If you carefully think about it — and we did — it’s funny how much the brewery scenes in Colorado and Carolina mirror the football teams they harbor. On one hand, Colorado is a long-established, traditional powerhouse of beer and football that instantly comes to mind for either subject with scores of GABF medals, championship rings and constant competitive showings. On the other hand, Carolina is seen as a feisty upstart team on the field, with super-talented breweries that draw less attention and praise but still produce some excellent craft choices.
With that said, what if we drafted a team of craft brews (we’ll fully own that pun) from each locale to face off on any given Sunday? What if we lined up some of the pros, offered some motivational speak about why we love them and why you should invite them to the Big Game? Well, that roster would like this:
COLORADO
Quarterback: Great Divide Titan IPA. A perennial champion and the true King of Beers at 7.1% ABV, this aggressively hopped IPA will get you downfield in a hurry.
Wide Receiver: Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale. With plans for its third brewery to open in Texas this spring, Oskar Blues has shrunk the playing field.
Tight End: Avery Brewing’s White Rascal. You can have all the confidence in the world that you’ll be received well when you show up to the party with this one. Light, refreshing and “deviously delicious,” Rascal is everyone’s favorite.
Safety: Breckenridge 471 IPA. Say what you will about who owns what, when the beer is this good it speaks for itself. This double IPA is full of that mountain high hop resin, and the 9.2% ABV will have you feeling all kinds of worry-free.
Benchwarmer: Upslope Brewing’s Craft Lager. Brewing a solid lager is what separates the pros from the amateurs. Craft Lager offers an outstanding example of the everyday session beer of old. Lagers have long been railed against in the craft brewing community, where hop rules. Expect this one to come off the bench and score the winning point.
Hail Mary: Crooked Stave Nightmare on Brett Street. If you’re just going to throw it up there and hope for the best, this barrel-aged imperial porter is the prayer you need. It’s been aged in a few different barrels, but the Leopold Bros.’ whiskey adds the best complement by far. Completely fermented with Brettanomyces, this brew also boasts hints of bourbon, vanilla and sour cherry.
Kicker: SKA Brewing’s Rudie Session IPA. You need to be able to nail it between the uprights, so keep the ABV low and the hops electric. This 4.5% session IPA is the go-to from first to fourth quarter.
Defensive Tackle: Odell Russian Pirate. A 13.3% imperial stout aged in rum barrels, this is smash mouth craft beer and presents the best way to blank your opponent on the scoreboard. Not much can beat this one.
CAROLINA
Quarterback: NoDa Brewing’s Hop, Drop ‘n Roll. After scoring a Gold at the GABF in 2014, this IPA has taken the Carolinas by storm and put NoDa Brewing in the national spotlight.
Wide Receiver: Red Oak. No matter what bar, airport or gas station you go to, you can be certain to get your hands on a craft Vienna lager from Red Oak Brewery.
Tight End: Highland Brewing Gaelic Ale. For years, this has been a Carolina go-to beer. Always consistent and always available from our friends in Asheville
Safety: Triple C Bourbon Barrel Aged Up All Night Breakfast Porter. Despite the name, this bourbon barrel-aged porter is brewed with loads of chocolate and honey. Coming in at 10%, it’s certain to be the last one of the night.
Benchwarmer: Asheville Brewing’s Ninjabread Man Porter. This gold medal-winning porter still hasn’t received the recognition it deserves from the masses. Brewed with cinnamon, raisins and vanilla beans, this delicious porter is a must-try.
Hail Mary: Wicked Weed Brewing’s Black Angel. This highly sought after sour ale is reminiscent of cherry pie. It’s aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels and offers hints of marshmallow and graham cracker. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to try it, you’re missing out.
Kicker: Lonerider Brewing’s The Hops You Rode In On. Loaded with hops, this session IPA comes in at 4.4% ABV but has the flavor, body and mouthfeel of much more. Perfect beer to use to toss back a few.
Defensive Tackle: Foothills Brewing Sexual Chocolate. This highly anticipated imperial stout weighs in at 10%. Brewed with dark fruit, molasses and cocoa nibs, it’s likely to knock you on your butt.
