……...and of Newsbot perpetually teasing us with snippets of exclusive ales making an appearance sometime soon at Oakwell, when the powers that be can't even guarantee the purchase of a Coors Lite lager at half time on a match day. Never mind within 15 minutes. And for a bargain 4 quid. Perhaps when gracing us with their wares for a day, Ossett Brewery (for example) might seek to emulate the standards of their temporary Oakwell landlords and also put one person behind the bar with a strong set of lungs. Then they can shout so as to reach the dreg-end tail of the L S Lowry - esque matchday queue, and tell them that when they do get served in a quarter of an hour, there'll only be left what they don't want to drink. I suspect however that Ossett Brewery will care a little more for those supping their stout (or whatever). In terms of service supply and choice. Why can't we?
There's not been much left in the pipeline recently, apart from the mysterious (to me) Dark Fruit. Which you wouldn't buy if nobody else has bought it.
I thought of the irony about the beer festival and the number of complaints on here regarding a half time ale, but I also thought about the irony of years gone by and the alleged beer culture that existed at our football club and the desire to stamp it out. Hopefully they won't be unveiling the U23 team as special guests for the day!!
If the club was smart they'd monitor the performance/popularity of some of these smaller breweries at the festival with a view to giving them a start asap You Reds!
I think the club are moving in the right direction with events like this. Let’s get behind it and see the merit of good beers available at all Football grounds. I’m involved so I will make sure service is as good and friendly as possible - and I am bringing a few familiar faces / ringers in! If next weekend is a success we’ll be looking at more in the future. As for the service at oakwell half time, let’s hope it improves and people get served faster. Must be hard recruiting staff for small contracts such as these - pubs have a massive advantage with passionate bar staff who have plenty of experience and knowledge of what they are selling. Harder for the team at oakwell to recruit such folk.
I do understand that it's commercially difficult to justify a glut of staff for 20 minutes or so only at half time. But if it's not commercially viable, just don't bother. There is sale potential before and after kick off too, aside from what's lost at half time, plus the negative vibes the disgruntled non-served feel. Is it unlawful for them to pull 20 or 30 pints before the rush of punters turn up at 3.45? Cos nobody would be insisting that their pint is fresh and that they've seen it come out of the pump with their own eyes.
Not sure on the legality but the potential downside of pouring in advance is the risk to the quality of the serve. Can be managed I guess but that’s up to those running the bars. Does anyone have any experience of a football club that serves ale amazingly well (either as a home or away supporter)? I would imagine these issues are replicated across the country.
There's been loads of times we would have gone into the ground early to have a few pints if a) they sold some decent beer and b) it wasn't so expensive. Barnsley FC's loss has been The Mount and Hoyle Mill Inn's gain.