Watford FC Matchday Pie Launched in Collaboration with Local Brewery

Tring Brewery are thrilled to showcase an exclusive matchday pie prepared by Willy’s Pies and served at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road stadium.

‘Beef Brisket & Tring Ale Pie’ will be sold throughout the home-end of the hornet’s stadium and has been made using premium brisket chunks, delicious flaky pastry and Tring Brewery’s ‘Death or Glory’ barleywine.

Willy’s Pies were launched in the height of lockdown 2020 and rose to recognition through a frontpage on TimeOut magazine and countless appearances at street food markets in London and the home-counties. Will has used his expertise (honed at St. John and Rochelle Canteen) to give a modern street-food twist to the classic steak and ale pie.

Along with their own tasty ingredients, Tring Brewery have provided a hearty glug of ‘Death or Glory’ to enrich the pie’s luscious gravy. ‘Death or Glory’ is barleywine, meaning it has been brewed to a robust strength (7.2%) and features malty flavours such as sweet treacle and molasses. The beer itself is Tring Brewery’s most award-winning ale, claiming Bronze Champion Beer of Britain (2016), amongst many other industry accolades along the way.

The brisket and ale pie celebrate Watford FC’s brewing heritage as Vicarage Road itself was built by Benskins Brewery (now defunct) and opened on 30 August 1922. A nod to Watford’s history can be seen in their old nickname of ‘The Brewers’, an apt tagline considering the club’s new dedicated real ale bar, featuring up to five cask ales from Tring Brewery at each home game.

Jared Ward, communications and PR at Tring Brewery commented: ‘It’s fabulous to be part of the club’s food and drink offering, especially as the meal of pie enjoys a cult following throughout British football grounds.’

Rising to popularity as a functional handheld meal (with a hearty filling protected from the outside world), pies were a staple in working-class diets at a time when the terraces of football ground were full to burst in 19th century Britain. Soon becoming the unofficial meal of matchday, ‘Football Pies’ now enjoy their own dedicated category at the prestigious British Pie Awards, held each year in Melton Mowbray.

‘We’d love to challenge for the title,’ commented Will from Willy’s Pies, ‘The brisket and ale tastes great and has been well received as an exclusive offering fans of the mighty hornets.’

The pies are sold throughout the home stands of the Vic for £4.95 and can be paired perfectly with a pint of local beer from Tring Brewery’s real ale bar in the Upper Graham Taylor Concourse.

Cheers to supporting local!