmm ... beer

Some personal beer notes.

Tetley's Bitter

The 'Prince' of bitters. I discovered a liking for this when I lived in Leeds. ( The home of Tetleys ). Although not considered to travel well, there are several pubs selling an excellent pint in Sheffield. Warrington Tetley's ( Tetleys brewed at their Warrington plant ) is a different kettle of fish. Best avoided because it tends to be brewed for 'foreign' palates.

Stone's Bitter

A native of Sheffield and an excellent substitute should you be forced into a pub not selling Tetleys. As with all beers, go for the hand-pulled version over the electric or gas powered beer.

Ward's Bitter

Another Sheffield brew. It is an acquired taste, difficult for the outsider to appreciate. After many years of trying this has still escaped me. The name is locally pronounced to rhyme with 'Bards' but with double or treble the vowel length.

NB Neither Stones nor Wards brew beer in Sheffield any more. I believe their bitters are brewed elsewhere in the UK, but as I have not sampled them, cannot comment on their authenticity or goodness.

John Smith's Bitter

The one good thing I can say about this beer is that it is consistent. Wherever you go in this fair land, you know that the Johns Smith's you are given will be the same quality and flavour. The taste is not my favourite, but if caught thirsty in foreign parts (London , East Anglia etc.), a body knows what he will receive. Apart from a slight difference in texture, the electric and hand pulled varieties are identical. (and I suspect the 'Smooth' variety just has added Fairy Liquid.)

Theakston's Best Bitter

I recently had the privilege of sampling this bitter in Masham, where it is brewed. As I have always maintained, this is an excellent bitter, and my first choice to quench a thirst after strenuous exercise. (Climbing a mountain, a 50 mile bike ride or walking to the pub.) That having been said, I think it is a bit low on flavour and for a 'session' would prefer something more tasty.

Theakston's XB

This has all the flavour (and more) lacking from their Best Bitter. It is, I think, my favourite tasting beer. Unfortunately it is too strong to be drunk in quantity (by me) and I have to resort to normal strength beers if I am to last the evening.

Black Sheep Bitter

This outstanding bitter is also brewed in Masham. (By, I believe, a renegade member of the Theakston's family) Tastier than Theakston's Best Bitter, it was my choice for a 'session beer' while I stayed in the environs of North Yorkshire.

Beery Links.

HomeBrewTalk.com - Home brew forums.

Pub Explorer - very informative

The Real Beer Page

Send somebody a virtual, beer-related postcard.

Adnam's Brewery

Bateman's Brewery

Black Sheep's Brewery

Tetley's Brewery Wharf

Bass Ale Web Site

The Firkin Info-List v2.4

The Campaign for Real Ale N.B. I no longer support this load of anoraks since they excluded the Red Deer from their good beer guide for serving cider (of all things) in a manner they considered inappropriate. What this has to do with the quality of ale escapes me.

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