IPA ABV Standoff

Sheffield United 2 v Blackpool 0

Saturday 22 August 2015

League 1

Twitter @ball_sup

Come on guys. We've got to get this sorted. We have to find a way. You, pub owner/manager, put on special high abv expensive craft keg beer. You want to sell it. If you sell it, you will hopefully make a profit & continue in business.

We, the Ball Sup Army, love drinking that shit. Don't mind paying for it. It is what it is. We've come to your gaff to swallow both the beer & the price. If you make a profit, we'll be able to try loads of different beers. We're on the same side. Win. Win.

It's expensive. You're a little reluctant to give tastings. Understood. It's expensive. We're a little reluctant to plough in without a taste. Understand?

I ain't blinking first. If I can't taste I won't buy. Don't worry, I'm no great loss to your profit bottom line.

A long time ago in The Sheffield Tap (refused). More recently in The North Riding Hotel (invited to buy a third). Today, it was The Beer Engine. It all ended amicably. But, technically, I was refused a tasting before we "entered into negotiations".

Your call. Find a way. No tasting. Open tasting. Which one is it? Discriminate if you like. Four twenty somethings, the likely lads. Sorry guys. Me, I don't give a fuck about them. One late 50s beer tragic. Walks in. Sees tap with NO WRITING just LOGO. Says "oh that's Wiper & True isn't it?". Asks for a taste. Mate, he wants to taste with a definite intention to buy. I'll wear a t-shirt & carry a sign saying that if you prefer. I'm sending signals here Fella.

If I taste & buy, I'll accept just under the half/pint. Triangulate. "Sir, that is £7 a pint. It is a strong, heavily bitter, IPA style beer. I need you to know that before I give you a taste. I hope you'll understand I'm a little wary of giving tastings willy nilly. Is that what you're after/expecting?"

Me, "yes Mate, I'm desperate to buy that. If it's as good as you say, I'll plough in".

Come on let's find a way. Here's one. Build tastings into your prices. Read my lips. We'll never know.

But, I'm not going to blink first. I do a World Class about turn & mince off to The Cremorne. As I said, all ended well & amicably. A way was found.

Three superb beers today.

Acorn, Summer Pale 4.1% on cask in The Swim Inn.
Wiper and True, IPA 6.8% on keg in The Beer Engine.

And standout beer of the day;
Vocation Brewery, Heart And Soul (Session IPA) on cask at 4.4% in The Sheffield Tap.

The Statto, Conehead, Analysts have won that for United. Adkins "what is our average adjusted open play vs set piece goals and attempts ratio?". Conehead "we've not banged in a header from a corner in 40 years".

Wonderful, wonderful along the deck set piece corner knocked home by Sharp. Someone, somewhere, put that clipboard down & take a bow.

Although, somewhat lacking lustre performance by The Blades. Flat. But, they changed a few things and got it done.

190/396