Meet The Team
Next in our series of introducing you to the people who make up Team Abbeydale, we’ve headed back to our pub, the Rising Sun, to say hello to someone who our regulars there will find very familiar! And if you don’t know him yet, make sure you get up there for a pint. Over to Fin.
First up, the basics! What’s your name and where do you come from?
I’m Fin MacDonald, and I’m from Sheffield born and bred. My mum is Dutch and my dad is Scottish, though! (Editor’s note – Fin then said he can speak a bit of Dutch, in Dutch, which I’m not going to attempt to type out!)
What is your role at the Rising Sun?
I’m a bartender, I’ve been working there for 6 and a half years. My first day was also our GM Garry’s first day! I am also the self-proclaimed social secretary for the pub and recently initiated the first Rising Sun vs Abbeydale Brewery football match, where we were the proud winners of the inaugural Daily Bread cup!
What’s your favourite beer and why?
You can’t beat a Daily Bread – specifically, in a pint glass with a handle. But after finishing a shift at work, I’d usually pick an Absolution.
What’s your favourite thing about working at The Rising Sun?
It sounds a bit soppy, but it’s the people that I work with, they’re a great group. I also love the regulars, it’s always great to have a chat with them over the bar.
Favourite place to enjoy a pint?
Two answers locally – well, everywhere’s my local! – but I like the Beer House on Ecclesall Road and the Hally House (Hallamshire House) up on Commonside, especially their GM Doug and also their snooker table!
Where did you have your first (legal!) pint?
Well, I’ve got a story for this one. Me and my dad went up to Scotland and to the most remote pub in the whole of the UK, you can only get there either by boat or a two day hike. We chose the boat option. I was 17 at the time and dad panicked so I only got a pint of lemonade – to this day he regrets not getting me a beer!
Favourite snack to enjoy alongside a beer?
Jalapeno pretzel pieces. The best were Snyder’s but post-Brexit they aren’t available in the UK.
When you’re not behind the bar, what do you get up to?
I’m actually a qualified teacher and finished my PGCE this summer. I’d like to teach abroad in the future. I also like to play tennis and am a qualified coach. But I reckon the best part about a game of tennis is the pint afterwards – normally a Heresy shandy!
And finally… If you were a fictional character, who would it be?
I feel like my cartoon icon, not necessarily who I’m like, is Homer Simpson. I think that might be my future.
