Barnsley CAMRA Spring 2024 Pub of the Season

The Crystal Palace, Thurlstone

Barnsley CAMRA are delighted to announce that the winner of the Spring Pub of the season award 2024 is the Crystal Palace, Thurlstone. Since May 2021 the pub has been home to the Kibble brewery serving beers which are brewed in a former stable block in the car park. The owner/brewer is a former miner which explains the Kibble name. A kibble is a big bucket used in pit shafts and the owner reckoned the mash tun (which came from the now-closed Hamelsworde brewery) looks like one. The beers are often named after coal seams. The pubs offers up to three permanent beers along with seasonal brews. Situated 100m back from the main road. Barnsley CAMRA will be holding a presentation evening on April 12th at 8pm.

For further detail see the What Pub listing Crystal palace What Pub.

Barnsley CAMRA Autumn 2023 Pub of the Season

The Huntsman, Thurlstone

Barnsley CAMRA are pleased to announce that the winner of our Autumn Pub of the season award is The Huntsman, Thurlstone. The pub has been a firm favourite of real ale lovers for many years and is at the heart of the local community. A regular entry in the guide and a regular award-winning pub and is a hub for many local activity groups and hosts regular music sessions. It has a fantastic ambience created by a chatty and appreciative clientele. Six real ales are always in superb condition. Food is available but only on a Tuesday evening and Sunday Lunchtime. Dogs with well-behaved owners are especially welcome. All this excellence is down to the hard work of licensee Sam and her team. On hearing the news Sam was delighted with the news. The branch will me holding a presentation evening, keep an eye out on our online Branch Diary for the date. Opening Times Regular Monday - Thursday 5.00 pm - 11.00 pm Friday 3.00 pm - Midnight Saturday Noon - Midnight Sunday Noon - Midnight

For further detail see the What Pub listing What Pub The Huntsman

Phil Gregg

Barnsley CAMRA Summer 2023 Pub of the Season

Nailmaker Brewery Tap, Darton

Our summer Pub of the season winner is the Nailmaker Brewery Tap at Darton. Since opening the brewery tap has become a firm favourite in this area that has become a mecca for real ale lovers. This popularity is down to the hardwork of Brewer Alison and her hardworking staff. The tap for the excellent Nailmaker brewery occupies a pleasant position next to the River Dearne, overlooked by some of the plentiful outside seating. The bar is in the brewery itself where there are a few stools for drinkers. Next door is a more comfortable room with several tables, an attractive wood-clad wall and greenery hanging from the trusses. Four of their own beers are on handpump with another five on keg plus numerous bottles and cans. Up to seven ciders from Lilleys are also available. The tap is a shortish walk from both the railway station (through a tunnel) and from the bus stop on the main road. On Saturdays you can expect both a pizza van and live music from 3pm. The bar also opens on Bank Holiday Sundays and is available for private hire at other times.

For further detail see the What Pub listing What Pub Nailmaker Brewery Tap

Phil Gregg

Barnsley CAMRA Winter 2022 Pub of the Season

George and Dragon, Summer Lane

Following the devastating impact of the Covid pandemic and the return to something of a more normal way of living Barnsley CAMRA are pleased to announce that our 4 annual Pub/Club of the season awards are back with a bang, and we are starting with a wonderful oasis for the discerning Real Ale drinker situated just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.

The George and Dragon has been a favourite of the local community for many years and despite a few turbulent years the pub was taken over during the pandemic by Andrew Page and his sister Diane. Andrews has previously run the award-winning Robin Hood Pub in Altofts, Wakefield. Andrew and Diane began to bring back the pub to the fantastic community pub we know and love.

The pub is now a real ale lovers paradise offering four changing real ales from local breweries with a style to suit everyone’s palette. The pub is proud to support local brewers and celebrating the finest of local beers. The pub also has an extensive offering of craft beers available in cans. Both rooms have been tastefully decorated and adorned with attractive prints. The main bar is dominated by the splendid counter and bar back and comfy bench seating. The pub has a sizeable outdoor drinking area. The pub also offers regular entertainment. Barnsley CAMRA will be hosting a presentation evening at the pub. We are delighted to welcome you to celebrate this wonderful pub so make sure to add this to your diary and come along and celebrate this wonderful pub.

The Pub is open every day from 12 till late.

Phil Gregg Pubs and Clubs Officer Barnsley CAMRA

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Spring 2019 Pub of the Season

Congratulations to the team at The Wentworth Arms, Mapplewell for picking up Spring Pub of the Season from Barnsley CAMRA. The pub opened in May 2017 after a local couple bought the former restaurant on the site and extensively refurbished inside and out, exposing the original stone and brick both externally and internally, making it more in keeping with the rest of the village. The large building, just set back from the main road on Greenside, is now back to its original name and again a popular traditional, community pub, albeit with a modern twist. There’s a large beer garden to the side and rear and a large car park to the front - though Mapplewell has a good bus service with the Number 1 and X10 running well into the evening each day. And remember that Stagecoach have an Evening Plus ticket that costs just £2.50 for unlimited travel after 6pm. The Wentworth Arms team have a passion for real ale and craft beers. Almost all of the cask beers are Locale, with changing cask beers from the likes of Nailmakers, Acorn, Jolly Boys, Revolutions and other Yorkshire breweries. A fine range of changing craft beers is also on sale. Beers currently available as well as those waiting in the cellar are frequently updated on the pub’s website, wentwortharms.co.uk plus Facebook, Untappd, Twitter and Instagram. In January the pub hosted its second successful four day Tap Takeover, with North Brewing Co from Leeds taking over all four cask lines and three keg lines for the event. At the same time neighbouring Talbot Inn hosted a Tap Takeover by Thornbridge Brewery, who similarly took over the four cask lines and three keg lines for the event. The previous takeover was hosted by Magic Rock brewery. For the non-ale drinkers there’s a wide selection of lagers, cider, gins, wines, cocktails plus coffees and tea, so no reason not to call in. A bar menu was introduced in late 2017, consisting of a mix of traditional pub classics and modern alternatives such as pizzas, burgers and sharing plates. There is also live music every Saturday and Sunday evening. Barnsley CAMRA will be making the presentation of Spring Pub of the Season to Paul, Tracey and the team at The Wentworth Arms on Thursday 4th April, meeting up at around 8pm for the presentation at around 9pm so please come along and congratulate the team for being a fantastic village pub. Opening times: 4-10pm Monday & Tuesday, 4-11pm Wednesday & Thursday; 12 noon-Midnight Friday; 10.30-Midnight Saturday; 10.30-10.30pm Sunday. Food times: 4-9pm Wednesday and Thursday; 12-9pm Friday; 10.30am-7pm Sunday. Nigel Croft

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WINTER PUB OF THE SEASON – Tap & Brew, Hoyland Common

Our winter pub of the season is the Tap & Brew micro-pub, a must visit in Hoyland Common since it opened in June 2017.

The Tap & Brew was converted from a Victorian tea room, retaining its fine overmantle and fireplace. It has quickly become popular with local folk, stocking a good selection of bottled beers and a range of gins alongside the regularly changing cask beers and ciders. Food served includes breakfast Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when the pub opens at 8am, plus lunchtime offerings of paninis, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and salads. Afternoon teas are also available.

Different events are organised such as quiz nights, open mic (first Sunday of the month) and live music. The pub is available for private functions so could be closed if a special event is on – these are well publicised on their Facebook page. Board games and local history books are free to use and walkers and dogs are welcomed.

The pub owners were over the moon to be told of the award and we’ll be making the presentation on Friday 26 January, around 9pm – so please come along and help celebrate this fantastic community pub. Getting to Hoyland Common by public transport is easy. The 66 bus leaves Barnsley at 7.35pm and stops outside the pub. The return 66 leaves at ten minutes past the hour from a stop five minutes away on Sheffield Road. As we go to print, a Stagecoach Evening Rider costs £2.50 and is valid after 6pm on all local Stagecoach buses.

Current opening times of the Tap & Brew are 1pm-11pm Mon-Wed, 8am-11pm Thu-Sat and 12noon-11pm Sun.

Nigel Croft

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AUTUMN PUB OF THE SEASON – The Huntsman, Thurlstone

Our pub of the season for autumn 2018 is once again one of Barnsley CAMRA’s favourites – the Huntsman. It stands on the main road running through the village of Thurlstone to the west of Barnsley and has won numerous awards over the years.

The Huntsman is very much the hub and heart of the local community. It serves six real ales, three of which are changing guests, plus Old Rosie cider. A busy calendar of events includes traditional pub games on Mondays, a popular quiz night Tuesday and acoustic jam sessions on Wednesday. The second Thursday each month sees Irish folk music, with Bluegrass and Jazz on the fourth Thursday. Throughout the year, fundraising events are held to raise money for local charities.

Landlady Sue has run the pub for over two years after working there for some years previously and she says that the community and loyal customers make all the hard work worthwhile. Any visitors who call in will find a very warm welcome. Food is served Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon. Down the stairs to the rear of the pub is a hidden gem – the secluded south-facing garden.

Barnsley CAMRA will be presenting the award on Friday, 23 November at around 9pm. A bus will leave from Old No.7 in the town centre at 7.15pm – seats need to be booked with me (contact details on Branch Officers page)

Margaret Croft