Sheffield – Kelham Island Tavern

This is the only pub that has won the CAMRA national pub of the year for two consecutive years and it has won a host of branch and regional awards as well over the years. It was a derelict pub pulled back into use by Trevor Wraith in 2001, a perhaps unlikely location at first sight to have been saved, with the landlord only retiring earlier in 2019. Under new landlords, the pub has continued its policy of having around thirteen real ales available, with a mild and porter always on that list of options.

We were delayed a little by a rather out of their depth group of customers who seemed to be already intoxicated and loud, being demanding and frustrating to the staff. However, once free of them, the atmosphere at the bar improved somewhat.

The selection of beers, an excellent choice which is to be expected from a pub with such a positive reputation. I went for the Dead Disco from Chin Chin Brewery, which was fine but it was called a Mexican stout because of the chilli, and that element was perhaps just a little lacking. Anyway, a rather special pub and they have a collection of old Good Beer Guides and it was very lovely to be in such an award winning location.