Wards Brewery can trace its roots back to 1840 when William Roper and John Kirby began brewing at the Sheaf Brewery. The Company expanded with financial assistance from Septimus Henry Ward in 1876 and has carried his name ever since. The Company´s main brand Wards Best Bitter had historical sales of 15 million pints per annum. It was sold in almost 600 pubs and clubs till 1999. Wards had national consumer awareness with its past sponsorships of Sheffield United FC and Derbyshire County Cricket club. Wards Best Bitter is still brewed using the same ingredients and the same unique process it has always followed. The draught ale has an ABV of 4% and in bottle with ABV of 4.5%. The Cask ale is available on a guest basis whilst Wards Smooth keg can regularly be found in and around Sheffield's pubs and clubs.