Jules Gray, founder of Sheffield Beer Week, spoke to us about the eighth year of the popular beery celebration and what we can expect as the event makes its return.
Photo: Marc Barker
As always, Beer Week is all about celebrating the diversity of the beer scene and promoting local pride for Sheffield.
This year we are hoping to bring a much-needed sense of joy as we have all suffered during the pandemic, but the hospitality industry has been hit especially hard. I think it’s safe to say that we are relieved that we are back in person this year. We can all get out there and share a beer with friends which is such an important and unifying experience that we have basically missed out on for two years.
How are you going to be celebrating diversity this year?
International Women’s Day falls within Beer Week, so we are going to be doing a lot in terms of championing diversity within the beer and brewing sector and celebrating the South Yorkshire women and non-binary people who brew beer. There is also going to be an International Women’s Collaborative Brew Day on the Tuesday as part of the worldwide event run by Unitebrew. I will be taking my 5-week-old newborn daughter down to this; it will be a really great thing to see a few generations of women all involved in beer in the same place.
International Women’s Day falls within Beer Week, so we are going to be doing a lot in terms of championing diversity within the beer and brewing sector and celebrating the South Yorkshire women.
Are there any other collaborations this year?
Yes, we are collaborating with Harrogate Beer Week to promote the beer scene across the whole of Yorkshire so people can appreciate the positive impact that beer tourism has in our area. We are beer allies and not competitors, as we know that beer is such an essential cog to cities like Sheffield and other places across Yorkshire.
What else can people expect from Sheffield Beer Week?
Although it is mostly in person, Beer Week this year is a hybrid approach so some of the events will be online. There are events like our Zoom call with brewing historians and researchers who will be sharing their insights about brewing and how to access archives/brewing records. I am hoping that this sharing of expertise will help people discover untold stories.
We are also offering beer and history walks run by Dave Pickersgill, which will showcase the oldest working brewery in Sheffield, old brewing sites, pubs and more. There is also beer and snack pairing at Riverside Kelham and a two-course pairing meal at The Stags Head. There’s plenty going on!
Which event are you looking forward to the most?
I’m looking forward to the International Women’s Collaborative Brew Day, the Zoom call with beer historians and researchers, plus the beer pairing events at Riverside and The Stags Head. Of course, I’m also excited about the Hop Hideout x Nick Hayes x Saint Mars of the Desert event on the 12th. We’ll be launching a collab beer, ‘Right to Roam’, alongside some informative talks on the Right to Roam campaign.
