August's Newsletter

It's getting hot, hot, hot!

This month’s newsletter is just like a great cask ale : no fuss, no filler, and just what you came for. 

August brings the return of the Premier League (finally), a brilliant new Pie of the Month, and a fond farewell to Square as we get ready to make the leap to Toast POS. 

Let’s dive in, shall we?

Farewell, Square. Hello, Toast. And Welcome Back, Premier League.

August marks the end of an era and the kickoff of another.

This will be our final newsletter under Square as we prep to switch to Toast POS by month’s end. 

Don't fret! You'll still hear from us, just under a new name! Stay on the lookout, things like Loyalty Programs, delivery and more are just some of the new offerings Toast has in store!

 We’re also pulling the scarves back out (figuratively! It’s still 90° out) because the Premier League is back. Come early, stay loud, and get ready to cheer your club over a pint and a pie. Football’s home? It never left our hearts. But we sure are glad it’s back on telly.

Back by popular demand, August's Pie of the Month is the Samosa Pie. Packed with spiced potatoes, peas, curried vegetables and wrapped in our golden house crust. It’s everything you love about a samosa, but with a proper British pub makeover. It’s the classic taste of the Indian subcontinent that’s transported its way across the British Empire and landed squarely in our hearts. Vegetarian, a light bit of heat, hearty, and best washed down with a cold pint. 

Join us for a taste of this delicious pie this August, and don't forget, every Thursday at the Hawk & Griffin is Pie & a Pint! Any one of our house pies comes with a free 16oz draught, an excellent opportunity to try this fantastic pie!

What the heck is a Sparkler?

In most pubs in the North of England (and the Hawk & Griffin), beer is served through a sparkler. A sparkler is a small device attached to the hand pump that contains a set of tiny holes. As beer is forced through these holes into the glass, residual carbon dioxide in the beer is forced out of solution, creating a tight creamy head. As well as being visually pleasing, this technique generally gives a smoother pint, any bitterness is softened, and some of the hop aromas are released into foam making them easier to enjoy.

The size and quality of the head is dependent on a number of things including the size of the holes in the sparkler, the beer itself, and of course the skill of the bar staff pulling that pint.

Not all pubs in England use the sparkler, however. Generally in the South of England, the sparkler is omitted, ensuring minimum or no head on the beer, making sure that the customer gets the maximum amount of beer.

For us there is no dispute that the sparkler adds to the flavour and drinkability of the ale and there is no denying the beauty of a settling pint as the foam cascades in the glass. You can be assured you are getting a true craft product served as it would be in the best pubs in England.

Now, that is a properly poured pint.

(Properly enjoyed, too!)

Mark your calendars!

Friday, August 15th kicks off the 2025/26 Premier League season with Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth at 3pm, just in time to join us for Firkin' Friday! Grab a 20oz Cask Beer for $7 and join us for the first game of the season!

We’ll be showing every match we can get our hands on. So, whether you’re backing the Magpies in their European charge, hoping Brentford keeps punching above their weight, standing by West Ham through thick and thin, or waiting to see if Liverpool can climb back to the top, it all starts here. From the opening minutes to the final whistle, join us every weekend for proper matchday atmosphere, cold pints, and hot pies. No ticket required! 

Just bring your colours.

So come on by! The summer's just beginning for sports!

If you’re like me, you love a good history podcast. 

Whether I’m driving around picking up supplies for the pub, working on the pub on my "day off" [every] Tuesday, or mowing the lawn, I’ve found that nothing beats listening to a good podcast.

If you’re also a devoted Anglophile, I have some great suggestions for you. My “go-to” podcast for British history is Dan Snow’s History Hits. He has amazing expert guests and geeks out on the details.

My next favorite podcast is A Short History Of… from the Noiser podcast network. The vast number of topics they cover, in a very easily digestible format, will make you feel like a genius when discussing anything historical with friends.

Finally, if you really want to get into the weeds on complicated topics, the BBC’s In Our Time podcast is for you. Actually, you really can’t go wrong with most of the history podcasts produced by the BBC.

Anyway, those are my guilty pleasures, and when you see me in the pub, I would love to hear your suggestions.

Cheers!