Kelham Island Tavern, Kelham Island, Sheffield

Thwaites Original & Nutty Black, Banks&Taylor Clanger, Cathedral Ale Black Imp, Marlow Rebellion Roasted Nuts, Potbelly Brewery Jingle Bellies, Salamander Cornucopia, Abbeydale Vespers, Sheffield Brewery Snowflake, Pictish Brewers Gold, Acorn Barnsley Bitter, Bradfield Brewery Farmers Blonde (served in glasses with logo ‘Farmers, & No Bull').Good welcome from theguv(?) and, when I started with halves of Blonde & Vesper, his warning that the latter was a dark beer showed good customer care. Nice homely bar area, small ‘library' shelf to left (closer inspection revealed mostly gbg editions), coal stove in fireplace (unlit in Mon snow?), trad furniture with banquette seating in opposite corners and solid tables/chairs between. Room to seat another coupla dozen in the airy rear room with skylight & windows to surrounding beer ‘garden'/terrace. Walls variously decorated with paintings/photos/prints/awards. Also a warning that ‘If in conversation you need to swear, then take your custom elsewhere'. Good job I was alone! Nice wooden L-shaped bar faces the entrance, with diamond tiled surround and wood boards beyond. Note also the rare but welcome sight of homemade rolls on bar, ham or cheese, £1.60. Beers served in over-size glasses, £2.00-£2.20pp; also interesting to note that some were set up with sparkler & others not – presume this to be according to the requirements of each beer & a definite indication of commitment to quality product. Other beers incl St Louis Kriek (cherry), Warsteiner, Konig Ludwig Weissbier, Westons Country Perry, Old Rosie. In the loo is a rather sad collage of “Sheffield's forgotten pubs”, none on my list & presumably all now gone – thank goodness for hostelries such as this to still cheer the soul.

Just round the corner from The Fat Cat is another well known real ale pub, The Kelham Island Tavern, which became the first pub to win CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year award in two consecutive years. It’s situated on the edge of the Kelham Island Conservation Area, an area dominated by steel and metal industries in the 1800’s. Many of these buildings are now being converted to either blocks of flats or offices, but, despite this, there’s still a certain bleakness and slight sense of isolation to the area, which, being slightly out of the City Centre, does mean that the less discerning drinkers or the circuit crowd are always notable by their absence. Externally somewhat unremarkable, it’s a smallish traditional, comfortable single bar pub with padded seating, circular bar stools and walls and shelves decorated with various plates, jugs and vases that, particularly in the area on the left as you come in, evoke something of the feel of an elderly relative’s sitting room. At the back of the pub is a pleasant conservatory with yellow painted walls and old drinks posters. A fine collection of CAMRA award certificates is proudly displayed in the corridor here. Round the outside of this conservatory is a small outside seating area The pub is a keen supporter of local micros with 12 real ales always available, which will invariably include a mild, stout and a porter. On my recent visit, beers on included brews from Abbeydale, Bradfield, Wellington Inn – Hull, Dove Street – Ipswich and Chantry New York Pale from nearby Rotherham. Staff here are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and beer condition is always top rate. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular. Rather like The Fat Cat, despite the beer emphasis, there’s still a real feeling that this has remained a proper pub, as opposed to one of these atmosphereless “beer exhibition” type places that seem to be cropping up more frequently, particularly in London. An excellent double header when combined with The Fat Cat, you should make the point of calling in when you get the opportunity.

Remarkable very traditional, local pub in industrial Sheffield, an L-shaped room beautifully preserved and cared for. Hard not to pre-judge due to its immense reputation it is worth every accolade and what you would want as your perfect local. Beer choice is fine and the quality exceptional.