Swap Beer for Sand

England 187 all out
v West Indies 306 all out
England 132 all out
West Indies 17-0

West Indies win by 10 wickets
2nd Test
Saturday 2 February 2019
Played at The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

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According to all research, there is just a single pukka microbrewery on Antigua. 2Six8 Brewery, down in Falmouth on the way to English Harbour. I met two of the owners/people involved - Hannah & Rory. Right Phil, I can hear you say, you went there, met them, did the Social Media, ticked the brewery, hurrah, number 86. No. It didn't pan out like that. I actually met them in the Sir Self Promotion International Cricket Stadium (formerly Viv Richards). Where they were running a bar in the ground. Right Phil, I can hear you say, you waddled up, sank a few of their beers, in ground, could be far far worse. No, it didn't fucking pan out like that. Either.

In “Cricket World”, Hannah & Rory were permitted to woman/man a bar in the ground. They were permitted to sell a beverage for which they are the local importers/agents. That beverage was much sought after by many, many English cricket tourists. That beverage was Stowford Press Cider. But, Hannah & Rory were not permitted to sell their own beer. Fantastic…..

Anyway, shook their hands, looked into their eyes, got a first hand account of where I might be able to get their beers. And, so, it came to pass, after a D for Dismal three day defeat. Playing an attacking brand of non-entertaining, losing cricket. That we were able to search out 2Six8 beers on day fucking four. In a twist of fate that could only be described as cruel, 2Six8 beers were on tap in a hotel very near mine. The hotel the England team were staying in. That hotel has no beach. So, while I went to his hotel for some ale, Keaton Jennings went to mine for some sand.

I had…
2Six8, Honey Lager at 4.2%. Pleasant enough, and a welcome change from the ubiquitous, identikit near-lagers widely available elsewhere. Some hints of citrus & a nice tangy finish.

2Six8, Frig It, Amber Ale at 5%. Let down a bit by a slightly metallic background taste. But, it did get better as you got down it. Turning into a quite nice balance between the malt & hops.

773/1628