Sheffield Pub News - November 2006

Local drinkers that are members of the Campaign for Real Ale have voted for the Cheshire Cheese at Hope as winner of their December Pub of the Month award.

The Pub of the month award is a positive campaign to highlight good pubs that serve quality cask beer in comfortable and friendly surroundings.

Although it is a stiff hike from the station, the Cheshire Cheese is an essential stopping point in the Hope Valley.

Perhaps the biggest attraction is the range of beers available. Even the regular beers, Black Sheep Bitter and Whim Harrington Bitter, compare favourably with most pubs in the valley, which tend to stock beers from the larger companies.

There is also a rolling programme of guest beers, usually featuring small breweries such as Acorn, Archers, Glossop, Storm, Phoenix, Kelham Island and Coach House.

The enthusiasm for interesting beers belongs to David Halliwell, who took over the ownership of this pub in February 2000, having previously been cellar manager. David and his wife Anthea are supported by daughter Kathryn, chef Alan Jackson and "right hand man" Nigel Green.

The Cheshire Cheese is a cosy pub dating from 1578, and has three small rooms, one of which is at a lower level and was probably originally used to house animals, but now provides the main (non-smoking) dining area. The pub has been extended at the back to make space for three letting rooms. In other respects it remains much as before.

The Cheshire Cheese is now open all day Saturdays and Sundays, as well as 12-3 and 6-11 weekdays. Also, meals are served all afternoon (12-8.30) on Sundays and at lunchtime (12-2) and evening (6-8.30) on other days.

We congratulate David and Anthea on receiving for the third time Sheffield and District CAMRA's Pub of the Month award, which will be presented on the evening of Friday, 1st December.

We have now removed the Matilda Tavern, formerly on Matilda Street, from our directory, as the pub is currently boarded up.

The Porter Brook in Sharrow Vale holds a regular jam night called the "Porter Jam Night" on alternate Tuesdays. The next night is Tuesday 14th November and all are welcome to play and sing.

The Riverside Cafe Bar near the city centre have emailed us with some upcoming live music dates. Please see our events page for details.