Sheffield microbrewery to host virtual beer tasting event

The virtual beer tasting has been organised by Sheffield’s Little Mesters Brewery and the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival, and will take place on Friday, March 19.

Hosted from Little Mesters’ Tap, the tasting will showcase five of the brewery’s beers including its 4 per cent Little Mesters Original Lager as well as their 3.9 per cent original bitter which is brewed using golden syrup as well as seasonal specials including a spiced rum and raisin stout and a double dry hopped IPA and a fifth, mystery beer.

Founders Simon, Ian and Ben will offer those attending online an insight into the Meadowhead-based brewery they founded during lockdown as well as a tutored tasting.

Each tasting box will include eight beers and five varieties and can be ordered from the festival website: https://www.magnarealale.uk/

The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival will take place online the day after the tasting event, on Saturday, March 20, and proceeds from the event will be used to support Rotherham Cancer Care Centre.

Steve Burns, Festival Organiser said: “Over the years, the festival has acted as a platform for many new breweri es to showcase their beers, some of which, including the Black Sheep Brewery have gone on to become household names and loved all over the world.

“We wanted to continue that tradition this year and teamed up with Little Mesters Brewery to give ale enthusiasts a chance to sample a beers from a brewery which opened their doors during lockdown, meaning they have not been widely available in pubs.

“Last year’s festival was one of the last major events in South Yorkshire to take place before Britain entered into the national lockdown. We didn’t want to cancel this year’s event, so hit on the idea of creating a virtual festival, offering regular festival visitors a chance to recapture some of the magic of the festival from the comfort of their own living rooms, whilst doing their bit to support live music, real ale and of course raising funds to support the work of our chosen charity, Rotherham Cancer Care Centre."

The online festival will feature live performances from Bloodlines, the G-Men and At the Arcade that will be streamed behind closed doors from Magna Science Adventure Centre.

To mark the launch of the first virtual festival, organisers have partnered with Rotherham’s Chantry Brewery, to produce a limited edition festival beer, which was has been produced by a recipe developed by festival organiser Steve Burns. The festival will also be marked by a commemorative 2021 glass, both of which can be bought from Chantry Brewery website at: https://www.chantrybrewery.co.uk/one-hop-shop/

READ MORE:

- Owners of Sheffield hospitality venues on the impact of 12 months of Covid-19 restrictions

- People flock to Sheffield beauty spot to see mysterious metal monolith that has appeared

- Sleepy owl up tree in leafy Sheffield suburb becomes unlikely tourist attraction - drawing crowds of people

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.