Real Ale Venue Categories

I thought it would be interesting to try and come up with a series of classifications for establishments that sell real ale. It is not an exhaustive list and some places may fit into more than one category.

Even though there are many different types of places that sell ale I have notice there are some common themes. It is more about the operation itself and the products sold than the building, for instance; whether it is a heritage pub is irrelevant it is more abut the modus operandi.

 

The Pure Ale Pub

Freehouses that focus only on selling real ale, with no food or entertainment; no games machines, no music, only continental lagers (bottled and draught) and quality bar snacks. Often with a décor that emphasizes wood and has modest size tables in order to increase seating space. More of a traditional pub it is less likely to open late and will often have a welcoming outside drinking area. Could be accused of being ‘old man’ pubs but this is frequently not the case and is becoming less so as real ale consumption continues to rise.

Examples: The Sheaf View, The Wellington, The Blue Bell in York, The Wellington in Birmingham, Strugglers Inn, Lincoln, The Cornubia in Bristol.

The Food/Entertainment Ale Pub

Freehouses, tenancies and managed houses that have many if not all of the features of the pure ale pub but also serve food or host live music nights. They may also play music and have games machines. Why the distinction between those that serve food and those that don’t? Well sometimes you just want to go for a drink and don’t wish to sit next to some one eating, particularly if you are a dog owner. It makes proceedings slightly more formal and also means there is a distraction from the selling of ale. Those pubs that don’t serve food will sell more beer and therefore take it very seriously as it’s all they do. Pubs that have live music also have a distraction and a very imposing one if you are looking for a quiet drink, they will also often serve later.

Examples: The Kelham Island Tavern, The White Lion, The Broadfield, The Bridge in Newcastle, Whitelocks in Leeds, The Brunswick in Derby.

Ale Bar

Definitely not a pub but an establishment that sells ale usually in the commercial part of a city or town centre. They will often have late opening hours, not be in a typical pub building or a much modified one at least, and play music sometimes by a DJ. They could also do food or live music and other alcoholic drinks such as Alco pops, wine and cocktails.

Examples: The Old House, Henry’s, Dada, The Hop, The Beer Parlour in Manchester, North Bar in Leeds, any Wetherspoons.

Affiliated Pub/Bars

These are pubs or bars that are connected to a brewery, either a micro, regional or national, so not a completely separate classification as such, but worth mentioning. The former sells beers from the affiliated brewery at a discounted price but the operation could be any of the previous classifications. Take away beer from the brewery and other merchandise is also sometimes available. The latter two largely work in the same way but the beer price may vary depending on the brand or location. The idea is there always a place where you can get most of the range from a brewery, at least with the former.

Examples: The Rising Sun, The Fat Cat, The Nags Head, The Rose & Crown in Chesterfield, The Fox & Newt in Leeds, Marble Arch in Manchester.

Ale Promoters

These are pubs/bars that are not defined by real ale but sell it alongside other beverages as they recognise there is a market for it. There will typically not be more than three hand pumps or as few as one. There will be a balance across all beverage types but this does not mean the ale will not be well looked after, and there would still be consideration for an entry in the Good Beer Guide should it receive enough votes.

Examples: The Wick at Both Ends, The Bessemer, The Crown on London rd.

Micro Pubs

The micro pub concept is really taking off around the country. Low start up and running costs are an attractive prospect for the real ale enthusiast seeking to be more involved in the ale scene. Typically the size of a terraced shop unit they will have a handful of tables, will have limited opening hours, only ever serve guest ales mainly from micro breweries and be run by one or maybe two people. There will most likely be no music or food, unless prepared off site, in order to keep licensing costs down, although snacks will be present. There are two micro pubs in neighbouring Chesterfield, both also great places to buy bottled beer, the Beer Parlour in Whittington Moor and the Real Ale Corner in  Brampton. Bizarrely, Sheffield does not have one although I am told that a couple of businessmen are looking at the possibility of setting up one in Broomhill.

All in all I think it is good that real ale drinkers have different types of surroundings in which to drink, variety is the spice of life and there are many different types of ale drinkers. But I will not be attempting to classify those anytime soon as it would be gargantuan task of diplomacy!

Beer Gardens of Sheffield

So which real ale pub in Sheffield has the best beer garden? I’m not the first local blogger to ask that question but seeing as we seem to be having some decent weather I thought I’d throw my opinion out there.

A few years ago I would have, without hesitation, agreed whole heartedly with gettothepub.com and say the Kelham Island Tavern. L shaped with plenty of seats, you sit among an urban jungle with actual vegetation. Sitting in that garden you would not think you were in the heart of an industrial wasteland. As pure escapism goes it’s hard to beat.

The Tavern is definitely still up there but there are now other outside drinking areas in which I’m also very happy to drink. The Fat Cat also has a top notch beer garden with the added features of a two covered areas, heat lamps and an equally cosy atmosphere. It wasn’t long ago when you could spot the old pub sign leaning against a wall, from the days when the Cat was known as the Alma after the road upon which it resides.

Staying around Kelham Island for now; the Riverside has a recently expanded beer garden although it is more functional than cosy in comparison to the last two discussed. However it does (as you would rather expect from its name) have a riverside beer garden, a surprisingly rare occurrence given the five rivers that flow through our fair city. There are only two that I can think of, both on the Don. The Riverside also has an outdoor shelter and has plenty of tables and seats.

The Gardeners Rest has the other riverside beer garden and is certainly a favourite of mine. Not that many seats but it does have a great atmosphere, with a few quirky touches, and has a better river view than the Riverside. Measures have been taken to boost the flood defences too in order to prevent a disaster on the 2007 scale, which saw them out of action for about 2 years. Being a little further out it does not get as busy as the gardens of the previous 3.

The Wellington is another of my favourites and while limited in size it more than makes up for it in character. There is a toilet seat, a traffic light and numerous signs pinned to the walls and fences. Having a covered area and ashtrays on the wall of the gents toilets also limits how much smoke gets into the garden. There is also a table around the other side of the toilet block which is often missed unless you squeeze past the owners car.

I am also quite partial to the drinking area around the conservatory of the Hillsborough. You could argue it is not very exciting but given its elevated rear position it offers a sense of privacy and some good views towards the city centre. The conservatory itself has 3 doors that can be opened meaning you still retain an element of the outside if you sit inside.

A recent favourite is the space behind the New Barrack Tavern which is often largely covered and provides plenty of vegetation as decoration. There is also a road sign that is a nod to a defunct nearby brewery; High House. And heading back towards town and up the hill there is the Blake which threatens to give you excellent views towards the city centre but sadly can’t, in respect to its neighbours. All decked out and with plenty of tables it is also not short on natural influences, which are due to be extended in the near future. There is also a sheltered smoking area near the back door and you can always perch on the back wall if all the tables are taken.

I must admit that I’m not sure what other beer gardens are on offer in the Crookes/Walkley area but I will be heading there soon so will investigate!

Moving into the city centre I would have to agree with gettothepub.com again; the Rutland Arms has the best beer garden there. A decent amount of seats and the level of vegetation serves to partly block out the city, although it’s hard to eliminate the roar of buses entering and leaving the bus station. And I’m told it’s no longer a sun trap since the Sheffield Hallam building across the lane was completed. But that wouldn’t bother me!

The Red Lion only had two tables at the front last time I went in but it is still a pleasant place to sit if you can. And the last time I drove past they had claimed some of the newly paved area near the front door with a couple more tables. It is not unpleasant to sit outside the Roebuck Tavern and watch the world go by, although I preferred doing the same outside the Yorkshire Grey (sob).

Heading out of the centre you have the University Arms which has a very nice place to drink beer outside. Plenty of space, trees and plenty of benches to sit at, all on grass too, but also suffers a little from being near a main road. Further up the hill and Sheffield’s nicest Wetherspoons is also the only one with a beer garden. The Francis Newton has benches around the building as well as a separate terrace on which you can eat. It’s a shame there are no seats in the garden, but then it is on a slope and I’m not sure if they’re allowed to do anything with it.

Shifting South East and you have the Sheaf View my celebrated local. Raised decking at the back and a grass bank with trees down the side make for pleasant surroundings. Further covered seating is round the side and mainly occupied by smokers. The beer garden is also very accessible with external doors in both sides of the pub and a path to the front.

I have always been quite fond of the White Lion’s beer garden having spent quite a lot of time there a few years ago. Cosy and interesting; spanning 3 levels it also has a shelter for smokers. If I recall there is some shrubbery and it certainly feels private.

I used to go to Carbrook Hall in days gone by as that has an excellent beer garden, but I’ve no idea if they currently have any real ale on. But that is all I can think to recommend in Sheffield without further investigation. It can generally be accepted that pubs further out in the suburbs probably have decent outside areas, due to lower density and possibly more greenery.

Of course you can always head out into the Peak District. The Millstone has plenty of tables outside the pub and a few more across the road at the edge of the car park. There are goats and micro pigs to amuse you but it’s a shame that trees obscure what would be a fine view. The Grouse has a modest sized terrace at the side of the building but does offer some good views. But if a view is what you want then you can’t beat the Barrel just outside Foolow, with it’s commanding ridge top position. Apparently on a clear day you can see 5 counties from that hill. There are some tables on a terrace at the front, some benches in front of the car parking spaces along the ridge, and you can sit on the grass bank at the side of the pub. Either way there are stunning views across a good portion of Derbyshire and if I recall there are 3 or 4 hand pumps dispensing real ale. If I could only go to one place it might well be there!