barry docks

Went in early Sunday evening. It's hipster central obviously. Think beards, glasses, filament light bulbs and toddlers dressed in waistcoats (probable names - Rowen / Chaffinch). But actually I did like the place. Definitely still a work in progress. The upstairs isn't finished yet and apparently there's a small beer garden to sort out (obviously hipsters need somewhere to smoke their roll-ups!). On the beer front it was just bottles - stuff from Sam Smiths, Thornbridge, Vedett, Brass Castle (!) to name a few, plus wines, spirits, coffee etc. It would be nice if they could get something on draught. On the food front I think it's just going to be snacks from the bhaji place next door. As for the name, the lady behind the bar said the building was where they used to stable the horses for the horse-drawn trams. I certainly agree with previous comments about Meersbrook being a nice place to live right now. Long may it continue.

Went in on Sunday afternoon. Like what they've done with the interior - really smart. It was fairly busy and took ages to get served - just one bloke on behind the bar. Beer garden was full of kids. Mercifully no sign of the EPBs. Found the choice of ale somewhat underwhelming. Couple from Bradfield, couple from Blue Bee, the ubiquitous and bland Doom Bar and a slightly more interesting guest or two - Tring Brewery I think. If you want something on keg prepare to be disappointed. Stones cold (really), Coors Light, Kozel and Veddet. The latter of these was a not unreasonable £3.50 a pint. I think I'll stick to the Sheaf.

We used to go alot. It made a pleasant change from The Sheaf View (I believe Mr Birkett had a falling out with Thornbridge and being the sort of bloke who DOES hold a grudge has refused to sell their beer ever since!). However, it's rare we visit now. Last time was a couple of weeks ago. Saturday, about 1800. Totally deserted. On the plus side the beer was spot on and there was a great choice - though a bit too much headache material for my liking. But it doesn't seem quite the same as when the previous couple ran it. If I'm after a Thornbridge fix I'll probably stroll over to The Stag instead though this can suffer from outbreaks of middle class kids syndrome ("Stop that at once Mungo" etc etc)

Not just who has the silliest facial hair but who can be the most aloof... Went in on Sunday. Dead Pony Club was the cheapest offering at £3.95 a pint. The most expensive foreign exotica was £4.50 a third. Tactical Nuclear Penguin was £6 for a 25ml shot. The place is as you would expect - lots of concrete and ducting and the music was too loud. But then I was a good 20 years older than most of the clientele. Where they get their money from is beyond me. I would go again as I like the beer but it's never going to be a place for a session. Nor am I anywhere near down with the kids enough...

According to their website The Tap charges £5 for a 500ml bottle of Thornbridge Chiron. This is only (only, ha!) £3.70 a pint in The Cross Scythes / Stag etc. And if anybody is really willing to pay £4.30 for a bottle of Coopers Sparkling Ale (currently about £1.60 in Waitrose) then they want their head examining. If you really want to feel fleeced try one of the Craft Beer Co places in London. Last time I was in the cheapest keg beer thay had on was £7 a pint. At least it was something unusual. I've heard the latest location that will be benefitting from a Tap is Leeds. Somewhere near the new Trinity shopping centre. Anybody know if this is a definite?

I've started saving already. I reckon by the end of October I might be able to afford a pint (or maybe a schooner?) of something ridiculously strong... I've been to the Leeds and Nottingham branches recently and whilst the decor and staff are way too up their own posteriors for my liking the (expensive) beer has always been superb.

OK, I forgot to mention, if it lands on it's side it's The Dronfield Arms! It is good to see the Sheffield award go to someone different though I have to agree with Mogwai84 about Shakespeare's needing a bit of a tidy up. Do I assume the top 10 list will appear in the next edition of Beer Matters?

I can't imagine the Dronfield and District Sub Branch had a particularly difficult decision to make. Heads it's the Three Tuns, tails it's the Coach & Horses!

Did I just read that correctly? The Kelham Island Tavern is not Sheffield pub of the year? Some mistake there surely Andy?

Speaking of The Tap, has anyone tried the Magic Rock Salty Kiss? £4.30 a pint but I think it's worth it (just). It's certainly unique. Intensely sour. But I like that. The own-brewed Miami Weisse is pretty decent as well. £4 a pint for that. The new room is fantastic. Get a seat in one of those armchairs and watch the contents of your wallet rapidly disappear!

You've got to admire the gall (if not the spelling) of busdriver1. Most of the employees of First / Stagecoach make Kim Jong-un seem like a thoroughly pleasant bloke

Frozen chips, Old Speckled Hen, kids screaming their heads off. Sounds like fun....

I don't think there's a single pub in the whole Manor/Arbourthorne/Intake area I'd want to spend an afternoon in, perhaps partly due to the total lack of anything decent to drink. If I'm going to spend the best part of £3 on a pint I want to at least enjoy it. One place I've often wondered about is The John O' Gaunt on Blackstock Road. I drive by this place all the time though funnily enough I've never been in. Judging by the state of the exterior it's difficult to tell if it's even still open but if it is the image I have in my mind is not one of Guardian readers enjoying a quiet pint of Erdinger....

Alot of the truly terrible pubs in Sheffield in Sheffield have closed though you only have to visit some of the more "socially challenged" areas (Manor, Arbourthorne, Low Edges etc) if you fancy a pint of John Smiths smooth and a fight. An interesting location is The Brown Bear in town. Nice cheap Sam Smiths beer and the pub itself was tastefully tarted up a while back. Unfortunately every time I go in there someone tries to sell me some frozen meat or a pair of trainers. If I could only pick one pub as my favourite it would have to be The Sheaf View but then I do live locally. No Fosters. No bandits. Sensible prices. Great beer choice. Pipers crisps. What more could you want.