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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
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Kelham Island Tavern, Kelham Island, Sheffield
Sheffield
S3 8RW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Kelham Island Tavern
It's difficult to add much new to what has already been written about this real ale gem. It is cosy and comfortable and definitely more twee than the Fat Cat. Thirteen real ales on, four as regulars: Pictish Brewers Gold, Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Acorn Barnsley Bitter and Thwaites Highwayman. The remaining 9 are from a range of brewers across a number of styles and strengths both local and from further afield. Unerring and accurate advice from behind the bar, which is virtually the only time I've ever experienced it, led us to The Durham's Hopping Mad which was outstanding. The ale range is intelligently chosen and knowledgably presented so if you know what you like to drink, not only will you find it here but you'll be led to it. Another of Sheffield's must visits.
On 10th June 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Kelham Island Tavern
Famed multi-award winning pub, it has been CAMRA National pub of the Year two years in a row (2008/2009) plus too many others to list; it sits in the urban wastes of Kelham Island and is one of the stars of the Valley of Beer. 13 handpumps one of which always has a mild or porter, one of each on my last visit, and usually from local small breweries, whatever you choose is likely to be as good as it gets. Comprising one big room at the front with a segregated dining area behind. The front room has a bay to each side with bench seating and the traditional tables, the lefthand bay has a mirrored fireplace complete with Staffordshire Dog figurines and also the 'throne' of the pub's ginger cat. The L shaped barcounter is a beautiful victorian example manned by staff who are always very pleasant and efficient, the atmosphere is slightly genteel probably a reflection of the tastes and personalities of the two gentlemen who run it. In view of its award winning record and location there will generally be a few half pint drinking, satchel toteing Camra types, but it is not exclusively a tickers pub.
On 1st March 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Kelham Island Tavern
Thank goodness for places like this (and the Fat Cat around the corner), maintaining the fine tradition of English public houses specialising unapologetically in decent beer. With so many unfamiliar real ales, it was difficult to make a choice but a dark mild from the Yorkshire Dales Brewery came recommended and went down very well with a cheese roll (which cost altogether about £3.50). Could happily have stayed all day...
On 28th February 2009
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Kelham Island Tavern
This place seems to accrue so many accolades that one day it will probably win an Oscar. The day we visited they were being presented with the CAMRA Best Pub in Yorkshire award and now they can add the National Pub of the Year award to the many certificates on display.
The front bar is cosy without being confining and the décor old fashioned without feeling musty, dog eared or dated. Brewery mirrors adorn the walls along with various ornaments that wouldn't look out of place on granny's mantelpiece. To the rear is a more modern conservatory style extension with a light spacious and airy feel and a further assortment of jugs, vases and other nick nacks. Everything is neat, tidy and presentable and the atmosphere is pleasantly sedate with unobtrusive music and a strict no swearing policy. The beer side of things is, as one would expect, impressive with 11 cask beers on my visit (they always include a mild and stout or Porter), certainly too many for me to note down but choice was certainly not a problem and quality first rate. A narrow but picturesque beer garden wraps itself around the rear and side of the building and, true to form, is also an award winner.
As fine as it is, I don't think I would ever call it my favourite watering hole but it certainly is a pub worthy of its acclaim and well worth travelling those exetra few yards from the City Centre to find (along with its Fat Cat neighbour of course).
On 20th February 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about Kelham Island Tavern
Thwaites Original & Nutty Black, Banks&Taylor Clanger, Cathedral Ale Black Imp, Marlow Rebellion Roasted Nuts, Potbelly Brewery Jingle Bellies, Salamander Cornucopia, Abbeydale Vespers, Sheffield Brewery Snowflake, Pictish Brewers Gold, Acorn Barnsley Bitter, Bradfield Brewery Farmers Blonde (served in glasses with logo ‘Farmers, & No Bull').Good welcome from theguv(?) and, when I started with halves of Blonde & Vesper, his warning that the latter was a dark beer showed good customer care. Nice homely bar area, small ‘library' shelf to left (closer inspection revealed mostly gbg editions), coal stove in fireplace (unlit in Mon snow?), trad furniture with banquette seating in opposite corners and solid tables/chairs between. Room to seat another coupla dozen in the airy rear room with skylight & windows to surrounding beer ‘garden'/terrace. Walls variously decorated with paintings/photos/prints/awards. Also a warning that ‘If in conversation you need to swear, then take your custom elsewhere'. Good job I was alone!
Nice wooden L-shaped bar faces the entrance, with diamond tiled surround and wood boards beyond. Note also the rare but welcome sight of homemade rolls on bar, ham or cheese, £1.60. Beers served in over-size glasses, £2.00-£2.20pp; also interesting to note that some were set up with sparkler & others not – presume this to be according to the requirements of each beer & a definite indication of commitment to quality product. Other beers incl St Louis Kriek (cherry), Warsteiner, Konig Ludwig Weissbier, Westons Country Perry, Old Rosie. In the loo is a rather sad collage of “Sheffield's forgotten pubs”, none on my list & presumably all now gone – thank goodness for hostelries such as this to still cheer the soul.
On 4th February 2009
- rating: 9
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Russ Hunt left this review about The Kelham Island Tavern
This place has won so many awards they must be getting embarrased ! Right around the corner from the Fat Cat, the Kelham Island Tavern is one for the drinkers rather than the eaters.
An excellent range of ever changing beers and a great beer garden to drink them in when the sun is shining.
A must visit pub if you are in Sheffield.
On 9th August 2007
- rating: 10
[User has posted 9 recommendations about 9 pubs]