---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Kirsten Schlewitz
Soccer + Beer. What could be better, right? But sometimes it’s difficult to choose the perfect beer to compliment your soccer watching. That’s where I come in.
Each week I will be featuring one match from around the world and pairing it with a beer to help you get through the 90+ minutes. In case you can’t catch that match, I’ll also give you a consolation match and pairing. The pairings will involve anything from a beer from that region of the world to a beer based on the way a player’s hair looks. I get to choose! I promise, though, I will do my best to make sure at least one of the picks is widely available.
Lest you think I am a complete Eurosnob, let me assure you that each week won’t involve a Premier League match. But since the EPL season ends this weekend and the title hinges on Sunday’s games, our first match-up will be:
Chelsea v Wigan (10am Central Time, showing on FSC. Supposedly ESPN and ESPN2 have changed their schedules to carry Chelsea and Manchester United, but it is not confirmed online yet).
Chelsea currently hold the lead by one slim point, but if they lose to Wigan (as they did earlier in the season) then the current title holders, Manchester United, could steal first by beating Stoke City. As long as Chelsea send out the team that beat Stoke City 7-0 two weeks ago rather than the one that rolled over and let Tottenham have their way around the pitch, Chelsea will find their fourth top-division title.
And what better way to celebrate a London club taking top honors than by opening a bottle of Fullers London Porter? Fullers is the largest brewery in London and has been brewing—previously as Griffin Brewery—since 1699. While many of you are likely familiar with Fullers ESB, as it is served in almost all English-style pubs in the U.S., it is their London Porter that is consistently ranked among the top ten porters in the world. I was lucky enough to enjoy my bottle in London, but it appears at most quality bottle shops throughout the country.
The beer pours brown red, nearly black, with a creamy, high tan head. Its aromas include nutty malts, yeast, and toffee. A well-balanced porter, it tastes of chocolate, nuts, toasted malt, and brown sugar, with a coffee-like finish. If you’re up early and having breakfast or brunch during the match, it would pair well with French toast with cinnamon and orange, or waffles topped with red fruits. Bet you didn’t know you’d be getting meal tips as well! Serve this in an English pint glass, and, if cold, let it warm to nearly room temperature to bring out the flavors. This one weighs in at 5.4% ABV.
For those of you not interested in spending your Sunday morning watching the final games of the 2009-2010 Premier League season, well, don’t count on watching MLS that day. Major League Soccer has a nearly-full slot on Saturday, with seven matches to choose from. Only Colorado and Toronto have a free Saturday, but no one plays on Sunday.
For your Saturday drinking needs, I’d like you to meet Firestone Walker Solace, a beer to welcome in the beginning of summer. For those of you lucky enough to live where it’s above 50, that is. This beer pours a hazy golden peach, with a thin off-white head. Stick your nose in and you’ll smell bubblegum, wheat, and spicy clove, just as you should in any decent wheat beer. It tastes of candy sugar, banana, wheat, and some orange peel. This is one you should serve a bit cold, in a hefeweizen glass if possible. Be warned, though, it’s got a bit more of a punch than a standard crisp, refreshing summer beer, with a 6% ABV.
This is the beer to drink while watching DC United take on FC Dallas. Especially if you’re in Dallas, where it’s set to be 78, although leading up to the game it’s been in the high 80s and you probably need a nice cool beer. DC United finally won their last game against the Kansas City Wizards, thanks to a brace by Danny Allsopp and a few excellent saves by the young Bill Hamid. Dallas is also coming off a midweek victory against their cross-state rivals Houston Dynamo. Will they both fizzle out and bring a scoreless draw to their second match in four days? Even if the match is boring at least you’ll have a tasty pint to console you. Unfortunately, you’re only going to catch this match on Direct Kick (and MLS Match Day Live) at 8pm Central.
For more information on rating beer, check out this story on the aptly named Ratebeer.com
And thanks to Collins Pub in Seattle, WA, for letting me sit around for hours at a time, screaming at their TVs and rating their delicious beers.
Ever since Brazil caught my eye during the 1994 World Cup I’ve considered myself a soccer fan, but it wasn’t until the summer 2008 that I decided to find a club. I focused on the Premier League and eventually chose Aston Villa. Initially drawn in by the pretty clarets and blues, I found I liked their organization, their owner and their manager. I fell hard and now it’s too late—I can’t give them up. As for MLS, that was easy, as I live in Seattle.
I’m the Managing Editor of SB Nation’s Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte. I also will be contributing to Two Footed Tackle after the World Cup.
Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com
Soccer + Beer. What could be better, right? But sometimes it’s difficult to choose the perfect beer to compliment your soccer watching. That’s where I come in.
Each week I will be featuring one match from around the world and pairing it with a beer to help you get through the 90+ minutes. In case you can’t catch that match, I’ll also give you a consolation match and pairing. The pairings will involve anything from a beer from that region of the world to a beer based on the way a player’s hair looks. I get to choose! I promise, though, I will do my best to make sure at least one of the picks is widely available.
Lest you think I am a complete Eurosnob, let me assure you that each week won’t involve a Premier League match. But since the EPL season ends this weekend and the title hinges on Sunday’s games, our first match-up will be:
Chelsea v Wigan (10am Central Time, showing on FSC. Supposedly ESPN and ESPN2 have changed their schedules to carry Chelsea and Manchester United, but it is not confirmed online yet).
Chelsea currently hold the lead by one slim point, but if they lose to Wigan (as they did earlier in the season) then the current title holders, Manchester United, could steal first by beating Stoke City. As long as Chelsea send out the team that beat Stoke City 7-0 two weeks ago rather than the one that rolled over and let Tottenham have their way around the pitch, Chelsea will find their fourth top-division title.
And what better way to celebrate a London club taking top honors than by opening a bottle of Fullers London Porter? Fullers is the largest brewery in London and has been brewing—previously as Griffin Brewery—since 1699. While many of you are likely familiar with Fullers ESB, as it is served in almost all English-style pubs in the U.S., it is their London Porter that is consistently ranked among the top ten porters in the world. I was lucky enough to enjoy my bottle in London, but it appears at most quality bottle shops throughout the country.The beer pours brown red, nearly black, with a creamy, high tan head. Its aromas include nutty malts, yeast, and toffee. A well-balanced porter, it tastes of chocolate, nuts, toasted malt, and brown sugar, with a coffee-like finish. If you’re up early and having breakfast or brunch during the match, it would pair well with French toast with cinnamon and orange, or waffles topped with red fruits. Bet you didn’t know you’d be getting meal tips as well! Serve this in an English pint glass, and, if cold, let it warm to nearly room temperature to bring out the flavors. This one weighs in at 5.4% ABV.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For those of you not interested in spending your Sunday morning watching the final games of the 2009-2010 Premier League season, well, don’t count on watching MLS that day. Major League Soccer has a nearly-full slot on Saturday, with seven matches to choose from. Only Colorado and Toronto have a free Saturday, but no one plays on Sunday.
For your Saturday drinking needs, I’d like you to meet Firestone Walker Solace, a beer to welcome in the beginning of summer. For those of you lucky enough to live where it’s above 50, that is. This beer pours a hazy golden peach, with a thin off-white head. Stick your nose in and you’ll smell bubblegum, wheat, and spicy clove, just as you should in any decent wheat beer. It tastes of candy sugar, banana, wheat, and some orange peel. This is one you should serve a bit cold, in a hefeweizen glass if possible. Be warned, though, it’s got a bit more of a punch than a standard crisp, refreshing summer beer, with a 6% ABV.This is the beer to drink while watching DC United take on FC Dallas. Especially if you’re in Dallas, where it’s set to be 78, although leading up to the game it’s been in the high 80s and you probably need a nice cool beer. DC United finally won their last game against the Kansas City Wizards, thanks to a brace by Danny Allsopp and a few excellent saves by the young Bill Hamid. Dallas is also coming off a midweek victory against their cross-state rivals Houston Dynamo. Will they both fizzle out and bring a scoreless draw to their second match in four days? Even if the match is boring at least you’ll have a tasty pint to console you. Unfortunately, you’re only going to catch this match on Direct Kick (and MLS Match Day Live) at 8pm Central.
For more information on rating beer, check out this story on the aptly named Ratebeer.com
And thanks to Collins Pub in Seattle, WA, for letting me sit around for hours at a time, screaming at their TVs and rating their delicious beers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meet Kirsten:
I also support Exeter FC, SSC Napoli, FC Koln, Estudiantes Tecos and Tooting & Mitcham FC, all for a variety of reasons including cider, tattoos, scarves, owls, and a soccer player texting while on the pitch.
I’m the Managing Editor of SB Nation’s Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte. I also will be contributing to Two Footed Tackle after the World Cup.
Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com
Fat Kid is hungry for some French Toast with cinnamon now...
ReplyDeleteDidn't think I would see Tooting & Mitcham here - I am originally from the neighbouring town (Croydon).
ReplyDeleteGreat article!