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In the U.S., we drink over 300 million gallons of beer on average during the Super Bowl. That is an astronomical amount of brewskis. It’s enough to fill over 500 Olympic swimming pools. The only day when we drink more beer than that is on Thanksgiving. There’s football on that day, too. Coincidence? We think not.
There’s really no such thing as a beer-free Super Bowl party. In all honesty, if that’s the case, there’s no point in even having a party. You might as well just belly up to the bar at Applebee’s and grab a few apps because your party is going to be pretty lame. But you can’t just have any beer at your party. The usual, bland domestic beers just won’t do if you’re trying to throw a kick-ass party.
If you want your party to be talked about for years to come, you have to pick up one of these tasty brews.
Golden Road Wolf Pup Session IPA
Los Angeles’ Golden Road Brewing knows how important the Super Bowl is to drinkers. Their Wolf Pup Session IPA is one of the best beers to drink during the game. That’s because at 4.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), you can drink a whole bunch of these tasty brews without getting too much of a buzz. Not only is it an easily crushable beer, it’s also intensely hop-fueled.
Victory Brewing Sour Monkey
If you’re a fan of beer, you probably remember Victory Brewing’s Golden Monkey. This high-alcohol Belgian-style Tripel has been delighting craft beer fans for years. Recently, they unleashed their sour version, Sour Monkey. It makes sense because one of the biggest trends in the beer world is sour beer. This limited edition beer is fermented with Brettanomyces and combines Tettnang and Hallertau whole flower hops. It also has Pilsner malt and coriander seed and undergoes a second fermentation with multiple strains of Brettanomyces yeast. This beer is perfect for Super Bowl fans who loved the original and are unafraid to try the sour version. It’s currently available in 12-ounce bottles all over the US.
Also: What to Grill on Super Bowl Sunday
Evil Twin Brewing Imperial Biscotti Break
If your party guests prefer something a little dark, Evil Twin Brewing’s Imperial Biscotti Break is perfect for them. This 11.5% ABV imperial stout has an intense, rich, flavor combination of vanilla, coffee, and toasted almond. If you plan on serving this at your party, you might want to wait until desert to serve it. You can drink it on its own (slowly) or pour it over some vanilla ice cream for an awesome end to your evening.
New Belgium Whizbang
Colorado’s New Belgium is well-known for its innovation. One of its newest, most interesting beers is Whizbang. This 5.7% ABV hoppy blonde ale is chocked full of Mosaic hops, but still doesn’t cover up the malty sweetness. “Whizbang offers a blast of hops, thus the name, yet it’s still crisp and quaffable,” says Bryan Simpson, media relations director for New Belgium. “It’s hoppy complexity and balanced drinkability makes it a great go-to beer for the late winter and early spring season.”
Lagunitas Brewing Company’s High West-ified Imperial Coffee Stout
It seems like every brewery makes a barrel-aged beer these days and most of them are really good. If you can find a way to get your hands on a bottle or two of Lagunitas’ High West-ified Imperial Coffee Stout, you probably won’t even care who wins the big game. This collaboration between famed brewery Lagunitas and Utah’s High West Distillery (possibly the best distillery in America) is truly something special. This stout is made using coffee brewed at Chicago’s Metropolis Coffee before aging in rye whiskey barrels.
Bear Republic Racer X
Sonoma County, California is better known for its wine than its beer. But if you are a fan of West Coast IPAs, you’ve likely heard of brewing champions Bear Republic and their Racer X. This double IPA is “bold with a California spin,” says Bear Republic Brewmaster/COO Richard “Ricardo” Norgrove. Made with kettle as well as dry Cascade, Centennial, and Columbus hops, this beer is an explosion of floral hoppiness. “It really embodies the role of big brother to Racer 5 with flavorful hops and a sleek, strong malt base,” says Norgrove.