Kelham Island Brewery saved from closure

The brewery’s rescue is a collaboration between Tramlines music festival co-founder and Sheffield venue owner James O’Hara; his brother and financial analyst Tom O’Hara; Simon Webster and Jim Harrison of Thornbridge Brewery; Peter Donohoe, founder of Sheffield-based creative studio Peter and Paul; and Ben Rymer, marketing manager from beer festival organisers We Are Beer.

James O’Hara, who put the group together after hearing about the brewery’s closure, said: “Kelham Island Brewery and its flagship beer Pale Rider are known and revered beyond Sheffield. It’s heritage that we, as a city, should be really proud of. We couldn’t let that just disappear, it means too much within the city and to the UK’s beer culture for it to become another Wikipedia entry.”

The group said Kelham Island has played a significant role in Sheffield’s history and heritage with the brewery founded in 1990 by Dave Wickett, which was the first new independent brewery in Sheffield for more than a century.

Brewing prowess

It began in the garden of the Fat Cat pub in Kelham Island with its brewing alumni going on to set up and work for Abbeydale, Thornbridge, Magic Rock, Bradfield and BrewDog.

Webster from Thornbridge Brewery added: “Kelham Island has always been linked with Thornbridge. They were the reason we started the business. Theirs were the first beers we brewed and Dave Wickett was a guiding hand in the early days of Thornbridge.

“When I first heard about the closure, I immediately thought, how can we help? How can we save the heritage that the Wickett Family had built? I chatted passionately about what we could do with James and we formulated a plan to try to save those great beers.

“I’m so pleased we have been successful. We’re looking forward to brewing the beers and keeping Kelham Island Brewery alive in Sheffield and beyond.”

Flagship beer

Pale Rider, the brewery’s flagship cask beer, won the Champion Beer of Britain in 2004, it was the first winner to use hops from the US and is still the only beer in South Yorkshire to have ever received the accolade.

Rymer, who works for beer festival organisers We Are Beer, said: “American hops form the backbone of the modern craft beer scene, but what Dave was doing was really revolutionary. He really went out on a limb at the time and was a true visionary.”

Harrison from Thornbridge Brewery said: “[Dave] was years ahead of his time and I’m so proud that we have been able to save these beers from being lost forever.”

Meanwhile, Ed Wickett, former Kelham Island Brewery owner and son of founder Dave Wickett, said: “I’m really pleased the brewery is in such safe hands. It’ll be great to serve Pale Rider in the Fat Cat again.”

The first pour of Pale Rider will be at the Fat Cat on lunchtime of the 19 October. It will then also be pouring at CAMRA’s Steel City Beer Festival taking place at Kelham Island Museum starting on the evening of the 19 October for four days. The beer will then be delivered to the wider on-trade from week commencing 24 October.