Friendly International
Tuesday 26 March 2024
Played at Wembley
England 0 v Brazil 1
Friendly International
Saturday 23 March 2024
Played at Wembley
“I'm not sure which countries we could do that for.”
“We did it for Czech Republic in 2021.”
“Germany has been suggested. But, we're worried the variety won't be there.”
“There's a small chain of Italian Craft Beer bars in London. So. Maybe.”
“Crock suggested America. While it's true you can get American beers in a lot of gaffs, is there a bar dedicated to just American beers?”
The “it” of which we talk is dedicating our beer day to the nation we are playing. Which is how we found ourselves in;
The Lowlander Grand Cafe
36 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5RR
A self styled Belgian Cafe. Which looks the part. There's the usual claim for these sorts - hundreds of beers. We'd picked it specifically for the Keg beers. We thought we'd enjoy that more than just bottles. But, we also realised we might be restricted to major Belgian brands. But. Anyway. We started with clean palates. And we left with that part aniseed, part bubble gum, part barley sugar from the sweet shop taste that you get from the Belgian yeast strains. Any served in the wrong glasses were going to get a bollocking.
Brasserie d’Orval (Florenville), Orval, from a bottle at 6.2%
The brewery produces just one beer to sell. And it's bottle fermented/conditioned. We poured all the sediment in. Because that's how we fucking roll. Brewed using spring water, barley malt, hop cones, candy sugar (obvs) and yeast. Hops added at two stages. A good whack as it's brewed. And some more as it's stored. Sort of Dry Hopping before it'd been hipvented.
I mean. Glorious. And serious. Jaffa orange. Lots of sugar on your tongue. The bitterness grows and grows. And is deep and rich rather than sharp.
Duvel Moortgat (Puurs-Sint-Amands), Duvel 6.66%, on Keg at 6.66%
Claims an unnamed six hops. While there's the distinctive bitter orange, them hops drowned in sugar. But, it all gears up to a nice spiciness.
Duvel Moortgat, Vedett Extra Ordinary IPA, on Keg at 5.5%
We're HopHeads. So. We'll have a go. Nice and drinkable. But felt underhopped. And still the distinctive tang of the yeast.
Brasserie de la Senne (Brussels), Zinnebir, Belgian Pale on Keg at 5.8%
The staff were lovely and helpful while they were discussing the options and taking your order. But, as soon as they got back to the bar, you were left with the distinct impression that they'd forgotten all about you. The key indicator being - no fucking beer being poured. This one came on while we were in. And our barman couldn't wait to explain it to us. Indeed, later on, a different BarPerson would also take the trouble to explain and offer to us (without realising we'd already dived in).
With it being from a Micro, they didn't have the branded glass. Fair enough. They opted for one of those - George Best & Miss World building a Champagne tower in a moody nightclub - coupes. Hhhmmm. I'm not so sure.
I needed a taste bud transplant by this stage. All I'm getting is sugar n spice.
Brasserie Lefebvre (Rebeq), Blanche de Bruxelles, on Keg at 4.5%
Just glorious. Naturally cloudy from the (40%) wheat. Coriander and Orange Peel added. But. Added to enhance. Not overpower. Lots of custard. Not harsh anywhere in the (correct) glass.
Brouwerij St Bernardus (Poperinge), Wit, from a bottle at 5.5%
Having had a good experience with the previous wheaty, we decided to plough that meme. Back to the George Best glasses. Poor choice (of glass) I felt.
England v Bosnia Herzegovina in Newcastle next up. So. Without wanting to be casually xenophobic and dismissive. Please put suggestions for Bosnian Beer Bars in the North East in the comments.
Got to try and stay positive. One draw from those two games. And that only clawed back by Bellingham on 90 +5. And the now familiar - not really a football crowd - experience at Wembley. I can't be too chippy at that. Lots of kids with Mums n Dads. Getting at it at England games for the first time. Lots of Lads been on some alcohol delivery system or another. People doing their thang. But. Just doesn't feel like a football crowd a lot of the time.
I suppose England were competent in both games. Getting exposed at the back occasionally. Pedestrian occasionally. And seemingly not playing to their strengths constantly. I know it's not the same. But, Oliver George Arthur Watkins ripped my team apart in the Premier League. Balls played into his channel. Accurately. As he's on the move. They'll kill ya. But, we didn't really see any of that.
And there's expectations. Foden & Bellingham. They impact games. I know International Football is cagey. But, I'm looking to see them constantly, not fleetingly, involved. Wave after wave. Not happening. Sometimes I looked up;
“Oh yeah. Foden is playing. I'd forgotten that.”
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