Stancill Brewery launches 'city's first craft lager'

Head brewer Dean Pleasant has developed a smooth, clean-tasting quadruple-filtered 4% ABV Stancill craft lager.

Sheffield is home to more than 25 breweries, but Stancill claims it is the first and only brewery in the city to produce such a brew.

The lager is made using the same base ingredients as Stancill’s ales – malt, hops, yeast and water – but is fermented using the lagering process over a longer time and at a cooler temperature.

Clean taste​

Then the liquid is filtered to give it a clean taste and is held in pressured kegs instead of traditional casks.

Managing director of the brewery Thomas Gill said: “Many brewers tend to avoid producing lagers because they require specialist filtering equipment that can be expensive to purchase and, without experience, it can be difficult to produce.”

The brewery inherited its lager equipment from Oakwell Brewery, but, until recently, decided that focusing on its core range was better for business.

Stancill was formed in 2013 by friends Gill and Dr Adam Hague after the Oakwell Brewery closed.

Take the plunge​

Gill added: “Last year, we decided to take the plunge and brew our own pilsner – the beer was very well received and we started receiving enquiries from publicans and lager drinkers about creating our own craft lager.”

Last month, the brewery bought the freehold for Sheffield pub the Horse & Jockey in Wadsley, in a bid to transform the run-down venue into a beer haven.

The South Yorkshire pub has been revamped and now has 10 new pump handles so the brewery’s entire range of brews can be stocked on the bar.

Of the acquisition, Gill told the Sheffield Telegraph​: “It’s significant because running a pub is very different to running a brewery but it’s an exciting step in the growth and evolution of our business.”