The following is a list of breweries that can be found, usually with some regularity, in the Beer Quarter of Sheffield. They can also, in the most part, be found in lots of other places across the country.

Format:
Brewery, Location (with links to web-sites where known)
Pubs in Sheffield that have been known to sell beers by said brewery
Short write-up, where applicable. Some of our info comes from the very handy [[Quaffale]] site.
Recommended Beers: Beer Name (brief revue)
Beers that are Best Avoided: as above (beers of an obviously seasonal nature are not listed, but that is no guarantee that the beers that are listed are regularly available)
Score: out of 10, and based on a sample of at least five beers. Sample: number of beers tasted to date (ratio of good:middling:bad). Last: date of the last new brew we sampled (not necessarily an indicator of availability).
Graph depicts Sample data.
Grey entries denote breweries no longer in operation.
Coloured fields give a rough indication of quality, based on difference between number of good beers and number of bad beers: -3 or worse, -2, -1, 0, +1 to +5, +6 or more.

Abbeydale Brewery, Sheffield The Moon, Kelham Island Tavern, Devonshire Cat Founded in 1996 by an ex Kelham Island brewer. Partial to brewing strong beers with numerologically significant volumes. One of the best 10 brewers on this list. A couple of taps in Sheffield, most notably The Moon. Recommended: Belfry (sour, gravelly, and extremely citrus); Black Mass (rich & fruity); Redemption (bit of turkish delight) Score: 8          Sample: 22 (7:15:0)          Last: November 2008
Acorn Brewery of Barnsley, Wombwell AView Brewer of the Year 2004, 2005 Kelham Island Tavern Set up in July 2003 by a pair of ex-Barnsley brewers at a former Firkin plant. In 2005 it absorbed the liquidated Blackpool Brewery. It is currently one of the top five brewers on this list. Recommended: Barnsley Bitter (pale taste with malt); Forester (pine-ness; fresh, like a glade); Old Moor Porter (carbon) Score: 9         Sample: 37 (16:21:0)         Last: January 2009
Alehouse Pub & Brewing Co., St. Albans, Hertfordshire Kelham Island Tavern Started in 1997 as the Verulam Brewery, it was sold and renamed in 2006. Recommended: When I Go To Brierley Hill (nice woody wheat with sweet end) Best Avoided: Nuts About Beer (nutty edgy is a bit too horse-chestnut); Beginnings (bit bitter and gluey like a picture frame made from MDF) Score: 3         Sample: 5 (1:1:3)         Last: March 2008
Anglo Dutch Brewing Company, Dewsbury Kelham Island Tavern Launched in October 2000. Traditionally, Anglo Dutch beers have had more than a hint of Turkish Delight in their flavour. This has not been the case in more recent brews. Recommended: Grizzly Supreme Ale (jammy) Best Avoided: Devil's Knell (rose turkish delight); Piston Proud (like smoking herbal cigs); Ghoulis Organicus (hint of wood-pulp) Score: 3          Sample: 9 (1:4:4)         Last: October 2005
Archers Brewing & Wholesale, Swindon Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since June 1979. Recommended: Dublin Bay Bitter (mushy hops & lime); Golden (sweet & pleasant enough); Stoker's Thirst Quencher (clean & fresh) Best Avoided: Best (the Andrew Lloyd Webber of beers); Dark Mild (like toilet water); SSB (trainer interior / stale cardboard) Score: 6          Sample: 45 (11:25:9)         Last: April 2007
Bank Top Brewery, Bolton Gardener's Rest Set up in 1995. Recommended: Sir Lamarak (pleasant enough orangey-hued thing with a syruppy edge) Score: 7          Sample: 5 (1:4:0)          Last: August 2005
Banks & Taylor, Shefford, Bedfordshire Kelham Island Tavern Established in 1982. Trading as B&T Brewery. Recommended: Barley Mow (pleasant & well balanced); Black Dragon (bitter & cocoa-driven mild) Best Avoided: Eastcote (chewy bitter) Score: 6          Sample: 15 (2:12:1)          Last: December 2007
Barnsley Brewing Company, Elsecar, Barnsley Kelham Island Tavern Founded in 1994 as the South Yorkshire Brewing Co. Economically unstable. Tied to Blackpool Brewery. Now seemingly completely dead. Recommended: Black & Tan (slightly better than Guiness); Umpire's Finger(quite nice) Best Avoided: Crackle Porter (flat coke), Harvest Gold (creamy), Old Tom (quite footy) Score: 4          Sample: 13 (3:5:5)          Last: April 2005
Bartrams Brewery, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Launched in 1999. Not afraid to vary their flavours. Recommended: Jester Quick One (reddish but very good) Score: 6          Sample: 5 (1:3:1)          Last: August 2006
George Bateman & Sons, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire Fat Cat, Cask & Cutler Founded in 1874. Housed in a sail-less windmill. Best Avoided: DM (stringy fruit cough syrrup) Score: 6          Sample: 7 (1:5:1)          Last: July 2004
Beowulf Brewing Company, Birmingham Wellington, Kelham Island Tavern Set up in 1997. Recommended: Dragon Smoke Stout (like sucking coal, or french-kissing a damp dragon); Chase Porter (coalfire and dog); Wergild (good malty stuff) Best Avoided: Wylfing (sharp; salt water); Cimmerian Gold (cold weak black coffee) Score: 6          Sample: 30 (8:15:7)          Last: September 2008
Blackpool Brewery Co., Blackpool Kelham Island Tavern One of the best 5 brewers on this list. Blackpool's history is very much intertwined with Barnsley Brewery. Initially founded in 1997, they restarted in 2003, but were liquidated in 2005 and bought by Acorn. Recommended: Bitter (hint of nutty fruitiness) Score: 10          Sample: 6 (3:3:0)          Last: February 2005
Boggart Hole Clough Brewing Company, Manchester Fat Cat, Bath Hotel Begun in 2001. Noted for their pump clips made of bits of old tree. They have a certain dustiness to their taste, and so do some of the beers. The best brews are invariably seasonal, and well worth a try. Best Avoided: Angel Hill (bile); Bog Standard (sharp acid; chalky); Tower (watered down whisky with a splash of Fosters) Score: 4          Sample: 20 (3:10:7)          Last: June 2006
Bradfield Brewery, High Bradfield, Sheffield Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since April 2005. Hit the press in 2008 when their shire-horse went missing (it has since turned up again). Some beers have a decidedly Kentish flavour. Recommended: Farmer's Blonde (Kentish and oily) Best Avoided: Farmer's Bitter (farmer's bath-water (farmer has athlete's foot)); Farmer's Brown Cow (slightly musty; old books) Score: 5          Sample: 8 (3:2:3)          Last: March 2009
S.A. Brain & Co., Cardiff Rutland Arms Making beer since 1713. Best Avoided: SA (bland, creamy and nondescript) Score: 2          Sample: 5 (0:2:3)          Last: August 2007
Brewsters Brewing Company, Stathern, Leicestershire Bath Hotel, Kelham Island Tavern As heard on the Food Programme. Founded in 1998. Known for its "Wicked Women" range of beers. Several brews have a sticky Old Speckled Hen sort of taste. Best Avoided: Delilah (canine Benilyn); Lilly (Just unpleasant: chalky and sugary at once, with aftertaste of cheap sweets) Score: 4          Sample: 17 (0:13:4)          Last: June 2007
Broadstone Brewing Company, Retford Fat Cat Brewing since 1999. Ceased production in 2006. Recommended: Longbow (dark chocolate taste but brown colour); Sunrise (like an auntie's house) Best Avoided: Priorswell Porter (like sheep-shit?); Galahad (rancid and turdulent like a septic tank) Score: 6          Sample: 17 (3:12:2)          Last: November 2005
Broughton Ales, Broughton, Biggar, Scotland Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Brewing in an abattoir since 1980. Recommended: Brambling Cross (refreshing; mild fag but nice) Best Avoided: Exciseman's 80/- (like clearing your U-bend with a sausage); Scottish Oatmeal Stout (creamy fruity finish) Score: 6          Sample: 5 (1:3:1)          Last: December 2006
Buffy's Brewery, Tivetshall St Mary, Norwich Kelham Island Tavern Established in 1993. Some of their brews have been a bit perfumy. Best Avoided: Ruby (washing-up; not particularly pleasant) Score: 6          Sample: 5 (0:4:1)          Last: February 2006
Burton Bridge Brewery, Burton-upon-Trent Fat Cat, Devonshire Cat Started in 1982, and one of the top 10 brewers on this list. Some of the more exciting beers have hints of meat pie, as demonstrated below. Recommended: Class Act (reminiscent of the fatty bits of a meat pie); Porter (Burnt caramel and some form of carbon) Score: 7          Sample: 22 (7:12:3)          Last: March 2008
Bushy's Brewery (Mount Murray Brewing Co.), Douglas, Isle of Man Cask & Cutler Set up in 1986, their brews can have a novel paper texture. Recommended: Manannan's Cloak (pale but malty paperiness) Best Avoided: Old Quilliam (manky plastic stuff) Score: 6          Sample: 5 (1:3:1)          Last: September 2005
Robert Cain & Co., Liverpool Fat Cat Cains have been going since about 1850. They're not often especially tasty. Recommended: Traditional Bitter (dark and creamy; a nice session ale) Score: 7          Sample: 5 (1:4:0)          Last: May 2006
Caledonian Brewing Company, Edinburgh Fat Cat Brewing dates back to 1865. Deuchars IPA is close to omnipresent in pubs across the land. Recommended: Deuchars IPA (reaching Landlord-esque levels of variability, and often not entirely dissimilar in taste) Best Avoided: XPA (slightly demerara and a bit sickly) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (2:3:1)          Last: September 2007
Cannon Royall Brewery, Uphampton, Worcestershire Wellington Brewing since 1993. Their beers tend to have a moderate Garden Centre edge. Best Avoided: Oliver's Ale (rather ammonia) Score: 4          Sample: 10 (1:6:4)          Last: July 2008
Castle Rock Brewery, Nottingham New Barrack Tavern, Kelham Island Tavern Started in 1997. A project of the Tynemill pub group. Recommended: Nottingham Gold (acidity & hops) Best Avoided: Orchid (Chris Tarrant: bland with sickening dusty aftertaste) Score: 6          Sample: 20 (6:11:3)          Last: August 2008
Caythorpe Brewery, Hoveringham, Nottinghamshire Cask & Cutler Started in 1997. Flavours tend to be "subtle". Score: 5          Sample: 6 (0:5:1)          Last: January 2004
Church End Brewery, Atherstone, Warwickshire Fat Cat, Wellington Set up in 1994, in a former coffin-makers. Best Avoided: Bats in the Belfry (sickly sweet & chalky); Cutting Ale (like coal polished with Pledge); Grave Diggers (black water with the smell of elastic bands) Score: 4          Sample: 12 (0:9:3)          Last: May 2008
H.B. Clark & Co. (Successors), Wakefield Fat Cat Clarks started brewing in 1905, stopped in 1960, then started again in 1982. Best Avoided: Henry's Double (polystyrene / rubber) Score: 3          Sample: 14 (0:7:7)          Last: May 2008
Coach House Brewing Company, Warrington Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Rarely seen in Sheffield in recent years, but one of the top five brewers in this list. Recommended: Squire's Gold (like a ball of yeast, but it doesn't taste of yeast) Score: 11          Sample: 5 (3:2:0)          Last: November 2006
Cottage Brewing Company, West Lydford, Somerset Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat, Bath Hotel Began in 1993. Not really to our tastes, but reliably omnipresent. Recommended: Cottage Express (jammy); Wessex Banger (scorched & chocolatey); Wessex Ale (reminds me of Hull; pale and oaty) Best Avoided: Our Ken (dark ink); Wicked Hound (sweaty & brakish); Deltic Diesel (the water you washed your trainers in) Score: 4          Sample: 46 (5:26:15)          Last: February 2009
Cropton Brewery, Cropton, Pickering Kelham Island Tavern Set up in 1984. Recommended: Honey Gold (like a wetter Speckled Hen) Score: 7          Sample: 7 (1:6:0)          Last: July 2003
Crown Brewery, Sheffield Hilsborough Hotel Re-established in 2001 at the Hillsborough Hotel, across the road from the original brewery (which closed in 1915), it was let down by some of its seasonal offerings. The brewery and hotel were sold to Edale in 2004, then changed hands again in 2006, with brewing restarting in Summer 2007. Recommended: Mappin's IPA (cola cubes with a Kentish aftertaste) Best Avoided: Stannington Stout (not much to it; may as well lick a wall) Score: 4          Sample: 10 (1:6:3)          Last: April 2009
Dark Star Brewing Co., Haywards Heath, West Sussex AView Brewer of the Year 2007 Kelham Island Tavern, Wellington Set up in 1994. Recommended: Hophead (green cereals); Old Ale (sea food in an Oyster Stout way; astringently dark); Espresso (more coffee than beer: fail a thousand drugs tests at once) Score: 7          Sample: 11 (3:7:1)          Last: January 2008
Derby Brewing Co., Derby Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since October 2004. Their better brews have a jelly edge. Recommended: Thirst Class (pleasantly jellish); Holman's Old (rather nice in a medicine/jelly way) Best Avoided: Against the Odds (silky slime); Individual (turpentine painstripper; the combination of flavour and alcohol dances like a delicate polka twixt Arthur Mullard and Susan Charlton) Score: 5          Sample: 21 (3:13:5)          Last: November 2008
Derwent Brewery, Silloth, Cumbria Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Set up in 1996. Recommended: Auld Kendal (like some kind of rock); Harvester's Gold (hoppy & like a York brew); Parson's Pledge (jammy & like a York brew) Best Avoided: Harvester's Ale (rancid lactose) Score: 6          Sample: 15 (3:9:3)          Last: March 2004
Durham Brewery, Bowburn, County Durham Kelham Island Tavern Started brewing in 1994. They've produced a heavy-going 10% Russian Stout, which will make you sweat alcohol. Smokiness and detergent are regular themes. Recommended: Invincible (wheaty & dry) Best Avoided: Sunstroke (yucky); Two Forks (washing up); Amarillo (smoked detergent) Score: 5          Sample: 27 (2:19:6)          Last: February 2008
Eastwood & Sanders, Elland Kelham Island Tavern Opened May 2002. Recommended: Beyond the Pale (hoppy); Emerald (tastes colder than it is) Best Avoided: Angel Witch (sour bramble-spawn) Score: 6          Sample: 11 (2:7:2)          Last: April 2006
Edale Brewery, Edale Fat Cat, Cask & Cutler Started brewing at Foxfield and Port Mahon in 2001, before going solo in 2003. Occasional Belgian touches crop up in the Kinder-obsessed brews. Bought the Hillsbrough Hotel and the Crown Brewery plant in 2004. Sold the Hillsbrough in 2006 and now defunct. Recommended: Kinder Garden (Reception Class) (Belgian smokish bacon-ness) Score: 7          Sample: 7 (1:6:0)          Last: November 2003
Everards Brewery, Enderby, Leicester Kelham Island Tavern, Museum Occasional visitor from Leicester, brewing since 1849. Recommended: Tiger (nice and bitter, but not too bitter; underlying fruitiness) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (1:4:1)          Last: July 2008
Fisherrow Brewery, Edinburgh Cask & Cutler Fisherrow began in 1999, having split from the Restralig Village Brewery. They became notorious for their somewhat 'individual' flavours, occasionally verging on the sadistic. A brewery for the self-flagellating puritan that exists in us all, they finally ceased trading in January 2003. Recommended: Another Icarus (honey & jam) Best Avoided: Burgh's Bitter (unpleasant); Cutler's IPA (washing up); Turnbull's Tribute (dark red berries but not in a good way) Score: 4          Sample: 14 (1:9:4)          Last: September 2002
Fox Brewery, Heacham, Norfolk Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since May 2002. Bottles available from home-pub the Fox & Hounds in Heacham. Recommended: Bandhill Norfolk Nectar (sweaty nut) Best Avoided: HGE (probably just water, but it's been running through a pipe system frequented by silver goldfish); IPA (stongish, pale, not great fun); Grace & Favour (very drab; apparently coffee-flavoured) Score: 4          Sample: 11 (1:7:3)          Last: August 2006
Foxfield Brewery, Broughton-in-Furness Wellington Started in 1997 by the owners of Tigertops (q.v.); their original brewing plant was subsequently acquired by Port Mahon (q.v.) when the brewery upgraded to three barrels in 1999. Best Avoided: Sandy Cascade (tastes like an old bathing costume; seawater); Challenging Sands (dull orange-squash) Score: 3          Sample: 12 (0:7:5)          Last: April 2009
George Gale & Co., Horndean, Hampshire Fat Cat Gales set up in 1847, and now own over 100 pubs. The brewery is big on the seasonal beer front, but let down by its seasonal brews. Now owned by and produced at Fullers. Score: 4          Sample: 8 (1:4:3)          Last: April 2009
Glentworth Brewery, Skellow, Doncaster Wellington, Kelham Island Tavern Brewing in a dairy since 1996, on a plant previously used by Lastingham. Amazingly prolific in their output, Glentworth seemingly use a tombola system to select the names of their brews. Most, if not all Glentworth beers are golden in hue and refreshingly citrus in taste. Due to the rate at which these beers are produced, it really is pretty pointless recommending one Glentworth over another. It is a rare Glentworth that is anything less than satisfactory. Glentworth has the best "goal difference" of any brewer on this list, with 32 good beers to 14 bad. Score: 6          Sample: 136 (37:81:18) (note: rating Glentworth is a fine art, and "bad" in this case is very much a relative term)          Last: March 2009
Goff's Brewery, Cheltenham Wellington Started up in August 2004. Score: 5         Sample: 5 (0:4:1)          Last: August 2007
Greene King, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Greene King pubs Hungry new brewing behemoth. Recently replaced a load of perfectly good pub signs with their own logo, which isn't a very nice thing to do. Score: 6         Sample: 5 (0:5:0)          Last: December 2006
Nick Stafford Hambleton Ales, Holme-on-Swale, Thirsk Bath Hotel, Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Hambleton Ales were founded in 1991. Recommended: Backin' a Flash (red fruit) Score: 9          Sample: 8 (4:7:0)          Last: December 2008
Hampshire Brewery, Romsey Fat Cat Brewing since 1992, they tend to have moderately vivid flavours. Recommended: Wild Thing (quite nice... tastes a bit cloudy; nutty; oily...) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (2:3:1)          Last: March 2006
Hanby Ales, Wern, Shrewsbury Kelham Island Tavern, Cask & Cutler Cooking up since 1989. Most of their brews taste of ice-cream.  Recommended: Cascade (delicious ice-cream; pale and hoppy); Scorpio Porter (nicely rounded vanilla, dark, creamy, stouty goodness); All Seasons (corned beef and caramel sorbet) Best Avoided: Olde Wemian (like the brown bit of Neopolitan) Score: 8          Sample: 9 (5:3:1)          Last: December 2006
Hardys & Hansons, Kimberley, Nottingham Fat Cat Chain brewers with an 1830s pedigree, they made occasional visits to the freehouses of Sheffield. Taken over by Greene King, it's now brewed down south. Recommended: Guinea Gold (nutty slack; quite pleasant in a smooth sort of way) Best Avoided: Olde Trip (bland, wet, brown stuff) Score: 5          Sample: 6 (2:2:2)          Last: September 2005
Hart Brewery, Little Ecclestone, Lancashire Fat Cat Brewing (officially) since 1994 by a fella called John Smith, after Customs & Excise raided him and took a shine to his beer. It can be quite pleasant, but let down by the brewery's more chalky output. Their website plays a song at you. Recommended: Diamond Geezer (looks like a pale, tastes like a stout!); Shinny Sheff (got something to it) Best Avoided: Chinook (dental anesthetic); Horny Helga (clammy); Onslaught (limestone) Score: 5         Sample: 14 (4:6:4)          Last: December 2003
Highgate Brewery, Walsall Fat Cat Brewing since 1898 in one way or another. Not generally the tastiest of brewers. Best Avoided: Warwickshire Castle (nothing much bar alcohol) Score: 4          Sample: 9 (0:6:3)          Last: December 2006
Hobden's Wessex Brewery, Warminster, Wiltshire Kelham Island Tavern Set up in July 2001. Subsequently ditched the "Hobden's" element of their name, though we've not seen any since. Best Avoided: Warminster Warrior (line cleaning fluid) Score: 5          Sample: 5 (0:4:1)          Last: May 2004
Joseph Holt, Manchester Fat Cat Holts have been making cheap pints since 1849. Recommended: Baton's Gold (Nice. Thin. Meaty. Peas. Usual.) Score: 7          Sample: 5 (1:4:0)          Last: December 2006
Hop Back Brewery, Salisbury Fat Cat, Dove & Rainbow Began in 1987. Loved for their pale and hoppy brews. Recommended: Summer Lightning (light and refreshing) Score: 6          Sample: 7 (2:4:1)          Last: December 2007
NEW - Hornbeam Brewery, Denton, Manchester Bath Hotel, Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Established in 2007. Recommended: Lemmon Blossom (almost ginny earthiness like light soil; something genital about it) Score: 7          Sample: 5 (1:4:0)          Last: February 2009
NEW - Howard Town Brewery, Glossop Bath Hotel, Fat Cat Brewing began in July 2005. Recommended: Monk's Gold (suggestion of lime pith) Score: 6          Sample: 5 (1:3:1)          Last: March 2009
Humpty Dumpty Brewing Company, Reedham, Norfolk Devonshire Cat, Fat Cat Brewing since 1998. Recommended: Un Petit Deux Petit (warm caramel) Best Avoided: Fenman (slight oyster / phlegm) Score: 4          Sample: 5 (1:2:2)          Last: December 2002
Hydes' Brewery, Manchester Fat Cat Established in 1863, and still in the family. Beers seem to verge on the glossy red side. Score: 6          Sample: 8 (1:6:1)          Last: July 2007
Jennings Brothers, Cockermouth Kelham Island Tavern, Rutland Arms Founded in 1828. Recommended: Cross Buttock (fruity & pleasant) Score: 7          Sample: 6 (1:5:0)          Last: October 2004
John Joule & Sons, Stone, Staffordshire Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Currently being brewed by Coach House (qv). Recommended: Novice's Nightcap (like a tremendously good white wine; like drinking ice-cream) Best Avoided: Monk's Madness (almost a gas); Swan Bitter (rancid sweat) Score: 3          Sample: 6 (1:2:3)          Last: May 2007
Kelham Island Brewery, Sheffield Fat Cat, Devonshire Cat Founded in 1990, round the back of the Fat Cat. Moderately prolific and now being used in cheese. Recommended: Pale Rider (low down taste); Wards Brown Ale (brown, cigarette, WMC); Workhouse Mary's Brown Ale (dried fruit & nuts; can't ask for much more: top notch stuff) Best Avoided: Best (liminess); Bette Noir (bit of thick Begian chocolatey lager; otherwise wet); Grande Pale (diabetes in a glass; cola cubes soaked in alcohol) Score: 6          Sample: 86 (19:49:18)          Last: April 2009
The Leadmill Brewery, Denby, Ripley, Derbyshire Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Recommended: Red River (hint of fromage frais) Score: 7          Sample: 8 (1:7:0)          Last: November 2008
The Leeds Brewery Company, Leeds Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Brewing since June 2007. Recommended: Midnight Bell (dark melted plastic; quite pleasantly silky) Score: 6          Sample: 8 (4:2:2)          Last: December 2008
Leyden Brewing, Bury Gardener's Rest, Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since October 1999. Recommended: Elixir of Youth (bitter; slight salty sweat; a pork-pie drink); Norseman (bit like a wheat beer) Best Avoided: Sinister (bacon in chocolate) Score: 9          Sample: 8 (3:5:0)          Last: October 2006
NEW - Little Ale Cart Brewing Company, Sheffield The Wellington House brew of the mighty Wellington, formerly the Cask & Cutler, and brewed on the same site as the Cask's former brew: Port Mahon (q.v.). Early output showed promise, but this gave way to a curious and overpowering tang of chip-fat. In 2009 this deep-fryer greasiness has started to abate. But it hasn't finished abating yet. Fingers crossed. Best Avoided: Halo' the Wynd (could run your car on it); Columbo (full-on slightly citrus thing that gets you just behind the ears); Dandy Dimond (not beer so much as a parody of beer) Score: 4          Sample: 16 (1:10:5)          Last: April 2009
Maguires, Dublin Cask & Cutler Irish witbier specialists, producing beers that taste like ciders. But their real talent lies in stouts. Imported to the Cask for a period, but not for a few years now. Recommended: Extra Stout (nice and black); Plain Stout (ought to be in pubs rather than Guinness; Alpha Stout) Best Avoided: Alt Bier (after half a pint it tastes like vomit) Score: 5          Sample: 14 (2:9:3)          Last: September 2002
Marston Moor, Kirk Hammerton, York Kelham Island Tavern Started brewing in 1983. Taken over by Rudgate in 2004, but still using the Marston Moor name. Recommended: Matchlock Mild (earthy and cream-coloured); Old Honey Stout (tastes slightly honey and a bit stout... good) Best Avoided: Prince Rupert (like water) Score: 4          Sample: 12 (3:9:6)          Last: February 2007
Mauldon's, Sudbury, Suffolk Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since 1982. Varied flavours don't always work out. Best Avoided: Suffolk Pride (rusty out-flow; a bit sugary); Peggotty's Porter (tastes like flat coke) Score: 4          Sample: 6 (0:4:2)          Last: February 2007
Maypole Brewery, Wellow, Nottinghamshire Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Set up in 1995. Best Avoided: Normanton IPA (like a chemistry set) Score: 5          Sample: 8 (0:7:1)          Last: August 2006
Mighty Oak Brewing Company, Maldon Kelham Island Tavern, Wellington Brewing since 1996. Recommended: A Bitter How's Your Father (like eating brown sugar when you know you shouldn't) Best Avoided: High & Mighty (like gloss paint but less nice; a "wow" kind of beer; glue) Score: 6          Sample: 19 (4:12:3)          Last: April 2009
Milestone Brewing Co., Cromwell, Newark Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Started at the end of 2004, they're one letter and two points away from the similarly named Millstone, below. This is our preferred brewer of the two, based on what we've had so far. Recommended: Crusader (yellow and pleasant); Lion's Pride (nice honey nectar stuff) Best Avoided: Dark & Stormy (dark glue) Score: 7          Sample: 12 (3:8:1)          Last: January 2008
The Millstone Brewery, Mossley, Ashton-Under-Lyme Wellington Going since 2003. Recommended: Three Shires (golden) Best Avoided: Tiger Rut (mango and lime toilet block; reminiscent of their True Grit brew) Score: 4          Sample: 10 (1:6:3)          Last: April 2009
Mordue Brewery, North Shields, Tyne & Wear Wellington, Bath Hotel, Fat Cat Brewing since 1995. Famed for its Workie Ticket beer. Recommended: Blather Skite (quite strawy; bit of vanilla; slight suggestion of banana or smokiness); IPA (rather pleasant and wheaty; refreshing) Score: 7          Sample: 12 (3:8:1)          Last: September 2008
Museum Brewing Company, Burton-upon-Trent Cask & Cutler Coors-owned Bass plant in operation since 1994. As the name suggests, Museum's beers can be a little dusty. Recommended: Drayman's Ale (malty; like a Caramac); Dry Run (clotted cream); Hedgecutter (parkin) Best Avoided: Offilers (sour); Stag'n'Ant (like bread) Score: 6          Sample: 19 (3:13:3)          Last: April 2008

Nethergate Brewery, Sudbury, Suffolk Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat, Harlequin Brewing since 1986.  Score: 5          Sample: 10 (0:9:1)          Last: November 2007
Northern Brewing, Northwich, Cheshire Kelham Island Tavern Brewing began at the end of 2003. Recommended: Heart and Soul (biscuits and herb to cure pox: rash clears as I drink) Score: 9          Sample: 5 (2:3:0)          Last: October 2007
Northumberland Breweries, Bedlington, Northumberland Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Opened in 1996, and sited at an eco-friendly farm. Recommended: Wheat Ale (thicker than most wheat beers; more vanilla; not as reedy); Sleekburn Stout (ice-cream; smells very good, tastes less good, but still good) Best Avoided: Highway Robbery (bathwater element with disturbing demerara sweetness); Autumn Gold (a bit manky) Score: 5          Sample: 17 (4:7:6)          Last: December 2008
Nursery Brewing Company, Keynsham, Bristol Fat Cat Closed at the end of 2002, with some brews being produced by Hobdens for a while. Recommended: Old Mother Hubbard (stout and dark fruit) Score: 7          Sample: 5 (1:4:0)          Last: November 2002
Oakham Ales, Peterborough Wellington Brewing began in 1993. Recommended: JHB (quite good pale; like a Glentworth) Score: 7          Sample: 9 (2:7:0)          Last: February 2009
Oldershaw Brewery, Grantham Wellington, Bath Hotel Brewing since 1997. Best Avoided: Regal Blonde (water that's gone through the pumps; peach fuzz) Score: 4          Sample: 10 (0:7:3)          Last: October 2008
Ossett Brewery, Ossett, West Yorkshire AView Brewer of the Year 2003 Kelham Island Tavern, Devonshire Cat, Wellington Founded in 1998. A disappointing run of late has taken them out of the top ten. Recommended: Bobby Dazzler (sweet & malty); Oregon Pale (orange-peel aftertaste); Silver Link (quite fruity with a bit of zing) Best Avoided: Sizzler (red-orange poorness; aftertaste of carbon derived from pig skin); Bayern Gold (after a long walk, Michael Foot soaked his feet, and this was the resultant infusion) Score: 7          Sample: 35 (17:12:6)          Last: January 2008
Outlaw Brewing Company, Knaresborough Fat Cat The expiremental arm of Roosters (qv).  Recommended: K.I.S.S. (acorns sautéd in butter with a crispy crumb coating) Score: 7          Sample: 7 (1:6:0)          Last: August 2007
Phoenix Brewery (Oak Brewing Company), Heywood, Manchester Kelham Island Tavern, Devonshire Cat Initially began in 1982 as Oak Brewing Co. Trading as Phoenix since 1996. One of the best 10 brewers on this list. Not had a bad Phoenix yet. Recommended: Arizona (pale & nutty); Monkeytown Mild (nice and stouty); Wobbly Bob (electric jelly) Score: 8          Sample: 28 (9:19:0)          Last: January 2008
Pictish Brewing Company, Rochdale Kelham Island Tavern Set up in May 2000. Recommended: Alchemist's Ale (Glentworth but darker); Maelstrom (Glentworth but sweeter); White Out (liquid gold) Best Avoided: Brewer's Gold (Olbas Oil / toilet block / sawdust / alkali); Corn Dolly (perfumed Frosties); Dolmen (if it were a vegetable, you'd probably throw it away) Score: 8          Sample: 29 (13:13:3)          Last: April 2009
Poachers Brewery, North Hykeham, Lincoln Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since 2001. Recommended: Poacher's Dick (passion fruit, barley, peach, but not in a bad way); Jock's Trap (hedgy, woody, nuttish...) Score: 10          Sample: 6 (3:3:0)          Last: February 2007
Port Mahon Brewery, Sheffield Cask & Cutler The Cask & Cutler's resident chemist, Neil Clarke, certainly liked his yeast, which was for a long time the defining characteristic of Port Mahon brews. Brewing began in 2000, in vessels previously used to make mascara. Brewing ceased at the end of 2006, with the Cask coming under new management and returning to the Wellington name. In 2008 they started brewing under the name "Little Ale Cart". Recommended: It's a Hard Life (like an old Glentworth; clean, with an almost cheesy acidity) Best Avoided: She's a Lady (rotting flesh; raw sewage; rancid hazelnuts); Stars of the County Down (If an old man decided to make wine from oranges and spent all day trampling on oranges, and at the end of that day you licked his feet) Score: 4          Sample: 31 (3:19:9)          Last: February 2006
RCH Brewery, West Hewish, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset Kelham Island Tavern Established in 1982 as the Royal Clarence Hotel Brewery. Currently one of the top five brewers on this list. Recommended: Double Header (like the champagne Thornton's Continental); East Street Cream (slightly creamy wih a hint of barley; nice); Old Slug (nice brown-black thing) Score: 10          Sample: 6 (3:3:0)          Last: July 2006
Rebellion Beer Company, Marlow, Buckinghamshire Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since 1993. Recommended: Backlash(hops with a bit of mince) Best Avoided: Cash Free (soapy, with lemony-fresh aftertaste); Rebellion Ale (creamy tat) Score: 4          Sample: 8 (1:4:3)          Last: December 2004
Red Lion Ales, Ossett, West Yorkshire Kelham Island Tavern Set-up in 2002. There's a bit of a WMC feel to some of their drinks. Trades as Bob's Brewing Co. Recommended: Golden Lion (sticky; sweet, summery and refreshing) Best Avoided: Bob's Special (very Worthingtons / Magnet) Score: 4          Sample: 6 (1:3:2)          Last: October 2007
Frederic Robinson, Stockport Rutland Arms, Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Still in the family, Robinsons has been going since 1838. Best Avoided: Northern Glory (too dark fruit; olive edge; tastes of paint stripper, but without the redeeming alcoholic kick; smells of gelatin); Best (fairly tasteless in a bad way) Score: 4          Sample: 6 (0:4:2)          Last: May 2007
Roosters Brewing Company, Knaresborough AView Brewer of the Year 2002 Fat Cat More often found in York's Ackhorne than anywhere in Sheffield, but the Fat Cat have obliged with a few over the years. Founded in 1993 by the original owner of Harrogate's Franklins Brewery. Look out also for their experimental arm: the Outlaw Brewing Co. Recommended: Special (like Yankee but more floral); Yankee (really nice) Score: 8          Sample: 8 (2:6:0)          Last: September 2006
Rudgate Brewery, Tockwith, York AView Brewer of the Year 2006 Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Founded in 1992. Had a particularly good run in 2006. Recommended: Barbarian (bacony, pale, and like a field); Bragi's Ale (toffee, pale, good, banana); IPA (actually quite nice) Best Avoided: Plunder (like velcro; actively agitates the throat); Quaff (tastes like a moth's been in it; bitter and oddly musty) Score: 7          Sample: 56 (15:37:4)          Last: March 2009
Rugby Brewing Company, Rugby, Warwickshire Kelham Island Tavern Set up in 2005. Their beers tend to be fairly ordinary. Recommended: Summer Break (very nice bog-standard beer) Score: 5          Sample: 6 (1:4:1)          Last: July 2008
Salamander Brewing Company, Bradford Kelham Island Tavern, Wellington, Fat Cat Brewing since the end of 2000, from an old pie factory. Prolific in their output, they have a distinctive clamminess. Recommended: Axolotl (salty but not in a bad way); Golden Salamander (very yummy); Stout  (nice) Best Avoided: Amber Gambler (nowt great); Summer Ale (not very nice) Score: 6          Sample: 75 (14:50:11)          Last: November 2008
Salopian Brewing Company, Shrewsbury Fat Cat Started in 1995. Recommended: Doppelganger (hoppy goodness) Best Avoided: Lemon Dream (at least when you throw up you clean the floor) Score: 5          Sample: 11 (2:7:2)          Last: April 2009
Scattor Rock Brewery, Devon Fat Cat Established in 1998. Pretty tasteless across the board. Score: 1          Sample: 7 (0:1:6)          Last: April 2009
Shardlow Brewing Company, Shardlow, Derbyshire Kelham Island Tavern Began brewing in 1993. Recommended: Platinum Blonde (rather nice, with added sherbert) Score: 7          Sample: 6 (1:5:0)         Last: November 2008
Sharp's Brewery, Wadebridge, Cornwall Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Instantly successful Cornish brewery established in 1994. Recommended: Rock Cornwall (pale and hoppy) Score: 7          Sample: 5 (1:4:0)         Last: May 2008
Sheffield Brewery Company, Sheffield Gardeners Rest, Fat Cat The brewery of the Gardeners Rest, it launched in January 2007. Unlike its tap (which is still being rebuilt) the brewery survived the flood in July 2007. Recommended: Mercury's Message (well balanced quite gold bitter with maltiness); Art Jock (nice, dark, sheddy coffee-beer) Score: 6          Sample: 13 (3:8:2)         Last: April 2009
Shepherd Neme, Faversham, Kent Fat Cat Old and prolific bottler, but only an occasional (ie Christmas) visitor to the pumps of Sheffield. Recommended: Spitfire (good hoppy number) Score: 6          Sample: 7 (1:5:1)          Last: December 2006
Six Bells Brewery, Bishop's Castle, Shropshire Wellington Restarted in 1997 following nearly a century's hiatus. Tend to be on the pale side. Recommended: 1859 (really nice; pasty-like richness) Score: 7          Sample: 7 (1:6:0)          Last: September 2008
Slater's (Eccleshall Brewing Company), Eccleshall, Staffordshire Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since 1995. Recommended: Premium (plain chocolate / strawberry cream); Shining Knight (hoppy, with Yankee-ish roastiness; peach & turkish delight); The Usual (meaty gravy) Best Avoided: Top Totty (bland; cold tea) Score: 6          Sample: 11 (3:6:2)          Last: January 2005
Smiles Brewing Co., Bristol Wellington Operating since 1978, in recent years the brewing has been contracted out to Highgate (qv). Best Avoided: Bristol IPA (creamy and insubstancial) Score: 3          Sample: 7 (0:4:3)          Last: January 2007
Spinning Dog Brewery, Hereford Cask & Cutler Started in 2000. Recommended: Oatmeal Stout (an oatmeal stout) Best Avoided: Top Dog (tea and Speckled Hen; not a pleasant combination) Score: 5          Sample: 8 (2:4:2)          Last: January 2003
Springhead Fine Ales, Newark Kelham Island Tavern Founded in 1990 in what was the smallest brewery in the country (12 sq yd). They've since moved to larger premises. Best Avoided: Bitter (creamy lemon); Newark Castle Brown (slimy) Score: 5          Sample: 20 (2:14:4)          Last: March 2009
Stationhouse Brewery, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire Kelham Island Tavern, Fat Cat Formed in 2005, their best output has a biscuity quality.  Recommended: Lady o' the Stream (smells o' bread) Score: 4          Sample: 9 (3:2:4)         Last: October 2007
Stonehenge Ales, Netheravon, Salisbury Wellington Established in 1984 as Bunces Brewery. Score: 6          Sample: 5 (0:5:0)         Last: November 2007
Storm Brewing Company, Macclesfield Kelham Island Tavern Started brewing in 1998. Best Avoided: Silk of Magnesia (just red bollocks); Wynd Gatherer (smells and tastes slightly of Ariel; fairly standard bitter with not much taste and a touch of bile) Score: 6          Sample: 10 (2:6:2)         Last: April 2007
Swale Brewery, Maidstone, Kent Cask & Cutler Started in late 1995. Swale were one of the top ten brewers in this list, but alas they closed in early 2003. The brewers have since moved to France. The premises are now owned by Whitstable Brewey. Some brews are still put out by Archers (qv). Recommended: Kentish Best (trainsets & strawberry jam); Mad Tom Courtney (malty & good); MZ3 Mild (not too gratuitously bitter; quite rounded) Score: 8          Sample: 9 (3:6:0)          Last: February 2003
Teme Valley Brewery, Knightwick, Worcester Wellington Brewing since 1997 from the back of the Talbot Inn, using locally grown hops. Score: 5          Sample: 5 (0:4:1)         Last: October 2007
Thornbridge Brewery, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire University Arms, Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern A collaboration between the Thornbridge Hall venue and Kelham Island Brewery, they started up in October 2004. They now have a few pubs including the University Arms in Sheffield. Recommended: St Petersberg (7.7% Russian Stout: tarry but not thick; flavoursome but not too sticky); Blackthorn Ale (lovely hoppy goodness); Ashford (treacle cookies; perfectly sound brown ale) Best Avoided: ESB (fizzy gravy); Brock (wet vinegar; a good stout watered down), Barberry (a bit dank and unpleasing) Score: 7          Sample: 26 (9:13:4)          Last: December 2008
Daniel Thwaites Brewery, Blackburn Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern The oldest brewery in Lancashire, going since 1807. Recommended: Playmaker (mid/high beer) Best Avoided: Lancaster Bomber (cigarettes) Score: 5          Sample: 8 (2:4:2)          Last: May 2008
Tigertops Brewery, Wakefield Fat Cat Set up in 1995. Best Avoided: White Max ('banana' medicine; foulest beer in ages) Score: 5          Sample: 7 (0:6:1)          Last: Mayy 2008
Timothy Taylor & Co., Keighley Gardeners Rest, Fat Cat Founded in 1858. A good range is consistantly available at the Gardeners Rest, with Landlord on at the Fat Cat. Recommended: Landlord (requires a guide to itself) Best avoided: Porter (too sweet) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (1:4:1)          Last: October 2005
Titanic Brewery, Stoke on Trent George IV, Devonshire Cat Brewing since 1985. Best Avoided: Dog Watch (bog standard lemon sorbet dishwater favourite) Score: 4          Sample: 10 (0:8:2)          Last: March 2008
Tower Brewery, Burton-on-Trent Fat Cat Opened 2001. Recommended: Tower of Strength (7.6%. Good and chocolatey, with a hint of whiskey, but missing something at the bottom end) Best Avoided: Thomas Salt's Bitter (bitter; bery nicotine) Score: 8          Sample: 11 (5:5:1)          Last: January 2009
Townes Brewery, Staveley, Chesterfield Fat Cat Brewing since 1994. One of the best five brewers on this list. Excitingly varied and daring flavours rarely backfire. Alas, quite rare in Sheffield. Recommended: Essence (malt / lemon / marmalade / smoke / cream / hops); Stargazer (coffee in Legoland; better than anything I've ever had); Sunshine (like drinking a cornfield; cinder-toffee meets bread; thoroughly burnt Crunchie) Best Avoided: Staveley Cross (molten plastic and toffee) Score: 9          Sample: 22 (11:10:1)          Last: May 2007
Tring Brewery Company, Tring, Hertfordshire Fat Cat, Wellington Started brewing in 1992. Recommended: Old Shanks (frozen Glentworth); Tea Kettle Stout (thin blackness) Best Avoided: Jack o'Legs (creamy fag); Tapsters (synthetic beer: like licking a groundsheet) Score: 3          Sample: 10 (2:3:5)          Last: August 2007
Vale Brewery Company, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Kelham Island Tavern Brewing since 1995. Recommended: Grumpling Premium (nicely hoppy and curly) Best Avoided: Black Swan (bit outflow) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (1:4:1)          Last: October 2008
Wentworth Brewery, Wentworth, Rotherham Gardeners Rest, Kelham Island Tavern Opened in September 1999. Usually have a couple of brews on at the Gardener's Rest. Starting to put out more one-offs, which is a good thing. Recommended: Admiral Keppel (creamy golden oatiness, like oatmeal stout; honey later); Gun Park Darkx (good dark mild stout thing) Moore's Magic (flavoursome & portery) Best Avoided: Rockingham Spalt (like something you'd put on your garden); WPA (slight soap; bathwater) Score: 7          Sample: 31 (9:18:4)          Last: December 2008
West Berkshire Brewery Company, Yattendon, Berkshire Wellington Brewing since 1998. Recommended: Full Circle (malty); Diamond Stitch (rather nice hoppity goodness); Old Father Thames (hazelnuts and almonds dangled through orchard branches from a helicopter) Score: 6          Sample: 20 (6:11:3)          Last: July 2008
White Rose Brewery, Sheffield Wellington, Bath Started test brewing at Sheffield Brewery in November 2007. Moved to Little Ale Cart (formerly Port Mahon (q.v.)) in August 2008. Recommended: Best Bitter (very malty but sort of pale; worth it for the smell alone) Best Avoided: Stairway to Heaven (possibly the worst beer I've ever had (Fisherrow excluded)) Score: 5          Sample: 7 (1:4:2)          Last: March 2009
Whitley Bridge Brewing Company, Wakefield Cask & Cutler Brewing started in April 2003, but stopped in July 2005. Best Avoided: Burnin' Bridges (neat Sodastream syrup); Emberzale (hint of sump oil); Gunslinger (brawn and marrow and rotting wood) Score: 1           Sample: 5 (0:1:4)          Last: April 2005
Tom Wood's Highwood Brewery, Barnetby, Lincolnshire Kelham Island Tavern Operating since March 1997. Best Avoided: Barndance (if you fed a cow Belgian lager, its liver might taste like this) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (1:4:1)         Last: May 2008
George Wright Brewing Company, St Helens Fat Cat, Cask & Cutler Started brewing in 2003. They produce extreme flavours, which has meant that they've not managed a middling beer yet. This is a good thing, in a way. Recommended: Blue Moon (slightly meaty); Drunken Duck (very nice... like bread, but more biscuity and buttery... like brioche); Midday Sun (orangey; light; like a tart of some kind) Best Avoided: Lucky Break (like drinking hot sweat from a pewter tankard); Mizzen Mast (between rancid beef and butter-beans) Score: 6          Sample: 6 (4:0:2)         Last: September 2005
Wye Valley Brewery, Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire Cask & Cutler, Kelham Island Tavern Dorothy Goodbody is the nubile mascot of this brewer. Play the beer-mat game by trying to guess which incarnation of the saucy sex-kitten is on the flipside. Recommended: Wholesome Stout (good, wheaty stout); O'er the Sticks (on the lagery side of beer, with a Glentworth hint); Trecker's Ale (rather pleasant wide concrete ledge taste) Best Avoided: Artists Revival (bit like drinking paint); Golden Ale (wooly; not very anything) Score: 6          Sample: 16 (3:10:3)          Last: March 2005
York Brewery Company, York Fat Cat, Bath Hotel Set up in 1996. Very occasional visitor from York. Rarely seen in Sheffield. Recommended: Wild Wheat (nice, pale, Glentworthy thing); Cluster (rather nice, like orange rose-water); Last Drop Ale (lovely blackness like old tyres; gorgeous strawberry hint) Score: 9          Sample: 17 (6:11:0)          Last: August 2009
Yorkshire Dales Brewing Company, Askrigg, Leyburn Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern Began in November 2005. Recommended: Whernside ESB (nice; blueberries and brown flour); Garside Smokebox (rich, smokey, cola-cube joy) Score: 9          Sample: 9 (4:5:0)          Last: February 2009

back