Until recently the Forest was conveniently close to William Stone's Brewery, wher its supplies came from. Since those days "Sheffield Gold" has been diluted, changed colour, and is now brewed away from the city that made it famous.
Up till 1990 the Forest had a beer only licence. This type of licence dated back to the Beer House Act of the early 19th century and did not allow the pub to sell wines or spirits. It was the last public house in South Yorkshire to be upgraded to a full licence.