Beer lovers flock to Two Magpies charity ale fest

The pint-pulling GP, whose Two Magpies porter won the title of champion beer of Yorkshire when it was picked up by Rotherham’s own Chantry Brewery, showcased some of his favourite self-made brews at his 11th beer-based garden party.

All donations collected — totalling over £1,700 — will go to Maples Cancer Care Centre, the charity for which Steve’s late wife Janet worked.

Steve was pleased by the turnout of more than 100, including Chantry’s Kev and Mick Warburton, who took a shine to one particular garden shed concoction.

“Kev said he had enjoyed several pints of my Good Friday Bitter, which was the first beer I brewed myself from my own recipe,” said Steve, of Stafford Drive, Moorgate.

“I started brewing it on Good Friday many years ago and it has been on offer at every festival. 

“Kev asked me for the recipe and I would love for Chantry to let me go and brew it for them.

“It’s a simple recipe of English malt, hops and yeast, and Yorkshire water.”

Steve said his back garden beer fest had grown out of a rekindled passion for home brewing.

“Like many people, I brewed my own beer as a student and then about 15 years ago I decided to start again,” he revealed.

“My wife said I wasn’t going to be brewing in the kitchen or the garage and ‘stinking the house out’ so I got myself a shed instead.

“All the beers being served on Saturday I made myself. Every year I have three or four old favourites and one new one.”

Steve said he wanted to thank Mick and Kev for offering their facilities to cool his beer and everyone who had helped by serving, donating and collecting garden furniture, setting up the festival or in any other way on the day.