Going Suds Up: The Best Beers, The Best Soccer

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you: I’m sitting here wearing a “Beat LA” sweatshirt. Sure, it’s meant to be an anti-Dodgers sentiment, but it applies to Sunday’s match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo. We’ve got scrappy Houston, with no international marquee players, against the great Galaxy, starring Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and David Beckham. Plus, LA has the home field advantage. 

Granted, the last time these two teams met, Houston walked away with a 3-1 win, but they’re still not the favored team. If you’ve got no vested interest in this match, put on your orange and stand behind the underdogs.

MLS Final: Los Angeles v Houston, Sunday, November 20 at 8pm CET on ESPN

Fullers Golden Pride: What else than this, a strong beer from England, a tribute to the MLS Comeback Player of the Year. The alcohol aroma is apparent from the pour, which is red brown with a rapidly diminishing head. Golden Pride is fairly sweet and caramelly, enhanced with a hint of orange, a slight dry hop bitterness and a finishing alcohol burn.

Divine Reserve #11, Saint Arnold Brewing: Houston fans that can’t make it to the Home Depot Center will – if they have any taste – be sipping some sort of Saint Arnold brew come Sunday. This imperial IPA seems like a great choice, as its 8.9%ABV. The color even manages to be a reddish-orange; unfortunately, it doesn’t taste like citrus. But it does taste like peaches, which is even better! Well, it taste like hoppy peaches, but fortunately doesn’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Which is good, because Dynamo fans will likely already have to deal with enough bitterness.

And a third beer, for those who think they’ve earned the right to wallow:

Sour Apple Saison, Epic Brewing: This one tastes more like a standard Belgian than a saison with apple, but there is a hint of sourness to this brew. The aroma isn’t spicy enough – way too much bubblegum for a saison. There’s more bubblegum in the taste, as well as banana, which is followed by some apple and cinnamon.  And if you hadn’t caught the hint as to which fan base this might most apply to, well, Epic is based in Salt Lake City. My tears are still flowing.

 About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!



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Going Suds Up: The Best Beers, The Best Soccer

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

Whooohoo, we’ve reached the international break. Aren’t we all excited? I know I am. And yes, I know this is a blog primarily devoted to American soccer, but let’s face it, the USA are playing friendlies on Friday and Tuesday, and there’s likely to be many more stories around here devoted to the games against France and Slovenia.

I’d like to talk about the games that matter – and players have left their clubs for reasonable reasons. There are Euro 2012 playoff matches (France qualified, Slovenia failed, hence the friendlies), as well as CONMEBOL 2014 World Cup qualifying. Therefore, it’s my job to give you a couple matches to watch while you’re waiting for the USA to play, and the beer to drink with them.

Friday, November 11

Uruguay vs. Chile - 4:00pm CT on your computer (boooooooooo)

Raise your hand if you’ve heard about all the drama surrounding la roja. No? Well, let’s cover that quickly. Five players (Arturo Vidal, Jean Beausejour, Jorge Valdivia, Gonazlo Jara and Carlos Carmona) returned late to Chile’s training base, breaking curfew after supposedly being at a baptism. Coach Claudio Borghi, intent on instilling discipline, suspended the players, and has now said they will not play again for the national team. That leaves Chile without two significant starters – Vidal and Valdivia (Jara is out with a knee injury) – in a significant match against the reigning South American champions. This…is not going to go well. Did I mention Alexis Sanchez is hurt once again?

Nectar Ales "Red Nectar" (Paso Robles, CA): clearly we need a pretty red beer to hold up for the poor Chile national team, and this one pours a red honey color. The smell is appropriate to a beer called nectar, with plenty of roses, as well as toasted malts.  The taste is much like the smell, with mostly citrus and floral hops, finished with just a bit of sweetness. Plus, for some reason I feel little Alexi resembles the hummingbird on this bottle, and his spirit needs to be present for this match.

Tuesday, November 15

Croatia vs. Turkey - 1:05pm CT  (also on your computer)

After USA – Slovenia on Thursday, why not continue your long lunch (and drinking session) by watching Croatia host Turkey in Euro 2012 qualification? This promises to be a pretty fantastic match. Turkey finished runners-up to my personal favorites to take the crown, Germany. Croatia had a bit of a meltdown, losing to Greece and missing out on the top spot in Group F. But Ryan Rosenblatt assures me that Luka Modric will save the Vatreni, which is actually a pretty awesome sounding nickname. Plus, the absence of Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin means the midfield will essentially be controlled by little Luka (although some credit should be given to stand-in Belozoglu Emre of Fenerbahce). So a small beer for the little Croatian – not a real small beer, as I find no point in those, but a nice session that’ll keep you going for another two hours.

Pike Brewing "Kilt Lifter" Scotch Ale: In honor of an action I’m sure RyRy would take for precious little Luka, I bring you this lovely red pour, with plenty of head…it smells absolutely delicious, like pure butterscotch, which I can totally imagine Modric smelling like. That and freshly mown grass and, ok, moving on. This one also tastes of caramelly goodness, with a hint of spicy chili at the finish. No, I’m not going there in relation to Mr. Modric. Sorry.

 About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!

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Going Suds Up: The Best Soccer, The Best Beers

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

Sorry guys, but I refuse to give up my standing whisky at the dive bar date in order to wait until Houston Dynamo – Philadelphia Union and Los Angeles Galaxy – New York Red Bulls are finished and I can give you a decent recommendation for the MLS semi-finals. Besides, I’m still smarting (kinda like Brad Evans and Alvaro Fernandez are) from the disappointment of the Seattle Sounders. Geez, why couldn’t Osvaldo Alonso show up in the first leg against Real Salt Lake? Just thinking back to that match drives me to drink. But I promise, American soccer fans, you’ll get a column from me involving the final.

Moving on. 

This week we’ve got plenty of action before the international break. Unfortunately, a lot of what is televised is boring. Blackburn – Chelsea? Come on now, who wants to watch that? And since I’m still angry about the ridiculously physical play against Seattle, I don’t really want to promote any sort of typically English style of play – so let’s tune out that Bolton – Stoke City match. Instead, I’m climbing back on my high horse and demand that everyone watch Italian calcio this Sunday. But if one person uses the words “boring” or “defensive” to describe the style, I swear I will hunt you down and take away your beer. You have been warned.

AC Milan v Catania (Sunday, November 6 at 8AM CT on Fox Soccer)

Photo Credit: 365Beers

There are two major reasons for watching this match. First, Catania under former Roma coach Vincenzo Montella are performing tremendously well. The Elephants are currently sixth in Serie A, primarily due to Montella’s attacking style. They’ve yet to lose at home, and fight hard to find a draw on the road. But the trip to the San Siro will be their toughest yet, with Milan back on form in the league and doing their best to climb back up to the top.

The other reason to tune in to this match is to see how the rossoneri will function without Antonio Cassano. In case you haven’t heard, the Milan forward came down with a mystery illness after last week’s match, and now has been diagnosed with a heart condition that will require surgery, leaving him out of contention for at least three months, but most likely longer. Although Cassano doesn’t always start, he’s been a force for Milan and Italy thus far this season, and his contributions will almost certainly be missed.

Rogue Ales "HazelNut" Brown Ale (Newport, OR): This one’s for you, Fantantonio. It’s the closest beer I can find to capturing the spirit of Nutella, one of the finest things in life. It has a gorgeous pour, deep red brown with a thick, slowly dissipating head that leaves a faint lacing. This brown has a malty, roasted aroma with, obviously, a hazelnut streak. It tastes like coffee, chocolate, and hazelnut…like drinking that spoonful of Nutella.

Napoli v Juventus (Sunday, November 6 at 12:45PM CT on Fox Soccer)

Ay dios mio. This is a match where yours truly needs a strong, strong beer or possibly twenty. Seeing as half of the Twitter-verse believes I am a Juventina, I follow a lot of Juve supporters – and they’re going to be firey on Sunday. But that’s not the worst of it for this Vesuviana. No, it’s that Napoli are currently underperforming in the league, sitting fifth, while the Old Lady are top of the table and remain undefeated.

And if you still think Italian teams are boring and defensive, watch this match and have a laugh. Both teams are both spastic and entertaining, whether it’s a counter-attack or a hilarious miss. And their defenses…well, just watch and see.

Stone Brewing 15^th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA: Oh sweet 10%+ABV – you will be my saving grace this Sunday. The smell of this one makes it seem like you're about to drink a porter: chocolate and coffee, a bit of toast. But then you taste it and it's so much more than that, tasting first like caramel malts, but ending with a bitter grapefruit finish. Probably much in the manner of this match.

 About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!


Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Going Suds Up: The Best Soccer, The Best Beers

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

Sometimes soccer just provides an excuse to drink – and drink a lot. Like MLS this weekend. Is there a point to the final matches? New York Red Bulls’ win over Philadelphia Union on Thursday night meant they clinched the final playoff position, leaving no real purpose for watching the games. Except for the love of the sport and your team, of course. And for drinking! That’s why we’re headed into barley wine territory this weekend. Our focus: what to drink when the game is just a background to indulging in some quite fine, quite strong beers.

First, we’ll jump to ESPN’s soccer game of the week. It just might prove that someone was drinking heavily when the schedule was decided.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Swansea: Saturday, 6:30am CT on ESPN2

Really, ESPN? Are you trying to make sure the viewing numbers for soccer are so minimal that you shouldn’t be showing the sport at all? Because really…who wants to wake up for two low-table teams? Wolves haven’t picked up a point in their last five matches. Their last came against Aston Villa, a team that prides itself on playing for a draw. Swansea at least can be entertaining  (and god help the team that concedes a penalty and sees Scott Sinclair stepping to the spot) but a purposeful awakening seems a bit much if you’re not a Swans supporter.

Lost Abbey The Angel’s Share: Sorry dudes if I’ve included this one before, but my high-tech tracking system (ok, so it’s me remembering to include the beers I’ve written about in a spreadsheet) says I have not. And Angel’s Share is the crème de la crème of barleywines. Sure, maybe you don’t think you should start off the day drunk off a 12.5%ABV beer, but I say that just gives you an excuse for a quality noon nap. Like most barley wines, it pours deep brown with a thin head and no lace. Alcohol is heavy in the aroma along with chocolate and raisin. The taste is bourbon, brandy, raisin, chocolate, vanilla with an intense warming ability. Yum.

Inter Milan v Chievo Verona: Sunday, 4pm CT on Fox Soccer (delay)

It’s clear Fox Soccer made a non-negotiable schedule of matches, or else they’d never show this, even on replay. If you’re an Inter fan, you’ll need strong booze to get you through the match, but if not, perhaps it will help you feel giggly rather than wanting to smash your head against something hard. The nerazzurri are quite dreadful thus far this season, above the relegation zone only because they’ve managed to score more goals than Bologna. The [redacted] Flying Donkeys, on the other hand, bring a big bus on all their travels, and park it just in front of goal. If this game ain’t beer-inducing enough for you, watch a replay of the Juventus-Chievo match. That’ll have you running for the alcohol.

Dogfish Head Immort Ale: A widely available barley wine – for those of you lucky enough to live in areas where Dogfish Head distributes, anyway. And use your Dogfish Head glass, of course. Pours peachy amber with plenty of beige clings. Aromas are of yeast, smoke, and evergreens, so it should get you in the Christmas spirit.  Lingering smoke taste after toasted malts and bread. The only drawback is that the palate is slightly syrupy, but at 11%ABV, this one will leave you feeling giddy, no matter how crap the game is.

For you crazies – Manchester United v Manchester City: Sunday, 7am CT on Fox Soccer

Let’s face it, if you root for one of these teams, your Sunday as the potential to be quite disheartening. Both teams remain unbeaten, with City drawing away at Fulham, and United drawing last week to Liverpool and before that, to Stoke. Both remain untouchable at home, however, although the Red Devils at least allow opponents to score before demolishing them (but hope lies with the next team to play at the Etihad – if Stephen Warnock can do it, so can you!).  Anyway, it’ll only be fun for neutrals, so bring out the…

Lagunitas Brown Shugga: mmmm, such a tasty winter ale, and at 9.84% ABV (no, I have no idea how they get it so exact, either) it will keep you warm even if your team leaves you in the cold. It even pours a pretty red brown with a white head—like Santa Claus. Smells of lots of brown sugar with a bit of citrus hop, and tastes like a perfect winter brew, with lots of sugary spiciness and alcohol.

 About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!


Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Going Suds Up: The Best Beers, The Best Soccer

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

It’s October! And do you know what October means (besides bundling up in scarves and boots)? It means all things pumpkin, including…pumpkin beers!

Drink Up:

Smuttynose

Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale: One of the standards of pumpkin ales, and particularly easy to find if you’re east of the Mississippi. Not so much a standout as just a solid pumpkin – one that can be drank as a session ale if you’re so inclined, particularly as it’s just a 5% ABV. This one isn’t so much “pumpkin” as it is “pumpkin pie spice,” so if you’re the type that appreciates plenty of clove in your beer, race on down for a six-pack or two.

Pair It With...

Italian Serie A – Lazio v Roma (Sunday, 1:30PM CT, FSC)

Stock up and play your own derby drinking game! Every time the announcer mentions Francesco Totti out with injury? Take a drink. Roma’s new American owners? Three drinks. And if anyone happens to mention that Lazio miss Fernando Muslera in goal, chung – and grab another while chugging again, all while replaying Paraguay’s last minute goal against Uruguay on Tuesday.

Drink Up:

Post Road Pumpkin, Brooklyn Brewery: A pleasant surprise from a brewery I rarely get to sample, Brooklyn’s pumpkin offering actually tasted, like, well, pumpkin. Aromas of cinnamon and clove in this one, but the actual taste was pumpkin, as well as a bit of vanilla, and, of course, the spices.

Pair It With...

Major League Soccer – Portland Timbers v Houston Dynamo (Friday, 9:30PM CT, MLS Direct Kick)

No clever analogies here – just an MLS match that you should be watching. If Houston beat Portland, and DC United fail to win against Chicago, the Dynamo…won’t clinch a spot. But then again, it’ll make it much harder for the Timbers to reach the playoffs so nya nya nya nya. Figuring out anything else about the MLS playoff standings makes my head hurt, so let’s move on to other beers.

Drink Up:

Night Owl, Elysian Brewing: Surprisingly, not the best pumpkin ale you’ll find from Elysian, who sponsors a pumpkin beer fest every year in Seattle. Their best is Dark O’the Moon, but good luck finding that outside King County. Night Owl is quite delicious, however, and if you live in an area fortunate enough to have Elysian available, pick up a bottle. Aromas common to a pumpkin pie--cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The ginger comes through in the taste and the pumpkin lingers and the end.

Pair It With...

Bundesliga – Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund (Friday, 1:30PM CT, GolTV)

Werder Bremen, sitting second in Germany, host last year’s darlings, Dortmund, who have slipped down to sixth place. The title holders have won their last two league matches, but lost to Marseille 3-0 in the Champions League, while Bremen get the pleasure of solely focusing on the domestic league. With 29 goals already scored between the two teams, you’ll be able to enjoy the match, rather than fuss over why your best friend can’t score you a bottle of Dark O’the Moon.

Drink Up:

TREAT Imperial Chocolate Pumpkin Porter, Midnight Sun Brewing: If you live in a region where you’re unable to buy Midnight Sun, well, go curl up in a ball and cry until winter warmer season. Otherwise, what’s stopping you? Go buy this, my favorite of pumpkin beers. A plethora of smells, including bittersweet chocolate, cinnamon, clove, yeast, caramel and squash. Palate is smooth and taste is superb. Pumpkin pie spices are present but don’t overwhelm. A bit of earthiness, vegetable, and caramel enhance the flavor, but the definite treat of this one is its velvety chocolate ending.

Pair It With...

English Premier League – Manchester City v Aston Villa (Saturday, 8:30AM CT, FSC)

Not so much because this promises to be the most enthralling match in the Premier League this week, but more because Liverpool – Manchester United is on at an inappropriate hour, and yours truly needs an almost-8%ABV to get through this match. The unbeaten – yet really, unchallenged – Villa travel to Manchester for the first time this season, hoping to be the first English side to score at whatever City are calling their football stadium these days. Or, knowing the Alex McLeish style, simply packing ten men behind the ball and crossing their fingers they can hold on for a point. Yeah, gonna need booze to get through this one.

 About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!

 Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Going Suds Up: The Best Soccer, The Best Beers

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

What’s up, y’all? Can anyone guess what we’re focusing on this week? That’s right, it’s the Merseyside Derby – long considered one of the most friendly derbies in soccer, one in which supporters in Everton jerseys sit side by side with fans wearing Liverpool kits. Still, I imagine it can’t be very fun for those whose, say, romantic relationships bridge that divide.

For those not caught up on Premier League football (and if you’re not, why, not? Haven’t you heard it’s the best league in the world?) Liverpool is currently sitting in fifth place, with ten points, while Everton are in eleventh, with seven. The Reds are having a bit of an up-and-down season, beating Arsenal at the Emirates before realizing that such a feat isn’t that impressive this season, losing 4-0 to Spurs a couple weeks ago, and most recently managed to beat Wolves 2-1, but were helped out by Mr. Own Goal. Everton, meanwhile, have managed to record two wins – and it’s not even December yet! Last week, though, they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City’s reserves, with Roberto Mancini actually allowing Mario Balotelli to play. And don’t worry, everyone, because Rafa Benitez has assured us that this derby is going to be “fantastic.”

Considering the match is at 6:45am CT, if you’re going to be up and drinking, you might as well be drinking something delicious and strong. The three beers widely available from Chimay, one of the six Belgian trappist breweries, will do quite nicely. Be sure to use your trappist glass (I know you have one) for whichever of the following you choose to quaff on Saturday.

For Liverpool fans: Chimay Red

What a pretty pour –and part of the reason you need an appropriate glass. This one is mahogany with a thick beige head. Another reason you need the right glass, of course, is so the aromas come through. Rouge smells of brown sugar, oranges, toasted caramel, and some red fruits. A true Belgian brew, you can taste the yeast, but this one is also peppery and  tastes of those red fruits. This is an absolutely perfectly balanced beer – which is likely more than can be said for a squad heavy on midfielders.

For Everton fans: Chimay Blue

Toffees fans, just because they are, well, Toffees fans, get the strongest beer on the list, weighing in at 9%. And because I feel more sympathy for Everton fans, they also get the best beer. Ok, ok, it’s really because they’re blue. This is a dark brownish-gold Belgian, with a thin cappuccino head. It smells like fig, caramel, candy sugar, cherries and yeast, which may sound odd but is actually captivating. Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of candy sugar in the taste, as well as roses, plums, molasses, and nutty malt. Sip this one as you ponder how Everton will get through the season without any strikers.

For neutrals, crazy enough to wake up for this match: Chimay White

Match not as thrilling as Rafa promised? This beer will at least give you something to think about. It’s complex, not nearly as easy to enjoy as the first two. It pours a golden orange with barely any head, but lots of rising bubbles – which are at least something to watch, right? Bread and yeast are the primary smells, but there are raisins in there too. Can’t really taste the raisins though, with more of a bitter hop coming through the breadiness.  

About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!


Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Going Suds Up: The Best Beers, The Best Soccer

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent


So fans of soccer in America, do you know what Fox Soccer would like to show you on Saturday? Blackburn – Arsenal is the early match, followed by Aston Villa – Newcastle. I’m a Villa fan, and I’m still not pleased by this offering. I bet even Arsenal fans aren’t happy to see their team on cable, because who on earth wants to wake up to watch Blackburn? That’s going to take a lot of alcohol, of the type this beer column doesn’t touch upon. So let’s move on from the English Premier League. And not to Serie A either, at least not for Saturday, because Fox Soccer Plus would have you believe you should be watching Cagliari – Novara.

No, let’s go to Germany! They have good beer, plus it’s Oktoberfest time. Or almost, anyway. Close enough.

Germany is one of the few leagues in which, you might be surprised to know, I don’t have a club. It’s just too much fun to watch Bundesliga – I can’t play favorites with them. But if we’re celebrating Oktoberfest, there’s just one team we can pick: Bayern Munich. Which means we’ll have to wait until Sunday, when their match against Schalke 04 is on GolTV, at 10:30 CT. But it will be worth it, I promise. I hope, anyway. Bayern just won their first Champions League tie 2-0 against Villareal. After four matches, they’ve got a perfect record, and although tied with Werder Bremen at the top of the table, have a nine point advantage on goal difference, having conceded just one goal this season. And no, this Napoli fan is not pleased to share a Champions League group of death with Bayern.

Now, for Oktoberfest, I’m not going to give you just one beer. Oktoberfest is more about the style of beers, which, of course, originate in Munich. You can get “Oktoberfest” beers from nearly every brewery these days, but for it to be a true festival beer, it must have been brewed within the city limits of München. That means no New Glarus, no Boulevard, no Sam Adams. That even means no Ayinger Oktoberfest, no matter how tasty it might be. Your Oktoberfest beer must be from Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, or Spaten. You’re not likely to find the first two breweries, and the second two don’t distribute their Oktoberfest beer widely. Spaten is well known, but more for Optimator, which is strong, sweet, and similar to an Oktoberfest beer, but is technically a doppelbock.

You’re going to want a Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen, which, oddly enough, is actually brewed by Paulaner, for reasons I refuse to research right now. Like doppelbocks, Oktoberfests/ Märzens (they’re the same thing) are sweet and dark, the style Munich is renowned for. They’ve got a bit more bite than the sweeter doppelbock, and are typically slightly less alcoholic – this one is 5.8% ABV. It’s got a lovely caramel, spicy taste that is balanced by just enough of a bitter hop finish to make it interesting.

Prost!

About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!

Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Going Suds Up: The Best Beers, The Best Soccer

By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa Correspondent

The Serie A season finally kicks off on Friday, and what better way to welcome it than the return of my column? I know y’all missed me during the summer – how on earth did you find new beers to try? Well, I’m back, my lovelies, ready to challenge your both your taste buds and your soccer watching preferences, encouraging you to try some of both from around the globe.

Never fear, though – just because I’m writing about Italian calico this week doesn’t mean I’ll be trying to convince you to sample beer from the boot. Sure, Moratti is perfectly fine when you’re drinking in a piazza on a sweaty summer evening, but it’s not one you’d purposefully pick up in the US. Instead, we’ll have a nod to Italy’s drinking culture with a couple beers aged in wine barrels. And when we’re dealing with beers aged in wine barrels/oak barrels, it’s almost certain they’ll be one of two types: an imperial stout or a lambic/sour ale. So I’ll give you one of each, ‘cause I’m nice like that (well, not give. You’re going to have to go out and buy these yourselves).

AC Milan v Lazio (Friday, 1:45PM CT)

What better way to celebrate Friday than by ducking out of work for a late lunch, drinking some strong beer and watching as Milan attempt to kick off their scudetto defense in style? I recommend trying to find a bar that has Great Divide Brewing Co "Oak Aged Yeti" Imperial Stout (Denver, CO) on tap. Granted, it might be difficult in early fall, but the beer is widely available. It pours black with a thin tan head and some clings. Delicious smell, of chocolate, oak and caramel. The oak aged stout tastes, appropriately, of coffee and chocolate with some bitter peppery hops and an oaky, bourbon finish. The smoothness should meld well with the style of Milan, who retain much of the same title-winning squad as last year, while continuing to strengthen both their defense and midfield. Plus, how can you not want to watch this adorable face?

Serie A Sunday (Begins at 5:30AM CT, ends with 1:45PM match)

Besides Cesena – Napoli, which is the only Saturday game (and I refuse to write about for fear of jinxing it), the rest of the Serie A clubs play their first matches on Sunday. I’m a Serie A diehard and refuse to get up for the first, Juventus – Parma, so I suggest you sleep in as well, and simply look at photos of the club’s new stadium to get your kicks. If you’re picking a match to watch during the 8AM block, I suggest Lecce –Udinese, which probably won’t be what Fox is showing, but will likely be the most entertaining match of the five available. And by all means, grab a bottle of Cantillon Vigneronne (France) to watch Palermo host Inter Milan (particularly if you’re a Palermo fan, although you may need something stronger). This bottle is expensive, but is one of the best lambics that can be found, and works perfectly for a Sunday brunch feast. Made with white grapes soaked in lambic, this one changes as it sits, allowing more flavors to come through, from a beginning overpowering sour to a more mellow sour apple to lemon flavors at the end. Of course, if you don’t like vinegar, don’t go for this, as the aroma is overwhelming, but the taste is worth it.

If you’re looking for a full Serie A preview, I’ve got you covered here. Enjoy your calcio weekends, and whatever beers you choose to accompany the matches!


About Kirsten

I may be a law student at Lewis and Clark, but soccer is my true love, with beer coming in a distant second. That's not to say I don't love beer--I've tasted over a thousand different brews, and listed many of them onRatebeer. Living in Portland, Oregon, I attend quite a few festivals and tastings, and am able to argue passionately about the merits of Cascade hops vs. Chinook. 

As for the soccer, I'm the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Aston Villa site, 7500 to Holte, the Italy Editor for SB Nation Soccer, and cover the Seattle Sounders on SBN Seattle (don't judge--I'm from Seattle!) Finally, I write for Two Footed Tackle when I find words worthy enough for the site. Want more? Follow me on Twitter!


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