April's Newsletter

April at Hawk & Griffin: Spring Has Sprung, Sort Of

April’s here, and with it comes your official notice to stop hibernating and get yourself back to the pub. The weather’s pretending to improve, the sporting calendar’s having one of its annual meltdowns, and frankly there are only so many evenings one can spend being respectable. Come have a pint, order something wrapped in pastry, and let us take it from there.

Keep Up, Will You?

Our calendar is always worth a look, and our social media is where we’ll be posting the day-to-day bits, match updates, specials, and any other nonsense we happen to be getting up to. In other words, if you’d like to know what’s on without relying on pub gossip, that’s where to look.

Jaipur IPA

Thornbridge Brewing (UK) - Jaipur IPA 5.9% ABV

We have been working closely with our beer import contacts and have a new first for you.

There has been a lot written about this brewery and its flagship IPA. Thornbridge Brewery, in the heart of Derbyshire, is a true pioneer of American style ales brewed with British traditions. Jaipur IPA is an English IPA that is heavily influenced by the USA’s West Coast IPA revolution. A huge helping of American hops are used in conjunction with UK Maris Otter malts to produce a light coloured beer with a citrus nose. The sweetness of the malt strikes a good balance against hop bitterness and flavours of grapefruit, orange and lemon.

This is a modern classic and is now finally available in Virginia and for now only at the Hawk & Griffin.

April is one of those months where British sport goes completely off the rails, and we mean that as a compliment.

The month started out strong with The Boat Race on Saturday, April 4, with the women’s race, then the men’s in London, because apparently watching Oxford and Cambridge row furiously at one another remains one of Britain’s finest habits.

Results?

Cambridge men's won for the 4th straight year in a row, and a triumphant win for the Oxford Women's Team.

Then comes the Grand National Festival, running from April 9 to 11 at Aintree, with Grand National Day on Saturday, April 11.

That’s the point in the month where everybody becomes a racing expert for six minutes and starts choosing horses based entirely on vibes and names.

A Thought From The Author

Over my four years here, there are a few things I’ve gleaned. We aren’t here to fill seats, (okay, well, maybe…) but at the end of the day we are here to build a community.

A pub that people feel attached to. Even if the food is fantastic, it’s not just somewhere to eat and not just somewhere to watch the match. It’s somewhere with character, warmth, standards, and a bit of bite.

And a pint.

We like things cheeky, don’t get me wrong, but it’s never careless.

Proper food, proper pints, proper atmosphere and a home away from home for everyone who walks through our door.

This is our standard.

So, for everyone who reads this, know that you are welcome, anytime.

Except Tuesdays.

(Because we’re closed.)

 We’ll see you soon and cheers.

Alexis Miller