Drinking with Supporters: Barton Battalion

A. The sales pitch to locals explains us as a soccer version of the “Box J Boys”, a group of hardcore Ticats fans that always bring the noise. We’re the soccer equivalent, we build community, create atmosphere and have a good time doing it.

Q. When I contacted you, I asked that you send a local beer, or a beer that best represents the supporters of Hamilton. Why was this your pick and where could our readers go to try some?

A. I sent along two brews from our biggest local craft brewery, Collective Arts. Aside from the beer, CA has adapted an innovative and supportive initiative to incorporate with their merchandising. On every can is a different piece of art from an artist from around the world – this can be a sketch, painting or album cover. The idea is while people drink beer at art shows, concerts and with their friends, Collective Arts gives back to them buy accepting art for their beer, paying the artist for it then providing a conversation piece to those indulging in the brew.

Q. Let’s face it, bars and pubs are definitely big for local and visiting supporters. Tell us a little about the pub or bar that the Barton St Battalion prefer, and a place where you might recommend a visiting supporter try.

A. I’m not going to speak for the group on favourite bars, our group is too diverse to pick one bar in our city to latch on to. Instead I’ll give some loving to bars who show soccer around the city. They are as follows:

• Ye Old Squire: Place to be for EPL, England and Scottish national team 
• The Pheasant Plucker: Rangers Supporters Bar
• Irish Club of Hamilton: Celtic Supporters Bar
• The Lion’s Head: Scottish National team
• Vasco Da Gamma: For all your Portuguese soccer needs

Q. Besides the home supporters section during a match, is there a place that visiting supporters may be tempted to visit, but should actually avoid. Why?

A. If you’re coming to Hamilton for an away day here are some of the hot spots you can see in the day leading up to the game.

Q. Finally, how can people join your group? And is there anything else you would like to add?

A. Buy a scarf, make some friends and show your support. We’re a group gaining lots of momentum heading into 2019 and we’d love to have you along for the ride.

The Beer

Barton Battalion chose to send over a couple of different beers from Collective Arts Brewing. Pictured to the left is a photo of Prophets & Nomads, a Sour Gose.

I drink a lot of different beer, and I drink it probably more often than I really should. So I was a little surprised to find a type of beer that I’ve never had the opportunity to taste. Having lived for 3 years in the beer mecca of Victoria, BC, you would think I would have sampled at least one Gose, but Prophets & Nomads represent my first sampling.

Gose is a top-fermented beer, originally out of Germany. They typically have a moderate alcohol content, and are unique in their use of coriander and salt. According to almighty wikipedia, “Gose belongs to the same family of sour wheat beers which were once brewed across Northern Germany and the Low Countries. Other beers of this family are Belgian Witbier, Berliner Weisse, and Broyhan.”

Collective Arts Brewing’s “Prophets and Nomads” was definitely a bit of a lighter drink, with a sour, yet salty taste. In my opinion, this Gose is a good drink for hot weather, which will make it a perfect addition to a day of watching Hamilton play in the Canadian Premier League. I found myself savouring this beering, taking my time while drinking. This makes it great if you’re not looking to down a lot of alcohol, but still want something to enjoy over time. If Prophets and Nomads are anything to go by, there’s no rushing a Gose.

This bright and tart drink earned a 3.00/5.00 from me on Untapped, but sits at 3.53/5.00 overall on the beer drinker’s social network. I’m a newish user on Untapped, so most of my extensive beer drinking experience isn’t recorded, but feel free to add me there and suggest new & fantastic beer to try.