The beer you drink can tell your friends a lot about you. Showing up to a Super Bowl party with Pabst Blue Ribbon makes you look like a fixed-gear riding hipster (an unwelcome guest at any sporting event). Bring a wax-topped bottle of Surly Darkness and people will think you’re a snob and a show off. No nachos for you.
That’s why it’s important to choose carefully when deciding which beer to bring. Avoid embarrassment by referencing this illustrated guide:
BUD LIGHT
It is the quintessential beer for American dads, brewed with a blend of aroma hop varieties—both domestic and imported—and a combination of malts and rice. It’s light and crispy and often marketed for its “drinkability.”
And, no matter what anyone tells you, it’s delicious with a twist of lime.
You should bring this beer to your Super Bowl party so that every one knows that you’re a red-blooded, Trump-voting, all-American football fan. No one will question your love of the game (or your country) when they see you sipping on refreshing, ice-cold, probably-more-water-than-beer Bud Light.
4.20% ABV
RANGER IPA
New Belgium’s Ranger IPA provides an extremely hoppy bouquet of citrus, fruity, and floral flavors. It’s brewed with pale and dark caramel malts, giving both its start and finish a strong hop flavor that’s popular among the world’s IPA enthusiasts.
This is the perfect beer to bring to a Super Bowl party to let your friends know that you went to grad school and made it through 2/3 of Infinite Jest. New Belgium’s Ranger IPA has a strong, somewhat abrasive taste, and it’s not for everyone — just like your unabridged copy of War and Peace, son!
Your friends will be impressed by your superior and well educated palate. When they ask what beer you brought, simply reply, “Brah, you’ve probably never heard of it.”
6.50% ABV
DUCK-RABBIT AMBER ALE
Duck-Rabbit’s Amber Ale is a delightful, medium-bodied brew with a slight copper color. It’s made with select layers of caramel malts, creating a tart roasty flavor and a robust caramel aroma. It’s the perfect selection for any beer aficionado interested and a tasty, non obtrusive drink.
And it’s brewed in North Carolina.
That’s why you should bring this beer to your Super Bowl Party if you’re rooting for Carolina. With this beer in hand you can easily propose a drinking game where everyone drinks whenever Peyton Manning is overrated (which is always, right Panthers fans?).
5.50% ABV
LEFT HAND MILK STOUT
This Colorado native is a delicious stout beer that’s brewed with roasted malts and intense coffee flavors, resulting in a creamy, chocolatey pour. It’s dark color and sweet aroma are sure to keep you in good spirits.
And good news — stouts are generally the healthiest beer option! When compared to other beer types, stouts offer an increase in fiber and antioxidants as well as a decrease in calories.
Bring this beer to your Super Bowl Party if you’re drinking in support of the Denver Broncos. Propose a drinking game with the rule that everyone drinks whenever Cam Newton performs an over-the-top touchdown dance (which, as we all know, won’t be often).
6.00% ABV
STRONGBOW HARD CIDER
Strongbow is the go-to English style hard cider. With medium carbonation, this light golden pour radiates with an aroma of sweetened apple juice. It’s the perfect choice for any drinker suffering from a gluten intolerance (both real or imagined).
Because it’s not a beer.
But, when enjoyed from a can, Strongbow damn near looks like a beer. Bring this cider to your Super Bowl party if you don’t actually like beer, football, or American sports — or if you’re only watching for the commercials.
5.00% ABV
