Local Beer For Local Football

Hallam 2 v Rossington Main 5

Northern Counties East Football League 

Division One 

Tuesday 17 August 2021 

A quick look through all the fixtures. And a big dose of common sense. Makes me feel I won't be able to get to many Hallam matches. (At least this side of Christmas).

So I only have a current, in the now, interest in what they're serving behind the bar up at Sandygate. And, tonight I have no complaints. I had noticed on Hallam's social media that they now have an advertising board in The Shed End from Crosspool Ale Makers Society. I had let my mind wander as to whether that might be a longer term local football/beer relationship.

Yurrrrs

One handpull on the bar. Crosspool Ale Makers Society, JC Shaw, English Bitter at a Football Friendly 3.9%. That's named after the founder of Hallam FC and hence one of the original contributors to modern football.

But, bewilderingly, I didn't try that one. Because four Crosspool AMS cans were placed on the bar in front of me.

"Why don't you try one of these?

Tempted. Oh my.

Crosspool Ale Makers Society, Straight Outta Crosspool, West Coast IPA from a Tin at 5.6%

Crosspool Ale Makers Society, On The Loose, New World IPA from a Tin at 5.1%

Now, I'm not going to pull any punches. Because I couldn't say those were superb beers. But, they were available, and not industrial brands, in a football ground, at a very reasonable price & suppable while in your seat or leaning on your fence. Which is, of course, one definition of superb beers.

In both beers, I found the flavours weren't distinctly separated enough. No beginning, middle, end phases. Just boooom there it is. And maybe both a little underhopped for my tastes. The Outta Crosspool West Coast was a bit too malty. But, both were lovely beers. Just not right up there. I began this Blog by talking about drinking in the moment. Because, when I ordered the Half Timer Tins I was told - "that's the last of that one". Some interrogation lead me to believe those tins might not be a regular feature. But, as I'm not a regular attendee, I can't really point the finger.

That scoreline probably flatters Main a bit. I felt Hallam weren't really at this race. All a bit flat. They had started brightly. Scoring a well worked header from a free kick on just 5 minutes. A fair few other chances early on as well. Main equalised on 30. In a frantic last five to the half, Hallam first went ahead, then conceded a penalty equaliser. Twos all at HT.

But as soon as they kicked off, Main went 3-2. That made it three goals in five mins either side of the oranges. Further goals on 62 & 81 killed it all off. Rossington deserved to win overall I felt. But 5-2 flattered.

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