Brewing to stop now Ipswich fans 'smile again'

Josh Bartlett wanted to put a smile back on Ipswich Town fans with his beer

An Ipswich Town fan who brews football-themed beers has called time on his efforts now his club are back in the Premier League.

Josh Bartlett, 38, was inspired to make Town-themed beers after watching a defeat at home to Derby in 2017 with the aim of "putting smiles back on faces".

He launched Away Days, making over 30 different beers from 'Lambert Out' to 'Butcher's Bandage' over a six-year period.

After deciding to dedicate more time to being a dad, and his main career, Mr Bartlett said the brewing business had been a "rollercoaster journey".

He said: "That [Derby] game is a polar opposite to now. It happened off the back of watching that miserable game.

"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 next morning, feeling slightly worse for wear, the (brewing) idea was still there and I started to dip my toes into the water to explore."

Football legend Alan Shearer has tasted Away Days beers

Mr Bartlett said the idea snowballed, and thanked huge support locally from Ipswich fans.

The brand was picked up by some big names in the game, including Alan Shearer, Marcus Stewart and Terry Butcher.

"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?'" he said.

Away Days offered an Ed Sheeran-themed beer

Mr Bartlett made the decision to go full-time with Away Days after being made redundant during the pandemic.

He said he was proud of getting through economic challenges in recent years, as well as contributing to the fundraising efforts for the Kevin Beattie statue outside Portman Road.

Ipswich Town legend Marcus Stewart gave his support for the beers

"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," he said.

"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."

On his decision to stop brewing, Mr Bartlett said: "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 added: " Anyone who has an idea, don't just write it off. You never know where life can take you".