Cross Scythes, Sheffield

An interesting building, with art deco features such as the fireplace in the front bar and the refurbishment is largely in tune with the building: foxglove wallpaper in two of the rooms in shades of pink and (surprisingly) lilac. There are three bar counters in this multi-roomed pub, with a corresponding multitude of hand pumps selling almost exclusively Thornbridge beers. This is a downside for me, since I don't like the vast majority of their beers, and therefore plumped by default for the only stranger on the bar. This, however, could have been labelled Son of Thornbridge, because it had exactly that unbalanced bitterness and cloying aftertaste that I was trying to avoid. Oh well... We went and sat in the front bar, which has been painted black and has a black floor too, the only brightness coming from the aforementioned fireplace (though unlit) and the bar billiards table in the corner. It was fairly busy, but with people split between the front and back outdoor seating and three internal areas, there was not much atmosphere. If there were other beers on I'd be more inclined to try this one again - others without my antipathy to the brewery will doubtless be pleased to visit as it stands.

Re-opened 02.08.12, after a £200k refurb. Now being run as a joint venture between Punch Taverns and Thornbridge brewery.