21 March 2012 by ??

In a brand new feature for Running Rugby, our resident "Secret Scoffer" will be visiting Stobart Super League grounds across the country in a quest to rate the product, service and value on offer. His/her journey began this week at the DW Stadium:

Where better to begin a survey of the rugby league public’s pie and pint options than at Wigan?

Versions differ on why Wiganers are known as Pie-eaters. It could refer to local miners who abandoned a strike and ate “humble pie.” Or it could just be that they eat a lot of pies. They certainly do on match day at the DW Stadium. There is a lengthy queue at the snack bar, which boasts the biggest pie-warmer I’ve seen in my life.

The classic Wigan pie is meat and potato, but chunky steak at the same price of £2.20 seems a better bet. The range, all baked by Poole’s of Wigan, also includes cheese, but the steak is the winner.

It ticks all the boxes; piping hot, crumbly pastry and plenty of meat in a rich gravy. Of course, it’s ridiculously expensive, but – hey – we’re on a Premier League football ground.

Annoyingly, you have to join a separate queue at the same bar to buy something to wash it down with.

This is where the experience deteriorates.

Worthington Creamflow (£3.20) is everything that was wrong with mass-produced beer before the glorious renaissance of small, local breweries – dazzlingly clear, with a thick head and tasting of absolutely nothing.

Wigan has at least two marvellous micro-breweries. Why not serve something from them and give the pies the accompaniment they deserve?

Wigan Food and Drink Facts

In 2011, Wigan Warriors average attendance for home matches was 17,193 and their highest attendance was 24,057 vs St Helens. Wigan informed Running Rugby that at the bigger games they sell between 5000 and 6000 pints of beer and upto 2500 pies.

Poole's of Wigan Ltd have been supplying the pies at the DW since the stadium opened in 1999. They have six fast food kiosks in which these pies are distributed.

Moslon Coors UK, the UK's second largest brewer, provides the eight stadium bars with both Carling and Worthington Creamflow.

runningrugby.com/hospitality-bar ... et+Scoffer

21 March 2012 by ??

In a brand new feature for Running Rugby, our resident "Secret Scoffer" will be visiting Stobart Super League grounds across the country in a quest to rate the product, service and value on offer. His/her journey began this week at the DW Stadium:

Where better to begin a survey of the rugby league public’s pie and pint options than at Wigan?

Versions differ on why Wiganers are known as Pie-eaters. It could refer to local miners who abandoned a strike and ate “humble pie.” Or it could just be that they eat a lot of pies. They certainly do on match day at the DW Stadium. There is a lengthy queue at the snack bar, which boasts the biggest pie-warmer I’ve seen in my life.

The classic Wigan pie is meat and potato, but chunky steak at the same price of £2.20 seems a better bet. The range, all baked by Poole’s of Wigan, also includes cheese, but the steak is the winner.

It ticks all the boxes; piping hot, crumbly pastry and plenty of meat in a rich gravy. Of course, it’s ridiculously expensive, but – hey – we’re on a Premier League football ground.

Annoyingly, you have to join a separate queue at the same bar to buy something to wash it down with.

This is where the experience deteriorates.

Worthington Creamflow (£3.20) is everything that was wrong with mass-produced beer before the glorious renaissance of small, local breweries – dazzlingly clear, with a thick head and tasting of absolutely nothing.

Wigan has at least two marvellous micro-breweries. Why not serve something from them and give the pies the accompaniment they deserve?

Wigan Food and Drink Facts

In 2011, Wigan Warriors average attendance for home matches was 17,193 and their highest attendance was 24,057 vs St Helens. Wigan informed Running Rugby that at the bigger games they sell between 5000 and 6000 pints of beer and upto 2500 pies.

Poole's of Wigan Ltd have been supplying the pies at the DW since the stadium opened in 1999. They have six fast food kiosks in which these pies are distributed.

Moslon Coors UK, the UK's second largest brewer, provides the eight stadium bars with both Carling and Worthington Creamflow.

runningrugby.com/hospitality-bar ... et+Scoffer