2BGs meet `Real Ale Pubs Away Days`

It's fair to say that there has long been a crossover between beer and football.  Both can be an expensive business, truth be told. However, a growing number of discerning footy fans are becoming more selective about which pubs they visit pre-match. Gone are the days of piling off the train and falling into the nearest boozer (which was often a reyt dive near the station) or heading for nearest 'spoons. Many fans will plot trips as soon as the fixtures come out using the Good Beer Guide or seek online advice. 

Recently, I met up with Matty Banks who had the bright idea of forming a Twitter site and Facebook group called `Realale pubs Away days` which really has gone from strength to strength since he started it last year. We met up for his first visit to a Sheffield FC match at the Coach and Horses ground, Dronfield.

The Home of Football. And beer.

Over a cheeky beer or two, I picked Matty's brains:-

Q. Which team do you support? 
Doncaster Rovers. I am a season ticket holder.
Q. Best pub in Donny? 
Now that Cask Corner has gone, the Corner Pin.
Q. Favourite brewery?
Castle Rock. (And Matty spoke highly of our own New Barrack Tavern here).
Q. Best city for pubs? Sheffield?
No, Nottingham! My favourite is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. In Sheffield? Shakespeares. (AGREE!)
Q. Worst?
Scunthorpe. Apart from the Honest Lawyer, it's terrible. That pub is great but miles from Glanford Park!
Q. Future plans for RAPAD?
 Build the Facebook group by linking in with supporters' groups. Also I'm looking at some end of season awards for pubs. (Matty seemed really impressed with the Coach and Horses! "What a pub!" quoth the man himself).

Sure enough, the match itself didn't disappoint! A massive 5-3 win for Sheffield Club over Pontefract Collieries accompanied by some splendid Thornbridge ales in the late Summer sunshine. Happy days!

Beer & football. Marvellous.

Check out Matty's site here - FACEBOOK GROUP
He enjoyed our guide to visiting SUFC found here - BLADES

twobeergeeks` Pub of the Month August 2018

Soooo, this month we're going for The Wellington as our prestigious victor!

`Bottom Welly` has long been on the ale trail for visitors to Sheffield, known for being the home of Little Ale Cart brewery a few years back and a decent place to pass on hour or two with a pint. However, it was always a tad shabby, to say the least! Last year, the pub became a part of the Birkett portfolio alongside The Blake Hotel and The Sheaf View, undergoing a fantastic transformation into what is now, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful boozers in our fine city. Two rooms with plenty of comfy seating, tastefully decorated and a bar stock superbly front and back. It is also the Tap House for the outstanding Neepsend brewery and so you can expect to find a clutch of their ales here alongside a guest or two and some kegged delights. Head honcho Niall (formerly of the White Lion and the Sheaf) is also rightly proud of the Welly's strong selection of whisky and of the development of a beer garden out back.

Wonderful, indeed!

Visiting for the latest Beer Central bottle share, I enjoyed one of Neepsend's latest creations and a lovely Garden IPA. Niall did the place proud with some fantastic half-time snacks alongside his offering of Wild Jambo (which everyone agreed is aging really well) and Spirit of Pogo!

To the regiment!

Jon from the White Lion had a winner on his hands with a rare Marble Imperial Cherry Stout, receiving the evening's highest marks. I was close though with a beery beaut from Jules at Hop Hideout - Torrside's No More Tuesdays, an imperial blonde with raspberries and bergamot. Love it. And Sean himself placed well with a Kernel Imperial Brown Stout leaving the good folk from Lost Industry, Steel City and Pete from sheffieldalepubs in our wakes. Finally, a toast to everyone's good health with that Pogo spirit..... Cheers!

Marble-ous winner!

Last month`s winner - HERE !
Previous Bottle Share - HERE !