5 beers you should stock your fridge with for the game
Before you invite friends over for the game, you have to make sure you have all of the essentials: wings, chips and dip, and, of course, beer. But not all beers are created equal. With the rise of the craft beer, watery domestic suds are no longer a necessary evil. Here are five craft beers to put in your game-day rotation this fall.
- Pilsner or pale ale. If you’re looking for a light, fresh brew to pair with the rich snacks that typically accompany football games (i.e., nachos and mozzarella sticks), a pilsner or pale ale is probably the right choice. They feature complex flavors, but they’re not particularly heavy, which means they’ll help balance out your food spread.
- Game Day Choice: Joe’s Pils, Avery Brewing Company.
- Amber or red ale. If you plan to put out chips and spicy salsa or if tacos are on your game-day menu, then you might fare better with amber or red ale. This type of beer goes heavier with the sweet flavors and the malts, so it will help cool down heat created by spicy foods.
- Game Day Choice: Nugget Nectar, Tröegs Independent Brewing.
- India Pale Ale. IPAs are a hit among craft beer drinkers for their strong, hoppy flavors and their ability to pair well with almost any meal or snack. That makes them an obvious addition to your game-day selection. There’s just one caveat. Since IPAs tend to have a high alcohol content, you can’t chug one after the other like something lighter. Keep it to one or two drinks if you go for an IPA.
- Game Day Choice: Blind Pig IPA, Russian River Brewing Company.
- Although stout is a little too intense to drink all day long, it’s a good idea to have a few in stock for your friends who typically go for Guinness. You might even want to rotate one of these brews into your personal lineup. They’re surprisingly low-calorie, and they work well with chili on a nippy Sunday afternoon. Moral of the story: you won’t need more than a six-pack, but don’t count stout totally out.
- Game Day Choice: Donnybrook Stout, Victory Brewing Company.
- Hard cider. Hardcore beer enthusiasts might balk at the thought of including cider on a list of game-day beers, but burgeoning companies like Downeast Craft Cider are proving that apples have earned their rightful place in a world of grains. Sweet, potent hard ciders are kind of a cross between a beer and a cocktail, making them a perfect choice if your game-day crew includes people who don’t typically go for suds. They also happen to be gluten free, which is a perk for friends with gluten sensitivities or allergies who have to steer clear of most grain-based adult beverages.
- Game Day Choice: Maple Blend Hard Cider, Downeast Craft Cider.
Best Game-Day Beers [Food Network]
The Five Best Beers to Bring to Your Super Bowl Party [Huffington Post]
Game Day Brews: 5 Sessionable Craft Brews to Bring [The Kitchn]