Stag & Eel, Sheffield

Handily across the road from Shakespears, Bar Stewards is a typically laid out micro with tables and wooden bench seating along with a few stools alongside a beer shelf. Four handpumps with three in use, Loxley Get EM In, True North One For The Road and Abbeydale Heathern which was my beer of choice and was in fair condition. I don't mind a micropub but some can be a bit ordinary, this one falls into that category and simply cant compete with the pub over the road.

Initially I wasn’t going to bother with this one and was heading for the Shakespeare opposite. But on seeing some fellow Pubs Galore crawlers ensconced in the seating which is in the window section I decided to pop in and have a look and I’m glad I did. Yes, I will agree with the reviewer below that I have seen micro pubs done a lot better than this and despite the window seating there is still not a lot else outside a couple of stalls and it’s mainly vertical drinking space only, and the bar still looks like it’s put together out of cheap building materials but then that’s probably because it is. But on the plus side the place is gradually growing some character as a bar, with the growing beer related decor including the beer mat collection on one of the walls. And the beer and ale selection seems to have increased since previous reviews in that as well as the four handpumps on the bar top there is a four tap keg unit and then an additional six craft beer taps on the chipboard wall behind the bar. And there is now a bit more professional chalkboard ( when looking at timeline photos on google maps) on the right hand wall giving good details of the available keg and cask offerings. The three ales available on our visit were Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Lost Industry Pale Rakau and a decently kept Kirkstall Mosaic. And then alongside the couple of permanent lagers from the bar keg taps there were seven craft beers on the other taps mainly from local York and Lancs breweries including Northern Monk and Chorlton Brewing co and then a couple from father afield from Burnt Mill in Suffolk and Left Hand Giant from Bristol. My Mosaic was a very reasonable £3.60 a pint or £1.80 for the half. Whereas nearly all the craft beers were £5.50 a pint and beyond. Interestingly they were available in a third, half and two thirds measures as well. In conclusion I have to agree, not the best micropub experience I have had by a long way but the two guys behind it seem to be making a serious go of it and I wish them well.

Managed to call in on Sunday after our abortive attempt last time we were in Sheffield as they were closed after a robbery. A very basic room with a bare brick wall down one side and some pretty uncomfortable bench seating. There's a outdoor area in a yard which didn't appeal even though it was sunny. The bar back looks to be made of chipboard with 4 craft keg taps peering out from it. There are also 4 handpumps on the bar. Pretty quiet during our visit with only 4 other people dotted about. It's not that comfortable and there was a definite lack of chat that epitomises micropubs. Not really impressed, but we'll probably give it another go next time we're in Sheffield.

Well it is still here so hopefully now a permanent fixture, a shop conversion micropub with unusually a central bar with space in front and to the rear where there are stacked tables and an opening with a garage door. A kitchen to the rear side with a single unisex toilet beyond. An old chimney breast and fireplace looks to have been loosely bricked up leaving a fully exposed brick wall, the inside face of the front door is covered in postcards and flyers. Handpumps here rather than stillage, on cask were Arbor Smac My Brew Up, Gun Brewery Scaramanga Extra Pale, Tiny Rebel Hank and Beer Ink Noire Stout. Several keg beers too with taps on a MDF backboard, a fridge has a selection of tins. There's a good chippy a few doors up.