Inspires: the craft of beer
Amber nectar and the economy
This isn't just about how we've got a load of nice pubs and some good pints.
It's about how the craft, the people, the publicans, and a nationwide spirit of independent brewing, has been shaped by what Sheffield has produced.
Our city has helped inspire a movement, that has given the nation one of the best reputations in the world for a sector that is worth £1.8 billion to the UK.
A brief history...
Sheffield has a longstanding relationship with beer, with the city's brewing history going back to 1758 when the very first brewery was founded, reports suggesting that industrial workers were even permitted specific beer breaks to keep them going, partly because clean water was actually more difficult to secure in these times.
In the early 1900s, to fuel this thirst, there were up to 30 brewers (Stones Brewery, est.1868, being one of the most prolific), however by World War One there were only around 16 breweries left and the number continued to decline for decades after this.
Then, in the 1980s, something stirred which would go on to put Sheffield at the forefront of the "craft beer revolution", and a new brewing movement was born, largely led by one slightly eccentric lecturer from the University of Sheffield...
David Wickett
A champion of real ale and original member of CAMRA, David Wickett played a key role in the return of brewing to Sheffield in the 1980s, a precursor for what was to become the British micro-brewing movement.
In 1981, he bought a pub called the Alma in the city's Kelham Island district and reopened it as The Fat Cat, which specialised in Cask Ale to great success. 9 years later, he then went on to establish Kelham Island Brewery next door - and both are renowned to this day.
He sadly passed away in 2012, but will remain a pioneer of the industry's revival in the UK, laying the foundation for Sheffield's claim as one of the 'Real Ale Capitals of the World'.
You can read his full obituary, by acclaimed beer writer Roger Protz, on The Guardian website here.
4 x more breweries per 100k people than any other UK city
Since David Wickett proved the appeal of cask over keg, microbreweries have steadily been popping up across Sheffield ever since, yet this really seemed to gather pace in the 00's.
In 2016, the University of Sheffield commissioned a study to see how the city's brewing credentials stacked up against other beer destinations and the results were significant, showing Sheffield could both lay claim to the title 'Real Ale Capital of the World' and 'the birthplace of the craft beer revolution'.
In 2024, the University of Sheffield recommissioned the report once again, with the research showing Sheffield had retained the title, as the brewing scene here continues to thrive.
One key insight shows that Sheffield produces roughly 780 different beers a year (that's 2.2 individual beers each day), which is a whole lot of quaffable inspiration.
How community spirit saved a legendary Sheffield brewery
Back in 2022, Sheffield’s oldest independent brewery, Kelham Island Brewery, announced its sudden closure.
A massive shock to brewing scene in the city, a passionate group of individuals soon came together to save this prolific brewery from closure and ensure its legacy would continue.
Pete Brown, a world-renowned beer writer from the South Yorkshire region, details the full backstory of the brewery's rescue on his blog.
Stand out breweries putting Sheffield on the map
Abbeydale Brewery
Triple Point Brewery
Kelham Island Brewery
Heist Brew Co.
St Mars of the Desert
Thornbridge Brewery
For a full and complete list of Sheffield Breweries visit the Sheffield CAMRA website here.
In with the old and new
Arguably one of the secrets of the industry is balancing heritage with future.
Sheffield has done this for both traditional beers, ales, porters and stouts as much as it has produced re-inventions of helles and pilsners. But it's also about the venues you can enjoy them in.
To appeal to all, you need a scene that caters for both traditional enthusiasts and the next generation, with vegan, gluten free, low or alcohol-free options included.
Community-saved pubs like Fagan's, who still have live Irish folk music every week of the year, along with the popularity of establishments like the Sheffield Tap, Rutland Arms, Sheaf View, Bath Hotel, Shakespeare's, Kelham Island Tavern and The Fat Cat, (to name a handful) demonstrate that this is a city which values the good old English pub.
At the same time, newer places like Two Thirds (complete with their new city centre beer hall 'Kapital' on the way), are providing a fresh take on the 'beer scene'.
The diversity of beer-focused venues in Sheffield makes it a fantastic destination to visit. With micropub and beer shops adding to the tapestry of the city, in addition to pubs, brewpubs and taprooms.
You'll find micropubs and bottle shops like The Bear on Abbeydale Road, Guzzle in Woodseats, Loxley's No.3 Sharrow on Sharrow Vale Road, Pangolin in Hillsborough, and of course the one which perfectly balances old and new, Hop Hideout in Leah's Yard.
The rise of beer tourism
Pubs are a huge driver for the visitor spend, with some reports citing that each pub will add £80,000 to the local economy.
Sheffield is a perfect city for such visits, because on an average day you can sample around 300 locally brewed beers in the city.
With so many small batches produced by local microbreweries, that can't be found anywhere else, this brings both authenticity and exclusivity to visitor experiences.
And there's no better way of doing this, than with festivals and events, of which Sheffield plays host to several throughout the year.
Beer festivals coming up in Sheffield
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Great places for Craft Beer fans
As one of the craft brewing capitals of the world, there's a lot of folk in Sheffield who know a thing or two about making, selecting and drinking some of the finest brews - be they sours, stouts, IPAs, APAs or straight up bitters.
Kelham Beer Trail
Kelham Island has long been at the forefront of Sheffield's brewing reputation and has become a mecca for renowned real ale pubs and microbreweries. This guide gives you a rundown of the best beery places to visit on a day/evening out.
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