National Championship Game
Pete
It’s the night of the national championship game (2012), giving beer drinking Americans everywhere an excuse to do what they love. For me, the added bonus of needing to wake up 45 minutes later than usual for work tomorrow makes this Monday even better than federal holidays the two weeks before it. This inspired me to pick up 2 build-your-own 6-packs with the intention of drinking at least 1, and seeing where the night takes me, especially how exciting the game is. After Tebow-mania last night, I can only hope for it to be as good. For the record, my prediction is Alabama 19-LSU 17 on a 42-yarder as time expires (Alabama goes 4-4 on FG’s), causing AP Poll mayhem, and sparking debate about whether Alabama was better the whole time just had a bad kicking game in the first matchup.
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat-8:20-I wanted to get settled with my beer before the game started, and what better way than with a cherry wheat, which tastes exactly like it sounds. A great beer, but one you can only have a few of before you get sick of it. Fortunately I have 11 different beers waiting.
Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale-8:33- The game starts with a three and out, did anyone see that coming? O well, the more beers I have the more I’ll enjoy it. I have never tried any of Blue Moon’s seasonal brews, and I figured this was a great time to start. I enjoyed it. The aroma of winter beers really does serve to warm the soul. I’m not a huge fan of the taste of them, and this is pretty obviously a winter beer, but I’d prefer this one to Sam Adams Winter Lager, not that I would say no to either.
Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier-8:45-Maze pulls up with a hamstring. Having done that before, I know how much it sucks. Nothing is worse than seeing a key player get hurt in a big game (Willis McGahee anyone?). As for the beer, I have a few fruity beers in this first group because the non-fruity beers weren’t in the fridge at the store, and they are still warm. This one smells very fruity, is pretty smooth, but its blackberry aftertaste is a little overpowering. I’m sure this is how Sam Adams wanted it to taste, as they rarely miss, but it is a little strong. That being said, if you are looking for a fruity beer, this is pretty good. I recommend the Cherry Wheat, but if you are looking to diversify, go for it. (Alabama kicks a FG during this one, and I’m appending my prediction to LSU getting at least 1 of their 2 TD’s on defense or special teams.)
Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat-9:02-Maze comes running out of the tunnel, and I am excited to see it, but know he will probably hurt himself worse later in the game. Or make a game winning play, one or the other. Alabama scares me with my prediction by lining up for a 49-yarder, then promptly saves my ass by faking the kick. Anyway, I went from an overpowering fruity beer to fruitiest beer I’ve ever tasted. I am partial to this brew though, as it tastes exactly like yellow fruit loops (if you think I’m exaggerating, go buy both). It is delicious, and it makes me feel like I’m 5 again. Then I realize I’m drinking beer. Maze reinjures himself-that didn’t take long. And now Alabama gets their FG blocked. Oh well, I could’ve just predicted a winner, or a score, but I went for it all. I’m not mad, it was worth the effort.
Sam Adams Coastal Wheat-9:22-A bit of a delay here, as a shelf broke in my refrigerator, causing an explosion of a bottle of salad dressing, and then my computer stopped working. This led to this conversation
Me-when I touch a certain spot the internet turns off, and it takes some serious finagling to get it back on.
Me- Is that a word?
Josh-If you’re Jewish.
This is going well. Back to business. If you are noticing I am having a bunch of wheat beers, it is because they are all in the same section and they all looked good. After I filled up one 6 pack I moved onto the craft beer section, but they were not in the fridge, so I saved them for the 2nd half when they were cold. I drank this entire beer without realizing, it is a good wheat beer, but nothing special. Also, Alabama kicks another FG, maybe my score could be right.
Sea Dog Raspberry-9:36-Herbstreit just said exactly what I was thinking, this seems a lot like LSU’s Georgia game, which scares me for Alabama. This beer is unbelievable. It has a strong raspberry taste, but you can tell it is a beer. I’ve heard great things about Sea Dog’s blueberry beer, but this one is awesome (I prefer raspberry to blueberry in general, beer or no beer). And come halftime, Alabama is up 9-0, I still like this for my prediction, as 2nd half’s always are more exciting in big games.
Magic Hat Howl Black Lager-10:04-A little halftime break for the bathroom, and to pay a parking ticket. I knew I had parked illegally that day, but I realized that the ticket was for an expired parking meter, that was expired less than 3 minutes when I got to the car. This beer is great. Finally a real beer. Delicious, smooth, no distinct flavors, but very drinkable.
Magic Hat Circus Boy - 10:26-Disastrous last beer, as a conversation with my mother disrupted my timing, just like the entire LSU team. I am wishing I had a running count of “Honey badger” vs. “Tyrann Mathieu” count going. From what I’ve noticed, I’d bet 2-1 on honey badger. Also, I don’t know if it’s an age thing, but whenever I hear Brent Musberger, I have to think of Dan Fouts in ‘The Waterboy’ saying, “Last game of the year, Brent, can’t hold anything back now.” If only Adam Sandler were trying to lead LSU back instead of Jordan Jefferson (different positions but who cares, that was a bad pick). This is a good Hefeweizen. Magic Hat #9 is one of my favorites because it is so different from anything else. The rest of their beers are all very good versions of well known beer types. Hard to argue with that model.
Sea Dog Wild Blueberry-10:40-Getting back into the rhythm, I start another beer as I watch Alabama fail to put the game away, but they are at least keeping my score alive. I am hoping for a quick TD, then a pick 6 on 3rd and long to make it 14-12, so that Brent Musberger goes nuts and says more ridiculous things. Before I was even done typing that, it was 4th and 16. This beer could not have smelled better as I poured it into my glass. This is a great beer, but, despite the fact that it smells better, is not quite as good as its raspberry counterpart. This could just be personal preference though, and I definitely recommend this beer if you like good tasting things, especially if you like blueberry. Apparently Herbstreit and Musberger were pushed to like Eric Reid during this game. This is probably an ESPN brainchild for a Merrill Hoge/Mel Kiper argument at some point. We all know they don’t disagree as much as they show on TV, but it sure makes for a good waste of time while we are all waiting for hockey and basketball to get interesting. Another FG by Alabama means I need a couple of safeties for my prediction to work. Would anyone really care if my prediction about the end of the game was right except it was 18-17 instead of 19-17?
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA-10:55-I have 3 beers left, 2 I’ve heard were great (1 being in a category I don’t generally like, 1 I know I’ll like) and 1 I heard was awful. I’m starting with the unknown. Not generally a huge IPA fan, they are too bitter for me. I smelled this beer and could tell it was an IPA, and it tastes like an IPA, but the aftertaste is not nearly as pronounced as you would normally expect. I don’t really know how to judge IPA’s, but this is actually a beer I would drink by choice, which I can’t say about very many IPA’s. It has a bit of a sweetness going down. Dogfish Head, well done.
Saranac Caramel Porter-11:11-This is going to be a rant that has nothing to do with the game, but is something I have always hated about football coaches. If LSU had scored a TD while down 15 with 6-8 minutes left, they would have gone for 1, no doubt in anyone’s mind. Can anyone tell me why this is the case? There is almost no chance that they get 2 possessions naturally, so why not go for 2 right away, so they know whether or not they will need to score 2 more times right away. Is this knowledge less important than the psychological advantage of thinking you are down one possession? Someone needs to do a statistical study or something on this. In the meantime, I’m drinking a beer against the advice of the liquor store worker who seemed to know a lot about beer. He claimed to love caramel too. I went against his advice and bought this anyway, because a caramel porter sounded too good to pass up. I’ve never tasted a beer that tasted more like caramel than this one. I like this a lot. Try not to breathe in through your nose while you are drinking this, as it doesn’t smell nearly as good as it tastes, but it sure tastes good. Alabama finally scores a TD, and they miss an XP, wow. Obviously the game is over, but did that really need to happen? Now future years are just going to think it was a simple 3 TD win, 21-0, by Alabama. Somehow 21-0 does not give justice to how much domination there really was in this game.
11:28-Brooklyn Pennant Ale ’55-The game borderline over, and will be over soon into this beer. I wanted some arguments because I hate the BCS in general, but now I don’t know what’s going to happen. That was complete domination. I wanted an argument between AL, LSU, and OSU, and before this game I would’ve said LSU, OSU, AL, and there was no way AL could jump OSU, but wow, that was impressive. I think they managed to force all voters to pick them, despite the earlier home loss. When Erin Andrews says “go celebrate with your teammates” you should tell her “come celebrate with us”. I’m just putting forth a recommendation. This is what you do if you are a hotshot college athlete anywhere near Erin Andrews. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdDGYsYXHKc. Well done Rey. Anyway on to the beer. Awesome, I was not disappointed. This was a great beer to celebrate me at least picking the right winner in this game. This is very flavorful, despite not attempting to be a niche beer, which is hard to do. Brooklyn Brewery does a great job, and they deserve all the praise I can give them.
This was a terrible game. I was right that Alabama would dominate the game, but I at least thought LSU would do SOMETHING. Despite LSU’s impressive regular season, including a win AT Alabama, I have to say that Alabama should be a UNANIMOUS champion (both Ok St-Iowa St are you kidding me- and LSU-this game was so bad for them- had much worse losses. Alabama dominated both games between these two teams, and if not for 2 missed kicks in regulation (and maybe the 1 in OT) no one would question this. If LSU gets a single vote, it is embarrassing for the voter. I expect at least a few of the voters who guaranteed LSU votes for #1 before this game to go back on that.
ROLL TIDE
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat-8:20-I wanted to get settled with my beer before the game started, and what better way than with a cherry wheat, which tastes exactly like it sounds. A great beer, but one you can only have a few of before you get sick of it. Fortunately I have 11 different beers waiting.
Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale-8:33- The game starts with a three and out, did anyone see that coming? O well, the more beers I have the more I’ll enjoy it. I have never tried any of Blue Moon’s seasonal brews, and I figured this was a great time to start. I enjoyed it. The aroma of winter beers really does serve to warm the soul. I’m not a huge fan of the taste of them, and this is pretty obviously a winter beer, but I’d prefer this one to Sam Adams Winter Lager, not that I would say no to either.
Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier-8:45-Maze pulls up with a hamstring. Having done that before, I know how much it sucks. Nothing is worse than seeing a key player get hurt in a big game (Willis McGahee anyone?). As for the beer, I have a few fruity beers in this first group because the non-fruity beers weren’t in the fridge at the store, and they are still warm. This one smells very fruity, is pretty smooth, but its blackberry aftertaste is a little overpowering. I’m sure this is how Sam Adams wanted it to taste, as they rarely miss, but it is a little strong. That being said, if you are looking for a fruity beer, this is pretty good. I recommend the Cherry Wheat, but if you are looking to diversify, go for it. (Alabama kicks a FG during this one, and I’m appending my prediction to LSU getting at least 1 of their 2 TD’s on defense or special teams.)
Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat-9:02-Maze comes running out of the tunnel, and I am excited to see it, but know he will probably hurt himself worse later in the game. Or make a game winning play, one or the other. Alabama scares me with my prediction by lining up for a 49-yarder, then promptly saves my ass by faking the kick. Anyway, I went from an overpowering fruity beer to fruitiest beer I’ve ever tasted. I am partial to this brew though, as it tastes exactly like yellow fruit loops (if you think I’m exaggerating, go buy both). It is delicious, and it makes me feel like I’m 5 again. Then I realize I’m drinking beer. Maze reinjures himself-that didn’t take long. And now Alabama gets their FG blocked. Oh well, I could’ve just predicted a winner, or a score, but I went for it all. I’m not mad, it was worth the effort.
Sam Adams Coastal Wheat-9:22-A bit of a delay here, as a shelf broke in my refrigerator, causing an explosion of a bottle of salad dressing, and then my computer stopped working. This led to this conversation
Me-when I touch a certain spot the internet turns off, and it takes some serious finagling to get it back on.
Me- Is that a word?
Josh-If you’re Jewish.
This is going well. Back to business. If you are noticing I am having a bunch of wheat beers, it is because they are all in the same section and they all looked good. After I filled up one 6 pack I moved onto the craft beer section, but they were not in the fridge, so I saved them for the 2nd half when they were cold. I drank this entire beer without realizing, it is a good wheat beer, but nothing special. Also, Alabama kicks another FG, maybe my score could be right.
Sea Dog Raspberry-9:36-Herbstreit just said exactly what I was thinking, this seems a lot like LSU’s Georgia game, which scares me for Alabama. This beer is unbelievable. It has a strong raspberry taste, but you can tell it is a beer. I’ve heard great things about Sea Dog’s blueberry beer, but this one is awesome (I prefer raspberry to blueberry in general, beer or no beer). And come halftime, Alabama is up 9-0, I still like this for my prediction, as 2nd half’s always are more exciting in big games.
Magic Hat Howl Black Lager-10:04-A little halftime break for the bathroom, and to pay a parking ticket. I knew I had parked illegally that day, but I realized that the ticket was for an expired parking meter, that was expired less than 3 minutes when I got to the car. This beer is great. Finally a real beer. Delicious, smooth, no distinct flavors, but very drinkable.
Magic Hat Circus Boy - 10:26-Disastrous last beer, as a conversation with my mother disrupted my timing, just like the entire LSU team. I am wishing I had a running count of “Honey badger” vs. “Tyrann Mathieu” count going. From what I’ve noticed, I’d bet 2-1 on honey badger. Also, I don’t know if it’s an age thing, but whenever I hear Brent Musberger, I have to think of Dan Fouts in ‘The Waterboy’ saying, “Last game of the year, Brent, can’t hold anything back now.” If only Adam Sandler were trying to lead LSU back instead of Jordan Jefferson (different positions but who cares, that was a bad pick). This is a good Hefeweizen. Magic Hat #9 is one of my favorites because it is so different from anything else. The rest of their beers are all very good versions of well known beer types. Hard to argue with that model.
Sea Dog Wild Blueberry-10:40-Getting back into the rhythm, I start another beer as I watch Alabama fail to put the game away, but they are at least keeping my score alive. I am hoping for a quick TD, then a pick 6 on 3rd and long to make it 14-12, so that Brent Musberger goes nuts and says more ridiculous things. Before I was even done typing that, it was 4th and 16. This beer could not have smelled better as I poured it into my glass. This is a great beer, but, despite the fact that it smells better, is not quite as good as its raspberry counterpart. This could just be personal preference though, and I definitely recommend this beer if you like good tasting things, especially if you like blueberry. Apparently Herbstreit and Musberger were pushed to like Eric Reid during this game. This is probably an ESPN brainchild for a Merrill Hoge/Mel Kiper argument at some point. We all know they don’t disagree as much as they show on TV, but it sure makes for a good waste of time while we are all waiting for hockey and basketball to get interesting. Another FG by Alabama means I need a couple of safeties for my prediction to work. Would anyone really care if my prediction about the end of the game was right except it was 18-17 instead of 19-17?
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA-10:55-I have 3 beers left, 2 I’ve heard were great (1 being in a category I don’t generally like, 1 I know I’ll like) and 1 I heard was awful. I’m starting with the unknown. Not generally a huge IPA fan, they are too bitter for me. I smelled this beer and could tell it was an IPA, and it tastes like an IPA, but the aftertaste is not nearly as pronounced as you would normally expect. I don’t really know how to judge IPA’s, but this is actually a beer I would drink by choice, which I can’t say about very many IPA’s. It has a bit of a sweetness going down. Dogfish Head, well done.
Saranac Caramel Porter-11:11-This is going to be a rant that has nothing to do with the game, but is something I have always hated about football coaches. If LSU had scored a TD while down 15 with 6-8 minutes left, they would have gone for 1, no doubt in anyone’s mind. Can anyone tell me why this is the case? There is almost no chance that they get 2 possessions naturally, so why not go for 2 right away, so they know whether or not they will need to score 2 more times right away. Is this knowledge less important than the psychological advantage of thinking you are down one possession? Someone needs to do a statistical study or something on this. In the meantime, I’m drinking a beer against the advice of the liquor store worker who seemed to know a lot about beer. He claimed to love caramel too. I went against his advice and bought this anyway, because a caramel porter sounded too good to pass up. I’ve never tasted a beer that tasted more like caramel than this one. I like this a lot. Try not to breathe in through your nose while you are drinking this, as it doesn’t smell nearly as good as it tastes, but it sure tastes good. Alabama finally scores a TD, and they miss an XP, wow. Obviously the game is over, but did that really need to happen? Now future years are just going to think it was a simple 3 TD win, 21-0, by Alabama. Somehow 21-0 does not give justice to how much domination there really was in this game.
11:28-Brooklyn Pennant Ale ’55-The game borderline over, and will be over soon into this beer. I wanted some arguments because I hate the BCS in general, but now I don’t know what’s going to happen. That was complete domination. I wanted an argument between AL, LSU, and OSU, and before this game I would’ve said LSU, OSU, AL, and there was no way AL could jump OSU, but wow, that was impressive. I think they managed to force all voters to pick them, despite the earlier home loss. When Erin Andrews says “go celebrate with your teammates” you should tell her “come celebrate with us”. I’m just putting forth a recommendation. This is what you do if you are a hotshot college athlete anywhere near Erin Andrews. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdDGYsYXHKc. Well done Rey. Anyway on to the beer. Awesome, I was not disappointed. This was a great beer to celebrate me at least picking the right winner in this game. This is very flavorful, despite not attempting to be a niche beer, which is hard to do. Brooklyn Brewery does a great job, and they deserve all the praise I can give them.
This was a terrible game. I was right that Alabama would dominate the game, but I at least thought LSU would do SOMETHING. Despite LSU’s impressive regular season, including a win AT Alabama, I have to say that Alabama should be a UNANIMOUS champion (both Ok St-Iowa St are you kidding me- and LSU-this game was so bad for them- had much worse losses. Alabama dominated both games between these two teams, and if not for 2 missed kicks in regulation (and maybe the 1 in OT) no one would question this. If LSU gets a single vote, it is embarrassing for the voter. I expect at least a few of the voters who guaranteed LSU votes for #1 before this game to go back on that.
ROLL TIDE