“The beer is always good, so is the community” – We visit Sheffield’s Pub of the Year 2026
Sheffield is a city with a long-history steeped in the brewing of beer and it has some of the best watering holes around.
Kelham Island Tavern is one such establishment, one which is not only historic but highly awarded too.
This popular city pub has just been recognised (again) for its excellence with the prestigious Sheffield & District Pub of the Year Award 2026 from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The Star’s Chris Hallam paid a visit to the pub to meet Louise Singleton and Josh Jepson, who own and manage the establishment, to find out what makes it so popular.
“It’s always good, we have been crowned as the Pub of the Year a few times before,” said Josh with a smile.
Louise, the other half of this continuously award-winning duo expanded a little, adding: “It’s nice to know that we are keeping to the standards CAMRA would like it to be. But, we do like to keep the standards high. Our staff are a credit to us and it’s just great that we manage to keep the consistency.”
Kelham Island Tavern, like many of its city peers, is held in high-regard for very good reason. It’s not only a place where regulars come to enjoy a drink, a snack and a good chat, it’s also one that entices people from all over.
“Sheffield is such a good place for pubs, so it’s always nice to try and be at the top level every year,” Josh added.
It was branded the ‘best pub in South Yorkshire’ by the Daily Telegraph in 2025.
What is immediately noticeable when you walk through its doors is that you are greeted with a smile and a warm welcome. A fact that does not go unnoticed as you take your pick from what is a fantastic selection of beers, ales, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re stuck and unsure what to go for, both the staff and many of the custodians are more than happy to make a suggestion that may just tickle your fancy.
Before I had even taken a seat, I was offered a pint and even had a couple of suggestions for ones to try.
You don’t get that in many places and it’s testament to the much-lauded atmosphere and choice that gives you the confidence that there will be something to both wet your whistle and a comfortable place to enjoy it in.
We also spent a bit of time talking about Sheffield Beer Week, an annual event founded by Jules Gray in 2015, that takes place in the second week of March (coinciding with International Women’s Day). Initially it started out with 10 venues before expanding to more than 40 over the past decade.
This year the celebration of the city’s independent beer scene runs from March 9 until March 15, alongside Norwich City of Beer it is one of only two UK-based city-wide beer events that have been in place for more than 10 years.
Josh gave a little insight into the event and what the Kelham Island Tavern would be doing as part of the annual event.
“Jules from the Hop Hideout set it up, and it’s gone from strength to strength. All the pubs involved across the city put on events. We’ve got three or four events going on this week,” he said.
For those who just so happen to be passing by from March 10, you will be able try a ‘Chocolate mild’, America Eight Hop, Charred Oak-aged Stout and a Black IPA – all from the Blue Bee Brewery and there will be more to come.
“Over the weekend we’ve got Verdant Brewery taking over the taps. We’ll have four or five different kegs of theirs over the weekend. We’ve also got four one off beers from Blue Bee Brewery, it’s my brewery so I make that beer,” explained Josh.
“Our most popular beer, well the one we sell the most of is probably the American Five Hop from Blue Bee, we’ve got thirteen different cask beers and ten different keg beers on, so there’s plenty to choose from.
“We do allsorts, we’ve also got Moonshine on from Abbeydale. It’s Sheffield’s most popular beer. Everyone’ll know that. It’s a good starting beer, especially if you’re not feeling adventurous.”
Louise also put forward some more suggestions for those with differing tastes.
“We’ve got Barnsley Bitter, very traditional and they are very good at what they do. We’ve had that on since Trevor (Wraith) ran the pub,” she said.
I asked both Louise and Josh what it is that makes the Kelham Island Tavern, not just so revered and praised, but special and this is what they had to say.
Louise took the lead here: “For us, it’s the beer. Most of all it’s the staff and the regulars. We have a variety that comes in, and we’re very lucky that we have a wide-range of customers. What makes it so special is that the staff are knowledgeable, the beer is always good and the community is good.”
Josh added: “The community aspect of it as well. There’s more people living in Kelham Island now, so we get regulars from all over Sheffield and we also get locals, the people who live in the area now. And everyone intermingles and talks to each other.
“The staff are really good at knowing the customers names, making everyone feel welcome and so people can chat among people they may never have met before – and coming away thinking that they’ve made friends.”
Community is an important part of making a pub what it is, a hub if you like.
A place where everyone is welcome from all walks of life, and when they do so happen to take a trip to the Kelham Island Tavern the team there are always more than happy to pull you a pint of the good stuff, whatever it is that you may choose.
Kelham Island Tavern can be found at: 62 Russell St, Sheffield S3 8RW
You can follow the pub at: https://www.instagram.com/kelhamislandtavern
For more information on Sheffield Beer Week, go to: https://sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk/