There are moments in brewing when resilience becomes part of the flavour. For Kelham Island Brewery , this year has been one of those moments. Following severe flooding in their corner of Sheffield earlier in the year, an event that threatened both infrastructure and production, the brewery has responded not with hesitation, but with renewed energy. The result has been a strong run of seasonal ales, each reflecting both craft and determination. Among them, Blitzen stands out as something particularly fitting for the season. Brewing Through Adversity Kelham Island’s location, so integral to its identity, is also its vulnerability. Situated near the River Don, the area has long been associated with Sheffield’s industrial past. Water powered the mills; now, occasionally, it disrupts them. The flooding earlier this year was a reminder of that precarious balance. Yet what followed speaks to the character of the brewery and the wider Sheffield brewing scene: recovery, adaptation, and ...
The notebook of a renegade bartender and amateur drinking enthusiast with a passion for real ale, beer festivals, microbrewing, and pubs. Relentless rants on what to drink, while quaffing, scoffing and reviewing from both sides of the bar.