The week-long celebration of Sheffield city’s breweries has returned – a vast array of events championing the local beer scene.
From 9 to 16 March the city of Sheffield has its breweries and pubs hosting dozens of events in honour of the ever-growing South Yorkshire beer market.
These events range from festivals and brewery tours to art exhibitions – Kelham Island pub The Harlequin hosting a display of the development of beer labels within Sheffield breweries.
A student visiting the Harlequin – Tobias Gurney-Savage, 20, said: “I really enjoyed exploring the beer culture of Sheffield and how it has progressed over time,both the creation and the way they promote it.”
“The Art of Beer” exhibition was curated by Richard Hough, a prominent figure known for his work as head brewer at brewSocial.
Running for the entire week, entry to the exhibition was free with visitors purchasing a pint from the pub downstairs before making their way upstairs to the artwork featured in the events space.
South Yorkshire breweries’ (Abbeydale,ACorn,Neepsend and BlueBee) beer label artwork stemming from 2002 was plastered over the walls of the Harlequin pub’s event room – a colourful display of how beer marketing has adapted over 20 years.
“I loved the Abbeydale artwork, pale ale being advertised by a black chess piece and black beer advertised by white piece.” said 19-year-old Connie Warrington.
Sheffield Beer week was first introduced by Jules Gray and Clare Tollick; the friends were inspired by the popularity of the SIBA conference and Beer X festival. This inspiration kicked off the first Sheffield Beer week in 2015.
Following on from the Art Exhibition, 2026 Beer week promoted nine collaboration brews such as: Abbeydale Synth City(pale ale,4.8%),Bradfield Brewery Nag Nag Nag (cold brew coffee porter,3.8%) and Loxley x Shakespeares Bitter Ol’ Bill (best bitter,4.5%).
The celebrations came to a close on Monday 16 March, a commemoration of the South Yorkshire breweries wrapped up for another year.
The event is set to return once again early March 2027.
