Quest For The Holy Ale UK - A Sheffield Pub Crawl

About The Holy Ale

In its simplest form, Quest for the Holy Ale is a Sheffield based pub-crawl that features going out early, supping a selection of beers, visiting lots of boozers and having a great time. Its roots stretch back to the early 1990’s when a group of pals used to frequent drinking holes like Ecclesfield, Hillsborough and ‘Town’.

The first 'official' quest happened in 2004 and took place on a Friday with people booking a day off work to attend. This arrangement went on for many more years but became less popular as folks got older and their lifestyles changed. Recently, quests have been switched to Saturdays for convenience.

Typically, a quest will start at 11:00am and will finish when the last person goes home. There is a pre-planned route but this is very much open to variance on the day. Drinking pace is very relaxed to ensure that the protagonists don't end up completely hammered by 3pm. Nobody is forced to drink or stay out late. The advantages of having an 'all dayer' include pubs being quieter, more time to visit lots of venues and no concerns about having to cram in lots of beer before the last orders bell.

Over the years, dozens of pubs have featured in Holy Ale adventures, many of which are no longer with us. Since the 3rd quest, plenty of photos and notes have been taken as a memento for future generations.

Members of a quest are subject to an ancient and sacred ranking system. Newbies start as a Serf and attain greater status when they show loyalty to the cause. This includes attending multiple quests and starting quests early. To become a Knight of the HOOHAK, an individual must have proved themselves beyond doubt and they must have supped from 'The Vase'.

Not much is known about the HOOHAK, only that they are a bunch of mysterious beings that seek for the Holy Ale. You can read about their first appearance here.

Next time you're drinking in a Sheffield pub, have a glance around at the clientele. The HOOHAK may be watching you!

*Note: This is the 21st Century and the term 'knight', which is heavily used on this website, is intended to include all genders.

One sunny Friday in September 2004, two young chaps bunked off work and decided to go to the pub. Plenty of ale was consumed and many boozers were visited. The lads had a lovely time, watching the world go by and not having to worry about rushing their drinks before closing time.

Soon into their adventure, they encountered a strange beer pump that glowed eerily and captured their attention. "Two pints of that, please." said one of the slightly tiddley fellows. The barmaid, who was dressed rather medievally, disappeared for a moment and then came back holding heavy glasses. They looked rather like small vases. A minute or so later, the vessels were filled with a pale and fragrant brew that illuminated the men's faces as they necked it.

After the room had stopped spinning and the barmaid had mysteriously vanished, the lads agreed that they’d just consumed a mighty fine concoction. They felt a spring in their step and a healthiness in their bowels as Shanks’ Pony took them to the next ale house.

Later that day, when the world was getting a little fuzzy, the two chums found themselves alone in a quiet pub. They were just about to leave when a hooded figure appeared from the Gents and beckoned them in. Ordinarily, they would have strongly declined such an offer but a gentle force tugged at their curiosity. Nervously, looking from side-to-side, the guys crept into the toilet block.

Apart from some 1930’s Armitage Shanks urinals, there was little else of interest. All the cubicle doors were open and nobody else was around. There were certainly no monks or Jedi in the vicinity.

Suddenly, the silence was broken when the ageing hand dryer fired into action. Both chaps spun toward the sound, adopting Kung-Fu postures in anticipation of an incoming assault. The room was still empty but the hot air gushing from the machine was getting faster and louder.

It seemed to the two pals that a voice was forming from the air currents rushing about them. Then they heard it, whispering clear words. “Phwoorr, crikeey, you are now one of us… the HOOHAK… we entrust the mission to you. Forever shall you seek the Holy Ale. Find it, keep searching for the secretsshhhh…”.

The hand dryer gave a loud bang and breathed its last breath. The chaps fled from the scene and didn’t look back.

News

20 Years of Beers

Posted: Summer 2024

It has been almost 2 decades since Monty the Minstrel first appeared and did a little ditty against the castle wall. Many things have changed in this world since then but the HOOHAK hold steadfast.

Quest for the Holy Ale XX will take place on Saturday 31st August 2024.

Heartbreak & Hope

Posted: Summer 2023

Due to bereavement and sorrow, no quests have taken place and we've only just got around to updating the website. The HOOHAK have been out on several missions recently and thoughts are beginning to turn to the 19th chapter of Holy Ale...

No Quest Yet

Posted: Spring 2022

As the first sunny days of Spring appear, there are no plans for HA19 at the moment. It's hoped that the next quest will be free of Covid restrictions, when it happens. We'll keep you posted.

Update

Posted: Autumn 2021

Due to a serious illness in the Holy Ale ranks, all quest action has been suspended, for now. We will return but it could be several months before the knights ride forth again.

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