Arsenal 1 v Sheffield United 1
The Premier League
Saturday 18 January 2020
SUFC 2019/20 Game 49
England 192-4
v South Africa
Close on Day 1
Friday 24 January 2020
4th Test
Played at The Wanderers, Johannesburg
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South African different Beer Ticks - 131
Short, sharp precision strike by the Carrier Bag Firm for just this one Test. Squeezed in from Heathrow between Arsenal away & Palace away. Basically, unless "something weird happens", it's going to be mainly Room Beers. I started this trip on 121 ZA beer ticks. But, a few days to spare before Stuart Broad can get at 'em. We rustled ourselves to downtown Jo'Burg. Bang opposite the imposing (and frankly decaying) Johannesburg Central Police Station.
Ahmed Timol was a 30 year old teacher, political activist & member of the South African Communist Party. He was also a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the Military Wing of the ANC. In October 1971, Ahmed plunged to his death from the 10th floor of that Central Police Station. An official inquest into his death in 1972 backed the Police claim that it was suicide. But, a subsequent 2017 inquest overturned that ruling. Ahmed had been murdered by The Security Police. The last prisoner to die in the Johannesburg Central Police Station was Clayton Sithole. Found hanging in his cell just 11 days before Mandela was released. His death was ruled a suicide. Fuck Sake.
Anyway Mad Giant Brewery speaks to different times. Thank Fuck. Stuck in a cavernous warehouse. With a sprawling patio deck & beer garden. First up. I'm a bit of a fan of ridiculously over the top, statement Street Art. Inner City Jozi is tagged to within an inch of it's life. And, there is a remarkable bit of work inside Mad Giant. By Justin Nomad. From my Daytime Operations Base at the other side of the bar, it looked like a "painting" of a young lady's face. A hoodie pulled over her head, covering one eye. Her hair tumbling out of the hood. Eye Catching. But, when you're actually over there. Having a look at the Pump Clips. Planning a route through the Ale. You realise it's NOT a "painting". It's actually a sculpture cut into the plaster & brickwork. Truly remarkable.
Mad Giant, Killer Hop, Pale Ale on keg at 5%
I was a little disappointed with that. At first I found myself searching for the sugar. And found the merest hint of peach. But, not sure how, that grows a little too much into spooned in Tate n Lyle. That killed what was in any case, very little Hop Action.
Mad Giant, Urban Legend, IPA on keg at 6%
That was much better. Tan Loafer Brown. Very inviting. Carping, there was a little too much sugar up top. But, once the Hops kick in ready & rough, you're back in the game. A little sweetness in the finish tidies it all up.
Mad Giant, Sho't Left, New England Pale on keg
Matey rushed me over a taster of that one after I'd ordered the Cannabis Beer. Presumably he thought I couldn't handle it. Anyway, it came up great in the taster. Juicy never Gloopy. Growing flavour. Mysteriously, not all that seemed to survive once I got a proper glass on. Still thoroughly enjoyable mind. Levelled out into diluted orange squash in the finish.
Mad Giant, Rogue Unit, Funked up Brett Barreled & other shit, from a bottle at 5.2%
Deliberately I'm sure, virtually no carbonation. He was very keen to pour it for me, so I got some, but not all, of the sediment. Lots of Strongbow Cider on the nose. First schlurp, a bit harsh. But softens as you crack on. Quite a bit of Sherry. Don't ask me why, but my noggin went - needs ageing. The best before was 2023. Keep one for me. We'll be back.
Somewhat annoyingly, Outstanding Beer Of The Day was not from Mad Giant. But a guest from Jack Black's Brewing Co in Cape Town.
Jack Black's, Mega Ale, Imperial IPA on keg at 8%
One of those lovely, don't piss around with it, down the line DIPAs. I swear you could tell it'd be great just by looking at the head. Tobacco bitterness. Thick n rich from the off. Excellent.
Up top, on a rain & light restricted day, Sibley & Crawley got through the longer than usual initial session. But, then went within 15 balls of each other. Leaving us on 116 for 2. It looked like there's some pace in it. But, I didn't feel it was hooping around. Just a touch of finding a way to get out really. So, they did. Stokes scratched around for two. Sub 200 for 4 isn't awful. But, a platform was being built. Lot on for Root & Pope come the morrow.
Stats
I have now Blogged from 897 games in 1,984 days
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