Is Sheffield the best beer city in England and is the Kelham Island Tavern the finest pub?

A local pub with a national reputation

I was in the Steel City researching a new book and also taking the opportunity to visit an old friend Dave Wickett – creator of the Fat Cat pub and founder of the Kelham Island Brewery. With pubs like the Fat Cat, Tap, Rutland Arms, Devonshire Arms, University Arms, Hillsborough and Harlequin a beer lover is never more than a short walk or a tram ride away from good beer.

The Kelham Island Tavern’s glass is much more than half full, it is bubbling over. The back street Sheffield pub recently won Campaign for Real ale’s (CAMRA) National Pub of the Year for an unprecedented second year in a row. Not bad for a boozer that was rescued from dereliction in 2002 and nearly went under following the Steels City’s flooding in 2007. It was shuttered, boarded and sadly dilapidated when bought by Trevor Wraith and Lewis Gonda in 2001, and most thought its best days like that of Sheffield’s steel industry had long since gone. But the pair had a vision of running a local pub based on simple virtues – good service, a wide choice of well-kept beer served by knowledgeable staff – which was a place for people of all ages to sit, chat and sometimes sing or just read newspapers.

And now their dream has become a nationally renowned gem with customers exchanging articulate views on the merits of a Farmers Blonde, a Nutty Black or even a Ludwig Wheat. Trevor Wraith said: “Never in a million years did I think I would get CAMRA’s national Pub of the Year the first time. To get it a year later is beyond imagination.” Inside, the Kelham is neat and clean – with a seeming Tardis like ability to keep allowing people in, most of whom seem to find a bit of space to call their own.

Lewis Gonda said: “We are a small, humble pub and we endeavour to serve the best real ale we can. We never envisaged anything like this could happen to us.” The pub offers up to 13 permanent hand pumps, including two that always dispense a mild, a stout or a porter.

Kelham Island’s accolades are well deserved and Sheffield is a delight to visit – but where could be better?

Kelham Island Tavern.

62 Russell Street. Kelham Island. Sheffield. S3 8RW.

0114 272 2482.

www.kelhamislandtavern.co.uk