Kelham Island (probably brewed by Thornbridge now) Fagan's

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		23 May 2026	4th beer of this visit: A lasting head and lacing presented on this Irish Red Ale that was originally from Sheffield in South Yorkshire and where brewing was set up in 1990, becoming the first new independent brewery to open in Sheffield for nearly 100 years. Kelham Island ales are currently brewed by Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell, Derbyshire, following the original brewery in Sheffield going into liquidation in 2022. The brand was saved by a consortium of local Sheffield investors, including the co-founders of Thornbridge Brewery. A dry bitter first hit on this special collaboration beer brewed by Kelham Island Brewery alongside the historic Fagan's pub in Sheffield, believed to be the longest continuously licensed pub in Sheffield, dating back to the late 1700s and described as a living time capsule of cultural, musical and social history in the city. A malty bitterness rising from its roasted barley, biscuit, and caramel malts lending it a sweet, toasted-bread profile with a dry, roasty finish. A moreish dry earthy hoppiness winning over and derived from its traditional bittering and aroma hops, relying on classic English varieties such as Fuggles, Goldings (notably East Kent Goldings), or Challenger hops and minus the intense, tropical citrus punch found in modern American craft styles and here used to merely impart a mild, balanced bitterness and a subtle earthy, herbal woody aroma. A malty note playing out with hints of caramel from its roasted barley and crystal malts with a lightly fruited hoppiness from hedgerow fruits. Served in top nick and the best so far.