Ipswich Town Fan Concludes Beer Brewing Venture Following Club’s Premier League Return

Josh Bartlett, a 38-year-old supporter of Ipswich Town, has decided to cease his production of football-themed beers, coinciding with his club’s promotion back to the Premier League. Mr. Bartlett began crafting these Ipswich Town-inspired brews in 2017, motivated by a home defeat against Derby, with the stated goal of “putting smiles back on faces.” His venture, named Away Days, produced more than 30 distinct beers, ranging from ‘Lambert Out’ to ‘Butcher’s Bandage’, throughout a six-year span. Mr. Bartlett characterized the brewing enterprise as a “rollercoaster journey,” a decision influenced by his desire to allocate more time to his role as a father and his primary profession. Reflecting on the origin, he stated, “That [Derby] game is a polar opposite to now. It happened off the back of watching that miserable game.” He recounted, “We went to a pub afterwards, and me and my friends would talk about players of old that we would want back at the club to change our fortunes.” The following morning, despite “feeling slightly worse for wear,” the concept of brewing persisted, leading him to “dip my toes into the water to explore.” Mr. Bartlett noted that the concept gained momentum, expressing gratitude for the substantial local backing from Ipswich supporters. The brand garnered recognition from prominent figures in football, such as Alan Shearer, Marcus Stewart, and Terry Butcher. He remarked, “It was special to see them in the hands of legends. That was that was really quite mental. I was a bit like, ‘Wow. Where do we go from here?'” The decision to pursue Away Days full-time came after Mr. Bartlett faced redundancy during the pandemic. He expressed pride in navigating recent economic difficulties and in his contribution to the fundraising campaign for the Kevin Beattie statue located outside Portman Road. He commented, “We’ve had the cost of living crisis, Covid, and so many different elements have made it a challenge. I’m proud of where it’s got to and what we’ve achieved.” “I like to think there’s a little part of the Away Days legacy that will be left in the ITFC history books. Whether that’s for the ‘Lambert Out’ beer or the money raised towards The Beat statue,” he stated. Regarding his choice to discontinue brewing, Mr. Bartlett explained, “I just felt the time’s right. I started it when Town fans were struggling, watching what was happening on the field. We put some smiles back on faces. “We’re back in the Premier League, and now the smiles are back. The promotion gave us a moment that we live for. We’re back in the Prem, and with Kieran (McKenna) at the helm, it’s a stark contrast to that Derby match.” He further advised, “Anyone who has an idea, don’t just write it off. You never know where life can take you.” Information regarding Suffolk news is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides details on its approach to external linking.