Hop, Clip, & Pump

There’s something immediately striking about this one. A smoked porter, packaged with imagery of British Rail porters crammed into a sardine tin , feels like a playful nod to history, though perhaps not the history you would first expect. After all, porter as a style owes its name not to railway workers, but to the street and river porters of 18th-century London , particularly those working in places like Billingsgate Market. So why the visual shift? Perhaps because this is not a London porter. This is a Sheffield interpretation, one that feels comfortable reworking tradition with a touch of humour and local identity. Porter: A Style with Working Roots Porter is one of the great historic beer styles. First emerging in 18th-century London, it became popular among labourers, particularly porters, who valued its robust, nourishing character . Brewed with dark malts, it offered depth, body, and a satisfying richness that made it ideal for long working days. Over time, the line betwe...

If you’re looking for a proper summer beer festival in Sheffield, The Rising Sun is once again hosting its much-loved Sunfest ,  a highlight of the local real ale calendar. Running from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July 2009 , this annual event brings together an impressive selection of drinks and live entertainment in a relaxed, welcoming setting. What to Expect 60+ real ales from across the UK A selection of ciders and bottled beers A lively atmosphere with plenty for both seasoned ale enthusiasts and casual visitors Whether you’re keen to explore new brews or simply enjoy a well-kept pint in good company, Sunfest offers plenty of choice. Live Music Line-Up The festival isn’t just about the beer, there’s a strong musical line-up across the weekend: Friday 10th July: Gentlemen of Jazz Saturday 11th July: Scuppered & The Loxley Silver Band Expect everything from smooth jazz to lively brass, adding to the festival atmosphere. Plan Your Visit 📍 Venue:...

"We’re just folk who love making quality beer." It’s a simple statement, but one that captures the ethos of Abbeydale Brewery with remarkable clarity. There is no pretension here, just a commitment to craft, consistency, and a genuine enthusiasm for brewing. From Home Brew to Sheffield Institution Like many of the best brewing stories, this one begins at home. Patrick Morton started as a home brewer, learning the fundamentals from scratch before gaining experience at Kelham Island Brewery . It was there that the idea of something more permanent began to take shape. Together with his father, he made the decision to invest in a new venture, one that would become Abbeydale Brewery, founded in 1996. From the outset, the aim was clear: to  produce high-quality beer using the best ingredients available , with careful attention paid to every stage of the brewing process. A Brewery Rooted in Place Abbeydale’s identity is closely tied to its surroundings in Sheffield . The ...

Some beers quietly become part of a city’s identity, not through marketing or spectacle, but through consistency, quality, and familiarity. Moonshine , brewed by Abbeydale Brewery , is one such beer, a pale ale that has, over time, come to define a certain Sheffield taste. Brewing in the Abbeydale Tradition Abbeydale Brewery was founded in 1996 by Patrick Morton and his father,  Hugh Morton . From the outset, their vision was clear: to produce high-quality beers using the best possible ingredients, with meticulous attention to the brewing process. This was a pivotal moment for British brewing. The 1990s saw the early stages of the craft revival, and Abbeydale quickly established itself as part of that movement, growing steadily, at one point achieving annual growth of around 25%. The brewery’s approach reflects both tradition and curiosity. While its recipes are built on classic pale malts, its hop selection is global, drawing not only from the UK, but from regions as far afield a...