Kelham Island Brewery Saved!

Further to my recent blog about the closure of Kelham Island Brewery, well good news for once, as the brewery and its ales have been saved by a Sheffield-based consortium, so Pale Rider will be available again, reasonably soon, I presume. I've sent off a few messages, and will be in Sheffield very soon so can ask around whilst there, any further information I discover as to where it will be brewed etc, I shall share as it becomes know, nice one, cheers!

They still hold their facebook page and website, and I'll cut & paste the message on the facebook page that explains the news (below), and this page written by Pete Brown is great too!

Kelham Island Brewery lives!

With huge excitement and a real sense of responsibility we're delighted to announce that a group of like-minded Sheffield individuals have joined together to ensure that the beers of Kelham Island Brewery will live on.

When we first heard the news about the closure in May we were as shocked and saddened as everyone that such a key part of Shefflield’s brewing heritage was to disappear. We couldn't imagine a time when we wouldn't be able to pop into the Fat Cat in Kelham Island for a pint of Pale Rider.

James O'Hara, venue owner and Tramlines co-founder and his team have joined up with Thornbridge Brewery to ensure that this fantastic heritage lives on. Thornbridge have a rich history and relationship with Kelham Island Brewery, the first ever beers brewed at Thornbridge Hall were in fact Kelham Island beers and Dave Wickett, the founder of Kelham Island Brewery and hugely influential figure in the history of brewing in the UK was a key mentor to Simon and Jim when their journey began. We're also delighted that Ed Wickett, son of Dave and owner of the Fat Cat has given us his blessing and the Fat Cat will have the first pour of the new batch of Pale Rider on October 19th.

Keep your eyes peeled for more news dropping soon, Pale Rider will be back in its rightful place on tap down in Kelham at the Fat Cat before you know it.

Pale Rider rides again!

Elizabeth II - I had to say something...

I've been thinking about what I want to say, and whether I should say anything or not... Of course it's not beer-related, but the satirical site, NewsThump, published a piece that says much, and probably the only non-humorous piece I've ever read of their's (copied and pasted below), but pointedly, it reminds us of the gap left in our lives, whether monarchist or republican...

I remembered that she was the only remaining head of state who had served in World War II, when she volunteered, then Princess Elizabeth, to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a mechanic and driver (above). I also remember that, before I was born, my Grandad had danced with Queen Elizabeth II when my Grandma used to work as a cleaner at Buckingham Palace, and they used to have Staff Christmas Parties. In addition, Thursday was my birthday and it was a sad ending to the day, so I shall never forget the day that Elizabeth died.

Indeed, she was a constant and will be missed, R.I.P. 😔

From NewsThump: 

Few things in life are constants; there in the background, always, your entire life, creating a sense of continuity.

Even if you don’t really pay attention, figures in public life give a sense of time and place. As established norms and realities fracture and change and become new and different, or are burned in war and rebuilt, a durable figure’s presence acts as a reassurance – a lodestone against which change can be measured and a reassurance that the future need not be uncertain as you fear.

And then one day they’re gone and it’s only then you see the gap in their place.

Without the constants, the changes seem so much bigger and the challenges all the greater. It’s a moment of mental dislocation, a moment when certainties become uncertain.

From those early photos of an uncertain but hopeful mechanic fixing up lorries to carry troops and weapons to punch Hitler in the face, to sharing a cuppa with Paddington, the Queen was there, her face on banknotes with a slightly quizzical smile as if surprised to actually be there.

And it was there for your entire life. It’s easy to lose sight of how valuable that stability is, not just to individuals but to a sense of identity.

Of course, people will make jokes. That’s what they do when they’re saddened and afraid. If they upset you, forgive them and move on.

Indeed...

Be Prepared for Cost of Beer to Rise AND...

We've likely all been thinking similar, and I didn't really want to mention it, but the price of beer is going to rise substantially soon, and even more pubs are going to go out of business sadly. The Cost of Living Crisis, which is becoming another crisis, no two ways about it, means spiralling costs are already putting pressure on brewers. This article (Peterborough Telegraph) was what stimulated this blog, as one of my favourite breweries, Oakham Ales, is calling for Government action to help ease the effects of inflation and swiftly soaring energy costs, which are driving up the cost to brewers "of raw materials, production and distribution" and no doubt soon to be followed by the need for higher wages for employees! 

For me, the local public house isn't just a place to go and drink, it's a social hub, often a social service for more vulnerable locals, and they also raise significant money for charities, for example my local, the Dolphin Inn in Hastings recently gave £1,379.50 to the RNLI Lifeboat Station from their collection box (Steve on Hastings). It isn't just the brewers that are looking at problems related to rising prices, and wages, but public houses too, energy costs particularly, as the cost of heating and lighting throughout opening times go metaphorically through the roof. And not to forget that the loss of pubs would mean the loss of places to buy real ales, worrying indeed!

Sussex Vintage Cider Update!

In my blog last Saturday I suggested that the Hunts (website) Sussex Vintage Cider (8.4%) was soon to run out at the Rye Waterworks, the last of this 5 years old vintage cider, well, I wasn't quite correct. I visited again yesterday and had another pint of this rich gorgeous cider (photograph above), but there was only a little over a pint left, and being the gent I am I didn't drink anymore, good for someone else to finish it off, cheers!

Any further news about Hunts ciders at the Waterworks and I'll report as appropriate.