For a few years now, I have had a monthly post which pairs books with beer and a second one matching podcasts with beer. 2023 seemed the right time to add a new brand to the family, Sports & A Beer.
Each month, I will cover a topic from the sports world, that I find fun or thought provoking or what is making me crazy about my favorite teams. And what better way to start than with the crazy rumor mongering and optimism that is the January Transfer Window in football (aka soccer).
This is the month about halfway through most professional leagues season, where underperforming teams get desperate, where teams with injuries are shopping and teams who think they have a chance to win now – pay for it dearly.
Liverpool have been OK but nowhere near their form as their attack has been reduced by injury but they have brought in reinforcements like Cody Gakpo. Arsenal were circling players but might get a gem from Brighton Hove Albion in Leandro Trossard.
My team, Chelsea has changed managers and have three teams worth of players in my opinion and have splurged more American money on a quintet of players. David Datro Fofana. The second Fofana on the squad. French defender Benoit Badiashile. Midfielder Andrey Santos from Vacso de Gama. And big signings Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk. And then wrote a super big check for Argentinean Enzo Fernandez.
Lot of names to Google there but the breathless spectacle and media attention and leaks and rumors are part of what makes Premier League football fun.
To pair with this crazy month, I suggest going one of two fun routes. One if you have a favorite team and one if you do not. If you do, each signing can be assigned as either expensive, a good deal or a steal. Then buy a beer in one of those three categories. If your team splashes cash then go grab a barrel-aged $20 bottle.
If you do not have a team then find a smattering of beers from football playing countries and enjoy while watching Sky Sports coverage.
