The Church House, Sheffield

I was in here a couple of years ago and had a very good Bradfield Farmers Blonde, a beer I normally eschew, but it really was very good. Today's offering was two from Robinson's, plus Greene King IPA and Theakston Best Bitter, a fairly depressing line up in my experience. Influenced by my recollection of that previous visit I went for the Dizzy Blonde, but although it was crystal clear it had harsh hop flavours, no doubt the fault of the brewer rather than the cellar staff. Christmas music on the sound system didn't improve my mood, and paying £4.60 for my pint was the final nail in the coffin, or the cherry on top, if you prefer.

An impressive building from the outside, slightly less so when you get inside, although the snug on the right has some comfy chairs and a piano. There's another piano towards the rear, but whether or not either is ever played I couldn't say. A very eclectic playlist, pitched at the right volume was on during our visit. The Byrds, Jim Reeves Joan Armourplating and loads of others. A completely different set of beers on the bar from when Will visited. My pint of Farmers Blonde was OK, but again not top notch. We both quite liked it in here on a Thursday, late afternoon. I suspect it may well be very different on a weekend when there's a band on.

Official site of The Church House - www.thechurchhousesheffield.co.uk

Official site of The Church House - www.thechurchhousesheffield.co.uk

A fine old building with beautiful front windows, but the interior has been gutted and made into a standard upright drinking barn with pillars and girders. To be fair, there are a couple of attempts at a snug in the rear left and the front right, and even more laudably there is a lift to the left of the steps for anyone using a wheelchair (with toilet on the same level; others have to go upstairs). The bar is a long, massive and rather impressive affair, with four hand pumps holding pride of place in the centre. Beers on at the time of my visit can be seen in my photo; I went for the Black Sheep Bitter which was good, though not tip top. There's a small stage where a band's equipment was being set up at the time of my early evening visit (and according to WhatPub there is a recording studio upstairs which can be hired by any budding Arctic Monkeys).

Fair-sized church conversion with an interesting façade and various seating areas inside (some quieter than others). Pubco-type menu, but a bit more interesting than most. Friendly service, despite being busy on a Saturday evening. Four real ales on handpump: three from Caledonian - Deuchars IPA, Golden XPA and All American pale ale - plus Old Peculier. Overall, better than we were expecting.