Baldock Crock

Sheffield United 4 v Reading 0
The Championship
Saturday 16 February 2019

SUFC 2018/19 Game 67
2018/19 Football Season Brewery Visits - 90

Twitter @ball_sup
www.twitter.com/ball_sup
Untappd ball_sup

I’ve been trying to use my time wisely. By revamping the Blog a bit. Trying to give it less of a Word Document feel. And more of a Website feel. Basically, that involves a) trying to embed more photos and b) changing the colour & branding. I’m worried in particular that I might have shagged up the readability for people having a gander on their mobiles. On some mobiles, there’s a sort of background image which you can see through the text. If you’re finding the wise words difficult to follow (sorry MORE difficult to follow) through that background, give me a shout somehow with some feedback & I’ll change it if I have to.

United played really well there. But, that mainly reaffirmed my view that a lot of the game is about confidence & momentum. We’ve sort of got a preferred first XI. I’m sure Wilder doesn’t quite see it that way. But, many Blades will be able to reel off their favoured starting line up. With Basham suspended, Baldock crock and Madine & Hogan signed, some changes were going to be necessary, some more changes were possible. Because that preferred XI is so good. Because the second string were so piss poor in the Cup v Barnet. Because people get it in their heads that players not currently in the team are shit. Social Media forms a Scapegoat XI. Throw aways - Lundstram, Stearman, Freeman, Johnson, Cranie - all deemed NNGE (nowhere near good enough) by the chatterers.

But, here’s the thing - they’re all fundamentally good & experienced professional footballers. And, if you bring them into a side brim full of confidence & momentum, there is every chance they’ll shine.  We are. They did. Well, Freeman, Johnson & Cranie (and Hogan & Madine) did. Of course, there’s a best XI. But, going forward (and looking backward), we really don’t need to worry too much about injuries & suspensions & rest.

This week saw a nice Beer Event on my calendar. Tiny Rebel Brewery, from Newport in S Wales, were celebrating their 7th Birthday. They collaborated with 7 other breweries to deliver 7 one off beers. And, they launched them at selected venues across the country. Including BrewDog Sheffield on Division St. Five of those were on Keg when we sheepishly waddled in. Those included Collabs with Neon Raptor (Nottingham), Siren (Berkshire) and Big Drop (Ipswich). If you haven’t heard of Big Drop, they are “intriguing”. They are dedicated to brewing 0.5% abv beers. That one in the Tiny Rebel Birthday range was a 0.5% Not So Imperial Mocha Vanilla Shot Stout. I didn’t have that one. But I did have;

Tiny Rebel x Yeastie Boys, Pomegranate & Molasses Belgian Strong Ale on keg at 8%
Tiny Rebel x Deya NEIPA on keg at 6.8%

That NEIPA was excellent. But, Outstanding Beer Of The Birthday can go to;

Tiny Rebel x Magic Rock Citra Session IPA on keg at 4%. I felt that was spot on. Sweet smell, But, It descended into bitterness quite quickly. Perky & effervescent. Tiny Rebel have had a blinder there. A great modern British brewery, collab brewing with other breweries at the top of their game.

Stats
I have now Blogged from 777 games in 1,642 days