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Super Bowl Brews
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
By Michael S. Marsh
It's Super Bowl week. The most anticipated sporting event of the year is only a few days away and the countdown to kickoff means party preparations are in full swing. While a quality spread is of the utmost importance, and cigars equally so, nothing screams "Fumble!" more than not having a great selection of beers on ice.
A great place to start when stocking a refrigerator with Super Bowl suds is finding local beers from the cities of the teams that are lining up to do battle. Sure it's easy to hand out Budweiser or Bud Light -- and fans will no doubt appreciate the gesture -- but why not take it further? Two years ago when Pittsburgh played Seattle, I went to a party that served Iron City and Iron City Light to Steelers fans and a Washington State brew called Pyramid to Seahawks fans. It was a great idea and one that made it hard to hide one's allegiance. (For the record, I was a neutral fan that day and drank both. Pittsburgh won the game, but I think Seattle fans won for best beer.)
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This year it's the New York Giants against the New England Patriots, and while I bleed Big Blue, it's hard not to give the edge to New Englanders when it comes to beer. The region is a mecca of microbrewing. In Maine, Shipyard and Allagash, which brews Belgian-style ales, immediately come to mind; in Vermont, there's Otter Creek and Long Trail, to name two; and in New Hampshire, Smuttynose has been brewing award-winning ales since 1994. Of course, it's impossible to forget the Boston heavyweights: Harpoon and Samuel Adams, each with a wide variety of styles and a loyal customer base that is mad for the Patriots.
While the New York metropolitan area may not have the same number of breweries that New England does, it does have clout. The Brooklyn Brewery, which was founded in 1987, is recognized as one of the pioneers of craft beer. Brooklyn Lager and Brooklyn Brown Ale are probably the most recognizable beers in the company's extensive portfolio, but all are worth a try, especially Brooklyn's seasonal offerings and its latest introduction called Local 1, a strong, Belgian-style ale that's been earning excellent reviews.
Of course, no one says that you have to pick beers from New England and New York, especially with the vast amount of beer out there from which to choose. Because your guests will surely be dining on meaty ribs and steak, hearty cheese dips and the like, selecting beers that pair well with these dishes will also prove you've got the chops to throw a memorable Super Bowl party. Brown ales, which have a sweet side and some bitterness, tend to go wonderfully with smoked meat, while India Pale Ales, such as Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head, which are extremely hoppy, can complement a spicy Mexican jalapeņo dish. Lighter ales and lagers are always good choices, too, as they are light and crisp and can act as the perfect palate cleanser.
The bottom line when it comes to choosing beer for a Super Bowl party is beer that you and your guests will enjoy. That means a little bit of everything. For me, there will be Guinness on hand, plenty of Bud and Bud Light, and a selection of microbrews and imports that I've been enjoying lately, namely Rogue from Oregon and Chimmay, a Belgian Trappist ale.
There will also be some beers from New England, but this Giants fan -- who loves both Harpoon and Samuel Adams -- will leave those for the Patriots fans, or at least wait until they leave before cracking them open.
Click on the links below for a complete guide to your Super Bowl Sunday smoking and drinking pleasure:
The Super Bowl Cigar by David Savona
The Super Bowl Cocktail by Jack Bettridge
The Super Bowl Brew by Michael Marsh
A Cigar Lover's Super Bowl
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