The Grainstore Brewery & Tap, a popular Oakham-based bar and brew house, have released their Qatar World Cup 2022 beer, inspired by David Beckham's memorable foot injury while playing in a 2002 Champions League match over 20 years ago.

The Grainstore Brewery have been making a range of great beers since 1994, and opened its doors to the public in September 1995.

The combination of superb beers, brewed on the premises, and a traditional pub setting has proven to be a winner, earning the accolade of The Good Pub Guide 'Own Brew Pub of the Year' on no less than five occasions in 2003, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2019.

They have celebrated a range of events by producing and name beers cleverly - the most recent of these being CIIIR, celebrating the new Monarch, King Charles III.

Now, they are releasing a beer to drink at home for fans enjoying the Qatar World Cup. Here the story behind the new brew here:

When England captain David Beckham broke a bone in his foot during Manchester United's Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruna, it sparked fears he would not be fit for the World Cup.

The injury was back page news for several days as his recovery was tracked every step of the way. And the tackle which caused it – from Argentina's Aldo Duscher – became the source of debate given England were due to face Argentina in Japan, with some claiming it had been deliberate.

The injury ended Beckham's season with United – his best as a goalscorer as he netted 16 times before being hurt – as they missed out on the Premier League title to Arsenal and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals.

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However, he signed a new three-year contract in May, and did return in time to lead out his country against Sweden for the opening game of the World Cup in Saitama on the 2nd of June 2002.

And a few days later he scored the only goal as England beat Argentina 1-0, redemption after his red card against the same opponents in 1998.

England generated realistic hopes of lifting the trophy, taking the lead against Brazil in the quarter-finals, but just before half-time Beckham pulled out of a challenge on Rivaldo, allowing him to advance and score an equaliser.

Image courtesy of The Grainstore.

This beer is a reminder of that, and a symbol of hope that 2022 might be the year that England bring 'It' home - a hope that became a reality for the Women's team earlier this year.

Brewed for those that are staying at home, Metatarsal is a golden, hopped 4.3abv ale being sold in casked of 5, 10 or 20 litres.

Buy this new brew to enjoy at home with while watching the great game.

Find The Grainstore at Station Approach, Oakham, LE15 6RE.

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