Seven Bro7hers has teamed up with a rugby league legend to launch a limited-edition lager for an extremely worthy cause.
The Salford-based brewery – which was founded in 2014 by McAvoy brothers, Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg, after being inspired by their dad’s home-brewing – has joined forces with former Leeds Rhinos star, Rob Burrow, for the creation of this 5% ABV “classic and crisp” craft pilsner.
Rob Burrow’s illustrious career saw him win the Grand Final eight times from 2004 to 2017.
Fans will know that Burrow famously played in the number seven position during his career – which the brew pays homage to – and was always quick on his feet, despite being one of the smaller players on the field.
But in December 2019, he was sadly diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
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Since then, Burrow has become a high-profile ambassador for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and was awarded an MBE in the latest new year honours.
He was also the inspiration behind his ex-teammate and close friend’s – Oldham-born former Leeds Rhinos captain, Kevin Sinfield – mammoth mission of running seven marathons in seven days, which raised over £2.7 million for research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Burrow requested that the vegan pilsner be called ‘Roadrunner’ after a playful nickname he was coined on the pitch.
“I’m so proud to have a beer named after me,” Rob said.
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“The name came from Rugby League commentator Michael Stephenson MBE, he would often refer to me as the ‘road runner’”.
Burrow admitted that while his condition is sadly “slowly deteriorating”, his head is in a good place, he is “feeling really good” about his future, and is most-importantly “thrilled that some of the people suffering from MND will be able to benefit from the proceeds of this beer.”
Nathan McAvoy – founder of Seven Bro7hers, who is also a former England rugby league star – added: “To us, Rob is one in seven million – an amazing player and family man, doing a fantastic job to raise awareness in the fight against this awful disease [and] it has been an honour to collaborate with Rob to bring to life his sporting legacy on the can.
“It is hard to not be incredibly moved by his story, and we hope everyone supports the beer as all proceeds will help to tackle MND and fund research for cures”.
Crown and Kettle set to take over another former Northern Quarter bar
Danny Jones
The team behind beloved Ancoats pub The Crown and Kettle have announced that they are set to take over another former bar and restaurant location in nearby Northern Quarter.
We were gutted to see the old place go, but at least we can’t think of many better to take over the unit.
The historic watering hole on the corner of Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street is said to have stood in that spot since the 18th century, but now the present owners have confirmed they’ll be taking on a third venue, having also opened The Rat and Pigeon back in June 2024.
Many of you may have been to one or multiple of its previous iterations of the site in question over the years, but most recently, it was the Calcio sports bar – and soon it’ll become ‘The Badger’.
Revealing the news online last week, Crown and Kettle wrote: “We’re delighted to announce that our new pub, The Badger, arrives on Dale Street this spring!
“Once home to Calcio, Allotment & Nickelbys, this beautiful old building first served as The Haunch of Venison public house back in the early 1800s. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work, quietly bringing it back to life & returning it to its roots as a community pub.
“With The Badger, we’ve set out to create the kind of place we love most, warm, welcoming, full of character, with all the charm of a great countryside pub in the heart of the city.
“Expect cosy corners, traditional pub foods, fine ales & the warmest of welcomes. Made for regulars. Open to all. Worth returning to. We can’t wait to welcome you to your new city centre local. GET SET(T)…” Oh, very good indeed.
We visited Calcio many times over the past couple of years, both for work and pleasure in our own free time; it was a great place to watch the footy, enjoy some matchday scran and roll back the years with retro videogames.
As mentioned, though, not only did it used to be one of multiple Allotment vegan and vegetarian eateries in Greater Manchester – thankfully, their presence still remains in multiple buildings – but it has a past long before that which many people bring up on social media.
Insert, “I remember when…’ post.
While we might not know much about what they have in store for this next chapter, knowing how much we love their current city centre favourites, we’re very excited.
As it stands, we’re also yet to hear anything about a more precise opening date, but at least we know it’s coming sometime soon, and we have every faith they’re going to smash it.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd March 2021 
