Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Well, what an interesting Suffolk beer squabble ... with Ipswich Town right at the centre of the frothy fury!

Background to the "battle of the barrels " centres on the so-called pouring rights at Ipswich Town, where fans can glug from a plastic pot of ale while waiting for their Super Blue heroes to take to the field.

In the left corner is Greene King, pride of west Suffolk brewing, and a huge supporter of Ipswich Town for nearly 15 years. Those who were at old Wembley in 2000 - when Town triumped over Barsnley to return to the Premiership - will recall the Greene King logo on the silky blue shirt.

In the right corner is Adnams,  pride of east Suffolk brewing, which has snatched the rights away from its "bitter" - and far larger - rival. It's Adnams ales from now on at Suffolk's soccer shrine.

There's no doubt that Greene King executives are hugely disappointed they that have lost out to the dogged and determined brewers from the Sole Bay Brewery in Southwold. Quite how the brewing minnows have triumped over the brewing leviathan is down to the intimate commercials of the deal but fans will be surprised at the change.

Ipswich Town is run by mystery millionaire magnate Marcus Evans and the company that carries his name. It is good to see that he can deal with samller companies, as well as large ones, and good to see that Adnams can use its financial clout on a big playing field.

But many will be sad to see the end of the relationship with Greene King, with a name that currently sits aloft one of the four Portman Road stands.

Watch out for a remporary new name on the stand - South is the anonymous favourites - before a possible Sir Bobby Robson stand name in the future.

Back to the beer, I wonder which of the competing ales you prefer? Without a moment's hesitation I say Greene King, my favourite being the delicious IPA.

But many of friends simply adore the hoppy-bitter flavour of Adnams. I wonder if Marcus, or ex-chairman David Sheepshanks, who likes a glass of quality red, have ever had a forthing pint of either in their hands and which one they prefer? I'll ask them next time I bump in to them. 

 

posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 8:25 AM by Nigel Pickover

Comments

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:19 AM by Paul Geater

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

There's nothing wrong with IPA in a Greene King pub - but those of us from the "real" Suffolk, ie who live within 20 miles of the coast, know there is no better bitter in world than Adnams.
And yes it does travel well from Sole Bay - that's why all the best pubs in Ipswich serve Adnams!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:11 AM by pete samuels

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

i for one am a lager drinker but have had the odd ipa and the odd adnams bitter both good quality drinks but the issue now is pure monetary the best deal for ipswich town there is not a lot of room these days to be sentimental progress has to be made and costs met to give the financial backing required to push the club forward
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:10 AM by martyn elmy

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

I suspect that Adnams can see the bigger fish of Marcus Evans corp events as an outlet for their fantastic products. I also expect to see Portman Road renamed the Marcus Evans Stadium in January.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:57 AM by Seth Gillette

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Adnams all the way.

East Green, the carbon neutral beer, is a super summer tipple.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:30 PM by Peter Jasper

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Adnams is by far and away the best beer. Broadside is the best beer ever made bar none. I'm sooo glad they are at ITFC!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 3:36 PM by john burls

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

What's more interesting than the comparative qualities of the beers is, who benefits financially from the switch? And will it be Pepsi vs Coke next? And Ginsters pies must be in with a shout. Where will it all end I hear you cry?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 8:35 PM by Peter Sadler

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

How lucky we are to have two fantastic brewers fighting over us - I'm so glad that we do not have a rich but rubbish brewery anywhere near! I am looking forward to the change, I just hope we can actually get it served in the time available and in its best condition (which has not always been the case). Come on you Blues!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:04 PM by E-man

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Adnams is so much more tastier. This is FANtastic news. Make sure Portman Road widens the bars or puts more staff on to get a chance of buying a pint at half time. Up the town.
Friday, June 26, 2009 4:39 AM by Dorman

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Manchester United all the way.
Friday, June 26, 2009 7:38 AM by Peter B

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

IPA is far and away better than Adnams ,Greene King also produce great other ales like Abbot & Old Speckled Hen & you can always rely on there quality.
Monday, June 29, 2009 9:26 AM by Martin Tuck

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Greene King along with many other local businesses, large and small, suffered a great financial loss, when Ipswich Town went into liquidation. This occuring before the FA introduced the points deduction regulation for football club's entering liquidation.
Perhaps Greene King deserved a bit more loyalty or had they been repaid what they were owed morally and or financially?
However, without detail of how the Adnams deal was 'brewed up' we will never know. without
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 1:20 PM by Karl N

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Greene King is the Best Brewery around - Adnams cant compete with a pint of Abbott Ale.Greene Kings quality will always show through
Friday, July 03, 2009 8:38 AM by Willo

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

it's IPA for me, though Abbot is my personal fave . Greene King have supported Ipswich through thin and thin and it's sad that Ipswich don't recognised this.
Good to see you supporting your local team Dorman
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 11:06 PM by irvin f

# re: Ipswich Town's frothing beer war

Personally I am not bothered which brewery supplies the ale as long as there is plenty there to satisfy the thirsty soles!!! I was in the North Stand on two occasions last season when the ale ran out and considering the price, this was amazing and unforgiveable in my humble opinion!! Never should a bar ever run out of beer and if it does then it should be able to replenish supplies within 10 minutes!!
Personally I hate anything green oh and yellow of course but when we were struggling for a sponsor Greene King stepped in with a sponsorship that bailed us out. And have continued with their support over the last 15 years which is marvellous. It's a shame that at this promising time that they should be ousted from the ground now!!
No doubt this is progress and the club will be only to happy to go along with it, just as they gave the change of radio coverage last season very little thought!! Lets hope the ale supplier lasts a bit longer!!!