Grab a beer, its beer and footie mailbag time

Welcome to the first installment of the beer and footie mailbag. Today we talk about formations, the difference between hefeweizen and witbiers, where to go in London, and contribute to the drinking habits of every one of you. A big thanks to all of you who sent in emails, keep em coming, if you didn’t get a question in for the first go round, make sure you send one in for next time. Lets jump right into the questions right now, shall we?

Magnakai Haaskivi asks:

I still don’t get what the deal is with the kids at the beginning of every game. Why are they there? Where do they go? What do they do?

They’re called mascots and I’m not totally sure when it started, but I’d imagine it’s similar to the kids you occasionally see at American sporting events that get to go on the field for various reasons. From what I can gather it looks like there are multiple ways to be a mascot. It looks like Villa sells what looks like a pretty premium package to be a mascot. Arsenal picks them at random from their Junior Gunners (a £10 fee to join). I’d imagine it varies from club to club as well since its probably easier to charge to have your kid as a mascot at a big club than it is in League 1.

I want to know why Tevez isn’t totally free at the end of the season. Who gets the money from the transfer?

Good question, and I think we won’t really know until the whole thing gets totally sorted out. But from what I can gather Kia Joorabchian owns him, even though his contract is tied to West Ham. According to this interview with Joorabchian its a pretty common scenario in South America. From the looks of it Joorabchian paid £2 million to West Ham to release Tevez so he could go to Manchester United, so he’d be fully owned by MSI, the bottom line is that when someone finally buys him and puts an end to the massive headache that is the Tevez saga, we’ll all be happier and much more sane.

White Speed Receiver asks:
Is Ribery going to be a decent replacement for United when Twinkletoes goes to Madrid?

I’d say yes and no. He’s a real good player but, and as much as I hate to say it, Ronaldo is the best player in the world right now. Though Ribery is about the next best replacement I can think of for Ronaldo. He’s got some pretty good ball control skills and has shown he’s a quality finisher, though it remains to be seen how well he’d be able to handle the physical play of the Premiership. Though the physicality issue doesn’t matter when you have skills as Arshavin has shown, and he’s about the same size as Ribery.

Will Hoffenheim return to the top few places of the Bundesliga next year when Vedad Ibišević returns?
It’s not just a coincidence that Hoffenheim have only gained 13 points in the 14 matches since Ibišević’s departure while they gained 35 in their first 18. I think they can return back to the top next season, and having a year’s experience in the Bundesliga can’t hurt the rest of the team. The Bundesliga seems to have some pretty decent parity going on, the top 10 teams are all pretty solid and #10 is in the UEFA Cup final, so it’s much easier for a smaller club to jump into the top of the table than somewhere like Spain or England. 

Has Guinness ever made a bad bottle of beer?  And is there anything Guinness doesn’t go well with?

To answer the second part, yes, a full stomach. The first Guinness I had a few years ago wasn’t too good because I had just had a large meal and I couldn’t finish it. But after that I tried it again and it was pretty good, and I’m not a fan of ‘heavier’ beers.

ebullient fatalist asks:

Why do so many English clubs subscribe to the 4-4-2? Why not attempt the more Continental 4-2-3-1? (Or as some term it, the 4-5-1, but I believe such a distinction is misleading.) Is it the field dimensions? Weather? Institutionalized immobility?

I couldn’t come up with a solid definitive answer to this one, so I put it to the other lads, and there were two seemingly consensus answers. The first was that it doesn’t really matter what formation you say you’re playing but more how you actually execute it. Which is very obviously true, you could say you’re running a 2-6-2 but always end up having two of your midfielders staying back in defense. Another thing to consider is are teams running a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1? Because a 4-4-1-1 is actually closer to a 4-5-1 than 4-4-2. SAF said earlier this year that he doesn’t think he’s EVER run a straight 4-4-2; he considers his formation to be a 4-4-1-1, with one of the strikers behind the central striker. In the same vein, Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 is, for all intents and purposes, a 4-4-2 in the SAF vein, with Gerrard playing the second striker role.

TwoYellows also made a great point: The 4-5-1 was the preferred formation for almost every English club, and I’m pretty sure that Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was the one who changed a lot of that by moving to the 4-4-2 to get a more attacking look back in the late 60′s. The other thing is, a lot of English pitches were fairly small and compact which lent to the defensive formation (there were a LOT of nil-nil and 1-nil games back in the day), whereas today’s pitches for the most part are much more expansive, thus a 4-4-2 can be used. Remember, English footy is much like the NFL in the idea that if someone uses something to decent success, it gets copied (just not with the speed of the NFL). So while 4-4-2 is in vogue now, it doesn’t mean it’ll be the preferred formation forever.

For some good reading check out this little guide from the BBC.

Wampeters, Foma, and Pat Falloon asks:

Can a team be promoted to the EPL from a league lower than the tier 2(Championship) league?

Not right away, but eventually (though through the years there have been exceptions when leagues have been restructured). Basically the system of promotion allows between 2-4 teams that finish at the top of their league to move up to the next tier the next season.

Also, there are 24 tiers in English football ranging from professional to what would amount to local rec leagues, but the great thing is those rec league teams could potentially jump to the EPL, read here if you’re interested.

Is it me, or has Petr Cech not been quite as good since getting his head bashed? (NOTE: It may be me. Getting regular season footie around here is a bitch, so I only see mostly playoffs and international tournaments)

No its not just you, its really been recent that he’s been struggling too. He’s still one of the top keepers in the world but he’s been having his moments lately where he just seems to be lost out there. He’s certainly not regressed to levels where you have to be nervous every time a ball comes near him, but if I were Chelsea, I’d look at picking up a quality backup.

How about some beer picks for a young man just past legal drinking age?

Certainly! Personally I’m a big fan of New Belgium however I may be spoiled as it’s local so its everywhere around here, though it may not be available most other places. I’d recommend trying out some local craft beers too, you’ll find some gems if you’re willing to weed through the strange and gross. As for more widely available beers; Stella Artois, Pilsner Urquell, Killians Red, and Blue Moon are some of my favorites.

Hey TYER, How amazing is Yuengling?

I’m not TYER, but I feel qualified to answer this question after making my first trip to the East coast last summer. Its AMAZING! I’d heard the name before and saw it on the menu at a restaurant and I tried it and was hooked. Then my cousin had it at his wedding and the rehearsal the night before and I was not at all disappointed in this fact. If I could find it here, I don’t know if I’d drink any other beer.

Aside from TwoYellows: Personally, I think it’s shite beer.  The so-called Black and Tan is awful, it tastes like dirt.  The Porter is the only decent offering from Yuengling, in this drinker’s opinion.  Your mileage may vary.

Jhawk90 asks:

I drink Grain Belt Premium, Bud Lite with lime and the occasional tap Dos Equis Amber and Blue Moon (sans fruit).  What team(s) best represents my limited range and cheap taste in beer?  I consider myself an Arsenal and Reading fan but I don’t want to be too big a fraud here.

Well your devotion to your local beer with the Grain Belt suggests loyalty to your area, much like being a Reading fan who’s only seen the team in the Premier League for two quick seasons, so you’re good there. The Bud Light with lime suggests you like what I initially thought to be a tacky idea that wound up being pretty good, much like West Ham’s number plates that covered the sponsor logos, but look at them now, they might make it to Europe. I guess Arsenal works since Carlos Vela is the only Mexican currently in the EPL. As for the Blue Moon, well it was created by a man named Keith Villa, so Aston Villa fits there (Fun fact that not even I really care about: My dad worked with Villa’s wife. Exciting I know.). I hope those help your future beer and soccer pairings.

Say one was to visit the general London area for the first time.  How would the locals treat a low-lying American at a match and which would be the best clubs to attempt to visit?  I’ve always figured Fulham, maybe QPR?

TwoYellows here.  As a native of said city, I felt like this one should be mine to answer.  My best advice before trying to get to a match is to get in touch with the club via their website and check to see if they have tickets available for neutrals.  You don’t just walk up to box offices in England and purchase tickets like you might at a baseball game here in the States.  Most of the clubs are fairly accommodating in that regard, but there are a few with smaller grounds (such as Fulham) that may be hit or miss.  In regards to how you would be treated, there are a few things to consider.

One, the atmosphere at a match in England is NOTHING like going to just about any American sporting event.  It’s not a time to chat with your seat neighbours, especially while play is occurring.  So keep your gabber shut, except at halftime, when the ref blows what’s surely a penalty or a free kick for the team you’re supporting, or when a goal is scored.  The appropriate behaviour for these events will be shown around you, so take note.  Also take note that there aren’t many “high fives” going on, don’t do that or you will immediately identify yourself.  Be ready for some salty language, as well.  It’s not a family event, and if children are there, there isn’t much decorum in terms of them.  Football is an adult pastime.  It’s also extremely intense, so pay attention.  If you want to have a look round the grounds, do it later.  You’re there to watch the match, and nothing screams “tourist” like someone taking pictures or having a point towards the architecture.  Now, in terms of the clubs you mentioned, Fulham is always accommodating if tickets are available, but be aware that it’s next to impossible to get tickets to any of the London derby matches, or if Liverpool or United are in town.  Chelsea, also in West London, is fairly accommodating, and is in a fantastic area with loads of pubs and places to eat.  It’s a bit of a walk at either place to the Tube, but hey, it’s a day in the sun watching the best game in the world, right?  QPR is a different kettle of fish entirely.  Loftus Road is in a Muslim section of London, and I’m not racist nor making any assertions regarding Muslims, I’m just letting you know the skinny.  Loftus Road is plunked down right in the middle of a neighborhood, as well, so if you’re familiar with how Fenway Park is situated, it’s very similar.  It’s also a good hike to the nearest Tube stop if I’m remembering correctly.  North London obviously has Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, and both are a haul on the Tube from Central London.  I’d check with them far in advance if that’s your preference of teams to see.  East London has West Ham United and Charlton, and I know West Ham can be a bit prickly about non-members coming, and I can’t say about Charlton because I haven’t been to their grounds in ages.  I will say Charlton will probably take any business they can get after being relegated to League One this past season, though, so they could be a choice.  South London (south of the Thames is generally referred to as this area) has Crystal Palace and Millwall.  So, yes, I’d say Crystal Palace would be the choice there.

You can always email me at my username at gmail.com for further details on all these places and stuff to do and see in London.

Going to the matches is not unsafe for Americans.  Most of the punters enjoy gabbing with Americans, especially in the pub atmosphere.  You just have to watch your P’s and Q’s at the matches.  Cheers.

Katni asks:

Since everybody’s always bitching about how Americans don’t “get” soccer, what is the REAL reason the MLS doesn’t go further out their way to promote it? And why don’t all these fancy Euro tems ever come play over here, ala NFL games in England? Or are both of these things occurring and I’m too busy being an ignorant American to notice?

I think the MLS doesn’t want to try and go overboard with promoting the league because American’s don’t ‘get’ the sport. They’ve set themselves up for long term success and seem to be looking towards the future and how it could look in the future. I’d like to think that they’ve learned from the Beckham experiment and won’t be promoting another single player like they did him because it was largely disappointing, though surely he did help gain some fans.

They do come over here, but its preseason for them so the games don’t count and they’re treated as such, though it’s great fun to see a foreign team. However one big test does come this summer when the World Football Challenge happens when four rather large clubs come over to play, it doesn’t matter much, but may prove to see how a well promoted event that goes to six locations does in comparison to random teams coming over and playing against MLS teams.

I like the kind of hefeweizens that don’t taste like fermented bananas (see Pyramid, Blue Moon, but NOT Widmer.) It seems like every micro brewed Hef I’ve tried is more towards the banana end of the spectrum. Suggestions? Also, what’s the difference between hefs and witbiers? It seems like these are used interchangeably. Or maybe that’s just my ignorant Americanism coming out again.

Well, lets start on the differences first, witbier’s come from Beligum and Hefeweizen comes from Germany but they’re both fundamentally the same. However witbier’s achieve their flavors from spices and things like orange peel while hefeweizen’s flavors come from the yeast which produces those banana flavors you’re tasting. Blue Moon is actually a witbier, though I’m not sure why you’re a fan of Pyramid though I’d guess it has to do with the 60% wheat content whereas most are typically 50%. I’d reccomend staying away from the hefeweizen’s altogether and seeking out the Beligan whites, I reccomend New Beligum’s Mothership Wit.

Well, thats it for round one of the beer and footie mailbag, keep sending those questions in, and a big thanks to everyone who sent one in.